Chapter 13: Act 1 - Chapter 3

Chapter 13: Nova; Shauran 10th, 344SR; 14:10

“So, once wind makes contact with steam…” the old man drew an equation, his chalk scratching against the board as he explained slowly. “The… Water molecules present in a gaseous form… Cool back into liquid form, returning us to…”

The classroom fell silent, a few people giggled as Nova continued to read. ‘Unlike the law of combination in regard to elements and disparities, primitives cannot be combined. This also includes combinations between the same types or different types. Mind and mind, cannot create a mind of greater magnitude in the same way life, and death, or any of the tangible elements- Ah!’ A piece of chalk hit Nova in the head, then fell onto the page of the textbook. ‘Huh…’ She quickly looked up and noticed the teacher’s gaze.

The teacher had receding gray hair, and a thick beard that covered his entire neck. He rubbed his beard while he looked at Nova, smiling as his eyebrow twitched. His skin was wrinkled and he had droopy narrow eyes. He wore a blue robe covering his body down to his ankles. He opened his hand for the piece of chalk, Nova handed it back to him.

“Is my lesson so boring you would rather read a textbook, Nova?” the teacher sighed.

“N-No Mr. Laurenzo! It’s not! I’m just-”

“No excuses, it’s important you continue to listen… After all, this content will be important for the upcoming test…”

“Another test?!”, “When!”, “Auugh… No…” multiple students in the room moaned in agony at the sudden revelation.

“Yes, yes, did you think there wouldn’t be another test? How foolish of you all…”

“But Mr. Laurenzo, we can’t possibly remember all of these combinations between elements?!” Dina asked.

“Oh please… As if it’s hard to understand…” Mr. Laurenzo laughed.

“It is hard!” the girl next to Nova groaned.

‘Seriously? Come on Lisa… I thought I helped you enough with this stuff...’ Nova raised an eyebrow at her friend to her left. She had blonde hair and light skin tone. Her eyes were brown, she had light freckles over her cheeks, and a small chin. Just like everyone else in the class, she wore a blue hoodie with a grey cloak underneath. Nova shook her head and continued to read from her textbook.

“Dina, Lisa, think about it this way…” Mr. Laurenzo went back to the chalkboard.

“Of the basic four elements, water and earth are the only ones that actively change their state of matter… Fire and-” Mr. Laurenzo sighed, the room fell silent again. “Nova… Please continue what I was just explaining?”

Nova looked back up with wide eyes and pursed lips. “Uh… The… Law of condition, it’s stated that fire adds heat, while wind removes heat, thus changing the state of water and earth accordingly… Of course moisture is also a factor…”

Mr. Laurenzo blinked repeatedly, looking surprised at her answer. “Yes, that’s correct… You even remember the name of the law, very good. But, do pay attention.”

Mr. Laurenzo went back to writing on the chalkboard. ‘Ugh… But this stuff is so simple it's boring…’ Nova looked down at her textbook as the lesson continued. Loomy popped out of her shoulder, his tongue hanging out of his mouth while panting weakly. ‘Might… Have been better to drink more water at breakfast…’ The girl next to Nova scooted closer to her.

“Hey, how’d you remember all this stuff? You’re reading the intermediate book right?” Lisa lifted the cover, and noticed it was red. “You finished that one too?!”

“Uh… Yeah, I didn’t have anything else to do so I just… Read it all…” Nova shrugged.

“Can you help me study after class?” Lisa asked.

“Uh, sure…” Nova nodded and smiled.

“Hwuu…” Loomy groaned.

“What happened to him?” Lisa pointed at Loomy.

“He just gets worn out quickly when he’s dehydrated… And it’s really dry in the school…” Nova explained.

“Aw… Poor little guy…” Lisa reached forward to pet Loomy.

“Wa… Awa!” Loomy suddenly tried to bite Lisa’s hand.

“Ah!” Lisa pulled back.

“Loomy!” Nova whispered as she pulled the spirit back in.

“Nova… Now you’re interrupting my lesson…” Mr. Laurenzo sighed. “Does the spirit require more water…”

“I think so… Sorry, could I… Be excused for a moment…” Nova asked.

“Hm… Very well, can’t have the little fox croak from dehydration now, can we… But consider bringing a lot of water to the class, it would save you a lot of trouble…”

“Arf!” Loomy suddenly jumped out and yelped, Nova’s eyes widened.

“What did he say?” Mr. Laurenzo tilted his head.

“Uh… He… Said you make a good point,” Nova nodded with a sheepish smile as she stood up and set the textbook down on her desk.

“Hm…” Mr. Laurenzo squinted at the book as Nova walked through the aisle.

“Sorry!” Lisa whispered as Nova walked past.

Nova quickly made her way to the front of the room and walked out of the door. ‘You can’t call people that Loomy! That’s worse than what Zeus says!’ The height of the narrow hallway paled in comparison to the classroom. There were benches and lockers set between the occasional door, each one she walked past housed a classroom of students being taught. As she passed the school library, she took a left and continued down a similar hallway. Just before reaching the front office, Nova turned into a small corridor that led to a door outside. On the right was a water fountain, and a bit further down the hall was a man in a white shirt and grey overalls dumping a mop in a filled bucket. Loomy ran down Nova’s arm, jumped into the fountain’s sink basin, then opened its mouth eagerly. Nova turned the valve, and a stream of water shot upward and fell into Loomy’s mouth.

“Loomy, you have to stop getting angry for no reason…” Nova shook her head.

Loomy blissfully drank the water from the fountain, even letting it fall over himself so it could soak his red fur. ‘He’s ignoring me…’ Nova glared at the small fox, he rolled over in the sink basin without a care about how dirty it could be. The janitor pulled the mop out of the water, held it over a bucket as a stream of droplets fell off, then dropped it to the floor. While Nova held the valve open, she glanced past the janitor wiping the floor with soapy water, and noticed a black caravan outside. Two horses with brown fur were tied to the front, while a driver with a top hat held the reins. She could just barely see a gold symbol embedded into the side of the caravan. ‘That symbol… Isn’t that… The Lightbringer’s sym-’

“Excuse me young lady, can I get by you for a moment?” said the janitor.

“Oh, sorry…” Nova stepped to the side.

The janitor mopped the floor under the fountain. He was an old man with dark brown skin and a lot of wrinkles. He had loose curly hair under his dark blue cap. Loomy looked at soapy water in the bucket, then looked up at Nova with an excited smile. ‘No! No, no! Don’t jump in there…’ Nova shook her head, the janitor noticed and giggled.

“Is he taking a bath or drinking the water? He’s giving my bucket a greedy look…” the janitor laughed.

“He… Likes to swim…” Nova nodded.

“This little guy is your Celestial gift?” the man asked. “I’ve never seen a spirit so close…”

“Ar?! Wa!” Loomy groaned, he sounded fed up.

‘Stop getting mad!’ Nova’s eye twitched while she smiled awkwardly. Loomy grumbled, then used his tail to flick water in at Nova. The janitor laughed at Loomy’s outburst, then reached forward to pet him. However, Loomy quickly darted to Nova’s shoulder. ‘First you hit me with water… Then you climb on me when you’re wet…’ Loomy looked at Nova with his usually closed eyes, then suddenly shook his fur to dry off. Nova shut her eyes as water sprinkled over her face. ‘Jerk…’

“Uh, yes, this is Loomy,” Nova smiled and rubbed Loomy’s head, however Loomy pulled away as he kept his eyes on the janitor.

“Loomy huh, sounds like gloomy, he seems like a moody little guy,” the janitor nodded.

“You have no idea…” Nova’s words trailed off as she smiled awkwardly and looked down. “I’ve… Gotta get back to my class…”

“Good luck, if you’re enrolled in this school when you're this young, with a Celestial gift that’s also a spirit, you must be quite blessed, I think you’ll go far, don’t get stuck in some boring job like mine, haha!”

Nova smiled sheepishly, bowed, and then went back on her way. Loomy continued to look toward the man while they got further away. She went back down the hall down the way she came.

“He seemed like a nice person, ” said Nova. “Why’d you call him a meat bag? What does that even mean?”

“Rr… Awa!” Loomy grumbled.

“Wait? You don’t like that he called you little?” Nova squinted at the fox.

“Rr… Hrf,” Loomy sneezed.

“Loomy, what do you mean? You aren’t even a foot tall… You’re tiny…”

“Wara!” Loomy’s head snapped toward her in response to the comment. “Aar…”

Loomy slumped over Nova’s shoulder, the fox looked genuinely saddened by the comment.

“Aw… Hey, don’t be sad…” Nova tried to comfort him. “I’m sure you’ll get big, as big as Yycan one day!”

“Awa… Hr, Arf!” Loomy groaned.

“Okay fine, we’ll go to the port a bit earlier if that makes you feel better… Wait… This has nothing to do with the port! You’re just trying to get your way!” Nova snapped.

“Tsk…”

“You are such a little rascal you know that…” Nova shook her head. “At least that guy said something to us… Most people just look at us weird and keep their distance… Is getting a spirit for a celestial gift really that special?”

“Awa,” Loomy yipped with a smile.

“No, not you… Ugh, go back inside… You’re not supposed to be coming out during class anyways… Also the school is dry and cold, so you’ll dehydrate quickly again…”

Loomy travelled back into Nova’s body. ‘That made him listen in no time…’ She reached the library, gazing through the front window as she turned right. ‘I should return that last textbook later today… Ah, wait I left it at the-’ Upon turning the corner, she bumped into someone going the other way. ‘Ah-’ Nova stumbled backward, her foot slipped as it slid on a bit of water still on her shoe. Nova lost balance, her arms waved helplessly, reaching for anything. But the person she bumped into grasped her collar and stopped her descent.

“I’m sorry! Are you okay, I didn’t mean…” Nova paused as she looked up at the man.

Upon noticing his clothing, Nova’s expression sank. He wore sleek black pants fastened to his waist by a fancy silver belt. His cloak was white with black edges. He had blonde hair tied back into a ponytail with a few strands falling over his forehead. His wide yellow eyes pierced Nova with a strange intensity. There were yellow decals on his shirt, and the symbol of a golden sword with an eye on its guard on his chest. ‘A lieutenant of house Lightbringer?! I almost forgot, their caravan was outside!’

“Uhm, I, uhh… Sorry-”

The blonde man let go of her collar. ‘Eh-’ Nova’s eyes widened as she continued to fall backward. Nova’s hands flailed helplessly, before landing on her rear. It didn’t hurt very much, but she was taken aback by his sudden decision to let go. ‘Why’d he do that?!’ The man walked by in a hurry.

“Watch where you’re going next time…” the lieutenant muttered as he shook his head. “Idiot…”

“How rude!” Nova yelled. “You didn’t have to drop me!”

However, he didn’t even care, he kept walking down the hallway Nova came from. She twitched as she pouted. ‘Darn it… I want to ask him about House Lightbringer but… He seems mean… Ah! No, I have to do this if I want to move forward!’ Nova got to her feet, then hurried after him.

“Uh… You’re a member of House Lightbringer, right?” Nova asked.

The blonde man didn’t stop. “Yeah, first lieutenant.”

“First lieutenant?!” Nova grimaced.

“Yup… Now leave me alone… I’m busy…”

“Uh, I want to join House Lightbringer one day! How did you join? What do I have to do to join!?”

The man stopped, looked away for a moment, then took a deep breath. He turned around and looked down on Nova. His eyes twitched repeatedly. ‘He seems… Mad…’ Nova felt slightly worried. She stepped back, skipping a breath, and gulping.

“Are you stupid or something?” the lieutenant suddenly asked.

“Huh-”

“No, seriously, are you an idiot? The members of House Lightbringer are all the family of King Lucifer. You will never join House Lightbringer if you aren’t of his bloodline. And besides… You don’t have what it takes to be a Lightbringer… You might as well just give up and settle for something more classy…” the man turned and walked away.

Nova stood there for a moment, Loomy sprung up from behind her shoulder as the man entered the stairwell. The red fox looked to the stairs, and then to its master. Nova felt like a lump had formed in her throat. Her feet felt cold. She blinked repeatedly. A tear dropped out of her eye.

“Owa?” Loomy nuzzled Nova’s cheek.

Nova looked down. ‘The sooner we join noble houses, we might be able to find her…’ She recalled Yami’s words. Tears rolled down her cheek even faster. Loomy opened his eyes as Nova turned and started toward the class. ‘I… I’ve been gone from class for too long… I…’ Her jaw quivered, a small gasp escaped her throat as her heart beat rapidly. She couldn’t stop thinking about what the lieutenant said. Nova sniffed as she tried to hold her tears. Loomy looked around nervously, unsure of what to do to help.

“Huh…” Nova wiped it off, but felt more flood out of her other eye. “Ah…”

“Arf! Awa! Rrr!” Loomy poked Nova with his snout as he yapped. “Wao!”

“Well… If a first Lieutenant said it… It must be true… I’m weak…” Nova looked down. “Why would a noble house recruit a weakling…”

“Arf!”

“What do you mean… He said I don’t have what it takes…”

“Arr!” Loomy groaned and smacked her with a tail.

“Hey… You don’t have to-”

“Wa!”

She turned into the hallway where her classroom was, but stopped as Loomy scolded her. “I know there are other noble houses… But… I like learning magic, and I wanted to learn from Arid Lightbringer…”

“Rrr! Arf!” Loomy tried his best to encourage her.

“You think so… Well, it’s nice to have someone believing in me…”

“Awa! Ra!”

“Ah… Yeah, Yami does too…”

“Wa…”

“I don’t know about Zeus… I mean he always calls me an idiot…”

“Awa…”

“Heh…” Nova snickered. “Yeah, maybe I am an idiot if I think he’s smart enough to be the judge of that…”

Nova reached her classroom, she wiped the tears off one more time before walking in. A voice could be heard inside. Nova sighed as she turned the door knob and walked in. Her eyes were glued to the floor as she tried to take the quickest route to her seat.

“...after all, this is a new field offered in Helios, and it's a dire one due to the ever enhancing capability of Hydronian science. In order to aid the study and advancement of magic, House Lightbringer is providing us funding… So, make sure to show them your utmost…” Mr. Laurenzo stopped all of a sudden.

The class was arranged like a small theatre, the tables were arranged on four elevated levels. On each step was a long table, stretching from the left side of the room to the right. Each row was seated with about ten students, except for the first. Nova walked between the desks and chairs, making her way back to her seat next to Lisa. The other students were looking at her with wide eyes as she tried to stay as quiet as possible.

“Sorry,” Nova whispered as she worried about disturbing the lesson.

She walked by Lisa, who looked at Nova like she had seen a ghost. Upon taking her seat, Nova squinted at the empty table. ‘Huh… Wait, who took my textbook…’ Nova looked at Lisa, who was staring at something ahead of her. Nova looked in the same direction, and her eyes widened immediately. The noble of House Lightbringer, was standing in front of the class, and he was looking directly at her. The noble held the textbook Nova was reading.

“Hii!” Nova gasped quickly, she looked back down as her face turned red.

Her heart pounded quickly, she felt even worse than after she had been criticized by the first lieutenant. ‘Arid Lightbringer?! Why is he here… Why is he in our class?!’ The noble whispered something to Mr. Laurenzo, they’d both glance at Nova repeatedly while they talked.

“Lucy, how much did he already talk about? What did I miss?!” Nova asked frantically, not hearing the footfalls coming toward her.

“Uh… Uh…” Lucy stuttered as she pointed forward.

Nova’s heart sank, she turned and noticed Arid at the front of her desk. His blue eyes pierced Nova’s soul. He was just like she remembered from a year ago. Short black hair, a stern and unflinching expression, and yellow eyes. He wore similar clothes to the lieutenant from earlier, sleek black pants and a white shirt. But over it he wore a coat that reached down to his knees, it had yellow decals around the edges and the Lightbringer insignia over his chest. He set the book down, then slowly pushed it toward her.

“You’ve gone ahead of your class…” said Arid.

“I’m… I’m sorry, I… I really like to read, and- and learning magic is really interesting, and-”

“You finished the book on the basics… And the intermediate level content…”

“I-” Nova froze as she frowned, she felt like she was about to cry again.

“Stand up, and come over here…”

Nova shivered at the sudden command, she stood up and walked to the other side of the table. She kept her head low, glued to the nobles shoes on the carpet floor. Arid raised his own hand toward her, a small amulet hung off a silver chain on his wrist. Nova squinted as Arid held the talisman between his palm and thumb. It was circular in shape, with increasingly smaller circles inside of it. It almost resembled a single ripple in a pond. ‘Huh… Is that… A gift?’ A circle of white light started to spread between his hand and Nova’s stomach. The circle started to spin forward, it was so fast it almost looked like it split into two, then even more. Loomy poked his head out of Nova’s shoulder and looked at the mesmerizing sight.

“What… What are you doing?” Nova asked

“The orbs of Nilrem is the gift passed down in my family, it allows me to draw energy from someone, and condense it into a catalyst...” Arid explained.

“A… Catalyst… You mean…”

“But, Sir Arid! None of the students have begun learning how to apply magic themselves?” Mr. Laurenzo tried to advise.

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that… Especially with this one…” said Arid.

The white circles of light spun faster, fast enough that it started to look like a white orb of light. The light dimmed, revealing a sphere with a deep red color. It fell into Arid’s hand, and he raised it to his face. He squinted as he peered into the orb, looking surprised for some reason.

“Your affinity is of… Pure light, fire… And… Mind? A triple affinity… Interesting… Here,” Arid nodded.

“Uh…” Nova looked up.

“Tell me, what is the nature of light, at all its various disparities?” Arid suddenly asked.

Nova’s eyebrows furrowed at the sudden question. “Corrupt light… Is known as black light magic, it absorbs light… Neutral light is light that is simply light rays, often ranging in colors, and pure light is white light magic…”

“Very good, you even know the types it creates… Then, tell me… Pure light, and fire, what magic type does this create?”

“Star magic?” Nova shrugged, answering the question like it should have been easy.

Mr. Laurenzo looked shocked, even the students in the class looked amongst themselves as Nova easily explained what they hadn’t even learned yet. Nova shuffled where she stood awkwardly. ‘Why is he asking me all of this?’ Arid handed the catalyst to Nova, she gripped the red sphere. It was a little heavy, but felt very dense.

“We’re going to have this embedded on a scepter… Your skill and talent is wasted here. Join House Lightbringer, and I'll train you myself…” said Arid.

Nova’s eyes widened. ‘Huh…’ The other students' jaws all dropped. Even the instructor was taken aback. Her head slowly rose toward the noble. ‘What…’ She blinked repeatedly, looked at Lisa, then to Mr. Laurenzo, and then back to Arid.

“W-What…” Nova stuttered.

“You will join House Lightbringer, as a new lieutenant. I will continue to train you in the arts of magic, and then you will aid in the advancement of this field. Mr. Laurenzo, please send me her records, I expect them before the evening.”

“Uh… Yeah… Okay…” Mr. Laurenzo agreed. “But… You said you were looking for some-”

“It’s alright Mr. Laurenzo,” Arid nodded.

‘What… Hold on…’ Nova didn’t even move or flinch. She was still taken aback by the sudden decision. ‘Did I hear that right?’ Arid turned and walked toward the door of the classroom. ‘But that lieutenant said…’ Nova stood completely still, looking around in a daze. Arid reached the door, and then paused for a moment, he glanced back at Nova.

“What are you waiting for?” Arid asked. “Don't forget your bag…”

“Uh… Yes sir!” Nova nodded.

Nova turned, reached over the table and grabbed her bag. She stuffed the textbook and catalyst inside it, then waved to Lisa. The students whispered between themselves, they were just as perplexed as she was. Nova turned and hurried to the door, but stopped before she left.

“Th-thank you for teaching me Mr. Laurenzo!” Nova bowed her head.

Nova hurried out of the room, turning right and seeing Arid walk down the hall. She followed after him. Loomy popped his head out of her collar and raised an eyebrow at the sudden shift in Nova’s mood.

“Awa?” Loomy asked.

“Uhm!” Nova stammered over what she wanted to ask, her emotions were all over the place. “I- I thought House Lightbringer only accepts people of the royal bloodline?!”

“Hm?” Arid glanced back. “Normally, yes, but exceptions can be made. I myself am not a blood relative to the king either,” Arid revealed.

“Wha-” Nova twitched.

‘Then… That rude lieutenant?! Why did he…’ After walking through the hallway, they reached a stairwell that led down to the front lobby. It was a large open room, even larger than the classroom. To the left was a desk where a lady acted as the receptionist. There was a row of seats on both sides of the room. Past the benches and the front desk, was a large window which oversaw the front of the academy, separated by large pillars and doors made from glass.

Nova approached the front desk as she took her bag off and pulled her entry card. She gave the card to the receptionist at the front desk, who immediately adjusted her glasses in confusion. The receptionist was a middle aged woman with brown hair and large puffy cheeks. She wore a white shirt with white and green floral patterns, the edges of her short sleeves were frilled.

“Uh, hey- I mean… Bye? I’m leaving early Ms. Rinpi,” Nova scratched her head.

“Uh- Sir Arid… You’re leaving already?” the receptionist raised an eyebrow.

“Yes. Nova will no longer be attending Lumencraft Academy. Remove her name from the attendance, but keep her records...” Arid explained as he opened the front door and walked outside.

“Oh…” Ms. Rinpi replied.

Nova looked between Arid and Ms. Rinpi with wide eyes. She pursed her lips and waved at the receptionist. Ms. Rinpi waved back with an awkward look, then raised both her thumbs and smiled. Arid opened the front door and stepped outside, Nova followed quickly.

Arid walked down a set of stone stairs then past the fountain in the center of a courtyard. Nova and Loomy continued to look back at the academy. The school almost resembled a small castle from the outside, there were even multiple guard towers around the front courtyard, a statue was at the top of the steps between two doors. It resembled a hooded man, however the hand of the statue had broken off. Nova paused halfway down the steps as she looked at the statue's missing hand.

“But… Wait, sir, this is really sudden. And… Earlier- I met a lieutenant in the hall, and he said…” Nova stammered. “But… I mean, I don’t mind, I'm honored to have the opportunity, but, but…”

Nova paused as she looked at the Lightbringer’s carriage. The first lieutenant was leaning against it, his eyes widened and his teeth clenched as he saw Arid and Nova. She almost felt like he was furious to see her, but she also felt a little angry when she saw him. Loomy grumbled at the sight of him, his fur standing up.

“The first lieutenant? You mean Lawrence?” Arid looked at the blonde man for a moment. “Heh, what did he say?”

‘Oh, where do I even… Start…’ Nova suddenly recalled how angry it would make Zeus when she told on him. Loomy looked between Arid, Lawrence, Nova, and the academy. There was an awkward silence for a few seconds.

“He- told me that I need to- graduate from Lumencraft first. And called me an idiot… For not knowing that…” Nova looked down.

“Hmph,” Arid smirked. “Don’t worry, he doesn’t matter. You are an incredible scholar if you’ve already learned the content of the intermediate book in just a few months. You may even replace me one day, and then he’ll be your first lieutenant to belittle. Now then, come, I'll give you a tour of where you will be living from now on.”

Nova stared at Lawrence, he looked a little confused himself as he squinted back at Nova. He shook his head and entered the caravan. Nova gulped as she stepped toward the black wooden vehicle. She stepped inside and was greeted with a compact, but cosy interior. The seats were woven with an elegant gold fabric, small but stylish curved patterns were embroidered into it. Nova paused as she saw two other people already in the vehicle.

“You’re in the wrong caravan, peasant…” A woman in the caravan.

“Shut up Leanne, that’s the new recruit,” Lawrence groaned under his breath as he rested his elbow against the window and stared at the ground outside.

“What?” Leanne sounded puzzled all of a sudden.

“Someone this young?” a blonde man said, he was seated next to Leanne.

“What's the problem, Laris… You were a member of House Lightbringer in your fucking underwear, is it really so surprising…” Lawrence growled.

“N-No brother…” Laris looked down.

Leanne and Laris both wore similar clothes to Lawrence. Their faces were very similar too, but Laris wore glasses. They both had a braided ponytail on the side of their head, Laris’s on the left, Leanne’s on the right. Laris looked Nova up and down, he seemed a little awestruck. But Leanne looked upset at the very sight of her.

Nova gulped again as she took a seat. She had no idea what to say, or how to act at the moment. She was still confused by the events within the last twenty minutes. Leanne continued to glare at her, until Loomy popped his head out from her collar. She blinked repeatedly as Loomy sniffed the air.

“What- Is that… Laris, Lawrence! What is that little thing?!” Leanne slapped Laris’s shoulder.

“Arf?!” Loomy barked upon being called little again.

‘Aah!’ Nova groaned in her own head as Loomy growled. Lawrence’s eyes widened at the sight before he let out a sigh. Laris leaned forward, he raised his hand to touch Loomy, but hesitated as the small fox quickly shifted his gaze.

“You… Have a spirit for a gift?” said Laris. “What is your last name?”

“Uh… Last name?” Nova replied.

“She doesn’t have one…” Lawrence answered, still looking out the window. “She was gifted by the Celestial directly…”

“What?! The Celestial granted her a gift?!” Leanne looked shocked by that.

“Well, that explains a lot…” Laris leaned forward to observe Loomy.

Nova kept her hands under her legs as the caravan started moving. Loomy observed the two Lightbringers for a moment, then turned to Lawrence. The red fox’s fur stood up slightly as it glared at Lawrence. ‘No…’ Loomy looked back at Nova, his eyes full of anger as he suddenly smirked. ‘No!’ Loomy hopped off Nova’s shoulder, then walked across the seat. Lawrence glanced down to his left and noticed the fox’s glare.

“Loomy!” Nova whispered nervously, pulling the fox back.

“What is that thing looking at…” Lawrence glared at Nova.

“Awa.”

“Loomy! Inside, now!” Nova commanded, the fox dissipated into a red aura and entered her body. “I’m sorry.”

Nova pursed her lips and looked down, her heart was pounding rapidly. Lawrence shook his head and his gaze returned to the ground outside. ‘Maybe… Maybe I should be counting my blessings… I mean… I did it… I got into a noble house… I… Didn’t think I would…’ She glanced at Lawrence. ‘Because of you…’

“The user of the gift can understand the spirit, right? What did it say?” Laris asked.

“Uh… He just said… You…” Nova answered nervously. “I’m really sorry, he has a huge attitude…”

“Haha! It might get along with you Leanne,” Laris laughed as he nudged his sister's elbow.

“Me? Why would he-”

“Can you two just shut the fuck up… You annoying, useless, frauds… Can’t do anything but run your mouths…” Lawrence shook his head as he muttered the last part.

“S-Sorry brother…” Laris’s voice cracked.

Nova pursed her lips even more as she looked down awkwardly. Leanne and Laris did the same. ‘Why did he say that?! Aren’t they in the same squad? Wait, aren't they siblings?!’ The inside of the caravan went silent, the only sound came from the wheels rolling over the cobblestone streets. ‘Me and Zeus don’t even fight like this…’