Only fire and darkness that was all Riveria could see now. The screams of various burning people rang loudly in her ears. There are sought for salvation was in vain, to be roasted in the embers of their wrath to devour everything around them.
"Anyone, answer me!" Riveria shouted with a desperation that filled her tone.
"Help!"
"My child!"
"Why did all this have to happen?!"
Riveria covered her ears in fear, spreading throughout her limbs. The elven princess walked through the burning ground with corpses strewn on the path she passed.
She isolated herself from the fear and terror that swept around her. She saw various horrors as she walked and came to the end of these horrors when Riveria heard an inhuman scream. A scream is so intense that it extinguished the flames around it, a scream so loud that it made Riveria, who had been tightly covering her ears, groan in pain.
She dared not look at the source of the sound. Fear had snatched all remaining strength from her. Even so, curiosity overcame the Elf princess. As she looked at the incomprehensible horror, Riveria's eyes opened wide.
A pair of yellow eyes stared at her, giant eyes that held various horrors from behind the figure of their owner. The creature's breath was so loud that it filled the surrounding silence. Riveria froze in fear as her eyes met the giant creature's.
Riveria wept bitterly, tears flowing from her eyelids with a pale face as the ground for the innocent girl's tears.
"Please. Please help me." Riveria muttered shakily.
However, the creature's eyes were not on him but on something behind him. Riveria followed the monster's gaze, and it was there that she found a robed man walking towards the beast.
He walked straight, feeling no fear or any other emotion. Riveria frantically shouted at that person.
"No. Run!" But that person ignored the Elf.
When he arrived right in front of the creature's silhouette, the robed person raised his right hand. From there comes the light that illuminates everything.
Riveria could catch a glimpse of that man's face alongside that blinding light. He has tan skin, and when she laid her eyes on his eyes, Riveria gasped.
"Lord Caster?" And thus, the light consumes her. But she was sure. She saw faint tears come from Caster's eyelid.
There is only sadness, eternal regret, and pain. Caster's face was filled with those emotions, overwhelming even for Riveria.
"Lord Caster." Riveria muttered in pain. Tears started to drop from her eyes, and the pain in her chest was unbearable.
Pain
Pain
And only pain, and with that, the girl could not withstand any of those feelings.
"I'm sorry." The words echo through the air.
Riveria closed her eyes tightly, causing her to sink into the darkness.
"Princess Riveria, you heard me, princess." Calling out a female voice called Riveria, who was in the process of regaining her senses.
The princess' blurred vision slowly returned to normal. There she saw a woman sitting beside her bed. Slowly, Riveria looked to the right, where the person she knew the most, Aina, was sitting; Her face looked worried as she carried a warm towel in her hands.
"Thank goodness you're awake, princess Riveria. You were shaking violently a while ago." Riveria weakly tried to look around her, realizing she was no longer in the Villa.
"Aina," Riveria said weakly.
"Princess, you were crying." Aina handed her a handkerchief. Riviera herself was surprised. She touched her cheek, and sure enough. Her cheeks are wet.
"Thank you, Aina." RIviera wiped her tears and immediately took a sitting position.
"What happened?" Riveria asked.
"You experience a mind down when your magic forcibly canceled," Aina said sourly.
"I see. How long have I been unconscious for?"
"Around eight hours, princess." Riveria sighed tiredly. Then she recalled something from her mind.
"What happened to the armies assigned to me?" Riveria asked with a hint of hope.
This moment was where Aina's expression turned bitter. "I'm sorry, princess. Few remain, and even then, they all have mortally wounded."
After hearing that, Riveria lowered her head and dug deeper into her memories. Many people died protecting her, but there were a few survivors, including herself and Aina.
"Wait, Aina. In my memory. Did anyone save us?" Riveria said with a hazy memory.
Aina beamed. "Indeed! A spirit did save us. He is indeed a powerful spirit. Able to kill a level five adventurer with ease."
For some reason, Riveria felt that seeing Aina now was like someone describing an idol or a hero. Well, Riveria herself couldn't say no.
"Caster, that's his name," Riveria said with a small smile, remembering a faint memory from her head.
"What a strange name for a spirit if you ask me, princess." Riveria just shrugged.
"I know. But, Recalling from various literature, the spirit had so many names in their life."
"Indeed, they are beings who live through time. Having many names is nothing new to them." Aina then stood up to take something from the table, a tray filled with food.
"How kind of you, Aina." Aina just laughed.
"I am flattered, my lady." Soon, the princess' chamberlain arranged breakfast for her lady with a table firmly on the bed. With food and cutlery, do not forget the napkin as the base of those utensils.
Riveria immediately ate the food served slowly, gracefully like royalty in the middle of a banquet. However, Aina could tell something from her lady's expression. She was in trouble.
"What is it, Lady Riveria?" Riveria stopped eating, looking at Aina with a sharp gaze.
"The magic spirits use, I feel it's different from conventional magic like in brothering degree." Riveria held her chin, frowning thoughtfully.
"I also feel the same way, without chanting or responding to nature and fae themself." Aina recounted the times the spirit used its magic.
"Not only that, it is like, all of his magical energy bend the reality to create magic he intended to use, "Riveria said instead of speaking in a questioning tone rather than confirming.
"Unfortunately, he's not here for me to ask about his magic." Riveria, as someone who studied magic, seeing spells capable of creating magic without incantation was new. No, it could even be said to be against the laws of nature that the magic should have determined.
"It's not something to regret," Aina said teasingly.
"What do you mean?" Riveria raised her eyebrows.
"Before he left, I asked him to come for a visit on the weekend. In your honor, Riveria Ljos Alf as heir to the High Elf throne." Riveria cradled, looking at Aina with a neutral expression.
"Then what's the answer?" Riveria beamed.
"The good news is he's accepted my invitation. He's coming this weekend." After hearing the good news, Riveria couldn't hide her happiness.
"Really? is that right, Aina?!" Riveria almost jerked the table in front of him, a sparkling smile appearing on his face.
"Yes, it is. Now, you better finish your breakfast." Riveria calmly continued her breakfast.
"The victims of this attack were around two thousand people died. If the list broke down again, two hundred and thirty-six civilians died, and one thousand seven hundred and sixty-four soldiers died. This proof can say that this is a light causality for the attack of such massive monsters attack." Said one of the court members with a paper roll in front of him.
The other palace members started talking to the people around them, discussing yesterday's attack.
"Give another report!" King Larfal decided.
"The damage is minimal on the macro scale of the country. Restorations are in progress. And as for the monsters that attack us, we analyzed, and the result was they are monsters from the dungeon." The whispers grew louder in the throne room. The whisperer questioned the familiars in Orario, and many condemned their negligence. King Larfal raised his hand, making the room quiet again.
"Persist." The speaker nodded.
"According to witnesses who survived, there was an adventurer figure leading the attack. Only one was seen and managed to escape." That statement is where various criticisms and uproar began to sound from within the room—no more civilized debates, only angry outbursts from nobles and counselors.
King Larfal was no better either, his hands gripping the throne tightly, a testament to the king's anger. But Larfal did not let his emotions rule his actions. He said again.
"What do we get about this assailant other than he's an adventurer?" asked Larfal, making the room silent again.
"According to eyewitness accounts of how he fought, he was able to defeat the best knights we could offer. In terms of strength and combat experience, we estimate that the adventurers will be between level four and five." That way, they can narrow down who the perpetrators of this disaster are.
"That way, we can narrow our search into a particular cause, Chancellor," Larfal calls one of them.
"Yes, Your Majesty." replied an elf in a white robe.
"I want you to send diplomats to Orario on this matter. I want compensation for this chaos." King's orders.
"Yes, Your Majesty." The Chancellor then stepped down.
"Even so, I'm sure the gods won't mind this problem. They are Gods, after all," Larfal mumbled his words deliberately so that others could hear him.
It earned the sympathy of the people in the room. To no one's surprise, they all had the same expression: Hatred and contempt for the gods.
"Master Knight!" Larfal spoke again.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I want you to increase border security. No one is allowed to enter or leave. Without my orders, whoever wants to enter this forest, you have permission to kill them."
Without hesitation, the Master Knight saluted. "According to your orders, Your Majesty!"
"Master wizard, is there an explanation as to why the monsters just retreated?" asked Larfal, staring at the figure of an old wizard nearby.
"No, Your Majesty. We did not find any magical cause for the change." The Witch said with a lowered face.
"I see. That was unfortunate," Larflar stood and cleared his throat.
"Therefore, I end this meeting. If there is any further information, I want the court members to report to my desk immediately. Dismiss!" Thus the meeting was dissolved.
Riveria, who had finished eating, was sitting at the study table with Aina behind her. Riveria did not take her eyes off the book on the table. She diligently flipped through the sheets like someone who had forgotten the world around her.
She searched through the various magic catalogs in his book, searching and searching but only closing one book and opening another. Yet, she did not find anything.
There was only a standard procedure of magic alongside how to use it. None of those books explains anything about magic without any chant whatsoever. In every book Riveria read, no knowledge based on what she sensed that night, magic that could reshape the reality into the cause of the user.
"Why it doesn't exist? We are an elf. Why is there no such record of that kind of magic?" Riveria mumbled all over the room. She focuses on every word, paragraph, and page in her book.
Aina watched her lady calmly. Though she also started to wonder about the same case as her patrician: A magic that could bend reality to perform its miracle.
Though, before Riveria could barely read another parchment, the door opened. When the two women turned their gaze into the door, they saw a person they did not expect. It is king Larfal.
"Father!" Riveria called, standing to greet her father.
"My lord." Aina bowed with respect in her gesture.
"At ease, Aina. Riveria." Larfal called to his daughter with a severe expression.
"Yes, father." Riveria tried to look her father in the eye, but she couldn't because of the fear that radiated from her eyes.
"From now on, I want you to follow this schedule." Larfal took out a piece of paper from under his robe. Riveria received the form, read it, and made her eyes widen.
"But father, this-"
"No buts. That's your schedule from today." Aina walked closer to Riveria, looking at the schedule in the woman's hand. When the treasurer read the contents, her eyes opened wide in surprise.
"I don't mean to be blunt, my lord. But isn't this too much?"
But Larfal just narrowed his eyes, interpreting his words. Aina decided to hold back her sentence.
"Fine if that's your wish, father." Riveria bowed her body out of respect.
"Alright, then. I'll leave for my other duty. glad you were fine, Riveria." Larfal immediately took a step away from his daughter's room.
The silence was the only thing left in the room. Riveria looked back at the paper her father had given her.
"What a good grief," Riveria muttered with disappointment at her expression.
"You can do it, my lady. I will always support you." Aina stroked the back of the princess gently.
"Yes, of course, I can. Well, study and study, rest to eat, and shower. Even on holidays, I have to study independently in my room." Riveria sighed when she laid her eyes on the schedule. Aina could only smile supportively towards the princess.
Riveria decided to follow the schedule that her father gave her. With that, she gracefully walked out of the room to dress up, following her next program.
To be more precise, Riveria was in a room full of books in the royal library with a scholar accompanying her. Riveria was reading a book intently, like a person thirsting for knowledge; The girl was tireless over everything she had read.
"Still nothing."
"Is something bothering you, my lady?"
"Yes, do you think there is any magic that someone can activate without chanting?" Ask Riveria.
"Magic without chanting, huh. Wait there." The Scholar left, looking like he was looking for something from the various bookshelves. Riveria watched the man from a distance, wondering what he was looking for.
Seeing that the accompanying teacher was still busy with the object he was looking for, Riveria decided to go back to reading the book and continued to turn the pages.
"He can heal, stop someone in midair, create white pillars of light. There are three magic spells, the maximum limit for humans and the various races to master magic. Given that he's a spirit, he should be able to use three or more magics. Five must be the correct number, right?" Riveria was muttering again in her mind, trying to pinpoint the figure of her savior.
"Oh, there it is." The Scholar's voice sounded as if he had found what he was looking for.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" asked Riveria with raised eyebrows.
"Yes, I did. This particular thing is the book I was looking for." The man put the book he was referring to on Riveria's desk. It was an old book, neither too thick nor too thin.
"A journal?" asked Riveria, who noticed a particular book detail.
"You could say it's a copy of the genuine one." It piqued Riveria's curiosity.
"A copy. Copy of what?"
"From Queen Celdia's original journal." That's the bombshell. Riveria had just learned that there was a copy of the journal of the legendary elf queen who lived about a thousand years ago. The same queen as the elven queen who lived to slay the one-eyed black Dragon, she who lived the same age as the mercenary king.
"Wait, how come I never knew this book existed in the royal library?" Riveria asked, purely out of curiosity.
"Because this copy can be said to be incomplete. Moreover, the original has been destroyed due to age." The Scholar sighed in disappointment. Riveria also felt the same way.
"Let me read it, please." Riveria pleaded as the Scholar gave the book to her. She quickly read it.
"Don't forget to continue today's lesson, Princess Riveria." The Scholar reminded the princess.
"Of course, I'll give you the resume in an hour." Like as expected of an ideal princess.
"Very well. I'll take some other meeting materials for royal preparations." The Scholar left Riveria.
Riveria then read the book carefully. The language used was also the ancient language of the almost extinct elves. Luckily Riveria had studied that particular branch last year, so she at least understood the meaning of some of the sentences in the book.
My name is Celdia. I am the queen of the high elves. For anyone reading this journal, I hope you can bring this legacy to life in the future.
Magic is an essential component of every Elf. They are the ability to create magic with an incantation and the fae's power. However, that wasn't the case since I discovered something that had stirred my soul after the century of my life.
I can use magic without any incantation. Even the application of this type of magic is not limited to the ability to live beings to only use three magics!
"Is this queen really Celdia?" Riveria raised her eyebrow. As far as the literature goes on, queen Celdia was a rigorous and authoritarian person. Yet, this particular journal says otherwise. Then, she recognizes another shocking fact about this journal.
Magic that ignores the limit of its user.
Riveria eagerly moved to another page, but it was incomplete, just like other copies of the ancient book.
.... The magic name is Magecraft, recreation magic of a miracle. Indeed, at first glance, it is not much different from our magic in general, but other than that, it has no limitations on its application. Magecraft comes from circuits from within our bodies that make it a...
"Why, it's so familiar." Riveria knew this would happen like when she was learning other ancient texts, which are incomplete.
... There were illusion, destruction, healing, golemancy, and spirit magecraft. It's all here. I can't wait to learn more. If I'm not mistaken, I will study the Thaumaturgical system at the next meeting..
"Golem, illusion, healing. I know those, but spirit magic. What does that even mean? Yet, there is a Thaumaturgical system, and who is her teacher in the first place?" Riveria only meets more and more questions than answers.
...You know, he taught me everything. Everything I needed to fight back against the monsters, to the point where the mercenary king came to me to help him defeat the Black Dragon. An almost impossible task, I must say. But, I believe I can surpass these impossible odds. I hope he sees me from there...
Riveria was silent for a while. She did not say a word, just stared at the terms of the elven queen who became the sacred icon of the current generation, expressing painful feelings towards someone who Riveria thought was Queen Celdia's teacher. Then she decided to continue reading the journal.
... This is the day, the time I should depart to destroy that menace. Though, I must mention it. These past few days, I've heard voices in my head, not because I've lost my mind, but because I'm starting to listen to voices in my head. Calling my name, giving me the power to cast all my spells. Even so, I think this is a blessing he gave me. Hopefully, we can meet again and learn more about Magecraft together, as always...
This time, Riveria felt an uneasy feeling within her. She knew what had happened after she left. Queen Celdia, along with the rest of her group, died at the hands of the Dragon. Riveria closed the journal, deciding not to read it any further.
"I guess I should continue with my resume." Riveria picked up her book and started writing down the various information she had read from all the books on the table, although she still thought of who Queen Celdia was referring to.
With her perseverance and speed, Riveria completed the required resume within the promised time, one hour.
"Here." Riveria gave her book to Scholar.
"Good job. I will return it tomorrow, have a nice day, princess." They bowed to each other to salute.
"And the next schedule is magic class." Riveria looks at her schedule.
Riveria shifted her gaze towards the journal. She opened her mouth. "May I borrow this book?"
"Of course, it's an ordinary book after all." Riveria somehow felt offended by the Scholar's words.
"Thank you." Riveria immediately took the book and walked out of the room, repeatedly thinking the Scholar's words in her mind.
"Although this is incomplete, it is a historical item." Muttered the princess sarcastically on her way. She also knew why the Scholar spoke that way. The journal only contained a few pieces of writing dating back a thousand years. Authentication and verisimilitude are in question like a fairy tale, but still.
The jade-haired girl arrived at the magic practice room, where her mentor was waiting.
"Princess Riveria," he greeted.
"Mr. Forgar, I'm glad you're still alive." Riveria smiled at the old Elf.
"I think the same matter too, princess. Hearing that monsters attacked your Villa made this old man's heart almost stop beating." Forgar spoke with a warm laugh.
"Thank you for worrying me."
"That's the right thing to do. You are the heir to this kingdom. Losing you is the same as losing the light of our dawn." Forgar said with a smile, in return with a gentle smile from Riveria.
"Alright, let's start today's lesson by reading magic formulas, followed by magic energy capacity training."
"Yes, Mr. Forgar." Riveria immediately walked over to her study desk with the various books that Forgar seemed to have prepared for her.
Riveria read the carefully prepared literature, with Master Forgar watching beside her. Riveria, who was writing, then realized something.
"Mr. Forgar, you as one of my father's court. Have you heard more information about Magecraft?" Ask Riveria.
This particular question invited a strange look from Forgar. He decided to answer. "Yes, I know something about that."
"Can you tell me?" Riveria asked with a calm face, although she failed to hide the joy from her heart.
"I can, but not much. You might be disappointed."
"I don't care. Just tell me." Forgar just sighed.
"As you wish. Magecraft is magic; you seem to know already where it originated. It comes from queen Celdia herself. Even so, we couldn't find any concrete traces of the magic used by Her Majesty. All we know is that the practice of magic is special to the queen, or maybe it's just a story. A fairytale."
"What, this writing is real, then why?" Riveria showed him the book she had borrowed earlier.
"I know, princess. But the record was too damaged when it was first discovered in the ruins of the ancient elven kingdom. Moreover, some of the writing features of the book were different from Queen Celdia's records, even the writing characters. So I can't say anything else to support the validity of this writing." Forgar spoke slowly and sympathized with the princess, whose hopes were dashed.
"Oh, I see." Riveria sat back down at her desk and continued her studies.
Forgar, who could not bear to see his princess brooding with fading enthusiasm, walked towards his personal bookshelf. It was the bookshelf where he kept various copies of the texts that were not published to the public.
"Princess Riveria." Call the mentor.
"Yes, Mr. Forgar?"
"Here, please read." Forgar gave the elven princess a book.
Riveria looked at the teacher in bewilderment, accepting the book gently. When she opened it, Riveria widened her eyes.
"Basic Magecraft, by queen Celdia," Riveria muttered in disbelief.
"You can read it. Or even have it, princess," Forgar replied lightly.
"Are you sure? I mean, this is a historical text."
"Think of it as my present for your birthday yesterday. After all, no one can use the magic written in that book. Not even for the previous elven mage generation or the royal lineage." Forgar shrugged.
"Thank you very much!" Riveria had utterly lost her calm side this time.
"No need to thank me, keeping students satisfied with their curiosity is a teacher's job." Forgar smiled gently. Indeed, if you look at it, the book is valuable, and Forgar knows it. However, his feelings as an old elf seeing the promising younger generation overcome those feelings.
"Then I ask permission to study it now, Mr. Forgar," asked Riveria with determination in her eyes.
Forgar hummed, hand holding his chin as his eyes focused on the jade-haired princess.
"Of course, I'm also curious about the results," Forgar answered with a smile.
Upon hearing the teacher's approval, Riveria immediately read the book her teacher gave her. Of course, like various copies of ancient texts, the book's contents were incomplete, and no one could read many of its words anymore.
But that was not a problem for Riveria, who was eager to learn magecraft.
"Magic circuit," Riveria muttered as she read the book's first chapter. She immediately wrote whatever she could get from the book in her hand, making it easier for the princess to restore every written material.
Unbeknownst to them, time was ticking until Forgar finally called. "Let's start practicing magic energy control, princess."
"At once, Mr. Forgar." Riveria closed her book as her feet walked towards the center of the room.
When she arrived, Riveria closed her eyes, focusing all her concentration on the forces around her. Forgar tapped his wand against the floor, igniting the magic device in the room. The crystal magic tool was right below where they were standing, creating a magic field to facilitate Riveria's meditation.
Riveria sighed, feeling every inch of the surrounding magic field. Like the wind, the energy gently swept across Riveria's body.
"The circuit is based on nerves, making it the basic construct of magecraft," Riveria muttered in her mind. With the principles she had read, Riveria tried to visualize them in her mind.
The strands of nerves began to form ideally in her mind. Thanks to this magic field, Riveria could feel all the magic flowing in her body perfectly.
Then, she remembers one particular concept in the book.
"Mental trigger concept, huh." Riveria started to wonder in her head while focusing the magical energy in her nerves.
There, the elf girl found what she was looking for, a glass that slowly cracked and eventually broke—Triggering magical energy to overlap with her nerves.
"Kah!" A stinging sensation ran through Riveria's body, causing her to lose her balance and fall to the floor.
"My lady!" Forgar shouted as he immediately approached Riveria.
"I'm fine. It's just," Riveria looked at her shaking hands.
"It went paralyzed?" Riveria said as she could not move her finger.
"What did you just do?" Forgar asked with a raised voice in worry
"I-I did as the book told me to," Riveria said nervously.
"How?"
"I just filled in the gaps in the blank information with my thought about how it works?" Riveria said as if she was asking more than answering.
"Can you be more specific, princess?"
"Well, as the book says. There must be a trigger from the source of the magic in question. If magecraft is a form of conceptualization, then I just have to guess where the concept came from. Then the answer is. My mind, any imagination, and a thought came from our mind. I hope I can explain it in a simpler term for you, Mr. Forgar, but that's all I can explain to you." Forgar's face showed that he was getting more and more confused by Riveria's explanation.
"Interesting, I also did the same thing in the past, but nothing happened."
"Perhaps this has to do with me being a descendant of queen Celdia." Riveria kept trying to move her finger, but it only led her to fail.
"That's a tantalizing possibility. For now, let me take you to the infirmary." Forgar leads Riveria to get treatment.
"Odd, nothing wrong with your physical condition, Princess Riveria." The healer explained to the two people standing before him: Riveria and Forgar.
"But I couldn't feel my hand. At first, it was just my hand. Now it's to my upper arm." Riveria tried to move her hand but did not move an inch.
"That's also the case. And yet, I couldn't find any damage to your nerve system. The effects of the disease are real as if they existed." The healer sighed slowly.
"Did you find anything else? I feel a bit trace of energy in Princess Riveria's hands." Forgar spoke in a piercing tone.
"I did, but I doubt myself, and this is the first time I have doubts about my diagnosis."
"What's wrong with that?" Riveria asked with concern.
"I hope you don't panic, princess." On the contrary, this only made the two people he was talking even to feel more uncomfortable.
"Just say it." Hiss Forgar.
"There's one. I don't know, organ? Or rather extra tissue on your right hand, Princess Riveria."
"Extra body tissue. Care to elaborate?" "
"It's like an auxiliary nerve, but not natural. I call it when I match it to your annual checkup, and it's a pseudo-neural. It doesn't exist." His statement made Riveria widen her eyes in surprise.
"So the princess has additional nerves in her hands?"
"Not an addition, as if this new nerve replaced the old one."
"Impossible," Riveria muttered as her hand held her mouth.
"I'll make a prescription for the medicine. For now, you better rest in your room." The healer took his writing utensil and began to do as he said.
Riveria herself just stared at her hands in silence. She could only show how happy she was with her current state, unlike Forgar standing beside her. He feels concerned for his lady's condition.
"Alright, please take this to the pharmacy." The healer gave it to one of the nurses there.
"Let me show you your room." Said Forgar by extending her hand. Riveria nodded in agreement. Just then, the two of them came out of the treatment room.
"This is beyond my expectation, Princess Riveria."
"Indeed, if the diagnosis is accurate, the thing in my right hand is a magic circuit," Riveria answered with a smile. This moment is her dream, a new form of magic.
"Mr. Forgar," Riveria called, making the teacher turn to her.
"Yes, Princess?"
"I beg you to keep what happened," Riveria said in a low voice.
"So Lord Larfal doesn't stop your magic lessons, huh?" Forgar answered by looking at Riveria. The princess nodded in response.
"Very well, the secret is safe with me, princess."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Forgar." Riveria smiled.
"Anything for my beloved student," Forgar replied with a friendly smile, followed by laughter from the jade-haired Elf.
When they arrived in front of Riveria's room, it seemed like Aina was about to enter Riveria's room.
"Oh, my lady." Aina greeted with a slight bow.
"I hereby bid farewell, princess." Said Forgar with a bow.
"See you later, Mr. Forgar," Riveria replied respectfully. Forgar nodded, leaving the princess with her chamberlain.
"What is wrong, princess?" Aina looked at Riveria, who seemed to be holding her right hand. When viewed closely, the princess's right hand did not move. It was not motionless but as if it was completely immobile.
"Just an accident while practicing magic." Riveria grimaced.
"Please, come into the room." Aina opened the door for the princess.
When Riveria entered, Aina immediately locked the door, with the noble Elf sitting on the chair of her room.
"Let me examine your arm, Lady Riveria." Without saying a word, Riveria started to take off her clothes and sat with her back to Aina.
"What do you feel?" Aina asked Riveria while feeling Riveria's right shoulder.
"I feel numb and can barely even feel your hand touching my skin right now." Riveria lied a bit about that. She really could not feel Aina's hand on her back at all.
"I'll bring some warm water, just a moment." Aina immediately rushed out, leaving Riveria alone in her room.
When completely alone, Riveria took out two borrowed books and placed them on the table. He looked at the two books with various thoughts, admiration being one of them.
"Queen Celdia, who are you referring to. Is she your teacher? If so. I want to meet him as someone who has made you as an authoritarian person laugh merrily in your own diary." Riveria stroked the surface of the book gently.
Yes, Riveria thought it was not a journal entry at all. Instead, it is the diary of a girl who idolizes someone she respects. Very much honored that the queen continues to feel nervous in every writing when she wants to meet the person she glorifies.
Not long after, Aina came back with a small container in her hand. There seemed to be steam escaping from that receptacle.
"I have returned, my lady." Aina immediately put the receptacle beside Riveria, soaked the cloth she was carrying with the hot water and pressed it against her relative's shoulder.
"Thank you, Aina," Riveria tried to relax with her maid's treatment.
"What kind of accident brought you to this point, my lady?" Aina asked worriedly.
"Are you going to keep this a secret?" Riveria had a severe look in her tone.
"I'll keep it until you order me to spill it, my lady," Aina said.
"It seems I can use magecraft," Riveria said with a hint of doubt in her voice.
"Magecraft, hold on. What exactly is magecraft?" Aina asked innocently.
"Magecraft is the same magic that Queen Celdia used during the age of heroes," Riveria replied with great enthusiasm. Aina was silent, not knowing what to speak with her slightly opened mouth.
This point was Aina's first time seeing Riveria entirely out of her calm character as a royal princess. This time Aina saw her beloved princess behaving like her age should be.
"You can use magic from a thousand years ago, my lady. You are amazing." Aina replied with a bright smile.
"Thank you for the compliment, Aina. But remember, keep this a secret from anyone, especially my father." Riveria returned to her calm and calculating self.
"I will do as you say, my lady." Riveria smiled at that answer.
"Thank you." Aina smiled as her hand wiped Riveria's shoulder with a warm towel.
After a while, Riveria's hands could be moved slowly, bringing a happy smile to the princess' face. "You are indeed the best, Aina."
Riveria returned to use her clothes and immediately opened the book on the table. Aina could only sigh at the behavior of the lady she served, no matter how bad her condition was. Learning is number one.
Aina immediately cleaned everything up, and just as she was about to open the door, someone else opened it first.
"I heard you had an accident while practicing magic." A male voice Riveria knew all too well made the princess feel a chill run down her spine.
"Yes, father." Riveria turned around, facing the person who called out to her. None other than his father, king Larfal. The elf king's expression was tension, with emotion suppressed from his term.
"Now, how do you feel?" he asked, with Aina slowly moving away from the father's line of sight with his daughter.
"I feel better now, thanks to the treatment from Aina. Moreover, the healer has already given me a prescription, which should be here soon." Riveria said calmly.
"I also heard this accident happened while you were practicing magic energy control. I want to hear it from you, Riveria. Tell me what exactly happened." Larfal narrowed his eyes at Riveria, causing the tension in the air to increase instantly.
Riveria was not afraid to return her father's gaze with hers. Then she cleared her throat. "When I concentrated on allocating magical energy to the tips of my hands, there was a distraction because I miscalculated the energy with the magic I was about to use, resulting in the magical energy in my hands becoming unstable and eventually injuring the nerves in my hands. And then my arm."
Well, that's only part of the truth. Larfal softened his expression slightly, still looking at Riveria's narrowed eyes.
"I just learned that you can make a mistake in magic energy calculations, Riveria." The king got the point. Though, Riveria did not budge.
"Accidents can happen at any time, father."
"I hope that doesn't happen again, Riveria." Larfal suppressed his tone, more intimidating than a warning.
"Of course, father." Riveria lowered her head slightly to show respect, immediately returning her gaze to her father.
"I also don't want you to get into trouble under any circumstances. You must be in perfect condition as a princess, Riveria," said Larfal while crossing his arms. This claim made Riveria raise her eyebrows.
"I understand, father. You adore me a lot, but isn't that too much?" Riveria let out a questioning tone rather than making a statement.
"Have you forgotten, later, at the age of twenty-two, you will get a fiancé whom you will marry at the age of one hundred?" Larfal said it with sharp eyes.
Riveria was caught entirely off guard. She had completely forgotten about that one royal blood tradition: princesses had to choose their life partner at twenty-two.
"That seems to have slipped my mind a bit. My apologize, father."
"Apology accepted. Looking at your current state, it looks like I'll have to cancel your appointment today, switching to self-study." And that made Riveria smile a little.
"Sure, if that's your decision, father."
"Then, enjoy your studies, Riveria." Larfal then walked away from the room, leaving Aina still holding the water container in her hand.
"Well, it was quite uncomfortable for me, to be honest," Aina said while grimacing.
"My father as usual." Riveria sighed tiredly.
"Then I'll be back with some sweets and tea, my lady." Aina immediately got up from where she was standing.
"Yes, please." Riveria smiled with a slight wave at her maid.
When Aina left, Riveria looked back at the notebook and studied essential magic. The two books have their purpose for Riveria, the whole book of magecraft to learn and Queen Celdia's journal as a match and comfort for Riveria because expressions outside the authoritarian and assertive character of the elven queen amused her.
Riveria was engrossed in reading the two books, and her mind imaged the practice of the material described in the book. There was a picture of Queen Celdia with the personality listed in the book practicing what she wrote in her magecraft manual.
The elven princess imagined the queen smiling happily when she successfully used her first Magecraft. Although the details of the practice were still missing due to the incompleteness of the journal, it was not a problem for Riveria, who continued her studies.
But it was undeniable that Riveria continued to be amazed by what Queen Celdia described as Magecraft.
"A magic capable of revealing the true nature of a miracle." Riveria chuckled as she read those lines from the journal. Not because the description contradicts or perhaps explains something obvious, but because of the nature of Magecraft that Queen Celdia wrote about on her first try.
Magic is capable of transcending knowledge and creating what they thought was impossible. Make it real with magic.
Then the door opened.
"Princess Riveria, I have returned." Aina brought what she said, sweets and tea.
"Welcome back, Aina," Riveria answered without taking her eyes from the book she was reading.
"Looks like your book caught your eye, princess." Aina placed the food she brought on the table near Riveria's study table.
"You could say that. It's a copy of Queen Celdia's works." Riveria turned the pages of her book.
"A copy of Queen Celdia's book. B-But isn't that just as valuable as a historical inscription?!" Aina asked in surprise.
"I think the same matter as you before. However, what is unique is that people who know the existence of these two books considered they cannot verify these works for validity. So they gave it to me." Riveria continued to read it, unmoved.
"Why is it like that?" Aina asked.
"Incompleteness is the main reason. Moreover, the characterization of the writing of this book is also questionable. The thing that makes it unbelievable other than fairy tales is magecraft, magic that everyone can't use in any application." Riveria sighed.
"No, this is not a fairy tale. Because you can utilize it now, my lady." Aina rebutted with a smile while offering her a cup of tea.
"You're right, Aina. That way, I must learn magecraft to prove it to everyone." Riveria drank the teacup Aina had given her.
"Yes, for the kingdom. For the world." Aina smiled broadly and subtly.
"And especially for him."
"Him?" Riveria gave the book to Aina.
"Queen Celdia described the same person in her journal. According to her portrayal, he is the one who taught her to use Magecraft."
As a branch member of a noble family, Aina naturally had the knowledge to read ancient languages, including the book she was holding.
"Indeed, from the description: The Queen greatly admired the figure she idolized. Do you think this person is still around?" Aina asked doubtfully.
"Read in the next paragraph," asked Riveria gently.
"Now, more than two hundred years have passed. You haven't changed a bit, have you? Ever since I was a child until I have fully grown queen of my people. My lady!" Aina was shocked when she read that sentence.
"He's the one who hasn't changed, even though two hundred years have passed. In another sense, he's still alive today because only one race in Genkai can live that long without aging: Spirits." Riveria said perceptively.
"Perhaps."
"Yes, I thought the same thing as you, Aina."
They were thinking the same things, the same people, which was probably the key to the biggest question on Riveria's mind about magecraft.
In the evening, Riveria closed all the curtains and locked various accesses to her room. In the room, there was only Aina as the one who would accompany Riveria all night, a special night for Riveria to start her journey.
"I'll start. Aina, please make sure no one interferes." Riveria rolled up her sleeves up to her elbows.
"Yes, my lady." Aina positioned herself in front of the door.
"Okay, time for the deeds." Riveria closed her eyes, pointing her right hand forward. She concentrated magical energy around her, doing the same when training with Forgar.
Riveria concentrated the energy around the nerves of her hands, feeling the magical singularity of the nerves she was referring to. He felt energy slowly rising from his magic circuit,
"Khhh.." Riveria groaned in pain slowly as her magic circuit began to be poured with magical energy.
"Princess!" Aina shouted quietly anxiously.
"I'm fine, Aina. Please, don't interfere just yet." Riveria ordered firmly.
"A-As you wish, my lady." Aina took a step back.
Riveria added mana to her magic circuit, overloading it and spreading it throughout her nervous system. This moment was when Riveria applied the same method as before. She did a mental trigger in her mind.
The glass shattered with a sound that echoed in her head. The mental trigger has already been set.
"Conceptualization begins!" With that, a flash of electricity appeared in Elf's hand, creating a burning sensation throughout Riveria's body. But instead of backing down and stopping, Riveria smiled broadly.
The pain was like a whip encouraging Riveria to form another magic circuit. Then a mana explosion occurred inside the princess.
"Hurts. It hurts!" Riveria fell on her back while groaning with her left hand holding her right arm, which was now feeling a lot of jolting pain from within.
"My lady!" Aina could not hide her fear and stress anymore. She ran to Riveria and tried to take her to bed while Riviera was breathing irregularly and gasping for air as if she had asthma.
"Breathe, Lady Riveria. Breathe!" Aina held onto Riveria's body which was still convulsing from the magic effect.
Slowly but surely, Riveria managed to calm herself down and stabilize her breathing.
"Thank you, Aina."
"But are you fine, my lady?" Aina asked with a pale face. She was so afraid of losing her daughter.
"I'm fine. My hands are just got paralyzed. To be honest, there's been a sensation of shock until now." Riveria looked down at her hands. Slowly, pain and a sensation of shock spread to his back, causing the princess to bite her lip.
"I'll take medicine." Aina immediately stood up, drinking the medicine the healer had given her this afternoon.
Riveria did not pay much attention to Aina. She focused on channeling magical energy into every circuit she could sense. Then, it was there that Riveria's expression of pain was replaced by admiration.
"I did it." Riveria beamed at her accomplishment.
Aina, who had finished concocting medicine in the form of a drink, turned her body, and there Aina was silent, frozen in amazement at what was in front of her eyes.
Riveria's hand now had some sort of line that resembled a central circuit that shimmered with its turquoise light. The circuit was not just in her hands. Aina, who was watching, noticed that it also seemed to have spread to her lady's cheeks.
Aina shook her head, walking over to Riveria. "Here is the medicine, lady Riveria."
Riveria drank the liquid from the glass, slightly winched at the strange taste in her mouth. Somehow for the Elf to describe it, the rubbery taste was the predominant one.
"Is that what I thought, Lady Riveria?" Aina observed the circuit, amazed by it.
"Indeed. This peculiar line is a magic circuit, my first step to being able to use magecraft. Aina, can you believe it; I can finally use magecraft like Queen Celdia." Unbeknownst to Riveria, she shook Aina's body with her passionate zeal.
Aina remained silent while Riveria continuously shook her body. The chamberlain smiled, enjoying the situation as it was the first time she had seen Riveria become such an adorable character.
Riveria was still vigorously rocking Aina's body until, a moment later, her cheeks turned red. Riveria stopped what she was doing, turning her head in shame.
"What is it, princess?" Aina asked teasingly.
"Shut up." Riveria pouted.
Aina chuckled softly. "But I have to admit. Your red face is adorable."
"Come on, Aina." Riveria still could not help the heat that ran up her face.
"I haven't seen your expression in a long time. Uhum, back on topic. Congratulations, I'm so happy for you, my lady." Aina held Riveria's hand, still mesmerized by the beauty of the light-emitting from the circuit in Riveria's hand.
"Thank you. I still can't believe I could awaken my magic circuit." Riveria saw the magic circuit absorbing magical energy from the surroundings to enter her pseudo nerve.
Truly a marvel of a miracle.
"Then what will you do with your new power, Lady Riveria?"
And apparently, only one sentence would come out of Riveria's mouth. A sentence that the majority of people hate, except for the princess.
"Of course, study." Aina loses her smile.
The following days for Riveria were a historic step, although it was still a secret to almost everyone in the kingdom except the people Riveria trusted. It's been a day full of smiles and spirits to keep learning magecraft.
Riveria spent hours reading the book in various conditions. Whether in her room, strolling down the hall, or even while enjoying multiple occasions. She never let go of those books from her gaze.
Now, the princess was enjoying her afternoon snack on the balcony near her room. Various snacks, tea, and a box filled with gems were on the table. Riveria swallowed the snacks and took out the rubies from the pack.
"Time to put it into practice." Riveria looked around. Feeling safe, Riveria began to flow mana into her magic circuit, causing the circuit to emit green light.
Placing the red gem, Riveria began to flow prana from her magic circuit into the red ruby, creating a blue aura that enveloped the red gem-like fire.
Slowly, the pain began to appear on the Elf's fingertips. This pain was accompanied by the prana coating the ruby raging violently, creating a crack from within the gem.
"Not now, please" Riveria suppressed the searing pain in her hand.
The cracks spread more and more, and the energy within the gem became unstable.
"Come on. I have to make it." Riveria concentrated with all her magic power and mind power, condensing the magic conceptualization within the ruby.
With coercion and pain running through her body, Riveria successfully stabilized the energy. Although the gem was severely damaged, she was able to smile. The effort was not in vain.
"Lady Riveria." Aina's voice called from inside the room.
"Soon, Aina." Riveria immediately took the ruby and put it in her shirt pocket as her feet kicked to answer Aina's call.
"It's about the time, my lady." Aina smiled. And this moment, Riveria smiled wholeheartedly.
It was unusual for Riveria to smile with such a bright glow. Because usually, Riveria would only frown slightly and feel reluctant when Aina called her that. But this time was different. A special guest came for the princess.
Riveria, in the middle of her dressing table, is being straightened and beautified by Aina with various natural makeups, combing her hair until it is smooth and shiny like an emerald.
"You have become such a beauty, my lady." Commented Aina.
"I have to. This event is to welcome the hero who saved us." Riveria smiled, staring at the mirror with passionate optimism.
Riveria sat on the chair Aina had prepared this morning, with another chair across from the white table.
She waited, the smile still not fading from the Elf princess's face. Even though several minutes had passed, she had not lost her expression from the radiant glow of her smile.
Then, the long-awaited person arrived, blowing the wind from the balcony. Riveria drew her attention toward the source of the current, and it was then that her eyes widened as her mouth tried to let out the words.
The spirit in question appeared before her. His clothes are still the same. What is more, his eyes gaze perfectly still. Like nothing has changed between him from one week ago. Like human and powerful mage came from any fairytale.
"Glad to see you once again, Princess Riveria." He bowed his body. Although his clothes were complicated in their structure, he could make elegant movements.
Riveria immediately stood up. "I'm very pleased to meet you again, Lord Caster."
"Please, don't use the word lord on me. I represent nothing here. You are the princess, Lady Riveria. Then you must be the only person worthy of respect." Caster smiled.
"But you are the hero who saved us when our lives were in danger, Lord Caster. How can I address you without an honorific name." Riveria rebutted subtly.
"If that's your wish, then I'll comply."
"Please, have a seat." Riveria spread one of her arms across the chair in front of her. Caster conceded, taking a seat on the chair the princess had invited.
"I see this room so special to you, princess." Caster spoke as his eyes caught sight of the perfect, immaculate state of the room without any flaws in its beauty.
"Thank you for the compliment," Riveria replied as Aina poured Caster a drink.
"Please relish the food. I'm sorry. This nourishment was all I could give. My father is a bit too strict with the new rules he enforces." Riveria said wryly.
"That's more than enough, my lady. Thank you, mistress." Caster took his cup.
"I'm glad you like it, Lord Caster." Riveria also took her cup as a courtesy.
"First of all, I must apologize for entering the balcony as I did before. It is insulting to meet a princess, I must say." Caster seemed to be sighing softly, regretting his actions.
"I can understand that. What's more, we elves completely reject the various people who try to enter our forest." Riveria shrugged.
"Thank you for forgiving my unmannered behavior, princess."
"You're welcome." Riveria sipped her tea slowly.
"May I know. Was there another reason I was invited here?" Caster said bluntly.
"Indeed, apart from being thankful for you saving us, I'd like to. How should I put this? Um, I wonder what kind of magic you used." Riveria tried to speak as politely as possible to make Caster comfortable. However, the reality showed that Caster was setting his sights on Riveria.
"Pardon my rudeness. But why want to know my magical abilities. No offense, princess. But I don't think you need to use this magic. You are an elf, so you should be able to use magic other than mine." Caster pointed with a stern expression.
"I know it very well, Lord Caster. Even so, I want to learn more. As an Elf, we could learn magic rapidly compared to other races. Witnessing you could use magic that hasn't even been recorded in history inspired me to learn it as an Elf." Riveria spoke with sincerity in her eyes.
Caster did not dare to say anything in return, quietly waiting for something with his eyes fixed on Riveria.
"Did you know that this magic I use is dangerous or might hurt you and lead you to death?" This time, Caster spoke in a depressed tone, darker than the way he had said prior.
Riveria was slightly taken aback by Grand Caster's sudden change. Aina herself was also shocked, worse than Riveria was.
"I know. I've even practiced it on several occasions. Magecraft, isn't it?" Riveria pushed further.
"Yes, it's the name of very magic." Caster answered, not surprised at all by Riveria's statement.
Riveria felt two conflicting feelings in her heart: Joy because she had found the person she was looking for and a sensation of fear because of Caster's tone of voice that seemed unwilling to teach her Magecraft.
"I still want to learn more. Please, at least tell me something about magecraft." Riveria pleaded subtly.
Caster did not answer. He seemed to be considering something from Riveria. The princess still did not back down as she sank her gaze.
"I've been reading Queen Celdia's journal for the past few days," Riveria confessed with a slightly lowered head. That declaration caught Caster's attention, who had been distracted by Riveria's words earlier.
"The book clearly stated how she discovered magecraft and how happy she was to use that magic for the first time. She was pleased because she had found meaning in her life. Since I was a child, I have idolized the figure of Queen Celdia more than anyone else." Riveria spoke while imagining herself as a child.
"But the stories and books she writes about Magecraft have now considered fairy tales because no one else can use them. Nowadays, I can take one step from the book she left behind to prove that it's not just a fairy tale. Like what they said." Caster remained silent and looked at Riveria with the same gaze.
"My mother used to tell me that if I believe in something with all my heart, I should pursue it until I get what I want. I believe that magecraft is something that can unlock the mysteries of magic out there." Riveria said honestly.
"Why do you want to unlock the mystery?" Riveria looked at him.
"Because I am a princess. I must protect all of my people and everyone precious to me." Riveria said with determination in her eyes.
"And you think unlocking the secret will allow you to protect them better?" Caster said in a neutral tone.
"Yes, just like the heroes do. I want to be like them, protecting those around them with all their power. So that tragedies like yesterday's attack do not happen again, that is my duty as the leader of my people. I will protect my family no matter the cost. Even it must bring me down into the deepest layer of mystery. I am ready." Riveria meant her words. She did not flinch a bit and just glared at Caster.
And there, Caster smiled.
Caster, he who saw the determination of the princess, just smiled. He felt hope from Riveria's figure, a hope long lost in a forgotten era.
Slowly, like the whisper of the wind. Caster was transported to the fond memory of a certain Elf with a look identical to Riveria's. He still clearly remembered what she said that day.
"Heh, what a ridiculous statement you made. A magician who has to walk between death and life? That was all the elves had to do. We fight for the prosperity of our people, protecting them from all threats and dangerous creatures. That's the reason I learned magecraft. So do you want to teach me how to use it, my teacher?"
It was a smile that shone as bright as daylight. And this Grand Caster understood more than anyone else.
"Magecraft is a magical art that requires the user to walk between life and death. However, from the look in your eyes, you won't back down even if you hear my warning, princess," Caster stood up, smiling gracefully at the princess' widened eyes.
Caster. No, Solomon said wholeheartedly. Perhaps this was the answer the princess had been waiting for.
"As you wish. I will teach you Magecraft until you are proficient with it."
One answer prompted Riveria to get up from her seat and widen in disbelief.
"Thank you very much! I will try my best to meet your expectations, my teacher!" Riveria screamed a little. One could even say she didn't care about anything because of her enthusiasm.
"When can we start our lesson, lady Riveria?" Solomon asked.
"I'm eager to start the lesson now. But I had no preparation for the room, yet I don't think we can leave my room and even went outside the palace without ringing the alarm." Riveria said in disappointment. But on the other hand, Solomon smiled.
"That would be not a problem, princess," Solomon replied, inviting attention from Riveria and Aina.
"What do you mean, Lord Caster?" Riveria titled her head.
"You want to know how magecraft works, don't you. Let me show you the true nature of magecraft." Solomon started emitting magical energy from his body. Riveria was the only person who could sense his magic energy.
With a few hand movements, everything turned gray and froze in time.
"W-What are you doing?!" Aina inadvertently shouted with mounting concern.
"I created a bounded field, so we can go to the place we can study magecraft." The mages answered calmly.
"Bounded Field?" Riveria asked with an amazed expression.
"It was a barrier created from extension from mage's magical energy. Each mage has different knowledge with limited field application. Mine has a conceptualization 'as isolation from the outside world and connections.' You who read Queen Celdia's journal should understand what I'm talking about, princess." Solomon said, looking into Riveria's eyes, leaving her loss for words.
"It's amazing," Riveria muttered, lost in her thought. Aina, concerned about the sudden change, only stared at Solomon in awe and fear.
This magic is indeed a work of miracle.
"Come, my lady." Solomon extends his hand.
"Yes." Riveria, as an Elf, grabbed Solomon's hand. It caused Aina to gasp in shock. Not only Aina but Solomon himself was also somewhat shocked by the sudden action of the princess. He knew very well that Elven people hated being touched by another race, yet the princess seemed not to care. After all, she smiled brightly. She trusted him.
Therefore Solomon smiled fondly.
Then they walked out of the room towards where the princess would learn Magecraft from the Grand Caster, Solomon.
As they walked to the door, it was an irreplaceable moment for Solomon, so beautiful that he was lost for words. Thus he could catch another faint memory of her smile as a hero.
It was a majestic smile of Queen Celdia's last moment.
Thanks for reading.
Sorry for the re-upload. My friend and my story editor(not Grammar or writing editor) were yelling from my phone at 5 am. He said with his mouth of steel, any word that unpleasant to hear about my story. And then voila, chapter 3 got deleted, and I decided to fix it.
But I bring some change to the story. I hope you enjoy it.
Next update: A Will To Protect.