Waters Manor.
Several faintly glowing candelabras stood along the classical dining table. They had clearly been moved in haste, and the lavish dinner silently explained why.
Sienna, her mother, and her sister ate in silence. Then a mature woman's voice broke the quiet. "Aixue, I'm going to transfer you to Solz Magic Academy."
Aixue, who looked like a snowman, wiped her lips with a handkerchief and raised her head. "I don't want to. My friends and companions are all at Siltovis Magic Academy."
"That won't matter. Siltovis Magic Academy won't be the best for much longer." Their mother, Lady Jemany, was no less firm for the long waves of hair draped over her shoulders.
Sienna rubbed her silver fork nervously, then suddenly stood. "I agree with my sister!"
The composed Lady Jemany and the startled Aixue looked at her together.
"Your reason?"
"One of us attended Siltovis Magic Academy and the other attended Solz Magic Academy before. It's the same now..." As she realized that the sister who had always overshadowed her agreed with her, Sienna's nerves quietly faded. "Besides, making Aixue transfer would hurt our family's reputation!"
"Who would dare gossip about the Montreal family?"
"But our surname is Waters." The dim room seemed to lend Sienna courage.
"...Our guest didn't come tonight," Lady Jemany said, changing the subject.
"He said he would." This time, Annan gave Sienna courage. "Perhaps you frightened him off by being so stern before..."
"Did I?" To her surprise, her usually stern mother actually agreed with her for once. "Take me to your academy tomorrow."
"Uh... all right."
Annan fell asleep after finishing his meditation. He felt his body grow heavier and heavier, sinking into the earth... When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in the Holy Hall for the first