1 Miss Bluefield

It was morning that season of spring when Claide got her letter.

Just like every ten year old maidservant and male worker in Encantadia School of Mages she received a letter that would determine her future and the future of her family.

The letter came to her as a shock for she didn't expect it to be handed to her by the Vice-Chief of the Academy.

When the Vice-Chief arrived in the maid's chamber everyone knew that something is going to happen.

The Vice-Chief was an old lady on her eighties but has never looked a day older than fifty, with her poise and fashion. The only giveaway was her graying hair. She was very fond of the color blue Claide noticed, as the time Claide saw her not wearing something blue could be counted with her one finger. She was named Miss Bluefield after all.

With trembling hands Claide reached out for the letter on the lady's hand.

She was very hesitant to receive it from Miss Bluefield who appeared stoic and stiff. She was scared. Everyone in the chamber knew that Miss Bluefield only handle official matters, such as promoting or firing male workers and maidservants.

Claide didn't exactly know how or what to feel. At some point she was excited, but on the other hand she was very afraid.

She felt excited for the promotion she might receive, as if going up another floor is a promotion someone should get excited with, but for these maidservants and male workers such a promotion means everything to them.

Yet, the lingering fear was very clear on Claide's face.

Yes, the promotion is great and very exciting but losing this job is as devastating. She feared that this might be the last day she'll be standing on the Academy.

"No!"

Everyone in the chamber was jolted when they heard someone's cry. It was Joanna. Joanna was one of the maidservants; she was also Claide's very own tormentor. She was a black haired tall girl who came from a family of merchants. Her brown eyes were brimming with tears and her face was filled with disbelief.

"Madame Blue, there must have been a mistake. How can I be fired? Have I done something wrong? Madame, please…"

Miss Bluefield cut Joanna's banter by waving her hand.

Everyone was stupefied.

Joanna who was trying to talk has gone mute. She opens here mouth and was as if screaming but no noise has come out of her.

Not caring, Miss Bluefield looked glaringly at the red haired girl clearly expressing that she's losing her patience. Still on the hand of the old lady was the letter. It was stamped with the official seal of the academy, at the back of it was a name written in big cursive letters, 'Claide Ella de Lavette'.

"What are you waiting for Miss de Lavette?"

Claide hurriedly took the letter and muttered her thanks.

She among all the people in the chamber knows the temperament of the old lady. Her mother has given her the direct order to never mess with the field most especially if the field was colored blue.

Clearly, that means to not mess with the old lady.

"Open it quickly," Miss Bluefield said without any trace of emotion.

With trembling and sweaty hands Claide open the letter.

Claide couldn't help but close her eyes. Her heart was beating very fast. She was so worried that all thoughts in her mind were filled with possibilities. She only went calm when she felt the familiar warm presence of her little brother and mother.

"Mom, I am scared," she whispered.

"Don't be. Be brave," her mother said full with encouragement.

"But, I am afraid to leave. I don't want to leave you both here," she said.

"You're not yet sure about that. But, if you get fired then we will leave with you," her mother said with determined voice.

"But…"

Claide want to say that they don't have to, but she saw the determination and the bravery on her mother's eyes so she stop and drew courage from them.

Before reading the letter, she first looked at the people surrounding her. On her sides was her mother and her little brother Sam, in front of her was Miss Bluefield who was dressed elegantly with her blue gown, at the back was all the other maids and workers.

She prayed for the letter to be a promotion, because a promotion also meant that she will be given a chance to study magic.

Learning magic would make everything for her and her family's life easier. Promoting to another floor guaranteed training for the simple use of magic for cleaning, chores and other simpler stuffs.

You will also be trained on the most basic elemental magic and be tested with your affinity.

What makes it more attracting is that the training would also be offered to all your immediate family members.

Learning the most basic of elemental magic doesn't sound inviting at all to the nobles but it is to families who can't afford to study elemental magic.

Studying elemental magic is so costly that even the merchant's would dare send their own sons and daughters to work and become maids and workers in hopes of the promotion and letting the family study magic, just like Joanna.

Not all will be given the promotion though.

Every year the academy would receive hundreds of maidservants and workers but out of this hundreds only few will receive a promotion and most of them will be fired.

Claide, her mother and brother have been living on the academy for almost three years, making them the longest to stay. They don't have a house nor do they own a land. They were practically beggars when they come upon the academy.

With a sigh, she gathered all her courage and started reading.

Dear Miss Claide,

The Academy of Encantadia School for Mages accepts you as a student…

She stopped reading.

"Uhmm... Miss Bluefield, I think there is something wrong with this letter," Claide said.

"What is it Miss de Lavette?" the old lady asked, still appearing void of emotion.

"What is it sister?" her five-year-old brother asked as well. His eyes that was blue as the sky was filled with worry. "Are you promoted? I know you would!"

She once again read the letter, and became more baffled and shocked. She thought reading it the first time would've shocked her more, but reading it the second, the third time made it realer that shocked her even more to her very core.

"A student? How?" she muttered upon herself.

"Is there any problem, Miss de Lavette?" Miss Bluefield asked again.

"Honey, let me take a look," her mom said.

Claide's mom, Lani, took the letter from her hands and read it herself.

After reading it, she too was shocked. Petrified.

"Miss Bluefield, what happened to my mother and sister?" Sam asked the old lady.

He looked at both her mother and sister who were still like statue. Both of their breath was held, eyes were both wide, and jaws open.

"Mom? Sis?"

Both were awaken from their daze state with the nudge of Sam. Sam was now really getting worried.

"Mom is sister fired? Are we really leaving this place? But I don't want to!"

"No Sam. Your sister isn't fired. But, Miss Bluefield what does this letter mean?"

"What does it say?" the old lady asked back.

"It says that I'm accepted as a student of the Academy. But, how can I enter. I'm not a noble and we don't have the money to enter," Claide said wondering.

"Does it matter how you got accepted? Or do you want me to take it back from you and I'll just say to the Head-Chief that you declined the offer."

Miss Bluefield made the gesture of taking the letter from Lani, Claide's mom.

"Wait, no. I mean yes…"

"I don't get what you're saying Miss de Lavette. Do you not or do you accept it."

Miss Bluefield still was stiff but anyone can hear the playfulness on here voice, which shocked everyone.

"Of course, we accept Madame. But, the expenses are too high. We don't own anything, even our clothes are just donation and we can only eat the rations that the academy is offering. We can't afford to send my daughter to such prestigious academy. I heard that even nobles find it hard to join one."

"Lani, Claide. You don't have to worry for anything. It's already been well taken care off," she said. Her voice now has a soft touch in it.

Miss Bluefield looked at the family of three in front of her; a mother, a son and a daughter. She couldn't help but long for a family.

It was her who found them on the streets. It was also her who gave shelter to them. It was her who gave them the job in the Academy. Now, it was her who was helping the red haired blue-eyed child join the academy with her influence.

Who was she by the way; she is Miss Geneva Bluefield the Vice-Chief of the Academy of Encantadia School of Mages.

With a smile she left the family of three and the rest of the maidservants and workers at a baffled state.

In a small room inside the maid's chamber in the Academy of Encantadia School for Mages three people were gazing each other. None of them were talking but their gazes were filled with emotion that can't be put into words.

The family of three was still shocked by the turn of events.

Claide couldn't believe it, and so was her mom. Only Sam, her younger brother, was smiling from ear to ear.

Claide still have many questions, but the letter on her hands was like a scorching sun that meltss all her doubts. The letter was a proof the she indeed will be able to enter the academy not as a maidservant but as a student.

But she still couldn't believe it. How come a mere beggar like her could be granted to join the academy?

Even nobles find it hard to enter the academy.

Claide was just a ten-year-old girl who lives with her mother and brother in the academy. Her hair was red just like her father's. Her eyes were blue like the sky and her fare skin glitters when hit by light, long lashes, a perfect nose and a beautiful face. She is a beautiful child, but all of this was covered by hardships and poverty.

Due to their family situation her confidence has always been lacking.

Even her fellow maidservants bully her to the point that she herself believed them. If it's not for her mother and brother consoling and encouraging her, she would have quit and stop dreaming a long time ago.

She didn't even have her basic education at a proper school, because even that is already expensive for them, even though it was basically free. She also didn't have the time to do so, because she also has to do jobs in order to help her mother.

But when Miss Bluefield took them to the academy, she and her family got some air to breath. Life's not that hard anymore, so she got the time and learned how to write and read. It was all thanks to her very dear friend Old Matilde who once upon a time teaches at a daycare.

The excitement bubbles from Claide's stomach thinking about all her struggles to study for the most basic of education and now she will be receiving the best education in the whole Kingdom of Encantadia.

She looked at her Mom and cried her heart out.

"Mom? Is this really happening?" she asked.

"I can't believe it myself my dear Claide. But there is no point on moping around. We have to prepare ourselves."

"Sister, Miss Bluefield said that from now on we'd be living at the St. Mirth Building. Isn't it great? I can study magic, and then I can now learn how to read and write just like you," little Sam said.

He was so excited. He was clasping his hands and look dreamily at her sister. The light that the lamp provides adds effect to his twinkling eyes.

Claide forgot about it. All that was in her mind was the impossibility of her situation that she forgot to wonder where her family would be living from now on.

Because her promotion was unlike others, she wasn't sure where her family would be place into all this. Unlike other promoted maids, she wasn't just promoted as an upper-floor-maidservant so the provision won't be the same as well.

"Mom, did Sam say it right? Are we really going to live at the St. Mirth Building?"

St. Mirth Building is a mansion inside the

Academy that houses guests, visitors such as parents and close relatives of the students of the academy, and teachers. It is also said that the Head-Chief and the Vice-Chief had their own room in the mansion.

Living in that mansion is an impossibility that rivals Claide's admission to the academy.

Claide only saw St. Mirth from afar and she had been dreaming of entering the building. The mansion's architecture was a piece of art. Its white walls were as white as the purest pearl. The entrance to the large door was a staircase with lined statue on each side that radiates power.

The large door was carved with the gigantic image of St. Mirth who was holding a simple looking staff.

"No," her mom replied.

She sighed in disappointment after hearing her mom's reply.

"Well, it really is impossible," she said.

"Dear, I think you misunderstood me. What I'm trying to say is that the three of us will not be living at St. Mirth, only Sam and I. While you, my beautiful daughter, will be living at one of the dorms," her mom clarified. She heard the disappointment on her daughter's voice so she quickly explained.

Claide's expression changed quickly. Once again, she didn't know how she felt. Happy and fearful, is the most prominent among them. She's happy for all these, she's happy for her Mom and Sam finally living a life she thinks they deserved, far from hunger, discomfort and struggles.

She was fearful of the unknown. Fearful that she will be separated with her family even though it's just building's apart. She feared that she will disappoint everyone. She feared that she's not enough.

But she knew that this was her chance, their chance.

"Mom, I think we really got lucky this time. After Dad left it was like the heavens have forgotten of us. But, I guess the heavens heard my cry. I think they really heard our cry," she beamed while she gazed the glittering sky from the window.

Lani smiled as she watched her daughter and son smiling. It has been a really long time when she last saw them really happy.

She wanted to say something about their father leaving them. She want to say that he have his reasons.

But she didn't.

She didn't want to put an end to this moment.

She still remembers that day when Stephen left. She herself didn't understand his reason. She didn't even know his reasons. All she remembered was his back.

The image of a retreating back was imbedded on her and her daughter's mind. She remembered feeling heartbroken and carrying a crying Sam while hugging a daughter who was shouting 'Daddy'.

Since then their lives turned to bad then to worse.

One evening, she heard someone getting inside the house. She was very happy, thinking his husband has come home. But to her horror it wasn't.

It was Dedric. He was the twenty-seven years old son of the owner of the café where she was working.

Dedric has been pestering her during her work. His gaze was filled with malice. Checking her out from head to toe and was as if undressing her.

She then knew that he was up to no good.

Her heart beats with fear. She feared for herself, but most of all she feared for her children. Her motherly instinct was only saying one thing, 'protect'.

After seeing him outside their bedroom door, she quickly hides them to the only place she could think of the cabinet and then locked it.

That night, she was raped. That night, she cried and cried for Stephen to come back, she cried for his help. But he didn't. No Stephen had come, and he had broken another promise.

That night, she prayed.

She prayed that the gods would cover the ears of her kids as she fainted. She didn't even remember when Dedric had stopped. All she remembered was hearing a buckling of belt and her body hurting.

When she fully recovered her consciousness she heard footsteps and the door closing.

Still hurting, she tried her best to stand and go to her kids. She cried when she saw them on a quiet slumber. She hugged them and cried her heart out, while trying her best not to make any sound. At least the gods had granted that one wish.

Disgusted with herself she carries her kids back to bed and then went to the bathroom and washed every inch of her body. She brushed until her skin turn red.

She again cried.

After that night she swore that she will never ever call for Stephen; the Stephen who left, and the Stephen who didn't come back.

That night she decided to leave this place and go far away, far from Bernia. Bernia, the town where they started a family, a new dream, and a place she considered home. So far that when or if Stephen do come back, he will never see them again.

They became homeless. They travelled on foot from Bernia to Euclad, Euclad to Frendomisia, to Damacus, to Fornia then to Eregon. It was here in Eregon where they met Miss Bluefield who was dressed on her blue gown walking on the street.

She remembered seeing Claide, so malnourished, as she begged and cried for a copper to the rich Miss.

Lani wanted to stop her but she didn't have the strength, and she was so ashamed of herself. She was ashamed for leading her children to hunger.

All that Claide wanted was to feed Sam who has not eaten for a day. She was determined and was ready to beg to anyone.

Miss Bluefield looked at the young child then at her mother who was carrying a child. All three was thin and frail. A clear sign of starvation was plastered on their stature and faces. She sighed then grabbed both the mother's and her daughter's hand to a carriage that brought them to the Academy.

Since then life became better.

Lani was so thankful to Miss Bluefield for her help and everything she's done. She knew all this thing was made through her. She promised to herself to do her best to thank her in this lifetime. She's still 29 years old, still young and she would definitely repay the kind Miss.

Just like her Daughter she gazed at the sky and spoke through her mind, 'Stephen, do you see my child? She's going to the most prestigious school. Can you see how happy we are? My children and I will never ever again need you. My children will soar high and all you can ever do is be ashamed of yourself for leaving them. I'm okay with you leaving me. But, I will never forgive you for leaving my children.'