“Stop right there, Regalia.”
Yes, I never really left the Training Chamber. I told you, the TC was so big that before I could step three meters from the door, it closed.
“Crimson save me! I'm at Training Chamber! Please!”
I have no choice but to face them. “Do you—“
I immediately stopped when Princess Perelia suddenly moved her hands so a big wave formed and went in my direction. To my shock, I couldn’t move right away but fortunately, an ice dome spontaneously formed so I didn’t get wet.
When the ice dome was broken, Princess Perelia immediately spoke. “Tell us, Regalia. What is your real magic?”
“Wind,” I answered right away. That was the first magic classification for me.
“Liar.” I was caught off-guard and couldn't immediately feel Prince Walter behind me. “Tell us, Regalia, or we have no choice but to use my sister's ability.”
“I am telling the truth, Your Majesty.”
Princess Perelia created an orb of water and all of a sudden, my body started to feel dry. D*mn! She's extracting all of the liquids inside my body! Look, the pain!
“I-I am telling the truth!” But the pain became more excruciating. I felt strange electricity flowing through my arms and my sight turns blurry.
“Ahrina!” That was Crimson's voice. “Hey, look at me. Are you okay? Are you hurt? Tell me.”
I shook my head. “Nothing.” I looked around and saw Princess Perelia and Prince Walter sharing the same reactions: confused and shocked. “What did I do?”
“You just unleashed your wind magic.” My eyes widened. Seriously? “Prince Walter, Princess Perelia, with all respect, I believe that this is already considered abuse. You are forcing Ahrina to do what you both want which resulted in her uncontrol her magic unconsciously.”
Princess Perelia's eyes narrowed. “Lord Crimson, you know what we want.”
I looked at Crimson when I saw that Princess Perelia meant something else to what she said. Crimson knows something. “I know, Your Majesty. But this isn't the time for that. Ahrina is still new in this world. As her trainer, I still have a lot to teach her. Now, we must leave.” He bowed to them and looked at me. “Let's go. You're quite drained.”
I just nodded to him. I could no longer answer when he put on my bag and lifted me. My whole body hurts. I felt like I was vacuumed because I was feeling like the liquid in my blood was gone.
“Princess Perelia's ability is liquid extraction, considered one of the most dangerous abilities in Magic World. She can extract all of the liquids in everything even in us, superhumans. Liquid extraction ability is possible for water mages yet only 0.002% of the total population of Demetria or an estimated 260 people only possess that kind of ability, including Princess Perelia. Sounds extravagant, but the downside of having this is those who wield ability mimicry can exactly copy the liquid extraction ability, and also, this ability takes three to four generations before can be passed,” Crimson told me while we were along the hallway.
“It means, his ability can be passed on to his grandson's son just in case?” Then he nodded. “The one with Prince Walter?”
“Prince Walter's ability is supersonic speed, considered as one of the most unique abilities for water mages since this is common for wind ones. Another factor that makes his ability unique is, that he can travel onto the water without sinking. However, to do that, as long as he is using his ability. Also, those who have this ability must have a strong sense of direction. Sometimes, because of their speed, they are going outside of the track so it requires countless rigorous training to fully master. Lastly, those who have the ability mimicry can also copy this, so as their strong sense of direction.”
Wow. It really suits them to be part of the Royal Family. They’re too lucky. Lol, I'm more okay with ability mimicry.
“Thanks, Crimson.”
“You should. You even disturb me from class through your telepathic message whatever.” I just smiled.
He took me to the Academy hospital. The nurses immediately approached me and checked on my condition. My body fluids are reduced. Because of that, I had to be healed by the hospital’s Healing Team. I was ushered into a room and the nurse's uniforms were placed in a circle.
My body floated spontaneously and it was there that I spontaneously felt the adjustment of my feeling. It was as if a hose had been inserted inside my body and water was flowing. That's how it feels.
I slowly lowered myself and felt the soft foam on the hospital bed. So I just want to lie down in the hospital bed. It's fragrant, still very soft.
They are already supporting me to stand up. I was a little dizzy all of a sudden. It was as if water suddenly flowed into my brain and then I feel like my nose will bleed soon. In short, I feel like an anemic person getting out of bed.
Because of the dizziness I was experiencing, I first stayed in one of the ward cubicles. Yes, the hospital ward has ten cubicles. Then there are the private rooms, only for those who have severe cases, and tools, furniture, and equipment are also complete.
“I will tell Headmistress—“
“No.” My hand reached for his wrist. “Don't tell Aunt. I'm fine and besides, our punishment will be prolonged.” I smiled at him. Looks like he really doesn't like my idea. “We'll have a harder time when you tell Aunt Calla. Please, Crimson? Don't tell her nor anyone.”
Later, he took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay, fine, if that's what you want.”
I nodded. “Promise?”
He smiled a bit and held my head. “What do you want to do?”
“I don't know. I'm still dizzy so I don't think I can do things for now. Oh, can you turn off the lights? My eyes are straining.” Kind of confused, he still turned off the light. The pain in the eye seems to be blinding. “Crimson...”
“Hmm?”
“What you told me in the Royal Ballroom...”
His hand paused from caressing my hair. “Oh, right. Good thing you reminded me, baby. I almost forgot about it.” I felt him move as he fixed his sitting position and started explaining things.
“That international competition called Wielders of Charms is the most known yet dangerous competition held every 3rd week of August and lasts only for eleven days. Traditionally, representatives of each school in Demetria that joined the competition were selected by the Royal Family themselves. Until now, the criteria remained confidential and only they know about it.”
“What's dangerous about it?”
“The finals of the international competition, which is on the last day of the competition is the most dangerous part. The representative who is the candidate for being the winner of the competition must compete with all of the other representatives.” I almost scoffed out loud at what I heard.
“So it is one versus one hundred something representatives. The finals have only one game round. If the winner succeeds, then he or she will be officially titled the winner. If not, then the second placer that follows after that representative has to experience the same game. After all, it is all about how you protect yourself. The Union of Magic made this competition based on what happened at the first Enchanted War.”
I looked at him nervously. “D-Did someone d-died?”
He also looked at me and nodded. “There are six recorded cases of death due to the competition. Because the Wielders of Charms started back in 1890, those deaths are considered as ineffectual, and the Union of Magic decided to let the competition continue.” T-The f*ck? “Last year, a representative from one of the schools in Avenditia died. He's the second placer in the competition.”
“His cause of death?”
Crimson looked into my eyes. “Overfatigue. That student died due to overfatigue. His body was overused for the whole duration of the competition.”
I became suddenly nervous. I'm not overthinking but I'm just worried that that might happen to me. Though I'm not sure yet if I will actually be the representative of Schiz Academy.
“Don't worry, okay?” I just nodded and smiled at Crimson. “Headmistress Mildred wouldn't let you represent Schiz Academy in the first place.”
“But it is the Royal Family that decides.”
He smiled, reassuring me things. “A joint petition of Schiz Academy, Aurora, and Hesperia can be submitted to the Royal Palace...”
I feel like there is still a connection. “However...”
Crimson sighed. It has already been said, there is a connection. “However, submitting such a joint petition never happened in history. Since this is a mandatory competition, no school must let no student represent. There is a law that states that Royal Family must be the only ones to choose. Just what I have said, this never happened so this might need to be discussed in Judiciary Court. Who knows, the process might take for weeks.”
Joint petition. That's why the process may take a long time. It is still going to the Judiciary Court. Why does the Royal Family have to choose? Can't they just be for confirmation? They are not the ones who will benefit, the school and the students. They only play a tiny role and it is to support the needs of the representatives of the schools in Demetria.
When I was pretty okay, I was discharged but I still had to be watched for 24 hours. Maybe it will happen again and maybe even worse.
I told Crimson not to tell Blake since you're not such a big deal. He agreed immediately because it would be better if only the two of us knew what happened earlier. I don't want to make more gossip about apples around.
I have already attended our afternoon classes. Our names were mentioned but we were not allowed to say we were present because of the punishment we received. After classes, then we will start cleaning the school.
I volunteered to vacuum. Yes, we use a vacuum. In terms of school, when I am, I will be like the old apple who gave the apple to Snow White.
My back may bend but I will never look old. I’m too beautiful for that to happen.
Marina and Blake were mopping the floor. Freesia was my vacuuming assistant. Lia, because she has wings, she is the one who vacuums the dust on the ceiling. Crimson is busy dusting off the statues, columns, and paintings while Thoreau is also wiping the glass walls.
Freesia slightly bumped my shoulder. “Hey, what happened to you earlier? Why didn’t you attend any of your morning classes?”
“I'm too lazy so I just wandered around.” Sorry girls, I have to lie.
“Hopefully all are too lazy to attend,” Marina stated and laughed. “Anyway, we're also absent, whether we go in or not.”
“So boring,” I reasoned. “It's like you go to work even at Christmas but you don't have a salary or a peso.”
“Point taken!” Lia's shout even echoed throughout the hallway. “Ahrina is right. So are you still going to classes if you're also absent?”
Blake made a laugh. “The point, it's taken. The one who said the point, when will she be taken?” And that's when they started shouting and making noise.
With the help of Thoreau’s teleportation, we were all here in our dorm girls resting.
I lazily stretched out on the sofa but Lia suddenly lifted my leg and almost threw me down on the sofa. I was going to swear but I remembered, the guys are here.
I just sat up straight and leaned over to close my eyes.
“Please, my daughter, don't go.”
“No, Mom. I need to do this.”
“We can file a joint petition complaint to prevent you from participating in the competition, Ahrina.”
“Mom, it's too late. The next day is the start of the fight. I can't help but come because I'm carrying the name of Schiz Academy and Aurora. I don't want to embarrass you and Aunt Calla.”
“A-Ahrina...”
“I will win, Mom. I must win. I will do my best to win and take home the trophy with me.”
The scenes played in fast-paced yet those weren't that fast, I can still see very well everything that happens in Wielders of Charms.
“Ahrina Tantiana Regalia of Schiz Academy against the one hundred and fourteen magicians. The finals of the Wielders of Charms starts...now!”
It was as if I had drowned in the sea and also came up when I opened my eyes. I was gasping for breath and very nervous. I felt scared suddenly. I don't think so. I don't want to be in this life anymore.
“Hey, are you okay?” Lia asked me. “Did you see anything bad?”
I nodded. “Wielders of Charms.” Everyone turned their attention to me. “Everything I saw and those are very detailed yet fast-paced.”
Their eyes all widened and threw glances at each other. “I-I’ll just get some water,” Marina said and stood up immediately.
“W-What do you mean, Ahrina?” Freesia asked, stuttering. “What will happen to Wielders of Charms?”
I shook my head. “I'm going to die.”
Crimson and I decided to talk in Freesia's room. Because the five have not yet recovered from the shock so I gave them time first. When I closed the door, I sat on my bed and faced him. “It's still possible to change what's written, isn't it?”
He showed a smile, a smile giving me tons of hope. “You can do whatever you want, Ahrina. Everything you want, you can do it. We all know that you can. It's hard to change what's already written in the book of destiny but if we can all do it, you can.”
“In that case, will you let me join?”
Crimson held my hand and squeezed it a bit. “No.” As expected. “I want to prohibit you from participating in that competition, Ahrina. Your life is at stake there. Your life and the dignity of the Academy, of Aurora, and Hesperia. If we can't convince the Royal Family not to select you, then we have no choice. Do you want to join?”
I nodded. “Because I know everything is going to happen, I have more ace. Yes, it can be changed but I can handle it.”
“Ahrina, don't gamble. W-What if you will really d-die?”
“That will never happen, Crimson. Suppose in the game, I have immortality. If my wings can regenerate, I have the possibility to resurrect.” His hand started trembling so I hold both of them and smiled at him. “Train me, Crimson. Train me to become the Mystic Princess that will exceed everyone's expectation.”
In the evening, I decided to try to stop the time. And I did. I just thought I wanted to stop the time and I did but then, I played the time again. Suddenly, the surroundings became super quiet. Super creepy.
I teleported into the South Woods and saw necromancers scouting around. They all bowed at me as they saw me passing by. I just hugged them all as I continued to walk.
I just sat under a tree while staring at the moon which was round and very bright. Nice, very beautiful. I have lived in this world for quite some time but I continue to admire the beauty of the moon. The stars are also bright and numerous.
I suddenly remembered something. The one at breakfast in Thalia and Crimson's story. I mean, they're just pretending Mommy and the three idiots don't know each other? They just pretended then but I didn't notice? They are great! Anyway, I'm clueless again.
“You seem to be getting here a lot, my daughter.” I turned to the speaker and it was Headmaster Hades. He stopped to my left and also looked at the moon. “Are you amazed at the beauty of the moon?”
“Yes,” I replied. “Every night I marvel at the moon because it is so bright and round.” I looked at him and he also looked me in the eye. “Not once did you consider Mommy a moon?”
A smile flashed at him and he looked back at the moon. “At first, yes. But soon, she lost her light. I just noticed, daughter, you always ask me about Amberleigh and I's past whenever you come and see me.”
“Because only you can tell me the past,” I explained and he looked at me again. “None of them intend to tell the whole truth about my past. But, how could I have forgotten?”
I heard his chuckle and sat down beside me. “My daughter, I took your memory.” I shot him a confused look. What for? “I took your memory because I'm afraid you'll have bad dreams every night and not sleep well.”
“But you send your necromancers to our house almost every day, Headmaster. I didn't sleep well then!” I almost shouted at him but that's the least of my concern. I want to know everything. I want to dig deeper. “What is there and do you have to take my memory when Mommy and I were still here in Demetria?”
He stared at me for a few minutes before sighing and speaking. “You saw how Tyson Regalia died.”
“You killed him, didn't you? He was spying on Dreich when you caught him and you killed him. His soul stayed in your place. Am I right?”
Surprisingly, he wasn’t even surprised or surprised by what I said. “I can tell there was another creature that told you that, my son. But no one saw the real incident. You were the only one there, hiding in the darkness, and watching your father lay down his life for the secret mission of the senior mages. and student mages.”
“W-Wait, student mages?” W-Why I do not about know that?
Headmaster only smiled at me. “I know what your real purpose is here, Ahrina. The Wielders of Charms.” I just nodded. I can ask him later about the secret mission he mentioned. “One of the members of the Societas told me. He saw that you were in that competition, Ahrina.”
“And I'm going to die.” He nodded. “Can I change that? I don't want to die yet. I don't want to die just because of that fight.”
“You're the one who holds the book of your life, daughter. You're the one who writes your life. Whatever you see happen next, it's up to you to decide whether to change it or not.”
It means I can change the course of my life. He was right, I was the holder of the book and ballpen or even any pen of my life. Supposedly, I am the author.
“I think you need to sleep now.”
“Wait.” Actually, I've noticed this before. “You're no longer an impostor, are you?”
He smiled at me again and nodded. “It's me, Headmaster Hades.”
He that. I know it is already him. Unlike the impostor, I don't feel much power. Like, the surroundings are normal. But when he came earlier, I felt something strange. I think his power is what I feel. But I just didn't notice because I wasn't sure yet.
“Do you want to know anything else, my child?”
I nodded and stood up. “Tell me what is that secret mission.”
He chuckled. What's funny there? “It's funny to think that none of them wants to let you know everything that's really going on.” He turned to me. “The secret mission of senior mages like Amberleigh, Calla, Ruby, Carob, and Collin and student elemental mages is formed by the Committee of Peace and Power and Schiz Academy. Every day, the Academy sends two elemental mages to the border of Hesperia and Dreich to monitor our actions. Every Saturday and Sunday the senior mages monitor.”
I immediately became nervous and remembered the day without Blake and Crimson. “Only elemental mages are sent?”
Headmaster nodded, making the fear crawl over me. “All elemental mages of the Schiz Academy are included in this mission. Elemental subtype mages are only sent by the Academy when someone finds suspicious elemental mages spying within my territory. But now that the prophecy is happening, for sure they will send me five students and not just two.”
“I mean, I'm among those who will do it?”
He waved his hand and a black ball of smoke came out. You came to me on purpose and seemed to be absorbed by my head. “Yes, you're included,” he replied to me. “Go back to your room before your head hurts.”
“What is it you gave me?”
“That's your memory when you were young.”
“And how can I make sure I remember it and not another kid's?”
“I have never attempted to lie to you, my daughter. I am making up for my past sins by giving you what you deserve as my son and heir the Dreich. Now, come back because it is only a matter of seconds your head will hurt and you will see the memory of when you were a child.”
*****
“Ahrina! What happened?” Freesia was immediately alert to me when I woke up suddenly. “Why are you crying? Did you see anything bad?”
I just shook my head and smiled. “Freesia, it is just a bad dream, but there is no connection to my ability.”
“Goodness, I thought something serious happened. Are you okay?” I nodded. “You're sure?”
“Yes.”
Freesia snickered so I just smiled. “All right. Get ready, we'll go to our classes.”
"Okay."
I went straight to Kuya Collin's office and since he wasn't there yet, I just sat in the chair opposite his desk.
A few minutes later, he arrived and was surprised to see me. “Oh, Ahrina, what makes you come here?”!He went to his table and fixed his things before sitting down on his office chair. “Hmm?”
“Why didn't any of you tell me that the elemental mages of Schiz Academy were sent to the border of Hesperia and Dreich to spy?” And now, surprise and confusion became more evident in his eyes.
“H-How did she know about this?” he said in his mind. “Did she...did she see it?” He cleared his throat and spoke. “Ahrina, may I ask first where—“
“It doesn't matter to whom or how I found out. I want to know why you didn't tell me about that. As well as the Wielders of Charms. I saw, Sir, I saw that I was going to be the representative of Schiz Academy in Wielders of Charms and yes, I'm going to die in that battle. I know you know something about everything that's going on, Brother Collins, and you don't have to let me know all that. It's just me, why don't you tell me the things that are happening here that I feel for? I seem to be aware, don't I?”
“Ahrina, please calm down.” He took a deep inhale and nodded. “I shouldn't have told you this, Ahrina, if it wasn't for Headmistress Mildred. I'm not in a position to tell you what you should know. If you want, I'll take you there.”
When we arrived at the Office of the Headmistress, I saw Tito Carob and Tita Calla arguing again. Kuya Collin cleared his throat, causing the two to stop arguing, and turned to us. “Headmistress Mildred, it looks like we need to be transparent to Ahrina.”
“What do you mean, Collin?”
“She already knows everything.”
Tito Carob became confused. “Everything like?”
“The secret mission of the Committee of Peace and Power and Schiz Academy and the Wielders of Charms,” I answered. Their eyes all widened and even looked at each other. “It doesn't matter how or to whom I found out. All I want to know is, why did you hide from me the things I had to do with?”
Aunt Calla turned to Collins. “Leave us first, Collin.” He nodded and left the office. Tita Calla went to me and guided me to the sofa. They sat on both sides. “Ahrina, I'm sorry if we don't want to tell you this, especially about Wielder of Charms. We just don't want you—“
I cut her statement. “I'm sorry too, Tita Calla, Tito Carob, but my decision is complete. I will join Wielder of Charms and change the vision I saw. I did not come here to hear about your refusal to allow me to be included in the competition. I'm here to hear everything from your mouth.”
I know it's wrong and in a hurry, but I'm really going to join that Wielder of Charms. No more arrears. I will be the Schiz Academy's representative.