"Admission"

The Mistress of the Branch House of Ariad embraced her son, who at this moment was now prepared for the departure towards the Royal Capital of Endaira Empire – "Labyrinthos."

"Sometimes fate is truly a cruel thing, isn't it? I just got you back and yet you're leaving again." Said Elizabeth in low spirits before releasing her embrace.

Facing her son, she flashed a tranquil smile before opening her mouth to continue:

"Call me through an Orb of Communication whenever you have time, okay? I will drag you out there if I do not hear from you at least twice a week!" Elizabeth lightly tapped her son's shoulders, "By the way, your Father won't be able to see you off. However, he said that he might visit the Academia for some reason, so at least meet him there when that time arrives."

Zero was aware of just how occupied the Patriarch of Ariad was. Apart from the task of overseeing any possible occurrence of Void Tremors, Aladan, as a General entrusted by the Great Emperor, was also managing an Explorer Force numbering thousands from upper to lower echelons.

Also, these days, several new recruits were being trained under his guidance including the two Irregulars he and Yura sought from the Assanian Prison around some time ago.

"Yes, Mother." Zero nodded, gently pressing his mother's hand on either shoulder.

Elizabeth's gaze then landed on Zero's half-sister, who was standing some distance away, seemingly lost in her own world. Seeing this, she whispered to him, "Zero, try to get along with your half-sister, okay? It's Isanna. You could say she's quite different than your other siblings in terms of demeanor. At the very least, you know she's the only one who did not treat you that way when you were young."

Knowing what his mother meant, Zero sighed, "I will try, Mother."

"That's good enough to hear." Elizabeth then addressed Zero's company this time, "By the way, Hanna and Skaya, you two should take care of him."

Hanna and Skaya lowered their heads, controlling their expressions since taking care of their Young Master, after experiencing those hellish training under his subordinate, now sounded ridiculous.

"Yes, Mistress."

At the same time, these two maids met each other's gaze, prompting them to smile with a seemingly collective indication as they inwardly thought:

'I think it's Young Master who would take care of us instead.'

***

"You two, remind my son anytime that he should contact me or I'll kill the both of you!" As she waved her hand, Elizabeth's gaze pierced the two subservient maids, who just went inside their designated horse carriage.

Seeing several carriages leaving the Villa of Ariad; one for the Matriarch of Ariad, who saw her daughter, Isanna, off; one for Zero and Isanna alone; one for Hanna and Skaya, along with Isanna's personal maids, and several from their escorts, Elizabeth's voice filled the air, "Sigh. I already miss my son."

"Mistress, he will be fine." The butler, Wilhelm, at least tried to reassure her.

"Yes, Mistress. Remember, it's just an admission period. He can go back after it and spend the remaining days here before the opening of classes." Interjected Olivia delightfully.

Elizabeth realized that the temporary head maid's words made sense, "Uh, w–why I didn't think of that?"

Elizabeth was so engrossed with the fact that her son was leaving again week after week that her heart and mind could not function rationally. But hearing Olivia's words matter-of-factly, Elizabeth realized how anxious she was, causing her to be overshadowed by such a simple truth.

'He will just admit in Academia, and it probably won't take that long...' Elizabeth couldn't help but frown, prompting her to take a deep breath.

"Sigh. I guess I'm too worried."

"I'm afraid so, Mistress."

The maids, butler Wilhelm and the Mistress shared a laugh for a while with that realization.

***

Within an adequately spacious and luxurious carriage engraved with the Ariad Household crest, providing an oddly comfortable atmosphere, Zero Ariad–Fragmenta and Isanna Ariad sat across from each other.

Isanna's golden brown eyes couldn't help but scrutinize her younger half-brother, whom she had seen after an unknown amount of time.

'Was it seven... six years ago?'

At first, Isanna was curious about Zero's state of slumber, which made her peek through his door's room pre-relocation whenever Olivia's mother was taking care of him.

However, as she grew up and her studies must be prioritized especially as a daughter of a renowned noble, that curiosity of hers disappeared, only for those memories to fade.

At this moment, seeing him again in a now young adult body, Isanna felt strange. For her, he looked too alien yet that familiarity had not yet subsided.

Then, remembering what she had heard earlier between this young man and her mother's conversation, Isanna could not help but close her eyes for a moment, digesting everything her auricular senses grasped as her gaze shifted from that of him to the carriage's window, where the afternoon sun was continuously sharing its warmth to the world.

Eventually, in the midst of this tranquil silence, Isanna opened her mouth to speak; her gaze fixed on him, "Zero..." Garnering his attention, as she received an inquisitive look, she then continued, "I've heard your conversation with my mother."

Not receiving a word or two from Zero, who was engrossed in a basic history book in his hand, Isanna sensed the brewing awkwardness as she seemed lost on what to say next. Fortunately, before her turmoiled mind submerged to nothingness, Zero responded:

"Do you resent me for it?"

Among the four siblings excluding the little one around the same age as Masha, Isanna, as far as Zero was aware, was the only one who seemed reasonable.

"N–no, it's just... I never thought I'd hear you say something like that." Isanna said broadly, but she was subtly referring to how her half-brother coldly threatened Icaria to kill her children without an ounce of hesitation.

"You can tell me frankly. I don't mind. On the other hand, even though I said I do not care about all of you, it doesn't mean I would just simply decide to go against you.

"As long as I am not hindered and you gave no justification for me to act the way I would, that's if."

Isanna comprehended Zero's words, which in this case could be considered to be the same for almost everyone. After all, most people were only moved or driven to commit something irreversible if they convinced themselves that what they possessed was the right justification.

Heaving a sigh of relief, Isanna said as her lips broke through a half-smile, "I will remember that, brother."

As she thought the atmosphere would gradually develop into a quiet and awkward one, Zero looked at her.

"Isanna, it's been so long that we are basically strangers at this point, so I'll say something that you should remember, too." Zero paused, his gaze unwavering.

"Consider my noise to be the measure of my patience."

Hearing him, Isanna fell into contemplation.

***

At the center of the South Thread City, the prominent horse carriages that garnered everyone's attention passed through the Rift Hole after the verification. Icaria with her escorts went home to the Main House after bidding her farewell to Isanna and gave side glances to Zero.

After some time, Zero and his half-sister arrived at one of the Rift Hole devices situated in the Royal Capital, Labyrinthos. This one was particularly positioned just a kilometer or two away from the vast Labyrinthos Academia.

"Isanna, let's stop at the Messenger Guild for a moment."

Isanna cast her brown eyes to her stoic half-brother, only to refrain from asking the reason why. Since they were not in a rush for today's admission's closing, Isanna ordered the carriage driver towards the nearest Messenger Guild.

Messenger Guild – those that were tasked with delivering messages or entrusted packages, which service was commonly utilized by commoners. After all, in terms of communication, an Orb of Communication was proven to be costly for a commoner's pocket.

Arriving in front of the nearest Messenger Guild, which was abundant throughout the vastness of Labyrinthos, Zero stepped out of the silver-coated carriage. Then, for the first time since he opened his eyes to this sublime world, he witnessed the grandeur capital of the Endaira Empire.

The streets were bustling with people mixed with other races. There were high-class restaurants, stalls, and well-looking hawkers. It was suitable for both nobles and commoners.

Then, on the wide path that seemed to intersect in one way or another, numerous horse carriages traversed to each and their own businesses. Moreover, there were high-rise structures that were prominent in one's eyes. These were different entertainment buildings or hotels, partnered with lavish taverns and cafeterias with each own uniqueness, be it on the structural inner workings and the list of various dishes.

However, despite everything in his sight, what caught Zero's attention the most was the pyramidal megastructure erected near the edges of the Labyrinthos Academia, which dwarfed the latter as if the former was a human looking down on an ant.

This pyramid, the First Labyrinth of Wonders — Labyrinth of Origin — had its existence reached the cerulean skies. Its end was something that could not be seen by the naked eye as it penetrated the white clouds in any shape or form. Its foundation was still a mystery, but from the outside, the massive walls that configured this structure were ashen-hued. But it was emitting a serene amount of Mana, enough to make this structure to be somewhat luminescent.

It was both lofty and majestic.

After what felt like an eternity, Isanna's voice cut through her half-brother's little reverie, "It's your first time seeing it up close, right? Well, the outside perspective of the Labyrinth of Origin is something that one would not get tired of seeing, I suppose."

Somewhat in a daze, Zero nodded before retracting his gaze which became discreetly unfathomable for a second or two.

Shifting his priorities, Zero turned his back to Isanna as he went through the entrance of the Messenger Guild, which was the one he had asked Mai to utilize in delivering the ominous package to Guardian Emric's and Racan's families.

Isanna and the others, Zero's maids and hers, did not go inside. Rather, they waited for less than two minutes until he came out of the Messenger Guild's premises.

It was not just Isanna, but Hanna and Skaya were curious about Zero's business in this particular place. After all, who would deliver a package for him?

"I'm done." Said Zero casually.

It was then that they journeyed towards the prestigious Academia.

***

"There are just too many students in every queue," Isanna grumbled. This time, she was wearing a simple-crafted skin mask to hide her true countenance. It was to avoid being seen by chance by anyone she knew, especially when she was with her half-brother, who was an Irregular.

"Uh, Zero, do you think it would be better to come tomorrow? Let's stay in the nearest hotel." Her gaze swept past the thousands of students in the midst of this scorching afternoon.

"What do you mean? There's only a few in line." Said Zero flatly, neglecting Isanna's suggestion.

"Huh? H–hey, brother. Do you think you have an eye problem? Don't you see the crowd in front of you?" Replied Isanna in confusion.

But then, Zero waved the package in his hand in front of his half-sister. It was a letter in an archival envelope.

Before Isanna could inquire of what this letter was, she instead followed Zero's gaze.

Reading the notice posted on the door of this particular admission room, Isanna's jaw dropped.

| ADMISSION FOR NEW PROFESSORS |