“My daughter, you're here again.” I looked behind me and my eyes widened at what I saw. “Were you surprised?”
“N-No...” Did I really see it?
“I'm just hiding in that look. This is what I really look like, my child. This is me, Ahrina, and I don't regret showing it to you,” he said happily. “See you again. I know you want to ask me something again.”
Ah, of course. “Why did you have to hurt them Crimson and Thoreau?”
He smiled and approached me. “If I don't hurt them, they will destroy my army. Sometimes, you have to sacrifice something for the good of many. I ordered my necromancers to drive them both away but they used their magic so I had to lower the order to hurt them both.”
Even though I was disgusted with what he did, I had to show that I understood him. "Okay...”
“I apologize, my daughter because I hurt your two friends. Thank you also for understanding that I did that for my town,” he said. “Do you still want to ask or find out?”
“I was just going to ask for something.”
“All right, what's that?”
I looked into his lifeless eyes. “The next time a Schiz Academy student comes into a spy, please, send them away and tell me right away. As much as possible I don't want you to hurt them but if that's the only way, it's up to you to decide there.”
He nodded. “All right. Go to your dorm, my daughter. It's already late.”
“All right. I'm leaving.”
When I turned around, I heard him speak again. “G-Good night, Ahrina.”
I halt walking. “Good night too, Headmaster.”
I smiled entering the school. When the time comes, I'll tell you that as my last will.
Instead of going to the dorm, I went to the hospital room where Crimson and Thoreau are still resting. The latter woke up earlier in the afternoon and was checked by the doctor. Since he hasn't fully recovered yet, he has to stay inside the hospital room for a bit longer. He told us that Crimson had the biggest damage so it looked like it would actually take even longer before he woke up.
As I entered the room, I saw Freesia on a chair and is already sleeping deeply beside Thoreau's bed. And the two will still hold hands. At first, I thought they were just dating. That's right, they're really two and they're official.
I took a chair and then sat on the side of Crimson's bed as well. I first sat down next to him and then watched his wounds heal.
Surprisingly, Crimson didn’t even tell me what was in his mind. We could talk telepathically but now, he didn’t. Is it because he doesn't want me to worry? I hate him. I hate him because he worries about me. If I hadn’t gotten so angry earlier and attempted to leave the Academy, I wouldn’t have seen them and they wouldn’t have been treated right away. I want to learn lots of information. I also wanted to go to Dreich to see that place but I knew Aunt Calla wouldn’t let me. Curiosity to the highest level? Or just because of my current messy situation?
“Crimson, wake up. I want to see your eyes,” I said and held his left hand tightly. “If you don't wake up yet, I'm really going to punch you.”
I got up and went to Freesia. She was in a good position so I just let her sleep and sat in my chair.
I felt a caress on my head so I woke up immediately. I stopped as I looked at Crimson. “I'm awake now, baby girl.”
“A**hole! Why did you just wake up now!”
He let out laughter. “Ssh, your noise. The two of them are still asleep there oh. Come here.” I sat on the bed beside him. Crimson smiled as he cupped my left cheek and caressed it. “I'm sorry if I just woke up. I'm sorry if I didn't tell you telepathically. I'm sorry if I worried you.”
“F*ck you! I'm mad at you, you know that? If Julianna Sutton hadn't told me that, I wouldn't have known!”
He paused, and his brows arrowed. “Who told you what?”
“Julianna Sutton, of course! She was the one who told me that Aunt Calla sent you inside Dreich,” I said to him, and he nodded. “And first, I don't want to believe it. Maybe out of emotion, I rushed to Tita Calla's office, and yeah, that's when I confirmed that what Julianna was saying was true.”
“How did she know?”
I shrugged. “She told me that she overheard it.”
“Hmm, I see. You both are okay now?” I shook my head. “That's expected. She never went to a truce with all her enemies. I would be surprised when she even told you sorry.”
“I guess, that would never happen.” I smiled at him. “Are you feeling okay? Is there still pain?”
“Yes.”
“Huh? Where?”
But then, he pointed to the one on his chest and smiled. “My heart hurts. I'm guilty.”
Crimson laughed as I rolled my eyes. “I'm serious, boy. Maybe you want to punch me there?”
“Just smack me a kiss on my lips. That would help me alleviate the pain.”
“I don't know about you, red. I'm asking seriously.”
He laughed, creating calming music in my ears. “I'm already feeling fine. Nothing's aching in me. Except I'm really guilty for making you feel worried.”
I just smiled at him and nodded. “That's good to hear. I'll just call the nurse.” He just nodded and removed his hand that was still on my face.
I immediately went to the nurse area and there was a nurse there. I went back to the hospital room with the nurse and she checked Crimson's condition. “He’s okay but he still needs to be watched carefully because he could experience the after-effects of damage to him. Maybe we'll just have to discharge him at the same time as Mr. Whistler.”
“All right, thank you very much.” After the nurse left, I sat back in my chair and smiled at her. “Go back to sleep, you need a lot of rest.”
He nodded again and held my hand tightly. “Good night, baby girl. I'm sorry I woke you up.”
“It's good that you woke me up. No need to say sorry, okay? Good night too, Crimson. Just wake me up when you feel sick ah.”
“Yes.” To help her fall asleep again, I combed her hair with my right hand. Fortunately, he fell asleep right away. When I saw that he was fast asleep, then I sat down properly to sleep again.
*****
I woke up early to pack the necessities and I wanted to take them to Svien, where this year’s Wielders of Charms will be held. That country is located in the upper right of the Townland country so it takes about half a day to get there. Townland is a small country but due to the size of Demetria, our trip will be really long.
I carried a large piece of luggage and a backpack. I only have clothes in my luggage and three pairs of shoes while I only have personal kits and valuables in my backpack. I knew the battle would be very tiring so I brought one of the papers Sorceress Halina gave me where a sorcery spell that was less well known was written.
I heard a knock on the door and it opened. “My daughter...”
“Mom.” I closed my luggage and smiled at her. “Why?”
Mom held my hands and smiled with mixed sadness. “Please son, don't go any further.”
This is it, what I saw before. “No, Mom. I need to do this.”
“We can file a joint petition complaint to prevent you from participating in the competition, Ahrina,” Mom mumbled.
“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,” I assured her and nodded.
The butlers entered the dorm to get my things. As they left, I faced Mom. “Mom, go ahead, I'll just do something for a while.”
“All right...”
When he closed the door, I went inside the bedroom and teleported to Crimson's. Luckily, they are not here. I quickly motioned my hands and gathered all my energy while uttering the summoning spell that Sorceress Halina gave me too.
As I opened my eyes, a chubby black cat appeared in front of me. As it meowed, I smiled and carried it. “Hello, little cutie cat.”
“Ugh! Disgusting!”
I burst into laughter. “Okay, sorry.” I took the cat collar from my pocket and wore it to this cat. “Take care of Crimson for me, okay? See you next time, uhh, cute cat.”
“Just give me a name! Don't call me a cute cat!”
“But you're cute.” I chuckled as it meowed angrily. “Okay fine. Crimson will just give you the name, okie dokie?” I caressed its thick fur and smiled. “I have to go now. Thank you for participating in my plan, cute cat.” I stood up straight and teleported back to our room.
That cat will be my eyes here in this Academy while I am out for the competition.
When they arrived at the Academy patio, they were all there. The girls immediately hugged me while they were crying. “Witches, I'm not going back to Earth.”
“B*tch.” The three of us laughed at what Marina said. He wiped away his tears and jokingly slapped me. “Oh there, you might still be conscious.”
“There's no turning back, you crazy.” I confronted them with Lia and Freesia. “Oh, don't cry. I'm not going to die.”
“Make sure you do!” Freesia scolded me and I laughed. “You're laughing there, huh? If you really die, I won't visit you.”
“Good. It's like I'm just going to visit you.” I turned to Lia. “You take care of these two.”
She jokingly saluted. “Yes, boss.”
I turned to the boys and chuckled. “Good and no one should dramatize.”
Blake pouted and opened his arms for a hug. I just laughed and hugged him. “Be kind there, Tantan.”
“Yes, Father Blake.” I laughed again as he hit my back jokingly. “Let go, Marina might be jealous.”
“Her face, I'll drown her in the pond.” He also let go of the hug and patted my head.
Thoreau just smiled. “Do your best, Tantan. We'll wait for you.”
I laughed again to see Freesia's content. “Thoreau, are you sure you can handle an easily-got-jealous girl?” She glared at me.
He chuckled. “Of course, I can.”
“All right. Take care of her, okay?” I diverted to Crimson and smiled. “Hug?”
He nodded and hugged me tightly. “Take care of yourself there. I will miss you...badly.”
“I will miss you too, Crimson. Just wait for me, okay?” Crimson nodded and removed his hug from me. I smiled at all of them. “See you all next time, pips. I'll miss you all. So how, I'm leaving.”
I waved my hands to them and sat in the backseat of the car. Two butlers entered the car as well and one turned on the engine. I nodded to the butlers, gesturing them to drive now.
While on our way, my hand searched for my pendant and touched it. Honestly, I am nervous. It's normal to be nervous, isn't it? But I shouldn’t feed on my Twitter.
“Use your true power in the finals of Wielders of Charms. In the meantime, use the first magic classification you have.” That's what Sorceress Halina told me so that's what I'm going to do and I agreed right away. If I didn't do that, everyone would be surprised. If, for example, I use the wind in the first battle but fire in the second, everyone will be shocked and question me and the Schiz Academy.
So from eliminations to semis, I'll just use wind. Since Blake taught me about wind magic because he was like that, it was easy for me to control my magic. It's really good and he taught me for the last three days that I have. I'm a fast learner so it's easy for him to teach me.
Partnership is the key. He is the one who teaches me well. Unlike that one, he is to blame but I am to blame.
I looked out the window and we were just about to come to a beige passage. There are also many vehicles passing by so I assume this is their version of the expressway which passes through every country for easier traveling.
Our trip was straightforward and nothing went wrong which is a good thing because if there is, it might take us a whole day. On this so-called expressway, there are only trees on the side so it is almost impossible to see what is outside this road.
Earlier, we even crossed a bridge before a butler in Townland told me that we were. And that river is also wide and the water is very clear.
Then a few minutes later, the car turned right and went through a more crowded road. But just seconds later, I was amazed at what I saw. The atmosphere here is very lively, unlike Demetria which is just laidback. It doesn't mean that this place is upscale, it's just that it's really lively because of the looks of the houses that are very colorful. They spread positive vibes, that’s their mood.
After a few minutes, one of the convoys in front of us stopped so we also stopped in the back. “What's going on?”
“Don't worry, Lady Ahrina. We're just going through a security process,” The butler who's sitting down at the passenger seat answered.
“Ah, thank you.” Shems, I imagine what's going on.
And that's it, there seems to be a big gate open at the first and the vehicles also backed away but it's just slower unlike before.
I looked out the window again. There is a tall building, in my count is 10-storey, that is around us now. The building is still L-shaped, so maybe it's a bit low but too big. It's wide inside for sure.
There are also cars outside and there are young people like me too, maybe they will just get here too. There are also adults, maybe facilitators of the competition. And since we are newcomers, all the attention is on us.
When three cars stopped, I was not lowered. In what they do, I will look like a princess as if I were one of the members of the Royal Family. I watched as my luggage placed in the first car was unloaded first. When the door opened to my right, I grabbed my backpack and went out.
A butler deliberately took my backpack, which made me even more nervous. When I'm nervous, I always hold something like a cellphone or a bag. Even if I'm wearing pants, it's rude to see if I put my hands in my pocket, isn't it?
All eyes were on me so I was a bit stooped. Just a few seconds later, a woman arrived. She went to me and smiled as a greeting. “Good afternoon, Lady Ahrina. I am Mrs. Barbara Elixus, one of the facilitators of this year's competition, and welcome to Svien.”
“Good afternoon too, Mrs. Elixus. Thank you for the warm welcome.” Really?
She nodded and glanced at her tablet. After pressing some stuff, she took a key from her pocket and gave it to me. “That is your room key, you may go there now.”
I peeked at the key and nodded at him. “Thank you again, Mrs. Elixus.”
“Sure. You are welcome,” she replied. “I'll leave now.” Then yeah, she left.
I looked at the butlers and nodded to them. Two of them walked ahead of me while the other two who are holding my things are behind me. Even though everyone was still looking, I just ignored it. Gosh, I'm so beautiful and I'm ashamed of to the ultra pro max? Kind of...downfall.
It’s so quiet here, as in. Maybe everyone is already preparing. As we climbed the ninth floor, we turned left and also stopped opposite a door on the right. Room 194. A butler opened the door and entered to check the surroundings.
I really look like a princess.
When things went well, my butlers put my things aside and the other handed me the key. It is said that non-representatives and facilitators are not allowed to stay, so they will leave immediately. I immediately thanked them and started arranging the equipment and myself for later.
There is a small balcony here. As in just really small. Because his width is only half of my arm, from the tip of my middle finger to the elbow. It's just that small but it's okay because at least, I can peek outside.
Rainbow colors are the house outside. I guess all the shades of each color can be seen here. To my left, you can see a large arena dome where the Wielders of Charms will definitely be held.
“Crimson, I got here safely,” I told him in my mind.
To my surprise (not really), he responded. “That's good. Just be careful and take care of yourself.”
“I will. All right, study there.”
“Yes.”
“So, a Schizian is finally here.” I diverted my attention to a girl who spoke and she is smirking. I'll slap your mouth. “One car with two more convoys. Surely, you're not just some ordinary Schizian.”
I just nodded. He also has an apple, just in the tone of his voice. “You can say that.”
“Lady Ahrina,” she mumbled. “Ah! You're a successor?”
I nodded again. “Successor of Aurora, the city of light.”
“Oh.” Then she whistled. “Nice to meet you then, Lady Ahrina. My name's Sesaria Coleman, a sorceress from Enchantrie.”
“Pleased to meet you, Ms. Coleman,” I responded to her in a happy tone.
She just chuckled and went inside her room. Okay, that's it? Good. Just pay attention to that? You're a member, girl.
I just went inside and lay down on the bed to rest.
I woke up to hear a knock on the door so I immediately got up and opened it. “Go to the hostel lobby. In five minutes, you should be there.”
“All right.” I closed the door after the woman left and looked in the mirror. I look good. “Okay. You can do that, Ahrina. You're not a Regalia for nothing. You're not the successor of Aurora for nothing.” I took a deep breath. “You're the Mystic Princess, remember that, okay?” I motivate myself.
When I arrived at the lobby, I was almost shocked by what I saw. There are so many people here. As in too much. Maybe those in the hundred or maybe more are all here.
I just stood in the far corner because sh*t, a lot of people are really here. Just minutes later, we all heard three applause. “Representatives, let us all proceed to the Orientation Area.”
I quietly followed them all. There are facilitators around to watch over and guide us all. We were ushered into there was a room in the east wing of the building that was extra spacious. It's the size of a gymnasium, so yeah it fits all of us and there are also chairs in the middle. I just sat in the back row, in the rightmost corner so as not to be noticed.
A male facilitator came forward and spoke. “Good afternoon, Wielders of Charms representatives. I am Carter Nicolson, the chief facilitator of this competition.” He doesn’t need a mic anymore with the super loudness of his voice. I think it's his ability.
So far, he just gave the schedules and showed the brackets and line-up of the competition. By 10 PM, all representatives should be asleep. Then tomorrow, at 6 AM, everyone should be awake for the preparations. For now, just orientation.
After the announcements, there was a roll call as a form of roll call. All the representatives of the said country will just stand up and then say the name and the school they represent. It's also a bit nonsense for me to be here in the corner.
“Kingdom of Demetria,” Mr. Nicolson announced.
I didn’t stand up first and simply look at every one. When some people stood up, I did the same so my row mates looked at me.
“Ahrina Tantiana Regalia, Schiz Academy.” His eyes started searching so I raised my hand. “Just a question, Ms. Regalia. Are you somewhat related to Mrs. Amberleigh Regalia?”
I nodded. “Yes, Mr. Nicolson. I am her sole daughter.” By that, everyone, except for those representatives who were also standing, made a fuss. I do not intend to be arrogant or indifferent. I just answered his question.
“Oh, a Royalty, then. Thank you.” I'm not the only Royalty here. So far, there is three other Royalty from Avenditia and Bourgland.
“Sit down,” he said, gesturing his hand, and we did. “Kingdom of Enchantrie.”
After almost a very long sitting, we all also stood up to eat in the cafeteria. I just grabbed an egg sandwich and lemonade and then looked for a seat. At a corner four-seater table, I sat down, away from them all.
People hardly pay attention to it either. After all, everyone will be at loggerheads when it comes to the competition itself. All will fight for the trophy. Kill, that is.
So just be patient. I will get the trophy and not one of you. I will not let myself not win this competition.