2 - Raging Fire

Seconds passed and I haven’t felt anything but a pair of warm hands helping me to get up. Out of curiosity I opened my eyes and saw another Salamander in purple robe.

“The Salamanders’ Prince!” one shouted and the next thing I knew, all students, including Princess Pele are kneeling before him.

“Pardon your highness. But this is an official fight. You shouldn't interfere unless the heads told you to do.” the princess stood up, dusted off her knee and dress while keeping her knife with her other hand, gripping to it tighter than earlier.

The one they are calling prince looked at me, with his ruby eyes, I saw hints of sincerity, apology, regrets and a little bit of safeness?

“I have every single right to do so Pele Alva.” he raised his hand, snapped in an instant and Princess Pele's knife vanished.

Did he just control another Salamander's fire?! Or his own fire ate the princess'? Putting an end to it?

What he did left the princess speechless, and he let his red wings show its beauty, elevate in the air, stand in nothing while he’s still holding my hand.

Why is he dragging me?

“Listen Erutainees! Starting today and on wards, this school’s administration will be changed, from the masters and mistresses to the rules and everything. If Erutain is known to be the best school, in terms of producing fairies with unreachable strength, it is now the time that we will also focus on our well-being, mentality, and not just the physiques.” he firmly said that caused commotions from the students, mostly from those who are wearing purple robes.

“The hierarchy will remain, but no one shall take advantage of those who are lower than them.” he added and had a glimpse on me.

Is he thinking that I am that weak? I rolled my eyes secretly with that thinking.

If only Mother taught me some offensive attacks, this may not have happened.

I know my mana and power level. And I do hope that he would put me back down the soonest.

“If anyone is displeased with the changes, you can freely quit and take the school’s exit, and be sure not to come back here. Erutain will never be the same after this day.” he finished his speech and flew back down with me.

Again, his eyes were fixed on me, not minding Princess Pele who looked like trying to catch his attention.

To complain perhaps?

Two purple robe wearing students were already carrying the Gnome, heading to the biggest building I can see.

“Are you alright?” he bet his knees so that our eyes would meet.

“Thank y---“I was cut when I felt someone hugging me from the back.

It is none other than Aellah.

“You scared me Naia!” she exclaimed in worry.

“Naia?” the prince repeated my name, and so I knelt before him. He must have thought I am some ungrateful and disrespectful Yare.

“Naia Lysse your highness.” I introduced myself and he motioned me to stand up.

“Ignisen’s first prince, Rage Fierylus.” my eyes were about to fall off after hearing his name, specifically his last name.

According to books and records, and from my mother’s stories, the Fierylus’ bloodlines is the mightiest of all royal bloods! From the great battles they have won, to the last war’s victory they claimed.

The nations in Retheale were once against each other, the competition of who’s stronger made them clash from time to time, eventually leading up to a bloody war. Yet the Ignisen’s royal families came up with an agreement where the other families from three more nations agreed on. And so peace was found at last. Though they have retained one rule, that one must marry anyone but of the same race.

That’s where the conflict in my life begins. My mother is an Undine while my father was a Sylph soldier who died in the last war.

My Sylph characteristics are more dominant, so I was registered as one, but the curse Undines bear upon birth slowly manifested in me. And now I have to find the cure to it, or I’ll turn into blue ashes on the night of my next birthday.

“Miss Lysse?” my senses came back after Prince rage called me and Aellah nudged my arm.

“Sorry. I spaced out, but yes, I am fine. I am more worried about the Gnome earlier.” I responded.

“Don’t worry, for sure Headmistress Hyacinth is treating her.” he assured me and I sighed in relief.

“Are you sure you don’t need any healing?” he asked me again.

“Thank you, for saving me, everyone. I don’t have any idea that this school runs with that rule, survival?” I said and bowed my head.

“A royal blood’s duty is to reach out, not the other way around. Take rest, tomorrow is the new beginning here in Erutain. Register at the main office at once and they will assign your dorm room.” he gently said and we once again bowed to him.

“Thank you again your highness.” I uttered and he gave me a faint smile.

“See you tomorrow.” he said as he turned his back to us.

We started walking back to Erutain’s main building when Aellah screamed.

“Thought you’ll be dead earlier! But it turned out that a prince would save you! I am now calling you lucky!!!” she said as if she’s not breathing again.

I shook my head.

“I have never imagined that kind of horror here in Eltia.” I said with in disappointment.

I am well aware of the unfair treatment Yares can sometimes receive, but knowing an institution, allowing that kind of treatment here, I am beyond mad.

Mother said that Retheale and its people are beautiful in their own. Conflicts only exist because of how most people let differences matter more than the similarities.

Yet, what I have seen and experienced earlier can’t be describe just by saying ugly, or any other words similar to it.

“I am thinking of going home for good.” I said to Aellah.

She just finished registering our names and getting our rooms.

“What? No? you can’t back out!” she held my hand tightly.

“Are you afraid?” she asked me.

“No. Death won’t scare me, I have prepared myself for that for years, but I just can’t stand seeing that kind of cruelty again.” I exclaimed.

I might find myself in the middle of trouble again if I’ll stay here.

“That’s not even the worst case you’ll see if you’re going to visit every nation.” I can hear the sadness in her tone.

“If you don’t like what happened here, you must stay, and fight alongside Prince Rage. I am also against the discrimination Yares experience, and heard that Prince Rage is on his way of changing Retheale’s culture. He started it in their kingdom, in his previous school. He was successful somehow, the very reason why I decided to enter Erutain, even if I know the survival rule here.” Almost teary eyed, Aellah hugged me and let out soft sobs.

I hugged her back.

Maybe I should think of it tonight.

“Alright. I’ll think about it and will decide tomorrow.” I tried to sound cheerful as Aellah started wiping her tears.

“Let’s find our room now. I’m hungry and tired.” she complained and I laughed. The quick change of the ambience.

The sky turned bluish now and the three moons appeared before our eyes. Numerous students are still wandering around Erutain, and some are even talking about the incident earlier.

“I told you, Prince Rage will do what he did in Ignisen here.” one said.

“We are lucky enough to be born in his era.” in his tone and looks, I bet he’s a Yare.

“But don’t you think the Feyas will protest against him?” one Undine asked, full of worry.

Changing the ideology of a whole planet can’t be done in a snap. It would take more than one’s strength, determination, power, it requires one pure heart and sincerity too.

As we continued walking, I try everything I can to hide my face when royal bloods are passing by us. I know they might think I triggered the prince’s ideology earlier. Turning to me isn’t an impossible situation.

Speaking of which, I wonder where Princess Pele is. I hope we won’t cross paths again sooner. I am 100% sure that she now holds this big grudge on me, after I interrupted her battle with the Gnome, and after Prince Rage’s declaration of school policy and rule’s reconstruction, I doubt if she’ll let me live here soundly.

I still can’t get Aellah’s words and story out of my mind. I am not a Feya,

I am not powerful enough to meddle in this crucial situation, I am a mere Yare but my heart really wants to stand up for every non royal blooded fairies.

This isn’t the world Mother planted in my mind that we have. What I looked forward in exploring was far beautiful than what was shown to me on my first day in the capital. The books Mother kept and told me to read must have been filtered? Or what I have believed in all my life were lies, fictions? Or the world grew uglier after the last war, perhaps the fairies who turned into scums caused this havoc and wreckage.

“Never turn your back in any battle Naia…..” as if Mother heard and saw everything that I have witnessed today.

To fight along the Salamanders’ first prince….. Maybe I should give it a try?