“How does anyone know what the Fire Phoenix looks like? I mean, it’s not like anyone has seen it, right?” Ailera asked their grandfather as they stood before a giant sculpture depicting the Fire Phoenix.

  They were currently in the Fire Phoenix Church, they had headed there right after breakfast at their grandfather’s behest. Adion had to admit that the church was one of the most beautiful buildings he had ever seen. It couldn’t compare to the Tower of Cyalis in height, but it still reached far above the surrounding buildings. Looking almost like a lone mountain in the middle of the city.

  The Fire Phoenix Church had never been a small faith on Shiora, but with the rumored return of the Fire Phoenix, the faith experienced a never-before-seen period of growth. The building was crowded with people, and despite the heat of summer combined with the numerous burning fires all around the hall, no one seemed to be bothered by the heat. People dutifully knelt down before the different monuments depicting variants of the Fire Phoenix.

  The statue the Remori family was standing in front of was depicting the Phoenix spreading its wings wide, shielding everyone below from something unseen behind it. It was supposed to represent how the Fire Phoenix saved the world from the great calamity that ended the Age of Wonder.

  “If you think the Fire Phoenix has an important place in people’s consciousnesses now, it is nothing to how it was during the Age of Wonder,” Their grandfather responded to Ailera’s question, “It had already been the protector of this world for a long time. Even the gods had to bow before it. It wouldn’t surprise me if half of what has been left behind from the Age of Wonder concerns the Fire Phoenix in one way or another. The Fire Phoenix was still alive and well in those times, so it isn’t surprising that people knew what it looked like.”

  “I see,” Ailera nodded.

  I wonder why the Celestial Phoenix doesn’t have the same history. I’ve never heard anyone mention it before. Surely someone should have found something about it at some point. I guess the Amyss family did. But that’s really nothing compared to what’s known about the Fire Phoenix.

  Maybe all records of the Celestial Phoenix are still hidden here on Shiora. The Endless Forest still covers the vast majority of the continent, after all.

  Or maybe something has already been found, but it’s kept secret. Maybe the Headmaster knows about it from something found by the Sages when they got to Cyalis. But wouldn’t he make the connection with my experiences then? He knew that the Fire Phoenix had returned, so he should be able to connect the dots and realize the Celestial Phoenix very well could have returned as well.

  “I wonder where it is now. What is it doing?” Adion asked.

  And where did the Celestial Phoenix go?

  “There is no way of knowing,” Their grandfather said, shaking his head, “But as long as it is somewhere in this world, we can rest assured. If something terrible were to happen again during this Age, the Fire Phoenix will be there to see us through it.”

  Grandpa seems really certain about the intentions of a god-like being. But I guess it isn’t that hard to believe that it was the Fire Phoenix that protected the world all those years ago. It was either that or it was the one to destroy it. It ended up dying somehow, after all. But I feel like that’s the more unlikely option. Why would such a powerful being suddenly decide to destroy the world after living peacefully for so long?

  “Well said, Patriarch Remori,” A voice sounded from behind.

  Adion turned around and was surprised to see none other than Bishop Amelia walking up to them with a smile.

  “So it’s Bishop Amelia. I didn’t expect to run into you here,” His grandfather said with a smile.

  “I am a bishop of the Church, after all,” Bishop Amelia said, “I heard you came to visit, so I thought I’d come to see if there was anything I could help you with.”

  “How considerate of you, thank you. I’m just taking the opportunity to educate my grandchildren about some of the Church’s beliefs.”

  “I see,” Bishop Amelia said with a nod, turning to look at Adion and his siblings, “So what do you think about the Fire Phoenix Church?”

  “It’s a very beautiful place, Bishop Amelia,” Ailera said with a slightly lowered head, “And seeing Grandpa so excited about something is really fun.”

  “Haha,” Bishop Amelia laughed softly, “That’s nice. We are all truly lucky to be born in these times.”

  “What do you mean, Bishop Amelia?” Ailera asked.

  “Your grandfather and I grew up in a world where many believed the Fire Phoenix to be gone forever, “Bishop Amelia answered, “Even if there were ancient records that told us that the Fire Phoenix would be reborn, there were a lot of people who doubted it. It had been countless thousands of years without any signs of the return of the Fire Phoenix, after all. But now, all of that is in the past, and we have the privilege to witness this return. Perhaps I can accomplish my dream of seeing the Fire Phoenix for myself in this life.”

  “I’m sure the Fire Phoenix will show itself soon enough. And where else would it make an appearance if not the Fire Phoenix Empire?” His grandfather suggested.

  “I hope you’re right,” Bishop Amelia said with a bright and genuine smile.

  Just who is this lady? And why is she nice to us?

  Adion figured Bishop Amelia had to know his grandfather from somewhere. But the only thing she could know him from was his betrayal of the Empire, which should have made her hate his family.

  I guess it doesn’t matter for now. I can’t feel any ill intentions from her, and I don’t see any reason for her to deceive us.

  Unless she knows the Elixir of Life came from Grandpa? And she wants to get close to us to figure out where it came from and if we have other treasures.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  That thought gave Adion some pause. Bishop Amelia was a Soul mage, after all. And she came from a prestigious background. It was very possible that she could hide her intentions from Adion without a problem.

  But Grandpa shouldn’t be so easy to fool, right? And he seems to trust her.

  I guess I’ll just leave it all to him. It’s not for me to worry about.

  Bishop Amelia continued conversing with his grandfather for a while before a cleric approached her and whispered something in her ear, after which she excused herself and left.

  “Well, I guess we should leave as well,” His grandfather said, “Ailera has a class later on. And the two of you shouldn’t slack off either.”

  “Alright, alright,” Adion nodded. He was starting to feel a little restless anyway. And he couldn’t disappoint the Headmaster when he returned.

  They left the Fire Phoenix Church together, and Adion and his siblings headed back to the Academy, leaving their grandfather at his mansion where he had to receive numerous guests coming to congratulate his new status as a Noble.

  “Should we really head straight to the Academy?” Mephina questioned, “Let’s find a place to rest for the night first. I’ll contact Sell and talk things through with her.”

  “No need,” Lady Lerretha said.

  The carriage continued without stopping, all the way through the public Academy up to the gates of the Academy proper.

  “You know we can’t just go inside even with our background,” Mephina said, “We will need to make a request to the Academy first and have someone escort us to the Dean. Wouldn’t it be better if I sent a message to Sell and asked her to come meet with us?”

  “That girl won’t leave with you,” Lady Lerretha said, “And it’s not like we can take her away without informing the Academy.”

  I know all that, you difficult woman. Which is why I want to talk to her first. Won’t we just cause a giant scene this way?

  “Then how are we going to enter the Academy?” Mephina asked.

  “It’s already taken care of. You don’t have to worry about anything,” Lady Lerretha said.

  Already taken care of? Will Rell come to escort us? She doesn’t have that kind of authority, does she?

  “The Amyss family, you’re right on time. May I step inside?” A man’s voice reached them from outside as the carriage came to a stop in front of the Academy gates.

  “Of course,” Lady Lerretha said, reaching over to open the door with a polite smile plastered on her face. “Elder Kilth, thank you for your help on this matter.”

  “It’s nothing difficult at all,” Elder Kilth said with a chuckle as he stepped inside the carriage. He nodded toward Mephina and Dorello and greeted them politely. “Even if I am now a member of the Council, I still remember my roots. How could I not offer some help to the Amyss family on such an important matter.”

  “We will surely remember this help, Elder Kilth,” Lady Lerretha said, still with that polite smile that seemed very unnatural to Mephina.

  Why is someone from the Kilth family here to help us? He is even a member of the Council…

  If I remember correctly, he should be a previous member of the Shields. Is Lord Hesfym really so desperate for things to proceed smoothly that he even called in someone like that just to escort us?

  The carriage started moving and entered the Academy without issue.

  “I’ve already instructed the driver on where to go, so there won’t be any problems,” Elder Kilth said.

  “Elder Kilth,” Mephina said with some hesitation, “I am very thankful for your help. But shouldn’t we arrange a meeting with the Headmaster? Or at least with Dean Lukas?”

  “The Headmaster is unavailable at the moment,” Elder Kilth said, shaking his head, “And even though I don’t come close to the Headmaster in authority here, I can at least help a Royal family get their family member back.”

  “I see,” Mephina said, nodding slowly.

  Is he really unavailable? I had hoped to talk to him. That brat Adion is his disciple, after all. There could be a chance that he would be willing to put a stop to this.

  Even if I think it is unlikely, at least I’d be willing to accept that there are no more options if he didn’t want to get involved.

  “Is it really fine to take her home?” Mephina questioned. She felt all of this was moving a little too smoothly. “Princess Sellitha is an important student, after all.”

  “Mephina,” Lady Lerretha warned her with a cold voice, still with a fake smile.

  “Haha,” Elder Kilth laughed, “Don’t worry about that, Lady Mephina. Normally, this would be quite the process, but seeing as it involves the Amyss family and you have arrived here personally with so many important people, I don’t feel it is appropriate to make this matter too difficult for you. The Academy doesn’t want to get involved in this matter. We protect the students from harm, but we don’t keep them here against their will, and we don’t separate them from their families by force.”

  “What if she doesn’t want to leave?” Mephina asked.

  “That’s not something to involve others in,” Lady Lerretha said, “We will handle our family business privately. I’m sorry about this, Elder Kilth. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to help. The Amyss family won’t forget this favor.”

  “It’s only a small thing, and I could use the sunlight,” Elder Kilth said with a polite smile.

  Mephina turned to look at Dorello, hoping to see some suspicion from him. But he was just staring out the window, appearing to be reminiscing about his own time at the Academy long ago.

  This doesn’t sit right with me. I have a bad feeling for some reason.

  It didn’t take long for the carriage to arrive outside of Sell’s dorm room. Mephina was mostly lost in her thoughts as Lady Lerretha and Elder Kilth were occupied by small talk.

  “I will go in and talk to her first,” Mephina said, opening the carriage door and stepping outside.

  “There is no need for that. We will all go,” Lady Lerretha objected.

  “You know about Sell’s temper,” Mephina said, “And she won’t be happy with this. If you want to avoid making a scene that will spread all over the Academy, I am the one with the best chance of succeeding. Let me talk to her first. She will probably at least listen to me before doing anything stupid.”

  Lady Lerretha paused for a while before turning away from Maphina and said, “Very well. Make it quick.”

  “Good,” Mephina said, closing the door behind her.

  Do I really have a chance of convincing her? I don’t think so…

  How can this possibly end well?