Volume 1: Side Story- Celine 1
[A/N: Before you start the story, I would like to say welcome. If you are new to the novel, then I hope you enjoy my work. And I would suggest you to start the story from Volume 1 and come back to read the side stories on the Auxiliary Volume when you are done with a Volume. These stories will be short stories that will breathe life and story into the characters. Some stories will talk about their past, about their fears, their happiness and some will be an extension of an existing chapter on the Volumes. The story will be told from that person's POV.
PS. You don't even need to read these stories per se. But I do hope you read them. They might make you love the characters more. Thank you for reading so far! Now here is the story <3]
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Volume 1: Side Story- Celine 1
Celine's First Day~
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Lunar Severance Calendar Year 1209- In front of the Royal Knight Academy~
3rd Day of the Second Month~
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It was the start of a new session of the academy. All the new cadets were converging in a field, which was meant for the opening ceremony. Two hundred new cadets get admitted to the academy per year . Among them, most are the progeny of the noble houses. If one is an heir to a noble house, then they have to graduate from the academy as a requirement, to inherit their titles.
The nobles heirs are few in number, but the younger generation from the branch families or younger offspring of the main houses also get to attend the academy. But all of them have to go through a test. This academy is the most prestigious in the country. They don't accept just anyone. One needs to show a certain level of talent, if one wants to enter.
Commoners are usually not allowed to take the exam, but there are exceptions. If a commoner has a sponsor, like a rich merchant, a noble family that can vouch for their talents. Or simply a recommendation letter from an alumnus, can get even a commoner a spot for the examination.
And yes, discrimination is not uncommon here. After all, the place is mostly filled with noble's children, it is natural for them to disdain the commoners, who will only end up serving one of their houses. But that's not important here today. Because today, in front of the academy stood a red-headed petite girl, who seemed like a fish out of water.
And she was....
Celine Royce Battle-born, grand daughter of the current Head of the house Battle-born. Her personality was so meek that, no one would believe if she claimed to be a Battle-born.
Battle-borns are known for their fiery personality and hunger for combat. And the worst part about them was, the more you battle, the stronger they appear. It has something to do with their bloodline, that induces adrenaline every time they clash with someone. But yes, after the battle they will sleep for a long time, maybe even weeks.
But Celine was a quiet girl, who didn't have any idea what she should do. She came from the North, and this was the first time she came to the Capital. There was no one attending her, as she was not a 'True Battle-born' that's what she has heard while growing up. Even though, she was the Head's grand daughter and practically a princess, but no one respected her.
Her own mother only trained her and told her what to do, but she never experienced the love of her family. She doesn't know who her father is. But it was apparent he wasn't part of the Battle-born family. This caused her treatment to be even worse. No one dared to harm her as she was still a princess, but she never felt warmth from anyone.
She wasn't as good as her cousins. She wasn't even as strong as the branch members. Usually Battle-borns don't send their youngs to the academy, because they feel it's lacking in the brutality of the world. So, they only ever sent their heirs for one year to get the approval of the academy. So, Celine was a special case.
Celine's mother lost all hope of her ever awakening like a Battle-born. Sp, she told her daughter to go and study in the capital where people were, more ordinary…
And here she was, staring at the enormous academy, feeling lost. She had tears in her eyes and felt she should just disappear and stop being a bother to people. Being depressed, she was leaning against a tree at the back, facing the ground. There was an ant trail, and she was observing it intently.
' Even you little ants have a family...;'
She was about to cry, but right then…
She felt a warm aura enveloping the surrounding. It was so fuzzy and cozy, she was surprised. Her daze broke when a boy around her age came to her and asked worriedly, "My lady, is everything okay? Are you feeling unwell? I can take you to the infirmary if the need arises."
She snapped out of her stupor and gazed at the person talking to her. It was a boy with golden hair shining under the sun. He had blue eyes that reminded her of a clear blue sky. He showed a worried expression and that made her blush.
She felt happy knowing that someone was worried about her. So she hurriedly said in a meek voice, "I-I-I am f-fi-ine. No need t-to wor-ry, my lord."
She couldn't believe that she stuttered. And she remembered that she forgot to thank the boy for his troubles. But when she was about to do just that. She froze.
The boy she was talking to had the most radiant smile while saying, " Thank the deities above, I am glad you are fine. Now let us make haste, my lady. We wouldn't want to be late for our very first day, now would we?"
Saying so, the boy extended his hand for her to hold. She unconsciously held the hand and thought, 'It's so warm'
A smile started forming on her face, and she happily replied for the first time in years, "YES!"
And then proceeded towards the ceremony.
The boy of course was Lucian. Later known as….