The Fifth Season

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: LOOK AT ME NOW

SNOH

             I was still in utter shock several minutes after the Grand Empress had offered to sponsor my educational studies at Clouiths Mystical Academy; I thought it was already generous of her to write me a letter of endorsement, but she was going the entire distance to ensure I was a student at the academy.

              After her initial declaration and surprise had subsided, Empress Aquila took me to her very own private office where I sat in front of her as she issued an official letter of endorsement on behalf of the Imperial Family and had it stamped with the official royal crest before sending it off with a champion to deliver to the recruitment center.

               My eyes were frantic as I gawked at the luxurious nature of the space I was in; I wonder how many people were able to see Her Majesty in this state? The entire room was large enough to probably fit the entire square footage of my home and more; most of the walls were made of the silky sapphire blue paneling that mirrored the glow of the moonlight emitting into this space beautifully via the stained-glass windows.

              Multiple shimmering chandeliers hung from the ceiling adorning and basking the room in a soft-focused glow. The room also featured many art pieces hanging beside the vast bookshelves dated from centuries ago; I suppose they seemed old, but they were preserved exceptionally well. There were even formal and informal sitting areas, then, of course, her desk, where I assumed she spent most of her time dealing with the ins and out of the Wysterian nation.

             "I do deeply apologize that your experience at the recruitment center was less than acceptable, Snoh." Empress Aquila stated with a sincere look of sadness on her face. I averted my eyes from the scenery around me and hastily shook my head back and forth, "It's none of your fault, your majesty! It's just... I'm sure many elementalists have a bias against red-bloods, presuming that's what they thought I was initially." I played with my fingers lightly as I could feel her heavy stare focus on me intently.

              "Still..." She tapped her chin lightly with her index finger, "Regardless if you had been a red-blood or not, that's no way to treat a valued citizen of Wysteria." She cocked her head to the side as she thought to herself, "I do believe historically there has come a separation between individuals who can wield magic and those who cannot." She stated truthfully.

               I nodded in agreement. "Well, theoretically speaking. It was always said that people who can use magic were favored by the goddesses, therefore, people who did not have this gift were seen as tainted and unworthy of social acceptance." I said to her.

                  "That's unfortunate." She stated unhappily.

                  I was unsure where she was going with this, I mean she's lived eight-hundred isos; though I believe her isolation within the palace is what caused the disconnect between her and the people. Perhaps seeing the social ramifications that the divide caused between magic and non-magic citizens has could possibly lead to change in the future.

                  But that was about wishful thinking on my part.

                  I shook my head remembering that the Empress could still hear my thoughts, embarrassed I smile nervously to which she replied with a smile of her own; if she had cared to listen in, she hadn't didn't give off a reaction that she did and I was quite thankful for that. Instead, she averted the direction of the conversation.

                  "Tell me about your childhood, Snoh." She asked curiously as rested her arms on the desk, placing her head in-between her interlocked fingers as a cushion for her chin. "My... my childhood... but why?" I managed to sputter out. I didn't think there was anything special about how I grew up, it was rather normal... no odd occurrences.