Lithanya was back in the palace, in the library and going through the history of The Investigator’s Academy. She wanted to know more about this academy before Thursday. She also wanted to know the rules since she heard that they were really strict when it came to following the rules.

  Yaithra came into the room with the white and red patterned envelope in her hand. “Lithanya, a letter from Emperor Huang.”, she sat next to Lithanya.

  Lithanya immediately took the envelope, ripped it open and pulled out the paper.

  Good afternoon

  Your sister can accompany you as your right hand knight during your time in the academy. You don’t need to bring your clothes or accessories because everything will be provided. You can bring at least one small weapon. When you arrive on Thursday, your servant will take you to get your uniform, books and weapons on Thursday and Friday. Please be at the academy at exactly nine o’ clock in the morning. And please be on time because we’re particular with time.

  Emperor Huang

  Lithanya finished reading the longest letter she had ever received. She looked at Yaithra who was waiting for her to answer. Lithanya gave Yaithra the letter to read because it was too long. Yaithra took it and started reading it thoroughly while Lithanya was gone back to reading the academy.

  It took Yaithra five minutes to read the entire letter because she wanted to digest all the information in her mind.

  “I’ll definitely be accompanying you because I don’t want to see you getting hurt by the Huang family. You know our relationship with that family and I don’t trust that family.”, Yaithra mentioned.

  Lithanya nodded. “I’m definitely avoiding that family at all costs. Have no intentions on being around them after what they did many years ago”

  “I’ll never forget what they did to you, especially Shilin’s son.”, she placed the paper on the dark purple wooden table.

  Lithanya would never forget those years and that one specific night. “So, we’ve less than three days to relax. I’m going through the history and the reputation of the academy. The senior investigators are very strict on the junior investigators and students. They expect you to know ten spells and one section of twenty-five pages by the end of the week.”, she explained.

  Yaithra blinked a few times. “Then what’ll happen to the people who are from Mortalis and Tellus? You and the heirs of the royal families in these two worlds aren’t born with powers. It’s going to take you longer to master the powers because your body first needs spiritual power first in order to use the other powers.”, she explained.

  “I’ve a feeling that Shilin is going to separate the students into two groups, upper class and lower class. That’s how I’m seeing it.”, she said.

  Yaithra liked that thinking. “Anyway, Mortalis and Tellus people don’t really care about the upper class people. We’ll definitely mind our own businesses.”

  “But the one thing I find really odd about this academy is that we’ll be getting our weapons when we arrive. Normally, you’ve to do well in your performances in order to earn your weapons.”, Lithanya pointed out.

  Her younger sister’s eyes widened when Yaithra realised that Lithanya was correct. “That’s actually true. In every educational institution, the students would’ve to earn their weapons and their own swords if they perform well in their performance. I think the students had to reach a specific requirement in all subjects.”, Yaithra explained.

  Lithanya was done reading the book. “Let’s go for a walk. I need to take a break from this.”, she got up slowly.

  Yaithra also got up then followed Lithanya to the doors.

  The heavy snowfall had ended for now but it would be coming back soon. Most of the people were outside to get some fresh air while it wasn’t snowing right now.

  Lithanya and Yaithra were walking in the quietest part of Vacanta because they wanted to be away from the busy city. As they were walking, they saw an elderly woman begging in one corner which was rare to find in Vacanta. Yaithra pulled out some coins then placed them on the rusty small plate then walked away.

  “They’re going to be coming after you.”, she whispered softly.

  But Yaithra managed to hear that despite her being a few steps away. “What did you say?”, she asked.

  Lithanya looked at her sister. “What happened?”

  “They’re coming for you.”

  Yaithra heard it. “Who is coming for us?”, she tried to look underneath the beggar's ragged clock.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  “They’re coming for you and there’s no way you can stop them.”, the beggar whispered and broke her words.

  Yaithra squatted in front of the beggar while Lithanya stood behind her sister. “Who’s coming for us? Tell me.”, Yaithra hissed.

  “There’s going to be a catastrophic war. There’s no way to recover at all. If you want to stop…this war, you better start sorting it now. Don’t trust the academy either.”, she hissed.

  When Lithanya heard the word ‘academy’, her chest started pounding. “What does the academy have to do with this?”

  “The academy isn’t there to help us. They’re coming for us. They’re coming for us.”, her body started trembling a little bit.

  Lithanya came closer to Yaithra. “Enough, Yaithra. She is just talking nonsense.”

  The beggar grabbed Yaithra and Lithanya’s arm. Then she pulled the sisters closer to her. “Don’t trust anyone in that academy.”, she hissed.

  The beggar released their arms then disappeared in the thin air. The sisters looked at each other with full confusion. They didn’t know whether they should take the beggar’s words seriously or not. Lithanya got up immediately and stood behind Yaithra.

  “I’ll let our father know about this. Just in case this is true. Rather be safe than sorry.”, Lithanya tried to calm Yaithra. She could sense the tension in Yaithra’s body.

  Yaithra nodded while getting up slowly. Then she looked at Lithanya with some fear. “Even though it might be a rumour, please take this seriously.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll let our father know.”, Lithanya tapped Yaithra’s shoulder.

  Yaithra nodded while still showing concern. They continued walking down the streets, trying not to think about what happened a moment ago.

  Ashok was in his bedroom with Harina and he was about to have some fun just now. Harina was lying on the comfortable bed to keep herself warm. Lithanya walked into the room unannounced but stopped when she saw her mother in the room as well.

  “I hope you’re taking a break.”, she really hoped.

  Harina showed a wicked smirk. “In five minutes, we’ll start the first round.”

  “So, who lost yesterday?”, she asked out of interest.

  “Of course, me. I don’t understand how I’m losing every time.”, Harina sounded irritated.

  Ashok walked into the room. “If you just learn the basic steps of chess, you’ll improve.”, he pointed out.

  Lithanya stood upright with her shoulders up. “Pa, there’s something important I need to tell you.”

  Ashok nodded. “Good ahead.”

  “Yaithra and I were walking in the quietest part of this continent and we saw an elderly beggar. We gave her some money but she mentioned something really disturbing. ‘They’re coming for us and there’s going to be a catastrophic war where millions of innocent people will be harmed’.”, she explained. “And she kept on saying those statements. We don’t know whether it’s true or not but we need to take this seriously.”

  Harina didn’t like the sound of that at all. On the other hand, Ashok remained calm without showing any emotions. “Did you get a good look at this beggar?”

  “No, her face was covered with a ragged cloak. She also mentioned that academy and that we mustn’t trust anyone in that academy.”, Lithanya finished explaining in short summary.

  He nodded. “It seems like this academy is more dangerous than I think right. Maybe we should be thinking twice about sending you there.”, he was thinking hard. “I’ll deal with this situation right away. You get some sleep.”, he answered firmly.

  “What are we going to do about it?”

  “We’re going to let our allies know about this and start preparing just in case of that war. It seems the academy is up to something dodgy and we need to find out what it is.”

  She nodded firmly. “Okay, I’ll think about this later. Good night.”, she said.

  “Good night.”, her parents said together.

  Lithanya walked out of the room, closing the door behind her. Harina looked at her husband. “What’s going to happen next? This sounds really serious.”

  “We’ll prepare for it in case this rumoured war does happen. We’ll be fully prepared for it if it does happen.”, he said steadily.

  Harina looked at the royal purple and golden ceiling with some concern. While Ashok stood in the centre of the room, thinking about the situation.

  Lithanya was in her bedroom, dressed in her puffy nightgown. She was about to slam her body on the bed until she saw the twins walking into the room.

  “How did the meeting go with Emperor Huang?”, Eyana asked.

  “It went better than I thought. Well, our father wanted to avoid talking about the past but Shilin did. But no fights happened which was a good thing.”, she explained while hopping on the bed.

  “So, when are you leaving this place?”, Roja sat next to her.

  Lithanya didn’t want to tell them the full story because they would get worried so easily, especially when it was related to Lithanya. “Thursday. Monday is my first day.”, Lithanya was feeling nervous.

  Eyana sat on the other side of Lithanya. “Don’t worry, everything is going to be fine. Just avoid the Huang family.”

  Lithanya nodded but didn’t smile. “This is the first time Yaithra and I are going to be separated from you girls. How are you feeling right now?”

  “It’s going to be hard to adjust but we’ll be fine. You don’t need to worry about us.”, Roja calmed her down. “But you must make sure that you take your supplements.”

  Lithanya rolled her eyes. “Fine.”

  “Hey, don’t say that to make us happy then don't take it because no one is watching you. We’ll make sure that Yaithra watches you taking the supplements.”, Eyana spat.

  “Okay, okay. I’ll definitely take them.”, she promised them.

  The twins smiled at their older sister then placed their heads on Lithanya’s shoulders. They were going to be sleeping with Lithanya until she could leave on Thursday.