"HAVEN'T you taken a bath before coming here? And of all places—" the prince waved his hand at the soft streaming water "—the lake. Really?"

Emir and Willow searched for Clara around the campus but they didn't see her emerge from the portal. They were about to send a report to the court when they heard a loud splash at the lake behind them.

The prince was back from being grumpy and hot-headed. No sign of the gentle and caring prince who went after Clara at Rovenshire. Being an air prince really suited him—unpredictable and inconsistent.

He stared back at Clara with the same intense amount of her glare. His face showed how bored he was, but she didn't miss the sly smirk he failed to conceal. Clara removed her eyes from him to stare at her wet clothes.

"What am I going to do? I can't go in there all soaked."

Clara felt a change in the air around the prince as he brought his clasped fists up to his mouth and blew through them. A gust of wind blew past her, its warmth the same as the summer heat.

"There. You might still want to change at some point. It tends to get chilly in the evening." He turned the air current to himself, shaking water off his shoes as he dried them.

"Hey, I'm completely dry!" Clara ran her hand over the dry fabric, amused.

"Is it really something you should be surprised about?" He raised an eyebrow, making her still.

Emir turned and walked towards the front of the school, so Clara stumbled after him.

"Uh, thank you," she muttered shyly as the heat rose to her cheeks. Even with that simple gesture of helping her dry up, she knew Emir wasn't entirely bad. Maybe she could try to get to know him more if only he would let her.

"Next time you should follow the arrival protocol. That's the rule, Anneliese, and you must set an example to these students."

Clara looked at Willow who was resting above her shoulder. "What about the protocol? I wasn't briefed about it," she whispered so Emir wouldn't hear.

Willow sighed and explained in the same hushed voice, "Where you get in is where you get out. It only means that if you entered a portal through the gates, then out the gate you must. There are other portals that kingdoms forbid to use. Each varies with its policies. Here, permission from the palace must be granted. The bronze gate is of free use while the gold and silver aren't for public use. Gold is for transporting between empires while the silver one works between kingdoms.

"Which leads me to think..." She paused; her faceless head swiveled in Clara's direction. "You're not from Eirinia, are you? Which part of Hiestora are you from?"

Clara's steps faltered then stopped once. Even if she hid her identity, Willow could find ways to discover it without forcing her to tell.

"Just my observation," Willow said at once, then gestured to her to keep walking. Clara caught up with Emir who didn't even bother to check if she was following. "You lack sufficient knowledge of our policies. So? Where did you come from?"

Clara narrowed her eyes. If Willow was trying to catch her in her own words, she needed to be extra careful. Clearing her throat, she replied, "So, the lake. Is it one of those portals?"

"Yes. It is."

"Did I just break a law?" Clara asked in a cautious whisper.

"No. Indeed, it's not forbidden to use lakes and rivers as your means of travel. Water portals are of care by water nymphs. They decide if they'll let you pass or not. But... right after I carelessly pushed you through the gate, I followed right after. How come you ended up emerging from the lake? Would you care to explain?"

Clara was yet to blurt out another excuse to divert the topic when Emir shouted at them to hurry. And she was thankful since she didn't know how she could tell Willow about the golden fire.

She settled on surveying the surroundings. Pure adoration and awe blossomed at the bottom of her heart. It warmed her insides with energy threatening to explode if she wouldn't let it out. She wanted to run free along the grass, spread her arms and greet the brushing wind, and splash her feet with cool, clean water. But Clara restrained herself and just let her eyes satiate with the scenery's beauty.

The reflective green grass of the landscape glowed brighter in the strengthening light. It rose to meet the sun like a proud child showing a parent their accomplishment. There was even a barn on the hill amid the grass and the meadow flowers as if it sprung up like a seedling, turning into something big. And it belonged there. If it were absent, the picture of that landscape would be missing something very special. So even though the timbers were aged and the light that streamed in from the holey roof illuminated the dust like ethereal confetti—it was truly a great place. Clara loved it.

In front of her was a picturesque collection of cozy-looking buildings with steepled roofs, a manicured lawn, and an ostentatious statue out front. But as she gawked, the carved marble figure kept moving around. Overhead, people flew around on a variety of objects including brooms, clouds, spherical air discs, and ornamental rugs. Some used their wings and didn't mind exhausting their energy.

"Stop dawdling and fasten your pace up." Emir pulled her unannounced. Clara had to match his fast steps in order not to end up kissing the ground. "Since it's the first day of the new semester, we should be probably getting you to the dining hall for orientation." Then he yawned, and Clara caught most of the students staring at him.

She suddenly had the urge to cover his face from those females' eyes. How could he remain so attractive while he yawned?

"You look sleepy."

Emir scoffed. "And that's all thanks to you. You snatched my time away to sleep."

"Wha— How is it my fault? Sleep if you want. As if I care whatever you do."

"If it isn't for someone I have to protect, I won't have to attend the first day to be at peace with my bed. Unfortunately, I'm bound to be stuck with you wherever you go."

They passed the large statue in the center of the campus, and it swiveled its head to look at her. Clara yelped when its hollow eyes glowed blue. She leaped behind Emir and used him as a shield.

"That's just the security system set to vaporize Attuneless intruders. But there hasn't been one on campus in... well, I don't even know," Willow whispered to her ear. But even if she tried to reassure Clara, the princess didn't feel any less safe. She kept an eye on the statue. And when it looked away, she let out a relieved sigh.

As they reached the massive double doors at the front of the school, an elevated podium was the first thing to be seen, facing an open area where a large crowd could gather.

The floorboards were carpeted. The walls and solid wood foundation were perfectly carved with intricate complex carvings. Aside from the huge chandeliers and a few floating crystal lights, the candle sconces lighted up the whole room.

Emir started toward the staircase, but the loud chiming of a bell stopped him. He looked at his golden pocket watch from his vest. "That's the bell that signals that breakfast, as well as the orientation, have started. Come on."

She followed him up the stairs which led into an adjoining hallway. They passed through several doors in the hall. A short while later, they stopped in front of a pair of red ornate double doors with glistening golden handlebars.

He gestured his hand towards the door, but before Clara could speak, he was already bounding away down the right hall, waving an arm at her.

"Princess, you're on your own from here. Familiars aren't allowed to be roaming around the premises for a reason. I'll be in the Groven House with the other Familiars until the end of the day." Clara bit her tongue and nodded in response. In a matter of seconds, Willow was gone, puffed into wisps of smoke.

She gulped at the thought of being alone with no one to guide her. She imagined that behind these huge doors was a hoard of beasts ready to lunge at a lost puppy like her. Turning toward the giant double door, she steeled herself before she pushed them open.

As she slipped into the hall, Clara was momentarily overwhelmed by the high ceilings, stained glass windows, and countless dining tables. A handful of heads swiveled in her direction, though the schoolmaster continued to drone on upfront. Curious glances and hushed whispers directed her way made Clara want to shrink right on the spot. Her cheeks burned from embarrassment. Anneliese's skin was as pale as snow, it would be easy to notice the crimson-red spot on her cheeks.

A guy with a megawatt smile waved her over to a nearby table. Clara released a sigh of relief and hurriedly slid into the seat next to him.

"Princess." He stood up and kissed the back of her hand before sitting down again. There was a mysterious glint in his eyes. "You're late. Where's Prince Emir?"

"Well, he seems to be... sleeping somewhere I'm not."

"Ha, figures. But he'll just be around. Watching from afar. He can't leave you unprotected. It is his job." Maxwell brandished a playful grin, shaking his head.

"You seem too formal today," Clara pointed out.

"Oh?"

She had observed that no matter what expression played in his eyes, Maxwell's smile would remain, that it sometimes made her uncomfortable.

"You're not being too loud." Clara wrinkled her nose. "It doesn't feel like you."

Maxwell suppressed his laughter with a light chuckle. He was about to open his mouth to respond but was cut off by the schoolmaster, loudly clearing her throat.

"In conclusion, I'd like to remind you all that this is an institution of higher learning of magic and crafts, not a playground for children. Put in the work or go home." All this while, as she said that, her melting stare was glued to Maxwell who, in return, gave off an innocent smile. He then looked at Clara, and mouthed, "See?"

Around them, students started to rise to their feet and shuffled toward the doors. The schoolmaster walked briskly off-stage.

Maxwell leaned to her right ear and whispered, "She's just full to the brim with the warm fuzzies, isn't she?" He stood up and then offered a hand which Clara hesitantly took.

"It's over? I missed the whole thing!"

"Don't worry. Schoolmaster Celes' speeches are notoriously dry. Besides, I'm an expert in listening and speaking at the same time. I'll be happy to recite it all to you if you like."

He guided her out the door among the stream of chattering students. "The gist is each student shall line up at sunrise in the foyer tomorrow to get assigned one of the staff as their examiner for the placement test."

He pointed up at the long table where a hairy, kind-faced man with horns was seated with a few other sages. As he stood up, she saw that the bottom half of his torso ended in thick, furry haunches and hooves. He looked at her with squinted eyes behind his rounded rim of glasses just before they exited the dining hall.

"Classes will start after all the students have been placed, and the schedule will be given to you then as well," Maxwell continued explaining.

"So, how are the classes divided? W-Will it be hard?"

For a moment, Maxwell was taken aback. But as if remembering something, he gave her a small and pitiful smile. "My bad. I really can't get used to it. Don't worry. You'll get your memories back." He smiled gently. "The classes are grouped based on their level of magical strength, class one being the highest.

"I was in class one last year. The level depends on whether you get stronger or weaker. Of course, I have to be in the first class given that I was the prince' right-hand man and royal advisor."

Clara simply nodded but was worried deep inside. "So, what do we do now?"

"Basically, the rest of the day is free. Like how Emir will probably spend the entire day sleeping. You can roam around if you want. Or whatever it is you want to do."

In the whirlwind of the day, she had briefly forgotten her situation, but it all came flooding back.

I can't believe how I'm so far away from home. I felt out of place.

She realized that her eyes had begun to fill up with tears. She wiped them away, forcing a laugh. "First-day jitters, I guess. It's all a bit... overwhelming."

Clara followed Maxwell over a building near the bridge. Now, she stood there with her jaw dropped at how huge and expensive the whole building looked.

"The turf of the nobles and royals" as Maxwell described it.

The shiny and blinding stones that made up its every foundation screamed wealth, power, and dominance. The buildings that surrounded it looked small compared to it. Whoever happened to pass in front of the huge residence couldn't help but to stare and gawp. There were even guards who were stationed to heavily guard the place.

As Clara entered, she made out a plaque that read Royal Residence. Behind the doors down the hall, she could hear music, people laughing, and even an occasional roar.

An attendant ushered them to what was supposed to be her room during the days she would spend in the academy. She left them standing in front of a door that was hard for Clara to figure out how to enter. There was no way in when she could see no handlebars and knobs to use. She looked over at Maxwell to seek help but stopped herself before she could say anything.

It would seem odd because Princess Anneliese may seem to forget her memories but not how to use things. As if on instinct, she put her hand out and pressed against the door, taking a moment to center herself.

I wonder if this will work, she thought.

And as if hearing her silent pleas, her hand slipped right through.

Clara's heart almost escaped her ribcage. She had to brace herself not to fall even if the floor was carpeted with a fancy wool rug. She felt Maxwell behind her, straightening her up by the shoulder. And by the time she was steady, she could finally digest the room's interior. The fireplace was alight and even the furniture was well-arranged and prepared for her. But it wasn't built in the style of her homeland, and Clara still wasn't used to calling everything in Eirinia home.

She allowed herself a moment—just one sliver of weakness—to feel sad. But as soon as she felt it drowning her, she pushed it away. Her emotions were like boiling, molten rock hidden beneath her calm exterior. She could feel an entire galaxy of emptiness, and sadness inside her, but she buried it deep.

"Your new home," Maxwell said, but his words felt like knives, cutting through her tender thoughts. She didn't want to dwell on the overwhelming emotions tucked deep inside her soul.

"And this is Holly, your ward," he continued, extending his hand to point out the girl sitting on the carpet near the fireplace, a book in her lap. Her auburn hair and wide alluring red eyes danced together with the fire. Her tan skin looked golden against the flickering embers. And when she got up from her sitting position, Holly stood at around six feet, making her a tall, fine lady.

Clara felt a burst of relief at seeing her. She had no idea what a ward was but she imagined it might mean friend, and seeing this girl, Clara had a glimmer of hope that she would have a friend here to rely on.

Holly looked her way, and the girl simply smiled, bowing her head in respect. But when she looked in Maxwell's direction, Clara didn't miss the flicker of irritation that crossed her fiery eyes, in which Maxwell didn't seem to care at all even just for a bit.

"She's known to many as Lady Vanders of the Vanders House. But as your ward, it's Holly's role to show you around and get you settled in, and if you need anything, you can ask her." Maxwell bowed then trudged his way towards the door, which Clara noticed had a knob from the inside. "I'll let you get settled, Princess."

Clara tried to say something but couldn't find the right words, so instead, she nodded mutely.