While making their way down the stairs, Valessandria nodded to the students that greeted her. She raised a hand and gave a wave, which caused several of the students to cheer from the attention.
"I admit that I did not realize how loved you are by the students who attend this Academy," The young master said after she finished waving to another group.
Valessandria felt her cheeks warm.
Turning her head slightly, she addressed the young noble, "The attention is mainly due to my position as a member of the Student Council." Valessandria brushed aside the words. "I have not done enough at this Academy to deserve such praise from the students."
While speaking the words, she couldn't help but remember where she had come from. After the Overflow and needing to overcome the challenges that many throughout the surrounding area would need to deal with, Valessandria could never have imagined that she would be able to reach such a point and become such an influential figure in an institution as renowned as Illumin, the Great Academic City which helped to become one of the many beacons of light within the darkness of the world.
"You are modest. Clearly, you have done great things for the students inside of this institution," The black-haired assistant to the noble said in a voice that anyone would think to be like velvet and captivate the listener. However, underneath the warmth and external beauty was something chilling and ruthless that could emerge without warning.
Valessandria merely nodded at the servant's words, worried they would reveal her inner emotional state.
As the young noble and his servants began talking amongst themselves, as though unconcerned about her presence, Valessandria released a breath and felt her shoulders loosen. Shaking her head, feeling her blonde hair tickling her skin, she tried not to think about what she thought about her current circumstances.
Letting the group follow her and nodding to the occasional greeting from passing students, she tried to distract herself by thinking of the assorted tasks she had to accomplish for the day. The difficult one was that she would need to brief Nathanial about what had occurred and the power that Yi had displayed.
Valessandria took a deep breath, the image alone causing her stress.
Not only would the President not believe her statement due to how fantastical it sounded, but also due to the relationship they had between them.
"I understand that the President needs to create an environment that would attract more students, but he should not develop an environment that allows the nobility to believe they have full reign of the facilities." She squeezed a hand and formed a fist. "The problem is with the President and his desire to leave a mark on the Academy, outside his position." Valessandria gritted her teeth, knowing how much Nathanial wanted to be remembered in the history of the school.
She would need to speak with William and find out what he thought about handling the President and his interference.
Every time their department would find a noble that was violating the rules of the Academy and put them into the detention facility of the Disciplinary Committee, just like clockwork, someone from the President's office would arrive after a few days and claim that the offending noble should be released from the Disciplinary Committee's custody. The noble would have a grin on their face, knowing that there was nothing their department could do.
While she knew that Nathanial was trying to maintain friendly relationships with those who were crucial in keeping the Academy's position away from any of the nearby powers, Valessandria wished that Nathanial would leave her department alone and allow her to do her job—ensuring the safety of the Academy.
Taking a deep breath and unclenching her fist, Valessandria continued to review the items that needed to be finished before the end of the day. She couldn't help but imagine the numerous folders of information waiting for her to review, many of them approvals for events that would be taking place in the future. Her department would soon be taking part in training missions with other departments, but that was still months away. While there was still plenty of time, Valessandria understood the many moving parts necessary to organize such an event.
"Sometimes, I remember when my life was much easier. All I needed to do was follow orders made by someone else. Then, my fellow teammates could complain about how unnecessary we thought about the entire thing." A corner of her lips cracked upwards, thinking about how they'd stay up late at one of the popular bars many of the soldiers and mercenaries frequented. "I wonder what they would think about me being the Lady Knight." She felt a squeeze of her chest and her eyes slightly tearing up.
Slowly breathing in and controlling herself, Valessandria forced a smile that had come naturally to her after so many years.
Valessandria turned her head to watch the light showering the interior, enjoying how the white walls of the main floor gave her a peaceful feeling that wasn't found when she performed her duties as the Lady Knight. Thinking of warm thoughts and what she would need to do for the rest of the day as they continued the winding stairs, she couldn't help but think that it would be nice to eat outside under the bright sun and clear sky.
"I imagine that after going up and down the stairs as often as we will need to while being students here, the journey will feel much shorter once we adapt."
Pulled from her thoughts, Valessandria directed her attention to the young master.
"I can only imagine what the journey would be like going up the stairs to the higher levels," Yi chuckled.
Chuckling at the imagery the young master was painting, Valessandria smiled, "Fortunately, after going up the stairs to reach the second floor, there are devices that will take an individual to the top of the tower without the need for the stairs."
Seeing the young master raise an eyebrow, Valessandria felt a moment of pride after the incident with the door. In addition to the pride, she couldn't help but Latch onto the distraction and welcome the distraction from her thoughts. "I see the noble is impressed by our elevators," She couldn't help but think to herself, straightening her back slightly. Nodding, she continued, "Though we do have students who enjoy the opportunity to walk up the countless steps necessary to get to the top, many find it a great training session that is performed over weeks, and with much preparation, most will choose to take the elevator which is a significantly convenient method."
An audible group of students pulled both parties from the conversation.
Yi glanced at a few students walking past them. Several of the female students bowed to greet Valessandria before continuing. The guys who walked with their female friends gave a quick greeting, though their eyes revealed their greater interest in Helania and Queen. Looking back at Valessandria, their faces turned red, and they scrambled up the steps while attempting not to reveal their thoughts.
Valessandria couldn't help but roll her eyes. At the same time, she could empathize with the boys' thoughts.
"Under different circumstances with my birth, I could imagine that I would fall sway upon laying eyes on their beauty. I do not feel any attraction to the two of them, yet I would be lying to myself if I refused to state how entrancing they are. The three women are as though goddesses that have descended upon the mortal plane, cleansing the surroundings with their presence." Valessandria couldn't help but have such inner thoughts. But she also thought, "I am also not foolish enough to trick myself into believing that they would easily eliminate me if I were to become an inconvenience for the one they serve."
When she directed her attention back to Yi, he had already returned his attention to the servant that had been latched onto the young master's side. The young servant giggled and made childish comments, causing Yi to laugh occasionally.
Feeling a slight tremble, she placed a hand on her other arm as though attempting to comfort herself from the people that she had somehow become tied to.
Though the sight of the group gave the impression of the typical young noble, Valessandria couldn't help but think of the reality of her position. She couldn't help but think that whatever happened, her future was now tied with the young master. Something about that night and what she had seen within that darkness was like a stain on her soul. And though she didn't have any proof, Valessandria was old enough to understand that the young master and his family were somehow involved. While everyone else had been attempting to flee from the arrival of the Empire, the young master had been casually enjoying the company of his aethereal servants as though his room was a plain of serenity.
Taking a deep breath, thankful that the chills faded from her body.
The journey down the stairs was uneventful as Valessandria continued to make note of her day and future events, reminding herself of orders that would need to be passed off to William. She couldn't help but smile, thinking how much harder her life would be without her second in command. Knowing William, he would be at his desk, diligently writing up reports that would need to be viewed at some point. Just him alone sometimes felt like an additional department.
She knew others who had attempted to scout William, hoping that he would leave the Disciplinary Committee and join their Committee. Even some of the largest businesses in the nearby area have tried and ultimately failed to attract the serious man.
Valessandria thought of a conversation they had while enjoying tea a week before the incident at Leaf Village.
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The two of them were sitting on the lounging bench inside her office, where guests were entertained. As she accepted the recently poured team, she used the spoon to mix the milk and sugar added.
Around them were stacks of books pulled from the shelves, a few half-opened, with pieces of paper stuck between pages containing notes from their research and to be used as bookmarks. Stacks of paperwork were also haphazardly placed where room was available. On the walls were paintings of iconic locations related to the mysteries in the nearby nations.
"I heard that a certain Student Council member had invited you to a luxurious dinner prepared by their private chef." Valessandria casually mentioned as she watched the steam dancing into the air.
Bringing the cup to her lips, her eyes observed her second.
William didn't even rise to the apparent attempt to get a reaction as he poured fresh tea into the cup in front of him. Once it was filled, he didn't bother to add anything to the steaming liquid. Raising the cup to his lips, the steam was like a wave on the ocean as he blew. Seeming to find the temperature acceptable, William raised the cup and took a sip in a manner that revealed his background.
"Lady Knight, I understand that you find their incessant offers amusing. I want to remind you that I do not feel the same way." William's eyes slowly rose to meet his superior's, deliberating, ignoring the twinkle in her eyes.
Valessandria took a sip of the tea, the sugary liquid helping to rejuvenate her depleted brain power. She couldn't but wonder, not for the last time, whether her second was a human and not a demon in disguise and how he never appeared to reveal any signs of fatigue that would naturally build up in their line of work. But the fact that William was as competent as he was is why he's in such high demand.
"Anyways, my job is here by your side."
William's eyes stared ahead.
"What we do is unlike anything the other departments perform. We are the reason why the students can feel safe within the walls of the Academy, especially those who do not have the protection of a title." William's eyes directed their attention to Valessandria. "I do not believe that any of the other members of the Student Council would put such effort into protecting students who have no one else they can rely on. Even the teachers who share their knowledge know that if one of the nobles acts up, then they can reach out to our department due to how they know that you are here."
The words drifted through the air.
Instead of immediately answering, Valessandria's eyes drifted to one of the portraits, which displayed an ancient swamp. She would often look at the piece because it gave the impression of hiding something within the darkness where the sun had difficulty piercing through.
After sitting in silence, Valessandria felt her chest warm as she smiled. "Thank you, William." Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, "I can only stand in front because of all of you being behind me." She looked at William. "I am just a single person, and there are many forces at play, even inside the walls of this city. Without all of you by my side, there would be nothing I could do to protect all the students."
William silently raised his cup and took a sip.
The two of them sat on the lounging bench, both knowing that nothing else needed to be said. Her eyes couldn't help but look at the new piles of paperwork placed on the receiving desk near her own.
Though she could take a short moment to rest and regain her mental energy for the work that lay ahead of her department, the ever-growing paperwork would be a constant reminder that breaks would always be short and infrequent in her line of work. But she couldn't help but grin wolfishly after taking another sip.
"I would not be the Lady Knight if I was weak enough to break beneath this much pressure."
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Seeing the bottom of the stairs, Valessandria looked behind her toward Yi. The young master was casually talking with the youngest of the three servants. Their appearance gave off the image of close siblings or friends who lived next to one another, as the servant talked mainly while the young master patiently listened to the girl's words.
What impressed Valessandria was how the two of them were so casual and apathetic about the glances they received from students going up the stairs. Their open public display of affection gave the two a pink glow, going beyond the border of a master-servant working dynamic and being closer to how lovers would appear to behave as they walked around the outer area inside of Illumin. Even Valessandria felt slightly uncomfortable seeing how the two behaved.
Valessandria's eyes glanced at the young servant. However, whether due to the woman sensing Valessandria's attention on her or some other sense, the woman's eyes locked onto hers. Her direct stare caused Valessandria to pause mentally, unable to break the line of sight. The Lady Knight didn't feel the same otherworldly chill as she did when dealing with the older servants, but it felt like a sharp kitchen knife sliding gently up her back while held by a lover who caught her husband's mistress.
There was a darkness...
Immediately, the world returned to how it had previously been. The young servant laughed at a joke she made, smiling without care from having succeeded in causing the young master to chuckle.
Valessandria returned to look ahead, feeling cold sweat form and slide down her cheek.
