Elementum Academy: Dancing Along the Waves

King's Orders

TALIA never imagined that at the age of 16 she will be able to have the opportunity to come to the rich and capital city of their Kingdom, the Royal City. Well the academy is not really inside the Capital City but they have to stop in this city before going to the academy.

Her grandmother sighed then held both of her shoulder. "The King issued an order that every child in this town, ages 14-16 years old must be sent to the Elementum Academy. We were just too scared for you..."

Talia sat beside her grandfather. "That's what were you two talking about?"

"Yes my child." Her grandfather answered as he looked at her grandmother.

Talia just nodded attentively seeing that her grandparents seems to avoid to bring up what she heard earlier. "So what will I be doing there?" Talia asked.

This time it's her grandmother who answered. "You have to take the test—the entrance exam and if they saw that you don't have any qualities to stay there then they'll take you to Elementum State University."

"Then were the both of you sad because I might go away and stay there?" Talia tilted her head. "For me it's an opportunity 'ma, 'pa. If I'll ever be accepted to the Elementum State University then I'll be able to find a good work after I graduate." She said then smiled.

Optimistic as always, is what her grandparents thought.

"I already expected that you'll voluntarily come to the Academy. It's just that your grandma was so scared for you." Her grandpa kissed her forehead.

Her grandmother flicked her grandfather's forehead "Of course I will be scared, you'll be alone there Talia and you have to live on your own. I just couldn't stop myself from worrying."

Talia smiled. "I'll be fine grandma, you already taught me lots of things. I can survive because you taught me how to cook, do laundry and everything!" She said then hugged both of her grandparents.

She felt her grandma patting her back.

"Oh right, we thought you were in the library? How come you're home early?" Her grandfather asked.

"There were lots of people, after we went to the vault I couldn't find a seat. Now I know why the library is full, it's because of what you said. The King's order." Talia said

Her grandmother went to the kitchen to bring some refreshments and cookies. She placed the tray in the table in dining are. "I baked cookies." She said from the dining are she noticed the books Talia came home with. "Huh? Can't believe I'll be able to see these books again."

Talia stood up when she heard her grandmother, she walked with her grandfather to their dining area and looked at the baked cookies.

Her grandfather also looked at the books. "Oh right? Did the librarian gave you this?" He grabbed one of them then opened it.

Talia nodded attentively. "Yes she showed those to me from the vault." Before sitting in one of the chairs, she took a cookie and then ate it

Her grandmother was surprised. "I mean me, myself wasn't allowed to be there even though I was the librarian's assistant. I think Ms. Rose must have trust you deeply?" She sat beside Talia and opened one of them.

Talia shrugged. "Maybe because I was one of the regulars." Talia said as she looked at the books her grandparents were touching.

Her grandfather nodded. "Well you should study for the exam too." He said then went to the living room looking for something. As he opened the last cabinet beside the fireplace he gave her a book. "I'm not sure if the contents of this book will be there in the exam but.. here. This was one of the first reviewer that circulated during your mother's time."

Talia looked at the book and opened it. "It's.. mother's book?"

She was so surprised, this was the first time his grandfather brought something related to her mother. She looked at the both of them who were smiling, her grandmother pinching her cheeks. "You know, you're really just like your mother. From your brown hair, your smile, and even your love to books."

Her grandfather smile then sat beside her he pointed the book. "Yes... I hope that this book can help you."

The three of them enjoyed the cookies and juice that the her grandmother made. They talked a lot about her mother who was as intelligent as her and all the naughty things she did with her father.

Talia noticed that they didn't brought up memories about her father. She didn't asked maybe because she already deduced that her father's relationship with her grandparents wasn't well.

"Oh Talia, I want to show you something before you start studying." Her grandmother said before standing up, Talia helped her clean the dining area.

"Let's go." Her grandfather said as he showed her the key.

She smiled as she walked behind her grandmother. They both went to the basement where she wasn't allowed to enter before. But now she went inside with her grandparents, her grandfather leading the way.

As her grandfather opened the door Talia was surprised. The basement didn't looked like what she expected it to be. Well most basements would look dusty and old but this, it was like a museum.

Paintings were displayed in the walls, there were also lots of musical instruments such as guitar, electric guitar, piano and even drums. Painting materials were also arranged perfectly in front of the canvas.

Talia's attention stopped in one of the paintings. It was a painting of the castle, and she knows that it is the Elementum Kingdom. It was painted beautifully even though in the painting it was night, the stars and moon were also painted magically.

"That's one of the King's many orders from your mother, though the king gave it back to us." Her grandfather said as he also stared at the painting.

Talia frowned then she touched it. "Why did he gave it back? Did you also gave back the payment?"

Her grandmother chuckled. "The money wasn't the issue... It's just I think he respected us."

Her grandfather nodded. "He gave that back saying it's a memento, well it's the last painting your mother painted before passing away."

Talia stared at the painting then smiled at her grandparents.

MEANWHILE, inside the Elementum Castle the king was sitting in his throne room. He has audience from the foreign affairs and their meeting was all about the plans and safety of the people for the next events.

Inside the throne room were four seats but it was only the king who was present and was the one looking the papers from his people.

"Make sure everything goes well." King Katz commanded.

"Yes of course, we will ensure that everything will go according to our plan your majesty." The secretary of the foreign affairs said as he closed the book and folded the papers.

The secretary including the other members bowed their heads before walking out of the throne room. After the King Katz saw the door closed he immediately sighed then looked at his trusted aide and secretary, Aidan.

Aidan looked at the king before pouring a cup of tea on the table beside him. "Here your majesty." He said as he walked to him. "This'll help you."

Minutes have passed, King Katz didn't utter a word and just sat up there sipping his tea. He was thinking about everything going on in their country, from foreign affairs, economy, their health care, and even their defense.

He remembered that earlier he urged Aidan to proclaim a decree only to the population of the Troviloon. All the children ages 14-16 was his target because as of the moment he is thinking of creating a group which he will send to the borders as a sub-group.

"So about the decree." King Katz said as he took a sip of his tea.

"The children from Troviloon? It was already taken care of your majesty. As we speak, the word may have spread already in the whole town through our messengers."

King Katz sighed as a relief. "Because of that, I might be able to sleep this time." He said sipping his tea then gave the papers to Aidan who were from the Foreign Affairs.

For the past few days, King Katz wasn't able to sleep properly. Every night he would not feel the need of sleep and would always feel helpless. The reason? They received a signal that monsters are becoming active again.

Aidan sighed. "Your highness are you sure it is safe to continue these events?" He said before folding the papers and arranging them according to their time.

"Do you want to compromise the happiness of our citizens?" King Katz asked frustratingly. "Even I don't want to continue these events but our economy will also be damaged. There are a lot of factors we should consider."

A knock on the door was heard before Aidan could even respond to what his majesty said. This made the both of them quiet and stared at the door.

"Duke Adelson is here your majesty!" One of the guards outside said.

"Let him in."

The guards outside opened the door, the king looked at the door where a tall pale man appeared. He wore a black suit and an elegant tailored brown coat with intricate design. His short black hair is neatly styled and his black eyes are piercing yet kind.

He was holding a lot of papers they were folded and stacked up in his hands. He walked gracefully then he stopped and bowed in a respectful distance. "Greetings your majesty." The duke said with his cold baritone voice which suggests authority yet he was polite.

"You may rise now, so what's the update?" King Katz said then gave his cup to Aidan who went to his post again.

He gave papers to Aidan as soon as he stood up properly, which Aidan Immediately gave to his majesty. "There were some sightings of goblins yesterday but of course our team was able to kill them."

Aidan and the king frowned. "There were hordes of them? How did they survived?"

Duke Adelson sighed then he moved to the other page of his report. "They said that some of the goblins dead body were marked with a symbol in their necks."

The king just like Duke Adelson moved to the other page which made them shook their heads. "This kingdom is really... a pain in the ass."

The duke didn't stop there. "We saw a potential success of experiments in opening gates to the otherworld. Remnants of gate like frame were also sighted there."

The king frowned. "They did it inside our borders, this is in Querosane right? How come they were able to? The guards didn't saw them?"

"We think it's because of their technology which they left behind." He said then turned the page to another one. "It's called Helmet of invisibility."

"Judging from it's name, now I know why our guards didn't noticed them. But why inside our borders?" King Katz sighed another problem, another headache. He massaged his own temple as he looked at the report.

"My daughter said they will develop a magic technology which can detect these artifacts. Currently she is in the border but as soon as she saw the helmet she immediately told me to commission students." He said with assurance. "If you're wondering why in our country, well it's simple. Our kingdom's territory is rich with magic particles which helped them in conducting their experiments."

"They really won't stop aren't they?"

Duke Adelson shook his head. "I don't think so, with their government structure? No one will lead them to light." He said.

Minutes have passed and they talked about strategies of their nation and how they will deal monsters in the near future.

King Katz sighed. "Oh gods, guide us."

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