CHAPTER IV: Welcome Home

CHAPTER IV: Welcome Home

“Welcome to Caelum Academy, Miss Ashburn or Princess Cerina Samara Imperial I should say. I am sorry for the way Deborah greeted you. Her punishment has already been decided.” I

looked at him with a confused expression in my face. He called me Cerina, right? The name of the baby I was dreaming lately. Something bothered me again in my mind. And I think he can explain to me everything later on. I’ll just let him for meantime call me whatever he wants. 

I stared at the man intently. He appeared to be the head in this Institution. He is wearing eyeglasses so I gotta call him Mr. Four-eyed for the meantime. He hasn’t introduced his name to me yet so I didn’t know how should I address him.

Based on his physical characteristics, I can conclude that he is in his mid-40s or 50s. He had glaring eyes but his voice was so soft. And… wait, why do I just describe everything I see today? I think it was a hobby to describe the people I meet.

“Archmaster Leonard!” Raid exclaimed and then bowed to the man. Others followed so I decided to imitate what they are doing. I was taken aback when a woman suddenly spoke.

“Cerina Samara Imperial. Her zodiac symbol is Cancer, the Crab. She has a great desire to feel loved and appreciated in every part of her life. This is needed so that she can develop a sense of security and identity. Her sense of home is very important to her feeling of safety and comfort. Stamina: 150, Mana: 20, Magical Energy: 70. Total Power level: 240. Special ability: Ranting and blabbering. Vital statistics– ”

“That’s enough, Suzaine,” the one they referred to as Archmaster interrupted the woman whom he called Suzaine. As if she is analyzing and assessing my whole being.

Wait, what? Special ability: Ranting and Blabbering? Who? Me? I was going to ask why he had such stats on me but I felt like they were all looking at me. I immediately felt deprived and neglected to speak. Their stares are piercing through me. I know I’m beautiful but it’s awkward for me to be put in the center of attraction.

“Wait, Archmaster, are you sure that she was the lost Cancer of the chosen twelve Celestial Zodiacs? With that power level, she couldn’t even barely kill a hare,” Deborah protested and it seemed that my whole being was underestimated so I suddenly felt angry and annoyed with her.

"Minify," said Archmaster Leonard. I just gulped my own saliva when I felt strong magical aura coming from him. I don’t know how I am doing it but I can feel the magic flowing all around the place. I gasped at the thought when the Archmaster spoke again.

“That’s your punishment, Deborah. You will stay like that all day,” he said and suddenly Deborah became as small as a thumb as she was on top of Archmaster's palm.

I gulped again for the nth time because of the Archmaster’s show of power. If so, I am surrounded by people who really have magic in their body. They are not just fiction. Not only in anime can they be seen but they really do exist.

I stopped when Archmaster Leonard laid his hand on my head and then smiled at me.

“You’ve grown a lot, Cerina. I’m happy to see you again. It’s been ten years since we last met. Now, this is the right time. I will remove the seal that is placed on your body. Close your eyes and feel what your heart is saying,” he instructed me.

I was again enveloped in astonishment. Have we met before? Ten years ago? That was when I woke up from a deep slumber without any knowledge about my whole being. I have a lot of questions. However, I’d rather not to ask. I just obeyed his orders.

"Releasing Magic: Seal Unlock," Archmaster said calmly.

I don’t know but suddenly I felt different. A hot sensation circled inside my body.

“Celestial Zodiacs, hear me. Come out from my body. Go to your new owner. Listen to my prayer. Choose your user. Grace Bestowal!”

Wait, what is this image I am seeing now in my mind? The scenes are familiar to me. Through my mind, I have perceived a woman with flaming wings floating in the air. Twelve shining balls in different colors appeared in front of her. The woman held out her hand in the air and the crystal balls flew in different directions.

One crystal ball had entered the body of a baby inside a ball wrapped in white feathers. There was a woman and a man lying next to it and they were also familiar to me.

I was startled and returned to my senses when someone suddenly flicked my forehead. I blinked and Archmaster Leonard’s eyes met mine. I averted my gaze immediately because I felt awkward. 

To my surprise, I noticed many changes happened in my body. My eyes widened when I saw my hair color transformation. Half of my hair is gold and the other half is red with a slight streak of black. I am also surrounded by white and black aura.

What happened? I feel like something strange is flowing right now in my veins. Everyone was staring at me and they also didn’t seem to be able to help but marvel at my metamorphosis. I also noticed that there was a gold crab marked on my right arm symbolizing the Zodiac sign Cancer.

“Congratulations again, Princess Cerina. Welcome to your home, daughter of Empress Lisa,” Archmaster Leonard kindly announced to me.

 He bowed and paid homage. The others followed him. I was just dumbfounded by the shock.

 Daughter of an empress? Me? Suddenly I felt awkward again because of the way they treated me. I’m not used to it. I know I was born as a goddess of beauty but to be treated this way, ugh, I like it so much. Kidding aside, I don’t have any idea what’s going on right now. I really deserve an explanation.

After a few seconds, they raised their heads and showed me their smiles as a warm welcome to me in their world.

“This deserves a celebration!” Raid's enthusiastically uttered then laid his hand on my shoulder.

My sharp eyes caught his hand that was about to touch my chest. Too bad, I caught his hand immediately and knocked him out to the ground.

Wait, whoa! My physical strength has increased tenfold. I can feel the intense sensation roaming around my body. Is this my magic? 

“You’re really a pervert jerk!” I scolded Raid after being able to stand up. He just scratched his nape. He pouted which caused everyone to laugh.

I feel like I’m home. I feel like I have a place in this world. Just this time, I don’t feel lonely. Even though, it’s my first time to meet them, it feels like I met them before and we had have a strong bond of friendship. 

Throughout my life, I feel something is missing in me. I am constantly figuring out who really I am and who are my parents. And I think, I can find the answers here. I felt home.