9 | Archery Club

After lunch, Elyse and Eli went back to their respective classes. This time, they went in different directions since Eli has a major subject for magic while Elyse was enrolled in a swordsmanship class.

Elyse's eyes widen, surprised to see her paper written for her next subject Archery Class. From what she knows, there are not much of students enrolled in that class since they said it was boring.

But Elyse doesn't have any problem with that, they've been living in the forest and her father has a good archery skills to hunt for food. The thing is, she was informed that her major class would be about magic since she has the talent for that.

Although she doesn't have any plans to aim for that position to serve The Master of The Empire. Her biggest goal, for now, is to aim for a higher rank in this school and join the student council.

But it doesn't feel right. She understood that everyone hates her or feels disgusted towards her because she has Aniya's blood running inside of her. But the situation is unfair. She's only a descendant and a mistake coming from its ancestor doesn't count to be the descendant's fault too.

Frustrated, she gritted her teeth and crumples the paper she's been holding.

"This is unfair." She whispered to herself and quickly went to the Headmistress's Office.

When she finally arrived, she notices students gazing in her way. And as usual, their gazes are full of disgust and distrust towards her. She cannot help but sigh and knocked on the door.

"Come in." She heard from the inside of the room and opens the door.

"You may go now," said the Headmistress to the tall young man in front of her. She notices his shining blond hair from behind and when he turned around to walk away, she quickly avoided her gaze and stepped back to make way for him.

Unfortunately, she didn't see his eyes though he saw his back.

"Welcome, Miss Elyse." The Headmistress then welcomes her which made Elyse feel awkward. She gave her an awkward smile.

"Uhm... Headmistress —" The Headmistress suddenly raised her finger.

"Lady." She corrects her and Elyse just nodded her head.

"Lady Headmistress. I have a question about my class." The Headmistress then nods her head, signaling her to continue speaking.

"I have practice magic my entire life and I have never been able to practice archery, My Lady. I hope you will consider my talent —" The Headmistress suddenly laughed.

Elyse stopped talking, offended by her reaction.

It's true. Elyse was taught by her father but that doesn't mean she has a talent for it. To Elyse, learning Archery is harder than learning swordsmanship.

She clenches her fist, trying to hold her frustration.

"My Lady this is no laughing matter," she said.

"This is indeed not a laughing matter." The headmistress answered.

"Then please reconsider —"

"No." She quickly dismissed her own opinion, not interested in Elyse.

"This is unfair, Lady Headmistress. From what I know this school is known to hold its promises for future generations. The school aims for the education and talents of everyone. This is what the Master of The Empire said to this school on the very first day it was built." Elyse spoke.

"Yes, and that is what I've been doing to you, Lady Elyse." She said in her mocking voice.

"I have no talent for archery, Lady Headmistress. I know you've read my records before accepting me to this school beforehand —" The headmistress laughed once more.

"Lady Elyse." She called her name, staring deep into her eyes. "You are Aniya's Descendant. This means you will adapt to everything that she has done in the past. Aniya is a smart and talented individual and I am sure you will also have that trait." She emphasizes with her calm tone. But to Elyse's ears, it felt more of a mockery towards her.

She smirked, "I thought the school was all noble and all," She paused and directly glares at the headmistress. Elyse couldn't control her frustration anymore.

"Well, it was a noble in the name for sure. Unfortunately, this school's system is rotten to the core. I am worried about what will the Master of The Empire will say about this matter." The headmistress was left stunned and humiliated by Elyse's words.

"YOU! —"

"Don't worry, Lady Headmistress. I will indeed inherit the person you're always blaming and I am sure that you'll regret it." Elyse said with calm and grace in her voice and quickly walked away from the room, determined to let them see what she is capable off.

******

She entered the Archery Room where only 7 people gathered wearing traditional Archery Clothes. While entering the room, the gazes that everyone gave her were full of confusion. At the same time, some were surprised and excited by her presence.

"What is going on?" Elyse thought. Since Eli said she's Aniya's descendant because of her necklace, she believed that everyone hates her like how they hate Aniya. But the gazes that everyone give her right now made her feel puzzled too.

I thought she was a villainess? What's going on?  She said to herself.

"Hey." A woman's voice approached her from behind and she turned around to look at her. She first noticed her shining blue hair and black eyes. She waves her hands toward Elyse which made her startled.

'Did she just wave her hand to me?!'

"Nice to meet you, I am Arrow. You're Elyse, right?" The woman then outreaches her hand to give her a handshake and Elyse accepted it with her blushing cheeks because of her daring beauty. She reminds her of the Alpha of Hunt, Artemis.

"Yes, that's right," Elyse said and Arrow nodded her head.

"I am Artemis's Descendant." She said while shaking Elyse's hands.

"O-oh. uhm, they said I... uh. S-so..." Elyse said feeling shy. Arrow couldn't help but think she was cute as she smiled brightly at her.

"Do you know how to use a bow?" Elyse quickly looks away. "Uhm... A little bit." She answered.

"Hmm? Why?"

"Well, my father taught me once in the past. Well, I'm bad at archery so my father told me to not do it anymore. I was a kid back then so I don't quite get why. Now that I'm older, I now get it." Arrow laughed.

"I see. Well, that's a cute story. Don't worry my brother, Arbor will be teaching you some basic skills." She spoke.

'Arrow? Arbor? Such a strange name...'  Elyse thought.

"I can also read minds," Elyse gasps, and her face turned red, embarrassed. She realized Arrow must've heard her thought earlier.

She quickly patted her shoulder, "Don't worry! Everyone also said the same thing. Well, both Arbor and I were twin siblings. Since we're Artemis's Descendants who are an Alpha of Hunt, Mother named me Arrow, and my brother was named Arbor. I also don't get why." She said with her laughter.

"Ah, I see. Well, it's strange but it's pretty too." Elyse said with her bright smile. It made Arrow blush from her innocent reaction.

"Well thank you." Both Elyse and Arrow laughed. A while later, Elyse thought about why Artemis's Descendant doesn't hate Aniya. Naturally, everyone hated Aniya for what she has done to Lucia.

"Ah! Arbor." An arrow suddenly called her brother's name when she saw him from afar right behind Elyse. Startled, she quickly turns around to see the young man.

He was wearing traditional Archery clothes while holding a bow in his left hand. From his posture, it seems that he just changed his clothes.

"Sister." He said, feeling uninterested, cold, and distant. The once lovely and bright atmosphere was changed into a cold and snowy atmosphere.

"A-ah, anyway Elyse this is my twin brother, Arbor." Arrow introduced her to him while Elyse's hands shook from nervousness.

The young man with similar hair color and eyes to Arrow stares at her with his piercing gaze.

"Elyse is Aniya's Descendant!" Arrow said with her cheerful tone. Elyse felt more nervous when she mentioned that.

'He might hate me like the others.' Elyse said to herself, clenching her hand.

"Well, that's good," Arbor said as if uninterested if she's Aniya's Descendant or not.

"Yes — WAIT, WHAT?" Arrow said with her eyes wide open, surprised.

"What? You want my reaction to being warm and jelly?" Arrow shook her head.

"No! I mean, that's not how you answer!" Both Arrow and Arbor continue to fight and it makes Elyse smile. Finally, after she arrived at the Academy, she met someone she can be with. Someone who does not harbor any hatred towards her just because she's Aniya's Descendant.