Finding Stardust

Therius pretended not to hear Mrs. Atena's question. He put his arm around Emma's waist and led her into the building.

"Goodbye, Miss Atena," Therius said respectfully to the teacher before disappearing behind a giant wooden door and into the building.

Emma understood that Therius didn't want to talk about Xion. Because of that, he pretended not to hear Mrs. Atena's question.

If Emma's arrival at the Academy was filled with feelings of happiness because she would be able to trace her father and mother's life when they were young, then Therius' arrival to the Academy actually caused a wound in his heart to tear open. He would be reminded of his friendship with Xion which had now ended.

He really missed his friend. Ahh ... now Xion was his former best friend. Therius also didn't know how Xion was doing now.

Avato, who was sent to the mountains to find out Xion's condition, had returned empty-handed because it turned out that since leaving the mountain to go with Therius to earth a year ago, he had never returned

This really worried Therius. However, unfortunately, he couldn't do anything about it. He thought maybe Xion was avoiding him on purpose because he still needed time to heal the wound in his heart.

Therefore, Therius could only let him be. In his heart, he hoped that someday, who knows how many years from now, or even decades from now ... their relationship would recover.

Xion would forgive him and they would be able to look back and laugh at the fact that their friendship was broken because of a woman. When that happened, Therius hoped that Xion would find another woman who would be able to fill his heart.

Whoever it was, Therius will support him, as long as it's not Emma.

***

Therius brought Emma to meet the academy dean. Apart from the dean and some of his people who were placed in the Academy, no one knew that this former academy student was actually the monarch of Akkadia.

"Welcome, Your Majesty," said Dean Anrankin respectfully, as Therius entered his office. He made sure the door was closed and that no one heard them.

"Mr. Anrankin. Nice to meet you again," said Therius. He then sat on a chair without being invited by the older man. "I think you already know my wife."

He motioned for Emma to sit beside him. The girl obeyed. She sat down gracefully and stared at the dean.

Dean Anrankin was probably around 70 years old. His appearance was very neat and, at first glance, he reminded Emma of Mr. Young, the principal at St. Catherine High School, where she studied with Haoran.

"I'll leave Emma with you," said Therius. "My wife is from a faraway country, and she still needs help adapting. I hope nothing will get her into trouble."

Even though Therius' words were spoken in a flat tone, they still managed to convey a clear pressure and threat. The king would not spare him if anything happened to his wife.

"Of course, Your Majesty," replied Dean Anrankin respectfully.

"One more thing. My wife is actually a multiple-element mage. She is a pyromancer, electromancer, aeromancer, hydromancer, and herbomancer. I wish she could train all her abilities to the fullest, but no one should know that she is a multiple-element mage," said Therius again. "She'll just show her herbomancy. Can this be taken care of?"

"Of course it can, Your Majesty," answered Anrankin firmly. "We have a program for gifted students who don't know exactly which element they are good at. Such people will be able to choose the major they want and learn all the powers as needed. We will help Her Majesty to enter the Versatile Class."

"That's exactly what I wanted," said Therius. That was how he and Xion managed to train their respective powers, which they kept secret from others. Both of them could get special treatment from the Academy.

Therius gave a few more orders to Dean Anrankin and made sure that Emma's life at the Academy would be taken care of. After he was satisfied, then he left the dean's office.

The new students had been ordered to line up and enter the hall to receive the briefing.

"I think it's about time I have to leave you here," Therius said sadly after they left the Dean's office. "I'll be back to Winstad soon. If there's anything, don't hesitate to tell me. Atila is here too."

"Of course," said Emma. "We'll talk every day. Take care of your health. Don't work too hard. I don't want you to be tired."

Therius smiled happily to hear that Emma was worried about him. The girl did not know that her husband was a sanomancer. Therius won't get sick or feel tired. However, he didn't say anything at all.

Therius just nodded obediently and then kissed her on the lips.

"I hope you will feel at home here and make lots of friends," said Therius. "You have to be able to train all your powers so that you can become stronger."

Emma suddenly felt her chest was filled with emotion when she heard Therius say goodbye. 

Ahh .. why did she feel sad seeing the man say goodbye? Had Emma started to feel love for Therius that seeing him leave made her sad like this?

Emma didn't know the answer. Could it be that she was starting to miss him because she loved Therius?

"Be careful on the way back," said Emma finally, after breaking out of her husband's embrace. She had to join the other new students. All the parents and relatives who came with them had to leave. Therius ruffled Emma's hair softly, kissed her forehead, then said goodbye.

Emma just stared at Therius's back as he walked away and then disappeared from her sight. She then walked into the hall carrying her bag. 

As far as she knew, the new students would hear a speech from the Dean. Then, they would have to find out about their classes and their rooms where they would stay for the next three years.

Since this Academy was a boarding school, there were two towers that served as student residences. The first tower was for women, and the second tower was for men. Each student would have his or her own room, and it will feel like they were living in a nice studio apartment.

The school tuition was free for all the students admitted here as all costs were borne by the King of Akkadia. Because of that anyone, from among the aristocracy, rich families, or from among the underprivileged could all be accepted into the Academy as long as they were able to show good talents.

"Welcome to all the new students at our Mage Academy," said Dean Anrankin to the 100 new students who were accepted into the Academy this year. 

There were about 55 men and 45 women who come from various provinces in Akkadia and even some from other kingdoms.

It could be seen from their different clothes and style of dressing up. Emma even saw several men and women who were wearing unique clothes from Thaesi.

"Hey ... good morning. My name is Ulla. What is your name?" a girl with short light blue hair who had just arrived and was sitting next to Emma immediately introduced herself. Her face looked childish and happy. For a moment, Emma froze. She did not think that she would just be greeted by someone she did not know.

She almost read Ulla's mind but Emma hastily stopped herself. She didn't want to violate the privacy of others, especially fellow students who would later become her friends.

"Good morning, my name is Lee," said Emma.

"Ahh ... nice to meet you, Lee," Ulla said kindly. "What power do you have?"

Emma decided to answer Ulla's question and be friendly to her because the girl seemed so carefree and likable. Ah ... maybe Therius was right when he said that Emma would make friends at the Academy.