Aqua couldn't help but keep glancing at the person who had confessed to her mere minutes ago. She shook her head and forced herself to look straight. "I think the Library should be just around the corner."
Azure smiled at her with such warmth that she almost regretted not accepting her own feelings.
They soon approached the library's entrance. Aqua pushed the door open and entered, closely followed by Azure.
The building was empty, other than one rectangular table with a single white haired girl present.
"The origin of dawn, and the lord of the beginnings, The White One who guards the path of the true dawn." Hikari read loudly before turning to the approaching duo. "When reading fairy tales, how much of it do you think is true?"
"Usually nothing, they are tales meant to lull the children to sleep," Azure said.
"I would disagree, you are a blessed child too, so you shouldn't be so close-minded. This one, for example." Hikari clasped the overly colorful book closed and dragged her finger over its rim. "There was once an entity that was known as the lord of the beginnings, so terrifying yet merciful…" Hikari's eyes widened, and she coughed. "Sorry about that, it's just my rambling, please sit. I was waiting for you two."
Aqua sighed. As much as I want to take her words seriously, I can't imagine her revealing the existence of such an entity. She took a seat and leaned back. While the so-called Lord of beginnings was most likely fiction, it was prudent to keep an eye on clues about his existence.
"So you two just finished Religion and History, while I finished Religion and Medicine, so let's do some studying on religion since it was a common subject for all three of us." Aqua felt a vague sense of disgust pooling in her chest, seeing Hikari smile at her.
However, she merely smiled back.
"Do you still hate me?" Hikari tilted her head, "Eh, I think you will learn that you have nothing to be afraid of me~." The priestess winked and opened up the book. "Let's revise what the teacher told us today, and we can go slightly ahead."
"Sure." Azure and Aqua nodded.
After some minutes of revising, Azure found herself with her forehead planted on the table, "Ugh, I hate theory so much."
"Azu, theory is important. It is the first step to any experiment." Aqua flipped through the pages.
"Yes, listen to Aqua. Sure, someone as prestigious and powerful in the art of melee is almost never gonna have a need for it, however, I really suggest you learn everything you can." Hikari smiled and leaned forward. "Or would you rather call us nerds and dismiss us?"
Azure shook her head and grabbed a book before promptly burying her head in it , "N…No! I will try my best."
"Let us continue then, we have about an hour before our next class begins. I am sure you ladies want some time to grab lunch too~" Hikari chuckled softly.
Aqua and Azure's gazes met, and they nodded to each other. "Let's do this."
The trio proceeded to spend the next thirty minutes going through what the teacher had taught in the class. While Aqua and Hikari were easily able to handle the rather simple intro content, Azure required additional clarification.
"I feel so stupid when I have to ask for help…" Azure groaned, clasping her book and leaning back into her chair.
"Don't be, Azu. Asking for help is natural when you need to overcome a shortcoming. I will always be there to help you out." Aqua smiled warmly.
"Thanks." Azure averted her eyes from Aqua and blushed, her ears twitching wildly.
"Alright, that is fine. So, do you two want to go grab some food?"
"I don't see why not." Azure turned to Aqua. "You do not mind, right?"
Aqua frowned, her brows furrowed, and she stared at Hikari for a moment. Then her expression relaxed, and a small sigh escaped her lips. "Sure, I don't see why not."
Hikari's hands clasped together, and she jumped out of her seat. "Yay! Let's go, I've never had girlfriends in the temple, I hope we get along!"
The duo stood up after her and followed Hikari outside the library.
"So as girlfriends, we should stick together!" Hikari jumped between Aqua and Azure and grabbed them both. "There are so many things I never get to do!"
"Why, Miss Hikari?"
"Eh, remember I mentioned the temple? The temple of the first dawn where i grew up was very strict." Her expression soured slightly. "When they discovered I had a greater blessing, they kept me a secret until now. I have no idea why I was sent to this school, but…" She gasped, "Please forget what I told you!"
She stepped in front of the duo and turned toward them. She clasped her hands and bowed deeply with her eyes closed tight. "I would get into so much trouble!"
She opened one eye slightly, observing the duo's reaction.
Hmm, this reveal most certainly was no accident. Aqua closed her eyes and sighed. "Sure, it's gone from my memory."
"You are a greater blessed…" Azure stared at her as if she had seen a ghost.
"Yes… Please don't say that to anyone else. Please?" She pleaded.
"I won't, but why didn't you involve yourself with the savage war? You could have turned it on its head."
"Eh…" Hikari rubbed the back of her neck. "As much as my power is grand, I cannot act without my Lady's permission. I wanted to help, I really did… but the holy mother ordered me to stay put until a mere week ago."
Aqua tilted her head in surprise. If she were ordered only to reveal herself recently, something horrible was brewing. If the blessed child was activated, then the gods themselves are planning something.
The safest way to deal with the immediate threat was to burn Hikari, the girl had not shown even an inkling of malice.
Her gaze wandered to Azu. And she doesn't seem to want to kill her. I should stay my hand for now.
The last thing she wanted to do was make Azure fear her. If I just kill someone for being a blessed child like Azure, then she would most definitely start to fear me.
She could confidently assume Azure was not scared of her, even more reaffirmed by the fact that she had confessed her feelings to Aqua.
A small blush appeared on her face.
"Let's not ruin the mood by talking about this. Just please don't go spreading it. I am not allowed to involve myself in any kind of politics."
Azure hummed. "Hikari, you know that I am greater blessed child too?"
"I assumed, but your blessing seems less developed than most, so I didn't want to assume."
"Ah…" She averted her gaze and rubbed the back of her head. "That's fine. I do not rely on it."
"Hmm, do you receive orders from your lady?"
"Nope." She shook her head and glanced at Aqua. "I have only been spoken to by my goddess a couple of times."
Hikari looked at her, her gaze scanning her from top to bottom.
"Hmm, I see. Well, since you haven't probed into my situation, then I won't do it to you either." With an elegant twirl, she guided the duo into the academy cafeteria.
The expansive room was lined with elegant tables and seating. To the side was situated a buffet, with an assortment of meats and vegetables, with bowls containing a multitude of colorful drinks.
A row of students waited for their turn with their empty platters under their arms. The staff rushed behind the counter, bringing new containers of food.
A bronze chandelier lit up the space, and the bustle of the crowded area threatened to overwhelm Aqua's ears.
Very lively. She dampened the noise and got into the queue with Hikari and Azure. "We should have time to enjoy the lunch, and then we have to rush straight to the next class." Hikari smiled and grabbed three platters before quickly giving one to Azure and Aqua.
The queue moved fast, and the girls grabbed assortments of meats and veggies. Aqua grabbed a red drink and sat at the table together with Hikari and Azure.
She brought it under her nose and took a sniff. "This smells nice."
"I know, right?!" Azure already downed her second glass. "Best of all, no alcohol!"
Aqua giggled. "Yea~" She brought the drink to her lips and sipped it elegantly.
"Alright!" Hikari clasped her hands. "I will offer a prayer to my lady. Would you like to join me?"
Aqua and Azure looked toward each other and shook their heads.
"Aw, I understand." Hikari closed her eyes and prayed in her mind.
Her face contorted and her brows furrowed before she nodded and forced a smile. "Let us eat!"
Without a word, the trio dug into their food, enjoying each bite of the delicious meal.