3 A Maiden’s Tears

Emilia walks towards a white house filled with shiny mirrors. The building rested a couple hundred yards from the central academy. In Academy City, the students had their residents within the dorms at the either side of the central academy building. The female apartments were on the left hand while the male apartments stood on the right. The squares had their own practices and students were to stay away from squares which weren't their own. There was also a game between the dorms which caused it harder for students to enter other genders dorms.

The female dorm had a garden in the facade with a broad pathway dividing the field into two. The pathway had a beautiful fountain in the middle. After circling the fountain, one can see the main door. But the dorm wasn't as simple as it met the eyes. The garden had traps, which were set up by the night duty guards while the other ladies went to sleep! The traps didn't pose harm to life but was enough to capture and immobilize someone till dawn when the intruder would meet their punishment. This was part of the game between the dorms which kept decency alive. The founder decided on this game to make the dorm life enjoyable and something to look forward to. This system made fewer disputes between students and a chance to resolve any ongoing argument.

As Emilia walked through the garden, she saw girls give her their respects which she replied with close eyes and nod her head. This was one thing she hated. Even though the rules stated that status within the academy means nothing, people would treat her and few other individuals with such respect due to their status. Trindra has had a unique status tree while comparing to other nations. The Emperor sat at the top and then came his household with few other high elders (who consisted of the previous emperor and other family members who were part of court before the new members). The third status line comprised 5 noble houses which helped the original emperor of Trindra become the emperor. Each of these household had a three noble rank system, which the other families fall into. The governor, rich merchants and then the commoners, form the last three status levels.

Emilia belonged to the house of Streingford, which was one of the 5 families who assisted the original emperor. The 5 families carry strict customs and while their behaviors were different to others, they are loyal towards the emperor. The Streingford Family, is the most loyal as they are somewhat the branch family of the Trindra's Royal Family. The First Emperor and the First Head of the Streingford Family were half-brothers. It is also one of the reasons to why out of all families, the Streingford Family is the closest to the royal family. Emilia is the third daughter of head Orwell Streingford, and has been closely related to the royal family. Before her birth, it was decided that she would marry the Second Prince Caspar. While Caspar was not told about the decision made their respective families, Emilia was told right from the start. She was introduced to Caspar as her fiancé, and spent most of her time with him until he disappeared.

Emilia entered the dorm and quick went to her room on the second floor. As she entered her room, she saw her roommate Alicia while she was changing her clothes. Alicia belonged to a lower noble family but didn't care much for status. She was one the few who never looked onto others status and approached anyone as if they were her close friend.

"Don't walk in like that princess. Have a little mercy on this pretty soul which you are trying to deflower."

"Stop your nonsense already. It's truly sounds vulgar."

Alicia had brown hair and a tender white skin like Emilia. She stared with her as she smirked at her. Unlike Emilia, she had a more childlike physique and personality. She was around the same height as Emilia but was thinner than her.

Emilia went near her bed and placed her bag on her study table. She stared at her window for a while and then spoke-

"Alicia…"

"Yeah,"

Emilia turned towards Alicia who was now sitting on her bed wearing a pink top yet still in her underwear.

"I want your help with something important,"

Alicia starred at Emilia for a while. The lonely and silent Emilia, who at most of the time never has any feelings on her face, was looking straight at her with a serious look.

"I guess I said this to you earlier that whenever you need anything, any kind of help; just say it to me. After all, aren't we friends?"

Emilia smiled. Being around Alicia was one of the few moments that made her forget her status and past. She always envied her for being so cheerful.

"I need you to go into my sea of consciousness and show me my memories,"

Alicia looked concerned. Entering into someone's consciousness when he/she is inviting a psychic like her was not a big deal. But it seemed to her that Emilia was missing some memories. It was concerning as something hides such memories deep inside ones sea and remaining inside someone else sea with that person may damage that person's mind!

"You know what you are doing right, Emilia? If things go wrong, I may damage your mind; worst case possible, you might die!"

"I know! But, I want to remember him."

Emilia lowered her head. It was the first time since joining the academy that she spoke so loudly. She didn't want to rise but accidentally did so.

"I won't do the psychic dive into you. I'm still an amateur at that."

She looked at Emilia as she wept her tears. Alicia had known Emilia since they met at the entrance ceremony. She knew exactly how much sadness her heart was carrying while she kept a quiet front. The tragedy 10 years back might not mean much to people outside the 3 status level, but it meant a lot to those within it. Emilia was in love with Second Prince but after he disappeared she couldn't help but feel depressed.

"I won't do it, but my elder sister can."

Emilia looked at Alicia who gave her a smile. Emilia couldn't help but hug around her and thank her. Alicia on other hand was happy for her, but on the other hand was worried as to why Emilia couldn't remember him. She contacted her sister who happened to be on the floor above hers; and called her down. After a while, the front door got a knock and blew open. A young lady in her early 20's entered the room. She had a brown hair and black eyes like Alicia, and a light shade skin which was a bit darker than that of Alicia. She wore a loose white pants and a yellow top.

"Big sister!"

A pillow came flying towards the lady but she caught it midair. She then swung the pillow at Alicia who fell on her bed as the pillow hit her.

"Way to greet your sister brat!"

Alicia stayed down as if she was dead.

"So you are Emilia."

Emilia stood up and greeted her. The lady than approached.

"Shall we drop the formalities? My name is Cecily Augustwell. Alicia told me about your situation but I guess it will be better if you explain it yourself."

The both of them settled down. As Emilia explained her problem, Cecily seemed to guess what actually the problem was. Even though she (Cecily) was still in her last year of studies, she was already a professional psychic. Psychics are magicians who excel in mind attacks, telepathic connections and after the awakening, telekinesis.

"I guess we will have to perform a psychic dive, but; if it is what I think than it will take some time."

"Please…"

Cecily saw the sad face of Emilia. She had heard of Emilia before from her sister but seeing her like this firsthand still felt depressing.

"A lady shouldn't make such a face Emilia."

She put her hand above her head and rubbed it. For Cecily, Emilia seemed like a second sister to her. After preparing for the dive, Cecily prepared a crystal in case of emergency. She handed the crystal to Alicia and then touched her forehead with that of Emilia's while holding her hand.