On St Elicia’s Academy and the big city…

  “Saint Elicia!?” Anna blurts out, her eyes widening in surprise before she quickly reins herself back in. “Umm… Saint Elicia isn’t a Devata like Miss Alcadeias… right?”

  “Not to my knowledge,” I reply thoughtfully, cupping my chin. “She’s a Human, just like us.”

  “Oh, silly me! You told me before there aren’t any dungeons or monsters in your world…”

  “Yeah. She’s the stuff of legends, though!”

  Anna tilts her head slightly. “How so?”

  “Centuries ago in my world, she was a patron of a Church whose clergy sailed east alongside her to spread the holy word of their holy God,” I answer with a smile. “She founded the Academy to teach people how to read and write… and after she passed on, her successors named it after her.”

  “That’s very noble…” Anna remarks softly, her eyes bright with admiration. “I’ve heard of healers and paladins from our Order doing something like that, too! They travel to towns and villages on the mainland to set up schools and temples or lend a hand to the ones already there, all to help the people. Mom says their good works make the world a kinder place!”

  I nod, a warm smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. “Yup. That’s the kinda work that really matters. Have you ever thought about dedicating your life to something like that?”

  “Maybe when I’m older… and wiser. When I’ve got that same weariness that Mom carries in her eyes. Right now… I want to see the world with you, Arisa.”

  “Me too, Anna…” I answer, my voice soft with a gentle warmth, like sunlight through icy skies. “But yeah – that’s the founding myth of my school! Part of my job as Student Council President involves memorising such trivia. On that front… I’ve got plenty to give!”

  “Student Council… President?” Anna repeats curiously, the words rolling off her tongue like they’re exotic and alien. “Oh my! Is that a noble title in your world? Are you perhaps the Ecclesiarch of this ‘St Elicia’s Academy’ of yours?”

  I blink, tilting my head slightly at Anna’s question. “Kinda? It’s more of an elected position.”

  “…elected? What does that mean?”

  “Enough of my fellow students decided I was the right person for the job. They voted for me – and I got more votes than the others!”

  “Ah! So, what do you do for your subjects?” Anna asks, her face flushing red as she realises her slip-up. “Oh! I mean, umm… your fellow students!”

  “I look after their interests and needs with the faculty,” I answer, cupping my chin as I think it over. “Oh, and I also keep things running smoothly on campus with the help of my fellow councillors. It can get a little hectic sometimes!”

  “And you’ve done well, I trust?”

  I nod, the weight of old memories settling quietly in my chest. “I’d like to think so. I gave it everything I had. It wasn’t my choice or what I wanted to do when I started… but I warmed up to the job. Eventually.”

  “You didn’t want to be… what was it again?” Anna asks, tilting her head slightly, curiosity flickering in her eyes as she tries to recall the term. “Student Council… umm… President?”

  “Student Council President, yeah. Honestly, I didn’t even want the damn job,” I say with a silly grin. “The whole thing started as a stupid joke by my friends.”

  “Joke? What do you mean?”

  “They thought it’d be funny if someone like me became Student Council President… since it’s such a prim and proper role! So, they snuck my name onto the ballot.”

  “Oh my! And your teachers allowed it?”

  “Yeah. They must’ve thought it was hilarious. My just desserts for pissing them off too much,” I answer, rolling my eyes skyward at the sheer absurdity of it all. “I had a few run-ins with them before. Y’know… sneaking past the school gates after the bell, getting into the odd fight… stuff like that.”

  “That seems a little shallow of them…” Anna says, her voice soft with concern. “But maybe they wanted you to be better, Arisa. Like what you are right now! As for your friends…”

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Shit, you’re gonna say they believed in me to lead St Elicia’s?”

  “Yup!”

  “Those idiots!? Doubtful.”

  Anna shakes her head with a knowing smile. “Maybe they’re just shy about admitting their admiration of you, Arisa. Like I was with my love for you until we fought Miss Alcadeias. When I saw what you did to protect me… I didn’t want to hide my feelings for you any longer.”

  “Good grief, Anna…” I say, smiling sheepishly as I scratch the back of my head. “That’s so mushy… and I fucking love it!”

  “And I love you too, Arisa…” Anna adds sweetly, leaning in to peck my cheek. “So, maybe they’re shy about telling you how they really feel.”

  “Heh. If you ever meet them… they’re gonna love you so damn much.”

  “You think so?”

  “I don’t see why not!” I answer with a playful wink and a grin to match. “You’re as sweet as they come. And so damn sincere…”

  “Aren’t you as well?” Anna asks, her eyes narrowing slyly, a cheeky smile on her lips. “Considering all the sweet nothings you say to me so lovingly every day…”

  I nod, a soft smile spreading across my lips – warm and sure. “I am. Always.”

  We watch the waves roll in and out… their gentle hush filling the space between us. Silences like this oughta be awkward – but with Anna, they never are. With her, it just feels… right.

  “So, how did you win this… ‘election’ of yours for Student Council President?” Anna asks, her voice gently breaking the quietness between us. “You said you got more votes than the others who wanted the title?”

  “I won it by… honestly? I’m not sure, even now,” I say, tapping my chin as I try to remember. “My friends helped with the posters – they made me look way cooler than I actually am. I gave speeches, made big promises… it was a lotta work!”

  “Ooh! You sound like you really got into it.”

  “Yeah, I guess I did!” I admit with a sheepish grin, scratching the back of my head. “Though, to be fair… it helped that one of the other candidates really pissed me off! I couldn’t stand her smug little smirk or how she talked down to me.”

  “Oh my…”

  I cross my arms with a playful huff, leaning back just a bit. “That little push from her got me working on my campaign double-time! Spite and anger – turns out they’re pretty great fuel.”

  “And love as well, right?” Anna offers, her eyes bright with that earnest warmth of hers. “It’s not just anger – you care about your friends and your school too, don’t you?”

  “Maybe…” I answer, my smile curling just a little, playful and coy. “I was really, really pissed off… but after my anger cooled off, there was something else that kept me running to the finish line.”

  “And with that ‘something else’ guiding your thoughts and deeds… you went on to rule your people wisely and kindly?” Anna asks sweetly, her eyes sparkling with admiration. “As Student Council President, I mean! And umm… oh my! That title of yours does roll off the tongue…”

  “Yeah. I like to think I did!” I reply with a cheeky grin. “And I think it made me a better person too. Made the less awesome parts of me a little more awesome.”

  “Indeed! You can’t get into fights when you’re the one meant to keep the peace.”

  “Yup. All about leading by example. And you’re right – it’s been ages since I’ve gotten into a fistfight over something stupid. Been too busy with my duties.”

  “If you ruled with the same dedication you’ve shown in guiding me…” Anna muses sweetly, her smile soft with love. “You must be an amazing Student Council President! The very best… like no one ever was.”

  I can’t help but smile in turn, warmth creeping into my cheeks as we gaze into each other’s eyes. Gotta admit – it’d be massively inconvenient if old Xarak and his Mer-men raiders showed up right now. But they haven’t! Credit where credit’s due.

  But yeah. I think I’ve done alright for myself and everyone in St Elicia’s, all things considered. Even if I didn’t want the job to begin with, I really threw myself into it once I had it. Even if it meant less time for my old life – my rooftop hangouts with friends who suited my delinquent streak far better, it was a chance for something new.

  Honestly, I’m still pretty squeamish when it comes to new experiences. Getting thrown into something unfamiliar always knocks me off balance, and learning to adapt – to rise and face those challenges with a smile and clear head, knowing I’m not alone – never comes easy. It’s a part of me I’m constantly struggling with… I daresay for the rest of my life.

  But as I like to say, now that I’ve lived and learned from my fears… why the hell not? You only live once. So, might as well make it count and do what you gotta do! But even then, I gotta keep reminding myself that I got this... even when my doubts linger.

  “Helping others must be your calling in life,” Anna remarks warmly, leaning in again to embrace me tightly. “Whether it’s my world or yours… you just have that spark!”

  “It does feel that way, huh?” I reply with a wry grin, wrapping my arms around Anna and pulling her close. “I’m just glad I’m doing my best with you. But I also wonder sometimes…”

  Once again, my gaze drifts out to the quiet, ever-shifting waves of the Silent Sea.

  “Who am I really, Anna? I’m a Healer, a Hero… the Student Council President of St Elicia’s… and I’m…”

  I trail off, unsure how to finish. I’ve lived through so much between worlds – between my own and Nisha, between St Elicia’s Academy and the Order of Selene, between my sleepy village and the bustling city, between delinquent and Student Council President… and now, between an old timeline and a new one. Every step forward has changed me, for better or worse.

  Good grief. Trying to keep up with who I used to be, who I am right now, and who I’m becoming… it’s all getting a bit… complicated. Just a bit. And I…

  “I know who you are. Remember what I said earlier?” Anna says, her voice sweet like sugar as she slides closer, wrapping her arm around my shoulder. “You’re Arisa Ishii! All those parts of you… they’re you. And to me, you’re everything.”

  “Sheesh!” I exclaim, throwing up my hands in playful defeat. “Really now! Anna! When did you get so good at sweet-talking me?”

  “What can I say?” Anna chimes, her giggle soft and sweet before she plants another kiss on my cheek. “I’ve got the best teacher in that field. Even better than Mom and Second Mom!”

  “Oh, Anna…”

  The waves of the Silent Sea roll on, calm and steady… each one carrying us closer to the Holy City. It’s still a peaceful journey – the first step down a well-worn path of Prophecy, once more.