Chapter 27: Melody of the Past

I then left plain boy and four-eyed guy at Russell's waiting room. And now I'm going back to the arena, since the next fight, after the one happening now, is my turn.

A yawn left my mouth, as I walked the way to the Arena of Block A, when someone bumped to me. 

"Sorry!" said the person who I bumped to and I as well said, "Sorry…" before looking up and saw a dark-blue haired middle aged man.

Even if someone didn't tell me this guy's name or identity, I do know it.

"Lorenz Torthen…" his name unconsciously left my mouth, which made the guy smile, "So your highness knows me?" 

I gasped.

"Ah, yes! I have heard of you from my father. He used to boast about you, saying you were a very genius person" 

I should at least keep a façade like this. After all,  if I were to get frustrated and unleash my anger to him right now, I'll surely get in trouble…

He smiled.

"I'm glad to be acknowledged by the young prince and his imperial majesty" placing his head on his chest, he bowed his head down to me.

Good for you that you were acknowledge easily by someone, when you can't even acknowledge your own son.

I gasped, and quickly changed my stern face into a smile, which in turn he replied with an obvious fake smile.

"Well, then. It is time for me to go" he turned his back against me and waved,  "I hope we meet again, your highness" 

Out of a sudden, my hand moved on its own and pulled his sleeves, just before he could go that far. 

"Your highness?" he mumbled, as I glared at him.

…

Whilst touching my head, I sighed and mumbled, "What was I thinking saying such thing to that guy?" 

They say that there's no point giving common sense to someone lunatic, like that bastard, yet I…

A sigh left my mouth, once again. 

"Ed-kun, are you fine?" a familiar voice asked from behind, which made jolt and let a loud voice, "Ah!" out.

Looking back, there I saw the lavender girl looking at me.

  "Are you ok?" she repeated and I sighed in relief, before answering, "Yeah, I'm fine. How about you?"

The answer I got back was her averting my eyes, whilst fidgeting.

Seems like she's not ready, yet… I sighed again. My opponent for the third round is this timid lavender girl, Anna Kirthyln.

At first, I couldn't believe that she managed to reach the 3rd round.

Her opponent for the first round didn't arrive on time and Anna's victory was a bit forcefully declared.

While, her opponent for the second round surrendered, as he soon saw Anna's face, which got me thinking, "He lost thanks to her face" 

I guess miracle can happen twice…

The lavender girl spoke up, "I-if you were fine, then why were you sighing and grunting like that, earlier?" 

I remained silent, and remembered the words I've told Forth's Father.

"Don't underestimate your son. After all, I, the third Imperial Prince find him more favorable than you, Sir Lorenz" 

Really… Why have I done something that will surely anger him!

A sigh left my mouth, before I said, "It's really nothing, Anna" whilst touching my head and looking away from me.

"If you say so… T-then!" 

Hmm?

...

"The next fight is between our third Imperial Prince, Edward Finn von Collins and the lucky girl, Anna Kirthyln. Battle Ready…Start!" 

Such words from Shiro made Anna's trembles became more… it's up to you, whether what became more.

Earlier, the lavender girl asked me if I would mind if she surrendered, which made me think twice.

After all, it is a given fact that she will lose, if miracle won't happen thrice for her…

Well, I had refused her. More or less, Reina appeared out of a sudden and told me to refuse her offer.

There's also that, but somehow, I got the feeling that I shouldn't allow her.

A minute or two passed and neither one of us had moved an inch, which in turn made the audience shout things like, "Hurry Up!!"

Anna then fixed her composure and took a deep breath in, before shouting, "Ed-kun, you can go ahead and defeat me!!" 

The timid lavender girl just shouted, huh?

My lips formed a smirk and I then went on, rushing to her strike zone.

…

The fight ended with my win and Anna didn't even fought back. 

"Really, it's Gino's fault that such girl like her had to go ahead and join all tournaments. Next time, I'll scold that guy"

Whilst mumbling so, I soon reached Anna's waiting room, which I entered with a knock and found her drinking tea.

Turning to me, she then smiled and greeted, "Hello, Ed-kun!" 

"How nice, you are that happy even though you lose" mumbling so, I went ahead and took a sit beside her. 

She then looked down and mumbled, "Sorry…" 

"It's fine. After all, I didn't say it with an intention to scold you" hearing such words from me made the lavender girl smile.

She then stood up and asked, "Would you like a tea" which got me nodding, like a kid.

Because of the quarrel she and Reina had, I managed to get along with Anna, to the point that she can talk with me fine and loud.

Well, her polite way of talking doesn't change, though…

I spared a glance over the back of the lavender girl, who was making tea for me and, a giggle left my mouth. 

"Hmm, whats wrong Ed-kun?" she asked and I answered, "Just thinking that no matter how much someone or something changes, some things still stay the same

She giggled and mumbled, "What's with you out of a sudden?"

"Just thinking that even though we've started to talk much like this, you still talk to me politely"

With those words, the lavender girl put on a freaked out face and asked, "Is it bad? Do you perhaps hate me acting like that?" 

I shook my head and smiled at her, which made her sigh in relief.

Whilst looking at the lavender girl, who got all happy and calm with my words, words left my mouth on its own, "Don't you change, Anna…" 

"Did you say something?" she tilted her head to the side and I grinned, "Nope!" 

She asked, "You sure?" and I drank the tea, all at once, before answering, "Yeah.  Well, if you wouldn't mind I will be going now"

Anna nodded, but when I was about to go, she quickly grabbed my sleeve, making me utter her name, "Anna?" whilst turning my head to look at her.

"You wouldn't change, as well" 

Eh?

"I think that your smile wouldn't change, no matter how much you've grown. I believe that it will still be as kind, as now" 

Whilst saying those words, she slowly looked down with her face getting redder, which made me smiled and mumbled, "Is that so?"

Anna quietly nodded, with her face still red.

"Why the heck are you two flirting over here?" a familiar angry voice said, making me jump with, "Waahh!!!" 

A girl with crimson hair was there.

"Why are you that surprise?" she asked, with a bit pissed off face and I asked back, "It's nothing. Wait, why are you here?" 

With a blush appearing over her face, she stated, "I came to visit Anna, of course" 

"Thank you, Reina-chan" Anna smiled and Reina let out a smug face, whilst saying, "You're welcome" 

This two really had gotten more closer after that incident, and Reina seemed to have softened a bit.

"What are you smirking about? You're creepy" such words from her made me whined down, as usual.

I was wrong. After all, she is only kind to Anna.

"Reina-chan, would you like a tea?" the lavender girl asked, which made the crimson girl nod, like a kid, "Can I?" 

Anna then went to brew tea for her.

I tapped the crimson girl's shoulder, as we sat down the sofa, whilst looking at Anna, which made her ask, "What?"

"I was thinking, just why did you thought of not joining the Royal Battle, back then" my words made her look at me, before looking back at Anna.

"Because I didn't want her to see that form" she stated and I asked, "But, that form of yours won't appear as long as you don't get that angry, right?" 

She nodded.

"And it's not like your anger is guaranteed to occur, at the Royal Battle" hearing my words, the crimson girl nodded, "You're right…" 

She then thought of it for a second.

"I do remember having someone tell me that I shouldn't join the Royal Battle, because I might awaken that form of mine.

But, I don't remember who told me that and when was I told of that" 

Hmm.

"Here's your tea" the lavender girl came and gave the crimson girl her tea, which made her smile, "Thanks" before taking a sip.

Anna asked, "What were you two talking about?" which made me and Reina to look at each other.

"Nothing" Reina took another sip and Anna asked, "Are you sure?" which I answered, "Yep! It was just a mere idle talk" 

…

After a few minutes, I left the two of them and went on a walk. 

I was not into the mood of watching the next fight, so I went around and as I arrived at the fountain, where we all met up during the ghost search, I saw Russell there.

He was looking up at the fountain, whilst standing still with a blank space, so I called out to him, "Hey, Russell!"

The plain boy then turned to look at me, and his blank face turned into a soft smile, as soon as he saw me and mumbled, "Ed"

"What are you doing here?" I asked and he answered, "Nothing, I was just reminiscing about things" whilst looking back the fountain.

I mumbled, "Reminiscing…"

"Ed" the plain boy called and looked at me. Somehow, the his face seemed sad and lonely, so I called him, "Russell?" as if I wanted to bring him back.

The plain boy gasped. 

"It's nothing. Why don't we go back to our room? You won't be watching the fights, right?" he asked and I nodded.

"Are yours finished already?" I asked and the plain boy nodded, so I smiled and said, "Then, let us go!" 

…

Later that night, I went out. 

I wasn't able to sleep, since Russell's face when he looked at the fountain, and when he was about to tell me something were stuck on my mind.

I thought of asking him about it, but I doubt that I would get an answer.

Somehow, my feet brought me to the fountain I saw Russell at earlier, and now the lavender girl was the one there, whilst singing.

I had thought of it, since I first heard her sing. That her voice can truly captivate the heart of anyone who hears it. 

The melody gave image to the song, and the lyrics gave story.

Somehow, it was like she was telling me a story and it also felt like I was watching it like a movie.

For some reason, I got touched and cried to her song. 

"Eh? Ed-kun, why are you crying? Are you alright?" as soon as she saw me, the lavender girl panicked.

I wiped my tears and said, "I'm fine. Somehow, when I listened to your song, tears came on and flowed out" 

"It's my fault!" she panicked and I told her, "Anna, calm down! It's not your fault!" as she started trembling.

A giggle left my mouth, making the girl gasp, followed by the words, "You really love singing, don't you?" 

"That is my way to express myself, after all" she sat down. 

She patted the bench like she was telling me to sit beside her, and smiled. "Ed-kun, how about I show you something great?" 

  "Something great?"

She nodded, "Yep! Wait a minute" before she stood off the bench, and took a deep breath in and out. 

"Come, Spirits" crossing her fingers together, as if she was praying, such words left her mouth as a quiet whisper.

Spirits..?

Soon, small lights surrounded Anna. It was dark around, so it made her stand out more than anything.

Beautiful…

I gasped and cleared my throat, "Ahem!" 

"Are they what you call lesser spirits?" I asked, as I stood beside her and she explained, "Yes. Lesser spirits are the types of spirits that are more willing to help the humans" 

She smiled, as if she just remembered some good memories.

"You see, my Element is useless when it comes to offense, so I always get help from the Spirits, like this" 

I looked at all of the lights around her that represents a lesser spirit.

"Spirits take something in exchange, right? Do they take your ether?" with my question, she nodded.

"At first, they did. But, as time passed and as I got along with them, they started to ask for my song, instead" 

You sing for them, in exchange for their help, huh?

Anna then started humming, which made the lights around her sway like they were told to do so.

Her voice has the power to move humans' hearts and spirits' hearts, as well. Somehow, that's a bit scary…

Whilst listening to her song, memories came flowing back. 

Like how I met the others and the thing that helped us all get along and know each other. The we did the first day.

A laugh left my mouth, as I remembered how Mister Gustav coughed that day.

The ghost search we did, the planning we did for that, and the two weeks we spent with that mysterious girl, Elia.

I even remembered the day Reina consulted me about their quarrel and also the study group we had. And now, the royal battle…

Even though, we've been together for long enough, we are just starting to know each other. 

Like how we learnt about the crimson girl's secret about herself, and the problem the four-eyed guy was suffering from. 

Surely, many more hurdles like this will come. Many more walls that we need to overcome will appear in the middle of the path. 

That will be the same for me, Anna, Kirt too, Russell, Gino, and of course Forth and Reina. 

Still, we will surely be walking the same path, even if the ends of our paths will be different for us all. 

"Hey, Anna?" I mumbled and she asked, "What's wrong?" 

I looked up the sky, whilst leaning my back over the bench and asked her, "What would you do if all of us got separated for some reasons"

"Bring us all back..?" 

I scoffed and fixed my way of sitting, before asking her, "How?" in a teasing and kinda annoying tone.

"W-well, I will first locate where you are all and gather us all in one place" that answer of her got me pressing my chin.

I flicked my fingers and said, "Then, what if we had fought because of some misunderstandings? We wouldn't go gathering, right?" 

She looked so confused, which is enough to make me burst out to laughter.

"You're making it too complicated, Ed-kun!" she complained and made me unable to subside my laughs.

She pouted.

"Well, if that's it. Then, I will sing my heart out!" she slapped her chest and I mumbled, "Sing your heart out..?" as I repeated her words.

Anna nodded.

"If I were to put on my feelings, I am sure that everyone will understand it. And we will reconcile!" 

She smiled a bit boastfully, making me grab my stomach and laugh out loud.

"Eh..? E-Ed kun?" as if a lunatic was the one in front of her, the lavender girl called me with a freaked tone.

I smiled.

"Sorry, I was just a bit happy by that. I hope it goes well, your plan. When such time comes, I will really be leaving the reconciliation to you" 

She gasped, and smiled. "Leave it to me!" 

When that time comes, huh?

I'm kinda curious on what song she's sing at that time. But well, I still hope that we won't be torn apart from each other, though.

"By the way, Anna! Where did you learn to sing?" I asked and she answered, "From my mother" 

"I learned in books that Gothiceln Kingdom is known for its songstresses" I stated and she nodded, "Yes!"

"I remember among of it was a woman called the Goddess of Music, right?" 

My words then made the lavender girl look away and mumble,"That's my mom… Goddess of Music, Neraida Kirthyln" 

I remained silent for a minute.

  "She's your mom?!" I exclaimed and she nodded. "I can't believe it…" fixing my face, I mumble so and she laughed, "I'm often told so" breath by breath.

…

We talked for a bit, as we walked to the dorms. 

And as we reached the parting ways of the boys' dorms and girls' dorms, we bid goodbye to each other.

This time, I managed to clear off my worries and managed to sleep, so now I am inside a dream.

"Hey, are you listening?" a black-haired boy asked me and I looked at him, before looking down the ground.

The usual dream, huh?

"Sorry, I was spacing out a bit" I smiled, to make my excuse sound true, and the black-haired boy sighed, "Sheesh…" 

Rubbing the back of my head, I asked him, "What were you saying?" 

"I was asking you about the thing you just told me" he stated and I mumbled, "I told you..?" whilst pressing my chin.

He sighed and said, "The thing with your memories as a 5 year old" 

"You told me that you don't have any clear memories when you were 5, right?" he stated, as he looked at me with a bit angry face.

I looked away and said, "I think I kinda told you…"

"You don't remember? It's just a matter of minutes yet, you know" he stated and I laughed it off, making him sigh.

Well… 

"I was 5 back then, so isn't it just natural that I can't remember anything" whilst mumbling so, I rubbed my cheek.

And he nodded.

"It might be, but its making me curious. Can you tell me what you remember, when you were a kid…?" 

He once called me by another name, before finishing his question off. But, as usual I didn't hear it clearly, as if something is restricting me from it. 

As if I was restricting myself from knowing the truth….

…

Round 4 came, as the morning light shone. 

"Now, let us start the first fight of the day! Battle, Ready…Start!" the red haired mc shouted, making the audience excited today, as well.

My opponent spoke up, "I assume you know me, right? Edward Finn von Collins!" which made me shook my head and say, "No, I don't" 

Who the heck is this guy? Do I know him?

"What the!" he gasped, before he flipped his bangs up, "I am Ferdinand Cert von Gangrelfield, the crown prince of Kingdom of Forthenor!" 

I don't know this guy, but he annoys me a lot.

As he continues to nag about himself, I took the chance and won by striking his unguarded body. "Battle End, Winner Edward Finn von Collins!" Shiro said, as Frank fainted. 

"It's Ferdinand!" he complained. 

Now only 4 more rounds, and preliminary's done. 

To think that I managed to reach up to round 4…I guess, it was worth doing my best with this Royal Battle.

*

I kept on reading the documents. 

"Papa!" Elicia came bursting in my office, which made me nearly push the pile of papers, in front of me.

Fixing my own face and posture, I let a breath out.

"Hmm, what's wrong my princess?" I asked and she asked, "Is it true that they are coming back this fall?" 

"They? Oh you meant by your siblings…Yes they are" I nodded, as I smiled at her, which made Elicia's eyes widened in joy,

She jumped and celebrated, "Hurray!" 

"You really missed them, didn't you?" I stated and she nodded, "Yes! I'm happy that I can see them again!" 

"Then let's throw a banquet when they come back" I suggested and she agreed, "Yup, that's a good idea" 

I patted her head.

"Elicia-sama, where are you?" her personal maid, Hannah's voice was heard from the hallway, outside the room. 

My little princess turned to me and said, "It's Hannah"

  "Why don't you go over and meet her, surely she's worried" I stated and she went on, whilst waving to me, "Bye-bye Papa" who waved at her.

Sparing a glance over the sky, through the window behind me, I mumbled to myself, "I wish for their safe comeback…" before going back to the pile of documents.