Rose Mansion, Sativum Town
Days later
"Your highness... May I ask something?"
The young boy's soft voice reached the Emperor who was reading some documents related to Sativum town.
"Go ahead." Said the Emperor without raising his gaze from the document.
"Is your highness really thinking about making our temple an academy?"
"Thinking?" He finally raised his eyes and looked at Pluie. "I am not thinking. I am doing it."
Astonishment in Pluie's eyes was obvious. He never met someone with this much power upon anyone. But then again... this was the Emperor who was next to him.
"Also," Emperor slowly got up from the place he's been sitting for hours "Show me this temple of yours."
Roads which led to the temple were rough. There were lots of parts that needed repairing. The blue and green embedded floral scene next to the temple was peaceful but abandoned. The building of the temple was neither big nor small. Charms and bells were also old along with the chipped paint.
"We were doing our best to take care of the temple but..." Pluie's silent exclamation immediately received an answer from the Emperor.
"No need."
The blue eyes of the emperor matched with the sky for a single moment right before he turned to his subordinates.
"Take notes about everything that needs repairing in here. Also when we get back, inform Official Rose, he is no longer responsible for Wari Temple and its teachings. I am taking it under my control."
Pluie's eyes were all round after hearing what the Emperor had said. The real meaning of this was unbeknownst to Pluie. But even he understood that the Emperor was not content with the situation that Official Rose caused. The reason why the Emperor was so interested in this issue was a mystery to everyone. Guards which were accompanying them started to fix some things under the Emperor's order. Then there came a spiritual message indicating the person that was summoned by the Emperor reached Sativum Town. She was directed to come to the Wari Temple by the guard who brought the message to the Emperor.
"Your Highness... I know this temple of ours is not clean enough to receive someone in your status but... Can I offer some place for Your Highness to sit..?"
The soft voice of the young boy snapped the Emperor from his train of thoughts. He looked at the young boy with curiosity while slowly nodding with his head. Pluie took a short breath with relief then focused his eyes on a nearby pond. Water slowly rose from the pond and with every movement of the boy's hands it changed its shape and became a brilliant gazebo. Even when the walls, table and chairs were set, the water was still circulating inside its limits.
"So you already know how to use your alignment."
The Emperor's obvious statement made Pluie flush with red but his water creation didn't even waver. The Emperor was sure no matter what happens the water shaped gazebo will stay in the shape without breaking until the boy says otherwise. He slowly went to the water shaped gazebo and sat down elegantly. The expected coldness of the water was nowhere to be found. The Emperor observed this creation a little bit more, only to realize the warmness was coming from the circulations in the water.
"What a lovely creation." A woman wearing simple robes along with sun and wave designs came in front of the Emperor. "Long time no see your grace."
"It's good to see you too, Salvia." The Emperor's response made the woman smile. She had piercing lilac eyes with a cunning look. She was the one who taught the Emperor himself when they were young and she was still living in seclusion. Her deep voice sounded so delicate.
"Is this the temple you are planning to turn into an academy?"
Her gaze followed around the flora which was neglected and the pillars which needed repairing. It was almost like she was calculating where to start. Then she looked at the Emperor while standing next to a chair.
"Please, sit. I would like to discuss some things related to this place with you."
She was one of the people that the Emperor was trusting far above everyone else. She slowly sat down next to the Emperor.
"In your message, you mentioned, there are two disciples of Wari here, but I only see one at the moment, your grace."
"The other is still in prison. You see... The Official who should've been responsible for the restoration of the town went out his way and decided to... turn this temple into a pleasure house along with the other townsmen."
Anger was solid. Salvia was mad, and it was obvious. Pluie felt the same anger when he first heard what was decided about the temple as well. Seeing someone who felt the same as him and his sister, Pluie trusted more to the Emperor's decisions.
"Your grace... You should eradicate that person. Or if you please I can do it by myself. As you know, a Wari disciple always pays back. Be it good, be it bad."
A laugh. Emperor's only answer was a laugh but Salvia knew even though Emperor agrees with her claims he was not that kind of a person who can kill without solid reasoning.
"I know Wari values balance more than anything. But think this as the compensation for the other disciple's actions. She burnt down all the resources I've sent here to renovate."
"She did what?"
"She burnt the resources with spiritual flames to prevent them from doing anything to the temple."
"Your grace... Can I see her? Is there any other way for her to be punished?"
"Give me a suggestion. I'll consider your thoughts."
"I will think about something after I see the girl, is that okay for you, your grace?"
The Emperor approved her request while ordering the guards to bring the girl in prison here. Meanwhile Salvia turned to the boy behind the Emperor.
"Are you the other Wari disciple?" she asked.
Pluie looked at the thinking Emperor, like he was asking permission to speak about it. When he got the approval he was looking for, he finally answered Salvia.
"Yes, I am. My name is Pluie, water-alignment. The other disciple mentioned is my twin sister. Rayon, she has fire-alignment. We taught each other with the writings which were left from our parents in this temple."
Salvia nodded while listening to what the boy was saying. But she also observed the boy's exterior just like the Emperor did when they came across for the first time.
"Are you using a water-based illusion spell?"
"As expected from an experienced Wari Elder."
"What is your reasoning for using that high level spell?"
For a moment Pluie looked at the Emperor again. The Emperor's eyes were closed and he was listening to the conversation between Salvia and Pluie with an expressionless face.
"For our plan with Rayon..." Pluie murmured while the Emperor's lips formed a soft smile.
"You don't need to worry Pluie. Your grace probably already knows what you were planning."
"W-What?"
"He is the Emperor and he already knows Wari teachings. It's not that hard for him to guess your purpose. Now relax and tell me the whole story. I don't have significant perception skills like our mighty Emperor does."
"T-Then... I'll tell the rest..."
"Go ahead."
"Our plan was... after Rayon burnt down the resources... I was going to help her escape from prison by becoming a guard for Rose Mansion. B-But we didn't know his highness would come for something this simple... Since it was impossible for a girl to become a guard... I used a water illusion spell to turn myself into a boy... I am so sorry that we burnt those resources you sent your highness..."
His brown eyes were already teary and it was obvious that he was about to collapse to the floor and start crying. Before anyone could say anything the other guards' voice came along with the screaming Rayon.
"Let me go! This is my home! I won't let you bring disgrace to my home! I'll burn every one of you! I said- LET ME GO! What the- Pluie?! Why the hell are you crying?"
"I'm not!"
"Shut up. I can see the tears about to fall down."
"Both of you, mind your manners." Salvia intervened right before the things escalated more.
"Who the hell-" Rayon's mouth turned into a single lip, unable to part and speak.
"Silence." Salvia smiled towards Rayon.
"It should be fun to be young. I would like to return to my seventeen as well." When the Emperor spoke with such casualty, chaos finally settled. He shot a glimpse to the guards for releasing Rayon's chains which were restricting her from using her alignment. Right after chains were out, Rayon was on fire. Her whole body was embraced by the flames. Fortunately they were under control since the place they were in was the temple that Rayon cared about with her life.
"Salvia. Let her speak." The Emperor ordered.
When Salvia corrected her lips, Rayon's flames were almost rising to the sky. Then suddenly all the flames vanished within a second. Pluie and Rayon were shocked since both of them didn't understand what happened in that split second. Only Salvia looked at the Emperor who looked really calm despite the situation.
"Why... Why can't I raise my flames..?" Rayon's arrogant tone immediately turned into desperation then converted into rage.
"WHO… Who did this!!?" She looked around as if she was searching for a target to attack.
"I did."
Simple words. But coming from the Emperor, they were heavy as mountains. Rayon finally realized the situation she was in. This realization brought her senses back a little.
"Why am I here?" curiosity took over. After looking at the gazebo created by her sibling she decided to be a little more obedient.
"I was thinking about another punishment for you." The Emperor glanced at Salvia. "Since she requested but... I see why you should be in prison."
Pluie turned his gaze to the ground. He was hoping for something better but now Rayon's temperament had ruined everything. Salvia sighed at the Emperor's decision but she had nothing to object to him.
"Another punishment? Hah... Are you thinking about making us work in that filthy place they will construct? Good luck trying that."
"Rayon! I'm so sorry for my sister's behaviour, your highness..." then he turned to his sister once more. "He is the one who is saving our home, be more respectful! You are a Wari disciple, not some random thug!"
Pluie's words pierced through Rayon's stubborn attitude making her stunned for a minute or so. Her fierce gaze turned to the Emperor and travelled to Salvia. When Rayon at last saw the embroidery on Salvia's robes her expression turned into embarrassment immediately. She was more conscious than minutes ago towards Salvia and the Emperor.
"What will happen to Pluie and our home?" her tone was much calmer than before. This made the Emperor smile a little more.
"You really remind me of someone I knew when I was about your age. Regarding the situation of your home, Wari Temple will be turned into a Wari Academy under the management of Elder Salvia. Pluie will be punished alongside you because of your impudent behaviour."
Pluie will be punished.
...because of your impudent behaviour.
The Emperor's words echoed Rayon's ears like a ringing bell. Her eyes were fixed on her sibling. Guilt washed over her face.
"No... This can't- She did nothing wrong... It was me. All along it was me! Pluie has nothing to do with this!" She was at the brink of tearing up.
"You are cruel when it comes to this, your grace." murmured Salvia silently.
"I just know how sibling relations work." And the Emperor turned his eyes to desperate Rayon.
"Can you swear an oath for your sibling's safety?"
"Yes! Yes I can!"
"Then you will swear an oath for not leaving the academy for the next 10 years according to the Wari teachings. Is this okay for you?"
"It… It's okay."
"Salvia. You will be the one who oversees this oath. I believe you won't disgrace me."
"I won't, your grace."
The Emperor's expression turned more satisfied. He swayed his hand again and Pluie's illusion spell vanished. He turned back to her original form. There was no need for her to keep staying as a guard in the Rose Mansion anymore.
"Pluie and Rayon will be your first disciples in this academy, Salvia. I will be staying here for one more week to see the academy with my own eyes. Then I will leave for the capital. I need to be back before the Green Night."
"Yes, your grace. Less than two weeks left for Green Night. It wouldn't be safe to be out of the capital on the Green Night."