Landing on the Platform was a mighty ship that held no rivals in terms of size on the landing platform designated for airships. The large airship dwarfed the surrounding ships, catching the eyes of everyone in its surroundings. Of course, it could be the size of the ship that caught everyone’s eyes or the flag that billowed in the wind carrying the multicolored eye of the famous Academy of Elementals.

  Whatever reason it was, all eyes were on the magnificent ship called the Soar.The ship was well known around the world as the main ship of travel for the students of the Academy. Whether it was for a mission or visit, the ship named Soar was the chosen airship for the occasion.

  Suddenly a ramp was lowered from the upper deck of the ship to the platform below. Not long after, a small group of people numbering a little over a dozen people, walked down the platform. The group consisted of old men and kids surrounded by a group of golden armored individuals.

  Once their feet met the platform, they were met with a small group of green robed individuals, standing and smiling at the approaching group of colorful visitors.

  “Welcome, to Flow City Grandmaster Windblade” A dark green haired man in similar colored robes and golden accents took the lead of greeting the visitors “and to you as well, young Heroes of Tomorrow. I, William Flow and my family are blessed to be in your presence.”

  The man's appearance caught the eyes of everyone around as the man's appearance already told everyone of his origins.

  The group of students all bowed their heads in greeting except Grandmaster Ken and Professor Orion who stood, hunched over taking in the sights.

  The green-haired man whose robes was the only one with gold accents, paused after noticing there was another old man standing with a cane made of mysterious material and seeing he didn’t bother bowing either, shock filled him but he of course did not show it as he turned to the old man with a cane. “And this gentleman…” He gestured to Professor Orion who was still lost in the surrounding sights.

  “Hahaha, don’t mind him little Flow. He is just another professor. Professor Orion of Mortal Relations. I believe you heard you will be escorting him and his students around the city.”

  William put on a fake smile, inwardly annoyed that he had to put on a more wary act in front of a man who wasn’t even important nor an Elemental, before shifting his attention back to the students, he smiled, “Hello heroes. I am William Flow, second son to the current Head of the Ancient House Flow. I am pleased to meet you all, the famous Diamond Class.” The excitement was clear in the kids' eyes, except the brown haired twelve year old a bit behind the group of nine eager students. All the boy felt at that moment was jealousy.

  Damon nearly rolled his eyes after spotting his fellow Academy members rolling their shoulders and holding their chins up high. All pleased to know that not only are they famous inside the Academy but they are famous outside it as well, filled them with pride. Even Gina couldn’t help the joy at being recognized for her talent.

  “All nine of you will enjoy your stay here and we will be sure to give you all the best Elemental Beasts the city has to offer.”

  Pretending to be unaffected by the blatant disregard they had for him, Damon copied his professor and began observing his surroundings instead of listening to the fawning session happening in front of him. A session that didn’t last long as Grandmaster Ken spoke up. “I wish to head inside. We have been traveling for three days now.”

  William pulled his attention and smiled at the tired old Grandmaster “Of course, of course. Forgive me Grandmaster Windblade.” His apology was simply waved off. “Right this way. We will be heading to the Flow palace.”

  William turned and walked away with the group of Academy students and two professors following.

  ***

  A pair of boys around twelve walked out of what appeared to be a tailor shop with smiles as they admired each other’s bright colored robes and behind them came a woman in a fancy red dress with a fond smile, watching the two boys.

  The two boys now filled with confidence shot looks over to a group of ladies all dressed in different colors similar to a rainbow walking down the street their way. Their confident looks were soon destroyed as the group merely laughed at their attempts, a few even ended up pinching the boys cheeks as they passed by.

  The ladies, a little happier than before, walked away with wide genuine smiles from the cute interaction. Those wide genuine smiles quickly shrunk into smiles of allure and mystery as they spotted a group of silver armored individuals. Sadly their smiles weren’t seen by the group of armored men as they were too busy saluting a line of passing carriages all bearing the sigil of a Cloud.

  Damon watched everything with a small smile. He felt the many sights he passed by made the city feel more homey and alive. Something he desperately missed after spending almost two months in the Academy. Damon wondered how his family was doing after he spotted the mother and her two sons.

  “Fun, isn’t it?” cough cough.

  Damon pulled away from the small window to stare at the coughing Professor Orion who was reading a book.

  “What was that professor?” Damon asked, letting the curtains fall back in place blocking off anyone trying to see into the carriage.

  “Watching the lives of everyone pass in front of you. It's fun isn’t it?” Professor Orion without looking up from his book, asked.

  Damon shifted his gaze back to the slit between the curtains where the mother and the boys walked down the sidewalk to wherever they were going with smiles. “Yes, professor. You can find bits and pieces of their stories by simply watching them.”

  Professor nodded with a chuckle, “Yes, yes indeed.” Cough cough “ Ah, damn cough.” Professor Orion cursed his cough before clearing his throat. “Although you can’t see the entire picture, you are given a corner of it. One of the reasons I liked traveling so much when I was younger.”

  Before Damon could ask more about his professor’s younger years, he spotted a small group of armored silver guards, bearing the sigil of a cloud on their chests saluting the multiple passing carriages, one of them being the one he was in.

  “Why are they saluting, professor? I don’t think anyone here is the city’s Governor.” Hearing his question, Professor Orion took his eyes off his book for a moment to see the saluting guards outside.

  “The City’s Garrison. Protectors of the city.” cough cough “Ahem, a city owned by the Republic on paper yes, but in reality it is really owned by the Ancient House of Flow. And with the sigil placed on every carriage here, if I was them, I would be saluting the people who pay my wages as well.” Professor explained before another round of coughing hit him as he turned his attention back to his book.

  “What about the Governor? Why isn’t he here?”

  “Oh?” Professor Orion looked up at him from his book. “Are you so important that the Governor himself should welcome you personally?” Damon immediately shook his head and waved his hand “What? N-no, no-” “I'm just messing with you kid.” Professor orion laughed

  Recalling the words about him traveling, he asked “You traveled, Professor?” Damon looked back at Professor Orion who closed his book and stared up into nothing with a soft smile of nostalgia.

  “Yes. I was a son of a traveling merchant when I was younger. Saw all different types of people and cities. I was even lucky enough to witness a few beasts in person, some normal and others Elemental. It was with all these adventures, that I was chosen for the position of Professor of Mortal Relations. I had more than enough experience.” With a proud face he finished.

  Damon looked over at his Professor in envy. To be able to roam the world was one thing he always wanted to do. And it was something that he thought only Elementals could do, given they have enough strength to go unbothered by the majority of the world. “You were able to travel the world?”

  Professor Orion laughed at his words. “Of course. Did you think I was locked down somewhere?” Shaking his head gently at his student, “The world wasn’t only built for Elementals to see. It was built for mortals, beasts and Elementals. This world was built to breathe life. So as children of this world, why can’t we all go explore it.”

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  Damon sat still looking over at the smile on his professor's face, lost in memories, he realized his view of the world was blocked. When he discovered Elementals existed in this world, he believed that only they were able to see more than the sky above him. To see more than the earth’s dry lands outside the city of Sparking. He thought that if he were to fail at his Awakening Ceremony he would lose the chance to see the world. Noticing the old man with years of experience go back to his book with a content smile, he realized he was wrong.

  ***

  Around late noon, around a half a dozen carriages rode up to a jade gate, guarded by soldiers of dark green armor and spears. One of the soldiers donned in armor a bit lighter than its fellow armors and held more details was the first to spot the column of carriages approaching.

  “OPEN THE GATES!” The soldier shouted, and within moments the gates were opened. And right on time as well, because the front carriage didn’t bother slowing down.

  Damon, finding they had arrived at their destination, took a look outside from the window and stared up in awe at the colossal tower spearing through the clouds.

  His expression was spotted by professor Orion who had an amused sparkle in his eyes. “That is the Windy Tower. One of the most sacred buildings in the Republic. It is also owned by the Ancient House of Flow. A creation from their founder, Toren Flow. The first Elemental lord.” Professor Orion explained the history to his awed student. Damon shifted his attention to professor Orion and opened his mouth “We’re not allowed inside.” only to shut it after he heard Professor Orion read his mind.

  Disappointment hit him and he fell to his seat because of it. “So, we’re just here to learn Mortal Relations?” Damon let out a heavy sigh at the nod his professor did.

  Before he could say anything else, he felt the carriage stop. Signalling they have arrived at the ancestral home of House Flow.

  Adjusting his robes and fixing his hair Damon got himself ready. Although he wasn’t that worried about the opinions of the nobles, he was still at one of the homes of one of his heroes, so the excitement and the urge to leave a good expression existed.

  Seeing all this, Professor Orion smiled softly at his student. His eyes contained hints of sadness, something that Damon noticed. “Is something wrong professor? Are you feeling sick?”

  Professor Orion shook his head at both questions before letting out a sigh of countless emotions as he observed his excited and eager student.

  “Don’t get your hopes up kid.”

  Walking out the carriage, Damon was met with the sight of a castle twice the size of the beginning, the largest airship in the Academy that could fit around a few thousand passengers. The castle was made entirely of white marble, with towers placed in each corner of the castle, and one of the things one would notice is the complete lack of windows. It was clear the castle was more like a fort than a home. And with the twelve foot metal double doors, and the guards above the walls, it was a very guarded fort.

  “I, Lord Dorian Flow, Head of House Flow, welcome you all to our House Flow’s humble abode.” The voice caught Damon’s attention to the front of the double doors where a man in his fifties and long white and green hair stood atop the staircase leading to the doors behind him. The man was donned in green robes similar in color with his green hair that was fading into white, standing with his arms spread welcoming Damon and his fellow travelers. “We are honored to have this world’s Heroes of Tomorrow as our guests. Please come in.” The man invited the small group into his home with a welcoming smile.

  Damon followed the group into the castle and passed through the double door where he was welcomed by a long line of maids standing either side of a long corridor, carpeted in green. As they passed by each maid, they would bow their heads in servitude. The sight was an uncomfortable one for Damon, who couldn't help but feel bad towards the maids.

  Feeling uncomfortable, Damon switched his attention over to the paintings hanging on the walls of the corridor.

  “These men and women you see here are all ancestors of my House, who did feats worthy of remembrance. Like this man right here,” The group paused in the middle of the hallway to point at a man wearing a jade mask designed with golden intricate details lined on the mask. The man was dressed in robes with high collars, and long sleeves where a gloved hand would peak out. The man gave off a mysterious aura, probably due to his complete covering of his entire body. The group stood with curious eyes, scanning the mysterious individual.

  Lord Dorian’s cheeks pulled back into a smile of satisfaction after noticing their reactions. Reaching his arms out towards the painting he began, “ This is the famous thirty seventh head of House Flow. He was a man of great renown during his time as he was one of the youngest grandmasters of his time. Twenty-eight years old. A man like no other.” Damon could spot the immense pride on the head of House Flow's face. A feeling that was understandable.

  The average age of a grandmaster is around fifty years old. For a Grandmaster to be younger than the average by nearly double would make anyone sigh in amazement. And for those related to the genius, they would watch with pride.

  Lord Dorian, giving a final glance of pride at the masked figure, turned around and waved them to follow.

  ***

  Damon was given a tour of the place for around an hour before he was sent to a room to get himself ready for the dinner they were planning. Damon wished he could miss the dinner, but he knew that was impossible. He would not only offend House Flow by rejecting the dinner, but he would also embarrass the Academy. A result that would make his life much harder than it already is.

  Although he wouldn’t wish to embarrass the Academy with absence, he felt with his presence it would be the same thing. As he scoured through his outfits, he couldn’t find any that could fit the occasion. He had a few nice clothes but he didn’t feel they were appropriate for a dinner with one of the most powerful Houses in the Republic. Damon began pacing the room out of stress, sighs were emitted from him every few seconds.

  Knock knock

  Damon’s stress session was cut short by a knock on the door. Damon froze, unsure who it was. They were supposed to leave for dinner in about an hour and a half. But someone was already outside his door. With tentative steps, Damon walked over to the door and shouted “Who is it?”

  Silence came from the other side. A thousand different thoughts came surfing through his head before he just shook his head and opened the door revealing a yawning old man standing outside his door holding a cane in one hand and a bundle of clothes in the other, staring at him with hazel colored eyes. “Professor?” Damon carefully spoke, unsure why his professor was standing outside his door.”

  Professor Orion smiled at him before shoving a bundle of clothes in his students hands. Turning around and walking away, the professor said over his shoulder “I don’t need them anymore. I’m quite old now.”

  Damon looked at the hobbling retreating figure of his professor before glancing down at the clothes in his hands. Opening them up to see, Damon couldn’t help the small smile creeping onto his face. Damon pulled the clothes to his chest and bowed his head to the reiterating figure of his professor.

  After almost two hours of staying in his room and pacing around, he finally got a knock at his door. With great speeds he leaped to the door and pulled it open where he was met with a smiling maid.

  The maid, still wearing a smile, did a quick scan of Damon’s outfit before nodding her head in satisfaction at what she saw. Damon returned her smile, happy she was satisfied with the outfit considering it was his nicest outfit besides the student robes he wears.

  The maid bowed her head and took a couple steps backwards before gesturing with her hand for him to walk out. Damon bowed his head in thanks before walking out the door to see other maids also in the same position, all welcoming the other students into the hall.

  Damon did a quick scan of everyone and thought everyone brought out their best outfits. Even Gina who was standing diagonally across from, right next to Nessa was dressed to impress.

  The chubby girl donned a yellow dress that flowed outwards to the bottom and white gloves. To finish her outfit off was a white bow on her head, that held her hair in a tight bun.

  Gina, feeling a gaze on her, turned to find Damon dressed in black pants and a gold coat that he wore over a white button up. Both friends locked eyes with each other before sending teasing smiles at each other.

  “This way, young Heroes of Tomorrow.” All the students' heads snapped to the voice’s owner where they found an older lady with more design on her dress and held more maturity and grace the other maids lacked.

  The group was led downstairs where they met with Grandmaster Windblade and Professor Orion. Behind the two were the five Honor Guards assigned to protect the students and Professors.

  Grandmaster Windblade, after spotting the group of students, turned to the maid leading them, sending a look. The maid seeing this bowed her head and walked down the corridor.

  Grandmaster Windblade observed the students' attire before nodding his head in satisfaction. Grandmaster Ken narrowed his eyes, staring into each and every student’s eyes. “Whatever happens…” Grandmaster turned around and faced the double doors.

  “Behave appropriately.”

  With a nod to the guards at the doors, they were greeted by a long table capable of fitting around fifty people if one was to go by the chairs.

  The small group of Elemental Academy Students froze after spotting half of the chairs were occupied. Some of those occupants were adults while others were kids like them or older.

  The maid that brought them down to the dining hall appeared on the other side of the door still wearing her welcoming smile and led them to the table where they took their seats beside each other or across from each other.

  Damon and Gina, who walked down together, chose to sit beside each other. Sending each other shared glances of awe and curiosity as they continued to see things.

  The food on the table was all prepared, hidden under covers, waiting for the host to give the word for the dinner to begin. Damon did a quick scan of the room and saw most of the seats occupied except a few seats at the end of the table. The seat at the head of the table and few next to it were empty.

  Everyone took a seat and Grandmaster Ken took a seat at the opposite end of the table. Across from the head of the table. Damon noticed his chosen seat and thought to himself, the spot like in his books and stories were always reserved for the most powerful in the room.

  Damon turned to see Head of House Flow, Dorian Flow walk into the room with a big smile. Damon and everyone on the table stood up to greet the white haired man.

  All except two old men: Grandmaster Ken and Professor Orion.

  Damon stole a glance at Lord Dorian and saw no reaction from the man. Not even a twitch. Seeing them remaining in their seats, clearly not bothering to get up, Lord Dorian simply stood at the head of the table, smiling at everyone with his arms spread and said,

  “Let us eat.”