Finding Stardust

Jeez... so many women were into Marlowe in this hall!

Emma thought the only women who didn't gawk at the handsome Beast Master in this hall were just her and a few elderly female teachers. Even Atila, who sat at the end of the table on the left, looked infatuated by Marlowe's good looks.

Emma could only shake her head when she thought of how Marlowe's class would be so popular at this academy.

"Good evening everyone, my name is Luane Snow, and I will be your Social and Political Science teacher." The young teacher beside Marlowe rose to her feet and introduced herself in a barely audible voice.

Her face looked ordinary, her hair was also old-fashioned, and her clothes were very formal, a complete contrast to Marlowe who was sitting next to her. Madame Luane looked like a shy woman. 

She was an ordinary human who did not have any element bending power and worked as a regular teacher in this academy.

In addition to learning how to become a mage that could control their respective elements, students at the Mage Academy would also study some core subjects that were taught to students in regular schools.

The objective was that after they graduated from the academy, they could work in various fields of science. They would return to society and work according to their respective interests. Their ability to control the elements would just help them to do their work better.

These regular science subjects were taught by regular teachers hired by the academy. At the Mage Academy, there were 30 teachers to educate around 300 students in three levels.

Half of these teachers were ordinary science teachers, while the other half were teachers who specialized in magic (element bending studies).

After Madame Luane finished with her introduction, then one by one the other teachers also introduced themselves to the new students.

Emma was very happy when Atila, who sat at the end of the table to the right, also introduced herself. Atila was now the head of the school clinic and was responsible for the students' health during their time at school.

After the introduction of the teachers, the student council members then introduced themselves too. They consisted of student representatives for each year-level.

There were six representatives from the second year, another six from the third year, and later after they started school, the first-year students would also have to choose representatives from their class.

After the dean, teachers, and student council members introduced themselves, it was time for them all to enjoy a very nice dinner.

Dean Anrankin said that over time they would all get to know each other well. At this time, it was impossible for each person to introduce themselves one by one because time would run out, and no one would have time to enjoy a meal.

When they heard Dean Anrankin's words, the faces of all the new students were filled with relieved expressions. 

At first, they thought dinner would be delayed because everyone in the room had to introduce themselves individually. Fortunately, that was not the case, so they all were relieved. 

When everyone was busy getting food, two girls sneaked inside and tiptoeing toward Emma's table. They had just arrived and were embarrassed for being so late.

"Sorry, we can sit here? The other tables are full," they whispered in low voices. The four girls at the table nodded and set aside space for them.

"Why are you so late? You missed the introduction," said Ulla in surprise.

"Ugh... I was chatting with my parents for a long time. They wanted to make sure I am okay. This is the first time I left home, so they are very worried," replied the girl with curly pink hair. "My name is Bella."

"I am late because I overslept. I'm from Taeshi, very far from here and I'm still having jet lag," said the second girl with freckled face and short hair. "My name is Ruru."

The girls introduced themselves to each other and then talked about where they came from and other trivial matters. If Emma, ​​Ulla, Miri, and Alta got their rooms on the 6th floor, Bella and Ruru's rooms were on the third floor.

The dinner was lively, and the dishes served that night was quite special. It was nothing compared to the dishes that Emma used to enjoy in the palace. Still, according to the girl, this first dinner was delightful and warm.

Everyone enjoyed a good meal while chatting with new friends. The older students were catching up with friends whom they hadn't seen for a long time because they returned to their respective hometowns for the long school holiday.

At 10 pm, the dinner was over, and students returned to their respective dormitory rooms.

***

When Emma arrived back in her room, she saw a message on her tablet from Therius. Her husband had arrived in his palace and was resting after dinner.

Emma hastily decided to contact Therius. After she pressed the communication button, she immediately saw Therius' hologram in front of her.

Her husband was sitting in his chair in the study, enjoying wine in his left hand and holding several documents in his right. The man's face immediately beamed when he saw Emma.

"Hey .. I just wanted to ask how you are doing. You don't have to call," Therius said. 

Even so, it was clear that he was delighted that Emma did call him. He didn't want to call her because he thought Emma needed to rest. After all, it was getting late, so he just sent her a text message.

It turned out that Emma took the initiative to call him and speak to him before she went to bed. This made Therius very happy.

"I called because I missed you," Emma said honestly. "Have you had dinner?"

Therius nodded. He was happy because Emma showed she cared about him.

Ahh ... he didn't expect that their intense togetherness over the past year had made Emma accustomed to his presence.

In a way, this was their first time apart. In the past, they were always together, almost every day.

From the moment they shared the journey from Earth to Akkadia in The Coralia and The Dragonite for six months to the moment they landed in Akkadia, Emma had always stayed with him. And after they got married five months ago, they had been sleeping together every night too.

So, they had had this intense relationship for a long time. Emma also felt how she was feeling a loss after spending time with her new schoolmates, and she realized that she missed her best friend, Therius, who was also her husband.

Earlier, she had to hold back herself from looking bored or leaving because she found the girls' conversations ridiculous. Her friends mostly talked about trivial things that didn't interest her. They only talked about the latest fashions and all those handsome men.

After all, Emma was an old soul compared to other girls of her age. She had lived a tough life and experienced so many hardships that her mind was much more mature than her age. She was also married and didn't think about other men the way they did.

"I'm glad to hear that," Therius said. He put down his wine glass on the desk and walked over to Emma. He raised his hand as if he wanted to rub her hair, but unfortunately, he couldn't. They were separated by thousands of kilometers.

Ahh ... at that moment, he wished he was a Space Master. The people who could control space could easily move places. He could be by her side in no time.

Seeing his hand raised to touch her hair, Emma took a deep breath. 

Maybe it's true what people say. Usually, we can only appreciate what we have after we don't have it. All this time, she almost took Therius' presence for granted.

He was always there with her, even as she mourned and calmed down for months outside the city, Therius chose to commute between the capital and his parents' house, where Emma was staying so that he could continue working in the palace and returning home to be with Emma.

Now, realizations set in when Emma saw her empty bed. 

Tonight, she would sleep alone in her dorm room because Therius was far away in the capital.

Somehow, she started feeling very lonely.

.

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From the author:

Ahh.. Emma is starting to grow feelings for her husband and appreciate his presence when he is not there with her. I think their taking time on their own is good for the relationship.

What do you think?

Please check back in 6 hours, okay? After that was done, I only have one more debt to pay for the privilege. Yeayyy... I'm feeling a bit relieved. Thank you. Thank you for being so patient!