Chapter 23: A Lot to Take In

"Wh-what?"

Aranea was the only one who reacted but obviously, the twins were too shocked to speak.

The two of them looked at each other as they stared at the door of the house opening, revealing a beautiful woman with long straight blonde hair that almost reached her ankles.

She was wearing a white Greek dress then with her barefoot, she walked towards the door then smiled at the headmaster, making him nod at her in acknowledgement of her presence.

"Thank you, Reyna, for fixing the ladies' house," he thanked her, the forest nymph smiling as she cocked her head to the side to look at the girls.

"So this is Aurelia's adopted daughters?"

She asked, the twins looking at each other as they wondered how they knew their mother.

"I'm Reyna, and when your mother was still here, I was her best friend! Well, not really 'was'... until now, though," she added, the twins now smiling at her.

"Thank you, Reyna," both of them thanked in unison as she walked out of the house.

"Originally, this house was prepared for Elenea and the other children of the orphanage who would soon be here if they were to enroll. But since she did not expect Aranea to be invited to enroll, both of you would share this house together."

"Oh!" Aranea scratched the back of her head, embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Elenea. This was supposed to be yours and I--"

"Oh, hush!" Elenea rolled her eyes at her. "Mom would still want you to have it with me without or with her knowing you'd enroll. It's okay, jeez... alright?"

Aranea smiled at her then she nodded, happy that despite not being able to meet their real parents, they have a very understanding mother and a loving family.

"Now, I'd best be off, then... I have taken you both here safely. Remember you have two days to prepare before the ordeals so you would have to prepare by then," the headmaster reminded, making the three nod as they thanked him.

"Thank you, Headmaster Gavin, for escorting us home and for telling me everything that I need about being a Summoner," Aranea said, making the headmaster nod then in a blink of an eye, disappeared right before their eyes as if he wasn't there.

"Wow!" Reyna clasped both of her hands together, getting the three's attention. "Aranea... you're a Summoner?"

The girl slightly raised a brow at her, curious at her surprise. She nodded once, making the forest nymph grab the two girls to enter the house.

"My! Then we must talk about it! I have not met a Summoner in the flesh and only heard about it in the legends of their existence!"

With the three girls already inside, Leonel followed then he closed the door the moment everyone was inside.

The house was indeed Elizabethan, with wooden panels along the corridors, ornate chandeliers, and oil paintings of old bearded men in tunics and ruffs.

The stairs led down into a tall galleried room with a rug spread out over flagstones and a fireplace big enough to park a car in. A long polished wooden table had been set for three.

"C-compared from the look outside, one wouldn't know that the house is actually big once you enter," Elenea commented, making Leonel and Aranea nod in agreement.

"Curiouser and curiouser... is this the work of magic? Amazing!"

Hearing Elenea and Leonel's comment made the forest nymph Reyna giggle.

"Why, yes! This is also the work of magic. It is meant for the exterior to make the house look small but upon entry, a contrast!" She gave them a wink. "Wonders of magic, isn't it? Aurelia had earned a lot for this house and had fixed it up herself for her children to inherit!"

"Woah... this is a lot to take in," Aranea commented, Reyna, stopping in her tracks to turn to face the three of them.

"Aurelia decided to marry after she left so she could give this to her children, but as I heard, she did not marry and decided to raise unfortunate children on her own. That is so big of her," Reyna narrated as a loving smile appeared on her face. "Now that I met the two girls which she proudly talked to me about in her letters, I'm happy."

"Oh!" Leonel looked at the two as he cocked his head to the side. "I'm sorry to ask but... you two are adopted?"

The two girls nodded.

"Yes," Elenea smiled as she looked at Leonel. "Our mother found us alone when she was in the forest looking for resources. Since then, she decided to raise us. We were the first children of the orphanage," she added, making Aranea embrace her sister.

"But one thing mom was sure when she had us checked in the hospital was that we're both twins! It is untraceable, though, who are parents were so she adopted us as her own then she built her own orphanage that is out of the city," Aranea narrated, making Leonel smile as his eyes widened in astonishment.

"Wow! And she has given you two this home as well! She is a loving mother indeed," Leonel commented, making the three girls nod in agreement.

"Now, then... I have actually prepared a snack for you guys when Professor Gertrude told me that you would be escorted by the headmaster."

She did a spin excitedly as she pointed at the hall going to the dining room.

"Shall we have a hearty snack as we chitchat for a while before I leave everyone alone?"

With that, everyone walked towards the dining room. The moment they were right at the door, they already smelled the food that Reyna had prepared for them.

There was the smell of roasted chicken and the aroma of the tomato soup. On the table, they also saw a small baked chocolate moist cake, making the three feel a bit hungry even though they just had a feast from the academy.

"Erm, Reyna... I think this is like late dinner than a snack, don't you think?" Aranea commented, making the forest nymph laugh as she poured everyone a glass of milk.

"Yes! But it doesn't matter! With all the talk that you had with the headmaster, I bet your brains absorbed more information than usual even though classes hadn't started yet!"

The three of them laughed as they sat on the chair, the forest nymph crossing her arms in front of her chest.

"Now, eat! And then we talk!"

Reyna asked Aranea and Elenea countless of questions about Aranea's powers. She even asked Leonel about the elemental deities, the forest nymph's eyes shining like stars as she found their conversation interesting. From time to time, she would also talk and ask about Aurelia!

It is their first day and night in the academy... but a lot has already happened and as the night prolonged, the two realized how tired they are.

Aranea is right... today is indeed a lot to take in!

CREATORS' THOUGHTS
MysticAmy

The book has already been contracted! ^^ Announcements: chapters may be locked in April or May. ;) I would remind the locking of chapters in the near future! So stay tuned~!

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