Chapter 4: The Message That Was Never Sent

The wheels of the royal horse-drawn carriage rolled gently over the cobbled road, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Its cabin was plain white, adorned with golden carvings and encrusted with jewels. Atop its roof fluttered a flag bearing the symbol of a rabbit and a magic staff, the crest of the Kingdom of Lunestre.

The carriage moved forward with unwavering certainty. It was on a crucial royal mission, tasked with delivering the children of King Alveria to the Atlantea Magic Academy, the most prestigious magic academy in the world, located in a neutral territory.

In the corner of the cabin sat a small white rabbit girl in a simple dress that wrapped around her delicate frame. She gazed out the window until her ears twitched. She turned her head, catching the conversation of her elder siblings in the cabin.

"Do we really have to go back?" murmured Lirei, the ninth princess, resting her head against the window. Her silver hair was left messy, some strands falling across her eyes. "Sleeping at home is so much more peaceful."

"You say that every beginning of the semester," replied her twin brother, Leon, without opening his half-lidded eyes. He sat cross-legged with his feet on the seat, his silver hair cut haphazardly as if it had never been combed.

"Because every time we return, my life feels like it's over," Lirei complained.

"You're both too spoiled." Syrene let out a sigh. She was the fourth princess, sitting upright as she smoothed out the nearly wrinkle-free folds of her robe. Her blue hair was cut short at shoulder length, and her gaze was as sharp as ever. "This academy is not a prison."

Syrene was flanked by Elene and Mireya. Though they were triplets, it was easy to tell them apart by their hairstyles. Elene wore her hair long and loose, while Mireya had hers braided to the side. Her eyes were a shade of red, unlike her sisters' golden irises.

"Hehe, Syrene is right about that, Leon, Lirei," Elene chimed in, flashing them a wide smile. "Besides, why do you seem so reluctant about the academy? Don’t you miss your friends?"

The twins pouted.

"Friends...?" Leon mumbled before exhaling deeply. "Everyone there is so annoying. They're arrogant, selfish, lazy, and full of themselves. We can’t stand being around them."

"Yeah. Even the commoners are no better. They always look at us like we're some rotten noble brats. And we even treat them to meals sometimes." Lirei raised her voice, glancing at Leon. "In the end, I always end up stuck with this guy."

Leon returned her gaze with tired eyes. "If there were a kind-hearted girl willing to be with me, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere near you."

Lirei scoffed in frustration. "Ugh, typical boy."

Mireya smiled faintly, her gaze soft with understanding. "Most nobles from other races are like that. They don’t even get along with their own siblings because of power struggles. You just have to be patient," she said gently.

"There are many nobles like them. That’s also why the common folk often have a poor view of nobles. They're just hurt children. Try to understand them a little."

"But sis..."

Before they could protest, Mireya gently stroked their heads. "I understand how you feel. But... aren’t there at least a few people in your class who are a little kinder?"

The two fell silent again, heads slightly bowed.

Mireya tilted her head slightly, offering a soft smile. "Looks like I was right." Her hands slid down to gently touch their cheeks. "Try making friends with them. Say hello. Approach them. You’ll become friends before you know it. I’m sure of it."

"Yes. Mira is right. Cast aside your shyness and your doubts. Try to make friends with them little by little. I believe you’ll come to enjoy the academy." Once again, Elene encouraged them.

"Alright, sis... we’ll try."

In the corner of the carriage, a man with short, slightly disheveled red hair gave a faint smile. He then turned his gaze toward Elysia, who had remained silent, staring blankly out the window.

"You’re thinking about Irine, aren’t you, Ely?"

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Elysia only nodded softly.

She and Irine were twin sisters who had always been together, especially in public. While Elysia was often lost in thought, Irine was always there by her side. Her chatter never truly left Elysia feeling alone.

Unfortunately, only one of them had talent... and only one had been sent to the academy.

Elysia clutched her chest. Strange... I feel happy, but also a little lonely. Is this feeling... because of Irine? Is it because we’re twins and have always been together?

Though she couldn’t deny her joy in studying magic to find him, she also couldn’t deny the hollowness that crept into her heart. Her bond with her twin sister seemed like an instinct formed since birth.

Adonis gave a soft smile, then gently patted Elysia’s head. "She would be proud of you."

Once more, Elysia only nodded, her gaze still empty as she looked out the window.

Not long after, a grand fortress came into view, its towers shimmering with blue crystal. The Atlantea Magic Academy stood tall atop a hill, surrounded by labyrinth gardens and an artificial river.

As their carriage came to a halt before the towering iron gates, other students and families began to arrive.

"This is where we part ways. Syrene and I will escort Ely. You all go to your respective class halls."

"Eh?" Elene raised an eyebrow, visibly disappointed. "But I wanted to walk with Ely too."

Adonis sighed. "Too many people is not ideal."

Elysia caught Elene’s gaze, filled with sorrow. Her sister leapt forward and hugged her tightly, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Ely! Why does it have to be this way?"

"Sis... I can’t breathe." Elysia tried to push her sister away, but her grip was too strong.

Elysia glanced at her other siblings who were laughing at Elene’s antics, warming the cabin with their presence.

Elene clenched her fist toward the ceiling with determination. "You have to give it your all, Ely!"

Leon and Lirei also gave her soft smiles. "Make lots of friends, Ely. As long as they’re not annoying. We’ll do our best too."

Elysia turned her eyes toward the quietest yet kindest of her sisters, Mireya.

"Don’t worry, Ely. I promise I’ll visit you whenever I have time."

Elysia offered a faint smile and nodded gently. "Thank you, everyone."

As the carriage door opened, they finally parted ways. Adonis and Syrene accompanied Elysia to the west, while the others moved eastward. Elysia watched their footsteps slowly fade, merging into the bustling crowd that passed by.

“Come, Ely.”

Elysia turned and walked alongside her two siblings. They made their way toward the grand main hall, its lofty ceiling adorned with glass etched in symbols of magical elements.

Along the way, Elysia noticed the variety of races surrounding them. Beastmen like herself, elves, dwarves, and humans. A myriad of clothing styles, skin tones, and languages overwhelmed her senses.

Elysia's ears twitched, catching the voices of people attempting to speak Atlantean, though clumsily.

Adonis gently patted her shoulder. “This academy gathers the most brilliant minds from across the world. Some are recommended by royalty, others by the teachers here, and some apply independently.”

“Wait... there’s no selection?” Elysia tilted her head.

“For you? No. There isn’t.” Adonis chuckled softly.

“Not yet, to be precise,” Syrene added. Her gaze softened as she looked at Elysia. “Ely... the academy you're entering isn't the main one. It's a preparatory academy for those who are completely new to magic but show remarkable potential at a young age.”

“You went here too, didn’t you?”

“Me and Mireya, to be exact. Elene and the others entered the main academy through exhausting efforts. Their talent only surfaced when their magic veins awakened. That’s also why they’re placed in the lower classes, even struggling just to reach the Gold Class.”

They passed by several young children in slightly worn clothes.

Elysia furrowed her brows.

Once again, Adonis patted her shoulder. “This place recognizes neither noble blood nor common birth. Everyone is equal here.”

“Besides, this academy is tough, even in the preparatory school. It doesn’t matter if you're a king’s child or a cobbler’s son, if you fail, you repeat the year. Worse, you get expelled,” Syrene added, glancing sharply at Adonis.

Adonis shivered, turning his face away. “D-don’t look at me like that. I was lucky to only repeat two years. Some repeated more than five times.”

“At least try to graduate this year, Brother Adonis. Father is far too old to keep holding the throne. It’s only you, Leon, and Callis. Judging by their ages, you’re the only one who can ascend the throne any time soon.”

“Could we not talk about the throne? That kind of talk weighs on your brother,” he muttered, offering a stiff smile. “Besides, I’m not fit to be king. If the throne could be passed to a woman, I think you’d make a better ruler, Syrene.”

Syrene sighed wearily. “Whatever. I don’t care.”

Suddenly, their rabbit ears twitched at the sound of a sharp voice echoing from the corner of the hall.

“Take your filthy hands off! Do you think this place is some marketplace?” shouted a boy in a purple robe embroidered with gold. In front of him stood a commoner boy, eyes downcast, clutching his scratched and battered magic case.

“Is there a problem?” an academy supervisor approached.

“No, Sir,” the commoner boy replied quickly, stepping back with a deeper bow.

The noble boy gave him a sharp glare and walked away without a hint of apology.

Adonis sighed. He leaned closer to Elysia and whispered, “Officially, social status has no place here. But… the world isn’t so pure, Ely. Many nobles are selfish and can’t even get along with their own siblings.”

Elysia turned her eyes to the brown-haired boy still standing stiffly in the corner, his gaze filled with both fury and resolve.

“You don’t need to worry,” Adonis said with a wide smile. “With our family’s crest and Father’s role as the academy’s main benefactor, our family holds a higher standing. No one would dare lay a hand on you.”

Elysia looked at Adonis, wanting to say something… but the words caught in her throat. She knew her brother was trying to comfort her. But that wasn’t what she sought.

She had not come to be praised. Her soul had matured beyond the need for protection. She had come with an empty heart and countless questions, to learn magic and to find *him*, the one she loved most.

I’m certain... he too has reincarnated into this world, just like me.