“The Academy of Arteria has a pledge to always maintain a fresh crop of incoming students with at least two hundred people from outside the noble classes. Sometimes more depending on the current state of world affairs. Though it operates under the guise of treating all students equally. Enforcement wise, it is unlikely for commoners or those of poorer background to win cases against nobles that might have offended them. This is not just due to the status that nobles have, but also in the funding and prestige that they bring to the school. It then becomes the de facto norm that many minor abuses of power are allowed unchecked, as long as the students themselves can mediate and regulate their own problems and behaviors. But should the staff get involved, there is always the risk of offending national interests and bringing up poignant discussion on how much value should be placed on national level Academy supporters. “


    - Baris Tann, Ex-Lecturer, Potomian Scholar’s Guild Magister, “Failures of the Arterian Academy: Downsides of Neutrality.”


    <hr><hr>


    Her stomach lurched alongside the wave as it pushed the boat ever so slightly up. Sloshing down with a disturbed little growl when the wave had passed, only to tense up in anticipation of the next one. She wasn’t getting sickly, just a little annoyed at the constant motion of the uneven waves. Sophie grit her teeth and looked back out the ship’s window, the ferry punching through the antsy seas on the way towards the Academy. Flopped onto her shoulder was a surprisingly well dressed Aryana, the girl’s choice of demure yet somehow eye-catching outfits offering up a well designed red and green peasant’s blouse that featured a tantalisingly low cut. The girl was tuckered out from their shopping spree yesterday, acquiring whatever they needed before their extended stay at the Academy. The waves dealt the finishing blow as the rocking of the boat had put her fully to sleep.


    “We''ll be there soon.” Sophie absently murmured at Aryana as she gently leaned against the girl’s head, unwittingly giving her a small sniff. Floral, sweet, a little bit comforting, hmmm, hibiscus.


    Excited whispers, chattering, and a few dissatisfied stomachs echoed throughout the ferry’s main cabin. A few university guardsmen in their overly ornate outfits alongside one or two staffers watched over the gathered gaggle of students. Sophie shared her ride with almost sixty odd students, the last of the day’s batch and the last of the new students that were admitted. Her own ‘heart’ raced as it beat unsteadily in anticipation, the nerves within her hands tingling just enough to give her slight jitters.


    As far as she knew, the Academy was not just a bastion of knowledge and learning, but also like an entire island city in and of itself. It was a large island around a forty five minute journey by boat, though in fairness the dedicated ferry traveled slower than average ships when the magic used to dampen the impact of waves was activated. Not that it feels like it helps. Sophie read up on the few Academy related materials she found during their stay in the city, noting that the Academy only technically inhabited fifty percent of the island, sharing it with two farming and fishing communities alongside a larger portside town of about twenty thousand souls. Furthermore, the Academy island itself hosted one of Arteria’s naval dockyards that also leases out space to their Nautican Union allies, ensuring that at all the times, both the seas around the island and the trade lanes beyond them are constantly patrolled by heavily armed warships.


    Already, Sophie had experienced the true Arterian welcome as the ferry packed with academy students had set sail under armed guard, their ferry flanked by two presumably Arterian frigates. It had been a strange concept at first; that such a small handful of students would require such a frankly overkill gesture in what was already one of the safest waters in Cyndralia. Only when Sophie thought about how some of those students could’ve been nobles or even royalty did it really hit home that in fact, she was actually on the way to the Academy.


    “Five minutes to the Academy! The ferry captain bellowed from somewhere above the main cabin.


    Excited whispers turned into squeals and supercharged conversations. All would reach a crescendo as the next announcement came from one of the Academy staffers in the cabin.


    “Eyes up! Academy Isle will be to the starboard side momentarily while we move closer to dock!” The staffer yelled.


    The students onboard now yammered with a mixture of awe and anticipation, their raised voices making the sleepy redhead stir from her slumber.


    “Mmeh?” Aryana wearily mumbled, her eyes lazily glazing over everything before recoiling. “Meeh!” She practically squawked out upon realising that she had slept on Sophie’s shoulder.


    Sophie giggled in delight and gave the girl a soft pat on her head, the redhead exploding into a furious blush.


    “We’re almost there.” Sophie cooed.


    She watched in amusement as the redhead desperately tried to disguise her panic with a Mila-like scowl, but only succeeding in a strange albeit adorable little pout. Sophie sucked in a breath to stop herself from chuckling out loud and settled for looking back out the portside window. The girl huffed out her dissatisfaction but also peered over Sophie’s shoulder to try to see the island. The disappointed look on her face was almost heartbreaking.


    “Sorry, the island''s on the other side.” Sophie grunted.


    “Grrr.” Aryana scowled and turned away with an exaggerated huff.


    Sophie ruffled her hair and Aryana flinched but eventually leaned back onto Sophie’s shoulder. Sophie felt fulfilled at the act and found herself absently patting the girl’s hair while looking out the window. It healed her somewhat, taking her mind off the knots in her stomach. She sighed contentedly and counted the seconds until they would be in Arteria, taking occasionally glances at the increasingly flustered redhead.


    She smiled to herself when she realised that she was not just comfortable around Aryana, but that she really did enjoy her company. Her silky yet scraggily hair, the little freckles dotted across her face and body, the goofy smiles. Sophie wanted more of it. It was then her own ‘heart’s’ beating grew louder, the thumping drowning out the sounds around her and single handedly tightening the noose within her stomach. It was a stinging pain, intrusive yet not entirely displeasing.


    To her great relief, before her thoughts could fester into anything more, she spied on of the sailor’s wandering towards the front of the ferry cabin.


    “We are now approaching Laurusport. All students and passengers please check to ensure that you have all your belongs and that nothing is left behind. Ship crew will not be responsible for personal items lost. Please remain seated and we shall disembark row by row. Thank you for your cooperation.” The an bellowed.


    There was a silence that descended in the cabin as even Sophie was ripped from her thoughts. Two staggered breaths were all the passed before the cabin exploded into chatter. Sophie herself looked down to find Aryana barely blinking back her excitement. Sophie found it adorable and smiled back. I just hope she doesn’t find academic work too boring, though judging by how she did on the exams… I somehow doubt she’d even struggle.


    <hr><hr>


    The wooden boardwalk creaked under her feet as she made her way across. The hurried steps of dozens of people filling the air as seagulls squawked their tunes over the ship. Cranes lifted palettes filled with crates off of them, the supplies being stashed at a designated zone where two redcloaks stood guard. Guess they sill have some jurisdiction here. The harbor itself was far more organised and proper than she expected. Geometric jetties and wharfs stretched out with angled boardwalks that allowed for visitors to travel unimpeded by the ship traffic. A few military frigates were docked a ways down the harbor whilst the ferry’s escorts continued their patrol of the seas around them.


    A bustling seaside town greeted the new arrivals and Sophie could see hundreds of tiled houses all sporting varying red’s and blues. The paths out of the harbor flanked by countless warehouses and huts that locals and merchants would use. Beyond them the town houses seemed to stretch until a large building with a bell towered above them. Beyond that, as if perfectly framed by the harbor houses, was a large castle like keep, one of many that now served as dormitories, classrooms and facilities to be used by Academy staff. It’s lithe, circular walls reminding her much of the smooth constructions of the Elven quarters back in Arteria.


    The smell of fish and sea coated the excited students and Sophie found herself grinning at Aryan’s expression of dismay. The redhead’s nose was curled up in displeasure and Sophie could see that she was trying her best not to vocalize her despair. Still, Aryana’s eyes betrayed her body as Sophie could also tell that the girl was busy taking in all the new scenery, mesmerised by the new locale inspite of the suffering.


    A few peasants and fishermen stood on the sidelines and gawked at the strangely dressed gaggle of students that emerged from the boat. But for the most part, Sophie could tell that this was not some new phenomenon. That she was now becoming a part of Academy life.


    “Alright. Attention all students bound for the Academy of Arteria.” One of the staffers cried out.


    As one, the students all turned to face the man who had just spoken. His blue and purple coat holding the attention of the crowd.


    “I am Administrator Klarence and my erstwhile assistant here is Mr. Lask.” He waved his hand at the other staffer. “Please follow me to the town center. Once there, I kindly ask that you register with my colleague or myself so that we may arrange transport to the Academy. From there we will then assign you to your respective dorms and provide you with further instruction. Is everything clear?”


    A sea of bobbing heads nodded their affirmation.


    “Fantastic. Once we arrive at the town center we’ll see a few Academy students. Don’t be alarmed, they’ll be there to help us sort everything out for you lot. Any questions? No? Alright then, please stick close. If you get lost, remember. Town center. My staff and myself will be there for a while.” The administrator clasped his hands together as he signaled for everyone to move.


    At first it was a disorganised push of bodies. The students all mostly eager to follow the Academy staff. Eventually, they naturally fell into a line like gaggle behind the administrators; Sophie and Aryana ending up squished somewhere in the middle.


    The two gave up the pretences of holding themselves back and allowed themselves a moment to join the other students in gawking at their new surroundings. Truthfully, to Sophie, the town of Laurusport seemed much like Arteria but smaller. Although she did manage to spot a few side streets that seemed more well guarded and with larger houses than the almost standardised rectangular nature of the other town houses around them. It took her a few seconds to pin down the familiar feeling, but she realized them to be the slightly larger lodgings meant as a second home or retreat for the nobility, or in Arteria’s case, likely merchants or wealthy traders. Though judging by the flags and paraphernalia that flew outside some of them, maybe even as vacation homes for nobility from other nations.


    After the initial jolt of curiosity wore off, Sophie turned her attention back to the excitable redhead. Aryana seemed to either not have noticed or simply not caring that the new town looked much like a reduced Arteria. Taking in each new sight, sound, street or building with wide eyes that sought to absorb every little detail that it could.


    The group eventually ended up in the town square, Sophie feeling a weird sense of deja vu as she spied yet another well tiled city center with a large fountain and giant statue in the middle of the area. Signs and placards dotted the area and showed off all the different taverns and inns that surrounded the main square, a slightly smaller market area nearby serving as the main area for visitors to peruse the town’s wares.


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    They were eventually stopped by the administrator who divided the massive gaggle of students into various little groups. The staffers moving around with little boards and papers as they talked to each students and scribbled things down at a rapid pace. Soon, kids were being shuffled off down the main road to waiting carriages, crammed within in groups of six.


    It wouldn’t be a problem being squished up within. Sophie’s own experience with Eva telling her that four was about the most one should fit within lest they eschewed the comfort of the transport. But she was willing to endure the short ride; that is, if she could ignore a strange presence boring a hole through the back of her head. Standing uncomfortable close behind the duo were a trio of girl’s and a guy glaring at them. In particular she recognised the gaudily dressed jewellery clad Traxian noble from the welcoming ceremony that traded hostile glances with her that day. The moment the groups were assigned together she could feel a collective groan coming from the Traxians and a silent scream emerging from within her. She had thought it a joke at first and tried to discreetly confront one of the staffers when they only shrugged and replied, “Sorry. Based on your name and lack of last name we assumed you were a human and didn’t expect any elves with this batch. Bear with it okay?”


    She had cringed then and she still cringed now as the duo had to be careful to avoid antagonising the Traxian quartet. In particular Sophie oculd feel the sneers come from their direction whenever she made accidentally eye contact. The tension further ramped up when another official arrived and waved them forward.


    “Alright, group five, please follow me and you’ll board the transport. A separate group of administrative staff will be waiting for you once you’re within Academy grounds. Thank you for your patience and a hearty welcome to the Academy of Arteria.” The man tiredly smiled.


    The Traxians all offered polite responses and pleasant smiles. Sophie only managing to drop a quiet curtsey whilst Aryana momentarily forgot and opted for a simple bob of her head. The act earning the duo a few snickers from the Traxians. Thankfully the staffer was too tired to care and simply led them about a minute away from the town center towards where a horse drawn carriage was waiting.


    An ornately decorated carriage sporting wooden frills and likely some sponsor’s house motto carved onto the side of the door greeted them. Two additional staffers and a guard helped quickly tuck their luggage away into a compartment; the Traxians giving a pained look as their belongings merely brushed against Sophie’s bag. Ironically enough, whilst wallowing in their disdain for the two, the staffers had motioned for Sophie and Ary to board first, allowing the two to try and huddle up in a corner for this uncomfortable ride.


    Aryana was squished up to the side, Sophie using her own body as almost a shield to protect the girl from the disdainful nobles. To her own surprise however, it was the prissy looking Traxian who ended up in the seat next to her’s. The scowl on the girl’s face more than enough to demonstrate her displeasure at this arrangement.


    Sophie was used to being stared at funny, or a few glares here and there. But right now, she felt might vulnerable than ever in the presence of the four Traxians. Yet, though sometimes she couldn’t understand why people disliked her so intensely, in this moment, she perfectly understood their hatred of her. For most humans, she seemed  more or less like an elf, and in this instance, Traxia was an empire that had now warred with the Adornari elves for over a century if not two. To people from their nation, particularly their nobility, any creature with even remotely pointed ears was likely to appear as but another one of their hated foe. Like me.


    Tension hung within the carriage room like the fog of the Mistveil. There was an uneasy peace between the two sides in agreeing that this would likely be the most awkward but silent carriage rides of their lives. It went smoothly at first, the Traxians pointedly sneering but avoiding eye contact with them. An act that Sophie and Aryana returned in kind by simply staring out the tinted window, seeing scant glimpses of the island. Until they rounded a bend. It was inauspicious, gentle even, but it was the way in which Sophie had leaned over Aryana that had thrown her off balance. Her off balance center betrayed her and she was thrown slightly more to the right than she expected, her instincts reacting almost instantaneously, latching onto whatever could steady her.


    The moment of contact was brief, almost unnoticeable in normal circumstances. But they were trapped in a carriage until it stopped, even the tiniest of touches served as a potent distraction from all the sneering and boredom. The noble girl flinched aggressively at Sophie’s hand brushed against hers. The girl’s reddish hazel eyes glared at Sophie in shock, her smooth unblemished features turning into a horrified frown as she pulled her flowing black braided hair around her like a shield. The boy scowled whilst the other two girls sucked in their breaths in anticipation.


    “You dare!” The noble screeched.


    “Eh!?” Sophie squeaked reflexively.


    Hearing the somewhat soft yet aggressively commanding snap of the noble’s voice made Sophie immediately dip her head apologetically. Flashes of Hilda’s hateful expression now manifesting themselves on the Traxian’s face.


    “Apologies.” Sophie stated, regaining her composure.


    “It talks.” The guy hissed. His short chestnut brown hair arranged far too neatly for her liking. His dark brown eyes boring holes into her scalp.


    “Truly horrifying.” The girl snorted, “I bet this was a joke by my brother. Why else would they dare to place us with a murderer.” She sneered.


    Sophie remained quiet and held her tongue, hoping the others would simply bore themselves and forget about her.


    “Perhaps it was a mistake? Even the Academy worker seemed quite surprised we were placed with a stick.” One of the other girls unsubtly whispered.


    “But this one…” The third of the girl’s narrowed her eyes before her nose seemed to curl with disgust, “smells more grungy than the tree folk.”


    At that proclamation, all four Traxians seemed to recoil.


    “Judging by the manner of dress… I suppose this one might be naught but a peasant.” The guy spoke.


    “Ugh, a peasant and a stick.” The second girl complained.


    To Sophie, she looked as if she had just seen a sewer rat, her hawklike features curled up in what could best be described as, disdainful disgust. The third girl at least had a kinder face and a softer expression to boot. Though she still seemed discontented by Sophie’s presence, unlike the others, she just appeared to be mostly wary. But not of me… of her own friends? Why?


    “Lady Carla, Lord Maxus, a moment please.” The first girl spoke.


    The two in question turned to her with a frown, and only now did Sophie see the third girl’s mouth curl into a mischievous smile. Unsettling.


    “What is your name… leafblood?” The first girl demanded.


    Sophie was startled at being addressed but recovered quickly enough. “My name is Sophie.” She stated apathetically. Work… right, pretend this is just maid work.


    “Oh? Hmm… now that you mention it, I did find it strange when they announced someone without a family name as our travel companion.” The girl grumbled. “That was you, wasn’t it?”


    Sophie only grunted in response. A classic saved whenever she tried to accept whatever abuse Hilda hurled her way.


    “Tch, dumb too.”


    “Lady Lucia, might she be a warrior perhaps?” The third girl coyly suggested, her shifty eyes appraising Sophie.


    “Leather boots, armour… perhaps. Would explain why she seems to have not thoughts at all. Dumb elf.”


    “Lady Lucia!” The third girl jokingly exclaimed in shock.


    “What? Don’t tell me you’re getting offended on her behalf. Besides,” Lucia shrugged, “I somehow doubt she would go to the administrators. And even if she does, who will they believe? Some nobody elf or the word of Traxia.” She grinned.


    “Still.”


    Lucia sighed, “Whatever you say, Livy.”


    “We should still maintain our decorum after all.” Livy smiled innocently, “But my lady does speak correctly.” Livy suddenly turend to address the duo, “You won’t complain right? Would hate to have to be a bother to you or your little tag-a-long.” The girl tilted her head and beamed.


    Sophie shuddered at the sight and felt Aryana stealthily hold onto her sleeve. There was a malice that radiated from her that wasn’t in the other three. Those were hateful, hostile even. But this one was looking for trouble. Worried, Sophie just nodded.


    “How awfully compliant for an… elf.” Lucia commented.


    Seeing Sophie’s involuntary eyebrow quirk the noble snorted.


    “Would’ve expected you to start defending yourself. Or at least telling us how humanity are a mistake or beneath you, seeing as how you have a little servant of your own.” Lucia’s words dripped with venom.


    Sophie could feel Aryana’s nervous gaze on her and moved to at least defend the redhead’s honor.


    “I would suggest no such thing. I am but a humble maid and protector.” Sophie replied.


    She could see the confusion in all four pairs of eyes that were now turned to her. The mentioning of being a maid always seemed to catch people by surprise.


    “Well, that’s a terrible uniform for a maid.” The guy, Maxus, chimed in. “In my estate they at least have proper uniforms that don’t look so… so…”


    “I did mention I was also a protector.”


    “You interrupt me, how thoughtless!” He snarled, “But a protector means nothing to me. I would protect my family, does that make me a protector? Think! What does that mean? Are you a sellsword? A hedge knight?”


    “I am but a lowly knight… sir.” Sophie reluctantly added.


    The quartet paused, trading glances with each other before bursting out into laughter.


    “A knight!?” Maxus chortled, “She? A knight?!”


    “Absurd.” Lucia nodded.


    “I know you want to save face but there’s no need to lie. There’s nothing wrong being… well… a mercenary.”


    “Well I-” Sophie began.


    “She’s my friend and my protector!” Aryana proudly declared, her sudden interjection bringing every back to silence. “And uhh… umm… sh-she is a real knight!” She murmured the last part, her bravado quickly fading.


    “Hah! What is this ludicrous fantasy?” Lucia gasped.


    “A friend and a protector? Now that’s quite interesting.” Livy chuckled.


    “Are we ignoring that she said the stick is a knight?” The second girl, Carla, gestured rudely at Sophie, “That still seems patently ridiculous. Much less a knight with no noble ties! Even I know none of the leafbloods would ever do that!”


    “True!” Maxus agreed.


    “Now that you mention it, that is quite bizarre.” Lucia hummed. “Elf, speak now. How do you explain yourself?” She growled.


    Sophie pondered her response, on some level, she wondered if listing her actions in Melton would at least bring some shock onto the grating Traxians. But on the other hand, if anything, they deserved nothing. Her eyes quickly glanced at the participants around her, Carla and Maxus both seemed outwardly hostile if a bit scatter brained. Lucia clearly held a vendetta of sorts against elvenkind and by extension her. When she looked at LIvy, the girl only held an amused expression that still sent shivers down her spine.


    “I was knighted in Melton during the crisis. The royal family approved it after it was resolved.” Sophie stated matter of factly.


    “Melton… Melton… ah! That Northern shithole beyond the mountains!” Carla exclaimed.


    “That’s Ingmar, Melton is below the mountains.” Livy corrected. “Quite far from home though.” She grinned at Sophie.


    “That is correct.”


    “Tch, and you then.” Lucia pointed at Aryana who shrank a little, “Why would you travel with an elf? Call one a friend even.”


    “Umm… uhh…” Aryana stammered.


    “Lucia, darling, you’re frightening the poor girl.” Livy smiled warmly at Aryana.


    “Pfft, scaring her? Compared to her choice in traveling companion? Surely you jest?”


    “Perhaps." Livy nodded before looking at Ary, "I’m afraid Lady Lucia won’t be satisfied without an answer though.”


    “Umm well…. She… she saved many people and me. And she fought for me when no one would… so…” Aryana seemed somewhat flustered and Sophie couldn’t help but hide a small smile. So adorable.


    “Speak plainly you flop.” Lucia snapped.


    “Umm… ahh… the hatires, my people hold great respect for the hatires errr elves. Because they come from the forest and we come from the mountains and so together we protect the wilds.” Ary blabbered randomly.


    “Hold on. What strange speech is this? And come from the mountains? Together protecting the wilds?” Lucia furrowed her brow, “Do any of you know what gibberish she’s talking about?”


    The other three shrugged. But before the conversation could continue, they all felt the carriage suddenly jolt before coming to a stop. The animosity between the group vanished in an instant, the curiosity and desire to explore Arteria filling the expressions of even the Traxians. With one last huff from Lady Lucia, everyone fell silent until the small click of the carriage door indicated the staff had begun to open. With bated breath they all waited in anticipation for what was to come.