Fraction-7

Sophia looked up at the large gate in front. It was a huge metal gate with a big round handle. The gate was like a half 'U' shape, with something written on it.

The academy was surrounded by huge walls, brownish in color, so immense that the other side was not visible to people's eyes. Straight up, ahead of that gate, top walls had a huge red flag with a figure swinging. Different armed men stood atop those walls, straight and determined, like a big tree in a forest standing tall, crushing competitor trees around him.

Heavily suited from top to bottom with a red cape, a metal helmet with a long tail on it, a long spear sharp enough to pierce mortal flesh, and a silverish squared shield covering their whole body. Magical cannons were placed at watchtowers on every side of those walls.

They were capable of annihilating an entire city. They were amazed but didn't react much and moved toward the front gate. Men who looked like giants blocked their way with their spears. "Miss, you are not allowed without permission," said in a loud, grumpy voice.

She looked at him, showing them the letters. When they saw that letter, the giant man shouted, "Open the gate!" The gate handles detached from each other with a loud cranking noise. The gate started moving away from each other, revealing the inner side that was invisible a moment ago.

The inner side of the academy was incredible, a feast for one's eyes. The academy was at the center of a huge lake, resembling a castle surrounded within by a big forest.

It was an art of which every artist could dream, making every portion of the parts top-notch everywhere they gazed. But their determination was almost impenetrable. They continued their march.

They walked on the icy bridge to cross that frozen lake. Even though it was a frozen bridge, their movement was not disturbed, their steps were attached to the bridge.

From every part of the country, students gathered there, practicing their work generously. Some were performing fire magic, some were taming their magical beasts, some were making potions from unidentified flora to improve their alchemy. Some were even battling each other to test their skills, while others were enjoying their battle in the stadium. The academy perfectly lived up to its fame. The liveliness was overflowing in that academy.

Students stumbled when they saw a huge group heading toward their academy in an ominous way. The academy was surrounded by giant trees, parks, small cafeterias, and buildings of two or three floors high in size.

Most of them were libraries. A man with round glasses, messy hair, books in his hand, and a plain white long suit, Professor Austin Edberg, approached them.

"Sophia glared at him."

"I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself, just suddenly started to babble. I'm Professor Austin Edberg, an Alchemist."

"And who might you be, miss?"

"We are here for a certain purpose," Sophia replied, not lifting any questions.

"Ah, well, you see, this place is actually off-limits to outsiders. So usually new faces are not seen here quietly. So my curiosity led me here," he said, trying to make his appearance understandable for the situation.

"Well, you don't seem to have great knowledge reading this place. So, I could provide my assistant to you," he said with a smile on his face.

"Oh! That could be a great help. Could you tell us where we can find Miss Silvia?"

"Ah, Silvia, you say she may be in her library at this time. Just head straight until you reach a huge fountain. On the other side of that fountain, you can find Miss Silvia."

"Thank you for your help, Professor."

"No need for such a compliment."

"Well, then."

"Of course!"

(Location: Carland Mountains)

Around the corner of the door, two men were discussing something. They were Marcellus and Arnould, still expressing their thoughts on Lotus.

The inner cabin was even more beautiful. In the hall, there were different two-seated tables and sofas covered by white cotton cloth. Forks, spoons, and plates were perfectly placed. Brownish glass lamps were situated at every window top, casting a brownish dim light. The kitchen at the back of the hall had various dishes prepared by amazing chefs. All the rooms were in front of that hall, near the main engine room.

People started gathering in that hall.

"My heavens, what an artistic design is this," Arnould expressed his thoughts.

"Precisely!" Marcellus said while they were talking.

Many people were also heading inside the cabin. A woman in her 70s, short and with white short hair, a big round hat with a red feather, wrinkles covered by makeup, blue eyes, and jewelry all over her neck and fingers, entered the cabin in a bluish designer dress.

The time and money put into making that dress were clearly seen with those marvelous little gems. She was accompanied by two ladies with slightly bluish eyes.

Next was a black man with short hair and a little mustache, suited in black, accompanied by a young British lady with natural reddish hair and dark blue eyes, dressed in red. She held a black man's arm and a short white purse, high heels on her feet. Her face was covered up to her lips with a designer hat featuring a long, shining silverish strip, hiding her face but not so dense that it would disrupt her vision. Red big lips with a finely curved body in the required parts.

A man with long, dense black hair, a small beard, light brownish eyes, and a long strip brown winter coat, assisted by his secretary, a short, clean-faced man with normal eyes wearing a black suit, a little overweight. He was also accompanied by a butler in his 60s and a nun in her costume. Two lovers and a cheerful man also arrived at that cabin.

They were all waiting for somebody. After a short while, Daniel arrived in that cabin with his captain hat.

"So, has everyone arrived?" he said, making a generous face with a smile.

"Well, the people are, but when do we will be leaving. The announcement said that the Lotus will be moving a while ago," a woman in her 70s opened her mouth, making a dissatisfied face.

"Once!" Daniel's supportive crew whispered in his ear, "Sir, she is the famous painter Sir Raymor Clodomir's second wife, Marisa Clodomir."

Daniel made his poker face and said, "No, we are just about to leave. I just have to check the guest list before leaving." He asked his men to bring his register and started to check the guest list according to the members present in that cabin.

While checking the guest list, he made a questioning face. He again checked his register and people present in that cabin. It looked like somebody had still not arrived. He muttered to himself. He fixed his face and directed his words toward Marisa Clodomir.

"You don't have to worry about anything. The thing is that one passenger has not yet come."

"That passenger might be me."

The voice came from a woman in her 60s standing by the door. Green eyes with blue short hair, wearing a long yellow winter coat, a leather handbag on her left arm. She was taking long, deep breaths, pressing her abdomen. Sweat was flowing from her face. It was clear that she had been running, and the odor of alcohol was coming from her breath.

All the people were feeling uncomfortable because most of them were high-class people. Daniel understood the situation, and he went toward that lady.

"Madam…"

"It's Lilly," by slinging her lips.

"Oh yes! Miss Lilly, you look exhausted. Here, drink some water." He offered a glass of water.

"Oh, thanks!" She replied, but her words were not fully understandable because of the way she spoke. She was so tired that words weren't even coming from her mouth clearly.

She drank that glass of water desperately, making the situation more than awful and uncomfortable. They were all looking in a way that they were trying to say, "Who let this uncivilized person to allow in this place?" But none of them let a single word out from their mouths. But their eyes were clearly saying everything.

Daniel was also uncomfortable about the situation that had formed in that place, but he still held his ground because he had gotten experienced in how to deal with this sort of matters.

"Miss Lilly, why don't you head to your room? Freshen up yourselves; until then, your lunch will be ready."

"That's a good plan. Ok, I will just head to my room. You know I'm kinda tired, all messed up too. Thanks for your hospitality, Mr…"

"Daniel!"

"Ya, Daniel."

When she was about to move a step, she suddenly fell on the floor.

"Miss," Daniel said while expressing his tensioned face.

"Don't worry, I am fine. Look, nothing happened, right? Look, look."

She continued pressing on certain words repeatedly.

He quickly told his man to guide that lady to her room.

"This way, Miss."

"Ya! Ya, I know I'm not blind, you know."

She walked toward her room. After when she reached her room, she said, "Which one was my room again?" while bending her head to the right and placing her finger on her head.

Daniel's man was unable to say any words, but after making a sigh voice, "Miss, why don't you let me see."

He used his master key to open her room. "Aahh! It opened," she shouted and headed inside her room.

The other guests were all watching her childish act and were totally displeased.