Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 24: New environment (2)

"I can't believe you did that. And you, Arial! I thought you were my friend!" Kyle said indignantly, wiping water and paint from his face.

"I didn't know what she was planning," said Arial apologetically.

"You should know by now she never does anything good"

She is mischievous that kid, Arial thought to himself.

"It's payback" Lisa said confidently not even a shred of guilt.

"Payback for what?" Kyle asked incredulous with his sister attitudes.

She rubbed her chin then she said "Everything, I guess? Hehehee" then she enters the Grand Hall to join the other people.

The three friends had entered the Grand Hall for the welcome feast. Arial eyed the other students, and was pleased to see that he recognized some.

There was Helia Zephyr from the House of Zephyr, Emerson from the House of Villion, and Nella from the House of Rodan.

Noble kids, Arial thought.

Some were first sons, poised to rule, but most were second sons and daughters.

The Knights of Alan were the only Order of Knights in the Human Continent who allowed women to join their ranks.

As long as they could fight, swing a sword and have the heart of justice in their hearts, they could join the Order.

The Grand Hall was far more exquisite than Arial had imagined. Portraits of great knights adorned the walls.

Arial spotted the paintings and bust statue of Selia the Fool, and he could also see the oil painting of Fareon with his Golden Shield.

The Hall is lit by thousands of candles, and it had a lively atmosphere despite the fact there were only about fifty people inside.

Five long tables stretched out before them, each decorated with its own banner, displaying a different creature: a red dragon, a blue wolf, a purple faery, a yellow lion, and a black raven.

Arial doesn't know what it means or what it symbolizes. Then he looked at the five tables.

The tables have a lot of plates and goblets, of spoons and fork, of jugs and kitchenware. All for the students. No wonder the High Lords also sent their sons here.

A sixth long table lay along the high end of the Hall, and Arial could see the Knight Master and his Right-Hand Man sitting side by side.

Knights could only be inducted into the Order with the Knight Master's approval.

Many would enter the Academy, but only a select few would sign their names in the ledger proving to be a part of the proud Order.

Others will be a normal Knight but still receive the admiration for finishing the test and trials.

Since there are not that many students the banquet is low key. Maybe after this month ends the Knights will hold a feast again.

"Hello, my name is Helia," a girl approached Arial with her hand extended. She held herself elegantly, her fair skin and brown eyes mesmerizing. A noble daughter.

"I'm Arial," Arial replied, shaking her hand.

"Vermont, isn't it?"

"Yes. And you're from the House of Zephyr, if I'm not mistaken."

"Indeed," Helia nodded.

"We met a couple of years ago when we were both five. You were selling bread with your father. I'm so glad to see a familiar face here. I heard about your family's new status. I say it was only a matter of time, a wealthy family like yours," Helia barely took a breath as she spoke.

Well, this a strange place, with strange people and strange rules.

Especially for a lady of noble birth

"My lady," Lisa bowed before Helia, who nodded in return. Kyle dipped his head slightly, his cheeks flushed. Helia turned back to Arial.

"And these are?"

"My friends and companions, Kyle and Lisa Lethe," said Arial.

"Well, then it is a pleasure to meet you both," Helia said, smiling.

"May I have the pleasure to join you?"

She handles herself quite well for a seven years old.

The trio had settled themselves at a table, and Arial gestured to an empty seat.

"It would be an honor, my lady."

Arial watched Helia curiously. She wasn't the daughter of a minor lord, or from a poor noble family.

Her father was Helve Zephyr, one of the wealthiest men that swore their loyalty to the House of Palais.

Arial wondered what she could possibly have to gain from becoming a knight, but he held his tongue. That was Helia's own business, not his.

At that moment a stream of servants entered the Hall, carrying trays of food and jugs of water.

"Brother, don't show that you're hungry," Lisa hissed, looking sideways at Kyle who was cramming handfuls of food into his mouth.

Helia giggled, and Kyle blushed again.

In his mind, Arial went over his day.

The mood in the Hall was vibrant. He had made a respectable new acquaintance, and in twenty-three days his training would begin.

He resolved to gather as much information as he could before his classes started, and spent the rest of the evening swapping greetings with his fellow students.

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