AHRINA TANTIANA REGALIA'S POV
When I opened my eyes, I saw an unfamiliar look on the ceiling. Shocked, I quickly got up from lying down and looked around. “Sh*t, where am I?”
The door opened and a woman in a plain black dress reached up to her ankle. It curled up at me as he closed the door. “You have finally awakened, Your Majesty. We are all glad that you are here today in the kingdom of Dreich. As a greeting, Headmaster Hades would like to invite you to breakfast today.”
Sh*ta, what are these sh*ts again? If they’re happy I’m here, I’m not. How could I not wonder around if my heart was beating so fast that it seemed like something was wrong in this place?
I just hugged the woman. “All right.” And when I stood up, there I noticed the clothes I was wearing. I'm no longer wearing the warrior dress that Mommy gave me. But a black velvet midi dress with long sleeves and close to my chest and waist.
“In that case, I will call the followers to fix you, Your Majesty,” she stated and bowed before leaving my room.
Okay, Ahrina. You are in Dreich.
“Pitch, I'm already in Dreich!” I waited a few seconds but no one answered. “Pitch? Sh*t, Pitch, if you're asleep, wake up because I'm nervous as f*ck.” Still, that useless black cat didn't answer. “Pitch, you want me to shave your very thick hair? Hey!”
Argh! This is driving me insane! It’s impossible that the cat can’t hear me. Sh*t, what's going on and I can't use telepathy?
The door opened again which surprised me a bit. “Uhm, can you knock before you enter?”
They looked at each other and bowed at the same time. “Forgive us, Your Majesty. We're still adjusting to your presence. We would like to apologize.”
“Ah, no, all right. It's okay.” My voice became a bit harsh to them.
Also, why do they call me ‘Your Majesty’? It feels so weird.
So yes, they literally dressed me. They took a bath in a huge bathtub — their water here smelled and not just water. And then, they fixed me, combed my hair like that. Then they even dressed me in clothes from underwear to outerwear that was a very long cape, even longer than Batman's.
In short, I really look like a princess. Spoiled brat princess. Yes, that's me! What Ahrina wants, Ahrina gets.
Well, except for the part where I even really wanted to talk to Pitch because he would have been my eye there but I couldn't. I also tried entering its mind in case I couldn't either. Even invading its senses. I need help, but nothing can reach me.
“You are very beautiful, Your Majesty,” one of the maids complimented.
I smiled shyly. “Thank you.” I know that I'm beautiful, no need to point it out again and again and again.
We left my room and they guided me downstairs. The hallway was in full black, and torches hanging on the walls were only those things that set things in light. If all the fire in the torches is gone, for sure, I’ll feel like I’m walking with eyes pressed close. As in, very dark.
But then, as we got to the lobby (if the lobby is really called here), everything went different. Enchanting. That's all I can say in this lobby. The lobby was in the color black, but it doesn't look dull or empty. It looks pretty elegant.
And then, all of a sudden, a stream of memories flashed in my mind. Causing me to stop suddenly.
“Your Majesty?” I immediately looked over there with a maid. “Are you all right?”
“A-Ah, yes. I'm okay,” I replied and smiled at them. “Let's go.”
We stopped in front of a huge door. Very huge door with some uncommon designs on it. One of the maids knocked on it and spoke. “Your Majesty is here.”
The door opened — I don't know if it opened itself or someone behind opened it. But then, as it opened, a huge dining hall greeted me. Everything was set in black, again, and obviously, yet the ambiance is very formal.
There is a long table in the middle and it is very empty but full of food. After I finally got in, the maids left me and closed the door. So yeah, I went all alone to Headmaster.
“Good morning, my daughter. Sit down.”
The chair across from him moved away from the table so I went there and sat. Looks like he's in control or maybe there's a necromancer here to watch and he's the one pushing it to the chair.
Well, I'm not certain at all.
“I'm so happy now that you've woken up, my child.” How fun yarn? “Everyone wants to see you but I said you still need to rest and rest until you can do everything you don't feel any pain or ache.”
“I just wanted to ask something.”
He smiled at me and nodded. “All right, my daughter. What is it?”
“How long have I been here?”
He put down his cutlery and looked me in the eyes. "You've been here a week, my daughter." My eyes widened and the cutlery I was holding fell. “You've been sleeping in the room reserved for you for a week. When you're still asleep, I don't let a follower in without me because I want to make sure they don't touch you without me saying.”
One week.
F*ck. I've been here in Dreich for a f*cking week! Then I was able to attempt to call Pitch just now?
“Is that so?”
“I want you to stay here until the start of the second Enchanted War against the whole of Demetria.” LOL, it's not just Demetria you will fight against. “You can also practice if you want. There's a vacant room on the second door from your room and there you can practice anytime you want.” I just nodded.
“The four waiters who brought you here, they will be with you every hour to make sure no one else approaches you,” he added. “Five hours from now, a meeting will be held in this place to discuss the impending Enchanted War. I ask that you attend to share with us all you know about the plan of the Demetrians.”
Psh, I will never be allied with you. Even if I die.
He used the table napkin and wiped his mouth with pleasure. “Get ready for tomorrow. I will introduce you to the whole town of Dreich as my son and the only heir to my throne.”
He stood up from his seat and left the hall. I think he still has work to do so yeah, he really left me here. I just finished my meal and went back to my room. “Thank you very much. You can leave me,” I told the maids and they bowed before leaving.
I closed my eyes and took the opportunity to try contacting Pitch or everyone else in the Academy to call for help.
As soon as I opened my eyes, I was gasping for breath. I really can't do anything. And sh*t, this sucks. I do not want this. My plan does not suit me. No, they already know my plan? No. It can’t be. They can't figure out my plan. And if they knew, they should have killed me right away.
The meeting was supposed to be later to tackle the upcoming Enchanted War. Does he ask me to attend to get what they want? Like, he will attend me then after, will he be killed?
Okay, whatever, I'll just attend. I’ll ride what they want me to say or do. I'll do what they want. As long as it won't affect the majority of my contingency plan. I have only two choices here: take risks to survive or ignore them to die. And obviously, I will select the first one.
Because I was afraid to die this way.
And I'm not ready to die yet.
I left my room and went there to what Headmaster Hades said was the room that was on the second door from my room. Without bothering to knock, I turned the knob and opened the door. An immense empty room showed up to me. Like...wow, it’s so huge.
The floor has a wood design and the color of the walls to the ceiling is dark gray. Two windows are symmetrical and the view from here is the outside of where I am though it just doesn't open.
To check the surroundings, I created a light orb on my right palm, and it started scanning the whole room. Suspiciously, I found scanners throughout every corner. Seriously? I now feel like I'm imprisoned in this… ugly, hellish place.
I don't know if I'm really going to train here or not. If I don't train, what will I do here? End? Maybe later when I get out of here in Dreich, I won't know how to control my magic and abilities again. As quick as I am to learn, I am just as quick to forget when I can't do, let's say, five days?
I left this vacant room and returned to my bedroom where I am now. Basically, I still have no idea where we are part of Dreich. All I know is, maybe, we’re in the castle. Yes, I saw Dreich in my precognition through Tyson Regalia's sight but unfortunately, the image is not that clear to me. Pretty blurred so yeah, I have to rely on what I have now.
I just lay down on my bed and closed my eyes.
“You say, you’re not Lia Edwards, right?”
“It took you two hundred years before you found it out.”
“Your Majesty...” I slowly opened my eyes and sat up. “Your Majesty, the meeting is about to begin. You are the only one whom they are waiting in the room.”
Oh, of course. I still need to attend that useless meeting.
“Uhm...” The four maids looked at me again. “Is it okay for me to wear it?” I'm wearing a black velvet long-sleeved dress because it's floor-length and I also have this black long cloak with a length, I think, 2 meters or more.
They all smiled at me. “The color black matters to you, Your Majesty,” one of them responded.
“You look like a goddess, Your Majesty," another maid told me.
“Thank you. Let’s go?”
They really make me look so beautiful.
Arriving at the same hall where I had eaten earlier, they just opened the door for me and I entered again alone. Unlike earlier, people were sitting down around a table, nearly a hundred, and they were all looking at me.
As Headmaster stood up, everyone rose and bowed to me. I just kept walking until I was positioned next to Headmaster who was sitting on a side facing the door. I also bowed at them and sat down.
“You don't have to be polite anymore, my daughter.”
I faced Headmaster. “But that's what I want.”
He and the others at the table smiled. “In that case, I can do nothing but let you.” I want to go back to the Academy, will you let me? Of course not.
“Your daughter is truly unique, dear ruler of Hades." We both faced a woman who spoke. "She's very, very beautiful and I know she's very brave.”
Hoho, sugarcoated words. I'm immune there. But thank you anyway, you still bothered to flatter. I hope you just kept quiet.
“Thank you very much,” I responded to her.
“Please don't be offended, dear leader, but when do you want to introduce to the whole town of Dreich that he will inherit your throne?”
Headmaster just nodded. “I would have liked to have made the official introduction to her tomorrow." T-Tomorrow? “That's if my daughter will agree to my plan.”
I forced a smile. “Isn't it too early? I-I haven't memorized my power until now. One more thing, I can't lead a town without experience!” Plus ten with impromptu acting skills.
As I gazed at everyone, they were all looking at each other, exchanging both compliments and opinions. Headmaster patted my shoulder and faced everyone as well. “As long as my son has not yet decided on this matter, I would like us to first talk about the second Enchanted War that will take place on the cursed day of the Schiz.”
Cursed day?
Um, everyone agrees, which is a must, and they have already proceeded with the conversation about that Enchanted War. I didn't participate orally because I wasn't in a position for that. I'm just here.
In the middle of their talks, Headmaster faced me. “As a student at Schiz Academy,” everyone did the same to me, “do you know any of their plans about the upcoming Enchanted War?”
I nodded. “There is.” Then I saw the joy on their faces. Have fun now, go ahead. “I've heard and seen what Aunt Calla was talking about many times but almost all of that was just drafts or not yet the final plan.” It's just like a drawing your swimming.
“That was a great help, Your Majesty,” Secretary of the Societas stated. “It's important that we know our opponent's strategy to make it easier for us to win.”
Seeing them all agreed with me made me smirk mentally. “Then may I share, Headmaster Hades?”
He nodded and smiled. “No problem, my daughter. You have the freedom to speak whenever you wish.”
“Thank you very much.”
After a very long meeting that lasted all day, I followed the Headmaster to his office here. When the door closed he sat down in his seat. “I just want to ask something? What was the cursed day you said earlier in the meeting?”
Headmaster faced me and smiled bitterly. “Hasn't Amber or any of the senior magicians you know told you that yet?” I shook my head. “Anyway, what else can I expect?”
Just tell me before you swear, will you?
“The cursed day of the Schiz was the day when the first Enchanted War ended when my hands killed Geminid Schiz.” Yikes. “The Midnight Sun is the rarest event in the entire Magic World and it only happens every hundred years, on the cursed day.”
Midnight Sun... “What's that? Instead of the moon, it’s the sun that can be seen?”
He nodded. “It's a white sun that no one can stare at in the intensity of the light.” He rose from his seat and went to his bookshelves. “A lot of people say that with the extra light, you'll just want to close your eyes all day. Almost no one can sleep because of the extra light and more,” he pulled out a book and turned to me, “it's too hot. More humid than a desert.”
I took the book and looked at him in amazement. “I will read this for what reason?”
“That's my father's best-kept book. Read that. There are written all the best-kept secrets that only my father and only his father know.”
Does he give it to me as bait?
“All right, I'll read before I go to sleep. Thank you, Headmaster.” I bowed at him and walked away.
Before I could turn the knob, he spoke again. “Father. That's what you could call me.”
“All right, Father. That's what I'll call you from now on,” I replied and left his room.
I changed into a shorter version of the black dress I was wearing and lay on the bed. I stared at this book covered in black leather. Only the Late Headmaster Azrael knows what is written in this book says Headmaster Hades.
As I opened the book, I felt a different, confusing aura around me. It was as if many were watching me when I opened the book. But then, I just ignored it. I just read what is written here.
Actually, I was surprised by what I read. The majority here is all about Dreich before the Enchanted War happened.
Dreich is the twin city of Hesperia, founded by twin brothers Deicho and Hespero Windsor. The Windsor family is the third most powerful, coming after Schiz and Mildred respectively. This city wasn't considered evil at all before. In fact, this was the most powerful city before the reign of Antheia. Dreich was the center of aquaculture because of its topography. This city faces the ocean they call the Wide South Ocean and is said to be abundant in fish and other seafood.
The real mess happened as Late Headmaster Azrael's father died. No solid evidence of his cause of death was found so they suspected that it was the Schizs who killed him. Late Headmaster's mother avenged the death of her husband, but she was killed too inside Mildred's mansion during a night party with the Schiz family.
The death of the two was tagged as a movement against the peace laws between families. Believing that it was his parents' fault, Late Headmaster released an apology for what happened. However, as the Sacred Gem grows in popularity, his attitude changed, and had superficial greed for eternal power.
The late Headmaster did everything he can as the leader of his city. He boosted the aquaculture and garnered tourists thrice they thought they can, making their local economy increase drastically. His efforts resulted in the Royal Family of Demetria considering him as one of the candidates for the caretaker of Sacred Gem, the most powerful magic stone ever existed.
His research about this stone is also written here. That said, Sacred Gem was the result of the mixing of the magics of all the elemental mages, witches, warlocks, sorcerers, and sorceresses. All combined in one white crystal-like stone that is a size of a human brain (small only).
He was selected as a finalist for being the caretaker. This was celebrated by the whole city after receiving the announcement. However, as the next day passed, the Late Headmaster became gloomy. He was canceled. The only heiress and Dametreil Schiz's daughter, Geminid Schiz, was selected.
Out of rage, Late Headmaster slowly betrayed his country.
He slowly destroyed Demetria's reputation and quickly filed a case against the Royal Family but it was turned down without any proper proceedings. He did the same four times but the same result happened four times too. Out of frustration, he planned to take the Sacred Gem from Geminid's custody using the most excruciating manner: the Enchanted War. He, later on, died due to his age.
Headmaster Hades stepped on his father's throne and fulfilled his promise with Late Headmaster Azrael. Using the magic that his father inherited from him, he trained non-stop. He gathered souls from the dead ones and made them his immortal followers. As he saw that everyone in the Dreich is now ready, he then officially announced a kingdom-wide battle in exchange for the Sacred Gem that his father was supposed to own.
Killing an innocent student like Geminid Schiz made him hesitant at first, but he continued what he oathed to his father. He killed her. However, it was too late when he knew that Geminid broke the Sacred Gem into pieces for the Dreich not to take it.
The Union of Magic, Committee of Peace and Power, and Royal Family of Demetria all agreed to separate the Dreich from this country for committing treachery, murder, and rebellion. As all of the Demetrians voted to agree, the Dreich became the first restricted, lone city in the whole Magic World.
I no longer knew what I believed. Different books contain different stories. I have a strong suspicion that Late Headmaster Azrael wrote it so I think this book has the most legit information rather than those inside the library of the Academy.
But then, despite any confusion I am feeling, I was enlightened for a bit. People in this world strive for success and survival. And no matter how hard I try to put myself inside the shoes of Late Headmaster Azrael, that degree of pain he felt is worse than I will probably feel because he is the one who experienced it. When you’re the one who was announced to be the caretaker of Sacred Gem but then the next day, suddenly, it’s someone else. That hurts a lot. I know.
But why? Why does the Royal Family have to do that? Late Headmaster Azrael deserves to be recognized too. He made his city famous and highly respectable, causing Demetria's economy to bloom as well. But because of Geminid's outstanding skills and divine type of magic, they disregarded Late Headmaster's efforts and threw them like garbage. In fact, Late Headmaster Azrael is more experienced than Geminid so I think he deserves it more than her.
But I can't be final in everything I say. Not because I read this book written by Late Headmaster, I will place a period after my statement. It isn't concrete. I need answers. And to get those answers, I need to be the successor of Dreich.
I can't believe that this sullen, dark perdition was once a lively, joyful paradise.