Elementum Academy: Dancing Along the Waves

Accepted

TALIA woke up early, it's already her body clock to wake up around 5 a.m in the morning. Before when she was still in the Troviloon the first thing she'll do is to help her grandmother with chores. She would clean the leaves in their backyard and sometimes help her grandfather with feeding farm animals.

Talia sighed as she realized that she is not in their house anymore. She is in her room and slept in a very comfortable mattress. Good thing she was able to sleep last night, probably because she was too tired with everything that happened to her yesterday.

On the other side of the room was Rika who was still sleeping. The dorm was for four people but it was only the two of them in their class. Talia looked at Rika and closed her eyes, it was so quiet she could her Rika's breathing. Her breathing was relaxed so Talia knows that she's still in a deep sleep.

Talia stretched her arms, ah I can't go back to sleep. She sat up in her bed and stared at the moon that was still visible before she stood up and went to the mini kitchen on the right part of their dorm. She opened the fridge and drank some water, then went back to her bed.

She looked around the dorm, yesterday night she didn't really had the chance to appreciate it because both of them suddenly felt sleepy. A mini kitchen is what you will see as soon as you enter the dorm, cabinets on its other side and a table with four chairs. Next to the kitchen was the bathroom door, and another cabinets. On the other side next to the table was the lounge, where 4 people can seat on the couch and mini couch—in the middle was a mini table.

Then on the corners where bunk beds, 4 closets and 4 vanity table. In the middle of the two corners was a door that'll lead you to the balcony where you can see the view of the whole lot—well you can't really see lots of buildings but from that place you can see the view of the statue of the current King.

Talia suddenly felt sad when she remembered that it'll take a long time before she'll be able to see her grandparents again. She have to work hard so one day, she can give back to them and give them a comfortable life.

I promise... I'll pay you back grandma, grandpa.

While clutching her hand and looking above—at the ceiling she suddenly heard the train stopping in front of the building. She frowned then stood up and went to the balcony to see lots of people who took the exam with them going inside the train with sad faces while some? Well, they are nonchalant and some are even relieved that they are now going back to the train.

She saw Ms. Rin patting the backs of those who were sad before she saw her look up at the building where she was. Ms. Rin only stared at her before she averted her gaze and focus on the students who were leaving again.

Talia didn't moved in her place, she stared at the people until they all went inside the train and the train went to the direction to where they were, after they went inside the teleportation.

Talia sat in the chair as the sun starts to rise, it was a spectacular and serene view. It made her feel melancholic and at the same time at ease. She always loved to see it, especially when she was still in Troviloon.

"Another day, another experience and learning" is her motto in life—always. At a young age she loved reading, writing, experimenting and discovering.

One of the other things she liked the most was the sea, she didn't know why or what connection she has with the sea—or maybe because of the fountain she always dreamed of when she was young? It confused her, she never tried to go swim before but when she first went to a falls in the Querosane it felt familiar as if she always did swim. She always dreamt of playing in a fountain, pond, lake, and even in a vast ocean. In her dream she was always with the fishes, exploring the sea and watching the sea plants and she swam beautifully as if dancing along the waves.

"Hi, good morning." Rika said while stretching her arms and and yawning.

Talia looked at Rika whose hair was disheveled . "Morning."

Rika walked to the balcony as she fixed her hair using her hand and saw another batch of people walking to the train. Her eyes widened and she suddenly placed her hands on the railings. "What's happening?" She blurted out, she was confuse.

Talia sighed. "I'm not sure..." She said as she stood up and saw what Rika saw. "But I think it's the results? I mean given that this is one of the King's private order, don't you think they prioritized checking our exam scores?"

Rika's face lightened. "Oh right!" She exclaimed agreeing to Talia. "I mean we were brought to the library yesterday night right? Maybe there are still other people like us, you know who was able to answer the bonus questions?"

Talia nodded too agreeing to what Rika said. "Do you want to go out and check?" She looked at Ms. Rin who was doing the same thing she did earlier—patting the children's back.

"Hmm, let me fix myself first. My hair looked like I failed doing a potion." She chuckled.

Talia shook her head while chuckling. "Go I'll stay here and wait for you, I'll also use the bathroom."

Rika nodded then immediately went inside their room to get ready and fixed herself.

Almost half an hour passed by and the two are now outside their room. They locked it using their card before they both decided to go out to the ground floor where the staffs are. They walked passed the other rooms and saw how pretty the hallway really is.

Talia pushed the ground floor button on the elevator as soon as they got inside it. It was only the two of them inside and they were standing beside each other in the middle of it.

"Do you wish to go to Elementum Academy?" Rika asked as she fidgeted her nails, she don't know if she should ask it but she still did.

For Rika as a daughter of merchant, it would be an honor if she will graduate in one of the prestigious institution in their kingdom. She has a last name, she can bring to the whole world—unlike Talia who doesn't have a last name.

In their world last name means the Kingdom acknowledged you as one of the people who contributes, contributed and is contributing a citizen. It means you are one of the reasons why the kingdom gains lots of money, power and of course fame to it's neighboring nation.

"I don't really like to go in there, maybe because I lack something." Talia sighed as they wait inside the elevator.

Rika who remembers what happened inside the library look at Talia as if she was pitying her. She was hesitating but she still asked what's on her mind. "It's because the ball didn't changed?" She asked almost a whisper, she was scared that she might hurt her feelings.

Talia looked at her with a smile. "I already accepted it a long time ago, I was I think around 5 years old? I don't really remember when did, all I know is that one day I woke up and I realized and accepted the you know the fact that I won't be able to do what others can." Her smile didn't fade as she saw how Rika was a little hesitant but still had the courage to asked. "Don't worry about me, I'm sure you'll be accepted there. If I didn't passed today, I can wait for another spring."

"I think you passed." Rika said smiling. "I don't know but I have this strong gut feeling." She shrugged.

"Then is it possible that you have two gift?" Talia asked curiously.

Rika chuckled. "Maybe?"

The elevator opened with a "Ting!" The two immediately went out then went to the gate where the last batch of students are already outside again taking the next train.

Rika and Talia looked at each other then nodded before they ran to Ms. Jin who was consoling another child.

"Oh, it's you two." Ms. Jin said not even looking at the two who stopped behind her.

The two looked at each other as if contemplating what to tell to Ms. JIn. "Uhm, can we ask you something Miss?"

Ms. Jin turned to face them then smiled. "Sure what is it?"

"Did we passed the exam?" Talia immediately asked. "I mean we only concluded because we aren't one of the students you're sending back to train." She said then looked at the students.

Some were looking at them with a sad face, the other were still smiling because they know there's always next year. While the others wore a sad face because this is one of the best opportunity and the last opportunity they can have yet they didn't passed—they are going back home. Being able to enter the two best academy would bring honor to them yet now they have to go back to their province and continue the life they have.

Ms. Jin smiled at the two of them 'Really smart' she thought. "Yes you both passed the exam. So no need to worry and go back to your rooms now—or wait have the two of you eaten?"

Rika smiled then clapped her hands, Oh thank god.

Elementum State University? Talia asked to herself.

Talia was sure that where she'll be sent, after all she was magicless. She knew that, magic was one of the basic requirements to be able to enter to that prestigious academy.

Rika saw that Ms. Jin was waiting for their respond so she immediately shook her head. "Not yet Ms. Jin, I'm so hungry." She said in a low tone.

"Hmm, me too." Talia only looked at Rika, her stomach grumbling which made Rika laughed.

One thing Talia noticed about Rika is that at first she'll be shy around people she first meet then eventually she'll become comfortable and honest. She doesn't like to sugarcoat things especially when they talked yesterday about their past life as they went to their room.

Ms. Jin smiled, she looked at the two staffs who were standing near the door. She gave them a look and the two walked to Talia and Rika. "Come with us."

Unbeknownst to them, someone was already studying them.

The two followed the staffs while Ms. Jin looked at the woman who were looking at Rika and Talia.

Ms. Jin walked to the girl. "You are?"

"Sophie." She smiled. "Don't mind me miss." She said dismissively then walked to the cafeteria where Talia and Rika went.

Ms. Jin looked at Sophie's back, one of her staffs went to her side.

"Look out for that girl."

Meanwhile Talia and Rika were enjoying their full and heavy meal. Their table was quiet and only the sounds of their mouth munching and chewing the food was the thing they can hear.

Talia already saw Sophie earlier and she really can't understand herself why she was so quick to judge the girl. She knew full too well that she shouldn't judge a book by it's cover.

She feels really off and I don't know why.

Rika saw how Talia kept glancing on the woman behind her who was Sophie.

"You okay?"

Talia nodded.

Then out of nowhere Ms. Janna appeared behind Talia which made Rika squealed and coughed. The staffs gave Rika water and napkin, they were also patting her back.

Talia frowned, she felt Ms. Janna walked to her back and patted it as if she knows she will be able to sense her aura. She looked at Ms. Janna frowning, while Ms. Janna was smiling at her.

"Have you ever felt something different the moment you left the library yesterday night?" Ms. Janna asked with a curios tone.

Talia was still frowning. "N-nothing special."

"If you say so." Ms. Janna said then gave both of them an envelop. "Read this later."

The two looked at each other as they saw Ms. Janna move to another table giving envelops.

"Uhm?"

They simultaneously opened the envelop.

"You've been accepted to Elementum Academy."