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As expected, no one had come to see Astrelle off on her last day in Valentia.

She stood alone in the waiting area for the airships, after her servants dropped off the last of her bags. Her family, as usual, were immersed in work, which to them held higher importance than the departure of their daughter. Astrelle’s youngest brother had enough decency to bestow a half-hearted goodbye at the door of their estate as she left, but that was as much warmth as Astrelle would receive. She found comfort knowing that several friends had offered to see her off at the air terminal, but she refused. She could not bring herself to allow them to see this pitiful situation and break whatever illusion they had of her self-assured character. Still, despite her solitude, her shoulders were pulled back and chin held up; she poised herself with pride.

The airship ride was like Astrelle remembered. It had been a few years since her last voyage through the skies, on an occasion where her father took her and her siblings to the city of Hasta to meet with the Venus clan. There was a familiar shaking beneath her feet as the vehicle soared through the sky, and a buzzing sound of the speakers overhead. The glass that divided the sections of the aircraft were clean and well-polished, contrasting from the slight wear of the wood of its furniture. The windows in each cabin were small glimpses into the expanses below: faint lights of cities they left behind, the chilling dark shrouds of Nox that loomed in areas between, and the brilliance of the sun’s rays as it peaked past the horizon and brushed the underbellies of the clouds. Astrelle used to like watching the clouds drift by the window on these trips, and laugh at the occasional curious bird that looked quizzically at the mysterious flying machine. The memory stirred a feeling of nostalgia within her—her family still tolerated her back then.

Astrelle straightened her knee-length skirt before sitting down in her cabin. While she usually wore all-black attire, today’s choice to wear the dark hue symbolized the mourning of her previous life. Though there was little to grieve about her previous lifestyle, there were still small happinesses. She enjoyed the company of her maids and feeling of authority she had over them. She missed the thrill of adventurous outings she had with her friends in the city, and even the physical comfort she found in the casual relationships she had, with the handsome son of her father’s business partner, and the cousin of one of her friends. She wondered if the cuisine in Palmyra would be as palatable as the dishes served by her favourite restaurants in Valentia.

Astrelle found few things to lament over, but yet her nihilistic opinions of what came next did little to spark any other positive emotion. Astrelle had always been a skeptical person, and perhaps her extensive education helped in shaping her point of view. She saw Ars Magi as little more than a government-sponsored program to train child soldiers, something that, as her history textbooks dictate, would have been considered a human rights violation in the past. What use is there having a talent for magic if it meant meeting an early demise at the hands of Voids? Astrelle pitied the dreamy sparkle that shone in the eyes of girls that aspired to be Ars Magi.

The small gathering of incoming Nova Lux students was quaint, sombered by the rumbling of rain that splashed against the airship’s exterior. The woman that sat before them was one such prestigious Ars Magi, even more revered for her position in the Wings of Justice. She had seen Ars Magi before, but none up close. Astrelle, now seated at the small round table, felt melancholic before her. Victoria Glass appeared to her like a mirror—was this who she would become? Despite Victoria’s beauty and aura of strength, Astrelle was unsure if this reflection was one she desired. 

Astrelle helped herself to a cup of tea. As she had been trained in youth, she kept her back straight as she lifted the teacup by the dainty handle to her lips. The cup returned to its saucer with a slight [i]clink[/i] as Astrelle set it down. 

Two of the girls introduced themselves first. The first of which, Nicole, appeared to be in high spirits. The second girl, Penny, seemed more nervous than excited, perhaps both. Astrelle had already begun taking mental notes of the two. Nicole, hailing from the chic city of Hasta, appeared to like fashion. Astrelle figured she could use this to her advantage at some point. Penny’s frantic personality however, did little to spark Astrelle’s interest—not yet, anyway. Regardless, she found Penny's behaviour rather cute.

Astrelle's talent to hide emotion shined in social situations. She embellished her face with her signature half-smile, while her eyes remained cold. [color=b699ff]“It’s a pleasure to meet everyone,”[/color] she lied. [color=b699ff]“I’m Astrelle Lennox.”[/color] She stifled the urge to ask Victoria how many allies she had lost through the years, and reached again for her small cup of tea.