LIA EDWARDS' POV
We are all desperately waiting for Halina to come out from inside Ahrina’s room here at the Academy hospital. I just remained standing next to Freesia who was just silent but her tears kept dripping.
What we saw earlier, I would say was a nightmare. Although Ahrina was released from the dark and deadly town of Dreich, she had little chance of surviving because of the quantity, depth, and severity of her wounds. His state is even worse now than it was in Wielders of Charms.
I don't know but I'm still sad even though I know this situation will happen to Ahrina and all of us. I know we will reach this point: the one to wait for him to wake up because he is the only hope we all have left.
And yes, I blame myself for my negligence. I promised my son that I would take care of his son and the next generation. But I didn’t take care of Ahrina who was his granddaughter. I did nothing for Ahrina.
Whatever I blame myself for, I know it won’t help. So instead of continuing to blame myself, I had to do whatever it took to recover. With all the sins I have committed, I have a lot to do.
Calla and Carob arrived a few minutes later, carrying the crown that had been placed on Ahrina's head earlier. “Confirmed.” One word, yet very heavy to accept.
Ahrina being the crowned heir of Hades to his throne.
“Since Ahrina has been crowned as the heir, it can never be changed. Even if she is killed,” Carob said. “She is now the successor of both Dreich and Aurora.”
Amber bravely stood up and took the crown Calla was holding. “Then we have no choice. We must join the Enchanted War.” Everyone looked at her. “And we will make my daughter the leader of the Schiz Academy.”
“Amber, are you serious about what you're saying?”
“I have a lot of trust in my daughter, Calla. I know she can fulfill all the duties given to her beyond everyone's expectations. All we have to do, as the senior mages, is to guide her and she'll do the rest. I want to give the position of leader to my daughter, Ahrina Tantiana Schiz.”
Although I wanted to smile, I restrained myself. As a mother, it feels good to hear the last name that impresses everyone who lives in this world. And in the name of our Mystic Princess.
I peeked at Crimson. While it’s nice to hear Schiz as Ahrina’s last name, I know Torren can replace that as well. Ahrina Tantiana Schiz-Torren.
Very powerful, my granddaughter.
Halina left the room. “The cat's soul is dead and it only meant one thing then.” She faced us with no reaction etched on his face. “Ahrina is dead.”
Freesia and I cried at what they heard and Amber dropped the crown she was holding on the floor. “S-Sorceress Halina, maybe there's another way...” Amber cried. “She can't die yet.”
Halina took a deep breath and shook her head. “If she wasn't dead, her twin-soul would just have weakened. But that's not what happened. Pitch died.”
“W-What are you saying? T-twin-soul? Who's Pitch?” Calla asked in succession.
“Pitch is the cat Ahrina made using the summoning ability she copied from Governess Regalia. She made it her twin-soul,” she explained to them. “We all know twin-souls and the definition is very simple. When one is dead, the other is dead too. Pitch is dead, so Ahrina is dead too.”
“Just because of that, Halina?” Crimson exclaimed in annoyance and sadness. “What if Pitch isn't dead either? You can't just base Pitch's twinning on Ahrina as a basis!”
“What do you want me to do?” They all fell silent at Halina's shout. “Ahrina isn't breathing anymore, she doesn't have a pulse anymore! —“
I cut off her words. I can not take it anymore. “She can't die yet, Halina!”
I am still alive today to take care of and watch over Ahrina. Not to visit him at her grave. That is why I am still breathing today, enduring the hardships of life in a world without freedom and controlled by a deadly system.
“She can't die,” I said sternly. “The soul of the Mystic Princess does not die. The soul of the Schiz does not die.” Because of that, all their attention was grabbed by me.
Amber confronted me. “What do you mean, Lia?”
I took a deep breath and looked them all in the eyes. “The Schiz, their souls are alive until now. Ahrina came from the Schiz family, so her soul cannot die. The same goes for Headmistress Regalia. The first generation of Schiz is made up of mages and sorcerers so they have the ability to keep their souls here on earth.”
“Lia,” Celeste called to me. “I-I don't understand. How did you find out about this when only senior officials and members of the Union of Magic know about it?”
I ignored her question and continued to speak. “Ahrina is the Mystic Princess. She is the daughter of Headmistress Amberleigh Regalia of Aurora and Headmaster Hades Gromantia of Dreich. It is true what Hades said on the last day of Wielders of Charms. There are seven elemental gems and not six. The evil darkness is in Ahrina's body so before that can be obtained he must first be killed.
“One of the reasons why Ahrina is immortal is because the evil darkness gem itself protects her soul. It may have just disappeared or weakened due to excessive wounds and weakness but she cannot die. The pendant of her necklace is the pieces of the Sacred Gem divided by Geminid and the Mystic Stone in turn are a gift from high-ranking sorceresses to keep the evil darkness gem in his body and keep it out of control.”
I was about to speak when Halina shouted my name. “Lia! Answer Celeste's question! How did you know—“
I immediately cut off his word. “It doesn't matter how I found out. What matters now is Ahrina's life! She can still be healed! With each passing second her soul weakens. What happened earlier in the garden is a release of power that is a sign of disappearance. That the evil darkness gem is in control so we don't have time! In Ahrina's hands our lives all depend so if we have nothing to do but cry, we will all die right now and she will be as bad as her father!”
“Hades is not Ahrina's father!” Amber shouted at me.
“Hades is Ahrina's father and I know that!” I said that they were all quiet. "I witnessed how that one drove you away while Tyson was at the meeting back then here in Antheia. Ahrina was the sole and first female heiress of Hades to his throne and he wouldn't have done that if she wasn't his child. We all know Hades so if it was just a show he wouldn't fall into the trap.”
“Then,” I turned to Crimson, “how did it all come to this, huh, Lia?” His lifeless eyes looked at me. Only now had his eyes become so dark. Only now. And yes, I can say it’s deadly.
“Ahrina has already planned everything.” Naningkit ang mga mata niya. "Ahrina joined the Wielders of Charms so she can enter Dreich. She has precognition abilities, so she already knows everything that will happen yet she told us different things. It’s true that she will die, but only if Hades and his troop wasn’t present there. Ahrina’s plan was supposed to infiltrate Dreich from inside and using the cat that Crimson is taking care of, she will send us plans.”
I stared at Halina and in just a few seconds, she took a deep breath. “But that didn't go with his plan. Unbeknownst to her, the dome that protects Dreich is blocking powers and abilities from within. That was confirmed when Hades brought her there so the black cat became useless. I also don't expect Hades to find out about Ahrina's plan in just two days.”
“And you didn't even tell us?” Crimson asked angrily. “None of you told me about all this!” he shouted loudly which startled all of us. “You know Ahrina's plan, you know about Dreich's dome, yet you just hid it and let her get into this situation wherein she is about to die?”
I smiled at him. “You know why I didn't tell you, Crimson, or neither of your friends of mine?” I opened my pocket and pulled out the letter that Ahrina had made and handed to Halina. “Because Ahrina wants to keep you all safe. Even if she has to take her life.”
Crimson took the letter and read it. One of her tears flowed, followed by another, another, until it was continuous. He tore it up and threw it on the floor. He rushed at me and threatened me. I stared into his eyes, eyes furious and utterly distressed. “Look, tell me. Who really are you?”
“My identity is worthless compared to your life, Crimson.”
“Answer my question!”
“Crimson...” Thoreau called and pulled Crimson to calm him down.
I removed my capelet and dropped to the floor. “I will heal Ahrina and if I have to give up my wing for her, I will. I am not just a friend or student. No one knows me and yes, even my own mother, I am not known.”
I was about to open the door when Halina spoke. “You mean, you're not Lia Edwards, are you?”
I smiled. “It took two hundred year before you found it out," I replied and went inside. I put my two hands forward and a green light came out of it.
I will heal you, Ahrina, not as a witch friend of yours. But as a Schiz family you.


It took me until sunset to heal Ahrina. Her wounds were also gone and only marks were left. They will also disappear over time. I took a long time to heal her because I had to slow down the process. Except that I was alone, she had so many wounds and her situation would get worse and worse if I tried to speed up her recovery.
I went next to her and held her left hand. “Ahrina, all these hardships will soon be over. Don't worry, I will guide you. So please, wake up as soon as possible.”
When I left the room, they were all still there and quietly turned to me. “Ahrina is in good condition. Her wounds are scarred but they will also disappear. She is still sleeping soundly.”
“Tell the truth, Lia.” Marina got up from her seat. “You know, I've been suspecting about you since we both met way back in freshmen years. Though I have seen your witchcraft skills, there's still something wrong.”
I smiled. “I know. I feel like until now, you're still suspicious of me but you're putting that aside because we're friends.” Astonishment covered her face. “I've known how you feel for a long time, Marina. All the time. Of the two of you and Freesia, you're the one who supports me the most, so I chose us to be roommates, didn't I? Because I want us to be closer and lose our friends. you fear me even little by little.”
“Lia...” Freesia called my name and approached me. “Why are you silent about this? That problem will be fixed if we talk about it.”
“It's a waste of time if I do that. I do a lot every day. I watch over all of you and make sure you don't get hurt while I do my job.”
Blake's eyes narrowed at me. “Are you a spy?”
“I'm not a fool to be a spy, Blake. What good would I get from being a spy if I was powerful when I was born? Rather than wasting my time on trivial things, I'd rather just be with you my friends all day and rest. Because honestly, I'm tired of living. I really want to die, but I can't because I'm not done with my work. I haven't fulfilled my promise to my daughter yet.”
“Your daughter?” Calla's confused question to me. “What are you saying, Lia? We don't understand you.”
I took a deep breath and nodded. “You don't understand, do you?” I looked at them all one by one with their eyes. “I know it will be hard for you to believe it but I think, this is the right time to say goodbye to Lia Edwards, the winged witch who was recognized at Schiz Academy because of the color of its wings.” I gazed to Celeste and smiled again. “Do you still remember Medea?”
Surprised, she nodded. “Medea was one of the winged witches who adopted Headmistress Calla, Headmaster Carob, and Governess Amberleigh.”
“Thank you so much for recalling.”
“Wait...” I faced her again. “How did you meet Medea?”
I waved my hands and a very familiar necklace appeared in the air causing their eyes to widen. “M-Mother's necklace...” Amber said.
“I'm Medea.” I put on the necklace and I felt the familiar energy flow through my body. When I opened my eyes, they were all even more surprised. In my reflection in the window of Ahrina's room, I saw how I looked. “I was Medea who took care of Carob, Calla, and Amber until I brought them here. After Calla became headmistress, Amber was vice governess, and Carob was vice principal, I re-skinned you and returned the time where Lilly Edwards was pregnant with her eldest daughter where I started my new life as Lia Edwards.”
“L-Lia...”
I had already removed the necklace so I went back to my look as Lia Edwards and broke it. “I know it's shocking and very hard to accept, but that's what I did to keep my promise. I won't apologize to you. Because this is just the beginning of my revelations to you.”
I put on my capelet again and walked away to give them time to think about everything they should think about.



“Are you happy?”
I looked behind me and saw Daimet. I smiled and looked back around. “No.”
“I know that's what you're going to answer. You're obviously not happy, but why are you continuing?”
“Because this is what I promised my daughter.”
I felt his hand on my shoulder. “Geminid will understand you, Dame.”
“Yeah. I understand you, Mother.” I stiffened at what I heard and immediately turned around. “I know what's going on around like you so I understand you, Mother. Thank you so much too because until now, you still keep your promises to me.”
“G-Geminid, my daughter...”
“Mother, I'm here again.”



In the middle of the night, I spread my wings and flew to the hospital to visit Ahrina. But as I entered the room, I saw Crimson still awake and holding Ahrina's hand. “You're still awake.” He just turned to me for a moment. "Go back to your dorm, I'll take care of Ahrina.”
“Who are you?”
I went to the other side of Ahrina and placed my palm on her forehead. Through this, I can see if the condition of his soul is in order. “Her soul is in good condition and her evil darkness gem is in proper control. She can wake up at any time.”
“You're not answering my question.”
I looked at him closely and smiled. “Do you really want to know my very real identity?” He only stared at me. “I hope you'll regret nothing, even our friendship.”
“What do you mean?”
I moved my hand again and a photo appeared. “You know her?”
He nodded and got up from his seat. “The missing Director-General of the Union of Magic.” He looked at me curiously. “You're Dametreil Schiz?”
“I am,” I said and my physique changed again. His eyes widened. “Schiz are from mage and sorcerers so we have the ability to transform as we wish using an evil spell that only we know. I am Dametreil Schiz, the Director-General of the Union of Magic, the founder of the empire of Demetria, mother of the first divine type mage Geminid Schiz, and guardian of the next generation of Schiz. That is why I have lived on this earth for almost four hundred years.”
“Are you kidding?”
“Do I look like I'm joking, Crimson?
He was shaken. “You're just using a witchcraft, Lia.”
“My name is Dametreil Schiz, not Lia Edwards. You're my friend, Crimson, and I know you're going to marry Ahrina so I told you this right away. If you're mad at me because I hid from you all about mine, it’s okay and I don’t mind. But don't make Ahrina feel angry with me because she's not involved in this issue, she doesn't know anything about it either.”
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes tightly, still seemingly unable to believe my revelations. “Rest, Crimson. I'll take care of Ahrina. I promise I'll take good care of her and guide her forever.”
Before he could even say something gain, I moved my finger and carried him to his room using teleportation. I turned to Ahrina who was still sound asleep and placed her crown on her head. “Crown suits you, Ahrina. But I like the color of your crown to be purple and not black because it will suit you better.”
Using a spell, I adopted the evil darkness gem to make it easier for him to control it as well as the Mystic Stone and the six pieces of elemental gems.
I’m in favor of Amber’s decision. Ahrina is supposed to lead the entire Schiz Academy for the upcoming Enchanted War. And while he sleeps and rests, I will prepare his body for it. That's what I'm supposed to do, isn't it? As her family, I must guide her to the right path and do what is right and necessary with discipline and control.


*****


When I woke up I immediately sailed to the headquarters of the Union of Magic which is in Enchantrie. When I stepped on the concrete floor, I was immediately blocked. “I'm sorry, Miss, but children are not allowed here.”
“Dametreil Schiz, Director-General of the Union of Magic. You'll let me in or I'll change your form, the uglier one.”


I immediately went to the Acting Director-General’s office and knocked on his door. “Come in.” When I entered, his eyes narrowed at me. “Who are you? How did you get in here?”
“I want you to gather all the senior officers of the Union of Magic and take you all to the main boardroom, Mr. Arcenum. This is an order from Director-General Dametreil Schiz.”
He stood up and his eyebrows met. “Wait, wait, who are you and your courage—“
I cut him off and changed my look and voice. Her eyes widened immediately. “You know that only real Schiz have the ability to change form at any time and without limit, Mr. Arcenum. We are also the only ones who have the ability to change one's appearance in no time, don't we?”
“D-Director-General...”
“That's right, it's me. So please, follow my orders. We don't have time.” He immediately nodded and was about to leave when I spoke again. “Ah, where did you place all my things?”


I wore my red cloak with gold designs and restored my look as Lia Edwards. I knew they would all be surprised because I suddenly showed up but we didn’t have time. I don’t have time for grand entrance, welcoming, and any other celebrations on my return because you’re just kind of a waste of time.
Arriving at the boardroom, they all stood up but they just kept staring at me. All right, I don’t need their bows out of respect, all I need is their ears and minds so that they can contribute properly to this world.
“Good morning to you all,” I begin. "I know you are all surprised at my sudden return here and wondering why only now. Although I want to answer all your questions, we are running out of time so I will say that my real purpose is why I came back.
“Ahrina Tantiana Schiz-Gromantia, the Mystic Princess, was crowned as heir to the throne of Headmaster Hades Gromantia, the current ruler of Dreich. According to their law, whoever is crowned as heir has equal power over their ruler and cannot be revoked he has the position even if he is killed. So no matter what Hades Gromantia does, Ahrina will still be their next leader. Even if her body dies in the war that will take place.”
One of the secretaries of the Union of Magic raised his hand. “But won't there be a conflict of interest there? Ahrina is also the heir to the throne of Governess Amberleigh Regalia. One creature can never rule two towns. That is against the law of the Union of Magic.”
I replied with a smile. He is right. But that is not going to happen. “And who told you that Ahrina will lead Dreich and Aurora at the same time?” They all looked at each other. “I know this is part of Ahrina's plan so we don't have to worry. We will let Ahrina use her position as heir to Dreich to bring down the said town. I know that the people who sided with her will be settled in the town of his true leadership, the Aurora.”
“What's your plan then?”
“Over the past hundred years, the number of Headmaster Hades' necromancers has grown and it has reached approximately ten million, almost equal to the population of the entire kingdom of Demetria. And yes, our people are lacking to fight because not all of them are the people of Demetria will fight. I want you to send a hundred thousand people from every country who want to join the war that will take place.”
Everyone took refuge, in accordance with what I said. The Townsland representative raised his hand and spoke. “If you won’t mind, what will you do after the war?”
“I'm stepping down from my position as Director-General of the Union of Magic. My decision about that is irreversible. But for now, I want us all to focus on the upcoming Enchanted War first because I know it will be bloodier than before. This is an order from Director-General Dametreil Schiz.”