chapter 15
Before Ella knew it, the rest of the weekend went by quickly. All the students had been given their timetables and it was finally the first day of the Academy. Getting up from bed, she could see the bustling students outside her windows and feel the excitement in the air.
Dressed in her brand-new maroon uniform, she calmed her beating heart before taking a deep breath.
[Calm down, it's going to be okay. I've pretty much made friends with all the OG characters except for a few other people. I won't let Merula die!].
After having another check of her bag again for the day's subjects, she quickly joined Merula outside.
"Morning, Merula! Are you excited?"
"Good morning, Ella. I suppose I am but I wish I was sleeping still." Merula let out a small yawn, Ella silently gushing at her cuteness.
"Come on, Mel! It's going to be so fun, but first I want a croissant." Ella pouted, grabbing Merula's hand and heading off to the Dining Hall.
-
After a hearty breakfast joined by a teasing Wulff and gentle Prince Blaize, Ella waved goodbye before slowly walking to her first class, Literature. The class was neatly nestled in a building next to the Library, and the classroom itself reminded Ella of her university lectures. An open room, with wooden tables and chairs in a circular shape with tall windows and a blackboard at the front.
Literature was taught by Professor John Locke, a fairly young man, with slick golden hair and green eyes. His attire gave the impression of an English gentleman with a grey suit and gold pocket watch.
[Damn....kingsmen much. I can already see girls crushing on him].
As Ella began to pull her notebooks out, she felt someone take a seat beside her. Sneaking a peek, she saw a familiar boy with red hair and freckles.
[Damien Lulkery?! The Prince's future knight. It'll be best if I make friends with him but I don't want to...].
Letting out a sigh, she unknowingly attracted the boy beside her.
"Ehh?! Are you the light user?" The freckled boy gasped.
Surprised by the sudden outburst, Ella turned her head.
"Umm...yes? Hi." She awkwardly answered.
"Wow! I've never met a light user before! You must be so amazing to be blessed by the Goddess, herself!" Damien said animatedly.
[He's talking so fast and excitedly. He's like...a puppy].
"Thank you...I'm sorry but I didn't catch your name?"
"Oh me? My name is Damien Lulkery a future knight-in-training! My gift is Air." He ruffled his red locks before giving a wide smile.
"Well, it's lovely to meet you, Damien. My name is Ella Deon, I guess I'm the light user, but I don't really like all the attention. It's a little embarrassing actually," Ella sheepishly said.
"Oh! I understand! Don't worry, I won't mention it again!" Damien placed his hand on his heart, making a promise sign.
"Thanks," Ella chuckled.
Shortly after, the clock rang, indicating the end of class.
"So what class do you have next, Ella?" Damien asked excitedly.
"I have History next."
"Me too! Let's go together!"
Ella nodded, unable to escape his overflowing enthusiasm.
-
History class was located in the same building and taught by another male teacher, Professor Arthur Lisle. Ella recognised him from the first day of orientation, with his long black hair neatly tied in a low ponytail ribbon and tanned skin. He was a slim figure, wearing a deep burgundy suit and silver jewellery.
Ella was looking forward to this class, hoping to know more about potential enemies but again, was left disappointed.
[Lumiere a peaceful kingdom, again. Maybe there isn't an enemy here? But there's got to be...both the Goddess and Seer said there was.]
Shaking her negative thoughts away, she turned to look at Damien and almost burst out laughing. The redhead was slowly dozing off, his head leaning sideways.
"Hey, class is over, kiddo. You need to wake up for lunch." Ella poked at his cheeks.
"What? Huh! Lunch?" Damien quickly wiped his drool with his sleeve.
"Mmm-hm, it's lunchtime. My favourite time of the day. Do you want to join me?" Ella asked.
"Me? Really? I can join you?"
"Of course. We're friends aren't we?" Ella asked, puzzled.
"Friend...? Wow, I can't believe I'm friends with the legendary light user! I'm going to tell my whole family about this!" Damien let out into a sense of wonder.
[...this kid is an actual puppy. Like a fanboy puppy...omg.]
"Okay, okay. Settle down, Damien. You can tell them after lunch, okay? I'm starving." Ella chuckled.
-
Finding an empty table, the pair of them were joined by Wulff and Merula. Before Ella could introduce her new friend, Damien quickly made an impression on the group.
Even Wulff softened with Damien's amazement at his sword skills. During lunch, Ella learnt that Damien came from a small village, not far from Ella's hometown. He had a big family who were mostly farmers, and a total of six siblings (amazingly the oldest and the only boy!).
"My dream is to be one of the Kingdom's top knights! It's been my dream ever since I was young and a knight saved me from a wild boar. Not to mention with the pay, I can take care of my family." Damien beamed.
"Awww, that's so sweet of you. I believe in you, Damien."
"You do?! Heehee, thank you." Damien's freckled cheeks glowed.
The rest of the lunch went and soon it was over. The next class was what Ella anticipated the most: Gift Training. She wondered if it would be like all the tv shows she had watched. Additionally, she was glad that this was the class that the group all shared, even Damien and the Prince.
[I'm so excited, is it gonna be like Harry Potter? Or the Avengers? Wait, is it gonna be like Naruto's battles?!]
Entering a large dome-like building, Ella was amazed at the interior. It was essentially a massive arena, with rows of seats and even a VIP glass room.
In the very centre of the court stood their Professor who surprised the entire class.
"Hello students, I hope you had a pleasant lunch. Welcome to my class, Gift Training. I know you might be surprised that I teach classes, but I do! From now on, I, the Dean fester, am your new professor." He said with a glint in his eye.