SYSTEM ASCENSION

Bora hadn’t begun to fix her clothes when the door creaked.

All eyes turned.

The door was pushed wider, and a maiden emerged. She was wearing a white robe that got to the sole of her feet, and split to the thigh. A tiny veil was covering her face. She excluded a calm aura and a bright smile.

Another followed in similar wears. Then another.

Seven maidens in total, and one of them held the door open for him.

He stepped in without a sound, barefoot as silent as nothing itself. His shadow stretched ominously, and for a moment all the students forgot to breathe. Blonde hair was rolled into a bun, and held with a pin that had strange designs on it, but for some reason a few strings fell across his face, like he had engaged in activities that ruined his designed hair. He had a mole below the lid of his left eye.

One thing was clear. The Black-eyeds weren’t mannered dressers. His wears were ancient for Salvador empire citizens, but seeing it on someone, sparkled a strange charm they thought they had outgrown.

Robe.

He wore a loose robe over his shoulder, without knotting the ropes. Strange markings were engraved on his bare chest, disappearing into his torso on his left, and they could even see the end of the marking on his feet, beneath his trouser.

A single earring dangled from his left ear, matching the colour of his dark, almost bored eyes.

They subconsciously gulped.

This absurdly tall young man approached them. It was obvious. He was really young, but already matching Claude’s height, who was considered one of the tallest.

”Welcome to the black empire.”

His voice somehow made their knees weak. He didn’t rush it. Instead, he picked the words slowly, like it was kindergarten class.

”Thank you for having us.” Tyler naturally replied.

Both princes exchanged a handshake, and a few murmured words.

The rest continue to stare. A moment later, he glanced at them.

”The trip here must have been exhausting. Comfortable rooms have been arranged for you...”

His eyes met with Claude. For a moment, both of them just entertained the stare, until Claude smiled faintly.

He glanced at the leading family.

”Making way out of your schedules to visit, I truly appreciate it.”

”It’s not a big deal.” Lady Hinger chuckled. She was actually nervous.

His eyes moved to the headmaster.

”You must be sir Rowen.”

Rowen’s eyes widened.

”What? How did you.”

”There is a portrait of sir Zeal in this palace, and we know that he’s dead.”

”Oh...”

”My condolences.”

”Yeah...thanks...”

He returned his attention to all of them.

”Call me Jordan.”

All this while, Bora was practically drooling. This was a dream come true. A prince was standing before her. He matches everything she had imagined. Her plan was working.

’Who cares if he’s younger.’

She immediately stepped forward, pulling all attention to herself.

Suddenly following the proper etiquette she had ignored all her life, she clasped her gloved right hand on her chest, and raised her gown a little with the left.

”I am Bora Alaric, the first princess of Salvador empire,” her voice came out sweet as she curtised. ”It’s an honour to meet you. I hope we can get along, in this short while.”

”...”

Jordan slightly titled his head.

A moment went by, before he raised his hand and tapped his chest twice.

Tiana’s eyes caught the gesture.

”Is it black empire’s form of greeting?”

All eyes turned to her.

She stepped forward. ”Pardon me. I simply find it fascinating.”

Jordan turned his attention to her, then he slowly bent down to her height.

”It is.”

Bora’s face fell.

Just when she had secured his attention, Tiana just had to ruin it. She watched as her sister laughed and asked questions, and the prince answered with the same detached expression.

”Damn it...”

”Something is bothering me.” Lady Anny finally spoke.

Joe nodded. ”Correct me if I’m wrong, but this boy looked a lot like the man that was searching for Elias.”

The leading family exchanged glances.

They didn’t speak further, but let the words stay in their minds.

Is there a connection between Elias and this prince? If there is, how peaceful will this journey be?

”Right,” Tiana laughed. ”I brought snacks in my bag in case it’s not sold here...”

She looked around.

”My bag?”

Everyone was finally conscious.

”Where is my bag?”

”What happened?”

”I was holding it!”

”Aa...” Jordan slightly turned his gaze. ”The gryphons must have discarded them on the way here.”

”...”

”DISCARDED?!” Coco’s voice shook the hall.

She was visibly shaking even as she tried to hide it. ”My bag...was discarded...”

”It was a pretty big bag too. Poor you.” Lane teased.

”There are enough resources here to last everyone during this visit. No cause for alarm.” Jordan straightened up.

”However, it’s disappointing that you lost yours,” he stared at Tiana. ”i was looking forward to the snacks.”

”I can just make it here.” She grinned. ”It shouldn’t be hard.”

”I see. Then, I appreciate it.”

Tyler’s eyes narrowed.

’Is he trying to steal her from me? She just came back home too.’

”Your highness,” Quil drew his attention.

”Yes?”

”Are you in any way related to Elias?”

The question was a bomb.

While the students see it casually, the leading family were hoping he would say no. Joran himself was visibly shaking.

Jordan’s expression was one they didn’t expect. His eyes that were full and bored a moment ago, suddenly widened like a curious child.

”Eli...as?”

His hand clenched at the side.

”Irue...”

The leading family’s faces dropped. This was a disaster.

However, the one person who read moods with the back of her head, decided to speak.

”Related to Elias? What sort of sick joke is that?” Bora laughed. ”There is a difference. They don’t even look alike.”

”...”

Jordan glanced at her, his expression shifting to irritation.

”Elias is like a mini version of his highness here.” She continued to rant. ”There is no way in hell...”

”Bora, stop talking.” Tiana frowned.

”What? I’m speaking facts.”

”No, I’m sure they look alike.” a professor shifted back.

Bora finally noticed the stares.

”...”

Her eyes finally moved to Jordan, and she met that stare that is hundred percent like Elias’s or Richard’s.

”I...”

The door flung open.

”I’m never doing that again!” Rolarza cried as her leg wobbled. She was hanging on to Mona.

”I was the one flying though.” The dragon innocently muttered.

All eyes turned.

Elias stepped in behind them, his council uniform hood pulled over his head, and hands in pocket. His hair shrouded his face, covering his eyes.

As soon as he stepped in, the first thing he did was take off his shoe, and while he was doing this, Jordan turned fully.

”...”

He took one step forward. Then another. And then more steps until he was within Elias’s range.

”Ir...”

Elias paused and raised his head.

For a moment, they both just stared at each other.

The younger brother who had performed the rules of a prince standing, watching the elder brother who left home. The elder brother who he had never exchanged a conversation with.

Jordan’s face slowly turned red ”I...i...”

Elias pulled off his shoes, and straightened up. Standing taller, Jordan instinctively stepped back.

”I...am...my name...”

”Jordan.”

That word. That single word stopped his breath. His eyes widened and turned misty. His fist unclenched at his side.

He bent his head to hide his face, but a tiny line of tears slid down his cheek anyway. He raised his shaky hands, and covered his face.

”Welcome...home.”