It's early morning, dawn time, as the sun rises behind that endless blue ocean, which sparkles under its golden rays, forming a natural artistic painting that dazzles the eyes.
At one of the ports, activity already filled the place; fishermen prepared for work, and teams unloading ships loaded with goods got ready to receive the first cargo ship of the day.
____Cynthia_____
What a beautiful morning! (yawn) ... Lilian... wake up! We've arrived!
____Lilian____
Hmmmm (turning in bed)... I don't want to... five more minutes...
___Cynthia___
You already said that five minutes ago! Come on, get up!
Cynthia lifted the blanket off Lilian, forcing her to wake up.
___Lilian___
Hmmm... alright... alright, I'll get up!
Lilian woke up, tired and yawning... she still wanted to sleep, but she had to get up or else Cynthia would get angry. After that, she headed to the washroom to wash her face. When she finished, she returned to Cynthia who had already made the bed.
____Lilian_____
Why all the hurry!... If you had let me sleep a little more (sad)
____Cynthia____
We're about to arrive!... Don't you want to see our new place!?
Cynthia walked toward Lilian, got closer, took her hand, and pulled her along to climb up to the deck—the ship's deck. They climbed the stairs, and Cynthia opened the door, letting the sunlight pour in and reflect on Lilian's pure white face, making her golden eyes shine. Lilian had just woken up and couldn't bear the amount of light coming from outside, so she closed her eyes, covered them, and followed Cynthia, who was already holding her hand, up to the deck.
_____Cynthia_____
Look!... Isn't it beautiful! (smile)
Lilian moved the hand that was covering her eyes away from the sunlight, then slowly opened her eyes, only to be astonished by the magnificent view that made her open them completely; the sunrise and the reflection of its rays on the salty sea waters, the sound of seagulls fluttering above that lively, bustling port.
___Lilian___
....Amazing... it truly is a beautiful morning.... There are so many new things here... so what the tourists said was true, they really are advanced!...
____?????____
That's right! It is Lechtane after all!
Both Lilian and Cynthia turned toward the man who suddenly surprised them by speaking.
____Cynthia_____
Ah dear Henrey, are you already awake!? Good morning, you startled us!
____Lilian____
Good morning, Henrey!
____ Henrey ____
Good morning everyone! How was your journey on the ship? I hope it wasn't tiring!
___Cynthia___
No, on the contrary, ships have really advanced; compared to the first time I traveled with you, this is a million times better!... Oh, but Lilian, you must be tired, this is your first time riding a ship! I completely forgot that, I'm sorry!
____Lilian____
No! No need to apologize! I'm really fine, so there's no need to worry!
___Cynthia____
That's good then!
___Henrey___
Alright then! Now that we've arrived, I'll go check on my goods, they've just been unloaded from the ship. You two pack your luggage! It's time to head to our new home.... Welcome to the Natsumi Empire! The capital; Shiro Kingdom!
The three of them; Lilian, Cynthia and Henrey smiled, happy to begin a new life in a place filled with peace and tranquility.
Henrey got off the ship, heading to check his goods, while Lilian and Cynthia went inside the ship to pack their luggage.
____Henrey_____
When you're done, come out! you'll find me downstairs!
____Cynthia____
Alright!
Time passed, and both of them finished packing their luggage and headed outside. They got off the ship to find that Henrey had finished checking the goods and that there were no problems. They went toward him to head to their new home.
____Henrey____
The car should be here already!
____Lilian____
A car!? What's that!?
____Henrey____
Ah! I forgot you've never seen one before!... It's a means of transportation.... Well, you could say it's a carriage.... but it doesn't need horses to pull it.
____Lilian_____
(Surprised) ... That's amazing! Something like that actually exists!? Is it some advanced type of magic or what!?
_____Cynthia _____
(laughs) If it were magic-related, the other continents would already be far more advanced than Lechtane in this field
____Henrey____
Exactly! It's not magic or anything like that... Well, in fact, you could say it's magic because it's on the same level, but they're completely different!
____Lilian____
Strange! I've never heard of it before! What is it?
____Henrey____
Oh, but you have heard of it!... It's science!
____Cynthia____
Yes, Lechtane's advancement in science is truly astonishing, to the point that they competed with the greatest continents without notable talents in combat or magic. Everything they have is advanced and powerful thanks to science!
____Lilian_____
That's amazing!
____Henrey____
Ah, the car has arrived! Let's go!
Lilian looked at the car, and indeed there were no horses at all; it moved on its own! Its wheels were strange unlike those used in carriages. She saw Cynthia go to the back of the car and open something—and to her shock, there was a trunk at the back of the car where Cynthia placed her luggage. Lilian was astonished and just stood there staring.
____Cynthia_____
Lilian! Hurry up! Bring your luggage so we can put it in the car!
Lilian snapped back to her senses and hurried toward Cynthia, placed her luggage in the trunk, then they closed it and headed to get into the car.
The trip didn't take long. Their new house was already in the imperial capital! They had arrived; it was a quiet and peaceful area of the capital, far from the noise, factory smoke and cars.
Everyone got out of the car. The driver helped them take out their luggage then left. They headed toward their new home, which was a luxurious and beautiful house. Upon entering, you ll be greeted by a large hall; after that was the kitchen, and in another corner, the bathroom. That was only the first floor! There was still a second floor and an attic. The second floor was only for bedrooms—four of them. The attic was a bedroom with a slanted ceiling but a beautiful view from that high window.
____Lilian_____
Sir Henrey and Lady Cynthia, I didn't know you were from a wealthy class! (astonished)
____Cynthia____
(laughs) Not really! This is just the middle class here!
____Henrey____
(laughs) Yes, yes, the wealthy class is something else entirely!
Lilian felt excited and rushed inside. As soon as she entered, she was surprised—everything really was advanced! Even the houses! Lilian noticed a strange black object on the wall and approached it to see what it was.
____Lilian_____
What is this!?
____Cynthia____
Ah! That's the television! One of Lechtane's latest technologies... Hmm... let's say it's similar to a newspaper, but much more entertaining and diverse. Not just pictures and writing—it shows much more, including sound and videos; let's say they're pictures, but the people in the pictures move and talk.
____Lilian____
How is that possible!?
____Henrey_____
Alright! Let us show you how that's possible
Henrey went over to the television, plugged it into the electricity, and pressed a button to turn it on. After a few seconds, the screen lit up; people appeared talking and laughing. Lilian was shocked—how could a small black square-shaped object do this without any magic!?
____Lilian_____
Amazing! How is that possible! And without magic! Are there people trapped inside it!?
____Henrey_____
Hahaha!... No! Of course not! It's a technology of modern science. For example, nobles use advanced magic to monitor people and their movements on a magical screen. The difference here is that it's done without magic.
___Lilian____
Ah, I understand now! Amazing!
____Henrey_____
You're really curious about everything!
____Cynthia_____
That's natural. She's still young, and most people her age are in the academy learning and exploring already!
____Lilian____
The academy?!.. What's that too!?
_____Henrey_____
It's something like our village school, but for youths, not children. The sciences there are more advanced, and there are new things.
_____Lilian______
Amazing! I want to go!
Silence filled the place. Cynthia and Henrey looked at each other before looking at Lilian, who had already sat down on the couch. They walked toward her and sat beside her.
____Henrey_____
Well, actually... that would be possible if you were from the continent, but.... I'm afraid it's a bit difficult
____Lilian_____
Is there a problem!?
____Cynthia_____
Actually... since its sciences are what distinguish it, the continent doesn't allow anyone other than citizens to study this treasure. And even if there are exceptions... they're usually for wealthy prodigies only, and on the condition of forming an alliance with their country.
_____Lilian______
Ah... what a shame then! (sad)... But it's fine, don't worry, I have to find a work anyway! I can't just stay here doing nothing ...and for free!
Silence filled the place. Both Henrey and his wife Cynthia felt sad about Lilian's situation. Suddenly, Cynthia thought of something.
____Cynthia_____
Actually!... There is an academy you can go to after all!
Lilian became delighted and happy, grabbed Cynthia's hand as she sat beside her, and looked at her with eyes full of hope.
____Lilian_____
Really!? (excited)
_____Cynthia______
Yes... although they ask foreigners for fees, there are exceptional cases; the scholarship case!
_____Lilian____
A scholarship!?
____Cynthia_____
Yes, that means as long as you meet certain conditions, you have the right to study there even if you're not a citizen!
_____Lilian_____
Amazing!.... But.... the conditions, I really don't know...
_____Cynthia______
Ah! No need to worry about that at all. You came from a noble family, and I'm confident you'll pass the exam
____Lilian_____
(shiver) ... a.... an exam?!... Do I have to pass an exam too!?
____Cynthia____
Don't worry, it's easy! And I'll be there to cheer you on! (smile while holding Lilian's hands)
____Henrey_____
An academy that allows non-citizen foreigners to enter? Nobel family....exam and scholarship!!... Wait!.... You... you don't mean that place, do you?!.... that academy! (fear)...
____Lilian____
....(doesn't know what's going on, looks at both the excited Cynthia and the anxious Henrey; just confused, not knowing what to do)...
____Henrey_____
(anxious with a fearful smile) .... My dear.... what are you planning... speak... please...(swallows)
____Cynthia____
(laughs)....
Cynthia looked at Henrey and Lilian with excited eyes; flames visibly burning in her pupils, making Henrey even more anxious and Lilian even more confused.