“A… teacher?” Astra repeated. The word lingered on his lips, and for a moment he wanted to laugh, for how could this person, so ethereal and radiant as if just now she was plucked from the starry sky, be an ordinary teacher? It was a funny thought. Even a rural farmboy like him could tell that there was something special about her, a presence far, far unlike the rest.

  Right now whilst bathing under the waning dusk, the lady who introduced herself as Selene gracefully wandered over to the cliff’s edge, her steps so soft it looked like she was floating. She looked down at the city with a gentle demeanor, and she watched the people pass by. Their figures were no more than tiny dots up here. Yet, Astra had a feeling she could pick out every detail, from the wrinkles of their clothes to the creases of their smiles. All the world was beheld in her gleaming, star-speckled eyes.

  “Yes, a teacher,” her voice fluttered out. “I teach in a school, though you will not find it here, or anywhere on this planet.”

  Again, a word Astra didn’t recognize. Planet… just the very mention of it made him feel so small, so tiny, but it was precisely so that the boy felt a thrill rise up inside him. It was a discovery which reminded him that there were untold discoveries waiting to be found, for him to realize.

  “Um, if you don’t mind my asking, miss, where do you teach then?” the boy asked.

  Lady Selene raised her hand to her lips, giggling, before pointing her finger toward the sparkling sky.

  “There,” she said. “Up there.”

  That realm so beyond his reach, the flowing space which people like Astra, normal folk with no special blood or noble history, would typically never venture for all their mundane life.

  She was from there, the swirling cosmos of the boy’s dreams.

  “Your mouth is open, child,” she teased, reaching down and kindly closing his awe-struck jaw for him. “Have you never met a visitor like me before?”

  Astra nodded, his cheeks flushing red in embarrassment. The boy had always been proud of his heritage and his family, but before Lady Selene he couldn’t help but feel a bit self-conscious, how his crude overalls and rough way of speaking differed so much from she who embodied the very image of grace.

  “It is nothing to be ashamed of,” she replied, effortlessly reading his expression. “Wouldn’t it be so bland if everyone looked the same way, spoke the same way? That is why I do ever love new encounters. No matter how many people I see with these eyes, they all shine so distinctly, so bright in their uniqueness.”

  Lady Selene patted Astra’s shoulder, and she directed his gaze to a part of the city where foreigners wearing the insignia of a lion were gathered. “You have likely met with another like me already, though you just didn’t know it yet. Many come to this city from across the nebula. Those Leos with the striped armor, for instance, hail from a planet where competition and haughty ambitions run rampant. They’re quite the problem children.” She then gestured to a new area, one filled with robed figures flying around in bubbles of water. “The Aquarians also originate from another sphere, although their planet is submerged entirely in a shimmering blue sea. It’s a beautiful sight. If only they’d get along with the Cancers and Pisces…”

  The lady uttered a faint, tired sigh, before turning back toward Astra. “In comparison, the Constellations’ descendants of this planet are quite peaceful, though not without their faults. I’ve told them time and time again that seclusion does no good. The bulls are stubborn. The goats have a temper. The rams are much too prideful. All this division is why having a teacher, or rather a school, is so very important.”

  Astra had heard about the other Constellations before, though it was always in passing, never fully explained, for the topic would often cast a dark look over the boy’s parents. Especially Mama Edith. She didn’t like to talk about it, and sometimes under her breath Astra would hear short mentions about a war. The War of the Twelve.

  But Astra never imagined that these people actually came from other worlds! Other planets. Why did they hide it from him? He had thought the land was just really, really big.

  “It must’ve took a long time to fly from so far away,” Astra muttered. “But how do they breathe? Paw said it’s real cold out there.”

  “That is not quite how it works, child,” the lady chuckled. “You can take a ship, or travel the Milky Road. Some adventurous souls even pass through a wrinkle in space.”

  Astra had not a single clue what the lady was talking about, but it sure sounded cool. There was just one thing he was confused about.

  “Miss, I’m really happy you’re tellin’ me about all this,” he began, fiddling with his fingers. “And I know I, um, called out to ya to begin with. But… you seem important. Like very important. I’m just the son of a farmer, so why spend your time with me, when I’m sure those noble folks would make for better company?”

  Lady Selene didn’t hesitate for even one second, before replying, “Do I need a special reason why?”

  Astra shook his head, flustered. “Oh, no! I didn’t mean to be rude.”

  “Hehe, it’s alright child. I’m only curious. Why do you think a noble would be better than you?”

  Astra took a long moment to think. “Um… because they are? They’re smarter, richer, and probably can give ya an actual conversation rather than just me listenin’ all the time. I’m just worried that you’re bored, with me keepin’ you here like this.”

  “Oh dear, now whatever gave that impression? I’m not bored at all. Quite the contrary, I am very happy meeting a lovely child like you, Astra.”

  The boy gaped at her in surprise. “Wait, how’d ya know my name?”

  “The stars whispered it to me, of course. Though I didn’t know of it until after we met. Hehe, I’m not all-knowing after all, despite how some might view me.”

  Lady Selene smiled and leaned down onto her knees. “Everyone is precious to the universe, Astra. No matter whether they were born a noble or a layman, a Starblessed or a common worker, we each hold a potential so infinite and vast—but oftentimes people don’t realize this. They limit themselves to what others perceive them to be, just another light among millions, billions, and so they turn their heads away. They no longer look up to the sky, instead choosing to obsess with only what’s below. A girl born under royalty is destined to be a princess. A boy born on a farm can only be a farmer. Yes, such thinking… I find it quite dreary.”

  Selene raised her arm and then snapped her fingers. In an instant, the city which once surrounded Astra now disappeared. The castle vanished and the craggy cliffs crumbled, making way for a flowing expanse of space to stretch out before him, far, farther, those sparkling cosmic trails which looped for all of eternity. Astra found himself floating where there was no land or hill, no showers of light save from the breathtaking glow of the stars, of whose endlessly sprawling orbit captivated his star-speckled eyes.

  “Look there,” a voice said, guiding him to the sight of a large drifting orb. “That is where you live, the planet called Terra. It is here that those of Taurus, Capricorn, and Aries call home. Quite big, isn’t it?”

  Astra swallowed a dry gulp, unable to fully grasp the magnitude of it. He saw more than any kid his age had likely ever seen. He saw the royal capital, now but a mere speck, along with the village of Clearbrook and even his farm. He saw the great luscious flatlands where his mother’s ancestors came from, and he saw the wintry peaks where frolicked the wooly people of Aries. He saw everything, everything there was, everything his still-young mind could barely fathom.

  And then, the world returned. His feet landed on the solid ground of the capital’s overlook, where Lady Selene was waiting for him. She held her hands over Astra’s own and giggled at how he stumbled about, struggling to find balance again.

  “How was it, truly seeing your home for the first time?” she asked.

  Astra slapped his cheeks and took in a deep breath, before giving the lady a toothy smile. “Amazing, miss. So amazing that I can’t really describe it.”

  “I’m glad. Sadly… it seems our time has come to an end. My cute pursuers should be arriving any moment now.”

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  From below the cliff, the sound of shuffling boots gradually grew louder, approaching the pair until the source revealed itself to be a group of Greyhorn knights, whose members were all out of breath and exhausted. Leading them was a tall, imposing figure whose face was covered in a bristly brown beard and whose body reeked of sheer physical strength. From the giant slabs that was his armor to the menacing axe carved from bone sheathed on his back, the daunting man was evidently the strongest of the knights, but what drew Astra’s attention was the ornament on his head.

  A crown decorated in red jewels that bore the insignia of Taurus.

  “Headmistress Selene, must you tease me to such lengths?” the crowned warrior said. “Ever since you suddenly fled your accommodations, my knights have been searching tirelessly for your trail.”

  Lady Selene bid the new arrivals a mischievous laugh. “Do forgive my wanderlust, King Bovicus. The day was young and I just had to visit that famous farmers’ market you’ve been bragging about.”

  “That’s not the problem, my lady. Had you only given me a word of warning beforehand I would have been more than pleased to escort you myself…”

  “Hehe, now where would the fun in that be?”

  Astra nearly fell on his butt after hearing a name he most certainly didn’t expect to show up here. King Bovicus… meaning, the king? The ruler of Tauramere and the greatest warrior in the entire nation? This bearded man, who commanded the Knights of Greyhorn Siege and exuded such regal majesty the likes people such as Astra could only hope to behold every once in a blue moon, the highest authority in all the land, was now standing just a few paces away. The boy didn’t know what else to do but hide behind Lady Selene out of shock.

  The King sighed and crossed his arms, before waving away his knightly attendants. The others soon returned to their posts leaving only he and Lady Selene (plus a hidden Astra) to remain on the outlook.

  “How went your visit, then?” he asked, glancing at Astra’s obscured head. “I see you’ve found a companion to join your capricious escapades.”

  The king leaned down, rubbing his beard, curious, as the boy reluctantly stepped out from Lady Selene’s shadow. “Hm, I do not recognize that face. Which family do you belong to, child? Surely you must be of high pedigree if the headmistress has taken a liking to you, yet for the life of me I cannot see those clothes and that modest demeanor as anything else but the belongings of a common boy.”

  Astra was a bit unsure how to react to the king’s blunt manner of speaking. His parents and Aunt Caroline didn’t mention much about the high lord of Tauramere, nor the proper ways of interacting with royalty since, realistically speaking, a kid like him wouldn’t ordinarily have the chance to even see the hem of his clothes. But when it came to meeting new people, paw would always say that the best introduction was a polite one, so the boy put on his bravest face and walked up to the king before giving him a firm shake of the hand.

  “Nice to meet ya, Mister King… sir,” Astra said. King Bovicus seemed surprised for a moment, his brow furrowed and mouth opened slightly ajar as if stunned that someone would be so bold as to approach him this casually. “My paw and momma named me Astra, which I’m mighty thankful for since it’s a good name, and bein’ on the farm and all we have to name a lot o’ stuff like the chocobulls and the roosters and all our animal friends. So I know good names and, um, you have a very nice one. I’m sure your momma put a lot of thought into it. Very manly.”

  In the corner of Astra’s mind, he realized that perhaps this wasn’t exactly the best attempt at making conversation, but nevertheless he pushed through to the very end, even if he took a few stumbles along the way.

  When the boy had finished, the king remained silent for a brief spell. Eventually he pulled away and pondered something fierce before turning to Lady Selene.

  “Did you kidnap this child from a nearby farm, perhaps?” he said accusingly. “My lady, no matter how free-spirited your fancies, you cannot just pluck my citizens as you wish. What of his parents? The poor fellows must be worried sick.”

  Lady Selene laughed, but it wasn’t the laugh Astra knew. It was oddly intimidating, scary, the kind of sound that he had only ever heard from Mama Edith which often forewarned the coming of a terrible, terrible disaster.

  “Do I truly look like that kind of woman to you, Bovicus?” she uttered in a voice which, despite carrying the same flutter of before, was oddly threatening. “Hehe, you’ve become quite uncouth ever since you inherited your father’s throne. I thought I rid you of that brashness during your student days, but… well, I suppose we’re never too old to relearn past lessons.”

  The king stared at her for a long while, before slowly raising his hands up as if in surrender. “It would appear I have made a mistake.”

  “So it would seem.”

  “Is there any way to divert your wrath?”

  “No there isn’t.”

  “Ah, shame.”

  Before she could say another word, King Bovicus, who just a moment ago was a proud and dignified ruler of the Taurus people, immediately ran away. He didn’t make it far before Lady Selene materialized a silver rope with a lazy flick of her finger and swung it, catching the poor man by his leg and dragging him back to where Astra awkwardly stood.

  “Astra, child, I recommend you do not mimic his behavior,” Selene said, hoisting the king up with a single lift of her hand. “Sometimes, it’s better to leave your thoughts unsaid.”

  With that, she slammed Bovicus into the stone below, burying his body until all that could be seen was his dirt-stained crown. Fortunately the king didn’t seem all too injured by the act; but what he lacked in physical wounds, the mental shame of being treated like a disobedient boy before his subject’s gaze was far more punishing.

  “Headmistress, please, what will the child think of me?” he said, climbing out of his hastily-made grave with a nonchalant cough. “I have a reputation to uphold.”

  Astra, in an attempt to preserve the good king’s dignity, innocently whistled and bid the man a polite thumbs up. “Um, it’s okay, Mister King. I still think yer pretty cool.”

  Tears nearly welled up in Bovicus’s eyes, and let free a great boisterous laugh before approaching Astra and patting his head. “Hoho, young man! Truly I see the spirit of a gentleman in your heart. If only my own son would be as outgoing…”

  The king sighed, and then he patted the dirt off his armor. Perhaps it was better that he departed now lest he be given further chance to embarrass his now-shattered honor. Before he did so however, Lady Selene gave him one last word of advice.

  “Be extra attentive these coming weeks,” she said, her aloof demeanor now turning grave.

  King Bovicus snapped his head around, and for the first time since their meeting Astra truly felt the air of a lord exude from his scrunched, serious glower. “You cannot mean…?”

  “The stars waver sooner than expected. Beware of the Constellar Rain, my student. Its advent is unlike those of previous moons.”

  “Why were we not warned sooner?”

  “Because I did not know, not until this morning. The Constellations’ voices usually give much sooner advance for we to prepare. That they remain silent even now… well, that is my burden, not yours. All I ask is that you protect your people just as you’ve always done.”

  “I see. Very well, I will have the Knights of Greyhorn Siege extend their patrols. Should those terrible evils break through the atmosphere’s dome, I will personally join the defense alongside the other monarchs.”

  “Thank you, Bovicus. I do hope you forgive this bitter conclusion to my visit. I much enjoyed strolling through your city; and as for your son, don’t worry too much. He might seem withdrawn now, but in times of need he will rise to the occasion.”

  “Your words are most comforting. Do whip him into shape once he joins the academy, will you?”

  “Hehe, he’ll have to pass the entrance examination first. Don’t be complacent just because he is prince. I have a feeling this year’s applicants will be very interesting.”

  The king lowered his head in respect, before finally leaving for good this time.

  Thus Astra and Lady Selene were left alone once again. The night had already eclipsed the sky. Here, under the light of a crescent moon, the lady regarded him with a warm, sincere gaze—her umbral robes sparkling, fading, returning to whence she came.

  “Astra,” she said to him. “Will you give it a try? A life at school.”

  The boy wanted to reply, but his words remained stubbornly stuck in his throat. He wanted to go up there. He wanted to follow her—no, follow that which she represented, a path beyond the ordinary. The chance to truly shine bright.

  But was he worth it? Did he deserve to selfishly chase after that seemingly impossible dream?

  Lady Selene saw Astra’s doubt, how even now he lowered himself and his worth out of a misguided responsibility. Thus she asked him a question. Just one.

  “What do you think is the most important quality in a student?” she said.

  Astra thought long and hard for a long while, yet in the end he couldn’t come to an answer. “I… don’t know.”

  Lady Selene smiled, and she soundlessly drifted over to Astra as her body broke down into a glittering trail of stardust.

  “The willingness to learn,” she declared. “An insatiable curiosity, a purehearted wish, the yearning to chase after the unreachable. Astra, you already have these qualities deep in your heart. All you need now… is the courage to seize it.”

  She giggled and then planted a soft kiss on his forehead.

  “Seize it, o’ starry-eyed child. When you are ready, come apply to my school. Come to Excelsior Academy. You’ll have to pass a test first, of course, just like all the other children. Some of them will be more skilled than you. Some will have more experience, more knowledge, more support. They are those blessed from birth with luck and talent the likes of which you will simply not have. But will you let that stop you?”

  Astra choked on his breath, his vision blurry from tears. Yet his will remained strong and his spirit cried out in certainty.

  “No, Miss Selene,” he confidently declared. “It doesn’t matter if they’re more special than me. I’ll try my best, and if that doesn’t work I’ll try even harder. I won’t give up no matter how much I trip ‘n fall. Someday, I’ll shine bright just like you.”

  Lady Selene gifted the boy with one last wave, before disappearing into the starry sky.

  “Remember, Astra. Excelsior Academy. Hehe, I’ll be waiting.”

  Astra wasn’t sad. Even though his face was covered in snot and his cheeks were stained wet, his heart was as happy as one could be.

  Because he knew, though it might not today, tomorrow, or sometime soon, eventually he’ll meet her again. And when that moment came, it’ll be between a teacher and a student.