Moonveil Academy: Trapped With The Five Kings

Chapter 8: A Groundling

Elara:

I didn’t have to answer.

The moment my fingers closed around the envelope and the thick folder beneath it, Vice Headmistress Noctis gave a single satisfied nod, as though my decision had already been expected from the very beginning.

Without another word, she reached toward a small silver bell resting neatly on the corner of her mahogany desk and rang it once. The clear chime echoed softly through the office before the heavy wooden doors opened only a few seconds later.

A man stepped inside.

He looked to be somewhere in his mid-thirties, though after everything I had learned tonight, I wasn’t entirely sure appearances meant much anymore. He had neatly combed dark hair, striking green eyes, and an easy smile that somehow softened the seriousness of his features. Unlike the armored warriors or the impeccably dressed Vice Headmistress, he wore clothes that reminded me of a university professor back in the human world - a crisp white shirt beneath a dark vest, tailored trousers, polished shoes, and a long black coat draped neatly over one arm. Despite it being so late at night - or rather, early morning - he looked as though he was about to walk into a lecture hall full of students.

"Professor Fenrith," Ms. Noctis greeted calmly. "I’ll be leaving Princess Argentis in your care."

The man immediately inclined his head. "Of course, Vice Headmistress."

Then, his attention shifted toward me. There wasn’t even a hint of surprise in his eyes. Instead, he bowed respectfully. "Welcome to Moonveil Academy, Princess Argentis. My name is Cedric Fenrith."

The title made me wince inwardly. I still wasn’t used to hearing it. And honestly, I wasn’t sure I ever would be.

Ms. Noctis looked at me one last time before speaking. "Tomorrow afternoon we’ll begin by assessing your magical potential. More importantly, we’ll determine how much influence the seal placed upon you still possesses. That will help us decide the safest course for awakening your abilities."

I simply nodded. At this point, I didn’t trust my own voice.

"Get some rest tonight," she added, her expression softening almost imperceptibly. "Tomorrow will answer many of your questions."

With that, the meeting was over.

Professor Fenrith stepped aside, silently inviting me to leave first. Clutching both the envelope and the folder tightly against my chest, I walked out of the office. The heavy doors closed behind us with a quiet thud, sealing away yet another conversation that had completely overturned everything I thought I knew about myself.

We walked through the silent hallway without speaking. The portraits lining the walls seemed even more unsettling now, every painted king and queen appearing almost alive beneath the dim lantern light. Eventually, instead of returning toward the grand staircase I had climbed earlier, Professor Fenrith led me down another corridor that opened into an enormous courtyard garden.

I slowed without realizing it.

The garden was breathtaking. White stone pathways wound gracefully through perfectly maintained flowerbeds blooming beneath the silver moonlight. Crystal fountains shimmered softly in the center, their water glowing faintly as though tiny stars floated within them. Ancient trees stretched toward the night sky, their branches heavy with blossoms I didn’t recognize. It felt less like a garden and more like something hidden inside a dream.

Neither of us stopped walking.

We crossed the garden before entering another section of the castle through a tall stone archway. Another corridor followed. Then another. The academy seemed endless. Every hallway connected to another. Every staircase revealed yet another wing.

The deeper we walked, the quieter everything became. There wasn’t a single voice. Not a single footstep besides ours. The silence itself convinced me that it had to be incredibly late.

I finally gathered enough courage to ask.

"...Professor?"

He glanced toward me. "Yes?"

"What time is it?"

He smiled faintly as he answered, "Almost one in the morning."

I stared ahead blankly.

One... it really was that late.

"You don’t need to report for your assessment until tomorrow afternoon," he continued. "That should give you plenty of time to rest."

Rest. The word almost sounded foreign. How could I sleep after tonight? Every time I closed my eyes... I’d see Mom. Dad. Felix. I’d hear their screams. I’d see Felix reaching toward me one last time. Sleep wasn’t something my mind was capable of right now.

A different thought suddenly crossed my mind.

"...Professor."

"Hm?"

"What day is it?"

He looked at me for only a moment before understanding dawned across his face.

"I see." He slowed slightly. "It’s still the same day, Princess."

I frowned, almost freezing in mid-step. "...What?"

"You weren’t transported here through conventional means."

I blinked.

"Then... how?"

"A portal." He answered it so casually. "As far as the human world is concerned, only a few hours have passed since you left home."

Portal.

Another impossible word. Just add it to the growing list.

Magic.

Princess.

Memory weaving.

Moon Child.

Portal.

At this rate I was afraid someone would casually mention dragons before sunrise.

We rounded another corner and suddenly voices drifted toward us. Unlike the complete silence we’d experienced until now, these voices were lively, accompanied by occasional laughter.

A group of students emerged from a side pathway connected to another moonlit garden. There were eight of them, all dressed in identical black academy uniforms trimmed with silver embroidery. Even in the darkness, I could tell they carried themselves differently from ordinary students. They walked with effortless confidence, as though the academy itself belonged to them.

Professor Fenrith didn’t slow. Naturally, neither did I. Instead, I lowered my eyes, intending to simply pass by unnoticed.

Then a sharp whistle cut through the corridor.

Professor Fenrith stopped.

So did I.

A deep male voice echoed through the otherwise quiet hallway. "Professor Fenrith." There was amusement in his tone. "Who exactly is important enough for you to personally escort around campus at this hour?"

Before Professor Fenrith could answer, one figure casually stepped away from the group... and straight into my path. I halted so abruptly that I almost walked directly into him.

My eyes slowly lifted, and once again tonight, I found myself staring at someone who looked unreal.

He was tall. Very tall. Easily over six foot. Golden blond hair fell carelessly over his forehead, while a pair of impossibly vivid blue eyes regarded me with open curiosity. His face looked like something straight off the cover of an expensive fashion magazine - sharp jawline, perfectly sculpted features, broad shoulders, and the kind of effortless confidence that made everyone else seem ordinary by comparison.

Standing this close, I caught the faint scent of cedarwood and fresh rain clinging to him. And for one ridiculous second, my exhausted brain actually thought...

He smells nice.

Then he smiled. Not kindly, but mockingly. His eyes swept over me from head to toe before returning to my face. And as he spoke, I knew the good looks had gone completely to waste.

"I’m impressed." He folded his arms across his chest. "I never thought a mere groundling would deserve a personal escort from one of Moonveil Academy’s professors."