Chapter 144: Dila Eldoria Revealed
The room slowly quieted as every student found their seat. The marble floors gleamed faintly under the warm glow of chandeliers hanging high above, but suddenly... the light dimmed. A hush fell across the grand hall as shadows stretched over the staircase-like rows of desks.
A ripple of excitement ran through the air.
Then—Pffsshh! A surge of white smoke erupted in front of the class, swirling upward and filling the center stage with a faint, shimmering haze. From within the smoke, a tall, lean figure emerged, his footsteps measured, his presence commanding.
"Hahaha!" The laugh echoed, firm but composed, as the man stepped out clutching a slender, polished magic staff. His robe draped elegantly around his frame, every detail perfectly neat, every button aligned. With a flick of the staff, the smoke dissipated into glittering specks, vanishing as quickly as it appeared.
Gasps and murmurs spread through the rows of students.
"Wow... look at that..."
"Did he just appear out of thin air?"
"That’s...!? Teleportation magic right!"
Fran, wide-eyed, had risen slightly on her seat, her tail twitching wildly behind her. She leaned forward with both hands gripping her desk, her mouth slightly open as she stared at the man. Her blue eyes glistened with awe. "He’s... amazing," she whispered, almost forgetting to breathe. Her ears twitched restlessly, betraying her overflowing excitement.
The man stood tall, professional in every movement. His sleek black robe carried an air of authority, and as he lifted his hand to adjust the glasses perched on his nose, the gesture seemed precise and deliberate—sharp, even intimidating. His gaze swept the hall with quiet power.
Fran’s grip on the desk tightened. She gave a little scuff, her grin both nervous and impressed, unable to tear her eyes away.
Meanwhile, Dila remained calmly seated, her silver-white hair falling like a curtain over her shoulders as she rested her chin lightly on her palm. Her blue eyes followed the man’s dramatic entrance with a measured calm, lips twitching faintly.
Hmm... what a cliché Harry Potter entrance, she thought, a tiny giggle escaping in her mind. Her thoughts continued dryly, Smoke, staff, glasses, mysterious laugh... lol.
She bit her lip slightly, holding back the urge to actually laugh, her shoulders shaking ever so faintly. To everyone else, she appeared composed and serious, but inside her head she was snickering at the absurdity.
Around them, the atmosphere buzzed with awe and nervous energy. Students exchanged glances, their whispers blending into the background like rustling leaves. Some looked inspired, some frightened, but all were captivated by the commanding presence now standing before them.
The professor raised his staff slightly, the last traces of magic fading away, and silence settled once more.
Dila’s expression softened into a small smile. This academy really likes their theatrics.
As the Professor stood proudly in the center of the stage, the marble beneath his boots gleaming faintly under the dimmed light. He tapped his staff once against the floor, the sound echoing through the hall like a soft thunderclap. His voice carried smoothly, confident and deliberate.
"You don’t know me, do you?" he said, his gaze sweeping across the rows of wide-eyed freshmen. His lips curved slightly, as if savoring the suspense. "My name..."
The room broke into rustling chatter. Some students leaned forward, others whispered eagerly.
"Yes, teacher! Please, tell us!"
"Professor, what’s your name?"
"Introduce yourself, sir!"
Their voices overlapped like a wave of excitement.
The Professor has chuckled, adjusting his glasses with a single finger, the glint of the lenses catching the light. "Heh... very well." He raised his staff with a casual flick, and a thread of golden light unfurled into the air.
"My name is..." His voice deepened for effect, and with a sweep of his hand he wrote glowing letters across the empty space. Each stroke shimmered with arcane energy until the words hovered grandly before the entire class:
Professor [Dexter Quilt]
The letters blazed with light, hanging in the air as though written on the very fabric of the world. He paused, raising his right hand in a cool pose, shoulders squared, his glasses catching another flash as he tilted his chin upward.
Dila, watching silently from her seat, narrowed her eyes. Her lips pressed into a faint line before curving upward ever so slightly. Show off, she muttered in her mind, deadpan.
Beside her, Fran nearly bounced in her seat. Her tail swished so fast it slapped lightly against her chair, her blue eyes shining with delight. "Wooooow!" she whispered under her breath, practically vibrating with excitement. Her ears twitched with every sparkle that floated in the air, her expression that of a child staring at fireworks for the first time.
Dila turned her head slowly, giving Fran a serious side glance. She rested her cheek in her palm, her expression unreadable, though her eyes carried faint amusement. Really, Fran? she thought, sighing inwardly. You’ve already seen what I can do... magic far stronger than this professor’s parlor tricks. And yet here you are, ready to explode with excitement.
She let out a tiny sigh, barely audible, silver hair swaying with the motion. Still, she didn’t say anything aloud. She simply sat back, lips twitching between irritation and affection, as Fran practically glowed with admiration for the dramatic professor.
The golden letters of his name shimmered once more before slowly fading away into sparkling dust that rained down like starlight, drawing another chorus of "ooohs" and "aaahs" from the other freshmen.
Dila shook her head lightly. This is going to be a long semester.
Professor Dexter tapped his staff twice against the marble, the magical resonance quieting the excited whispers in the hall. His glasses gleamed again as he smiled, his voice warm and smooth.
"Now then... each of you will introduce yourselves. Name, background, perhaps what you hope to achieve here. Yes... yes, that will do. Let’s begin, shall we?" He gestured toward the far right row, his staff trailing faint golden light.
A chorus of "Oky, professor!" rose from the students, their voices overlapping. Fran, too, raised her hand halfway and echoed cheerfully, "Oky!" Her tail swished as she bounced slightly in her seat.
Dila, on the other hand, remained still. Her chin still rested lightly on her palm, her blue eyes fixed on the professor with an unreadable expression. She didn’t so much as blink when the students responded.
Professor Dexter’s gaze passed across the room, lingering briefly on her, but he only smiled and continued. "Excellent spirit. Let’s start rolling, then. From the right side!"
The far-right student stood nervously, voice trembling as they gave their name. Applause followed, light but supportive. The next student rose, then the next. The introductions moved steadily down the rows, one voice after another, filling the grand lobby with a rhythm of names and nervous laughter.
Fran leaned forward, eager to listen to every introduction. Her ears twitched toward each voice, her eyes sparkling as if every student was fascinating. Dila, however, exhaled softly and leaned back in her chair.
Lucky for us... she thought, her eyes flicking toward the far side of the hall. We’re seated on the left. With a hundred students here, it’ll take ages before they even reach us. At least I won’t have to stand right away. She sighed quietly, fingers drumming faintly on the desk.
The professor clapped cheerfully at each introduction, encouraging the students with the same broad smile. His enthusiasm didn’t falter, not even slightly.
Dila’s gaze lingered on him as his laughter and cheerful remarks filled the space. Her thoughts drifted, her surroundings blurring as her mind wandered. Strange... why is every staff member here so... cheery? The nurse smiled so warmly, even when embarrassing me. That squire bounced with endless energy, as if the world was his stage. And now this professor too... smiling, clapping, radiating happiness.
Her brows knit slightly, though her expression remained calm. It doesn’t feel fake... but it’s odd. Almost as if this entire academy wants to drown us in cheerfulness. Why?
The rows of introductions continued, laughter and applause echoing around the marble hall. But for Dila, the voices faded into background noise, her mind wrapped in quiet thoughts as her silver hair framed her face, glinting faintly under the enchanted lights above.
As the introductions continue to carried on one after another, Dila’s attention drifted farther and farther from the voices echoing through the hall. The clapping and laughter blurred into a dull hum, like the sound of waves hitting a faraway shore. Her gaze lowered to her hands folded quietly on her desk.
Where... where can I meet you again, Nari? The thought struck her heart with a sharp ache. I miss you.
Her blue eyes softened, the light in them clouded by grief. She bit down gently on her lip, trying to steady herself, but the memories pressed harder. Why did you die...? I still can’t believe it.
Her chest tightened as tears welled, catching faintly on her lashes. She tilted her head slightly downward, letting her hair hide her expression from the others nearby. A single tear slipped free, falling onto the polished surface of her desk.
Last time you told me... you would only die if I did. So why, Nari? Why...? Her thoughts quivered, breaking apart with sorrow.
She pressed her hand lightly against her chest, clutching at the fabric of her academy uniform as if the frail voice of her system might still linger inside her. The familiar warmth wasn’t there. The silence was unbearable.
Her lips parted slightly, whispering in her mind, What if... She hesitated, her breath trembling. What if even if I restore my magical power... you still won’t come back?
The thought hollowed her, a heavy emptiness spreading through her chest. Her fingers trembled as she quickly wiped at her eyes, but the sting of tears still clung to them. She forced herself to breathe steadily, fighting to keep her face neutral.
On the outside, she sat composed, silent as any other student waiting their turn. But inside... her heart ached with loneliness, the weight of her missing companion pressing down like a shadow that no one else could see.
Suddenly....
A faint golden shimmer flared in front of Dila’s desk, startling her out of her thoughts. The glow circled around her like a spotlight, drawing every eye in the room.
Her heart jumped. W...what? Already? Too soon... what happened? She blinked rapidly, looking around as if the answer might be written on the walls.
Fran leaned closer, cupping her hands to her mouth like a makeshift cone. "Sister!" she whispered loudly, tail flicking. "The professor skipped a bunch of students just to pick you!"
Dila’s tears dried in an instant, the heaviness in her chest swept away by the shock. Right... She swallowed hard and slowly stood, the legs of her chair scraping softly against the marble floor.
Professor Dexter stood tall at the center, smiling warmly as he adjusted his glasses with a glint. "What is your name, beautiful girl?" he asked, his tone playful. Then he chuckled, waving a hand. "I mean... high Princess."
The entire hall went silent, hundreds of eyes pinning themselves on her. The weight of their stares made her hand instinctively clutch at her chest.
"My... my name is Dila," she said softly, her voice trembling slightly but clear.
Professor Dexter tilted his head. "Full name, please."
Dila’s lips pressed thin. She raised her chin just a little, keeping her voice calm. "...Just Dila."
Dexter hummed, tapping his chin with his staff. Then, with a flick of his wrist, a scroll of parchment unfurled in his hand, glowing faintly with golden ink. "Hmm... Dila, Dila..." He scanned down the neat rows. "Ahhh, I see now. Your father didn’t tell you your full name, did he?"
Dila blinked, tilting her head slightly. "What...?"
The professor adjusted his glasses again, smiling knowingly. "To be precise, you’ve only been carrying half a name—your father’s family name alone. Actually, Princess, your true name is..." He lifted the scroll for all to see. "Dila Eldoria."
The words struck like a sudden bell. The students gasped softly, whispers rippling through the hall. Fran’s eyes sparkled with awe, her tail twitching like she’d just been told her favorite story.
Dila, however, froze. Her jaw dropped, and she blurted out before she could stop herself: "What kind of voodoo naming is this?!"
A couple of students flinched at her strange outburst, while others tilted their heads in confusion. Fran slapped a hand over her mouth, stifling a laugh, her shoulders shaking.
Dila frowned, waving her hands a little in protest. But the words that came out has been isolated in her mind only. "When I... when I created my avatar—there was only Dila! No other name attached! Now suddenly... Eldoria?!"
Professor Dexter arched a brow but smiled faintly, clearly amused by her of being surprised in her own full name.
Meanwhile, Dila muttered under her breath, her thoughts running in circles. This world... it’s truly becoming a reality. Or maybe... it was reality from the start. Hahh... what is happening to me... She groaned inside, but her face burned red with embarrassment at her own slip.
Fran, unable to hold it in anymore, giggled aloud, tail flicking wildly. "Hehehe... sis, your!, your!, face is like ’voodoo’ it was priceless!"
Dila deadpanned at her, cheeks flushed. "Fran!!..."
Professor Dexter’s eyes twinkled as he raised a hand, smiling warmly. "Now, now, Dila... no need to get frustrated at your cat friend beside you."
Fran blinked, then quickly grinned, waving a hand as if making a point. "Professor! She is my sister!" Her tail flicked proudly behind her, and she tilted her head with an innocent but teasing smile.
The professor chuckled softly, adjusting his glasses. "Ohhh, wow... I never thought of that! A sisterly bond... fascinating," he said, letting the words hang for a moment. Then he turned his gaze back to Dila, eyes warm. "Now, back to you, Princess Dila... tell me, what is your favorite hobby?"
Dila’s eyes widened as if caught completely off-guard, yet her tone was blunt and serious. She lifted both hands, tapping them lightly on her desk as she declared, "My hobby... is... playing video games. RPGs... or FPS games."
A ripple went through the room. The students in the back murmured in confusion, some wide-eyed, whispering to each other. "Video games...? RPG... FPS... what is that?"
Fran’s ears twitched violently, and her jaw dropped. She leaned toward Dila, whispering, "Sister... what... what are those games?" Her tail swished anxiously as if she’d just been told her sister spoke another language.
Professor Dexter tilted his head, stroking his chin. "Hmm... video games... RPGs... FPS..." He tapped his staff against the floor thoughtfully. Then he let out a soft chuckle. "I must admit... I don’t know exactly what those are. Perhaps... it is a game unique to your castle? Very... special, Princess. My apologies for my ignorance," he said, eyes twinkling with genuine curiosity.
Dila deadpanned, eyes narrowing slightly, though her lips twitched in a faint smirk. "It’s okay. I don’t care anyway," she said, her voice precise, carrying that familiar cool confidence.
Fran, still blinking, muttered under her breath, "Sister... your hobbies are... weird," but the slight twitch in her tail betrayed her amusement.
The students in the hall whispered among themselves, some in awe, some in confusion. "She plays... games? And what type of games was that? How does a princess even...? I don’t know never mind."
Dila, however, simply sat back, folding her arms, unconcerned with the whispering crowd, thinking: They’ll never understand... and that’s fine.
Professor Dexter, clearly amused and intrigued, let out another soft laugh. "Well then, Princess... your hobbies are as unique as your name!"