Chapter 117: Break Her Heart

In the classroom, Professor Santulli observed the students and spoke.

“What attracts people to demonic sects are the powers of the gods they serve. They through sacrifices can get power from those gods and even though the response is not usually frequent, some sects have priests who are more likely to receive a response,” Professor Santulli said and frowning as she saw the distracted students, she added. “While sects, act in the light of day in what is known as ‘lawless lands’. Where law and order are high, they are also present, acting quietly and in the shadows... But I guess you guys don’t care about that.”

The students who were previously focused on their holographic clocks turned their attention to the teacher and tensed as they heard the last words.

Aurora, who was in class, watched as Alice shook her head in disappointment at her classmates.

In the two classes that Professor Santulli taught, Alice was one student who took part the most and paid the most attention to her.

And her paying attention to her meant not only that she liked the class and the theme, but the way Professor Santulli was teaching it.

“Since the announcement happened, do you want to talk about it?” Professor Santulli asked curiously.

What was distracting the students was the communique from the Church of Time and Space, next to the Church of Order.

The attitude of the students did not bother Professor Santulli, especially when the statement was causing a stir.

“Do you know what topic they want to report or do you know anything?” a student asked with interest.

Most of the earthlings were paying attention to the communique and were curious about what was to come, but Aurora could tell that the student who had just asked was not concerned.

“No, I don’t rank high enough to know such things. I suppose someone like Director Vincent must have some idea, but I can’t know,” Professor Santulli replied, shaking her head and looking at the students who were slightly concerned she added. “You can tell from the communique that the point to be made is something big. The last time the Church of Time and Space gave a communique like this was when it was reported that the Falion Empire was coming to support humanity.”

The European-demon war was some years ago, starting with a conflict of Terran interests, which reached its peak in the year 2043, when the demons arrived in this world.

In the year 2044, the Terranovians also came to support the Terrans, and thanks to that help, the conflict was ended.

Four years ago, there was also an official announcement of their arrival and the Church of Time and Space reported how it happened and why they came.

Most of the students at that time were fourteen or maybe fifteen years old and were considered teenagers, who were far from adulthood.

The Church of Time and Space did not give out releases like these as easily, and when they did, they were always about ‘big’ issues.

The media at the time was very rambunctious, creating a debate about whether it was okay to let ‘invaders’ come into this world and while the students may have been young, it was impossible for them not to remember the issue.

“It was hard for me to know the gravity of what was going on.” Murmured Nicole, who was present in this class.

Most of the students nodded.

While they could understand what a war against demons meant, they could not comprehend the repercussions, gravity, and necessity of a foreign empire intervening in this war.

The media talked about the war but focused on the fact that an empire was coming into this world, wanting to create controversy and not panic, thus reducing the true meaning of this cruel war.

Most of the students lived in faraway or safe places and could not understand the gravity, giving the feeling that those heroes and legends could protect them as they always did.

“This seems to have an equal magnitude. I can’t define whether it is a good or bad thing and from what they reported, it is likely to affect everyone,” Professor Santulli said and seeing the students tense up, she calmed down. “However, for them to release a statement like this, it makes it clear that the church is not concerned. Because it is not an immediate situation or because it believes that humanity has the strength to deal with it. One issue is a prior communique, to give time to prepare, and another is an emergency announcement.”

It was an important situation and although it was impossible to define what it was; it was likely to be a negative issue that would affect the entire world.

The most important point was that this communique was given in time, giving notice of when the issue would deepen and allowing earthlings to slowly come to terms with it.

Such moves showed that the churches and humanity were not helpless to this future event.

“Or maybe they just want to calm the mood with a brief report, to prevent panic from spreading when the truth is revealed,” Alice added with an enigmatic, playful smile.

The situation would have been very different if an emergency announcement was given talking about what was coming and if they did anything of the sort, panic would spread.

Instead, at this moment, the communique gave time for the different nations of the world to prepare and for the earthlings to psyche themselves up.

And Aurora was sure that the churches informed the authorities, who at this moment were surely preparing to prevent the panic from spreading and creating protocols for what was to come.

It was a strategy to reduce panic, eliminate fear and prepare the earthlings for the truth.

“Right. And if they’re doing that, you have to admit it’s working.” Professor Santulli replied, observing the entire class.

Was it a strategy to not cause panic? If it was that way, then it was being effective.

The students were curious and while some were worried about the repercussions that might happen; they were not afraid, even though the church’s statement was serious.

Such reactions showed that the earthlings were tempered by past events enough that this time they did not panic and showed above all the trust they had in the high-ranking individuals and churches they worshipped.

This world had powerful individuals and some of them were legends who gave the impression of holding up the sky if it collapsed.

Director Vincent was one of those individuals and they, as students, knew they were safer in the academy than anywhere else.

“The communique from the Minister of Atlantis City with the respective major guilds has already appeared,” a student reported and everyone started looking at their holographic watches to look for it.

The internet was in total disarray and while some were talking about theories, others were listing all the high-ranking individuals who could protect entire nations, and some were talking about the safest places.

Atlantis City was one of the safest places, and this time the city authorities gave an official statement at an emergency press conference.

It was short, simple, and direct so that citizens would not be afraid.

In support were several recognized guilds and military of the famous Atlantean army and, some companies that were present, being the Cosmos Company, the one that stood out.

And such presences raised the relief that the Minister gave to the citizens.

All over the world, this kind of communique was happening, and it was likely that press conferences would happen in the following hours.

Some presidents or ministers were going the extra mile and interrupting the usual schedule to give the communiques.

They all made it clear that they knew the situation and while no one would reveal what was coming or what it was about, they ensured the safety of the citizens, reducing concerns.

Aurora did not know what to think about the situation.

She knew a little about the matter, but it did not seem pleasant at all... She understood that the first aim of the churches and the nations was to make sure that the panic did not spread and thus maintain control to prevent lunatics, sects, or terrorists from taking advantage of the terror.

The present countries and the different churches were doing a good job.

“Until the end of the week, there will be too many rumors on the internet and you will hear too many unimaginable scenarios, but I recommend you to wait for the official communique,” Professor Santulli reminded with a serious tone.

Rumors and crazy theories would be the first thing to spread, but there would also be hypotheses from great minds and illustrious experts.

The latter would be the theories that would be encouraged to prevent the panic from spreading ... That is what Aurora supposed.

“Professor Santulli, I ask your permission to give a report from the director,” interrupted Professor Forde from outside and upon receiving the nod, she looked at the students and announced. “The director is suspending classes for today. Those who wish to return to their families may do so. However, the director reminds you that the academy will remain open for those students who wish to continue training for the tournament. No academic events are suspended.”

They were simple words, but they revealed more information.

Despite the statement, Director Vincent, a renowned ‘Grand Archimage’ of SS-Rank, assured that the information was not serious enough to close or suspend the academy.

Whether it was the academic tournament in October or the international tournament in November.

The world would go on as usual and everyone would have the same responsibilities, only having this day as a rest.

Aurora nodded.

Making sense to her that the schedule in the middle of the year would change and the academy would take part in the international tournament.

“Oh, yes. The church will make the announcement the night of the day we visit Cosmos Enterprise, although it will be the same day, we will not change plans. So remember to attend the visit,” Professor Forde announced, and with a smile at the nod, she added. “Remember to let your classmates know.”

The calm attitude of the academy somewhat expressed the tranquility of the earthlings.

******

Traveling down the street to the downtown mansion, Aurora drove calmly.

“This feels strange,” Cithrel muttered, observing the streets.

The strangeness that Cithrel was seeing was the lack of panic, fear, and illegal actions that would be expected from some people, when an issue was announced that affected the world.

She found the tranquility strange.

Citizens were still going about their jobs, tourists were still visiting the landmarks and teenagers were still going to school.

The authorities who were patrolling the city gave calm, tranquility, and serenity.

Police drones were moving through the sky checking the entire city and recording everything that was happening while on the street there were some police patrolling some streets.

In case a crime happened, it was likely that the police and drones would intervene or give warnings for the higher authorities to arrive.

And it was they who provided reassurance to anyone watching.

“Did you expect robberies, looting, and cries of the end of the world approaching?” Alice asked curiously.

Aurora’s expression quivered for a moment.

That question made it seem as if Cithrel was doubting the ability and mentality of the Earthlings.

“Not quite that way, but yes. I was expecting a little more concern.” Cithrel replied truthfully and looking around the surroundings, she commented.”It seems the subject isn’t all that worrisome. Or is it?"

From the stories Aurora heard from Terra nova, for those individuals it was normal to find themselves in danger and more so when there were beasts of legends like dragons capable of destroying entire cities.

Earthlings, because of the peace and quiet it enjoyed, seemed more susceptible to be alarmed by these events and Aurora believed they would be, were it not because they had their own troubling events as well.

As to the question, Aurora was silent for a few seconds and looking at Cithrel in the rear-view mirror gave a half-smile.

“I still don’t know exactly,” Aurora replied.

Unfortunately, she had yet to receive Cardinal Brousseau’s report on the exact situation and while it was likely that it would reach her soon, at this point, she was the same as anyone else, unaware of the situation.

Arriving at the entrance to the mansion, Aurora parked her car in the parking lot and then entered the mansion, avoiding the tourists.

She had rented a new car to get around and accompany Cithrel on her tour of the city.

It wasn’t as if they were staying at the mansion all day, but also doing a bit of sightseeing, in which both groups enjoyed.

“Your Highness wishes me to prepare the bath?” Venali asked in a humble servant’s tone.

It was rare for him to speak, as at the academy he always seemed like someone silent, acting like a cold bodyguard, but at the mansion, it was different.

He was becoming a loyal and capable servant.

Aurora smiled at the sight of Venali, who, while acting too cold, taking the role of an attentive bodyguard, was actually very attentive to Cithrel.

It was hard to think that he was accompanying Cithrel for ‘work’... Such loyalty from a servant was something rarely seen in this world.

Apart from a few old or aristocratic households and, of course, those people close to Alice.

Sitting on the couch, keeping her thoughts to herself with a smile, she was about to turn on the TV when she noticed that Cithrel, instead of answering, sat down next to her.

“Do you want to take a bath with me?” Cithrel asked suddenly.

“Hm?”

Alice let out a sound of hesitation as her hand froze in midair with a chip.

Aurora’s expression quivered as she heard that honest question... As sincere as someone with a mischievous smile could give.

“In the empire, it is normal for women to bathe together. Your bathtub is large enough for several people to fit in,” Cithrel explained, and as if that wasn’t too much, she added. “Usually my maids are always with me in the baths.”

She was justifying her question in a calm and nonchalant way.

It was true they had a bathtub downstairs that was akin to an oversized Jacuzzi, and bathing in it was very relaxing, however, there was a problem.

The look Cithrel was giving even though she looked normal made Aurora feel slightly embarrassed... And shy, for some strange reason.

Akira had also invited her to the ‘onsen’ or ‘hot springs’ when she went to Japan, and the biggest difference was that she wasn’t looking at her like Cithrel was doing.

“That’s enough. She’s weak at flirting.” Alice interjected expressionlessly.

Aurora’s expression quivered, and she kept silent without even being able to deny it.

“It’s a pity,” Cithrel muttered, and winking at her, she covered her mouth while hiding the mischievous smile.

Fleeing along with Venali, who was standing by, showing no extraneous embarrassment at the question given by the person she served.

As they left the room, Aurora met Alice’s gaze.

“You know if you keep acting like that, the more she’ll like to tease you,” Alice warned in a firm tone.

It sounded like a half scolding, and such a sentiment caused Aurora’s expression to quiver.

Cithrel was taking more and more liberty to flirt, and once she stopped her, she would back off and stop teasing her, but it wasn’t as if she could scold that princess or ask her to stop.

In her eyes, those flirtations were pranks that sought to annoy not only her but Alice, and she was succeeding.

And the worst part of it all was.

“She responds to everything I say,” Aurora commented with a sigh.

Cithrel was cheeky enough to respond to her every attack and tease, leading to her having no advantage when it came to annoy that princess.

And the counterattacks always went directly to her weaknesses, causing her to be unresponsive and submissive, even though she didn’t like not responding.

If it were the young man with the charming eyes, the situation would have been different.

—...

Her system made three little dots appear as if to say that her preferences were questionable.

Aurora was not ashamed to express her shallow thoughts.

She likes to be the person who flirted, not the one on the receiving end of flirtations, being helpless.

“Then you’ll have to break her heart,” Alice said, nodding seriously, and seeing the look on Aurora’s face, she shrugged and added. “That’s better than being surrounded by perverts.”

Aurora hid her laughter as best she could.

She was sure that, if Cithrel heard what Alice thought of her, she wouldn’t know how to react.

Hiding her laughter at Alice’s seriousness that she was probably afraid of being robbed of her personal chef, she checked her holographic watch that had just beeped.

Opening the messages, she realized that Cardinal Brousseau’s report had arrived, and her expression changed.

Knowing it was about the communique report.