The Pursuit Of Catalyst: A Dive Into Another Verse

Morning — Dormitory Room 104

The soft light of dawn filtered through the curtains, bathing the room in a golden hue.

Ashia was already up and dressed in her crisp student-maid uniform, her hair neatly tied, her posture straight. She stood beside the bed, her eyes gentle as she leaned over.

"Good morning, my master," she said with a smile.

Sylves blinked awake and let out a small yawn. "You're already ready?" he murmured, rubbing his eyes. "You really are something else…"

Ashia giggled softly. "I am a trained maid, Master. Efficiency is part of the role."

She added, "The bath is ready. It's still an hour until the first lecture at nine. I'll wash your back."

Sylves sat up. "You've got everything figured out, don't you?"

They entered the bathroom together — a marble-tiled chamber with warm steam curling through the air. Ashia calmly and professionally performed her duty, washing his back with a soft cloth and careful movements. To her own surprise, she felt no embarrassment, only a quiet pride in fulfilling her role with grace.

Once they finished, Ashia helped her master dress in his neatly pressed Academy uniform. She adjusted her own skirt and cloak with practiced ease.

They stepped out into the corridor, locking the door behind them.

---

Corridor – On the Way to Class

The Academy's long halls bustled with footsteps and murmurs of students heading to their respective lecture wings. Sylves and Ashia walked side by side, the early morning sun lighting the stained glass windows in brilliant colors.

Then—

"Help! Please—!"

A sharp, panicked voice rang out from the distance.

Ashia's body tensed, and she turned to Sylves. "Master!"

"I heard it," he said, already moving. "Come on!"

They raced through the corridors, down a flight of stairs, and out into the side garden near the east wing. The shout had come from there.

Among the trees, in a secluded patch of the garden, they found the source.

A young girl — perhaps their age or slightly younger — was backed against the trunk of a tree, clutching a wooden box tightly to her chest. Three older students, all third-years by their badges, loomed over her.

"Give it here, brat," growled one of them, reaching for the box.

The girl bit his hand. He recoiled with a curse.

The second boy lashed out in anger and kicked her hard in the chest. She collapsed to her knees, gasping for air.

The third — the tallest of them — stepped forward to snatch the box.

Whack!

A stone struck him squarely on the head.

He turned in fury — just in time to see Ashia standing defiantly at the edge of the trees.

"You little—!" he barked, stepping toward her.

But before he could reach her, a blur of silver moved behind them.

Sylves.

In a single swift motion, he snatched the box from the tall boy's hands and scooped the injured girl into his arms.

"Too slow," he muttered.

The older students spun around in surprise, giving Ashia the opening she needed to vanish into the other side of the trees.

Sylves ran.

Cradling the girl carefully, he sprinted through the garden paths, up the side steps, and back into the dormitory, dodging glances and slipping into Room 104 before anyone could catch up.

Ashia was already waiting.

They laid the girl gently onto the bed. Her breathing was shaky, but the pain in her chest began to ease.

Ashia pressed a cool cloth to her forehead and whispered, "It's alright… You're safe now."

Sylves watched from the side, arms crossed, eyes narrowed.

"…What were they after?" he muttered.

The girl, still catching her breath, clutched the box to her chest like it was her lifeline.

---

Ten Minutes Later – Dormitory Room 104

The girl stirred with a jolt, eyes snapping open as she sat upright on the bed, clutching the box tightly to her chest.

"P-Please don't hurt me!" she gasped, voice shaking. "I can't give this box away… There's really nothing special inside, I—"

Before she could finish, Ashia gently wrapped her arms around her, pulling the trembling girl into a soft, calming embrace.

"You're safe," Ashia whispered, her voice steady. "No one here will hurt you. You're alright now."

Sylves, standing nearby with arms crossed, added firmly, "No one lays a finger on anyone in this room — not without going through me first."

The girl blinked, startled by their gentleness. Her breathing slowed. She looked from Ashia to Sylves and then back again, her expression shifting from fear to dawning realization. Her eyes widened, and she suddenly climbed down from the bed and dropped to one knee, her head bowed in reverence.

"I-I'm sorry for not recognizing you sooner… I saw you in the lecture hall yesterday," she said quickly. "You're Sylves Ellesmere, the heir to the house of Duke Ellesmere, aren't you? The one who is rumoured to host the Catalyst Of Creation…"

Sylves blinked, a little amused. "I am. You don't need to kneel. Take a seat — you should rest. Your chest must still be hurting."

The girl straightened, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Yes, Sir. Forgive me."

"I'm Serena Lawrance," she continued, sitting down on a nearby chair. "Daughter of one of the Five Counts, Count Marquis Lawrance and he serves directly under your father. My father is greatly indebted to your father's kindness. It's an honor to make your acquaintance, Mr. Ellesmere."

Sylves replied calmly. "You're a first year, right? Head to the lecture hall together with us when you're ready, I'll ensure your safety."

Serena bowed once more, her shoulders relaxing as she cradled the box on her lap like a treasured heirloom, "Thank You, Mr. Ellesmere."

Ashia, who had stood beside her quietly, now spoke with a sharp tone beneath her usual grace.

"Still, I can't believe this kind of bullying happens in a prestigious place like this. This is supposed to be the most elite academy in the Empire."

"It's a letdown, honestly," Sylves said, his voice heavy with disappointment. "For all their noble blood, some students act worse than common thugs."

---

A Few Moments Later – Preparing to Leave

As they prepared to leave the room, Sylves turned to Serena, his curiosity finally getting the better of him.

"That box," he said. "Why were they after it? Is there something special inside?"

Serena clutched it tighter, then looked up, eyes softer now, more steady.

"I showed an affinity for Light Magic in class yesterday," she explained. "And since that's rare — especially for someone like me — some of the other students claimed it was a fluke. A miscalculation."

She took a breath before continuing. "They weren't after the box because it was valuable… They just wanted to take it, humiliate me, and prove I was weak. But this box… it holds keepsakes from my late mother. I was taking it to the staff so it could be stored safely."

Sylves narrowed his eyes. "So they thought bullying you would make them feel bigger. Pathetic."

Serena bowed her head slightly, her grip softening around the box. "Thank you, both of you… for stepping in."

Sylves gave her a small nod. "You've got a rare gift — Light Magic is nothing to scoff at. Anyone who says otherwise is just afraid of what you might become."

Serena smiled faintly, her cheeks flushed again — this time with gratitude.

With that, the three of them stepped out, locking Room 104 behind them as the morning light guided their path toward the lecture halls.

A new alliance had quietly formed.

And none of them yet knew just how important it would become.

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