NOVEL WEB Chapter 19: Something More, A Home
Dormitory Corridors– Nightfall After the Festival
After enjoying the warm meals, vibrant fireworks, and glowing lanterns of the festival, the students slowly dispersed, returning to their respective dormitories under the star-lit sky. As the group approached the First Year Dormitory building, Sylves turned to Elza and asked softly, "What's your room number?"
Elza glanced down, hesitant, and then murmured, "One-fifty."
Prince Elas blinked, surprised. "That's quite far from ours. Will you be alright on your own?"
But instead of answering, Elza silently stepped behind Sylves, her hands gently clutching the back of his cloak. Everyone chuckled at the shy display, except Sylves, who knew the truth — it wasn't shyness. It was fear. Fear of loneliness, of the dark echoes of trauma she hadn't yet escaped.
Sylves placed a hand on her head gently. "Sleep in my room again tonight."
Elas widened his eyes slightly. "Again? You two slept together last night?"
Serena raised an eyebrow knowingly, but didn't speak. She already knew — Ashia had told her when she came to share her bed the previous night. Meanwhile, a strange feeling burned quietly in Ashia's chest. Jealousy. But she forcefully dismissed it. Master is free to help whomever he wants... and I trust him. It's not like he has impure intentions.
Still, her chest felt tight.
Then Sylves looked at her and said, "Ashia... You too. The bed can fit all three of us."
Her heart skipped. She opened her mouth to object — to offer sleeping on the floor or back in Serena's room — but Sylves cut her off gently. "No. Sleep with us tonight."
Serena and Elas exchanged grins.
"Careful, Sylves," Elas teased. "You're starting a harem right in the heart of the Academy."
Serena giggled. "At this rate, the whole academy will line up for a spot in that bed."
Sylves rolled his eyes but didn't respond. They all parted with laughter.
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Entering Inside Room 104
The lantern cast a warm glow on the walls as the trio entered. Sylves and Ashia changed into their nightwear, while Elza stood awkwardly at the door, still in her uniform. Noticing her discomfort, Ashia stepped in and gently helped her out of her coat and blouse, treating her like a fragile glass figure. Once Elza was dressed in one of Ashia's spare nightgowns, Ashia tucked her gently into bed on Sylves's left. Ashia climbed in on his right.
As the lantern was turned off and the room darkened, Sylves spoke softly.
"Ashia... from the day after tomorrow, Elza and I will be attending special training sessions under Mr. Hawk."
Ashia turned her face slightly toward him, startled. "A separate class...?"
"Yes. But we'll return to the dorm each night," he added, his voice calm and reassuring. "I don't think they'll change our rooms too."
Ashia felt her throat tighten. Her hands gripped the blanket. She tried to hide her anxiety behind her usual composed demeanor.
Then Sylves continued, "Stay with Elas and Serena during the day. Keep each other company."
Ashia gave a small nod in the darkness, her voice barely a whisper. "Yes, Master."
And then silence settled. The soft rustle of the wind outside was the only sound.
In the quiet, Elza shifted closer, gently clinging to Sylves and Ashia remained still on the right side of the bed anxiously— their breaths slowly evening out. As Sylves lay there, gazing up into the ceiling's darkness, he could feel the weight of the trust placed upon him — so different, yet equally broken in their own ways.
He closed his eyes.
"I will protect them both."
And sleep finally embraced them.
The Second Day of the Festival – Morning to Evening
Sunlight streamed through the glass windows of Room 104 as the second day of the festival dawned. The Academy grounds were already buzzing with activity as preparations for more games, tournaments, and performances began in earnest.
Sylves woke up, Elza curled against. For a moment, he simply lay still, letting the quiet serenity settle into him. This peace… it felt rare and fleeting, but he would cherish it while it lasted.
He gently nudged both girls awake. Ashia blinked rapidly, brushing her hair back, and Elza looked up groggily, her violet eyes still drowsy but shimmering in the early light.
"Good morning," Sylves said softly, brushing a hand through his hair. "Time to get ready for the second day of the festival."
Ashia immediately moved into her maid mode, fetching towels and setting up the warm water in the bath. Elza hesitated but eventually agreed to join Ashia in the bathroom again, the familiarity from yesterday having broken some of her reserve.
They emerged dressed in simple yet elegant festival attire—provided by the Academy staff to all first-years. Ashia wore a pale lavender dress with silver patterns stitched around the hem, while Elza's white tunic, trimmed in violet and silver, reflected her noble lineage. Sylves, dressed in his formal white festival robe with golden accents, looked every bit the heir of a great house.
They met Serena and Prince Elas at the central garden, where the flower arrangements had been changed overnight. Strings of crystals and paper charms danced on the wind, giving the area a soft glow under the morning sun. The paths were lined with fresh stalls—some run by senior students, others by local artisans and farmers who had been granted access for the event.
"Good morning!" Serena greeted them, her own rose-colored festival dress swaying as she spun on the spot. "There's a new event today. A treasure hunt. I signed all of us up!"
Elas chuckled. "Let's see if Duke's heir and the princesses of the day can keep up."
Sylves raised an eyebrow. "Are you challenging me, Your Highness?"
Ashia smiled, watching them. It felt like for the first time since entering the academy, they were simply children enjoying their youth—not nobles, not heirs, not wielders of deadly power.
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Treasure Hunt Chaos and Sweet Moments
The treasure hunt took place in the outer orchards beyond the northern wall of the Academy grounds, repurposed temporarily into a maze of clues and minor magical puzzles. Participants had to find tokens hidden inside enchanted boxes, and each token revealed the next location.
Their team worked well together—Sylves used his spatial magic cleverly to scout ahead, Serena deciphered most of the word puzzles, Elas physically moved obstacles, and Ashia had surprisingly sharp instincts for hidden clues. Elza, still shy, stayed close to Sylves, but offered help whenever she could.
One particular clue led them to the forest edge, where a playful trick illusion had them chasing a fake golden rabbit. Sylves, laughing for the first time in what felt like weeks, finally dispelled the illusion with a light tap of his finger.
They didn't win the grand prize—a team of fifth-years beat them by four minutes—but the experience was well worth it.
Afterward, they enjoyed a vegetarian feast arranged in long tables on the southern grounds. Dishes from every major region of Asphalia were served: creamy mushroom pies, seasoned rice wrapped in herbal leaves, honey-roasted carrots, garlic-crusted root vegetables, steamed dumplings with crushed lentils and mint, and sparkling fruit wines (non-alcoholic) brewed specially for students.
Sylves, with Ashia on one side and Elza on the other, shared jokes and food as music played in the background. For a moment, the sky felt clearer, the sun warmer. The memory of the catalyst attack and Sarah's tragic sacrifice seemed distant—though never forgotten.
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Art Exhibitions and Evening Performances
As the afternoon shifted toward evening, the students were invited to the east wing garden, which had been transformed into a gallery. The student council had arranged for art created by senior students to be put on display—paintings, magical sculptures, and even enchanted dioramas depicting famous battles and mythical events.
One piece in particular caught Sylves's eye: a sculpture of a winged knight protecting a child from shadowy beasts. The title read "Light Beyond Despair." Elza stared at it longer than anyone else, her hand trembling slightly as she reached for Sylves's hand. He held it tightly.
As twilight fell, a grand stage set at the center of the academy grounds came to life with magical lights. Senior students put on theatrical performances—some serious, some humorous—and a musical band enchanted instruments to play themselves in harmony.
Ashia and Serena clapped along, cheering as students sang duets and acted out stories of ancient Asphalian heroes. Elza seemed more composed now, though she rarely let go of Sylves's sleeve.
Eventually, the second day of the festival began to draw to a close.
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First-Year Dormitory Rooftop
Later that night, when the rest of the academy was settling in or preparing to view the fireworks from the central garden, Sylves, Ashia, and Elza slipped away quietly to the rooftop of the first-year dormitory.
The cool night breeze tugged at their hair and robes as they sat on a thick woolen blanket Ashia had brought along.
The first fireworks burst above—great golden flowers blooming in the night sky, followed by cascading silver trails and magical bursts that took the shape of phoenixes, dragons, and birds of light.
Ashia sat beside Sylves, her legs pulled close to her chest, watching the sky with wide, sparkling eyes. "This feels like something out of a dream," she whispered.
Sylves nodded. "If it is, I wouldn't want to wake up yet."
Elza, to his other side, leaned gently against him. "I never imagined I'd ever smile again after that night. But… with you both, I feel safe."
Ashia turned, looking at Elza softly. "That's because you are safe. We'll never let anything happen to you."
Sylves glanced at both of them and exhaled. "The Academy is no longer just a place to train and learn. It's becoming something more… a home."
Just then, a particularly large burst filled the sky—radiant violet and silver stars spiraling like a galaxy. Elza gasped. "That looks like Sarah's eyes…"
Sylves looked up, and his voice softened. "Then she's still watching over you, over us."
The girls leaned closer to him, and the three of them sat like that in silence as the last of the fireworks lit the sky, a trio of lights gleaming quietly beneath the stars—children bound by pain, healing through friendship.
Tomorrow, their training would begin anew. But tonight, they watched the heavens and held onto peace.
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