Chapter 41 - 041: Approved.
A Few Days Later
Dawn unfurled gently across the Flaming City and over the ducal residence.
The sun’s first rays filtered through the tall arched windows. Soft gold scattered across the marble floors. As usual, the garden shimmered with dew that took in the early morning sunlight, making it shine like an ethereal realm.
The servants moved quietly through the wide halls with the same motion, practiced and hushed.
Over at the kitchen, trays and silverware clinked softly, careful not to rouse the Lord and the masters of the house although the scent of freshly baked bread did not seem to get the message as it drifted about, from the kitchen, into the halls and then into the rest of the house.
Awake, the manor was, but not yet loud. The gentle hum of a household that had long mastered poise and quiet efficiency, even in bustle.
Atop the obsidian-veined spire that rose above the tower at the side of the main building, stood a figure clad in all black. His white hair and porcelain skin caught the sunlight and glimmered like descended celestial, while perfectly contrasting with his outfit to accentuate his appearance.
Though his eyes were closed, relaxed, he willed pulses of the gathered mana throughout the building and outward towards the city, making him see all and sense all.
He paused, gradually, as the range slowly increased a little beyond the city’s wall. But the cost came, and instead of wincing, a slight smile came across his face.
"Close Gate," he muttered. The pulses ceased and the minor punishment came.
The non interference rule was not giving up anytime soon, and there was nothing he could do about it.
Yet.
The wind was loud in his ears, his cape that was basically a white night robe, flowing in answer to the gusts that only came at such heights.
He stood there for quite a while, overlooking the city’s northern part. His gaze changed from grave to warm, and back again as if he had seen something that lost his interest as soon as it had gained it.
Feeling like he had seen enough, his form shook, and slowly misted, turning into mere afterimage as though reality seemed to hold him too dear to just allow him vanish.
In the dining hall, the air was warm, touched by sunlight streaming through half-drawn curtains. The long table gleamed beneath the golden light of both the morning, and was now set with silverware. A painting which the Duke had described as the first Limnor Patriarch, hung above the fireplace that had not been in use since Mikael had arrived, with its eyes looking quite stern and watchful, as if judging every single conversation ever held within its presence.
In one of the high-backed chairs moments later, Mikael sat, comfortable and at ease, serene and the faintest smile curving his lips as he toyed with his teacup.
Today, he finally entered the chessboard, already controlling most of it. Today the entire plan finally began, as well as his journey to becoming a celestial once again.
Meanwhile, at the back of his mind, the words of Aurora still stirred a quiet storm, but that was all the attention he gave it. Ignoring it completely would be foolish; the Goddess never made unimportant visits from what he remembered about Her, let alone visiting an escapee that was currently mortal!
Moments later, the door creaked softly. The Limoor children entered in line, the heir and oldest, Evander, in front. Behind him were Isabella, the smart one with the Duchess’ blue eyes, Lucius, and the ever cheerful, ever energetic last child, Sybil. They all nodded in greeting to the seating Mikael.
"Good morning, Mikael," Syb said, taking a seat beside him. Mikael flashed a kind, warm smile.
"Quite a lovely morning, Syb," he said. Almost like you, but it, alas, pales a bit of a comparison.
The girl blushed faintly at the compliment. "Thank you," she replied with a laugh.
" Looks like you’re quite the morning person," Lucius said, sitting on Mikael’s left hand side.
"Well... can’t say that I love mornings, nor do I hate them."
"Tch," Isabella hissed. "No one asked if you were a poet," she glared at him. "Hmph."
Evander only glared at him, sharp though the object of his hate felt it, blunt and clear.
Soon after the Duchess entered, graceful in her white morning gown, followed by the Duke himself — a calm mountain of presence, his expression unreadable.
Breakfast began in the same practiced elegance. The faint clinking of silverware, rustling of napkins, soft conversation that did not overturn the still aura of the dining hall — all painting a portrait of normal nobility. Except this noble family had just made or rather witnessed a groundbreaking achievement!
Outside, the early morning mist had begun to lift, revealing the distant city walls basking in the sunlight. The world at that moment looked very peaceful.
Mikael’s mind barely registered the present as it traveled far.
He thought back to the time as a Sovereign, the much he could remember at least. Even those memories were hazy, unclear and he wasn’t quite sure whether things even played out as he remembered them. He did remember when some fanatical showoffs prayed to his name and danced amongst other strange activities too, all in the belief that those things would gain his attention. He usually cast a glance and acted on a whim, either granting their wish if possible, or simply ignoring them entirely.
And yet here he was, among the mortals he once cared nothing about. He walked in their world, ate their food, obeyed their rules, albeit only temporarily and when they suited his caprice.
He chuckled softly. ’Fate truly is something strange. To think even I couldn’t help but enter its grasp once.’
The tracks for his train of thoughts changed to his current journey among the human race so far, and also to his current and somewhat urgent goal of becoming a Celestial once more.
According to his studies and research over the days, one of the methods he deduced to achieve this was becoming a Quasi God Ranked individual, a Rank that was now a stuff of legends and history. It was common knowledge that the Quasi God Rank was the closest mortals could ever get to the Divine and Celestials.
Alas, the process was near strenuous, dangerous and near impossible. Most mortals never even reach the Half Deity Rank, let alone dream of surpassing it.
Except Mikael wasn’t exactly mortal in the truest sense of the word.
Normally the affairs of these mortals did not appeal to him one bit. Their concept of wealth, status and power, chains they created to constrict themselves and which tend to lead to their destruction arising from the free choice of bounding themselves with these chains, and greed.
But to successfully and smoothly go about achieving his goals now that he was among them, he had to take up these chains himself, albeit temporarily.
Mikael’s distant gaze drew the attention of the family at the table. They all cast him side glances, all wondering what exactly was going through his mind. Truth be told, asides his physical appearance that looked nigh mythical, they still found it hard to believe the boy sitting there absentmindedly had created something the most intelligent minds of the world, of the human race had failed to. He was usually just smiling, aloof and just gazed into the distance at random times and places.
Then Clinton, the ever-efficient butler, appeared by the doorway interrupting multiple chains of thoughts, bowing low and with a tray in hand. On it rested several envelopes sealed with colored wax, a faint hum indicating the presence of some sort of enchantment all around them.
" Your Graces," Clinton said, his voice measured, though his eyes betrayed faint happiness. "Delivery. Letters from the Silver Arcane Academy. And from the Emperor’s delegates."
At that, all heads at the table turned with full attention. Even Evander who was already a student at said institution was shaking.
Since the academy was known to expel students deemed indocile, those found to be breaking school rules, as well as those who failed to perform well, academically! And it did not help at all that no one knows who will be expelled since they usually waited until a new semester was about to begin to inform students if they were to come back or leave!
"Already?" Mikael murmured, his golden eyes looking somewhat dimmed and holding not even the minutest sign of interest. This was all part of the process, not the end. Only the end would and could elicit true happiness from him.
"The Academy never waits for anyone, boy." The Duke replied, standing. The joy and pride in his voice was unmistakable. Anyone would be. The colors of the wax on the letters before him already spoke of good news.
Clinton handed over the tray to him; as Duke Alan began going through the little pile.
The first letter was addressed to the Limnor Household itself, to him as the patriarch, so it remained on the tray. Mikael leaned back slightly in his chair as he received the letter that bore his name while Isabella let the water gates loose in happiness.
Sighs of relief and happiness alongside words of congratulations soon filled the hall as the recipients were assured of their positions as prospective students of the prestigious academy. A situation truly worth rejoicing over!
Mikael cast a glance at the words, "Approved" highlighted in his letter.
He noticed that all eyes had turned to him as he paused to read for a while.
"So...?" the Duke asked.
"Says," Mikael said. "Approved, here."
A drowsy smile escaped, slowly curving up the sides of his lips.
"So, when do we get going?"