Chapter 127: Sovereign Arcanum Academy Part-2
[Author's Note: I've added some pictures in Discord showcasing their clothes and the Academy. If other readers who don't have Discord want to see them here, please let me know in the comments, and I'll include them here as well... Thank you for reading!]
"Kai, I understand your concern for keeping that slave close and not like to hand over the ownership, but I cannot overlook his unruly behaviour and disrespect toward the Empress and other rulers. It not only tarnishes your name but also reflects poorly on me as your fiancee. Therefore, I will take charge of him from now on and train him,"
'It's what she said when she informed me while searching for Ether that time,' Kai thought, nervously biting his nails with an unknown uneasiness.
It had been a few minutes since his sister entered the room, and yet there was no sign of Aether coming out. Kai grew increasingly uneasy about Aether's prolonged absence.
He wanted to storm in but hesitated, not wanting to betray any concern over a mere slave to Princess.
'Thud'
It was then Aether was thrown out from the room and without hesitation,
"Tell me what you guys did in there?" Kai's voice carried a sense of dread.
Aether took a moment to grasp the situation and finally realized Kai's worry. He replied cautiously, "Princess taught me something... special," as he licked his lips.
A vein throbbed on Kai's forehead as he grabbed Aether's collar, his tone turning menacing. "What the fuck are you talking about?"
"S-She taught me about the Academy and related matters and instructed me not to disclose anything, even to you. But I cannot disobey my Master's orders, as I have learned my lessons..." Aether responded with a serious expression.
"Tsk," Kai clicked his tongue in frustration, scrutinizing Aether's face for any signs of deceit. Finding none, Kai relented slightly. "Tell me everything that's happening, even if Princess ordered you not to share... and you must not inform her about this, understood?!"
"Yes, Master!" Aether affirmed.
With that, Kai's inner turmoil finally settled. However, his mind kept replaying how Aether nervously licked his lips.... planting an unwanted seed of doubt inside Kai's heart.
Aether's lips curved slightly as he realized what he had done... planted a seed of doubt inside Kai's mind. This was his subtle way of causing Kai to question Princess's actions and perhaps become more critical of her.
'Hehehe...'
With that uncanny smile, Aether followed Kai to the room to sleep. This time, he was in the same room as Timmy and Kai, but he was lying on the floor. He noticed a slight change in Timmy's demeanour towards him.... just a slight shift.
'It seems something happened...' Aether pondered, but he chose not to delve deeper. As long as Timmy didn't intrude into Aether's life, he was content to let things unfold.
Finally,
"Welcome to Sovereign Arcanum Academy," greeted the guard as Kai and his group nodded in acknowledgement.
Then, everyone stood in awe and respect as they looked at the magnificent sight of the building. Its grandeur surpassed mere description; it was a testament to centuries of wisdom and power, standing tall and imposing like a fortress of knowledge and magic.
"..." Aether was rendered speechless as he gazed at the marvellous structure before him. It was more than just a school; it resembled a grand castle, with a grand entrance that made the doors seem taller than Velc's Mansion itself.
'Damn....' He truly marvelled!
"Princess, you look beautiful," Kai complimented Princess, who was dressed in a white uniform provided by the Academy.
"You look handsome too, Kai," Princess returned the compliment with a smile, observing Kai's attire of a white dress paired with black pants.
"Hehe..." Kai giggled and turned to his sister, adding, "You also look beautiful, my sister."
"So, I am second now, Hmph!" Selene pouted playfully when Kai praised Princess, but her eyes soon shifted to Aether, who appeared captivated by the awe-inspiring sight of the Academy.
"Y-Yes, Miss Selene looks beautiful too," Timmy chimed in, wearing his black attire distinct from the students' uniforms, as he was a servant.
"... Yeah," Selene responded with a nod, her enthusiasm somewhat subdued... Feeling Aether didn't even glance at her.
Timmy glanced at Kai, whose expression turned awkward as he cleared his throat before addressing Aether, who was also clad in a sleek black dress, "Ether, what are you gawking at? Let's move inside... the ceremony is about to commence."
"A-Ah? Yes!" Aether answered, reluctantly tearing his gaze away from the majestic building before following them into the Academy's grand entrance.
As they walked through the spacious halls, Aether couldn't help but marvel at the Academy's resemblance to a renowned series of novels, famously known for its captivating world and rich lore.
The architecture exuded an air of grandeur blended with serene elegance, while the vibrant atmosphere buzzed with anticipation for the upcoming ceremony. The beautiful surroundings added to the overall enchantment of the place, leaving Aether in awe of the Sovereign Arcanum Academy's charm.
As everyone walked along the circular path leading inside, Selene deliberately slowed her pace, allowing Princess, Kai, and Timmy to move ahead while she fell into step beside Aether, who was taking in the surroundings with curious eyes.
"Ahem," Selene softly cleared her throat as she walked beside Aether.
"Hmm?" Aether tilted his head, turning his attention to her.
"H-How does it look?" Selene's cheeks tinted a faint red as she asked in a hushed tone.
Aether's expression turned puzzled for a moment.... Then, a memory flashed in his mind — an image he struggled to dismiss: a pink bra.
'M-Might this would be a bit different about these things?' Aether pondered and never thought she would ask brazen enough to ask bluntly, reluctant to act as bashful as before. With a confident smile, he responded,
"Yeah, it's good... I mean, it's kind of... exciting?" Aether trailed off, wondering about his choice of words.
'Exciting?' Selene's frown deepened as she glanced at her attire, which didn't seem particularly exciting. However, when she noticed Aether's gaze drifting towards.... her bosom, she quickly caught on to what he meant.
'Pufff!'
Her face flushed bright red, resembling someone in a hot tub, and
[+2000 Affection]
"Y-Y-You p-pervert!" She exclaimed as pinched Aether's hip before swiftly hurrying to catch up with the others.
'Pervert? What the fuck!! She's the one who asked me!' Aether screamed inwardly, ignoring those affection points.
As Selene caught up with the others, Princess couldn't help but notice Selene's trembling lips, a subtle yet undeniable sign of genuine happiness.... Her gaze unconsciously drifted towards Aether, who seemed lost in the grandeur of the Academy.
"...."
The group continued their walk, the air filled with a mix of excitement and anticipation as they approached the stadium for the new students' entrance ceremony.