《Mystical Encounters》


 1 Chapter 1

    The world is always a dangerous place. Humans strived to live and powers beyond human''s natural abilities is a common thing for them. The strongest reached the top while the weakest stayed at the very bottom of the hierarchy. However, a certain person ruled his countrymen in harmony. With his wisdom and intelligence, the country became the most powerful one amongst the five countries. That formidable place is known as Soul''e country.


    On the other hand, the wise ruler disappeared without a trace. A once peaceful country had reached it''s end.


    A young girl who can''t accept the harsh outcome, leaved her hometown. She hid herself to the farthest place she can be and promised herself to become stronger. To eliminate those ones with ill intentions in Soul''e country is her ambition.


    The young lady can be seen in the middle of the forest. Her right hand holds a silver staff and it''s golden linings created patterns. She swiftly ran through the woods, turning her head in left and right directions in a constant manner. Her efforts were not in vain. A hare almost half of her size jumped over in front of her. She took a step backwards and attacked it with her magical powers through the silver staff.


    It''s red eyes has been continuously glowing and it''s fangs were eager to bite a flesh. Irvenechanted a spell. "Living monster fire as fiery as it''s name, I summon thee!" A sudden rage of fire appeared and took shape of a man. He has an emanating fire on his hair and hands and his presence showed an intention to burn where his eyes laid on.


    A fireball emanated from his hands. Afterwards, the hare fell down on the ground. Without thinking, he attacked thoroughly and didn''t consider her master''s opinion.


    Not long after, the hare had been burnt down and a black orb came out of it''s chest but the fire living element felt someone hit him hard on his back. "What''s that for!" he shouted. His brows furrowed and showed an unpleasant reaction.


    "I didn''t tell you to burn that monster! You''re fortunate enough that a black orb dropped from it or I''ll burn you alive!" Irvene said.


    Killing the hare was not her intention because the chances of dropping a black orb is an extremely rare opportunity. Catching it alive was her plan and bring it to a knowledgable man she personally knew. That person can take its black orb with the highest chance possible.


    Although, the aggresive movements of the monster forbids her from doing her plan. Her only choice was to summon him so she can catch it alive but he acted without even asking his master.


    "Huh! How can you burn me?" he said. He instantly dodged her when she raised her slender hands and attacked him with huge drops of water.


    "H-hey, stop already! There''s no reason to argue. Here''s your precious black orb." he said. His left hand threw it to her which her quick reactions prevented the orb from falling to the ground.


    "You''re lucky today! This orb only drops with a one percent possibility or else I''ll threwcountless water ball at you!" she said.


    Because of the unexpected situation, Irvene had a change of plans. She chose to go back to the town and decided to meet her friend the other time. When Irvene reached the town, murmurs surrounded the area. Her whole existence was enough to stop the busy crowd of the town.


    The young lady was known to be the weakest by the small town she''s hiding yet they had been deceived by her innocent facade.

 2 Chapter 2

    Once Irvene stepped her feet on the town, they keep glancing at her. Probably, believing the rumors with their own variations. She ignored them and made her way to the famous store in the place. The shopkeeper looked at her with disgust.


    "I wanted the eternal black lotus in exchange to an orb." Irvene said. Her words sounded normal and ignored the shopkeeper''s expression.


    "I''m afraid you can''t afford it. The eternal black lotus held high value therefore it''s only exchangeable to a black orb." he said.


    The frail and thin looking man already judged her. ''One weak punch and it''ll be the death of you.'' A thought lingered through her mind. Irvene''s cold gaze met his eyes. She lifted her hands and showed him the black orb she obtained. Her lips slowly formed into a smirk.


    The latter got his eyes bigger. Irvene thought that the shopkeeper hasn''t laid his eyes on one until today. It is as rare as eternal black lotus hence it''s worth exchanging for.


    "Pardon for being rude. I''ll get the eternal black lotus." he said.


    After a while, she gave him the eternal black lotus in exchange for the black orb. Irvene can''t stand the attitude of him thus, gets out of the store and decided to go home already.


    Irvene is walking in solitude when someone bumped into her shoulder. She looked at her in confusion. ''What''s wrong with these people?'' she thought. Even if she only has a low level ability, it doesn''t mean that they have the rights to bully her.


    "What? You''re blocking my way!" the girl said. She looked at the street. It''s wide and only a few people are passing by yet she bumped into her.


    ''What an unreasonable logic.'' she thought.


    "Oh, I apologize for what happened." Irvene said. Although it''s not her fault, she apologize to end her conversation with this childish girl. Her foot''s left hanging on the air when the girl quickly held her arms. This woman''s long nails dug her shoulders.


    "You are not leaving just like that! You have to follow my commands for your wrong doings or else I''ll send you to jail." she said.


    Irvene almost laughed at her. This girl is so self-centered and has no manners. "Get out of my way. " she said. But the girl continued to grab her until they stopped at a store.


    "You, Irvene Xu! You must be my slave as a compensation for what you have done." she said. Her face showed evil intentions. Irvene thought this girl had planned this situation and it''s not surprising that this town''s people knew her name.


    "Let go of me or I''ll burn this store of yours." she said. Her dark aura surrounded the place and that the girl who bullied her trembled in fear. She''s wrong for underestimating her enemy although the girl still didn''t let go of Irvene''s arm.


    "Don''t regret your actions. You let me do this!" she said. Her mouth opened and started chanting some words. "God of Fire, let this house perish of your endless anger!" she said. The fire slowly burned the house.


    The girl stood frozen from her position and her eyes widen. Her parents would abandon her if they found out that she couldn''t even manage their store and having it burned will be the worst thing to happen.


    She doesn''t know this weakling have such strong powers. Irvene smirked and let go of her arms from the girl''s grip. "Y-you, s-stop this fire or I''ll call the guards and let you rot in hell!" she shouted with fear. This girl is just an average villager in this town yet she acted in such manners.


    The guard went towards their way to see what''s happening. The girl told him that Irvene burned their store. "Have you gone insane? Your house looked fine and doesn''t have a trace of fire." the guard told her. She looked at her store and once again, shock came across her face.


    "H-how did it happen? It was burning just a moment ago." she said. She looked at Irvene and glared at her.


    "Sir, it looks like she has been saying untruthful things about me. I''m a passer by here and I don''t expect to have such treatment in this town." she said. ''Let''s see who''ll be suffering of shame'' she thought. The guard looked at her, unsure of what would be his actions and didn''t know what to say. He knew the rumors about Irvene but it''s none of his business.


    "Miss, you know our rules here in our town. If you ever do this, you''ll be fined for slandering people." the guard said with authority. Some people passing by murmured. Her impulsive actions led to an undesirable end. The guard then, walked away after the incident.


    Irvene left that forsaken place. She outsmarted the girl. A troublesome girl can''t even be considered as a hindrance for her. The reason it wasn''t burned up is because the fire is just an illusion she created. She wouldn''t dare cause a ruckus for her peaceful life would vanish. She even couldn''t control a fire but she''ll learn it soon enough. She thought, encouraging herself and finally made to get out of the town after getting into trouble.


    Irvene walked down the road which leads to her humble house, away from the judgmental eyes of the people. Her house is made out of wood. It is built by herself and improved it''s structure with few magic spells. It''s not elegant yet it has the ambiance of a home and decent enough for her to live. Her house is surrounded by trees which shades it from the heat of the sun.


    She entered her house and placed the eternal black lotus on the table. Irvene rested on her couch and hugged a small pillow.


    ''Going to rest for a while'' she thought and close her eyes. The recent incident shouldn''t happen again.

 3 Chapter 3

    Irvene opened her eyes and stretched out her arms. ''What a good sleep.'' she thought. It''s almost nighttime already. Her body slowly rose from the couch and made her way to the backyard. The eternal black lotus is on her hand and she sat on a wooden bench. Flowers in different kinds especially roses, surrounded her garden. Rare plants are scattered in the area and its value are equivalent to a few bars of gold.


    A small pond can be seen in the right side of her backyard. Her body bent down and placed the eternal black lotus on the water. It glows elegantly with it''s black color though, it''s not merely for decoration. She''ll use it soon to summon another living element. And this time, it''s an earth-type one and hopes it will not give her headaches like Elis, her fire living element she recently called on her last hunt for today.


    Irvene still needed another thing to summon a new living element so she decided to place it on a pond temporarily. ''It grows on water so it will be good enough to place it on a pond for the mean time.'' she thought. After a while, she went inside of the house and walked through the kitchen. Her long hours of rest caused her to skipped a meal and felt her stomach grumbled.


    She cooked her meal and also for Elis. His food contained few special herbs that would help improve his abilities. "Living monster fire, summon." she chanted. Irvene''s spirit appeared in the speed of light.


    His appearance is different when he''s not in a fight. His hair is not on fire instead, it is in crimson color and wore a simple shirt and pants. He rushed towards the table and ate his food with joy. His body started to glow once he started eating. Fire started to surround his body. The food improves ones body thus he can''t help it.


    Her hands stopped in mid air and her eyes widen. "Control your fire." she said. The house might be burn down if he continues his actions.


    "Wait, wait. I''m not yet done!" he said. He started eating in a fast pace while she started to lose her patience. Irvene''s fingers are ready to snap when Elis noticed it.


    "O-ok." he said. He knew his master would splash water on him if he ignore her precautions. He stopped eating and controlled his fire. It disappears slowly and then his attention came back on eating. He usually don''t eat a lot but her dishes improved his body and started to crave for it as time goes by.


    They both finished their meal. After that, she took care of her plants while Elis wandered off in her house.


    The next day, Irvene went outdoors bringing along quiet a lot of things. ''I will definitely own an infinite storage in the future!'' she thought. She walked towards the street carrying an oldbackpack. Once she reached the forest, a group of monsters appeared. Those monsters are uncommon to appear at this part of the forest and are mostly in the middle areas. She started to think that there is something wrong in the forest. Strong monsters started appearing at the entrance of the forest or she''s just unlucky everytime she goes into that place.


    Before they surround her, Irvene ran at her fastest speed. This monsters looked like wolves with red glowing eyes and black fur. They''re highly aggresive so a quick and wise decision is needed. "Binding spell!" she shouted while holding her silver staff. It''s golden marks glowed and chains are formed which began to move as if it has a life of its own.


    The monsters howled in pain. The golden chains circled their limbs and stomach thus blood came out of their bodies. She stopped running and breathed hardly. Irvene left the monsters and started walking. She needed to find a spring located in this forest that''s full of monsters.


    Only a few number of people could get to see this spring. It creates an illusion to protect itself from greedy people who would take it for granted.


    Irvene walked for an hour and her efforts are not wasted. She could see the spring from afar and ran through the spring and felt the cold, fresh water from her hands. She placed her backpack to the ground and got her small jar. ''Finally, a water from the spring of truth.'' she thought.


    Irvene rested for a while before she go back home. Her feet ached thus she needed a break. She stared at the spring when a creature suddenly appeared. Irvene prepared herself to attack but when she saw the creature, she stopped her hands and started to admire it''s appearance. It looks like a ball. A small round creature walk towards the spring and a small drop of water started to float and it started to drink. However, the small creature didn''t notice he''s about to fall. She walks near the small creature but he got scared and fell into the water.


    It nearly got drowned but she picked it up from the water and placed it onto the ground. She got a towel from her bag and dried it''s white fur. It has also small wings at its back. Irvene gets another jar which contains a drink that could improve ones condition.


    The small creature got better and it''s not wet anymore. It''s wings seemed to grow a little. She stared at the adorable creature. ''It''s so cute.'' she thought. It walked near her and sat on her lap. It''s not scared of her unlike before it get drowned. "Hi, little one." she said.


    After a while she decided to go back home and summon an earth-type living element. Her plan was to bid goodbye to the fluffy creature but he followed her. She turned to him and she can''t just live a cute creature and hurt it''s feeling. "You want to go with me?" she asked.


    It jumped happily and flew towards her. She noticed it''s wings grew bigger so he can use it to fly. She formed a contract to this creature and walk.


    Until she heard a loud howl. ''It must be from a huge monster!'' she thought. Irvene summoned Elis.


    "I think there''s a huge monster approaching and I need your help." she said.


    "Hmm, so can I burn it with all my might?" he said. He wanted to try out his powers after improving his body from eating the food she made.


    "Ok, do whatever you want." she said. She knew how he''s desperate to use his powers. Suddenly, her eyes widen when she saw a gigantic monster. "Little one, stay beside me alright? We''ll get rid of this troublesome monster before we go home." she said.


    "Master, it''s quite a huge one!" he said. His fire started to get bigger to be able to attack that monster.


    "Be prepared. Find out it''s weak points and stay at a long distance." she said.


    ''Why am I encountering strong monsters every time I go into this forest!'' she said miserably.

 4 Chapter 4

    Irvene focused herself and hid the fluffy creature in her bag. The monster is gigantic. It''s body is mostly covered with iron plates and a weak attack wouldn''t make a damage. Elis kept throwing a big mass of fire to distract it and find it''s weak point. Irvene analyzed the monster''s movement.


    It opened it''s mouth and release a ball of fire. They avoided it but the ball of fire exploded like a bomb. She''s thrown by the impact of the explotion.


    "Master! Are you okay?" he shouted.


    Irvene stood up with her furrowed brows as if nothing happened and nodded at him. Looking at her injuries, she seemed not okay but he shrugged it off and stepped backwards after he saw her expression.


    ''You gigantic creature! My bottle of potions were almost broken especially the bottle of spring of truth. I had a hard time going here and losing it would not be a good thing!'' she thought. A dark aura enveloped her body that the gigantic creature flinched upon her existence. Nonetheless, it threw another ball of fire. She dodged it this time and laughed like a villain.


    Elis looked at her. ''She''s gone crazy.'' he thought. However, he did his best not to say it aloud especially in front of her.


    ''I had see through your weak point.'' she thought. Irvene called Elis'' attention. "Stall that monster for a while. Also, use blue fire." she said.


    He felt excited upon hearing what she said. "There''s no turning back on your words master, I''ll burn this one with blue fire." he said. Although, she said one more thing that crushed his plans.


    "Who says you''ll do that? I said just stall time and don''t let your blue fire near me again!" she said. His blue fire is incredibly powerful that anyone will get burned in an instant. The last time he used it, Irvene almost got burned by that fire so she forbids him from using it when they fight together but today, she had no choice. This gigantic monster is a fire-type one and using common fire on that monster is useless. The blue fire however, can burn even a strong fire-type monster.


    "I have to be the one to kill that monster!" she said eagerly.


    He sighed and didn''t argue anymore. It''s best if she let go of her anger at the monster instead of him so he used a small amount of blue fire and took it''s attention. Irvene is waiting for her chance to attack it''s weak spot. Spikes of ice started forming from her hands and she jumped high and stabbed it''s throat by a giant ice spike. She distanced herself before the monster''s blood would get through her. It''s throat is the only one that''s not covered in iron plates so she took the chance to stabbed it on the throat before they are the one who''ll get killed.


    The monster fell down on the ground and a fire orb started getting out of it''s body. It''s not a common orb that can be seen and a fire crystal appeared after it. She took both and gave the fire orb to Elis. Fire orbs can be used to strengthen him so she always spared fire orbs for Elis. The fire crystal can be of use later therefore, she hid it on her bag.


    "It''s an uncommon fire orb! If this continues, it will not be too long for me to release black fire." he said.


    "Hmm.. then I''ll let you wander around in this forest some other time. You can go here while I''m not summoning you but be careful." she said. Irvene do not restrict her contracted element spirits and wished for them to get stronger. That what makes Elis stay by her side and they respect each other and it makes a good master. To have care for them would gain their trust and respect.


    Before she forget something, she took the fluffy creature which had made a contract with her. "I''m glad you''re okay little one." she said. She patted it''s head. This creature took a liking to her easily. "Hmm... what should I name you? I''ll just name you Fluff since your so fluffy!" she said.


    Elis looked at the creature and asked her about it. "I had recently met him near the spring of truth and after helping it, he started following me so I decided to have it as a contracted spirit." she said. She looked at him and saw him staring at Fluff intently. She threw him a sharp look. "Don''t you dare do bad things at Fluff!" she said. However, Elis has been dumbfounded and looked at Fluff with admiring eyes.


    "C-can I hold it master? Can I?" he said. His eyes are still looking at Fluff. She looked at him weirdly and doesn''t expect Elis has this side of him.


    "Ok, you can hold Fluff while we''re on our way to go out of this forest." she said. Fluff was hesitant at first but it sensed Elis posed no danger so it let Elis hold him. He first disappeared the fire on his body and finally get hold of Fluff. He felt it''s fluffiness and can''t get over with it. She thought he''s even more exaggerated than she is when she saw Fluff.


    Irvene just let him get hold of Fluff until they get home so he''ll not get down.


    Thankfully, the gigantic creature was the last one they had encountered after they got out of the forest. She kept the water in the spring of truth in a safe place and had rest.


    While Elis decided to stay on her backyard and keep Fluff company. He''s still immersed in this cute litte creature that he''ll spare time for it.

 5 Chapter 5

    Irvene had enough rest and when she woke up, it''s already morning. She went to the backyard and found Fluff in a corner sleeping comfortably. Looks like Elis had took good care of Fluff. She''ll build a small shelter for Fluff later. However, Elis isn''t around the area though, she knows where he stayed when she didn''t summon him. Irvene decided not to disturb him and instead, picked up some spices in her garden that will be use for cooking breakfast.


    The aroma of what she''s cooking lingers around her house. Irvene felt her stomach grumbled upon her new dish she tried an hour ago. Now that she''ll have more company in her house, she should learn to cook a few more dishes that will suit their taste. Cooking has been her hobby since she''s younger so she learn to cook dishes properly without anyone''s guidance. The food''s scent has reached Elis and she found him walking through the kitchen and sit at the dining table.


    "Hmm.. master, you surely cooked delicous foods everyday." he said. Elis praised his master even more so that he''ll have to eat the dishes she made everyday.


    "Don''t touch the food yet! I''ll just get Fluff." Irvene said.


    He likes that little creature but he frowns when he heard what she said. He''s hungry already and the sight of the food makes him even more hungry than ever but Irvene didn''t made him wait for too long because she only took half a minute. Irvene came back quickly before Elis would eat all of it as what she can see from his eyes.


    "Here''s Fluff! We can eat now." she said. Irvene placed Fluff above the table and he even had his own plate that would be separate from them. Fluff looked more pleasing to the eyes today. ''I think Elis cleaned Fluff yesterday.'' she thought. It''s a good thing Elis liked Fluff so there would be no trouble between the two although, he looks like the type who don''t fancy over cute things. She just ended up shrugging her shoulders.


    The taste of the food made them enjoy eating and the two of them didn''t talked until they finished eating. Irvene looked at them and she''s glad that she have companions to be with when she''s alone.


    "Thanks for the meal!" he said.


    Irvene cleaned the dishes while Elis went out and stayed in the garden with Fluff. After that, she took out the jar that contains the water of spring of truth and goes to the garden. Irvene placed the jar to the ground and took the eternal black lotus that floats through her small pond. She''ll finally be able to have an earth-type spirit element.


    White and black light appeared once she placed it on the water from the spring of truth. "An Earth being, lived on land, hear thy call!" she casted. Her spell didn''t failed as a form of a human took shape and a green braided hair appeared. It''s a small girl and it has a flower crown on her head. When a being is summoned, it will took form as a child and it''ll grow up depends on how it''s power will increase and they have a form like humans. They''ll get older quickly if they have formidable powers and her best example is Elis.


    They are known as living monster such as fire living monster but she prefer them to be called living elements and not monsters. Only a few number of people could summon one even if they have all the resources in the world.


    "A being has succesfully summoned me." she said.


    Irvene cheered inside her. "Will you form a bond between you and me?" she asked. She should not force a living element or it would show disagreement if felt being threatened.


    "Someone who''ll succesfully summoned me should be my master so I agree." she said. The earth living element bowed a little.


    "Then I shall form a contract with you." Irvene said. After forming a contract, she gave her a name.


    "From now on, you will be called Ivy." she said. Irvene smiled at her. Ivy has an indifferent attitude compared to Elis. A cold gaze welcomed Irvene when she finally contracted her.


    "And you can call me Irvene." she said. However, Ivy refused.


    "A master should be treated with utmost respect. I would prefer calling you master." Ivy said. Irvene sighed and admitted defeat. Irvene doesn''t want to be called master yet her living elements insist on addresing her that name.


    "Okay, I won''t bother you with that." Irvene said. Getting used to it would be the best.


    "Master!"


    Irvene heard a shout from Elis. "What''s the problem?" she asked. His sudden actions made her have an uncomfortable feeling. He gave her a small envelope that made her heart beat faster than ever before. It''s a letter from that man. "Do I need to leave this place already and find some new one far, far away?" Irvene said. The letter isn''t opened yet but she had an idea who is the sender.


    "Dear Irvene, don''t you stayed away at Soul''e for too long? I''ll let you live there for a little while but if you don''t come back, I will bring you here by myself."


    Irvene read what''s written on the letter and didn''t dare to say his name. Even the sight of his name made Irvene tremble.


    "You can''t escape from him, don''t you?" Elis said.


    Irvene rolled her eyes at him. He stayed on her side for years that he had known her for a long time. Ivy looked at them and is clueless about what is happening to her master. Irvene gave her a small bottle of liquid and made her drink it.


    "That liquid will help you gain control of your powers. Since you''re a newbie, I''ll teach you okay?" she said. Ivy has a lot to learn so she used her time to teach Ivy a few tricks.


    Elis shrugged his shoulders and walked through his temporary home. "I think we''ll leave this place sooner. Do I need to pack some things now?" he said. Although, Elis remembered that he''ll lose his chance to go through the town''s forest so he will stroll there today.

 6 Chapter 6

    Elis decided to go through the forest. He stepped inside and it showed a serene view. Unlike when his master summoned him, the forest was like a battlefield. Nonetheless, it allowed him to see the flora and fauna. He remembered that Irvene made him study different kinds of plants. Doing physical activities is far more better than reading a book but he spent three months of studying about forests'' biome. It can be considered the worst thing that could ever happen to him.


    He reminisced the past until he heard some footsteps in front and a stem with white flowers appeared. Elis jumped high and stand on a branch of a tall tree. ''Not gonna happen.'' he thought.


    It''s a giant venus fly trap. Elis knew the flowers were just a trap and someone who''ll get attracted will become it''s prey. Fire started emanating his body. "Unlucky plant, you''ll be a roasted venus fly trap in a flash." Elis laughed. His hands were pointed to the plant''s direction and a fire lit up upon the enemy''s position. That is his new skill. Without the need to release a fire with his hands, Elis can start up a fire where it is standing. Although, it has a limit of 10 meters circumference which is useless on a long distance battle.


    Elis walked further into the forest. A group of people were struggling to fight a fire type monster. ''A wolf that is a fire type monster is undeniably strong.'' he thought. Elis went to their direction and caught the group''s attention.


    "A-ah! A fire living monster!" A man said. He didn''t expect a being like him would appear on the forests. The wolf managed to hit him because his mind went elsewhere.


    "Fin! Don''t just stand there!" His comrade reminded him but his injury made him uncapable of fighting. Their group struggled more as they continue to get injuries from the wolf.


    "How about I''ll help you kill that wolf but I should take the orb." Elis said. That group certainly don''t have enough ability to take down the wolf.


    They hesitated at first but their lives were more important than an orb. "Okay, just help us from this wolf."


    ''A fire orb, how lucky!'' he thought. Elis used his new skill but he release blue fire instead of the common one. The wolf they''re attacking earlier were burnt into ashes. "I should take my leave." Elis said. He had taken the fire orb so there''s no need for him to stay there longer. ''They can take the other drops. I don''t need it.'' he thought.


    The fire orb he obtained should be enough for today so he would go home already but bringing a few things would be good too. Elis looked around the forest. Rattan palm or Carnauba palm tree''s wood can be used to build Fluff''s shelter. Elis found one and kicked it with much strength. It fell down and burned some parts so it''ll be easier to carry.


    Elis turned to the exit of the forest when someone appeared out of nowhere. A man dressed in elegant clothes appeared in front of him. Elis'' brows furrowed. "What do you need?" he asked.


    The man smirked. "Going alone in the forest? I guess you have a weak master. A living monster should have a strong master." he said.


    "What? I think you''re the one who is a weakling." Elis said and walked away. However, he tried to attack Elis but he dodged it. Elis looked displeased by his action so he ended up burning his clothes. That instantly made them enemies. After he set off the fire on his body, he started to attack Elis with a sword.


    Elis ran quickly and he followed. A smirk started forming across his lips. This part of the forest is filled with poison ivy yet he swiftly avoided it all while that man has been lying through the ground.


    ''I''ll get my revenge on you sooner. You''ll see the wrath of the Milan Family!'' the man thought.


    "A citizen of Wytte country. What is he doing in this kind of place?" Elis said. That country is indeed far from here and a rich man wouldn''t waste his time in Lan province without motives.


    Elis reached their home and saw his master and Ivy in the garden. Probably, teaching Ivy a few skills. "Master, I''m back! Although I failed to bring a wood ''cause of some bad luck." he said.


    "Don''t worry, building his shelter isn''t needed since we need to move out here in a few days." she said.


    "Also, I have some experiment to do and we''re soon leaving so I''m in a hurry for that. I''ll leave Ivy to you today, okay?" Irvene continued. He nodded and saw her walking inside her house.


    Elis didn''t expect that they would be leaving this place already. They lived in this home for at least a year and it gave them peace. However, they are bound to leave that place one day or else there would be a huge trouble.


    Elis looked at Ivy and saw her practicing how to control her powers. It looks like the stem of roses which is filled with sharp thorns and released dark, scary aura that seems poisonous. That made him remember the poison ivy on the forest. ''It indeed suits her name.'' Elis thought.


    He noticed Ivy looked at her. "Hi, Elis." she said.


    "A-ah, hello." Elis said. It is an awkward scene for him. Ivy is still in a child form and his hands ended up patting her head. Fluff appeared before them and the two living elements played with Fluff.


    While...


    Irvene is doing her best to make an infinite storage. They will soon leave her humble home so an infinite storage is a must. Different flasks, big or small, are placed on a table. Some of it are full of liquids while the others are empty. A simple silver bracelet is also on another table but that table is filled with strange black markings in a circled position.


    "Okay, the last would be the fire crystal!" she shouted.


    After working for many hours, Irvene chanted a spell. "Light, sub-space, concrete material, bind into one." A blinding light appeared on the strange markings on the table. That light indicated her work is a succes. However, to feel relief, Irvene wore the bracelet and tried if it would work. She placed a bottle of potion into the inventory and the bracelet shone, giving off a beautiful appearance while the potion slowly vanished. It is in a sub-space she created and Irvene can get it out of the sub-space whenever she wanted.


    "Finally! I don''t have to worry about bringing more things ''cause a mage should always be prepared for a battle." Irvene said.


    Irvene felt a sense of success. ''I''ll be back soon.'' she thought.

 7 Chapter 7

    Irvene''s point of view


    We''re standing outside the house where I found my own comfort. Away from the chaos of my own country but I guess it''s time to face reality. After one last look, I faced Elis and Ivy which is behind me.


    "No one should know about your identities yet so I''ll unsummon you."


    Living elements will attract too many people so it''s best if they''ll return to their respective homes. All living elements have their own dimensions based on type of elements. That''s where they went when a master unsummon them.


    "Okay, we''ll wait for you to call us." Elis said. They vanished in front of me. I hid Fluff on my small backpack. I still brought a bag to avoid suspicions. I have an infinite storage space but no body should know about that too.


    I walked through the small town, a part of the Lan province which I''ve been hiding for a year. The crowd again, looked at me for the nth time. I guess they have made countless rumors about me but I don''t care. As I am about to leave this place, someone blocked my way.


    "Irvene Xu! Leaving huh? I have yet to get my revenge on you so I won''t let you leave here easily." She said with a smirk on her face. I remembered this girl. She''s the one who purposely hit herself on me last time and again,she suddenly pushed my shoulders. Some of my hair blocked my face because of that so I fixed my short hair before dealing with this childish girl. Luckily, a guard riding a horse passed our way.


    "Mister!" I called out. He looked into our direction and led his horse towards us. "What''s the problem?"


    "This girl has been blocking my way and I''m in a hurry. It''s the second time she''s done that. I think she needs counseling about behaving properly." I''ll show you how I deal with a person like you without using magic. After a minute, she has been stopped by a guard for the second time while I walked away.


    "Irvene Xu, I''ll definitely look for you!" she shouted.


    I almost laughed at her. Irvene Xu is not my name. I''m Irvene Aly Elvina from Soul''e country. After an hour of walking, I reached the boundary of Lan province and the Caceres country. It''s the 4th country of the Northern continent.


    "I finally reached Caceres country." I need to do something here before going back on my own country. Although, I also need to hurry before a certain man would appear before me. The road leads to a big sign of the country''s name. Caceres'' Knights guard the boundary and keep their eyes to the people entering their country. I entered Caceres and made my way to the country''s gateway.


    Simply entering a country isn''t that easy. One should have a passport for a particular country to legally enter someone''s territory. I gave them my passport for Caceres'' entry.


    I walked through the exit of the gateway and saw the busy crowd. Building stores at every entrance of the country would surely sell a lot. I strolled down and looked at the stores and entered a particular store which I''ve been looking for. The place is painted in white and the potions and wands are neatly arranged. I bet there''s no dusty corner found in this store. That guy is no doubt a neat freak.


    "It''s been a while, Irvene." A smile formed on his lips.


    "Yeah and I suppose you know why I''m here."


    "Of course, you need some help though I expected you''ll come here earlier."


    I almost rolled my eyes on him. "I also expected that you''ll boast your skills so I gave my best on improving. That way I''ll eventually won''t come here asking for your help and sorry to disappoint you, I only came for the potion I asked for."Unfortunately, this man whose named Wade Mcknight is more skilled in making potions than me and our normal conversation is always like that.


    "Really? I''ll see if you can surpass my skills." He said and laughed a little.


    "Hmp."


    He finally gave the potion and hid it on my bag. The door opened that caught my attention. I turned sideways and saw a woman and greeted Wade, calling him Sir Wade.


    "Irvene, she is Alexis, my assistant."


    Alexis greeted me and I greeted her in return. "It''s not like you to hire an assistant." Sometimes I thought I already knew him yet it''s still hard to know what''s going on in his mind.


    I bid goodbye and left his store and looked for a place to sit. I reached a park and sat on a bench. Fluff should be hungry and I should get him out of my bag. He ate his food and after that, I hid him again.


    "Sorry, Fluff. I needed to hide you but it''ll not be too long." My heart aches for Fluff but it isn''t the right time to reveal him in front of the people''s eyes.


    I didn''t waste a time and find for a horse carriage. It''ll be easier to reach the other exit of this country and that way, I''ll reach the shortest way possible to the 2nd country which is closer to our country. I didn''t need to pass the 3rd country for that.


    A horse carriage stopped by and I took the chance to ride on it. I paid him quiet a fortune. Riding a horse carriage in this country is indeed expensive. Thankfully, it''s a closed one so I didn''t hesitate to free Fluff from my bag. He''s sleeping the entire time while we''re riding this carriage. After an hour, we reached the destination and of course I hid him again.


    We still have a long, long way to go before we reach the 2nd country so another ride in a horse carriage is needed. I need to find one that is likely to give a ride outside their boundary. After walking near the exit, someone offered to have a ride outside their country.


    I immediately accepted and get inside the carriage. I couldn''t believe that I''m going home after a long time.

 8 Chapter 8

    Irvene''s point of view


    Sitting in a horse carriage made both of my legs numb and experience a sudden ache on my back. I streched my hands and my fingers reached the ground. The 2nd country is incredibly far that I spent long hours in a small, closed space horse carriage.


    The golden sign of Crystal country caught the attention of the tourists. It''s worthy to be called the 2nd richest country after all, and the chaos in Soul''e country decreased it''s economy thus, Crsytal country almost made it to the top. As the name itself refers, this rich country is known for the exquisite jewelries made of different shining, shimmering crystals that is mined in this country.


    If they are known for their mined crystals, 1st country is known for it''s mined gold, silver and diamonds which has many uses in different fields of work. Our country has high quality weaponry, construction supplies, and jewelries. The ruler made his best to maintain our position and his disappearance created unconsiderable amount of damage.


    I, Irvene Aly Elvina won''t let our country experience downfall therefore I have to be strong to be capable of helping Soul''e country.


    I had entered the 2nd country. The place looked more lively than the previous country and shows elegance in different areas wherever I looked. I had been admiring the beauty of this place when a familiar voice reached my ears.


    "Give it to Councilor Erick Drewell and send my regards to him."


    I turned to where the voice came from and I almost step backwards when I saw him. I ran to the opposite direction but my plan backfired as I heard him called my name.


    "Irvene"


    I slowly turned myself and awkwardly looked at him. His presence were just like the old times, wearing a black long sleeved shirt and paired with black pants. He prefers simple clothes yet it doesn''t hide his overwhelming appearance.


    "A-ah hi, Vaughn." I said. Vaughn Estrama, a close friend that I''ve been admiring for a long time. Not romantically but I admire him for his intelligence and his uncomparable techniques on a battle. I left and disappeared for a year and I don''t know what he''s thinking about my impulsive actions. This is our first meeting since my disappearance and I don''t know how would I talk to him.


    "So, I suppose you already read the letter I sent you." Vaughn walked towards me and I stood frozen where I am.


    "I read that letter and just like you said, I think it''s time to go back home." I said without looking at him.


    His body suddenly hugged me tightly. I''m startled by his actions. He''s acting weird today. "This would be the last time you''ll leave for a long time." His words sounded serious and I ended up nodding my head.


    I started feeling comfortable when he release me from his hug and distanced myself a little. "Since you left the country for so long, I think I have to tell you the current situation there." Vaughn said.


    I nodded. Even though it''s hard, I needed to accept reality and face it.


    "Our country may look the same for outsiders but the internal conflict hasn''t been stopped since the ruler''s disappearance, who was by any chance, is your father." His words made my hands tremble.


    Timothy Elvina, the ruler''s identity who happened to be my father. He looked at me straight in the eyes and upon hearing his words, I felt everything around stopped for a second.


    "The ruler''s already dead. His body had been found on the Red river. The reason why he''s killed might be the throne but the killer''s identity is unknown and how the almighty ruler had been defeated." he said.


    It''s really unbelievable how the intelligent mage, the ruler, disappeared without warning and I knew when I heard about the unpleasant news, tears started rolling down on my face. At once, I hoped that he''s still alive and breathing but hearing the truth today made me lose that only hope.


    "I guess, I have to accept it, that my father''s long been dead." I said. My mouth almost whispered those words and don''t know if he heard it.


    "I had assumptions who is or rather who are the persons that planned the death of your father. The persons who would be likely the cause of his death was the ones who initiated the chaos on our country. Also, your brother temporarily took over the throne to ensure the stability of our country though, I knew how much he hates it. I had been helping him on gaining informations outside and that''s why I''m here." Vaughn explained.


    I won''t let those people lived like nothing happened. My hands formed into a fist and my heart ached and were like pierced by thousand needles because of my father''s pitiful end. Even the strongest spell, if there is such, would not be enough to avenge him.


    "I knew what you''re thinking. No matter how much you wanted to get revenge, you should clear your mind and heart from anger and then, we will definitely find out who were those heartless people." Vaughn''s words was like a spell which cleared my mind from evil thoughts. I''m very glad to meet such a kind hearted and caring friend who''ll be with you in any kind of troubles.


    Vaughn stood up from his seat and opened a magic portal. His hands held two red crsytals that is used to open a portal. That is an easy way to travel and only a few number of people have those things. He suddenly threw the other one at me which I caught.


    "Don''t left it at your house." he said.


    It really is an easy way to travel but I left it when I ran away from home because they will know my identity and caught their attention. I nodded at him.


    Vaughn let his hands inside of his pockets and entered the portal. I followed him, to a shortcut to Soul''e country.

 9 Chapter 9

    Irvene''s point of view


    Once I returned to Soul''e country, I felt a strong sense of familiarity. Memories of the past began playing into my mind. I had been thinking deeply when a body crashed into mine and his hands enveloped my body.


    "I missed you, Aly!" I already knew who''s that person is when I heard his cheerful voice. He''s Sid Salford, a powerful warrior in Soul''e. His swords'' hanged on his back and unlike other warriors who wear heavy armors, his clothes are a white cloak, blue shirt and pants with exquisite designs specially tailored just for him. Basically, he looked like a mage using a sword.


    "That''s enough." Vaughn released him from my body.


    "Hey, don''t keep me away from my best friend!" he shouted. Sid treated himself as my best friend the very first day we met. I didn''t stopped him though because Sid is a friendly guy.


    A woman with her long brown flowy hair and black fitted clothes, appeared in front of us. "Hi, Vaughn and Irvene!" Meryll Dellmira, an assassin lurking in the dark. She''s also a close friend of mine or in other words, the four of us had been friends since then. She stepped closer to Vaughn but he didn''t pay her attention. Meryll do like him but Vaughn didn''t entertain such feelings. Vaughn said he don''t have enough time for love and had more important things to do than those love relationships.


    This man has his own problems to solve yet he''s still doing his best to help me.


    "Let''s go to Soul''e castle." Vaughn said and looked at me. His black eyes that''s mixed with red color always caught my attention everytimehe''s looking at me. Those pair of eyes are really rare and they don''t know why someone''s born with eyes like that.


    But, what am I thinking? Ah.. enough with that. I nodded my head at him. It''s time to meet my older brothers and sister.


    "I''ll go with you, Aly!" Sid said and walked beside me.


    "Of course, I''ll go too." Meryll said and walked beside Vaughn.


    We walked towards the castle since it''s nearby on the place where the portal brought us. The huge castle can be seen at the entrance of it. Colors of white, red and gold dominated the place and knights in silver armor guards the area. When we entered, some knights and maids who recognized me stopped for a second.


    Who wouldn''t when I''m gone for a whole year? I ignored them and made our way to the ruler''s throne. The wide hallway that shows nobility has a huge brown door that leads to the ruler''s place.


    I opened that door and it showed my brothers and sister who''s talking seriously on each other and suddenly turned their heads and looked who dared to enter this place.


    "Irvene, it''s good to finally see you back." Brother Mavien who''s sitting on the throne talked. He crossed his legs and leaned comfortably on the golden chair.


    "Hmm, it really is." Brother Maven who''s standing beside him agreed.


    "Stop that, you''re making Irvene uncomfortable!" Sister walked towards our direction and hugged me until I almost ran out of breath.


    "Finally, the youngest Elvina decided to go back home." She released me and gave me her most beautiful smile. Sister Adelaine Elvina, the third sibling in Elvina family while Brother Mavien and Maven are identical twins. Although, brother Mavien is seconds older than brother Maven.


    They''re similar in most aspects yet I can differentiate who''s brother Mavien between the two and vice versa.


    "Greetings to the ruler and Elvina family." Sid said and bowed a little.


    Sister Adelaine laughed a little. "No need to be formal. I''m glad that you, four, has been completed again." she said.


    "I''m really glad that my bestfriend''s back too!" he said. He looked really happy.


    Vaughn and Meryll who''s been quiet all the time joined our conversations.


    "Lady Adelaine, I sent the documents to one of the councilors in Crystal country you requested the other day." Vaughn said.


    "Well done. Meryll, how about the latest news on Helios Manor?" Sister asked.


    "The head of their family has been meeting a lot of unknown people that isn''t a part of their family and I didn''t received a relevant information since they used some barrier spells on the rooms that they previously entered." Meryll said.


    "Hmm, that alone is indeed suspicious. What do you think, your majesty?" Sister said.


    Brother Mavien placed his arms on the throne''s armrest and smirked. "We have few people who can counter that magic barrier but it''ll be more fun if they will be caught in action. It seems the Helios family needs a new Headmaster on their manor and please Adelaine, don''t call me majesty. My position here is temporary and it depends on me whether I''ll accept it or not ''cause you know, it''s dull sitting here on a chair all day long."


    "But you''re so capable. How about you, brother Maven?"


    Brother Maven waved his hand to show disagreement. "Oh please, I''m not interested."


    "Your majesty, you had been a great leader this whole year and I hope you''ll change your mind." Sid said with admiring eyes.


    Vaughn and Ivy agreed to him. Brother Mavien might have been a great leader despite his disagreement on gaining the highest position.


    "Ok, I''ll think about it." He said and sighed. Then he looked at the four of us.


    "Since you''re completed, what are you planning?" he asked.


    What did he mean by that?


    "Of course, we''ll have some thrilling actions on this coming days." Vaughn said. He placed his left hand on his pocket. I think that became his habit.


    "Finally! A mission with Aly. We don''t had any mission with the three of us this whole year because we''re waiting for you and I''m glad this time, we''ll fight together." Sid said.


    It''s really good to have such caring friends. I suddenly felt bad when I left without informing them ah.. but I can''t go back time. The only thing I can do is spend time with them.


    "Since you finished reporting your duty, you can now have a rest." Sister said.


    They bowed their heads and I ended up mimicking them. We left afterwards. I wonder what kind of thrilling action did Vaughn said.

 10 Chapter 10

    Irvene''s point of view


    The four of us sat on the long red couch inside my own room on this castle. Vaughn said we have something important to discuss which I had no idea what it is about. A maid knocked three times on the door and entered. She brought four sets of uniform for male and female. My eyebrows furrowed.


    "What''s this all about?" I asked.


    "From now on, we will be a student of Soul''e Magic High." Vaughn said.


    "What?" I said.


    "Oh, sounds fun." While Sid and Meryll seemed to like that idea.


    The four of us didn''t really need to go to school everyday unlike other students. We had been specially trained by my father and other councilors and generals in this huge castle four years ago. Normally, students who''s commonly at ages 14-20 take six long years of studying on Soul''e Magic High while we finished taking up special classes two years earlier than them.


    He must have plans on his minds otherwise, we will, in no doubt, waste a lot of time.


    "I recently found out that Soul''e Magic High hold many secrets inside the institution. I remembered that the ruler went there a couple of times before his death. The only way to thoroughly investigate the area is to enter there without raising suspicion from the higher ups of the school." Vaughn explained.


    So we''ll experience being a normal student even though our intentions is indeed different from those students. After we discussed everything, we wore the uniform of Soul''e Magic High. The red coat and tie, white inner blouse, and white short skirt with intricate golden lines that symbolizes Soul''e country. The male uniforms are similar except, of course, they wore pants.


    "This uniforms are pretty good looking. As expected to a prestigious school of Soul''e." Meryll commented.


    She''s been looking at herself in front of the mirror and so does Sid while Vaughn sat on the chair, and watched those two who''s busy styling themselves in front of the large mirror hanged on the wall.


    "Irvene, I noticed that your bag has been moving. I''m curious what is inside your bag." Vaughn said.


    My eyes widen. I forgot about Fluff! I hurriedly made my way on the table and opened the old, tattered backpack. Both of my hands hold Fluff and let them have a sight of my newly contracted spirit.


    "Ah, this is Fluff. I met him on a forest back on Lan province." I said.


    Those two who''s been on the mirror rushed towards me and looked at Fluff with admiring eyes.


    "How I wish I would have a contracted spirit as cute as Fluff!" Meryll said.


    "Let me touch him!" Sid shouted with eagerness on his voice.


    "No, me first!" Meryll said.


    Until, they ended up fighting. "Sid, hold that creature then just take turns." Vaughn stopped this two before my room will turn out into a mess. He stood up and joined us.


    "But let me take a look first. This is my first time I saw a creature like that." He said.


    "Hmp! You''re just making excuses so you''ll hold him first." Sid said but he''s senseless talking is ignored by Vaughn.


    "Also, besides Elis, I recently had another contracted spirit. An earth type one." I said. Their eyes widen.


    "Contracting a sprit is incredibly hard but when it comes to you, everything becomes easy." Meryll said.


    "Yeah, I agree! Why don''t you summon them?" Sid suggested.


    "Okay." I said and chanted a spell.


    "Blazing fire and deadly earth, pair of vigorous entities, I summon thee." Both fire and thorns emerged in front of us and took shape as a human being. Elis and Ivy greeted me.


    "Now, you can also summon them at once. That will save plenty of time on a battle." Meryll said. Her mind went deeply as if she''s already planning out a superb battle strategy.


    "It''s been a while Elis." Sid greeted Elis and he greeted him back.


    "This is Ivy, an earth type one. They''ll be strengthening their powers here in the castle while I do not summon them." I said.


    They greeted Ivy with welcoming smiles while Ivy looked at them with her cold gaze.


    Afterwards, we made our way to Soul''e Magic High. The tall silver gate of the school welcomed us. It opened on its own and let us entered. The front part of the school is surrounded with students who''s busy chatting with each other. We caught their attention and some of them are obviously started talking about us.


    Who wouldn''t when they saw new faces at mid-school year?


    Vaughn said they had made false explanations to the administration of the school why we''re enrolling at a later date. Our special classes isn''t known by everyone and shouldn''t be said to them to avoid suspicions.


    "Welcome to Soul''e Magic High, new students!" A man appeared before us. His hair is long for a man and his black rimmed glasses reflected the sun''s rays thus, I only saw a vague appearance of his eyes while my eyes didn''t failed to saw his sudden smirk that quickly turned into a smile.


    "I''m Ingrid Welsey, the student council president of the school. I''ll lead you to your respective rooms and briefly explain the school''s system." he said.


    We followed his trail and listened to him. "This Magic High''s consisted of six levels. First years are called first levels, second years are second levels and so on and so forth. Then the students are randomly divided into five sections each level. There are academics and magic subjects taught in this school and every last month of the school year, a magic battle competition is held every level. The school have enough facilities and it managed students needs based on academics and magic education."


    We stopped our trail and entered a room. "Good morning first section of forth level students!" he greeted.


    "From today onwards, four new students would be added to your class. Will you introduce yourselves, new students?" he asked.


    Ah..


    "Vaughn Estrama" Vaughn said. His straight expression didn''t changed but I could saw that the female students looked at him admiringly.


    "Meryll Dellmira"


    "Sid Salford"


    Meryll and Sid followed and I introduced myself lastly. "Irvene Aly Elvina"


    After that, the student council president left and we''re seated in the last row in long brown table enough for the four of us. The classes started and as expected, the subjects were already taught to us.


    "Class dismissed."


    We stood up and left the room even though, some students attempted to talk to us but we needed to observe the whole place so we ignored them... for now.


    "It''s best if we''ll observe separately." Vaughn said.


    I ended up going to the school''s south. I saw the laboratory, a huge battle ground and a garden. Until I walked inside the school and saw a hallway which no one could be seen. It''s in a far and dark corner and I entered silently. I saw many big cylindrical tubes in a room made of glasses but I didn''t saw what''s inside since a sudden smoke released. Everything became vague.


    I ran as fast as I could before anyone would take notice of me. Once I got away far enough, I walked like nothing strange happened and breathed hardly and sat on a bench when I reached the school''s park.


    "Hi, Irvene." I heard a voice of a man from behind. I turned my head and saw the student council president. I couldn''t see his eyes'' expression again because of the sun rays'' reflection on his glasses.


    "Student council president."


    He laughed. "Don''t be too formal, call me Ingrid."


    "Ah, okay." I said.


    "Enjoying a tour in this school?" he asked.


    I almost reacted to him. I didn''t said a word and stayed still.


    "Anyway, I have more things to do. Bye." He waved his hands and walked away.


    I don''t know if he saw me but what about those room? I''m certain that it''s not for school purposes. I wonder what kind of secrets are hidden inside Soul''e Magic High.

 11 Chapter 11

    Vaughn Estrama''s point of view


    Besides the boisterous crowd of students, I found nothing on the north part of the school. I walked further and checked the entrance, wide hallway, and observed the first level classrooms from the outside many times that I even lost count of it. They had hidden their dark secrets so well that I''m starting to get frustrated.


    And I don''t quite like it..


    It''s clear that there''s no sign of dubious activities in this area. I strolled down on the south part of the school. The students is lesser compared to the opposite part of it. Silence dominated this place that I could even hear the chirping sounds of a bird from afar.


    I continued to walk and reached a garden beside the school.


    "Vaughn"


    A familiar voice reached my ears. I turned my body and saw Irvene. She sat on a chair and looked exhausted.


    "I found something weird on the unnoticed part of the hallway although I only saw a huge cylindrical tubes on that room because a thick smoke started to release that made everything vague." she said.


    Finally. That''s what I''m anticipating to happen. I turned my back on her and started to walk.


    "Let''s go." I said.


    "You knew that the smoke was a signal that someone entered the room." she said.


    Of course, I knew.


    "We''re not going there, we''ll find Sid and Meryll." I said. We need to form a plan in a short period of time however, I looked at Irvene and noticed that she continued to breathe hardly.


    "What''s wrong?" I asked.


    "I used an ability so nobody will find me running near that hallway but I shouldn''t ran out of stamina like this. I guess that the smoke had a side effect whoever inhales it." she explained.


    So.. we need to be extra careful of our actions or otherwise we''ll be instantly caught.


    I can''t let that happen.


    I held her body and led her to sit. "W-what are you doing?" she asked.


    Still asking huh?


    "You should rest for a while. Meryll and Sid can wait." I said. I sat beside her and looked from afar. No one talked until we heard some noises and two human figures appeared in front of us.


    "Finally found you!" Sid talked. Noisy as ever. His hand held a paper bag and his mouth is stuffed with a bread.


    "Vaughn, look at Sid, he spends his time eating instead of doing his work." Meryll said. Her arms'' crossed and looked at Sid annoyingly while Sid grunted.


    "Hey! I had finished my work before I decided to eat." he said.


    They are starting up a fight again.


    "Stop, you two." I said.


    "Anyway, what are you doing here alone together?" Sid asked. He looked at us in a meaningful or particularly, a teasing manner. He really didn''t fail to annoy me.


    "Sid!" Irvene shouted.


    I sighed heavily. "Anyway, we are not in the right place to talk. The afternoon classes ended up already therefore, it''s best if we talk about our plans in the castle and starting tomorrow, we''ll attend morning classes too so wake up early." I said.


    Afterwards, we went to the castle and rested on our own respective rooms before we talk about our plan. It''s not only Irvene who owned a huge, elegant room in this castle. When we took our special classes, Sid, Meryll and me started to live a luxurious life here. Although, I experienced that kind of life with my father, I rather spend my time here than on his house.


    I found comfort here.


    The left side of my room is filled with different kinds of weapon. Sword, wand, bow and arrow, scythe and more kinds of it. The undeniable truth is that I do not specialize a particular class and that took the attention of the former ruler.


    I could do what all of the classes can but I experienced a lot of hardships before I became what I am now. Being an expert in all those fields aren''t easy. It takes a lot of time and I must say that I achieved a great success though I knew I still have a lot to learn.


    The comfortable bed made me sleepy. I yawned. Taking a nap would do after this tiring day. I closed my eyes and fell asleep.


    ***


    A loud knock on the door of my room awaken me from my humble sleep.


    "Vaughn!" Sid said.


    I stood up and opened it before he would destroy my room''s door.


    "What?" I said.


    "I thought we''re going to talk something important? You slept for so long and if you didn''t notice, it''s already four in the morning." he explained.


    I turned my head and looked at the clock. So I really slept for a long time.


    "Are you all awake?" I asked.


    Sid nodded. "Yes, and that''s why I came here, knocking on your door." he said.


    "You can go downstairs. I''ll fix myself first." I said.


    "Okay." he said.


    I closed the door and took a bath. I dressed on a new set of uniform and went outside. I found them in the dining room together with the Ruler Mavien, Ruler''s Adviser Maven and Adelaine. I immediately greeted them.


    "Goodmorning too, Vaughn." Adviser Adelaine greeted me back.


    While the Ruler and his twin nodded. I sat on the chair and started eating. They asked us about the events that happened and said that we found some clues and is working on it.


    After that, we headed to Irvene''s room and I talked about the incident about Irvene.


    "So that''s what happened. Though, I didn''t found anything strange on the west part of the school except that I didn''t had the chance to observe the faculty, headmaster''s office and some rooms that the students aren''t authorize to enter. There might be some spells so I didn''t go. Maybe, I could get inside during night." Meryll said.


    "I didn''t found some suspicious places except that there were students that was fighting outside the east part. I even heard that there were lost students! The east part is quite a ruckus place." Sid said.


    We should observe the south and west part more.


    "We''ll stop observing the school for a few days but keep an eye to the people."


    "The student council president, I saw him while I''m on the garden and I''m not sure if he saw me on that unnoticed hallway though." Irvene said.


    "I saw him on the west part too. He even greeted me." Meryll said.


    "I saw him too although he''s with the other members of the student council with a lot of papers on their hands." Sid said.


    "He''s everywhere." Irvene said.


    I didn''t saw him on the north part though.


    "Maybe that''s because he''s a school president and had a lot of things on his shoulders?" Irvene asked.


    "We''ll know about that in the future." I said.


    If he''s an enemy or not.

 12 Chapter 12

    Irvene''s point of view


    Uncovering the school''s darkest secrets are much harder than practicing spells. I yawned as we walked our way to school. I had to endure waking up in the morning because of this.


    But the weird things I noticed on that shady room bothered me this whole time. What''s that equipment for? We have to finish this shortly before everything becomes utterly complicated.


    We reached Soul''e Magic High and went straight to our classroom. The four of us sat on the long brown table.


    Not long after, the instructor entered our classroom that made everyone fell silent. Her loose braided hair, short black cloak and red frilly dress caught everyone''s attention. The students exchanged opinions about what''s happening. It looks like she''s not supposed to be an instructor in our class.


    "Good morning students, Ms. Lily who was your instructor in Alchemy was assigned on a different field so from today onwards, I''ll be your Alchemy teacher." she said.


    I saw her eyes looked at the four of us. "I''m informed about the new students and since you''re new here, let me introduce myself. My name is Hana Lynnwick and address me as Ms. Lynnwick." she said.


    We nodded at her while she snapped her hands that made the different potions materialize on each table. There are even empty flasks in different sizes.


    I had a hunch about what we''ll do on this activity. It''s an exciting subject than yesterday because the instructors only taught us the academic subjects which we spent our time sitting on the chair and listened to them for a few good hours.


    But this day would be different!


    "Since I''ll be your instructor, I want to know by myself how good you are on this subject." Ms. Lynnwick said.


    I heard some of our classmates grunted while the others cheered.


    "This is a group activity. Your seatmates will become your group mates so basically, there are eight groups consisted of four members. You''ll make your own potion and any kinds of potion would do and the best group will not only receive the highest points, I''ll give an interesting reward." she said.


    Ms. Lynnwick raised her hand which held a golden box. I wonder what''s inside it. A smirk formed on my lips and glanced at my seatmates.


    "Ready to win?" I said.


    "Of course! We''ll not let ourselves lost to our classmates." Sid answered.


    "What kind of potion is on your mind?" Meryll asked. She looks pretty excited too.


    "That''s a good question." I whispered them on what we would do. Sid and Meryll gasped upon my interesting idea. I even saw Vaughn''s eyes widen.


    "Are you sure?" he asked.


    "Yes!" I answered.


    "Then let''s get started!" Sid and Meryll both said in unison.


    I taught them the most accurate way of mixing each potion and the correct liquid to mix. Our potion is a special one so it has a complex procedure. This is my favorite subject that I mastered every aspect in Alchemy although I still have more to learn compared to my father.


    "Hmm.. I could see that you''ve acquired enough knowledge regarding Alchemy especially the new students!" she said.


    Ms. Lynnwick watched us how we are doing a complex way of creating a potion then she walked to other groups. It took an hour before every students finished creating their potions.


    "Carry up your potions!" she said. Afterwards, Ms. Lynnwick snapped her fingers again while the tables and the things above it disappeared in a flash. She only leaved one table in front of us.


    "Since you''re all finished, every group will present their creation in front of the class while I will give scores to you."


    The presentation started. Most of them made enhancing potions. Although, there''s one group that caught my attention. They walked in front to present.


    "We created a potion that will make anyone has the ability to control fire and water for five minutes." she said.


    A man raised the potion and drank it. Afterwards, he opened both of his hands. The right one released water while the other hand released fire. The students looked at them in amazement.


    Not bad.


    They bowed and gazed at us in a displeasing manner. I don''t like how they looked down on us!


    "Let''s go!" Sid said.


    We walked in front and I placed the potion on the table. I heard them whispered to each other.


    "Are they able to beat Lianna''s team?"


    You will see!


    "Today, we invented a potion named Mystical potion. How does it works?" Vaughn said that caught everyone''s attention.


    "Watch our show!" We said in unison.


    I raised my hands and the strange markings surrounded our potion. "I hereby make this small space turn into different dimensions!" I chanted.


    Our classroom changed into a different place. It turned out into a vast grassland while a huge dragon appeared and roared loudly.


    "W-where are we?"


    "T-there''s a dragon!"


    They panicked until the place changed again. It kept changing until we came back to our classroom.


    "The Mystical potion can make people inside a room to an illusion which they think they''re really brought into different places." Meryll explained.


    We bowed and heard their loud claps. I looked at a girl, whom, I supposed is Lianna. Hmp.


    "Great! I''m astonished. Everyone made their best although there will be only one winner. I''ll announce it tomorrow!" she said.


    The Alchemy class ended and they said that it''s already break time. We stood up and left the classroom. The wide hallway is crowded with students and we immediately walked outside and breathed fresh air.


    "The Mystical potion is really great!" Sid said. He continued to talk with Meryll while Vaughn stayed quite.


    Until I saw Lianna and three others who walked towards us.


    "You''ll regret this!" she said. After that, she went away.


    I shrugged her thoughts.


    "Hey, Ingrid is here." Sid said. The student council president stopped his track in front of us.


    "As expected, you''re all talented. Be careful, students." he said. His voice almost whispered as he speaks and immediately left.


    That made me smirk. You''re wrong Ingrid, we''ll get further eventually into the school''s dark side when we show our skills one by one.

 13 Chapter 13

    Meryll Dellmira''s point of view


    Our next instructor, Mr. Salvie brought us to the huge battle field. Great. If Irvene favors Alchemy then engaging in a combat is what I want.


    "Students, each of your groups will have one representative and I''ll randomly choose a group who will challenge the other." Mr. Salvie said. He explains the rules that we must follow and I''m sure everybody wants to end his endless babble.


    So much talking.


    "So, Lianna''s group, you''re first." he said.


    Lianna''s body turned around and took a glimpse at our group. I suddenly felt a strong sense of hatred towards that girl. Her clothing changed into a black and white robe and her left hand holds a wooden staff with a crystal emitting a dark, ominous aura.


    Hmp! Exactly looked likes an evil witch.


    She stepped towards us and pointed her staff at our group particularly at Irvene. "I hereby challenge Irvene''s group!" she said. Her ugly voice irritated my entire existence.


    So.. this wicked witch knew Irvene''s name and I don''t like how she pointed her unsightly staff at Irvene.


    "Then I''ll be your opponent!" I said. I instantly changed into a black fitted clothes under a black coat that reaches my knees. Both of my hands carries a dagger. My favorite silver daggers.


    "Do your best." Vaughn said.


    "Go, Meryll!" Sid cheered.


    "Don''t kill her!" he continued. I rolled my eyes at him.


    "Don''t hold back on her." Irvene whispered and smirked.


    "Of course!" I said. That''s how our interests collide.


    I turned my attention to Lianna. We glared at each other and walked towards the opposite sides of the battle field.


    "Start." Mr. Salvie uttered.


    The wicked witch made a huge ball of fire and it travelled at a fast speed but I''m faster than her useless attack because an assasin''s speed is uncomparable. I stopped my tracks when I reached her back and kicked her with great strength.


    "Ah!" she reacted.


    Her petite body was thrown at the side where I stood before my attack. She''s on excrutiating pain.


    Such a weak body. I didn''t even started to use my daggers. Although that irritating girl suddenly left a trap on her previous position. She left some sharp-edged ice spikes on the ground. Probably a meter high but I immediately broke it with my daggers.


    I''ll end this battle.


    She stood up and glared at me. "You''ll regret this!" The witch said and starts to chant a very long spell. I headed to her direction and pushed her away before she would cast a spell that I suppose is a strong one.


    "You!" she said. Ice spikes started forming on her hands.


    "Stop!" I heard Mr. Salvie shouted. Lianna''s face showed confusion.


    "You''re already out of the line, Ms. Lianna. The winner is Ms. Meryll Dellmira." Mr. Salvie continued.


    Hmp. She didn''t even noticed that her foot stepped outside the line.


    The wicked witch walked away with heavy footsteps on the battle field. Serves you right. I returned to our group''s position.


    "Nice one, I thought you''ll kill her." Sid said.


    "Why would I do that? I don''t want my hands to become dirty because of her." I said.


    The rest of our classmates continued the battle and our morning classes ended after that. I separated myself from Irvene, Vaughn and Sid. The quite hallway of the west part welcomed me. This place is heavily guarded by a magic spell that no one can notice especially the students but this one couldn''t escape from my sight. Although, I didn''t notice it when I observed this place last time. Tsk.


    I stopped taking steps when I saw a room. I felt a creepy aura inside that area.


    "Help..help.."


    The pleading voice of someone didn''t stop. No, it looks like coming from two or more persons. What did they do to those people?


    They''re downright cruel!


    I touched the door until a chain made of iron appeared from behind that restrained my hands from moving. Because of it''s magic, I took longer than usual before I''m able to release my hands.


    "An intruder." A person from behind murmured.


    I took out my small gun under my skirt and fired it out. His body collapsed on the floor. This gun''s bullet can''t kill a person, instead it has a pointed needle at the bullet and anyone that is pricked will fell in deep sleep. He can''t even remembered what happened.


    I left his body and tried to open the door''s room but it won''t work.


    "It looks like a certain strong spell is casted here." I whispered. Only a formidable mage can disspell this area.


    "I''ll be back soon." I turned my body and left that place that reeks of evil.


    I strolled down the north part of the school until I saw those three.


    "Meryll, where did you go?" Sid asked.


    "I''ll tell you later." I said. I looked at them in utter seriousness to show that it''s related to our secret mission.


    When the afternoon classes ended, we left the school and went back to the castle. I don''t know if I can endure the afternoon classes anymore. We only sat there for long hours and studied again about subjects like history! We''re literally repeating again about what we studied years ago.


    After changing clothes, I walked towards Irvene''s room. Her room has became our meeting place because it''s safer there. A mage''s room can''t indeed be underestimated. Aside from the castle''s layer of protection, she made it under her spells which I don''t know what particular spell she used.


    I knocked three times and entered. They are all here. Even Elis, Ivy and Fluff.


    "I summoned them because they might get involved into what we''re doing and they''ll have some knowledge when I summon them into one of our fights so.. I hope you don''t mind." Irvene started.


    We agreed to her because they might even be of greater help in the future. Who knows?


    "I have one question." Sid asked. He even raised his left hand.


    "Are Elis and Ivy''s hair''s not dyed? ''Cause as you can see, it looks incredibly natural!" he said.


    Everyone fell silent because of his questions. What''s with him? I don''t see any connections of it about our mission.


    "Haha... It''s natural." Elis answered.


    I ended up shaking my head.


    "Sid!" Irvene shouted.


    "So.. I entered a hidden place on the west part of the school. When I observed the place yesterday, I didn''t found anything. The place is surrounded with spells and I wasn''t able to open the room." I said.


    "It''s not only the south part. They also have one in the west part but the room I entered isn''t closed." Irvene said.


    "It''s either they have more important things to hide in the west room or they tighten their security." Vaughn said.


    "We have to be careful because they have people guarding the rooms." I said.


    "We''ll observe the place the other day. For now, stop observing especially Meryll. It may turn out to be dangerous." Vaughn said.


    "Ok, I''ll follow."


    After that, we went back to our own rooms and rested. I wonder what kind of cruel things that persons who reeks of evil had done to those people pleading for help. I''ll let them suffer twice!

 14 Chapter 14

    Irvene''s point of view


    Two days had passed before we began to go back to the hidden rooms that we previously intruded. I made my way towards the south part of the school together with Vaughn, Sid and Meryll.


    "Wait." I murmured. We stopped and hid when I noticed someone''s footsteps. A man wearing a crimson mask on his upper face walked through the unnoticed hallway. He chanted some spell that made him enter that room. Afterwards, he went out swiftly but something caught my attention.


    An unconscious female student is floating in a bubble-like figure at his back. My hands formed into a fist.


    What did they do to her?


    "He''s carrying a student. What should we do?" I said.


    Vaughn looked at me. "We''ll follow him." he said.


    When the man walked through the left corner of the hallway, we followed silently and remained at a long distance. The four of us continues to follow him until he was able to exit the school from it''s high walls. He''s not an ordinary man based on his astounding skills.


    And we can also do that.


    "We''ll jump out after five minutes." Vaughn commanded.


    Afterwards, we didn''t wasted our time and started to jump through the high stoned walls with sharp-edged steels above it. The walls have several defences that will prevent a student from escaping to school, especially cutting classes. On the other hand, that defences didn''t succeed to prevent us because our abilities surpassed that of a student-level abilities. Meryll led us the way and we ran through the woods until she stopped after a minute.


    "What''s wrong?" Vaughn asked.


    She turned her head to us. "He stopped." she said.


    We''re facing each other when he appeared in front of us.


    "Stay away, don''t follow me." he said. A longsword materialized on his left hand and swayed it in front of us. A slash of wind came across to us because of his weapon.


    Sid quickly counter attacked with a bigger slash using his silver sword that glows with a red and golden light. Their attacks vanished in mid air."Take back that student at the school." he said. Sid pointed his sword towards him.


    The masked man didn''t continue to attack because we simply outnumbered him. "I didn''t expect that someone will be able to follow me here." he said.


    "Give us the student!" Meryll said. She raised her right hand that holds a small gun.


    "Relax!" he said. The masked man let out a sigh.


    "This student is my friend and you misunderstood my actions. I''m not a fiend. I saved her from those evil persons." he said.


    "If you''re her friend then why do you need to take her out of the school?" I asked.


    "I''ll catch everyone''s attention especially those persons who is a part of that organization if they saw me carrying a student who has been abducted by them just recently." he said.


    That caught my unwavering attention. He knew about the darkest secrets of Soul''e Magic High.


    "If you aren''t an accomplice of them, then you''ll tell us who they are." Vaughn said. He looked at the masked man with utter seriousness on his face.


    "The only thing I can say is that a certain student lured her in their hidden room and I managed to save her before their leader would take an eye on this woman. I also knew that the leader holds a high position on the school although not the highest ones." the masked man said.


    "If you knew about them then why do you only save one person?" I said.


    I felt that he looked at me as if I said some unbelievable words. "Look at the situation, I''m only alone while they have a bunch of accomplices. Do you think I would be able to save them all at once? I think all of you have a superb abilities even if you''re alone that you forgot everyone''s not like you." he said.


    Ah..that strucked me really hard. Okay, I understand now. He isn''t lying.


    "We''re just asking you if you''re saying the truth. Who knows you''re inventing a non-existing story to successfully escape from us?" I said.


    "I''m not." he said.


    "We can''t simply believe your words. If you are telling the truth then give us the student. We''ll take her far away from the school and continue to live her life. She can come back to school when it is already safe." Vaughn said.


    "I can''t entrust my friend to you so easily and I don''t even know if you do not harbor any ill intention!" he said.


    "Don''t mistake us like those purely evil persons!" Meryll shouted.


    Vaughn took a step forward. "Okay, we''ll let him go." he said. We looked at him with furrowed eyebrows.


    He''s walking towards the school. The masked man disappeared into thin air quickly. "Why did you let him go?" I said.


    He stopped walking and turned his body in front of us. "We''ll let him go but someone should secretly follow him. That way, we''ll know where he would go." he explained.


    "Then that''s my work." Meryll said. She changed into her outfit that she always wanted to wear, her black fitted clothes with a long coat over it. "I''ll be going now before I lose track of him." she said.


    We nodded at her. She disappeared while we came back to school. The classes was already finished before we went to the forest but we still left the school on it''s ''proper'' exit. The three of us came back on the castle. We are welcomed warmly by sister Adelaine in front of the castle. Her long scarlet dress reached the green grass.


    "Where is Meryll? It''s unusual of the four of you to go back home incomplete." she said.


    "Some important work." Vaughn said.


    "Hmm.. ok. Let''s get inside, there''s some important things that we need to talk." she said. We followed her inside the castle until we stopped at a huge door that''ll lead to the ruler''s throne. It really is an important one that we needed to discuss it with brother Mavien, the current ruler.

 15 Chapter 15

    Irvene''s point of view


    The persons inside the room are the one''s that I least expected to visit the castle. The almighty headmasters of Estrama and Salford family stood firmly before us.


    "Sister, what''s the meaning of this?" I asked.


    Vaughn stepped backwards although sister Adelaine stopped him before he would leave this place. His face shows no emotion and Sid isn''t any different. I can guess what they are feeling right now. It''s hatred towards their own parents.


    After abandoning their own sons, I can''t see a glimpse of asking for forgiveness in their eyes. All I can see is their desires to take advantage of them. They don''t deserve to take back their own sons!


    "Ruler Mavien, hasn''t Vaughn stayed in thisplace for so long? He has the right to came back on the Estrama''s manor and uphold his responsibilities." The headmaster of Estrama family talks like nothing happened between him and his son.


    "Mister Andre Estrama, why don''t you ask him? Vaughn is not a child to force him on anything you wanted him to do and you have other sons to take responsibility in your household.Whether he will leave or stay must be hisdecision and it''s the same to Sid Salford. Noone must leave this place against their will and that''s an order." Brother Mavien said. His presence shows so much authority towards the almighty headmasters of Estrama and Salford family.


    "I won''t come back to that disgusting place!" Vaughn said.


    "My decision is the same and it won''t change." Sid said. His cheerfulness couldn''t be seen from him anymore.


    "Their decisions are clear. I hope you won''t visit here again to bother them." Sister Adelaine talked and she stepped towards brother Mavien.


    "If it wasn''t for the former ruler who had taken away our sons, they wouldn''t leave their own family and I suppose you''ll let us live with them to fix everything between us." The headmaster of Salford family talked.


    Brother Mavien laughed loudly after hearing what he said. Brother crossed his legs and rested his arms on the throne''s armrest after that. "Let me tell you something. My father, the former ruler, had told me a wonderful story. The two abandoned child, both from a wealthyfamily, was taken by a king to live at a huge beautiful castle. They had been raised for many years and was given a bountiful life, and they hadn''t been treated badly at the castle like some families out there. He told to his own son to not let those families take advantage of their sons before his death." he said.


    The headmasters remained silent because of what he said.


    "I''m leaving." Vaughn said. He turned his body and plans to leave when his whole body stopped.


    "Vaughn! You''re not going anywhere." I saw his father is pointing his hands at him.


    What is that? Why can''t he move?


    "Stop, stop it!" I shouted.


    "Don''t meddle with our family''s affair!" Hisfather shouted at me.


    "Mister Andre Estrama, I don''t quite like your actions. Your family has nothing to do with Vaughn so please leave this castle immediately." Brother Mavien stood up from his throne with his glowing eyes.


    "Fine! We''re not done yet." I heard him whispered towards Vaughn.


    They stormed out of this room and I guess this will not be the last time that they''ll bother us.


    "You, three, don''t leave yet." he said. Brother Mavien came back on his throne.


    "Adelaine, give her the ring." he said.


    Sister Adelaine walked towards me and raised my hands but I swiftly distanced my hands from her.


    "I knew that. You''ll restrict me from using magic again?" I asked.


    I don''t like what''s happening. I looked at them, pleading to stop their plans. My knees trembled and before my body fell down on the floor, Vaughn help me stood up.


    "Irvene, we''re not doing that, okay? It will onlylocked down half of your magic because we are worrying about your health. Think about it carefully, do you want your life to end without even solving this country''s conflicts?" she said.


    That stood me frozen.


    "Irvene, wear it. Don''t worry, we will always stay at your side. You don''t need to use all of your magic." Sid said.


    "Okay, I''ll wear it." I said. I took the ring from my sister''s hand and wore it myself.


    I thought they will finally let me use all of my magic powers, but they won''t let me do that. This ring wouldn''t be able to stop me if I decided to use all of it if something comes to worst.


    Afterwards, we rested in our own rooms. I''m on my bed and I can''t sleep. I stood up and walked outside my room, until I heard someone called my name.


    "Meryll" I said. She finally came back after following that masked man earlier.


    "Are all they asleep?" Meryll asked.


    "Yes, but we can talk about what happened. I can''t sleep." I said.


    We walked outside the castle and sat on a bench. I told her about what happened earlier and I could see Meryll''s displeased reaction.


    "What about the masked man?" I asked.


    Meryll crossed her arms and started talking. "He is telling the truth. I saw him brought the girl to her house and I followed him after that but, he doesn''t have any suspicious actions although, that masked man never took off his mask." she said.


    "He didn''t want anyone to know his identity." I said.


    "You wear a ring." she said. I saw her glanced at my silver ring. I raised my hand and showed it to her.


    "I forgot to tell you. Brother Mavien gave me this ring which restricts me from using half of my magic." I said.


    "Oh, it must be hard for you, even though it''s for your health.


    We stayed there longer and talked about many things and came back inside the castle afterwards. There are many things happened for today but that won''t hinder me from doing my plans and I won''t ever run away like I did before.

 16 Chapter 16

    Irvene''s point of view


    I never thought that this silver ring would hinder me on manipulating magic a lot than I ever expected. It sucks when everyone forbids me in using my magic that I often feels very feeble and that made me sighed deeply.


    We have no classes today because it''s weekend, so I decided to stroll down at the capital city of Soul''e. The busy crowd of the city is boundless and the clamor at the Spirit park caught my attention. The people are in a circled position, and they''re listening to someone in the center. I reckoned that it''s not something good based on their furrowed eyebrows and furious reactions.


    I joined to the commotion and listened to them but I''m stunned about what he is saying. The old man who is standing in the center has been babbling about the higher ups of the Spirit Mining Company and how they''re treated as lowly persons. If this continues, I will not question how our country''s economy goes down a hundred times.


    Father had ensured a good relationship to the miners that caused them to work hard but I don''t know what happened after father''s death. I won''t let father''s tribulations go to waste.


    "Excuse me, may I know who is the current leaders of Spirit Mining Company?" I asked a person beside me whose paying attention to that old man.


    He looked at me as if I don''t know anything. "Are you kidding me? Everyone in Soul''e country knew that the Estrama Family had taken full authority to the Spirit mountain when it comes to mining and other related activities since the death of Ruler Timothy Elvina. Their ways of handling miners is harsh and only cared about their fortunes. I don''t know why Ruler Mavien Elvina doesn''t warn them. He''ll not become a good leader because of his actions," he said.


    I understand his hatred towards the Estrama Family, but he shouldn''t judge brother Mavien as a bad leader. I know he''s doing his best to rule a country and maintain its harmony even though brother doesn''t want that position.


    Estrama family is one of the richest family in Soul''e country and I don''t know how they run their businesses. Based on the noisy crowd here and their headmaster''s attitude, I guess they''re hiding something although I don''t have the slightest idea what is it about.


    I walked away from them and came back to the castle. I want to hear from brother Mavien about what''s happening to the Spirit Mining Company.


    "Irvene, do you need something?" I turned my body and saw sister Adelaine.


    "I want to talk to brother Mavien, sister." I said to her but she shook her head slowly.


    "You can''t enter there for now. Brother Mavien and Maven are in a meeting with the councilors and generals," she said.


    "Okay, maybe next time," I said. Brother Mavien is slowly fixing the country''s problems, and he has his own ways and I decided not to interfere with his work.


    I''m walking outside the castle when I saw two bodies from afar. They''re knights but their actions seems suspicious.


    "Remember, it''s name is the secrets of spells book. The only one with the former ruler''s name."


    My eyes widen when I heard what they''re talking about.


    "Intruder!" I made huge ice spikes at their positions but only one of them is prisoned by my ice spikes. I tried many times but it won''t work! I let the other one to escape because of my faulty spells.


    I hate this ring!


    I stepped near the man that I successfully imprisoned. "I heard what you''re talking about earlier. Why do you want to steal the former ruler''s own book? Who commanded you to do that?" I looked at him with resentment in my face.


    No one should steal my father''s possession especially that book.


    "Talk!" I shouted. He won''t say anything. I don''t have a choice but to bring you to brother Mavien. Good luck!


    "Blazing fire and deadly earth, pair of vigorous entities, I summon thee!" I chanted.


    I waited for Elis and Ivy to appear but nothing happened and I heard something breaking. It''s the ice spikes! He''s trying to escape. Okay, focus Irvene and try one more time.


    "Blazing fire and deadly earth, pair of vigorous entities, I summon thee!" I chanted again and fire and thorns started to form into humans.


    "Master!" They both said and asked me what they''ll do. I pointed the man that I caught and ordered them to tie him. They''re right in time because he managed to escape from my ice spikes. I really need to practice spells that didn''t use too much mana.


    Elis knocked him down while Ivy tied him with her plants. We made our way inside the castle and I saw Vaughn and Sid.


    "Who is that?" Sid asked me while he''s looking at the tied man.


    "An intruder," I said. I saw their eyes widen.


    "Did you saw sister Adelaine? I remembered that Brother Mavien and Maven are busy, so I should talk to her first," I explained.


    "I''ll call her," Vaughn said. He walked upstairs while we waited for him.


    Afterwards, we saw Vaughn walking downstairs with sister Adelaine. Her face shows a calm expression yet it changed when she glanced at this unconscious man.


    "Irvene, will you let Elis bring him to the prison in underground? Brother Maven will deal with that man later," she said.


    "Okay," I said.


    Elis brought him underground while I let Ivy rest.


    "We should be wary of the people here in the castle. There might be another intruder," Vaughn said.


    He''s right and I''m lucky enough to catch that man before anything would happen. The three of us went outside the castle to breathe some fresh air.


    "Irvene, did you see Meryll outside? She said that she will be back early but many hours had passed already," Sid said.


    Until we saw her walking inside and I didn''t fail to saw her injuries.


    "What happened to you!"

 17 Chapter 17

    Irvene''s point of view


    We hurriedly ran towards Meryll. Sid took herarm up to his neck and helped her walk inside the castle. I could see her blood that are continuously flowing down through her body and it''s vivid even though she''s wearing black clothes.


    "I-I''m fine, I can walk on my own," Meryll said.


    "Stop being so stubborn, you are certainly not okay," Sid uttered.


    Afterwards, we finally brought Meryll to her own room after their endless fighting. A doctor who lives at this castle is currently curing her injuries. Thankfully, Doctor Lazine is a high skilled healer and is able to cure her injuries in a short time.


    "Miss Dellmira needs enough rest to completely recover. I left the medicine that she needs to take and don''t forget about it. This medicine will remove her deep wounds overnight, but she''s only allowed to drink it after recovering some strength which is possible by tomorrow so please keep that in mind," Doctor Lazine said.


    He left after that, and we turned back our attention towards Meryll. She''s lying on the bed and some parts of her body are wrapped aroundin bandages.


    "Meryll, where did you get that injuries?" Vaughn asked her while she turned her head, opposite to our direction.


    "A group of warriors appeared out of nowhere when I went near the Spirit forest," she said. Meryll''s voice are weak, and she suddenly went silent until I can see her tears that are about to fall from her deep blue eyes. Her actions today are unusual for a strong-willed woman she''s always been.


    "And then? Continue Meryll, I knew you have something else to say," I said. I looked at her with worried face. She''s hesitating to say something towards the four of us.


    "Don''t worry about anything. You can say what is bothering inside you and don''t let it burden yourself," Vaughn uttered.


    "Meryll, we are all your genuine friends. We want to know what''s the real reason behind this sudden incident," Sid said.


    She sighed deeply and combed her hair towards her back through her fingers. "I saw b-brother and, he''s one of them and I didn''t expect to see him today." Her voice stuttered as she spoke.


    "You have a brother?" Sid and I both asked in unison. Meryll didn''t like to tell us about her family even once since we met.


    She nodded her head as an answer. "I supposed they are from Estrama''s workers and that m-my brother works for them," she said. Her hands quickly formed into a fist.


    "You went to the Spirit forest by yourself, don''t you know how many are those hidden men lurking around that area?" Vaughn asked while his fingers are placed between his forehead.


    "It will be the last time that it would happen and I won''t come back there again. I''m sorry for my impulsive actions," she said.


    There''s something wrong. She still didn''t tell us the whole story.


    "Wait, you said that you met your brother at the forest, then what did happen between the two of you?" Sid asked the questions that have been bugging my mind this entire time.


    "We had a fight and I didn''t have a choice. I might be dead if I don''t defend myself from his attacks. His attitude towards me aren''t good ever since we separated for many years," Meryll exclaimed.


    That made my mind furious. Even though they don''t have a good relationship to each other, he shouldn''t hurt his own sister like that.


    "That''s being cruel! I admit that I''m not in good terms towards Salford family but I won''t carelessly attack a family member," Sid uttered.


    "Okay, that''s enough. We''ll leave your room so you can rest now. Get well soon, Meryll," I said.


    It''s not the right time to ask Meryll about her painful past. She needs to recover quickly and being stressed is the least we want for her to happen. Maybe she''ll open up to us sooner.


    I entered my room after I went outside to Meryll''s room and sat on my bed. There''s still another problem that I need to solve. This silver ring always reminds me about the limits of my powers.


    I opened my hands and felt the magic running through my veins. Only half of my magic is restricted yet it can bring many problems when I''m casting a spell. The flow of magic to my veins became slower than when I have my whole magic.


    I will be able to avoid that problem if I made smaller attacks and with swift and precise movements, my opponents wouldn''t have the chance to stay away if I strike like that.


    "I''ll try it first," I said.


    My hands started to glow. The small and sharp-edged ice spike starts to form in midair.


    "No, I need thinner ice spikes."


    I focused and manipulated my magic and it transformed into blades.


    "Ice blades!" Ice element users are rare and it''s hard to control so there''s only a few kinds of its attacks including ice spikes which is the strongest and hardest to use. Ice element''s weakness is that ice are easy to break and it made ice element users to minimize their training practice to ice element and focus on their other elements. Also, ice element only appears in two element users.


    People are rarely born with element powers and among those rare persons, only a few have two elements within their bodies. It''s said that only one among 500 persons are born with element powers and most of them become mages.


    It''s uses vary depends on the training they had undergone and the amount of magic powers within one''s body. If someone is born gifted with two elements, and has enough amount of magic powers in his body, he would become a powerful magic-user if he''s trained well.


    This breakthrough will make ice element users to be well-known in the field of magic.


    There''s only one more problem. The ice blades might break in midair because it''ll need to travel at a very fast speed so it will become unavoidable.


    "I need to surpass its weakness and strengthen it. Right! It''s strengthen magic."


    "Ice blade, strengthening magic forge into one!" I chanted and the ice spikes glowed. An indication that it worked.


    I''ll throw this.


    "Release," I said.


    The ice blades released at the same time and broke the things at my room.


    Wait.


    My room! It suddenly turned out into a mess. I forgot that I''m inside my room until I heard loud knocks from my door.


    "Irvene, what happened!" Vaughn and Sid are outside my room.


    I ran hurriedly to open my door, got outside and closed it immediately.


    "A-ah, don''t worry, something just happened when I''m practicing some spells, haha." I said and laughed awkwardly.


    They sighed in relief. "Just go to your own rooms. Don''t worry about me." I said and lightly pushed them away from my room until they walked away, shaking off their heads.

 18 Chapter 18

    Irvene''s point of view


    One week had passed, and we''re still not done with revealing the school''s darkest side. The recent days made it harder to do our plans than the first week because we accidentally caught the attention of the fifth and sixth level students based on the rumors that are quickly spreading throughout the school.


    Thankfully, we''re still not known as the members of an elite family because we are hidden away from the people''s eyes from many years and no one has found out about it yet. They knew that the Elvina family only has three siblings although I''m the fourth one and the rest of us are like that, except Meryll.


    Ah. She has a pretty complicated past compared to us.


    Currently, we''re just known as an average persons and our surnames are just coincidences to the well-known families of Soul''e. There are many cases like that, although I don''t know how they made the administration believed that excuses.


    Once we reached the school, a group of students approached us.


    How would we do our secret plans if these students are following us like they are our shadows? We want to catch attention to get closer to the truth and not let it become the utmost reason to hinder our plans.


    In a short span of one week, most of the students already knew our existence because of this fifth and sixth level students.


    A male student at the center pointed his sword towards us. His face shows so much arrogance. "I heard from my class about you, four, and it irritates me when someone from lower level is rumored to be a strong, gifted students! I''ll fight you and prove them wrong," he said.


    "I had enough of this. We don''t have time for your childish attitude so please, stay away from us," Vaughn said. His words showed a displeased reaction.


    "I won''t!" The male student said and insists on challenging us into a fight.


    "You won''t, huh? Then find a suitable weapon to fight me first," Vaughn said. I didn''t expect him to summon his silver sword that glows in a golden light and swiftly slashed that male''s student weapon.


    "Tsk," Vaughn said in annoyance.


    He summoned his favorite weapon!


    The three of us stared at him and stayed quiet. Vaughn didn''t like entertaining that kind of persons but when someone interfered his work, he''ll lose patience to that pitiful person. His weapon disappeared after he broke that man''s weapon.


    The other students that are passing by immediately stopped their tracks when they saw how that fifth level male student''s weapon became easily broken especially from a lower level than him.


    "H-how did it happen?" He said and stares at the broken weapon he''s holding on his hand.


    "Attention students, get inside in your respective classrooms immediately! Classes is about to start," someone said.


    A seemingly familiar voice. The Student Council President, Ingrid Welsey.


    "Fifth level student, Mister Rize Enamel, you always cause trouble within the school''s vicinity. Go back to your classroom before you receive another punishment and it will not be from the Student Disciplinary Committee anymore. The school''s Higher Administration would deal with you when you create another trouble. How would you like it?" Ingrid said with an annoying tone on his last words towards that troublesome man named Rize Enamel. He also didn''t forget his infamous smirk, that I suppose, annoys a lot of people.


    "I won''t let you get away with this!" Rize said while looking at us in a sharp gaze and also towards Ingrid. He stormed out with heavy steps after that while Ingrid shrugged his shoulders.


    "What a unique weapon you''ve got there, fourth level student, Vaughn Estrama. Sadly, you kept it away quickly. Anyways, I warned you already. Trouble came towards you and once you get into one, there''s no turning back," he said.


    Did he happen to memorize everyone''s name and levels?


    Ingrid turned his body and walked away, but he stopped suddenly. "Don''t forget to attend your classes!" He shouted and waved his hands timidly.


    I''m really confused about his actions but there is one thing I''m very sure of, he knew something about the secrets of this school.


    The morning classes ended up, and we went outside the classroom. As usual, there are students that welcomed us once we stepped outside. It will be a total waste of time, so I slipped away silently from them and walked towards the hallway.


    I reached the south part easily without catching the attention of everyone. I don''t have an idea why this part of the school is not used and the students I saw here were lesser than the recent weeks until there are no students anymore in this area. It''s so quite that only my footsteps can be heard.


    The hidden room is in front of me. A strong defense barrier is protecting that room so nobody could see it but I could feel that strong dark aura surrounding that hidden room.


    I''m entering that room when my body suddenly stopped. Why can''t I move? I tried moving my body but I just can''t.


    I heard some footsteps and a chain enveloped my body. The person behind me pulled the chains and my feet walked on its own. Why did this happen? He brought me inside the hidden room where I saw the huge cylindrical tubes but there''s also a few students, lying on the floor and unconscious.


    "It''s a pity that students that are going around this area becomes rare," he said.


    I came into a sudden realization when I heard him. The reason why the students around the south part area became none is because they''re abducted by this man.


    I already found out about it but there''s something wrong. If the students are missing then why did others aren''t alarmed by their sudden disappearance?


    There are many reasons running through my mind that I don''t know which is the truth but firstly, I need to have control of my body.


    I am like those students that didn''t move but my eyes are open and I''m conscious. A sudden flow of magic ran through my veins.


    Can I cast magic without moving?

 19 Chapter 19

    Irvene''s point of view


    I felt the magic that slowly flows from within. I think I can use magic now but what kind of spell would get back the control of my body?


    Ice and water attacks aren''t suitable. An inverse spell is all I could think of. Unfortunately, it needs a lot of magic.


    My magic continues to flow and I''m saving up a lot of it through my hands to chant the inverse spell. It''s working good and if nothing goes wrong, I would be able to move freely.


    Everything goes according to my plan until I heard the creaking sound of the door. I supposed it is the man earlier who bravely abducted someone like me. He stepped towards me and sat on the floor. His grinning face went near me and ran his fingers through my shoulder.


    Wait for me to kill you to death!


    "I pity you, a pretty woman will become an experiment," he said. His loud laughter echoed through the room. He''s crazy!


    "Black and White, Yin and Yang, inverse thy curse and shall undo this great suffer!" I chanted the spell in my mind. My lack of movements includes the inability to speak so the only way to chant a spell is to speak through my mind, which I have never done before.


    I suddenly remembered a part of my past. A memory with my father. He once said that a sincere feeling and the willingness to connect through magic will overcome any boundaries that hinder a person from using it.


    He often speaks words that I don''t understand its meanings but today, I realized that there are instances which could only be learn and understand through your experiences. Simply reading a book and studying would only give a glimpse of magic and life but if someone creates experiences together with it, he will be able to obtain a deeper understanding of it.


    The spell worked and I can move now but first, I saved a lot of magic through my hands. A hundred ice blades floats to the air and Iattacked this crazy man''s back.


    "Ahh!!" He shouted because of the painful slices of ice blades from his body.


    I stood up and distanced myself from him. His body is lying on the floor and attempted to tie me again by his iron chains.


    "Binding spell!" I shouted before he could make a move. Now, feel how it''s hard to not be able to move freely.


    "H-how can she still move?" I heard him murmured and tried to release himself from my binding spell, but he didn''t succeed.


    There''s still some ice blades left in midair, so I released it to the cylindrical tubes and it ended up broken. I carefully manipulated the ice blades because there are students lying in the floor that might get hurt.


    This room changed a lot in just a few weeks. It wasn''t made of glass walls anymore. I think they felt threatened because I intruded this room and escaped despite their smoke trap.


    This room turned into a mess. I made sure that they''ll not be able to repair it.


    "Release me here!" I heard him shouted loudly.


    I pretended that I didn''t notice him. After a minute, the sound of quick footsteps that I think came from a few persons reached my ears, and also him.


    "Hahaha! You think you can escape from us? I''ll make you suffer once I''m released from this annoying chains!" I ignored his senseless talking because I already saw who is running through our way.


    "Irvene!" Sid shouted and they looked inside the room.


    "You shouldn''t have left us, we are worried about you," Vaughn said. Meryll agreed to what he said.


    "But there''s so many interruptions and I''m eager to know what I saw that day," I explained.


    Vaughn sighed. "What about those unconscious people and that one?" He asked and pointed his fingers at that crazy man.


    "That man abducted me and it looks like he brought every student that walked through this hallway in this hidden room," I explained.


    That man continues to shout but Meryll got annoyed, so she used her gun at him. "Sleep, you noisy man," she said.


    "So, they''re right. There are cases of lost persons and I found out that they''re students of Soul''e Magic High but it''s known that they had gone missing on other places and not in the school that I found really odd," he explained.


    "Why don''t you said that to us?" I suddenly asked Vaughn. I remembered that he said there''s something wrong about this school, but he didn''t thoroughly explain it to us before.


    "Vaughn, if you want our team to work out, don''t just plan on your own," I said.


    They looked at me and just stayed quiet.


    "She''s somewhat right. If you told us about that, I shouldn''t just ignored the news about a lost student on the west part," Sid answered.


    Vaughn stared at me. I don''t know what''s running on his mind. "I''ll explain it you, three, later. For now, we should bring these students to a safe place," he said.


    He opened his portal, and we brought each person to the school''s clinic. After that, we came back to the hidden room.


    "Sid, carry this man," Vaughn said. Sid carried that crazy man like a sack.


    Vaughn once again opened his portal. "Follow me," he simply said.


    The portal brought us to a huge white office. This room shows simplicity. There''s not much expensive decorations around yet it still looks presentable and an authoritative aura is domineering inside this room.


    An old man is sitting on a chair and there is a table in front of him. He is the one that brings authority in this place and a younger man is standing beside him.


    My eyes widen when I saw his name. He''s the headmaster of Soul''e Magic High! I glared at Vaughn after I saw this. He knew the headmaster and didn''t even bother to tell us.


    We greeted him and he also greeted us in return.


    "Headmaster, we found where the other lost students is and caught an enemy. My assumptions are correct, there''s a traitor in the school," Vaughn said.


    Sid placed that man on the floor and stretched his arms.


    "I wouldn''t have known about this cruel things inside the school if not for you, students. They had been reporting that the school is in peace and I believed them. If I just can observe the entire school but as a headmaster, there''s already lot of things in my hands, so I''ll trust you, four, in eliminating those traitors," the headmaster said.


    "We''ll do our best, Headmaster Waltz," he said.


    "You''ve proven that you''re right about the school''s conflicts so the headmaster will support you in your future actions inside the school," the man behind the headmaster said.


    "We''ll deal with this man ourselves," he continued.


    We left that crazy man to them. Good luck on facing the wrath of the headmaster!


    Afterwards, we left the office and attended our afternoon classes. I''ll not forget that Vaughn has a lot of explanation to do!

 20 Chapter 20

    Irvene''s point of view


    After the classes for today, we went back to the castle. The four of us remained silent, which isn''t our usual routine. Sid and Meryll''s verbal fights can''t be heard, neither all of us in sharing information about the recent incidents. The utmost reason is because of what happened earlier. Apart from it, we went straight to the Ruler''s throne room.


    We need to gather immediately at the Ruler''s place, but we are not given any possible reason by Vaughn. He simply leads us there and then, the wide empty space of the room welcomed us. There''s not many furniture and ornaments around the throne room but it emanated a dark and chilling aura.


    We walked on the red carpet at the center, leading to where Brother Mavien is located. Sister Adelaine and Brother Maven is standing beside him on the opposite sides.


    They turned their attention towards us. "Finally, you''re here," Brother Mavien said. He''s clad in an elegant white suit today, yet it didn''t hide his seriousness and authoritative appearance.


    "What''s this all about?" I asked and looked at Brother Mavien. Something crazy is definitely running on my brother''s mind.


    "Hmm, you''ll know later," he said. I stayed quiet and didn''t ask any further questions after I saw his creased forehead and knitted eyebrows.


    "Brother Mavien decided to announce that he will be the official Ruler, next to our father. The councilors had always been eager for him to do that because someone might steal the throne beforehand. Apart from that, he''ll have more authority and power than being a temporary Ruler," Sister Adelaine explained.


    I''m surprised about this sudden news. Finally, he decided to become an official Ruler!


    "Also, the real reason why we called you here is about the incident in Soul''e Magic High. We want to know the progress about that," Brother Maven said.


    "We suddenly found out that the mystery of the sudden missing students is because someone did abduct them. The reason for that is still unknown and also, as I said that, Irvene, Sid and Meryll already knew that I had hidden the information from them," Vaughn said.


    I looked at him with confusion but immediately turned my head to another direction when our eyes met. Hmp.


    "I told him to keep it a secret until I made sure that you''ll be safe," Brother Mavien explained.


    Why did I even be shocked? Until now, they see me as a fragile woman who will fall ill once I used my magic.


    I rarely even experience coughing blood because I trained myself carefully when I''m still on Lan province and prevented from exhausting my body too much.


    "Brother Mavien, can you please have trust in me? I''ll prove to you that this time, I can be as strong as you are," I said.


    I can''t help but to clench my fists and looked at him straight in the eyes. "Brother Mavien, Brother Maven and Sister Adelaine, I won''t fail you all," I continued.


    Brother Mavien squinted his eyes while looking at me. He stood up from his seat and walked towards me. His hand touched my shoulder while I almost jumped out in my position when I saw Brother Maven on my other side. They are both looking at me in utter seriousness.


    "Irvene, no," they said in unison.


    "What?" I can''t believe this!


    "We know you are strong, Irvene. You are already proving yourself by helping in Soul''e Magic High, but don''t do impulsive actions. Follow Vaughn''s orders and after this, we''ll have some good news for you and those three," Brother Mavien said.


    I nodded and didn''t ask any further about that good news, because I know that they won''t be saying anything.


    They came to their old position while Sid stepped forward.


    "Ruler Mavien, why did you also hid it from us?" Sid asked.


    Brother Mavien looked at him. "I know that you two are always fighting. I''m afraid that you''ll accidentally blurt it out," he said.


    "A-ah, okay, " Sid uttered.


    "Is it the Headmaster who looked for our help?" I heard Meryll said.


    "Yes, Headmaster Waltz is suspicious of some instructors'' actions," Brother Maven said.


    That made me realize something. The reason why we are easily enrolled in Soul''e Magic High is because of the Headmaster!


    "That''s all, you can now have a rest. I know you''re tired already," Sister Adelaine said.


    Afterward, we went out of the throne''s room. I quickly walked to my room and passed them. I jumped to my bed and closed my eyes.


    "What a tiring day."


    I am comfortably lying into my bed when I heard a knock on the door.


    Great! What nice timing.


    I lazily stood up and opened the door. "What?"


    "Oh, it seems you''re sleeping. I''m just checking you out. I don''t want my best friend to be sad. Cheer up!" Sid uttered joyfully.


    I can''t help but smile at him. "Okay!"


    "That''s how I like it! You can rest now ha ha, " he said.


    Then, we saw Vaughn and Meryll in the hallway. They''re still not in their rooms and not resting? I guess that I''m the only one who is tired.


    Meryll looked at us and suddenly turned towards Vaughn.


    "Vaughn, are you going outside the castle? Let''s go together ''cause I''m going outside too," Meryll said.


    "But I''m not going outside. I''m here to talk to Irvene," Vaughn said.


    "Oh, they will be having an important talk. Let''s go Meryll, I''ll join you outside," Sid said. He grinned at me and walked towards Meryll and lead her away.


    "Hey! Who said I''ll go with you?" Meryll asked him.


    "I am!" Sid uttered.


    Sid Salford! He won''t really stop making a fuss about me.


    Now, I''m left with Vaughn. I looked up at him. He''s too tall!


    "What is it?" I asked him.


    His face shows seriousness. "Don''t slip away like you did earlier at the school. I know you can fight them but like what you said, we are a team. You don''t have to fight alone, okay?" he said.


    I clenched my fist.


    "Irvene! It doesn''t mean that you are weak so you need us at your back. A team works better than being alone, remember that," he said.


    That made me stopped what''s running on my mind. Vaughn is always saying the right words, didn''t he?


    "That''s all, rest for now," he said. Then, he pulled me inside my room.


    "That''s enough. Get outside now," I said. I ended up leading him outside and closed the door.

 21 Chapter 21

    Irvene''s point of view


    It''s another day at Soul''e Magic High and I don''t know what''s going on but Vaughn is keeping an eye on me. That made me overly uncomfortable. Anyone would feel like that when anyone''s staring at yourself, hasn''t it?


    I guess that I won''t be able to slip away from them this time. He''s only a year older than the three of us yet his looks didn''t fail to intimidate my entire existence.


    The news about the missing students didn''t spread like a wildfire. The family members of those students are warned that they shouldn''t share what had really happened to their sons and daughters because it''s a serious issue. It has said to be kept a secret because the enemy might bring more trouble and the school might be in total chaos.


    It happened only yesterday and there are still students in the school''s clinic, waiting for their parents to pick them up. We visited them first and I thought of asking them about what happened but their current situation prevented me from doing so.


    Some of them are still recovering from what happened and will be transferred from a nearby hospital.


    When we''re about to leave, I noticed a tall man in a light-weighted armor and in red inner clothes with intricate golden lines. He''s wearing our country''s military uniform. Once his eyes gazed upon us, he immediately walked towards our direction.


    "Sir Vaughn Estrama," he said. He handed out a small black envelope with the military''s golden sign in front of it. That sign meant the validity of the letter is true and it came from Soul''e Military.


    Vaughn accepted it and placed in his coat''s pocket. The man saluted at him and bowed a little after walking away as nothing happened.


    "What did just happened? Why is a military man needed to personally send a letter to you?" Sid asked with his furrowed eyebrows and looked at Vaughn. I could feel that he''s filled with questions in his head.


    "I didn''t know either," Vaughn simply answered.


    "Let''s go, morning classes are about to start," he said. Vaughn diverted the topic. I looked at him, trying to read his facial expressions, but he didn''t even falter.


    Vaughn is only the one who knows whether he said the truth or not. I ended up shrugging my shoulders.


    "I wonder what did the Soul''e Military needed from you," Meryll said.


    He looked at us. "I''ll tell you then after I read the content of this letter," he said.


    That seemed to satisfy Sid and Meryll''s curiosity about the letter and even me. It''s indeed quite intriguing.


    We went to our classroom after we visited the school''s clinic. The hallway is in peace and I''m thankful about that. No interruptions about students who eagerly wanted to pick up a fight among us. That''s disturbing for me.


    Lianna''s piercing glare always welcomes me whenever I entered our classroom. I got used to it eventually, but it didn''t mean that I would ignore her completely. We spent long hours inside this room, so I took the chance to observe every person here every day whom might be an accomplice of our enemy.


    So far, only Lianna''s anger towards me is different. If ever there are students inside here whose involved, they had done a great job concealing their identities.


    I noticed Lianna turned her head at our seat since she sat in front. My elbow is placed on the table and I rested my head on my palm. I widely smiled at her that made her mad.


    ***


    After the morning classes, Ms. Lynnwick entered our room with her usual frilly dress and loosely braided hair. We stood up and greeted her.


    "Good morning too, students. I''m here to announce that the school''s magic battle competition would be held earlier this year than the recent years we are used to. Headmaster Waltz wanted you to be prepared and practice your skills daily. There''s no exact date given so you''ll be called at your rooms at an unexpected date," she said.


    Lianna raised her hand and Ms. Lynnwick gave her permission to talk. She stood up from her seat. "I''m confused, Ms. Lynnwick. Why would it suddenly be held at an early date? That battle would determine whether a student has enough skills to pass a year or remain at his or her level. That is like a final examination of all students every year," she said.


    "I understand your confusion but Headmaster Waltz is the one who suggested it while I don''t know about the details because only the higher-ups knew this, and it will not be simply a magic battle competition," she paused.


    All of us are in silence, waiting for her next words. I didn''t fail to saw how her lips formed into a grin.


    "It became a tradition in Soul''e Magic High about how the administration chooses a very few students in sixth level students depending on their performance to become part of the seventh level students. It''s hard to become part


    of it right? Only the gifted ones are able to take that privilege chance," she said.


    She stopped her words once again. I could see the interested looks of my classmates while the four of us are in confusion.


    It''s because we aren''t informed about seventh level students!


    We only knew a few details about Soul''e Magic High since we didn''t really study here, and also I don''t remember reading about seventh level students in a book that my father gave me. He said it contained information about the school where children normally went and study which is different from us.


    Ah. It''s an old book from my father. Changes do occur as time goes by. I should have read again another latest book.


    "That school president didn''t tell us that!" I heard Sid whispered among us.


    "I knew it, he really can''t be trusted," Meryll said.


    They stayed quite before Ms. Lynnwick would take notice of us. That school president, Ingrid Welsey didn''t tell us about seventh level students. I don''t know if he forgot or intended to do, but we''ll know it sooner even if he didn''t tell us just like today''s situation so why didn''t he mentioned it?


    Anyways, we''ll deal with him later.


    "As becoming the seventh level is indeed rare, Headmaster Waltz said that a few students from first to fifth levels would be chosen if you would show a spectacular battle. They are giving you all a chance, but they made it earlier so it will give you the challenge to prepare in a short period. That''s all and good luck first section of fourth level students! I knew there are many potential ones from your class, so I''m looking forward to your performances," she said.


    Ms. Lynnwick bid goodbye after her long speech, while my classmates still cannot move on from what they heard. It seems the students here dreams of becoming a seventh level student.


    I wonder what''s so special about it aside from being a higher number than six.


    "Something thrilling is about to happen. I''m looking forward to the magic battle competition," Meryll said.


    Her inner self started to show up as she is thinking about what would she do for the upcoming event.


    "Seventh level is a pretty rare one. Want to level up?" Vaughn suddenly said. We looked at him.


    "Of course!" The three of us answered in unison.


    We''ll have to quit going to school after this so why don''t we enjoy ourselves at the magic battle competition?

 22 Chapter 22

    Irvene''s point of view


    The classes ended well and the loud, chattering noises inside the classroom can be heard. We stood up and left. All students in the hallway are busy, and they didn''t notice us, so we immediately walked outside before anyone would pick up a fight.


    Before we would leave Soul''e Magic High, we walked towards its western part. Meryll leads us the way where she found a hidden room. Her steps were long strides, and she''s eager to go back at that place.


    "Meryll, wait for us," Sid said.


    She breathed deeply and slowed down her pace. We saw two Knights in their silver armor and a spear in a crossed position that stopped us from our tracks.


    "Students are not allowed to enter this area. This place is closed down and will be under construction. Only authorized persons are permitted to pass this way. Please leave immediately." One of them said that made Meryll shout.


    "Let''s go now," Vaughn said.


    He looked at us and walked away. We followed him, and he stopped when we reached the tall gates of the school.


    "We''ll talk about this later. Someone is following us," he said.


    "What?" Meryll asked and it made her more irritated.


    "I think that''s a student," Sid said.


    "They shouldn''t know that we live in the castle," I whispered.


    "We''ll stall them for a while, Let''s go," Vaughn said.


    We left the school and took a stroll at Soul''e Park. Soul''e Magic High and the Soul''e Castle are located at the capital so this place is filled with busy businessmen and women, students and children.


    "Let''s go to that stall!" Sid shouted and pointed at an ice cream store.


    I mentally rolled my eyes at him. He''s always hungry. We walked at the white stall and bought for the four of us and sat at the table in front of the stall.


    "They''re still following us," Meryll whispered.


    "So it''s not only one," I said.


    "Do we need to stay here until they got tired of following us?" Sid asked while eating his two cones of ice cream. I wonder why he didn''t get fat with his eating habits.


    "Of course not, we''ll lose them and immediately use a portal to the castle," Vaughn said.


    We agreed and stood up when Sid is finished on his food. He really bought another cone of ice cream. Unbelievable!


    We ran at a very fast pace in every corner of this place and then, I opened up a portal. We entered and instantly reached the castle.


    "Finally!" Sid shouted and touched his stomach.


    "That''s what you get from eating too much," Meryll said. Her arms are crossed while looking at him.


    "Okay, that''s enough. Let''s get inside," I said before they would continue babbling at each other. I slightly pulled Meryll to my side and walked away from Sid.


    We reached our own rooms, and then after a while, they knocked on the door. I opened it and let them sat on the couch.


    Vaughn gets the envelope from his shirt''s pocket. "This would help us to enter the closed area at Soul''e Magic High," he said.


    "How come?" Meryll asked him.


    "I already read the letter. To prevent the increasing numbers of lost students, they closed it down. The seal from this letter is from General Elwind that is in charge of the internal conflicts of our country. We will be able to enter that place if we present this to the Knights and that is why a military man is needed to send this to me," Vaughn said.


    "So that''s the reason," Sid commented.


    "But why do they need to give us one? We are not a part of them," Meryll asked.


    That made me think as well. The reason might be that they know that we''re not really students of Soul''e Magic High and are only solving this matter.


    "Headmaster Waltz knew that we are helping him, so he made sure that we will be able to enter that area. He held a high position, so he could find a way to talk to the Ruler. Your brother knew about our matters so that''s why he could get us a seal from the military," Vaughn explained.


    "Does the Headmaster knew about our true identities?" I asked him. Our true identities shouldn''t spread out. It''s still not time.


    It''s a little early.


    "He already knew before we enter the school because he''s the closest friend of the former Ruler, but he promised that he wouldn''t say it to anyone," he said.


    I thought only our instructors who are some councilors, generals, knights, and maids knew this. The workers in the castle were put under a spell which prevents them from saying out about that secret. Father did that, so we''ll be safe from them, because they knew our true identities and then, prevent them from leaking that information.


    "About the closed area, we have a portal right? Why we didn''t use it earlier?" Sid asked.


    I forgot about our portal!


    "We can do that but the place might be under a spell and those Knights might notice us. It''s still safer to have the seal," Vaughn said.


    "So we can finally enter the western hidden part but before that, my stomach is still aching. If I knew we would run, I shouldn''t have eaten too much!" Sid said while holding onto his stomach.


    "That''s your fault for being such a gourmand," Meryll said.


    They''re starting again.


    "Your just jealous because I didn''t get fat no matter how much I eat!" Sid said to Meryll.


    "Please stop you two," Vaughn said.


    I stood up and took a small bottle above my table.


    "Sid, drink this potion. It''ll help reduce your stomach ache but if it still aches, tell me or consult to Doctor Lazine," I said.


    He accepted the potion and drank it. "Thanks, Irvene," he said.


    "Sid, I advise that you should refrain from eating too much when we are in a mission," Vaugh said.


    "Okay," Sid said. He breathed deeply and his face is filled with sadness like he would not be able to eat for a long time.


    I rolled my eyes at him.


    Afterward, they left my room. It''s been a long day. I wonder what would happen tomorrow.

 23 Chapter 23

    Irvene''s point of view


    Our morning classes are finished, and we tried to go to the western part of the school, but the hallways are crowded with students, and we wanted to prevent someone seeing us while entering that closed area. The students who are stalking us yesterday might become suspicious of us, so we stopped going in that place for now.


    While we are waiting for an opportunity here in the lobby of the western part of the school, Student President Ingrid Welsey suddenly turned his head on our direction and it looks like he didn''t expect us to be in this kind of place. He stopped himself from leaving the lobby and instead walked towards us.


    "Oh, it''s rare seeing a fourth level student in this area. I wonder what do you need from here?" he asked.


    "It''s nothing, don''t mind us, Student President Ingrid. I reckon you have many things to do, and we don''t want to bother you," Vaughn said.


    Their eyes met each other, somewhat trying to read how does one of them think. Ingrid grinned and looked among us.


    "Really? I guess that you''re trying to get some information about that closed area here. Some students started coming here when they heard about that, although I don''t think that you''re the type of person who will get themselves in a crowd of students to get some latest news around the school," he said.


    "Don''t overthink things, Student President. It''s more peaceful in the western lobby than the other places in this school, so we chose to spend our time here before the afternoon classes, and like you said it''s not our thing to join the crowd,"Meryll said.


    As much as possible, we will refrain from speaking out our real purpose in this place especially to a person like Ingrid Welsey. I have to say that he''s a cunning and smart person. It''s not shocking that he became the current Student President of Soul''e Magic High.


    "Mr. President, we need to meet the Vice President," a student reminded him.


    "No worries, it''s still early, " Ingrid said.


    Once again, he turned his attention towards us and bid goodbye. "There are so many coincidences we had meet, so I thought today will not be the last, bye." He waved his hand and left.


    We looked at him until his figure can''t be seen.


    "The Student President is such a problem, " Sid uttered.


    After that, we didn''t have the chance to enter the closed area and the afternoon classes started already. I waited patiently until it ended. The mystery behind that place is bothering me since yesterday that I spaced out during the entire class. Fortunately, the instructor didn''t notice my actions.


    "It''s finished!" Sid uttered while stretching his arms and legs from sitting for long hours.


    Our classmates were the same and immediately left our rooms. We waited for them to come out until we went outside the room. We walked to a corner of the western part of the school. Vaughn leads the way and brought us here.


    I could see the students from afar, and they''re walking through the northern part of the school.


    "What would we do here?" I asked.


    He opened the portal. "Nobody should see us walking towards that area in the hallway so let''s get inside. We don''t have much time," he explained.


    The four of us swiftly entered the portal, and we reached another corner at the western part. We immediately walked towards the knights who guard the area.


    Before they would utter a single word, Vaughn took out a small black envelope and showed them the Soul''e Military seal.


    The other knight looked at his comrade. "It''s a military seal," he said.


    "Sir, please hand it to us. We''ll check its authenticity," the other one said.


    Vaughn gave the letter and it glowed in dark blue light. Letters started to form in midair. "You may enter and it''s indicated that your entrance here shouldn''t be known by others. We''ll ensure you that no one would know about this," he said.


    They released their crossed weapon at our way. Meryll leads us towards the hidden room. We walked through the wall.


    An illusion. I guess only the enemy knew this way.


    We found it, and we saw a white light that looks like a portal.


    "Is there a portal here during the time youaccidentally found this place?" Vaughn asked Meryll.


    She shook her head. My brows furrowed from her reaction. It is by chance, a portal from an enemy? A portal isn''t a common thing and only a few people owned it.


    "What should we do now?" Sid asked.


    "We''ll continue what we are doing and fight if there''s an enemy," Vaughn said.


    "Then, I''ll guard here while you''re inside that room," Sid uttered. He summoned his sword and attentively looked around.


    We nodded at him and walked in front of the hidden room''s door. "There''s a barrier spell that prevents anyone to enter," I said.


    "How do we enter then?" Meryll asked.


    "It forbids anyone from intruding the place, and they only need to say the right words for it to open. We don''t know what words it is, so I''ll try to break it," I said.


    I started to save magic into my hands. Magic slowly flows into my veins and I touched the barrier. I need to break this one.


    I saved up a lot of magic but nothing happened. I need more. The flow became faster and I heard a cracking sound to the barrier. Only a bit more. I started to breathe deeply.


    "I can do this, " I whispered slowly.


    "Irvene! You''re exhausted, " Meryll said. She tried to pull me away from the barrier but I don''t let her.


    "Don''t worry, it''ll break soon," I said.


    The cracks got bigger. I made ice blades and slowly attacked the barrier. It shattered into pieces like glass and disappeared in thin air. I gasped for air and I felt my feet couldn''t stand up anymore. Vaughn and Meryll caught me before I fall.


    "You should have let us break it when the cracks get bigger instead of using more magic," Vaughn said.


    I shook my head. "It won''t work. The barrier may explode if a strong impact hit it," I explained.


    My strength came back and when we entered the room, my eyes widen from what I saw.

 24 Chapter 24

    Irvene''s point of view


    The ominous dark room smelled rusty blood, and nothing could be found except the pale woman lying on the ground. Her long silver hair is stained with crimson color because of the injuries from her body. If not for her injuries, the woman would look like in a deep slumber, and not be disturbed in this cold, eerie presence of the place.


    I walked towards the unconscious woman on the stone floor and knelt down. Her body is cold, and there''s no sign of her pulse.


    I looked worriedly at my friends. Meryll hurriedly went near us and felt the woman''s body.


    "She''s so cold," Meryll uttered. I didn''t fail to see her curled fists and her trembling body. "There''s something wrong in this place," she said.


    "What is it?" Vaughn asked while still standing and exploring the room.


    "I heard the cries of people here, pleading for help, but we only found one person," Meryll said.


    "Then it''s possible that they knew someone would infiltrate their area, and immediately moved out of this place. We saw a portal outside, and it seems they''re not finished because the woman is still here." Vaughn explained.


    "Unfortunate for them, we already saw the woman, but I guess she''s dead," he continued.


    "Those wicked people!" Meryll shouted.


    "What should we do with her?" I asked. We can''t leave the lifeless woman in this sinister place. Those wicked persons just as Meryll said, would bring her back with them.


    "We could take her to the castle using a portal," Vaughn suggested.


    A loud crash suddenly appeared and quickly turned our heads outside. It must be the enemies that came out from the portal. They came back and it means the woman has a tinge of importance to them but in a horrible way.


    "We should hurry!" I said.


    We looked at her body, thinking how would we escape with her without the enemy''s knowledge. "I have my portal here, and I''ll bring her with me to the castle, while Vaughn will take you back there with his portal after helping Sid," I said.


    Afterward, they nodded at me. They are about to touch the woman to help me carry her at my back when her eyes suddenly opened. Their hands stopped at midair after witnessing that unbelievable thing.


    "S-she''s not dead?" Meryll blurted out.


    The three of us stared at her silver eyes with a small portion of red color in it. Her blank face and not moving body maintained except for her opened eyes. The color of her hair and eyes perfectly matched each other.


    Upon seeing that combination, I can''t help but feel a sense of familiarity. It''s like I have seen it before, but I can''t seem to remember. Even a vague memory hadn''t come up in my mind.


    Nevertheless, it''s not time to reminisce things. I have to do my part. Meryll and Vaughn already went outside and fight them. I started to touch the woman''s arms and would carry her when her body begins to disappear into thin air and a white ball of light floats into my hands.


    "What is this?" I said.


    It materializes into a small white marble. I immediately hid it in my infinite storage bracelet. I still kept this one, although no one knows about it besides me alone. I don''t want to attract attention if someone happens to hear about this one.


    I stood up and went outside. Vaughn, Meryll and Sid are standing safely while four men are lying on the ground.


    "Irvene, why haven''t you used the portal yet?" Vaughn asked me in confusion.


    "Her body disappeared into thin air, so I don''t need to use the portal anymore," I said.


    "What? Why did it happen?" Meryll asked.


    "A woman?" Sid followed.


    "I''ll explain later. It''s not best to talk here," I said.


    "There''s nothing in the room now, so it''s better if we go home already," Vaughn said.


    We nodded at him. I used my portal and we instantly reached the castle. The four of us went to our own rooms to fix ourselves. Their clothes are tattered after they fought the enemies, so they fix themselves first.


    I took out the small white marble from my bracelet and observe this one. It may look ordinary to anyone, yet I could feel something is inside this marble. "That woman''s body became like this. Maybe it contains her powers? Spirit? I wanted to know," I said.


    Some possibilities why did the marble appear lingered through my mind until I heard knocks on my door. I stood up from my seat and opened the wooden door. Vaughn, Meryll and Sid are standing in front of my room, and I let them enter.


    Like any other day, we chose to meet inside my room if something important is needed to discuss.


    "I''m curious about the woman you are talking about," Sid said.


    "If you saw her recently, you would saw her silver eyes and hair," Meryll said.


    Sid widened his eyes. "Really?"


    After they sat on the couch, I showed them the white marble.


    "That woman''s body disappeared and turned into this marble, and I don''t know why did it happen," I said.


    Vaughn took the marble from me and observed it.


    "That woman is mysterious. I couldn''t believe how a lifeless body opened its eyes," Meryll said.


    "From what you are saying, it feels a bit creepy. A dead person suddenly became alive. What''s inside the room beside the woman?" Sid asked.


    "There''s nothing. We''re late when we reached that room," Vaughn answered.


    "The news about that area being closed quickly scattered around the school. They might be alarmed by the sudden actions of the headmaster," Vaughn continued.


    "What would we do now?" I asked.


    "There are so many places they could hide, but they chose Soul''e Magic School. I felt that it''s beyond what we have seen," he said.


    "So we would need to pretend a student for a longer time than I expected," Meryll said. She breathed deeply.


    I laughed lightly. She does hate studying.


    "They still have their portal there right? We could enter their portal, but I''m afraid there might be countless traps prepared for us," I said.


    "We could only wait and look for those persons'' more hidden rooms inside the school if they still have one," Sid said.


    I agreed to what he said. For now, we should rest and do it tomorrow.


    "I remember your contracted spirit. It''s fluff, could you summon that cute creature?" Sid asked.


    That made me laugh. "Okay," I said.


    I summoned all of them. Elis and Ivy who is holding Fluff appeared.


    "Master! You haven''t summoned us for a long time," Elis said.


    "I''ve been busy, but don''t worry. I''ll teach you and Ivy a few tricks next time," I said.


    Ivy looked at me, still with her cold, indifferent gaze. I smiled at her. Sid swiftly took out Fluff from Ivy''s arms.


    I hope everything would be okay.

 25 Chapter 25

    Irvene''s point of view


    "Still lacking!" I shouted.


    Ivy raised both of her hands towards me. The long thin vines grew taller than she tried at first. I jumped away until her vines stopped growing. When my feet reached the grass, a dark purple smoke surrounds the ground that appeared out of nowhere, or it didn''t really appear out of nowhere.


    The poison from her vines is so strong that a gloomy aura started to release. Sweat rolled down my face. A poison that emits an aura meant that its effects would be worse than anyone could imagine.


    "What a dangerous living element," I thought to myself. It''s a good thing that Ivy is not one of my enemies, because it would add another headache for me.


    "We should stop for now. You''re doing your best Ivy!" I said.


    She nodded at me and those poisonous vines disappeared. Then I looked towards Elis, and I almost shake my head when I saw him resting in one of the castle''s benches outside.


    "Such a lazy guy," I said.


    I didn''t bother him anymore. He''s a grown-up living element after all, so I''ll let him pass with my strict training for this day.


    "Irvene, I have to trouble you today," Sister Adelaine said. I saw her walked towards me in the castle''s training grounds, while a female servant is beside her.


    "What is it, Sister?" I asked. It''s weekend today, and I finished training with my contracted living elements, so it will not bother me that much.


    "Well, it''s just some small things. Follow me," she said.


    She goes back inside the castle and I followed her. I didn''t insist on asking her and shrugged. I would know it anyways.


    **


    I frowned when I saw the familiar door in front of us. I have been away in this huge castle for a whole year that I almost forgot how things work here. The female servant swiftly opened the door, while Sister Adelaine pushed me inside the room that I didn''t have the time to react.


    "You won''t be escaping this time Irvene," she said. I even heard her laugh. Sister Adelaine might be cheering inside her mind because she succeeded to fool me today for clothes fitting.


    I remembered how I successfully escape from them whenever they tried to bring me inside this room. This strange room is in a spell where a person can''t possibly go outside when he entered this place without the permission of the person who cast it.


    Father taught my brother about this spell whom by any chance, came up for this crazy idea.


    I sighed deeply. The restriction of my magic caused it even harder to escape from them.


    This place is specially made for me who always avoid clothes fitting, and I have a truly acceptable reason why I don''t want it.


    A few female servants and Ms. Kaila Helios, a famous tailor from a well-known family of our country welcomed me. Some mannequins in exquisite formal dresses also surrounded the room.


    "It''s been a long time, Lady Irvene," Ms. Kaila said. She smiled afterward.


    She works here in Soul''e castle to design our clothes and also the other workers in the castle. A trusted person who knew about my true identity and the same age as my sister, so they''re both five years older than me. Twenty-two years old ladies who will make me wear dresses I don''t want. That thought made me cringe.


    "We should start then," Sister Adelaine said.


    Ms. Kaila walked near me with her measuring tape and started measuring my body.


    "I have enough clothes in my closet, Sister. I don''t need new ones," I said.


    "You''re wrong Irvene. The clothes in your wardrobe were already old and there''s an important occasion that would be held after this month ends," Sister Adelaine said.


    "What occasion?" I asked.


    "Why would you forget about it? Your Brother Mavien would announce to everyone about him being an official ruler to our country," she explained.


    So that''s the reason for this urgent fitting.


    "And your presence there is important," she said.


    "I understand," I said. That day would definitely change everything for me.


    After Ms. Kaila finished taking my body measurements, she picked up a dress from the mannequin and do some magic on it.


    "Here, change your clothes," she said. She gave a dress to me.


    "I-I didn''t need to change though," I said.


    I saw Sister Adelaine snapped her fingers. Suddenly, my dress changed in a second. This dress reached six inches above my knees and is slightly fitted and it''s a combination of red and white color. It is also designed with some intricate golden lines.


    I frowned even more. This why I don''t like fitting clothes with them.


    "I''m right, it definitely suits you!" They both said in unison.


    "Why does this one suit me almost perfectly? You only got my body measurements a while ago," I asked.


    "It''s my new spell! That dress seemed normal but it has magical attributes suited for you," Ms. Kaila said enthusiastically.


    "And you''ll wear those dress from now on. My personal servant will bring the other similar dresses to your room once it''s made, " Sister Adelaine said.


    This would be my worst day ever but I won''t let the other days be like this. A grin flashed through my lips. A black cloak designed with white lines appeared from my hands in an instant. I wear it immediately. The cloak reached my knees.


    Perfect.


    "I just have to think that you still wear that dress under the cloak," Sister Adelaine said.


    Now, it''s their turn to make a frown on their faces.


    Since they already finished making me their doll,


    they let me get outside this suffocating room. As much as possible, I don''t wish to come back to that place.


    **


    I''m walking through the hallway on the second floor of the castle that leads to my room when Vaughn and Sid saw me. They are obviously giving me weird glances.


    "Why are you wearing a cloak?" Sid asked.


    "Did you get into a fight?" Vaughn followed.


    "It''s actually not. You know, clothes fitting with Sister Adelaine," I said.


    After I said that, Sid filled the quiet hallway with his loud laughter. They have stayed at this castle for a long time, and they knew how I always act towards that.


    I did my best to ignore Sid and return to my own room. Hmp.


    **


    The weekend passed easily and the crowd of students welcomed us on the first day of another week. However, it''s a bit different from our usual routine at the school.


    All the students from first to six levels are gathered at the school''s biggest field. It''s called the Magic Arena.


    "Good morning students! All of you are gathered through this day to announce your most awaited event!" An instructor said.


    "Today will be the first day of Magic battle competition!"

 26 Chapter 26

    Irvene''s point of view


    The crowd went silent for a while. This announcement indeed surprised the students, and even me. It didn''t take long before the Magic Arena is filled with everyone''s noise.


    Then, some instructors appeared at the center of the Magic Arena. This arena is in a circled position which the students are seated at the side, and there''s a huge battle field at the center. It''s size were several times larger than the field we usually use for battle classes. All of us are separated by levels and our own respective sections.


    "The Magic Battle Competition would be held in one week just like we do every year, and the first day of the competition is our opening ceremony and elimination rounds for every section of each level. Another thing, Soul''e Magic High often has a battle between the same levels only, but a particular magic game at the sixth day, itwould allow different levels to fight!" Mr. Salvie said. He''s one of our instructors.


    A spell might be chanted around this arena to be able to hear their words in such a vast area.


    "Would that make for the senior students to have advantage of that game?" Sid asked.


    I also heard the whispers of the surrounding students about what our instructors said. Although, I didn''t know how would I answer him, because I have the same question at myself. Even Meryll and Vaughn were quiet and both in deep thoughts.


    "Regarding that game, we would announce more information about that at the fifth day of the competition. As for today, you should focus on the first elimination rounds which is called theHighest Monsters Killed. The first to perform would be the first levels, and to be followed by the next levels. The students that would pass would directly join the second round, do your best students!" he continued.


    After that, all the students suddenly stood up which the four of us followed. I should have read some book if there is one about this Magic Battle Competition. All of them seems to know well about this event, and is their most anticipated moment of their lives as proud students of Soul''e Magic High. We started to sing a hymn. It is the school''s hymn which is taught among us in one of the afternoon classes.


    Some instructors lit up a fire among the torches around the arena using their magic. When the hymn was finished, a group of people that are lined up into two, appeared at the entrance of the Magic Arena with an instructor in front of them. They are wearing a uniform similar to the students yet their coats are black instead of red.


    It just heightened my curiosity about this competition. They sat behind the instructors seats. Aside from the instructors, the Student Council and Student Disciplinary Committee are the only ones that have separate seats apart from the students. After seeing them, I can''t help to think that they might be people with some high position from the school.


    "I wonder who those persons are," Meryll said.


    "How about we''ll ask our classmates? Maybe they knew them," Sid suggested.


    "You are right. We are new students here, so it isnormal if we ask for information about it," Vaughn said.


    "That''s a good idea, Sid. Finally, you have done something good aside from eating," Meryll followed.


    "What? You''re only envious because you didn''t come up with that good idea of mine," Sid said.


    I shook my head in disbelief. They''re starting up a childish fight again. When will they stop that senseless habit? I intended to stop Sid and Meryll when someone from our back called our attention with her disdainful gaze.


    "Since you''re all students of Soul''e Magic High, you should know that those persons with the same uniform to us except the coat are the seventh level students! A level which only the best ones could step up to!" Lianna said.


    Unexpectedly, her seat are just behind us although, I think that she still bear hatred among the four of us.


    Wait, they''re the mysterious seventh level students that we haven''t taken a glance since we became a student at this school!


    "Oh, really? I think they''re not that good," Meryll said.


    "Hmp. Displaying such an arrogant attitude, let''s see if you can even win a match to a fifth or sixth level student before bragging about your abilities. Also, seventh level students aren''t like that for nothing," she said. Her attention turned towards the instructors at the center after that.


    I prevented Meryll from picking up a fight to Lianna. It''s good that she''s just beside me. The opening ceremony finished shortly, and two instructors are left at the center of the arena.


    One of them is Ms. Lynnwick while I don''t know the other one. Although, based on he''s clothing, he''s also a mage like Ms. Lynnwick.


    They both raised their hands and their mouths opened, seems like chanting a spell. It lasted for more than a minute. Afterward, the center of the arena are surrounded with small plants and a few puddles.


    We once heard their voices again. "This would become the setting for the first elimination rounds for each level, and four different monsters would appear once it started. The monsters have points of 10, 20, 30, and 40. The weakest type would be 10 while the strongest is 40. Each round would only last for thirty minutes, so do your best to become the first 70 to advance to the next round!"


    "We will give each levels to prepare for half an hour, before the battle starts. Prepare well for this battle, and remember that every level have a number of 150 students which means that only half would advance to the second elimination round," he continued.


    Afterward, someinstructors lead the first level students to the waiting area of the arena. Its purpose is for students that would be next in battle to prepare at that place, while waiting to be called at the center of the arena.


    Half an hour passed already and the first level students walked through the center of the arena. Magic Arena is so vast that a crowd of 150 students isn''t enough to fill even a half of the arena.


    "The long wait is over! The first elimination rounds, the Highest Monster Killed for first level students will start!"

 27 Chapter 27

    Irvene''s point of view


    The first level students is scattered through the huge battle field with their own battle clothes.The instructor once explained that they are wearing a bracelet they called a watch, and it is an invention of one of the seventh level students. They are indeed smart. I didn''t know how they came up with that idea.


    He said that it could record the points of the students based on the number of the killed monster. That way, they are all aware of their points.


    Not long after, the monster started appearing in all directions. I think its size is small for a competition, and has same appearances butdifferent colors. They didn''t waste their short 30 minutes time, and launch their weapons at those monsters.


    They had a hard time attacking those tiny monsters that goes around in circles, and its speed is far incredible.


    "It is so fast!" I heard Sid said.


    "I wonder if we''ll encounter that monsters too. It will irritate me," Meryll followed.


    Some students ended up in the puddle, while following through those speed. I heard that it isn''t that hard for the first level students last year. They even started to fear that the first elimination rounds would be harder than what they expected.


    The element users only gained a little advantage. Their control towards the elements is still weak, thus they are having a hard time like the non-element users. The other students came up with a strategy to kill more monsters. The instructors didn''t complain. They let them build a strategy even if it''s an individual elimination rounds. I think that it''s a good idea.


    It didn''t last long and that time, the monsters started to disappear into thin air. Even the plants and puddles were now gone, leaving only the students who are drenched in mud all over their bodies.


    "The Highest Monster Killed elimination rounds for the first level students was finished!" The instructor announced the scores afterward. The highest one got 400 points. That student has a good control of her wind element powers and managed to score a lot on her own.


    Those students who came up with a strategy had rank above 70.Then, the students are given enough time to clean themselves.


    ***


    The second level students and third level students'' elimination rounds already ended. Like they expected, the monsters were bigger, faster, and powerful than those of the monsters from first levels'' elimination rounds.


    They''re more experienced than the first level students, so they managed to get above 400 points even though they encountered more formidable monsters. The one who got the highest score in the third level got 800 points. It''s twice higher than the latter.


    "The next elimination rounds! The Highest Monster Killed for the fourth level students!" The instructors set up the field with the same small plants and puddle.


    The four of us stayed at a short distance to each other.


    "Don''t reveal your true abilities. Kill monsters based on a fourth level student powers," Vaughn whispered.


    We nodded at him. I could do it, since half of my powers are already suppressed by my silver ring. As usual, to the eyes of the others, it only looks a normal jewelry.


    Monsters as tall as a human started appearing. I tightly hold my staff, and observed them one by one. They didn''t only vary in color, but a few of them can even fly, and I think that their intelligence are far superior from the previous monsters of this elimination rounds.


    "I''ll get higher points than all of you," Sid said.


    "Really? Beat me first!" Meryll followed.


    They started launching their weapons at those monsters.


    "Just stop already," I muttered.They won''t stop even if we are in a competition?


    I chanted an attack-type magic spell. It''s the normal ice spikes. It''s small yet the quantity is its advantage. Ice blades would attract too much attention for a fourth level student, so small ice spikes would do.


    "Eh? Such small ice spikes!" I heard someone said with a sound of mockery.


    I turned around and saw Lianna. Huge ice spikes are behind her with the dead monsters. I almost frowned at the sight of her existence. Why did it seem that our meetings are always intentional? I''ve enough of your attitude. I chose to ignore her.


    I stepped away and attacked the two monsters'' body with my small ice spikes. Controlling many small ice spikes is not hard for me. I''m an advanced two element user. It pierced through their bodies and blood slowly came out of them.


    The thing that is on my wrist released a sound, and showed 80 points. Eh? It must be both monsters with 40 points. How lucky of me.


    "H-how is that possible?" I heard her whispered.


    Lianna have ice element which means that she''s also a two element user, but I doubt she could gain complete control on both elements. With the advice of my father, I gained an incredible control within the two elements. It''s water and ice.


    I barely use the water element because I''m focusing on ice element which has pretty hard control, but brings much stronger attacks on a monster than a water element. Water element focuses on healing abilities. On the contrary, using both elements at the same time would be the best. It''s a skill that few people could do, and that''s the utmost reason why I avoid using water element.


    I might use it both at the same time accidentally in the eyes of the crowd in the midst of hiding my identity.


    That would be the worst thing to happen.


    After killing the two monsters, I ran farther away to Lianna and started killing monsters. I don''t want to argue with her and be left behind by Vaughn, Meryll and Sid.


    I noticed that the monsters that have 40 points are hard to differentiate between the 10 and 20 points monster. I took my attention to the flying monsters that have a point of 30 each.


    I''m controlling my ice spikes at midair and it''s following the fleeing flying monsters. It rarely attacks but it''s speed is indeed amazing. With my complete control towards ice spikes, it didn''t take long when their body were pierced with ice spikes.


    It''s five flying monsters which meant I gained 150 points. The watch showed 230 points, and at the upper part, it showed the remaining time of our elimination round.


    There''s still 20 minutes left. I''m glad that Lianna stopped pestering me and I saw her trying to increase her ice spikes.


    I continued to kill monsters, until I saw Vaughn. He''s using a sword, and nothing more. When there''s no crowd surrounding us, he might have surprised the enemy with his possession and expert use of different weapons.


    At the other side, Meryll and Sid are babbling at each other while attacking monsters. They are comparing their points.


    I didn''t waste anymore time and attacked the monsters. The other fourth level students are doing their best. I can''t lag behind them.


    Afterwards, I noticed the watch is blinking in red. I stopped because the given 30 minutes time ended. As expected, the monsters disappeared already. It finished smoothly, and no one dared to do shady things aside from killing monsters. The instructors are closely watching us and it''s clearly a violation of the rules. The consequences would be hard to imagine.


    "The first elimination round for fourth level students was finished!"


    I wonder who got the highest score.

 28 Chapter 28

    Irvene''s point of view


    An instructor immediately stood up and started announcing the scores for the first 70 students who got the highest points.


    The competition for us, fourth level students were strong. Some points were close to each other, and the students who are ranked 71-80 only has small difference to students that are ranked 60-70. I could saw their depressed expression for almost advancing to the next round, but miserably failed.


    The instructor has a thin, rectangular object at his hands which he uses to see the points and ranks of us, students.


    "Meryll, how many points do you have?" I heard Sid talked.


    "I got 1650 points," Meryll answered.


    "Pft. I told you! I will have the highest points!"


    "Insulting me? How about your points?"


    "I got 1660 points--,"


    "You''re just 10 points above me and you have that much confidence to boast about your points?"


    "Stop that, you are attracting too much attention," I said.


    When will they grow up? Finally, they stop when they saw the other students began looking at them.


    "5th place, Lianna Lynnford. 1380 points," the instructor said.


    I saw her feeling proudly at herself. Lianna quickly looked at our direction like she alwaysknew where we are. She opened her mouth, but before she''s about to utter a word, the instructor''s voice towered over her.


    "4th place, Merlly Dellmira. 1650 p-points!" The instructor''s staggering voice confused me.


    I also didn''t fail to see the students'' shocked reactions.


    "She broke the records of Student Council President Ingrid Welsey in the last two years!"


    "It wouldn''t be shocking if it''s the normal Magic Battle Competition."


    "This year''s competition is twice harder or even thrice. What more for the 3rd, 2nd and 1st place?"


    Almost all the students are saying the same things, and that made me understand everything. I should really have to know about the Magic Battle Competition in this past five years to avoid going overboard in our scores.


    "3rd place goes to Sid Salford, 1660 points," he said.


    "2nd place, Irvene Aly Elvina, g-got 1990 points and the first place goes to Vaughn Estrama, 2100 points!"


    Their reactions didn''t change, even though they expected it to be higher than the 4th place but not to that extent. I looked at this person who said that we should compete based on a fourth level student skills, but still got the first place. Vaughn''s showing a blank face that I didn''t choose to fathom. I wouldn''t know what he''s thinking anyway.


    Lianna, who is boasting a while ago has a frowned expression on her face walked away from us.


    Another thing, breaking the records of Ingrid Welsey? The name of another person who is keeping an eye on us, and tend to appear everywhere we go, even though he''s not our classmate which is more suspicious than Lianna.


    They let us clean ourselves since mud almost covered our bodies. This school have two separate huge bathrooms for male and female. We took a bath and change to our school uniforms.


    Not long after, all of us, fourth level students are back at our designated place at the audience seat in Magic Arena.


    The fifth level and sixth level students has ended. They are more experienced than the other levels, thus earning a much higher points. The Student Council President, Ingrid Welsey, set a record for the elimination rounds for sixth level students.


    The students went cheering for him, especially the female students. He''s quite popular huh?


    The first elimination rounds ended at the afternoon, and the instructor announced that the second round would be held tomorrow. Only one round would be held each day, thus it would end at Saturday.


    Since today''s competition are all finished, they let us go home early. The four of us are walking near the school gate when Ingrid Welsey appeared in front of us.


    "It''s been a while since I saw the four of you," he said.


    "What do you need?" I asked him.


    "Nothing important, I''m just here to congratulate the four of you. I didn''t expect that four people at once would break my records at the first elimination rounds for fourth level students," he said. He sighed deeply.


    I almost rolled my eyes when he said that it''s not an important topic but his actions says otherwise.


    "That''s it? You broke a record for today''s elimination rounds, so I think it wouldn''t matter much, right? We have many things to do, so we''ll be leaving," Meryll uttered.


    "That''s not all. An invitation from the castle has been sent to our family, and it said that we could invite some friends. My companions have their own already, so I think of asking if you are interested?" He said to us.


    That made my eyebrow raise. We aren''t close enough to him, but he even thought of inviting us?


    It seems that Sister Adelaine or my brothers decided to send out invitations to the esteemed officials, guests and the twelve most-well known families in Soul''e. I think not all people would be invited since it''s like an arrangement on political affairs rather than a huge cheerful celebration.


    Although, we live inside Soul''e castle, so why would we need an invitation? He doesn''t know about this, but he''s too bothersome. I wanted to rest early after this tiring day.


    If not for his identity of a Student Council President, we should have left him without notice.


    "We don''t need your invitations," Sid said.


    "We have our own, each of us," Vaughn said.


    I looked at Vaughn. Why did he say that?


    We walked away from Ingrid, but he followed us and his indifferent attitude came back. A grin flashed through his face.


    "Really? It''s weird though. Invitations from Soul''e Castle for this event is for important guests. I wonder which well-known family did you came from?" he asked.


    That made me shocked. He''s starting to doubt our identities, although we didn''t stop from walking.


    "Hmm? Your last names would be Elvina, Salford, Estrama and Dellmira. The three from the last names are the same from the high-class families in Soul''e country especially Elvina. It''s the Ruler of this country''s last name. I don''t heard any of you from being a member of that families," he said.


    His gaze upon us are filled with curiosity.


    "Secrets, so many secrets. You''re sudden existence is a mystery to me," he continued.


    What should we do? ....

 29 Chapter 29

    Irvene''s point of view


    Although he already left after that, his words were not meant to be taken lightly. He''s a member of the Welsey family, one of the twelve most well-known family in our country. It''s not hard for him to obtain any information regarding our identities. It might not be that accurate but it''s enough to raise so much suspicion to him, and that might even spread to the other families.


    "Don''t mind him. In a few days time, we don''t need to live this way anymore," Vaughn said.


    Somehow, he''s right, but.. we would still be kept in the dark. Always.


    "But, what if they found out about it earlier?" Sid asked.


    Vaughn stopped his tracks and looked among us.


    "No matter how hard they try, they wouldn''t find out the whole truth," he said. A sudden chill gushed through the wind after he spoke.


    He''s slowly becoming like Brother Mavien! A fearsome fellow. Even though, brother''s young to become a temporary Ruler, no one succeeded to even pressure him and won against him to steal the throne until now.


    His past enemies might only be counted within his hands, but it''s enough to instill fear to others, especially when people reminisced of his times as a student. I don''t know the details about him as a student, but I only knew that it''s the time when my brothers made a name for themselves.


    We didn''t walk directly to the castle. Since the situation isn''t entirely in favor of us, it''s best to be extremely careful about our actions.


    A two-story house that took us enough minutes to walk, welcomed us. It''s located at the Miners Village.


    This is one of the houses that my father ordered to build for the homeless people in his time, and until today those families still live in this village and as its name says, this people have been given work as miners at Spirit Mountain.


    It''s understandable to be given houses for them, but my father left an empty house here and give its ownership to me. He''s thinking is always different yet, today, I realized that we need this house in time of urgency. We should have started to live here before going to Soul''e Magic High to avoid their suspicions.


    We''ll stay here for one week, but we will use our portal to come back to the castle for our important matters and then, stay in this house before going to school. In this way, if someone managed to follow us, they wouldn''t see us entering Soul''e Castle.


    "I''ll take the room to the right upstairs," Meryll said.


    "Alright, then mine would be the left ones," I said.


    "We''ll take the two bedrooms here," Vaughn followed.


    After designating a room for each of us, we took a rest and save energy for tomorrow''s competition.


    **


    The sun rose already, and since we have no spare school uniforms in this house, we used our portal to reach the second floor of the castle. After dressing up and preparing our things for school, we came back to the small house. We walked from there to the school.


    All the students from the first to the sixth level went directly to the Magic Arena. The second round determines the student''s speed. Those who finished the fifty laps within the allotted time would advance to the next round. None of the students would be eliminated if they all succeed to reach the fifty laps within an hour.


    Not long after, the competition started for the first level students, followed by the second level, and so on and so forth.


    Since the students use magic, it''s not hard to finish the laps, but the problem is we are allowed to block their paths, and stop them from moving forward. Although, it will require critical thinking since a student can''t possibly waste all his time blocking one''s path and don''t run forward.


    A group have been formed once again and came up with a strategy. For every person that would be eliminated in this round, one could earn points and it will be added to the points they earned during the first round.


    When it''s our turn, Lianna and his team attempted to stop us, but they always failed. We just keep moving forward and complete the fifty laps. They had a hard time since the other teams also stop them, so we always get farther from them before they could stop us.


    Only her group have been stopping us while the others seemed to avoid us. I wonder why.


    The situation has been like that for the remaining rounds every day. Lianna always tries to challenge us in every round. I could say that she''s quite talented since she could always advance to the next rounds. Even the Student Council President has been breaking records and it looks like he''s just playing an easy game and not a competition.


    Only students that are less than ten persons each level, managed to remain until the fifth round has been finished. The competition is going smoothly and I don''t know if it''s a good thing or not. There''s no one who violated the rules of the game and it seems that the students feared something or someone if they dared to do shady things during the competition.


    "Congratulations to the students who successfully reached the top of the competition! Today is the fifth day of the Magic Battle Competition that is already finished. I know that all the students have been waiting for the announcement regarding the competition during the sixth day. Normally, the last day of the competition would be a battle among the students for each level and only each one per level would be the champion," the instructor said.


    "However, this year would be different. We would assign the remaining students into five groups with different levels and will defend their flags in an assigned position. Obviously, there are five flags but the victorious group would only be determined if they got all the flags. So if a team had their flags stolen, they still wouldn''t be eliminated. As long as the flags aren''t completed by a single group, the battle will remain," he continued.


    What? I could sense something wrong about this competition. The four of us looked at each other with furrowed eyebrows.


    Our suspicions didn''t fade when the teams are announced. Vaughn said that it is not really assigned randomly. The winners are mostly from the twelve most well-known families, and he said that those students that are relatives and have close ties to other families are grouped to each other.


    Also, the four of us belongs to one group! What kind of coincidence is this?

 30 Chapter 30

    Irvene''s point of view


    We''re a given half an hour to plan about how we are going to protect our only flag and obtain all the flags from our enemies.


    Our group has seven members. The others are 2 first level students and 1-second level student. Those students are talented ones since they managed to advanced to the sixth-day competition, although their confidence goes down a hundred times when they saw that our team only consisted of first, second and fourth levels while the other teams are mostly sixth and fifth levels.


    I can''t blame them though, because they didn''t know of our true abilities. All they need to do is cooperate with us if they want to be the winner.


    "Our group might not seem formidable to the eyes of the crowd, but the pleasantries of the people would not dictate the outcome of the battle. All you need to do is cooperate and trust your team," Vaughn said.


    Unexpectedly, they nodded. It''s good that they''ll cooperate with us. In that way, this game will become easier for our group. There''s no team who would win without being united to each other.


    "I''ve long heard of your names throughout the school last week about your skills. Maybe it was true after all," the first level student said.


    Then, we introduced ourselves to each other before we make our plan.


    "Henry, you''re in charge of healing Dianne, and Rose. Then, Dianne and Rose would guard the flag here. The other teams are mostly fourth levels and above, so stay in our area in any way possible. You''ll be helping Sid in defending our flag. " Vaughn continued.


    "I''ll be the one to steal the others'' flag," Meryll said.


    "Keep your eyes tightly to it, then we''ll deal with the students," he said.


    "I''ll make sure that no one would be able to steal our flag!" Sid uttered.


    "Before we start, I would give these potions to you," I said.


    I gave them two potions each. "The gray-colored liquid would release heavy smoke which could temporarily blind an enemy," I said.


    "How would this thing release a smoke?" The three students asked in unison with their confused faces.


    "Just threw it into the ground," I said.


    They looked at me as though it is impossible.


    "Don''t ever underestimate Irvene''s Alchemy skills. I can only say that she''s a gifted person when it comes to that topic," Meryll said.


    "She''s correct!" Sid followed.


    Well, it''s a miracle that they''re not arguing.


    "Anyway, make sure to close your eyes if you can''t stay at a long distance from them after throwing it onto the ground," I said.


    We walked to our positions before the game started. The other groups also stood up to their own positions.


    "Wait, what about the use of this red-colored potion?" Dianne said.


    They all looked at me. I grinned and said, "It''s a secret. When I give you the signal, throw it onto the ground."


    I raised one hand and showed them a hand sign. They nodded in unison. After that, the instructor officially announced the start of the game.


    We are in a circled position, waiting for the enemies to attack, while Meryll would take the chance to steal their flags when they are distracted. She could find out if it''s a fake one and wherever the real one''s hidden. Meryll is more than worthy to be called in a class of assassin for me.


    Moreover, I didn''t expect for all the groups to charge forward among us.


    "An unworthy enemy. You don''t belong in this game!"


    "You''re somehow right. It should be a battle between elites. It''s an order. Don''t blame us for our unfairness" they said.


    Vaughn is clearly correct. The game today has something to do with the twelve most well-known families of Soul''e country.


    They might haven''t realized that they''re uttering what shouldn''t be said to an outsider. This news might spread if it''s another person. What inexperienced students.


    Every two members of the other group are running near our assigned area. They really planned to eliminate us first.


    I started making ice spikes to slow them down on their way, while Vaughn summoned his huge bow and arrows.


    A man quickly threw a flaming spear at Vaughn when he saw his weapon. When his spear has enough distance to us, I started turning it into a frozen ice spear and broke it into shattered pieces.


    I can turn non-living things into ice only in a short distance. Well, it''s been a long time since I used this skill. For someone like me who is restrained with half of my magic, it''s useful for me instead of making one out of nothing. It uses a small amount of magic. It''s practically hard since I have to quickly turn it into ice before it went to me or any of my comrades.


    Then, Vaughn swiftly aimed at that man on his legs. With his archery skills, the arrows went into both of his legs, preventing him from running. Vaughn didn''t hesitate to attack them. Our enemies look like they''ll also attack us, so he turned their favor before even hurting us.


    "Healers help!" he shouted. His comrade went to him. The arrow was incredibly sharp, and he got deep injuries, and it would take a long time healing him, thus I stopped paying him attention.


    I created ice spikes around our flag, a temporary defense and another smaller ice spikes to throw at them. I breathed hard until I felt that my body suddenly got better.


    "I healed you a little!" Henry said.


    He''s good at healing, what a reliable teammate.


    When I observed that the persons who''re coming for us has decreased, Vaughn and I started running to the enemies'' area, while Meryll is behind us.


    Before we could get near to an opponents'' flag, a man appeared in front of us.


    "I quite expected for the four of you to be the top winners of the fourth level students," he said.


    He''s no other than Ingrid Welsey.


    "Since we are in a battle, you won''t mind a small fight amongst us, don''t you?" Ingrid said.


    "I would only agree because you are in my way. We still needed the flags," Vaughn said.


    Ingrid fixed his glasses and then, summoned a sharp sword emanating a powerful aura.


    "I have seen you with a sword, Vaughn Estrama but you skillfully used an archer today. I wonder where you are really good at," he said.


    After that, a woman appeared beside him. She wore a long-sleeved blue dress, and she''s holding a scythe. What took my attention is her pair of silver eyes.


    "She''s been absent for a month and is only able to start attending school this week, so I''ll introduce her to you," Ingrid said.


    "Meet our Student Council Vice President, Elliza Montliez," he continued.


    She bowed a little and positioned her scythe. Her eyes looked among us emotionless.


    "You already know her, so let''s begin!" he said and grinned.

 31 Chapter 31

    Irvene''s point of view


    Ingrid Welsey and Elliza Montliez stayed on their own positions, seemingly observing us. Vaughn took this chance to quickly summon his weapon. His most favorite sword namely, Light Blade. Out of his weapons, only two of those had names and those two weapons were personally made by him.


    Before everything would start, I took out my staff and a ring which could restore a bit of magic. Even if it looked useless to others, this thing would help a person, especially a mage when one ran out of magic in crucial times.


    Not long after, Elliza wielded her scythe across me followed by Ingrid who was swiftly running toward Vaughn. I stopped watching their fight when I avoided Elliza''s sharp scythe.


    Elliza''s swift and precise movements were incredible, but I could still predict her movements. I often practice with Meryll when we''re still studying under the generals and councilors of Soul''e Country, so an incredible speed is not new to me.


    When I saved a sufficient amount of magic, I made tiny ice spikes and threw at her direction. I made sure not to transform it into ice blades. That''s an ace attack I shouldn''t be showing to a mere rich families competition.


    Elliza avoided some of them, but it was too swift and large in numbers, so it shot her body many times. To end this fight, I chanted a binding spell to her while she''s weak and couldn''t avoid a common binding spell which could last for 20 minutes.


    However, as simple as it seems, this binding spell could weaken a person bound by it when tried to force herself out. Elliza exactly did it that made herself lose her composure, but then stopped when she felt that she couldn''t escape.


    Then I turned my direction to Vaughn and Ingrid who''s wielding their swords to each other. Student President Ingrid has a quite reliable weapon since it didn''t break when Vaughn''s sharp Light Blade sword met his weapon.


    I decided to stop watching and waste time. I would be of help to bind some students, so Meryll would be able to get their flags easily. But when I thought that my plan would work, a flying scythe is about to hit my face. It''s likely to have only one-inch distance toward my face.


    I hurriedly touched it and turned it into ice although, I didn''t expect for it to break into tiny pieces. Well, it''s not entirely my fault if I broke this weapon. She should expect it when she carelessly threw her weapon to an opponent.


    I turned my attention toward Elliza. My assumptions were correct. She''s the one who threw her scythe to me.


    The Vice president of the Student Council shouldn''t really be underestimated. The binding spell that I used to her disappeared already!


    Elliza Montliez''s emotionless disposition seemed to disappear together with the binding spell when she saw her completely broken scythe. Her irritated expression welcomed me.


    She summoned another one and ran towards me, although her speed reduced because she tried to get out of the binding spell forcefully.


    I moved back and made some huge ice spikes to stop her tracks. Elliza managed to jump through the ice spikes, but it slowed down her pace. The small ice spikes that I planted beneath her landing position was noticed by Elliza and quickly dodged it.


    Nonetheless, I made another set of small ice spikes which hit her body once again. This time her strength''s falling down a lot since she''s pushing her limits.


    I hardly breathed after that. I knew that this could be tiring.


    "Get back!" I heard a loud noisy man.


    Suddenly, I saw Meryll holding a flag and is running swiftly. She ran toward Sid and our other teammates that made the man stop since he was outnumbered.


    Once again, she ran towards the other group, but the flag was gone and must already be hidden somewhere.


    Four of the enemies ran towards Meryll. Since I''m done with the Vice President of the Student Council, I went through their path and made another small ice spikes when I have enough magic.


    Someone with fire element chanted a big ball of fire and I didn''t fail to see other students from afar and is ready to attack with a long-distance kind of weapons towards Meryll and I. This is bad!


    "Group 1!" I shouted. When I''m sure that my comrades all looked at me, I gave them a hand sign.


    A series of explosions echoed through the Magic Arena. The red bottled potions that I gave them contained chemicals that would explode once it was released through the bottle. That wasn''t just it, a thick smoke would release from that explosion that would prevent our enemies from attacking us.


    "Meryll! Steal all the flag before the smoke vanishes," I said.


    "It''ll be done in a minute!"Meryll shouted.


    I ran throughout the arena and found Sid and the others when the smoke vanished. He''s holding a sword and a small cloth is on his face with the three enemies who have been coughing on his side.


    "Are everyone okay here?" I asked.


    Henry and Dianne nodded while Sid clashed with his enemies once more.


    Afterward, Meryll went towards us and showed two flags in her hands.


    "I couldn''t find the last one in their bases. It seems that the other flag is hidden to an opponent," Meryll said.


    "What group has their flag hidden?" I asked.


    "It''s the Student Council President''s group, Ingrid Welsey," Meryll answered.


    Well, I wasn''t so shocked about that news. Student Council President Ingrid Welsey is a skilled student after all, although his attitude''s somewhat different and mysterious.


    "I think that the flag is could be found to Ingrid himself," I said.


    After I said that, We looked at Vaughn and Ingrid''s direction. The battle between them was seemed fair but I saw another two students whose coming in their way. I supposed that they were Ingrid''s teammate.


    "Let''s go towards Vaughn and inform Sid and the rest of our team to follow us. Bring all the flags with you!" I said.


    Meryll quickly ran towards our team while I went to Vaughn and the student council president''s position.


    Normally, the Light Blade sword could cut anything except some unique and rare weapons a person could buy, made or find.


    The classifications of weapons are classified based on a book named ''A Weapon''s Level'' by a famous blacksmith several decades ago. His name was Zeno Estrama who was somewhat related to Vaughn.


    For a person who belongs to an elite family and someone who is extremely skilled in Soul''e Magic Academy in his years, it wasn''t impossible for Ingrid Welsey to obtain a unique weapon fitted for him.


    The only thing that would matter today is individual and group skills.


    "As I expected, you weren''t some ordinary student and since today is a competition, might as well finish this game," Ingrid said.


    The sun once again reflected his glasses and grinned widely.


    "We''re the ones who will finish this game!" I said.


    Afterward, Meryll, Sid, and our other groups stayed behind me.


    "President Ingrid, I suppose they have four flags,"Student Council Vice President Elliza Montliez said.


    Elliza could still stand and fight! But for someone who has drained stamina, she could only support her group and was not entirely a threat to us.


    "Hmm, they do have most of the flags but what about those students who wanted to take back their own and steal their flags?" Ingrid Welsey said.


    Not long after, the other groups encircled us and they looked among us as a helpless student among them.


    I shook my head.


    "Sid, the stage is yours," I said.


    The proud group of Student Council President looked at me as though it''s impossible.


    "A blood for a flag," Sid said. His smile is not different but it began to creep me out. Sid Salford''s sometimes acted like that and it totally creeped me out.


    He summoned two identical swords and ran through the enemy like a walk in the park. Once his Death Swords appeared, blood would scatter.


    Although none of them died, they were injured enough that they couldn''t fight anymore.


    "It''s just the two of our groups Student Council President," Vaughn uttered.


    Ingrid Welsey looked dumbfounded for a second but maintained his composure after.


    "Well, we''ll see who would win, " Student Council President Ingrid said.

 32 Chapter 32

    Irvene''s point of view


    Ingrid''s other teammates started to show at his back. I supposed that they''re from fourth to sixth levels. None of his group would be lower than that, I thought.


    This random groupings among us weren''t reliable at all!


    I summoned my staff and started to restore my magic. I felt comfortable after resting for a while and this would make me create more ice spikes than when I''m fighting recently.


    Two of Ingrid''s teammate whose holding identical spears ran at a fast pace on our sides.


    "Meryll, you''ll handle those two and prevent them from targeting our lower level teammates," Vaughn said.


    Meryll nodded and swiftly ran towards those persons while I took my attention to the moves of the rest of them.


    "Irvene, how about enhancing a skill you didn''t use these days? It would be a good thing to try it out," Vaughn said.


    I suddenly furrowed my eyebrows but shock came across my face and look at him when I understand that he''s possibly implying to my healing skills. As a mage, I should learn a bit of healing magic and also, a mage should have more up my sleeves than my enemy.


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    There''s a book called Secret Book of Healing Skills for Mages which was created by my late father, Timothy Elvina. That was the one I exclusively studied and learned the ways of healing efficiently and easily.


    To utterly surprise them, I studied it to the next level than normal mages. The only reason that I didn''t use that skill is it needed concentration and high amount of magic to heal others or myself. Since I''m mostly engaging in a fight alone or with Elis for one whole year, I don''t have the time to use it.


    Dealing with an enemy with ice spikes was easier and would take a short amount of time. That way, I could just rest when it ended.


    Vaughn and Ingrid started clashing with their swords. Ingrid''s other two teammates went towards Sid. The other one sat on the ground and a light and comfortable aura could be faintly sensed in my distance.


    There''s also a healer on their team too and she''s Elliza Montliez! It''s no wonder how she''s still able to stand up and fight despite attacking her with my small ice spikes.


    I now understand why did Vaughn want me to use my healing powers again. He would show a healing battle in front of our enemy.


    Of course, I couldn''t lose to her! I stayed standing and used the magic that I restored. With a focused mind, I carefully chanted a healing skill.


    "Hidden Healing Prowess, 1st Level, " I chanted.


    I felt my body lighter and a faint presence of wings at my back. I sent the wing''s feathers toward my teammates. This first spell couldn''t just heal their stamina and bit of magic but it also calms one''s mind and temporarily increase defense.


    Once I healed them, I started restoring my magic again and kept an eye on them while waiting. I could see the Student Council President''s non-composed state for a moment.


    Elliza seemed to notice my healing skills and showed more talent in healing her subordinates. Her cold temperament was also mixed with hatred towards me, I suppose. She possessed some talent in this area, huh? Too bad, her attitude''s the opposite of it.


    "Hidden Healing Stamina regeneration, 1st Level," I chanted.


    Once again, feathers flew to my teammates and it made their bodies entirely restored just like it was from the beginning. Since they don''t have any serious injuries, that spell was able to bring them back into their best state.


    Overcoming our enemy wasn''t the hardest thing that we''re currently facing. It''s controlling our strength and skills to their level without racing doubts on others especially those cruel persons lurking inside the Academy.


    Although, this Magic Battle Competition made us increase our strength that''s too astonishing for a fourth level student. Anyway, our mission is near to its end, so it wasn''t bad to have fun sometimes. We wouldn''t know if there''s a hiding enemy behind this game.


    After their skillful battle, Vaughn successfully stole the flag from Ingrid. He raised the flag and Meryll did the same. It was the end of the competition.


    "W-we have the winner!" An instructor shouted.


    Countless voices could be heard throughout the area. Some of them cheered us while the others seemed shocked. It''s because their respected Student Council President Ingrid Welsey lose the game.


    After a while, a stage appeared at the center of the Magic Battle Arena. Twelve of the instructor came towards us. They told us to rest on our own seats first.


    "Students! You have performed really well in this competition for this week. The Magic Battle Competition had just come to an end and it''s time to award the students who performed excellently and advanced all the rounds!"


    The instructor began to award the students who excelled for this competition. They also awarded the students who were able to advance to the 3rd rounds of each student level with bronze medals while silver for those who advanced to the 2nd rounds.


    The gold medal and a special potion were handed to us and the other winners of the Magic Battle Competition. Another extraordinary prize was handed out to the six of us who won the mixed level Magic Battle Competition.


    "The Awarding Ceremony was finished however, that''s still not the final end of the competition!" The instructor said with excitement which caught the student''s attention.


    All of the awardees including us were instructed to get down on the stage and stay beside it. After a while, Headmaster Waltz who has been silently watching the entire scene today stood up and walked in the center of the stage.


    He''s together with the man we saw with him at his office the last time we met him at his Headmaster''s office.


    "Good day, students of Soul''e Magic High. I''m very glad to saw your outstanding performances and of course, the best of you have been granted special opportunities. As we all know, the last part of the Magic Battle Competition would be promoting excellent sixth level students to the seventh level students. On this last day of the competition, we will announce the name of students from different levels who would be promoted to the seventh level," Headmaster Waltz said.


    After that, Headmaster Waltz gave a piece of paper on an instructor and started announcing the names. All of them came from the awardees including our teammate, Dianne, Rose, and Henry.


    I knew that they would have a great future ahead of them. Those three might look weak to the higher level of students today, but the people would surely feel helpless of their powers when the time comes.


    Ingrid Welsey and Elliza Montliez were included to the list too. It wasn''t too shocking because the two of them showed incredible skills. They only need to work with their personalities, I thought.


    A few of the non-gold awardees managed to be promoted too however I noticed that Lianna wasn''t among them. I really didn''t know if she could still be promoted but I guess that as a non-gold awardee, it was hard to be promoted. Only one fourth level student and both two sixth level student were promoted among them.


    That wasn''t all, our names weren''t mentioned at all!


    We looked at each other. I remembered that we were excited to become a seventh level student but that didn''t happen at all. It felt like our effort during the Magic Battle Competition were all for naught.


    The instructor announced that the Magic Battle Competition for this year officially ended. I could also see the different expressions of the students and instructors.


    The chosen students were decided byHeadmaster Waltz and I could feel the gazes of the people towards the instructor who announced it.


    Well, the Headmaster clarified that the instructor said the right names after seeing the confused gazes of some students. Even Ingrid Welsey who should be boasting of his promotion only stayed expressionless.


    "Don''t mind it. That promotion wasn''t important for us. All that matters is our mission. I think that our time here at the academy would end for today," Vaughn whispered to us.


    "We had fun during this short time," Sid followed.


    Meryll and I both agreed. We had our time spent on a school which we hadn''t been able to when we were younger. It''s another experience for us. I only hope that we would finally solve the problem in this school before officially leaving.

 33 Chapter 33

    Irvene''s point of view


    We walked towards Soul''e Magic High. This would be the last time that we''ll enter this school as students. The Headmaster told us to make an official leave to our classmates and teachers before disappearing. He explained to us on how we would effectively believe the students of a fake reason of our leave.


    I thought that''s enough. They would know the truth behind it soon anyway.


    The crowd of students welcomed us again. Some couldn''t help to talk about the recent Magic Battle Competition. I''m certain that they''re pertaining about the chosen seventh level students and why we''re not chosen.


    Nonetheless, we walked straight to our classroom and sat on our designated chairs.


    "Finally, this would be the last time that I would listen to every morning''s lengthy discussion," Meryll uttered.


    Sid agreed to her and I ended up shaking my head.


    When the room started to be crowded by our classmates, I''m surprised that some of them congratulated us.


    "But it''s still not enough to be promoted from seventh level," Lianna said.


    "Said by the person who don''t even passed the last round," Meryll followed.


    That made her stop. It''s a good choice though, ''cause it would be hard to prevent Meryll from picking up a fight.


    The class instantly became quite when an instructor entered our room. She''s Miss Dani Alster, the adviser of first section of fourth-level students.


    "Good morning students, before we start our lessons, I want to say that you did well on the recent Magic Battle Competition. It showed your potentials and I hope for all of you to continue doing your best!" Miss Dani said.


    She''s a gentle person and the model of many students especially women. Being a teacher didn''t hide her nobility. The name Alster, is one of the twelve most well-known family of Soul''e country. The families that could prosper Soul''e country and at the same time, may bring downfall to its countrymen.


    "And another news I want to announce is that our newly transferred students would be bidding goodbye to us so early. Could you stand up in front?" Miss Dani continued.


    The four of us stood up and faced our classmates.


    "Our stay in Soul''e Magic High has been great, but sadly, we have to leave," Meryll said.


    "We could only say that a certain unfortunate event happened, and we have to go back in our hometown for a long time. It''s still a part of Soul''e but is very far, thus the need to leave this school," Sid followed.


    "Their last stay here would be today and I announce it, so no one would be shocked when they stopped attending classes," she said.


    As it''s a sudden news, our classmates talked to each other and some are looking upon us.


    "That''s enough, there''s nothing to announce anymore, so we will continue our lessons," Miss Dani said.


    Our instructor let us sit before she continued the lesson.


    Not long after, morning classes ended up already. The first instructor for the afternoon classes, Ms. Lynnwick, let us skip classes because she said that Headmaster Waltz were looking for us.


    We made our way to the Headmasters office. The same huge room with minimal ornaments in some areas welcomed us. The Headmaster sat on a black chair with his desk in front.


    "Good morning, Headmaster Waltz," we greeted in unison.


    "Good morning too, students," Headmaster Waltz greeted back.


    "We called you here today to discuss the recent incident regarding the lost students. Those intruders who infiltrate Soul''e Magic High are still not caught, but we have clues who might be those persons," the young man behind the Headmaster said.


    "Will the Headmaster need our help?" Vaughn said.


    "That''s not it, we know that you''re skilled students, but we''ll not burden you upon this. The Headmaster only want to ask if you find any hidden rooms except for the ones you already find. Our people will do a wide search in the school every night and your information would considerably help us," he continued.


    "When we searched for the area, there''s no suspicious rooms we found anymore except those rooms. I think that only one we haven''t searched for were the place that''s prohibited to students," I said.


    "That''s still an important information. We would focus more on the instructor and administration''s area. I hope that there would be no traitors among the teachers. They shouldn''t be the one who will bring harm to our students," Headmaster Waltz said.


    "And also, I once heard that there''re missing students on the eastern part of the school, but the students were only found on the southern part. I think that they only managed to infiltrate a very limited part of the school," Sid explained.


    "I won''t forget that many people were locked in that hidden room of the western part, however we only found a woman," Meryll followed.


    "A woman?" It caught the Headmaster''s attention.


    "The woman was dead however, we weren''t able to bring her body because it suddenly disappeared into thin air," Vaughn said.


    "Disappeared?" Headmaster Waltz and the young man said in unison. They even looked at each other.


    "Is that all?" Headmaster Waltz said.


    "Yes, Headmaster," Vaughn replied.


    "The information you gave is a help to us, and your mission at Soul''e Magic High would end here," Headmaster Waltz said.


    "Before that, we knew that being a seventh level student would not be enough for your potentials," he continued.


    Although, I don''t quiet understand what the Headmaster meant.


    Afterward, Headmaster Waltz said that we could leave anytime, so we chose to head to the castle early.


    We''re near the exit which is also the entrance of Soul''e Magic High when someone called us.


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    "Seniors!" They called to us.


    The voices were familiar to me, and I was right.


    Dianne, Rose and Henry were running towards us. They were catching their breaths before they started speaking.


    "We have heard that you''ll be leaving Soul''e Magic High," Dianne said.


    "That fast?," Sid uttered.


    "We heard it after the morning classes. The fourth level students were talking about that and then suddenly, the news about that spread to every corner of our school," Rose explained.


    "They have that much time to gossip about us huh?" Meryll said.


    "But before you all leave, we wanted to say something," Rose said.


    "If it weren''t for you, being in a team and guiding us, we might have lost the battle and the chance to be promoted to seventh class," Henry followed.


    The three of them sincerely thanked us.


    "We might be the one who helped you, it''s still yourselves that chose to put your trust and cooperate into us even if you didn''t even know us that time," I said.


    "Still, thank you for guiding us that time, and we hope to see you, seniors in the future again," Henry said.


    "With your talents, we would definitely see each other soon," Vaughn said.


    After saying goodbye to us, they hurriedly came back to their classes.


    While we headed to Soul''e Castle. We just came back when Brother Mavien called for us.


    "Your mission to Soul''e Magic High had already finished. I think that the next responsibility I''ll bestow upon you will be successful, won''t it?" Brother Mavien said.


    We bowed and said,


    "Yes, your majesty."

 34 Chapter 34

    Irvene''s point of view


    We went to our own rooms after brother Mavien talked to us. It''s been a long day and they asked us to prepare for the upcoming event. It''s Brother Mavien''s official announcement of his leadership as a Ruler of Soul''e Country.


    Except for the tailored dress, everything''s here and I don''t know why they''re keeping it away from me or so it was.


    I busied myself reading some Alchemy books for the potion that I''ll start to experiment on and didn''t noticed that time quickly passed.


    "It''s dark now," I murmured.


    The cluster of bright stars in the dark skies could be seen from my windows. Today might be the start of Star Parade where it exists during the first week of eighth month every year.


    It''s such a beautiful night but I hurriedly closed the thick red curtains. Tonight was a lovely yet painful sight for me. Reminds me of death.


    I closed my books and place it back on the shelves, and I laid down on my bed and closed my eyes to sleep, but I can''t seem to make myself enter the world of dreams.


    I ended up staring at the ceiling until I yawned and fell asleep.


    "I missed you, father," I murmured.


    ***


    Morning finally came and I woke up from the bed. I dressed from a nightgown to my usual dress and prepare my things. Not long after, someone knocked on the door.


    I opened it, and Sister Adelaine and her friend, Ms. Kaila Helios, welcomed me.


    "Good Morning, Irvene!" They said in unison.


    "Ugh, What brought you two here?" I asked.


    I certainly don''t like their weird smiles and stares.


    My sister''s friend showed me a dress. A mage-type elegant dress but it seems a design for a high-class mage. My brows furrowed.


    It''s an exquisitely tailored dress with the combination of red, white and a touch of gold. A beautiful craftmanship of diamond on the robe caught my attention. Also, I think the length of the dress would almost reach my knees. I sighed in relief for that.


    "Am I wearing that kind of clothes?" I asked.


    "Obviously, you''ll wear this dress. Let''s enter your room. We''ll help you," Sister Adelaine said.


    They''re doing it again. I breathed deeply. They helped me in styling my hair and other stuff about what they usually do. Since Sister Adelaine and Ms. Kaila were experts when it comes to these kinds of things, I guess it''s not bad to let them decide for what I would look today. Just for today.


    "Pretty!" They commented.


    I stared at myself in the mirror.


    "Not bad," I said.


    Ms. Kaila slightly grunted. "Your voice sounds boring. Are you even complimenting us?" She said.


    Sister Adelaine only laughed.


    "I''m bluffing. You both did great. I looked like someone who''ll fit to attend a formal party," I said.


    I noticed that my shoes did pair my dress. It''s a pair of boots that only reached my ankles and the length of the heels is three inches. I think I could still walk comfortably from this height.


    "We''ll bring the robe first. It''s still not time for you to wear it," Sister Adelaine said.


    I didn''t know why and ended up shrugging. They left after a while and I wear the bracelet that has infinite storage and went outside.


    The people in the palace were busy preparing downstairs. Maviel, Vaughn, and Sid were there too. I think I''m the last one who prepared or it''s just I slept too long.


    "Irvene!" Sid called.


    "You''ve got a different look today," Meryll said.


    "You know, Sister Adelaine," I said.


    "And you have a different look too," I continued.


    The three of them were elegantly dressed for this event. If I didn''t usually see them, I wouldn''t have known them at first sight. Also, Meryll who usually wears black wore the opposite color. She''s glowing with her white dress today.


    "Meryll, you''re looking good today," I said.


    She smiled at me but frowned a little.


    "I don''t plan to wear an all-white, but you''re sister and her friend is so persistent," Meryll said.


    I didn''t know how to react. It seems like I''m not the only one they planned on an outfit.


    "Anyway, let''s go to the dining hall. Your brothers and sisters are there already," Meryll said.


    "Wait for us!" Sid said.


    We walked towards the dining area and sat on our own seats. My brothers, sister Adelaine and her friend are in the dining hall. We greeted them after sitting.


    "The event would start on the afternoon, so you still have free time," Brother Mavien said.


    "Then, why did Sister Adelaine came knocking on my door early in the morning? I asked.


    "Of course, I''m excited to see you in that look today," Sister Adelaine said.


    I ended up shaking my head and started eating.


    "After all of this, everything would change," Brother Mavien said.


    I tightened the grip on my utensils. "I know, brother," I said.


    Our breakfast ended shortly. Since it''s too early, Sid led us to a place near the castle.


    "Where are we going?" Meryll asked.


    "I think it''s the forest," Vaughn said.


    "It''s been a long time, huh?" Meryll said.


    The forest is located not too far away at the back of the castle. It feels like going back at those times.


    We carefully ran to avoid damaging our clothes today.


    At the end of the vast forest, there was a cliff. The place that all of us frequently goes to when we were younger. This was the place we hid when we escaped our instructors. It''s because we''re too tired in their rigorous training.


    Nonetheless, we often managed to hide from them.


    "This place brings back memories," I said.


    We kept silent and felt the wind that fluttered on ourselves.


    "Are we really going to face the world?" Sid uttered.


    I nodded at him. We stayed there for a while until we decided to come back.


    "We''re drenching in sweat," Meryll said.


    "Don''t worry, I''ll do some magic," I said.


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    I closed my eyes and chanted a spell. "Hidden Healing Magic, Level 1," I uttered.


    Our drenched body suddenly turned comfortable and fresh as if we hadn''t run through the forest. We didn''t run this time and instead walked down the forest while walking back from the castle.


    "Where did you went to?" Ms. Kaila said. She''s with Sister Adelaine in the garden.


    "Somewhere," I said and smiled.


    "Hmp. Okay, I won''t insist then," Ms. Kaila said.


    "Why are we here yet? Aren''t we going to the event area now?" Sid asked.


    Sister Adelaine looked at us. "Brother Mavien said that we should stay here for a while until they called us," She answered.


    Since it''s the case, we stayed here.


    But, I wonder why.

 35 Chapter 35

    Irvene''s point of view


    We''re waiting for too long. It heightened my curiousity as we waited longer. I looked around me and they''re waiting patiently. Sister Adelaine was enjoying herself in her tea with a servant on her side.


    Then, I called for Vaughn, Sid and Meryll. "Aren''t it taking too long?" I whispered.


    They nodded in reponse and looked at the direction where the hall gathering is located. I stood up quietly and they followed me. When we attempted to take a step away, we heard Sister Adelaine''s voice.


    "A little impatient, hmm?" Sister Adelaine said.


    Her eyes slowly opened and looked at us. She smiled dearly yet it made us feel the opposite. Until her servant suddenly spoke.


    "Milady, it''s about time," Sister Adelaine''s servant said.


    "See? You just have to wait a bit more," She said.


    "Let the other servant take care of the chores here, accompany us," Sister continued, pertaining at the servant.


    The servant have been obediently following her orders without any doubts in his face. I looked at her. Nonetheless, her servant wasn''t wearing our castle''s standard uniform. He''s wearing a classy one.


    "A new personal attendant?" I asked.


    Sister Adelaine smiled. "Don''t you recognize him?"


    My brows furrowed. Nonetheless, my eyes got bigger. If it isn''t the 2nd country''s young lord, I don''t know who he''ll be! He got a different style that I didn''t notice him this whole time I''m waiting.


    "Greetings, the name''s Davis Xenon, Milady''s servant," he said and bowed.


    I suddenly stood awkwardly.


    "Oh, I remember now. It''s a pleasure to meet Young Lord Davis Xenon di Sapphire," Sid said respectfully.


    However, the young lord didn''t react although I saw him glared at Sister for a second.


    "What''s happening?" I whispered to Sister Adelaine.


    I''m quiet sure that the Noble House of Sapphire is still at their prime and their young lord being a servant here didn''t make sense.


    "There''s nothing to explain. You wouldn''t understand it anyway although, I''ll appreciate it if you keep silent," Sister Adelaine said.


    "Milady, I suggest we should get inside the gathering hall," Young lord Davis said.


    "Oh my, we really are. Let''s go," Sister simply said.


    We started whispering at each other while Sister and the young lord was walking in front.


    "I wonder how your sister made a noble her servant," Sid said amazingly.


    "It might be an important matter that we shouldn''t intervene," Vaughn simply said.


    Meryll chuckled. "I think I know the reason. It''s things worth going for," She uttered.


    "What is it?" Sid asked.


    "Well, I wouldn''t tell you. It''s a private matter that you wouldn''t understand," Meryll answered.


    I shook my head. Those two always find their way to quarrel in every occasion. They only stopped when we reached the huge door that leads inside the hall gathering.


    When the door opened, Sister and the young lord, walked in and we followed them. Vaughn stood beside me and Meryll and Sid were at our back. We lined up what Sister Adelaine told us earlier.


    The stares we''re receiving made me utterly uncomfortable and I tried my best not show it in front of numerous people. Some wondered who were Sister Adelaine accompanying to, since we didn''t show up at event like this and suddenly become the center of attention at that.


    I saw Ingrid whom I believed didn''t expect us to appear at this moment.


    A councilor led us to our table at the front of the hall. We sat there and afterwards, Brother Maven started speaking whose beside Brother Mavien.


    "The final part of the ceremony will finally begin!" Brother Maven said.


    Two officials in the castle were holding the crown that symbolizes the authourity and responsiblity of a Ruler. It''s a crown that was passed down to many generations to the recent Rulers of Soul''e country.


    "May your Majesty be endowed with prosperity," they said.


    The other people followed suit.


    The hall gathering was filled with satisfaction, for our country finally has a Ruler and no longer an empty seat for the nobles to revolt against each other.


    Although, I believe that not all of the people here would entirely agree about the event today. That certain two noble families of Soul''e and among the 12 richest family of Soul''e. Make a wrong move and one wouldn''t left unscathed.


    Afterwards, Ruler Mavien, my brother, stood up. His authourity could be felt around the hall, reminiscent of our late father.


    The loneliness started to linger around me again, nonetheless I suppressed my emotions. I shifted my attention in front. The servants started serving us food and then, I heard Sid''s cheerful talks.


    "You really think only about food, huh?" Meryll uttered.


    "Stop your commotions, Sid and Meryll," Vaughn said.


    They hurriedly stop, not expecting Vaughn to shut them. Then, I noticed him looked at me.


    "Fine?" he said.


    It caught Meryll and Sid''s attention. Seeing their serious stare, I hurriedly nodded and started eating.


    "As a Ruler, I''ll make sure to bring our country to success and ensure harmony among the people," Ruler Mavien said.


    "Although, the final part of the ceremony had ended, this gathering would not end soon. I still have an important announcement," he continued.


    The hall was filled with confusion and curiosity but didn''t dare to voice it out in front of the Ruler. That didn''t exclude us.


    Did Brother Mavien intended to announce in front about us, four?


    "I request for my sister, the youngest lady from the Noble House of Elvina to come in front," Brother Mavien said.


    I stood up slowly from my seat.


    "Irvene, don''t be nervous," Sister Adelaine said.


    I nodded. Vaughn escorted me towards Brother Mavien. I could notice another confusion from the people because our other members from our noble house of Elvina were sitting comfortably and the Ruler''s announcement didn''t fazed, and object at the least.


    "Irvene Aly di Lightsoul Elvina, the hidden daughter of the late Ruler Timothy di Lightsoul Elvina. You will be seeing her a lot," Brother Mavien said.


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    "I hereby announce Irvene Aly di Lightsould Elvina as the Archmage of Soul''e Country!" he continued.


    Before I could react, a light appeared from where I stood and an elegant robe appeared from my back. It was the one whom Sister Adelaine tailored for me.


    Everything started to make sense. This robe and my dress looked like that of an archmage''s clothes!


    I looked at Brother Mavien. How will the people react? They didn''t even know me, so how they would agree?


    "Don''t worry, I won''t let you become an Archmage if I''m not sure of the outcome," Brother Mavien said.


    He sounded calmly and confident. Brother let me sat between Brother Maven and him. The front of the hall gathering had four thrones. The Ruler''s throne being the tallest. An empty spot at the left was I suppose Sister Adelaine''s seat.


    While sitting on the throne he said, "Those who have doubts regarding my announcement could ask questions now."


    The hall became quiet. They hesitated to ask until I saw Headmaster Andre Estrama of Estrama family stood up.


    "Regardless if she''s from the Noble house of Elvina''s main family, an archmage qualifications should be immense power and experience. A young lady who still haven''t have her coming of age ceremony became an archmage. Our late archmage was in his thirties when he became one, so I suggest your majesty to rethink his decisions," Headmaster Estrama said.


    I suddenly felt insulted. Age doesn''t completely determine one''s talent and powers.


    "Irvene, will you let them question your magic powers?" Brother Mavien said.


    "Hmm hmm, show them young sister," Brother Maven said.


    He''s been quiet a while ago then suddenly became talkative.


    Nontheless, my lips suddenly turned into a smirk. I won''t mind scaring them a little.

 36 Chapter 36

    Irvene''s point of view


    I stared at the people in front of me and readied myself to chant a spell when I heard Brother Mavien''s low voice.


    "Try to use all your powers even though, something is restricting you," he said.


    I stopped for a second. It''s not that I''m worried about what might happen. I didn''t think that Brother Mavien would take it seriously. Nonetheless, I chose to heed his order.


    "Harshness of thy snow, the ice''s sharpest blow, lying inside though could breathe and wake, show them our might and make them shake!" I chanted.


    I once named a spell called Harsh fleeting of wintry weather. An offensive illusion-type spell. This one so far, was among my favorite spells. A spell that could remind me of the dearest past.


    The anxious they were, the greater it would disturb one''s inner mind. A spell that could be a nightmare to everyone. As great as it could be, it wasn''t a long lasting spell, although it could distrupt one''s opponent and change the tides of the battle.


    A series of defense spells from the mages started to appear. My purpose was to show them my capabilities and I thought it''s enough so I decided to stop it. I could also feel my magic slowing down, until the last drop and I find it hard to stand up firmly anymore.


    Until I could feel Brother Maven''s spell, helping me regain enough magic and stamina. The results were good though, because it seemed they were convinced of my powers based on their fearful expressions. Another one is not a single drop of blood came out of my body. The fifth time it was and meant that I could improve more unlike those past years.


    I cheered silently inside. It seemed that my body''s adapting to the vast magic powers I could have and would slowly control it as I waited patiently.


    My magic reserves are really frightening as one''s person normally could contain enough magic fit for ones body. If it increased more than that, complications could arise, worst is it could be permanent.


    In my condition, I''m born with this rarity. I was always close to death many times that I get used to it eventually. My ice and water magic somewhat helped me heal my body though, insignificant.


    The greatest power one held could also bring your worst nightmare, indeed.


    I stopped reminiscing my past when Brother Maven told me to rest at the throne I was sitting earlier. I followed and observed my surroundings.


    "Any doubts you harbor?" Brother Mavien said.


    The vast hall became utterly quiet even though, there''s a crowd of peole gathered in this event.


    Although, it didn''t last long. The families from 12 richest family of Soul''e started raising questions. The Welsey family being the first one to ask Brother Mavien.


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    "Your majesty, I understand that she could be qualified as an archmage, but why did a young lady from the Noble house of Lightsoul Elvina main family only appear at this moment when the young lady could be known in the past years. I don''t mean any harm, but it bothers me a lot, your majesty," the head of the Welsey family, Hendrid Sev Welsey said.


    I looked at the man who said that. The one on his side was Ingrid Welsey, who is not only a student president of Soul''e Magic High, but also an only heir of Headmaster of Welsey Family.


    Ingrid couldn''t believe it, wasn''t he? I thought earlier when we''re still in Soul''e that he would search informations about us though, he wouldn''t find anything about me being the youngest daughter of the late Ruler Timothy Elvina.


    I felt Brother Mavien''s chuckle.


    "Seventeen years ago was one of the most critical period of our country. A delicate princess in father''s eyes, would he be willing to lay his daughter into the lion''s den? As a result, she''s kept hidden, until she could protect her own life," Brother Mavien said.


    He then rested his one arm at his throne''s armrest and looked at them boredly.


    "As your eyes could see, Irvene inherited from late Ruler Timothy Elvina, our father, his dark raven hair and skills and even the same magic attribute! Her other facial features were from our mother. She has the presence of a goddess like mother," Brother Maven said.


    I understand that Brother Mavien started to lost interest of the Headmaster''s logic, so Brother Maven continued instead. Although, I couldn''t see the importance of exaggerating everything. Goddess? You''re making fun of me, Brother Maven!


    I made a straight face and looked at him.


    "Irvene, you should thank me. I praised you even more at those people," Brothe Maven whispered.


    I rolled my eyes at him. "I won''t, and you''re only uttering nonsense," I said.


    The other families from 12 richest family of Soul''e followed and Brother Maven and Mavien answered them but not completely. The information he gave was direct and that they wouldn''t have an opportunity to ask further.


    The head councilor took forward and showed a document. It''s only a long one-paged paper, although it has the seals of the councilors, late Ruler Timothy Elvina and Brother Mavien.


    "This is the testimony that Archmage Irvene Elvina obtained her position legally with all the councilor''s approval and our current Ruler and late Ruler Timothy Elvina. It also included the announcement of a Warrior named Vaughn Estrama to be the leader of the Seventh Unit to be trained Black knights and would be entitled as the Black Sword General under Ruler Mavien Night di Lightsoul Elvina''s personal orders!" Head Councilor George Woodluck announced.


    Afterwards, I saw Sister Adelaine with Vaughn, Sid and Meryll. They''re walking towards us.


    Our visitors inside the hall once again, filled with their own opinions regarding the announcement but none took courage to show their true emotions to the Ruler and chose to wait for the Ruler to explain it. The Soul''e rich people still have some harmony left on them.


    "This would be my new general, Vaughn Estrama. Once a member from the esteemed Estrama Family and also, Sid Salford, a special warrior under Vaughn from the noble Salford family if you would ask," Brother Mavien said.


    "Then Meryll Dellmira, who''ll be Irvene''s personal associate and will accompany her in her position as an Archmage," he continue.


    It''s very clear that the people wanted to know their family backgrounds instead of knowing why we''re assigned to our positions. Although, I thought from what they experienced from my spell a while ago, they wouldn''t dare doubt our abilities.


    "I would respect your Majesty''s decision. Since it included all the councilor''s decision and not only our Ruler Mavien, it only means that they have the capabilities for that position. Although, whether they could constantly fulfill their responsibilities or not would be relying on their experiences and resilient mind," Headmaster Salford said.


    "The councilors could always change the person in position if some of them failed to do their tasks, so I couldn''t see a problem anymore," he continued.


    The headmaster of the Salford Family was still doubting us even though, one of his son was with us. It only meant that he saw Sid as nothing. Sid didn''t deserve to come back from his family!


    "You''ll see the results in the near future," Brother Mavien said.


    He even looked directly at the Headmaster of Salford. I could feel that Headmaster''s slight trembling body though, he sat on his chair quickly for everyone not to notice his cowardice.


    His attitude were worse than the Headmaster of Estrama. No matter what, they''re still the same. I drifted my thoughts to another subject for these two Headmasters wasn''t worth my time.


    Meanwhile, the hall gathering continued to celebrate the event until it ended. Our guests came back from their own mansions while we went straight to our room. Brother Mavien said that I should rest and I didn''t have the chance to talk to Vaughn, Sid and Meryll after the event.


    I could still felt a slight headache so I quickly changed my dress and sleep fast.


    I wonder what would happen tomorrow. Can I fullfill such tough responsibilities of an Archmage?

 37 Chapter 37

    Irvene''s point of view


    Morning came and I timidly woke up from bed. The thought of being an archmage really bothered me. I dressed myself properly and walked downstairs for breakfast. All of them was already sitting at the long table while the dishes was being placed by the servants.


    "Good morning Irvene," Sister Adelaine said.


    I greeted her in return and sat on the chair. Once the food were all served, we started eating. All of us were quiet during breakfast. It seemed that we were all still tired from the event yesterday that was finished late at night.


    When we were all done, a servant informed me that Brother Mavien asked for me to go to the Ruler''s Office. It was where he often stayed when he studies the important documents regarding our country.


    I knocked the door and entered when Brother Mavien told me to enter. I saw both Brother Mavien and Maven whose busy with their work.


    "Brother Mavien, do you have any orders?" I asked.


    "I''ll give you this papers which your work is written. Some would be quiet difficult since it''s related to our father, but this is an important work which couldn''t be given to anyone," Brother Mavien said.


    I read the compiled papers that he gave me. I think I would be pretty busy this time.


    "One more thing, the list didn''t only include about Father, but also other works. Keep in mind that you shouldn''t focus your mind on one task," Brother Mavien added.


    "Of course, Brother Mavien," I said.


    "Do your best, Irvene. Ask me if you need help," Brother Maven said.


    I smiled and nodded.


    "What are you saying? You have other things to do, finish this first before taking other''s task," Brother Mavien added.


    "Tsk. It''s too many," Brother Maven said. He even yawned.


    They''re really busy. A mountain of papers is always found in this room and I bid goodbye, so they could do their work.


    Before I could get outside the castle, I heard Vaughn called me.


    "Why?" I asked.


    "I think you''re also going to the Soul forest," Vaughn said.


    I looked at him confusedly, until I thought Soul forest was written in this compiled papers. It''s indeed written on my first task.


    It''s written that Soul forest is where the Black Knights hidden base and training grounds could be found. As an archmage, I should visit and guide them together with the Black Sword General.


    "The four of us will work again," I said.


    "Hmm," Vaughn uttered.


    Since Sid would become a special warrior under Vaugh and Meryll is my personal associate, they should be here by now right?


    "If you''re looking for them, they already left," Vaughn said.


    I wonder why. Then again, those two are always full of energy.


    A horse carriage here from Soul''e Castle was in front of the castle.


    "We aren''t using a portal?" I whispered.


    "That place was built with Portal Magic Barrier that prevent a portal from opening. It would only lead us to a far away place," Vaughn said.


    I understand now. Soul''e Castle also have one, so our visitors yesterday were all in carriage. The reason that we could use portal to the castle was we were permitted to do so. The Portal Magic Barrier in the castle was altered by father.


    Only the red crystals given to us by my father could be used to succesfully teleport to Soul''e Castle. My brothers and sister each had one aside from Vaughn and I. It''s a total of six red crystals.


    It seems that the Black Castle didn''t have a single one.


    Afterwards, we went inside the carriage. Horse carriages have a magic chanted that could make it travel at a faster speed than normal horses. It made traveling into a different country for only a few hours on land, although magic-chanted horse carriages are indeed expensive.


    Half an hour had passed and we reached the entrance to Soul forest. Since the location of the Black Knight was hidden, we could only stop at the forest''s entrance.


    We walked into the forest until we stopped. Vaughn uttered the spell that could grant us entry. Not long after, I could already see the huge black castle in the middle of a vast grassland.


    A person suddenly appeared. His clothes were similar to the uniform of seventh-level students.


    "Greetings, Black Sword General Estrama and Archmage Elvina. I''m Ren Dewfield, and I will accompany you towards our Black Castle," he said.


    Ren Dewfield walked in front of us and we followed. The huge door opened and it showed the wide hall of the Black Castle. The people in black uniform were the seventh-level students, I suppose.


    "Greetings to the Black Sword General!"


    "Greetings to Archmage Elvina!"


    They all said in unison.


    Some of the the students here were older than us, but they still respectfully accepted the decision of our Ruler.


    "I am Vaughn Estrama, the Black Sword General appointed by Ruler Mavien," Vaughn said.


    "Those who have doubts about my abilities could please walk infront and could hereby challenge me today," he continued.


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    My eyes widened. I expected his speech to be short, but I didn''t think that he would suddenly talk about that topic.


    The hall became utterly quiet and none dared to walk in front, but before Vaughn could speak, a man suddenly appeared in front of us.


    His familiar grin arose. Ingrid Welsey!


    "Since the Black Sword General allowed it, I should take this offer," Ingrid said.


    "Ren Dewfield, to the training grounds," Vaughn simply said.


    "Yes, General!" Ren answered.


    All of us ended up in the indoor training grounds of the Black Knights. Vaughn and Ingrid were at the center with their own swords.


    "Start!" Ren said.


    Both of them started to run towards each orher with their swords clashing. Vaughn maintained his emotionless face while Ingrid started to knit his brows. It''s because he couldn''t find an opportunity to find an opening.


    Then, Ingrid jumped backwards and his weapon started to glow. He''s using his fire element magic while Vaughn didn''t use any.


    Ingrid once again leaped high and pointed his sword that''s surrounded by red fire to Vaughn. Ingrid''s swift and precise movements improved than when he fought us during the Magic Battle Competition.


    "Fire Dragon''s breath!" Ingrid shouted.


    A fire dragon suddenly formed into his sword that directly attacked Vaughn. A thick black smoke had formed, but Vaughn waved his sword that dissipated the smoke and his incredible movement that made Vaughn instantly travelled Ingrid''s position.


    He swiftly threw away Ingrid''s sword using his own and pointed his sword at Ingrid.


    Ingrid kneeled and stood up. "I admit my lose Black Sword General," he said.


    After that, no one fought Vaughn anymore. He only instructed for them to rest and start their training tomorrow after he study each of their skills.


    On our way, we saw Meryll and Sid. As usual, they''re nagging at each other.


    "Vaughn, Irvene, you''re here already! We didn''t even know!" Meryll said.


    "The Black Knights already met Vaughn. Where did the two of you went?" I asked.


    "After a Black knight welcomed us, we asked them that we will be strolling around and they permitted us to, but I think we took longer since you already met them," Sid answered.


    "You didn''t witnessed Vaughn and Ingrid''s fight then," I said.


    Their eyes widen. It''s your fault for suddenly disappearing. It made me laughed when I imagine what they''re thinking now.


    "I should have stayed with you instead of Meryll, so I witnessed their battle!" Sid grunted.


    "You''re the one who challenged me into a race!" Meryll said.


    "Race?" Vaughn suddenly asked.


    "Since I have nothing to do, I challenge her into a race. The one who reaches Black Castle will be the winner," Sid said.


    When we''re talking to each other, we saw Ren Dewfield.


    "G-greetings!" he said.


    Ren''s stuttering voice confused me, but I saw him looking at Meryll and Sid fearfully. What ruckus those two did, huh? Ren Dewfield ran away hurriedly here in the hallway.


    "I think we overdid our race earlier," Sid uttered.


    I ended up shaking my head.


    "All of you, follow me," Vaughn said.


    I think it''s related of our work here. I wonder how hard this would be.

 38 Chapter 38

    Irvene''s point of view


    We entered a study room prepared for Vaughn. It''s comfortable enough inside, although the papers that stacked on each other could be seen. This scene reminds me of Brother Mavien''s study room. It seemed that I should get used to it.


    We sat on the couch except for Vaughn who sat in front of us and there''s a table in front of him. He checked the papers on the table and started our discussion.


    "According to their information, the seventh-level students were especially good in magic and bore the best aptitudes that came from Soul''e Magic High but they lacked on many aspects," Vaughn said.


    "What that might be? Experience? Although it could be gained throughout the years," Sid said.


    "That might not be. Although, those students have only started enhancing their skills when they got into Soul''e Magic High and didn''t start at a very young age like us, they only focused on magic aspects. They aged thirteen to fourteen years old when they started to focus on magic aspects and fighting skills while we were trained from physical aspect first before we were taught magic skills," Meryll said.


    "That''s what makes them different from us. Most of the people were enhancing physical skills together with magic skills since the outcome could be seen in a short time. Then, when their magic was depleted, they would be at a disadvantage since they couldn''t fight properly," I said.


    "Then what would be the best thing to do?" Sid asked.


    "We''ll have them gain great control of their own body without the use of magic," Vaughn uttered.


    "Then the harder the training, the better it would be. It''s best to implement the training we were used to, but alter it a little," Sid said.


    Our discussion continued about the things we should prepare for the training and set it up on their outdoor training grounds. It took us a lot of hours to finish the training grounds we chose and then, head to our own rooms to rest and wait for tomorrow.


    Morning came and we immediately had breakfast earlier than them and head out to the training grounds. Not long after, all of the seventh-level students were all here.


    They were numbered, sixty students. The new members numbered twenty and they just got accepted after the recent Magic Battle Competition. This was indeed quite many compared to the ten to five students accepted each year since the seventh level students appeared. Based on the information, it was just implemented six years ago and my father, the late Ruler was the one who comes up with this idea.


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    "As you can see, our General made us built these physical training grounds located here on outdoor training grounds. Starting today, you would practice here during the morning and then your regular routine during the rest of the day!" Sid said.


    Ren Dewfield who was standing in front of the seventh level students spoke. "How do we practice in this training grounds, Sir Salford and won''t we separate the senior ones to the newly admitted students?" he asked confusedly.


    It seemed that Ren Dewfield led the seventh-level students before since he was the one who often manage them.


    "This practice didn''t need to separate each of you and training was simple. Start at the red line and pass through it in the shortest time possible," Vaughn said.


    "Wasn''t it too simple..," Ren uttered.


    Vaughn interrupted.


    "Without using any kind of magic," Vaughn said.


    I could already saw their confused gazes but only chose to listen to our conversation with Ren Dewfield.


    "What are you waiting for? Don''t waste any time and start!" Ren shouted.


    The training grounds we set up were a field with muds at the starting line and a long ladder which one needed to climb that leads to an empty field at the other side, but we set a magic spell that would release rocks every ten seconds. When they crossed that twenty-meter empty field, swinging sharp blades would welcome them. It would swing with a constant time and one would need to analyze when it was the right time to cross each swinging blade.


    That outdoor training grounds were filled with blades and traps from then on.


    Ren Dewfield was the first to cross and it could be seen that he was having a hard time crossing each blade and rocks. He passed each of them safely but at half of that death-seeking practice grounds, a pretty huge rock hit his head that made him unconscious.


    The whole place was filled with gasps and worries, but a light appeared and brought him to the starting line and his body which were filled with scratches and torn clothes were gone like nothing happened.


    I chanted a healing spell when we built that and one would find himself at the starting line when heavily injured and also the finish line had one. Another thing, I made sure that no one would be able to use magic the moment they stepped on the red line.


    Ingrid Welsey ran and stepped on the red line with Elliza following him. I almost forget that Elliza, the former Student Council Vice President was also chosen to become a seventh -level student, a future Black Knight under the Black Sword General.


    I also saw the Henry, Rose, and Diana with their hesitant gazes in front of the red line. Our teammates during the final competition were also here. We''re so busy yesterday that I forgot to talk to them.


    Ren Dewfield looked among the rest of the students. "What are you waiting for? Move!" he shouted.


    All of them walked with hesitant gazes while walking, but increased their paces when they felt Vaughn''s cold gaze.


    The students fell in line and waited until it''s not crowded to the mud field area.


    The training we set up was big enough for all of them to train. The four of us walked near the training area and guided some of the students. We''re giving them a bit of advice and hints about the training ground we made since it''s their first time but they need to analyze it themselves for the rest of their training days.


    The training became much harsher under the heat of the sun. Although it''s the first day of training, they''re doing good and that was to be expected since they were the best students of Soul''e Magic High.


    Afternoon came and their physical training ended. Although they were healed the moment they got to the starting line, I could saw their tired expressions.


    "Physical training ends today, rest well and go to the meeting hall later at two in the afternoon," Vaughn said.


    "Yes, Black Sword General!" they shouted.


    The four of us left the outdoor training grounds and went to Vaughn''s study room. Lunch was already prepared and we started eating while discussing about the students.


    The afternoon practice would be the same way they train when we''re still not here. The students were separated according to their skills. We learned that the Black Knights didn''t only consist of warrior class students. There were also mage students. The warrior classes were group together while mage classes were then trained together.


    Black Knights were grouped according to the main classes. It seemed that most of the students chosen were the ones that focused on the main class. Some of the sub-classes were archer, priest, assassin, battle priest, druid, and necromancer. The students that focused on the sub-classes then belonged to the main class such as the sub-class archer was considered a warrior class.


    Afterwards, the afternoon training started. Meryll and I trained the mage class while Sid and Vaughn taught the warrior class.


    ***


    Three weeks had passed and the seventh-level students were doing great and had improved compared to the first time we met them.


    Everything went smoothly until a notice came. Ren Dewfield brought it to me. A magic spell was chanted to the Soul forest and they would know when a person arrived, thus Ren Dewfield went outside and gave it to me.


    It stated that it''s a letter from the Ruler. Brother Mavien was tasking me to do the second task already. Then, I needed to leave the Black Castle for now since the next task would be to the Spirit Mining Forest which was located to the north, near Soul''e Castle, while Black Castle was located in the South.


    I have to work separated from them again. That made me sighed deeply. It''s time to work again!

 39 Chapter 39

    Irvene''s point of view


    "Stay safe on your trip," Vaughn said.


    The four of us and also, Ren Dewfield were at the entrance of Black Castle. I already told them about my task. Aside from me, Meryll would join me, since she''s a personal associate of mine and the task with teaching the mage group would go to the former general that taught them before us.


    It''s said that Sir Lance Fedeli, a former general of Soul''e, had gone into a vacation last month and would only come back tomorrow to continue teaching the mage group. It''s good that he would go back at the right time when I needed to leave already.


    "I should be the one going with you Irvene," Sid said. He had been insisting to go with me, but he couldn''t since we have different work to do.


    "Too bad it''s not," Meryll uttered.


    "Enough, enough, let''s go before we get late," I said.


    Then, Ren Dewfield talked.


    "I''ll accompany Archmage Elvina and Miss Dellmira to the entrance of Soul forest," he said.


    Afterward, we ran towards the entrance of Soul Forest and with the use of magic, we easily reached our destination. A horse carriage was waiting in front of us and then Ren Dewfield bid goodbye before we get into the carriage.


    Our trip was quiet that was unusual with Meryll''s personality. When I asked her what''s bugging her mind, Meryll said nothing. I let her be. Although I don''t believe her, I would ask her about that later. Then, we reached the north of Soul''e Country after an hour. The horse carriage stopped in front of Spirit Mountain.


    Since this place had heavy security, we got out of the carriage and walked towards the knights who were guarding the entrance. A few miners based on their clothes were getting in and out of the gate and they were being inspected. I wore my robe and emblem that would represent me as an archmage of this country to grant us entry.


    "Let''s go Meryll," I said.


    She''s been staring at midair, so I called her before she would be left here. Meryll only nodded and followed after me.


    When we reached the knight''s post, they immediately crossed their spears.


    "Headmaster Andre Estrama commanded us to forbid entry to anyone regardless of his or her standing without authorization except for the Ruler," he said.


    Since my identity of an archmage wasn''t enough, I took out a letter from Brother Mavien, the Ruler, with his seal.


    "I have a task to do within the Spirit Mountain and Ruler Mavien gave us permission to enter this place," I said.


    I handed the letter to them.


    The knight immediately released the spear to the entrance and let us in. I suddenly felt some of the miners'' gaze who passed by. The news really did flew quickly. I think they already have an idea who we were.


    Not long after a man in his shining silver armor welcomed us. Based on his clothing, his position was higher than the knights who were guarding the gate.


    "Greetings, Archmage Elvina. Headmaster Estrama had heard about your visit and commanded me to accompany you directly to Spirit Mining Company," he said.


    Headmaster Estrama would be feeling uneasy now for my sudden visit. I reckon he''s planning to replace me as an archmage with somebody else as soon as possible. Good luck to you, Headmaster Estrama.


    "Then let''s go now," I uttered.


    I have to settle things here easily because I still have many tasks waiting in line. The position of an archmage was empty for a long period of time that I have tons of things to finish.


    "Please follow me Archmage Elvina and Miss Dellmira," he said.


    We walked towards the Spirit Mining Company. The place was filled with elegance. I even saw a cart of diamonds that were just placed carelessly in front and no one seemed to bother about keeping it to a safe place.


    This place was quite hard to understand like the headmaster of this place.


    We reached the Headmaster''s study room on the first floor of this huge building and the man opened the door.


    "Good morning Archmage Elvina. Take a seat," Headmaster Estrama said.


    "I wonder what brought you here," he continued.


    After taking a seat near his desk, I answered him. "As a newly appointed archmage of Soul''e country, I have many conflicts to solve, especially internal ones," I said.


    "I understand but I didn''t find any major problems that require an archmage''s assistance. May I know why Ruler Mavien summoned you here?" Headmaster Estrama asked.


    I prevent myself from rolling my eyes. "According to Brother Mavien''s order, the new mining place on the east part of Spirit Mountain was not like the other mining areas. That part would be dangerous to the miners and I''m commanded to see that area and if I could fix that place or.." I said.


    "It would be closed?" Headmaster interrupted.


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    "That place has many precious stones unlike any other areas and we couldn''t afford to lose it," he continued.


    His hands turned into a fist and furrowed his brows even more. "Maybe you could do us a favor to the Ruler and say that we could fix it ourselves. It''s no need for an esteemed Archmage Elvina to check the area," Headmaster Estrama said.


    "Here''s the letter the Ruler and maybe it could help you understand why we needed to check the area now. Also, we couldn''t risk a miners'' lives for the sake of obtaining more precious stones," Meryll uttered. Her voice mimicked Headmaster Estrama''s way of talking.


    "Tsk. I know that," he said.


    Meryll kept giving him the same attitude, but I prevented her from going too much to avoid making a scene that would further complicate our task here. Although her actions were like her true self, unlike the overly quiet Meryll.


    The letter was written said that I should check the area no matter what according to Brother Mavien and let me solve the problem here in a short time. Wasting more time would mean risking the miners'' lives for a long time and it didn''t sound good to the ears of a Ruler like himself.


    I didn''t fail to saw how he gripped the letter while reading it, then immediately return the letter from my hands.


    "Since you''re all persistent, then I just have to let you check that area as soon as possible and hope that Archmage Elvina could solve our problem since the Ruler seems to favor your decisions and I hope that it wouldn''t get close when this problem couldn''t be solved. I still have capable persons here that were skilled enough to fix the place," Headmaster Estrama said.


    "What did y-" Meryll uttered.


    Meryll''s word stopped when I interrupted her.


    "Don''t worry I''ll definitely solve this problem soon and Ruler Mavien didn''t favor anyone. He''s just doing his best for this country," I said.


    This Headmaster seemed to hate our system in the country although, he greatly benefited from the previous Ruler''s good leadership in Soul''e and would be continued by Ruler Mavien. This urged me greatly to find out about what happened in the past and that place''s connection to my father''s death. I should visit that place today no matter what.


    "Since you said that you could solve it, then I should let the Archmage to visit the place. I wonder when do you plan to check? It would be good tomorrow or the other day, so the two of you should take a rest first," Headmaster Estrama said.


    "No thanks, but I decided to visit it today. I hope that you could accept this request of mine as I want it to be done as soon as possible and avoid disappointments from the Headmaster of this place," I said.


    His eyes widened. He might not expect me to take action when we just came here. "Okay then, please wait for a while," he said.


    The Headmaster didn''t say anything after that and left the room. Only the man who took us here were left.


    I wonder what was in that place that he went in circles before he agreed to let us check the area.


    "Hmp. That Headmaster had a stinky attitude," Meryll whispered.


    She didn''t do anything after that since she


    understood that we should carefully take action here in the Headmaster''s place.


    Not long after, they lead us to the new mining area. It felt good that I''m about to take a step forward to father''s mysterious death.

 40 Chapter 40

    Irvene''s point of view


    The road to that new mining area was quite dangerous. If not for their magic, this road would have fallen. The place was indeed risky to visit but the scenery above here was beautiful. I could already saw a huge area of the north part of Soul''e.


    If it''s not a mining place, many people would be able to see this breathtaking scene. We walked for more than an hour before we reached the place. A hole on the mountain was made that''s fit enough for a human and the cart to get inside and out.


    A huge metal pole was on the entrance, releasing magic from time to time. It might be the thing that kept this place intact. This place was too high that was different from the usual mining area but when we got inside, the road was going downwards.


    There were no miners in this area today because the man guiding us said that the Headmaster told them to do. That way we could focus on our work here, though I don''t find it necessary. The only good thing was the miners would be kept safe and away from this mining area.


    This area was indeed full of diamonds especially pink ones which were quite expensive and popular. While I took my time looking at the diamonds, I felt a strange aura as we got further.


    "This was the reason that this area was unstable. At the same time, it''s also the reason why there''s a huge amount of diamonds here especially rare ones," he said.


    This was the end of this mining area and it''s enveloped with a faint sense of dark air.


    "It''s creepy," Meryll uttered.


    "When did this area was discovered?" I asked.


    "About two years ago," he said.


    "And why was the road here was too high?" I asked.


    "The truth was it''s accidentally discovered by the head miner. He felt a dense aura on the other side and tried to locate it. Its road was originally from the old mining area but it collapsed. The reason was still unknown, then we decided to analyze the mountain, and then we found this road full of diamonds," he answered.


    "Then it''s accidentally discovered," I continued.


    "Yes, we found out that there seemed to be a pathway to which a large number of diamonds were located. The miners started to build a pathway. Unexpectedly, the mysterious dark air was located here. That was where they stopped digging," he answered.


    This place remained quiet until I heard someone coughed. It''s Meryll.


    "I''m fine. That dark aura was getting darker and I inhaled too much," Meryll explained.


    "I''ll check the metal pole! That mysterious dark aura was getting out of control again," he said.


    That man rushed upward, leaving us behind.


    "Would we follow him?" Meryll asked.


    "Let''s go! We''ll check what''s wrong," I said.


    Before we stepped afoot, a huge amount of rocks started falling and it blocked our way.


    "We''re trapped!" Meryll said.


    "Calm down, we''ll find a way to get out of here but before that, I''ll check this first," I said.


    Meryll nodded but she continued to mumble how she would strangle that man and the headmaster if they planned this out.


    The center of this area was the one releasing this gas-like aura. I wonder what it would be. I borrowed Meryll''s weapon and started digging to where I''m standing earlier.


    "Hey! It''s not the right time to pick some diamonds," Meryll said.


    "I''m not," I said.


    I thought that I could find something that might be the reason of that dark aura but I found nothing. I want to dig deeper but I''ll run out of time.


    "We''ll be lacking air to breathe if we stayed longer but I can''t break the fallen rocks. It became a strong barrier all of a sudden!" Meryll said.


    That caught my attention. How could it be? I stood up and touched the rocks. A barrier from the dark aura!


    "Stop destroying it. I fear that this area would collapse if you continue that," I said.


    Meryll''s attacks were strong but the walls that surround us started showing signs of crumbling but the barrier did not.


    "My assumptions were correct! I wanted to get out of here already and punch that headmaster''s face," Meryll uttered.


    I calmed her down. I still have another way to save us here. It''s good that no stranger was trapped with us.


    "Blazing fire and deadly earth, pair of vigorous entities, I summon thee!" I chanted.


    I expected them to appear but nothing happened. Why? I chanted again and this time they appeared already.


    Elis'' appearance was the same as usual but his gaze was sharp. He remained silent.


    "Where''s Ivy?" I said.


    He slowly stepped sideways and l saw a young girl that was twice taller than the last time I saw her. I noticed that Fluff was resting on her head.


    "Ivy..." I uttered.


    She glanced indifferently at me. "What''s your order, master?" Ivy said.


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    I couldn''t help but hug her before giving my command.


    "I missed you three. I know that you have some problems but could you please help me out for now?" I uttered.


    I know that they''ll still follow me but it would be best if they calmed down their hearts. Ivy hugged me back and asked me once again about my orders.


    "Okay, Elis--" I uttered.


    I didn''t expect Meryll and Elis to exchange sharp gazes. I wonder why those two ended up like that?


    "Could you please stop--" I said.


    Then again, those two didn''t only look with piercing eyes. They started to exchange insults with each other. I sighed deeply. Here I thought that without Sid, the occasional fights would temporarily stop, but it didn''t.


    I chanted and threw a huge amount of water above them and released it. Both of them stopped and looked at me.


    "Master!" Elis shouted.


    "Irvene!" Meryll shouted.


    "I couldn''t think of anything to easily stop the two of you other than that and we don''t have enough time, so please cooperate with me," I said.


    I breathed deeply. It''s not only because of them but the air we breathe started to decrease.


    "Fine!" Elis said.


    I started to explain what we''ll do. "Ivy, I need you to control the surroundings and circulate the air we breathe, make sure that we don''t lack air. Elis, light up the surroundings. Meryll you''ll be helping me to dig this first. Lend me a bigger sharp weapon," I said.


    They immediately followed me. With sufficient light, I could see where the dark aura was coming. It seemed that the dark aura didn''t only come to one object. We found a tiny black crystal that continued to emit the same aura.


    I think I need to get a few samples to study it later. My bracelet which was my secret storage started glowing after I touched the unknown crystal. I don''t know why but I chose to conceal it temporarily.


    When we got enough unknown black crystals, I gave orders once more.


    "Ivy, can you guess how thick was the barrier?" I asked.


    "I''ll try," Ivy answered.


    "A mysterious aura was giving illusions, preventing me from knowing it, but I''ll try again," she continued.


    Vines started to appear with its own poisonous aura and dug inside the barrier. Not long after, Ivy looked at me.


    "Its thickness was as thick as the Redwood tree," she answered.


    We''ll be having a hard time destroying a strong and thick barrier with force. The Redwood tree was known as the thickest tree in our country and was enough to build a home inside the tree!


    "I think we could dig and make another way out," I said.


    "But it''ll take us forever," Meryll said.


    "No, we won''t. I''ll tell you my plan," I said.


    If the headmaster thought that we would die here, he''s wrong. He has a lot of explanations to do after we successfully get out here!

 41 Chapter 41

    Irvene''s point of view


    We were still trapped in this mining area and I''m thinking about an idea to get out of here safely. I once thought of using the portal but I''m not familiar with Spirit Mountain and we might end up in a more dangerous place. Another thing was some people could accidentally see us using a portal especially here in Headmaster Estrama''s den.


    The portal that father made was an exclusive one and whom he gave the red crystals was unknown to everyone. It''s not a good idea to use it here.


    "What should we do next?" Ivy asked.


    I looked at them and said, "Elis took off your fire first and then, Ivy check these two sides and find out which of these two were easier to dig a hole," I said.


    Since a barrier was blocking us, I could only think of digging a curve path and that would make us skip the barrier without a problem, and then our make up way would end up to the other side of the barrier which was the original path of this mining area.


    When Ivy''s vines disappeared, she looked at me and started explaining.


    "There''s nothing much difference, but the right side has a big hard rock," Ivy said.


    "Hmm, so we''ll take the left side?" Meryll asked.


    "Yes, and also Ivy, I''ll be giving you another work. Help us push the rock and make a hole easily. Elis and Meryll, be attentive. We''re not sure how many schemes they planted towards us," I said.


    Elis nodded.


    "Sure thing," Meryll uttered.


    We started doing our plan. Ivy carefully manipulated the earth and a hole, enough for us to enter, was made slowly. Ivy, an earth-living element has a sub-class which was plant class. Each earth-type element differs. It could be a plant or rock class. That''s why Ivy couldn''t expertly manipulate the rocks because she''s a plant class earth-element.


    As she belonged to the plant class, she could provide fresh air for us to breathe at a certain period of time.


    While they''re busy doing our whole plan, I saw Fluff who had been sitting and sleeping comfortably on Ivy''s head. Her flower crown prevented him from falling. I''ll wake him up later.


    After a while, Ivy said that we''re near to the original path and successfully skipped that mysterious barrier.


    "Wait," I uttered.


    They all looked at me.


    "What is it?" Elis said.


    "You''ll need to be sure that no one would see the three of you later," I said. I stayed silent after as I don''t know how to deal with this new problem.


    "Understand, Master," Elis said.


    "Also, remove this curved path after we exit here. Can you still use your powers, Ivy?" I asked.


    She nodded but I saw her weakened state.


    "Hidden Healing Prowess, 1st level," I chanted.


    It healed Ivy, thus she managed to remove our evidence of Ivy''s powers and existence. When we returned to the original path, only Meryll was left with me. The three of my living elements disappeared after that.


    "That fellow has his problems towards you huh," Meryll said.


    "I think it''s my fault. I''ll deal with that after having a long talk with Headmaster Estrama," I said.


    "You''re right. I wonder what ridiculous excuses he prepared for this," she continued.


    "I think I should have expected this since it connects to what I''m investigating that''s making little progress," I whispered.


    Afterward, we could already see the end of this tunnel and a man with his widened eyes.


    "A-archmage Elvina!" A man said.


    His presence felt familiar. I wonder where did I saw him. His deep blue eyes were really hinting me that there''s something I must remember.


    "You seem startled. I wonder why? I think you''re informed that we''re checking this mining area, so no need to fright out," I said.


    He calmly straightened his back and looked at us.


    "Archmage Elvina, I mean no harm and we seemed to have a misunderstanding here. I''m just relieved that you two were safe, since the end of this mining area just collapsed. I have been commanded to check this place and make sure you''re safe," he said.


    "Really? We managed to get out of the danger. Enough of this, I found something important there to discuss with Headmaster Estrama, so could you please bring me there," I said.


    "Of course," he said.


    Gone were the moments of his slightly terrifying attitude. He glanced at my back where I think he stared at Meryll whereas Meryll was not uttering a single word. It''s weird to think that she would not mind someone that would stare at her intentionally.


    He retracted his gaze and guided us the way. The sunlight almost blinded us since we''ve been in that mining area for a long time.


    None of us spoke until we reached the Headmaster''s room. Another room that was different from the ones we entered earlier.


    He knocked and opened the door. When we entered, we saw him lively walking back and forth through his room with some letters on his hand.


    "Headmaster," the man said.


    Headmaster Estrama stopped what he''s doing and looked at us, startled.


    "You didn''t knock?" he said.


    "I did Headmaster," the man said.


    Headmaster Estrama sat on his desk and told us to sit. He coughed a few times before he talked.


    "I heard the news earlier that the mining area wrecked on its own again so I sent my personal assistant, Erill Wanemoon, to check on you," he said.


    "Are you sure that it''s an accident and nothing inconspicuous scene happened earlier? We''re just curious, right Meryll?" I said.


    Meryll whose spacing out suddenly looked at me. "Yes," she answered.


    "Archmage Elvina, I think you''re sure that the mining area you had visited was dangerous, so circumstances like that might happen from time to time. That''s why we''re doing our best to stabilize that area and why would we attempt to take away an Archmage''s life?" Headmaster Estrama said.


    "How can we know? Only oneself can know one''s thoughts, Headmaster," Meryll said.


    Oh, she''s speaking now. Good thing, Meryll didn''t try to punch his face as she countlessly mumbled about doing that earlier.


    Meryll got her point. A Ruler''s life was once killed, so a lower position such as mine to be in danger wasn''t surprising.


    "You can think what you want, but I didn''t do anything. If you didn''t believe me, show me pieces of evidence to prove that I tried to claim your life," Headmaster Estrama said.


    "Then what about this, that incident only happened after the man leading us disappeared. We''re trapped there with that dark aura lingering on the air. I''m afraid that our life would be in danger here in the process of fixing that mining area. Might as well close do--," Meryll said.


    She''s interrupted by Headmaster Estrama.


    "Let''s make a wise decision. As long as you didn''t encounter any danger that took your life, that area wouldn''t be closed down," Headmaster Estrama said.


    "That''ll be alright. I wouldn''t be able to work efficiently in a surrounding full of danger, so I expect that you''ll let us be in peace," I said.


    "But Irvene, I think that something might happen again when we head to that mining area again and it''s known that we would be going there frequently. I don''t want to hear such explanations that it''s an accident caused by no one," Meryll said.


    "Miss Dellmira, I''m sure that it posed no danger to the two of you in that mining area compared to us, since you''re able to get out safely. The sun hasn''t even set today, but you managed to easily escape without injuries as it looked like nothing happened to the mining area. If we didn''t check the area and only analyze your appearances, we couldn''t have guessed that the mining area wreaked havoc again," Erill said.


    "You''re definitely right, Wanemoon. Then, do all of us agree to the conditions I made?" Headmaster Estrama said.


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    "Fine!" Meryll said.


    Meryll''s quite unpredictable today. Her attitude always changes since we came to Spirit Mountain.


    "I''ll agree. Both of us would benefit since this dangerous mining area would be instantly close when someone attempted to take our lives. I would inform you that this agreement would reach Ruler Mavien. I''ll make sure that this would still be effective once someone took our lives. Once broken, that mining area''s gone," I said.


    It''s not that I''m afraid that someone would kill me. I''ll not make that happen, but the unnecessary troubles I''ll encounter would hinder my work. It''ll also make Headmaster Estrama think twice of planning towards us especially Meryll.


    Headmaster Estrama didn''t expect that our small agreement would suddenly turn into a serious one. He made this, I''m just returning back his favor.


    After that, we got out of his study room and the same man named Erill Wanemoon guided us to our room. Meryll and I would live in the same huge room with two elegant beds temporarily in Spirit Mining Company.


    "We have tons of work to do here. Could you still manage today and rest later?" I asked Meryll.


    "Of course!" Meryll answered.


    "But before that, explain about your unusual attitude since we got here," I said.


    "Okay, I''ll tell you....," Meryll said.

 42 Chapter 42

    Irvene''s point of view


    The two of us were sitting on my bed. We finished placing our things here, so I decided to talk about her unusual behavior. I looked at her seriously. She''s about to talk but I interrupted her.


    "Wait, I''ll cast a few barrier spells to be sure someone wouldn''t eavesdrop on our conversation," I said.


    I could see her weird stares at me while casting several spells.


    "Who would dare eavesdrop on an Archmage and the Ruler''s younger sister?" Meryll asked.


    "Well, everyone could possibly do it. We can''t ignore those people and let our guard down," I said.


    Meryll nodded casually. "Although, they might think already that you placed a barrier spell, so they wouldn''t try," she added.


    "But what if they don''t think that way?" I asked.


    Meryll looked at me with a defeated face. "Well, you''re right but..." she said. Meryll started to look around.


    "Twenty barrier spells with some combined defensive and offensive spells were going a little overboard, don''t you think?" Meryll said.


    "W-well, that''s not even a third of spells in my own room. Let''s stop this! Just start talking about what''s your problem and don''t shift our topic," I said.


    Meryll hesitated to say, but sighed deeply in the end, a visible sign that she would tell the truth.


    "If you remember, I secretly went alone to Spirit Mountain at night. That was when I met my brother after a long time. We ended up in a serious fight because of our contradicting beliefs. That''s when I knew that we couldn''t reconcile. Our mission here made me remember every time what had happened," Meryll said.


    "I shouldn''t have brought you here if I know. I''m constantly thinking of the possibilities how our enemies will act, but I forgot about a friend," I said.


    "Don''t be! My personal problems should not affect my work. I''m trying my best and maybe I''ll get used to this since I will face the reality that my brother''s a knight under the Estrama family particularly their Headmaster," Meryll said.


    My eyes widen when I recognized a person we met earlier. That familiar face of his that I suddenly remembered when I stared at Meryll''s pair of deep blue eyes.


    "That person, Erill Wanemoon..," I uttered.


    "Eh? You can even guess who he is. That''s my brother," she said.


    The two of them didn''t look siblings at first but when one both look at their eyes, they resembled each other!


    "We inherited our father''s eyes but I looked like my mother while his features were from father," she said.


    "Then I assume that you''re..." I said. I wanted to talk about their different family name although I already have an idea based on their situations.


    "We''re an orphan many years ago. You could tell since we first met when we''re little kids aren''t we?" Meryll said.


    Although she''s smiling, I knew that she missed her family especially the times that they''re complete. Having someone to talk about it would make her feel a little lighter. Meryll was not a person that would say her problems to anyone with her fearless attitude. We knew Meryll since young but she never told us about her past. I''m glad she started to not keep it herself.


    "I''m enlightened already and hope that you''ll get better soon. You wouldn''t know when you could get close to your brother again although I really found him weird... like you," I said. I followed with a little laugh.


    Meryll threw a pillow at me. "Hey!" she shouted.


    "There''s another thing I want to talk about," I said.


    "Oh? About our mission, right?" Meryll asked.


    "Yes, the mining area really is mysterious and since it''s fitting in your class, a short time of observing them tonight would be alright I think," I said.


    "Of course, I did lose to my brother that time but I''m outnumbered and hiding is my specialty. It''s unlikely that they would find me," Meryll said.


    "Then I''ll wait for your news tomorrow. Before that, take this small bottles. It''ll help you when something happens," I said.


    Meryll looked at me with her blank face. "I still have the potions you gave me during our stay in Soul''e Magic Academy. I used a little amount of it so I didn''t really need any," she said.


    "That''s a different one to be used when unbelievable encounters happened. We''ll never know," I said.


    Meryll shook her head. "I can''t believe it. Tiny potions and invisibility potions this time?" she whispered.


    I could hear it though. She should expect it because a mage should be prepared at all times so does an ally!


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    Nighttime came and she prepared herself to come out secretly in our room. Knights'' guarding at night isn''t impossible.


    When Meryll got outside, I started to do my work also. My bracelet somehow acted different when we''re at that mysterious mining area. Maybe I should think a shorter name for that. I shook my head mentally and started doing my work.


    I chanted a spell to see what''s wrong with my stuff inside.


    There''s nothing wrong with the potions and some several magic containers. Only the small white marble was shining weakly and was not as bright as the bracelet that shone due to that mining area.


    Nonetheless, it''s no doubt that the white marble was the reason. I took it out from my bracelet.


    I sensed a faint magic aura from this marble. I wonder where I could use it. I wonder what spell should I use to bring out its potential.


    "Perhaps I need look into its past," I whispered.


    By doing that, I would know where this thing originally came from.


    "Blessed by the power of truth that unlocked all mysteries, I seek you to unveil the past of mysterious entiry before me and look through the truth!" I chanted.


    The magic circle I drew and the white marble at the center shone blindly through my eyes. A piece of the past tinkered into my mind swiftly.


    I felt myself passed out before it began showing through my mind.


    "Give it back!" I heard a shout of a man.


    "Why should I? This fake life source is my idea!" Another one appeared.


    "No, I''m the one who painstakingly made it!"


    A loud crash suddenly occured and huge amount of blue fire took place where the voice came from. Everything went black and their loud screams were all I heard.


    It swiftly followed with a little girl staring blankly at nowhere and not moving at all. It went black again.


    I found myself lying on the floor.


    "Ouch..." I uttered.


    My head ached suddenly and my eyes were spinning a little. Nonetheless, it disappeared slowly and I stood up.


    "Fake life source huh?" I whispered.


    I touched the white marble. It''s color was changing from silver to white and I''m not certain what its true color. Silver or white?


    I stared at for a while. "What about that girl?" I uttered.


    Her appearance resembled that woman we found in the hidden room in Soul''e Magic High. While I''m lost in my thoughts, the marble was taking magic from me little by little and when I realized it, it shone brightly again.


    "How many times would it blind my eyes? I hope it wouldn''t truly blind me!" I said.


    When I opened my eyes, I couldn''t believe to what I saw!

 43 Chapter 43

    Irvene''s point of view


    I waited till my eyes were okay after that strange incident and only to be shocked from what''s in front of me. It''s the little girl I saw from that dream.


    I was astounded by her silver hair and red eyes. It''s similar from the dead woman we found weeks ago in Soul''e. Of course, I already saw it in my dream but watching it in reality was very different. Her build was like Ivy''s current body figure which was the only difference from that dead woman.


    I waved my hands at her face when she blinked and only looked at me. A few minutes passed and she wasn''t moving other than that.


    I recalled the dream I saw earlier. Maybe I could get a clue about this young girl. Then, I suddenly remembered the white marble that I was holding a while ago.


    "That''s a fake life source from what I heard from that dream," I uttered.


    Since it''s a fake life source, the girl in front of me was not a human but was like a vessel for the fake life source or that fake life source simply transformed into the appearance of that girl. There were many possibilities but that two explanations were somehow not far from the truth based on what I know and that sudden dream.


    When I touched her shoulder, I felt the same thing when I touched the white marble. It meant that this girl was continuously taking magic from me! After that, her chest glowed and then she started moving her body.


    "W-who are you?" she said.


    I was somewhat startled. Was she really not a human? She behaved exactly like one and her face was showing fear, her folded hands trembling and her feet started to wobble.


    Based on that dream, she might have a recollection of the past or only a piece of it enough to be scared of her surroundings.


    "I''m Irvene and I won''t hurt you," I said.


    I don''t know how would I make her feel safe and I ended up giving a simple greeting and reassurance. Afterward, I simply sat on the bed and looked at her.


    Thud!


    I was only greeting her when she fell on the floor already. It made me stood up from my bed and helped her sat on my bed.


    "Uhm, M-master, sorry," she said.


    I frozed. Another one? "What?" I asked.


    "You gave life to me so you''re my Master," she said.


    Her body looked weak. Maybe she just need to rest. Although she''s calling me master which I don''t feel good. Elis and Ivy was enough. I have to stop this as soon as I can.


    "Since you consider me your Master, I command you to just call me Irvene," I said.


    "Irvene," she uttered.


    "Hmm, that''s right," I said.


    I almost wipe my forehead. After that, she didn''t seem to move nor talk. It''s like there''s a statue here. I decided to move her to the other side of the bed when I felt that a part of my magic was being transferred again towards her body. After that, she moved her own on the other side of the bed I wanted her to.


    How?


    "I follow what Irvene commands me to do," she said.


    She talked again! Although I didn''t say it aloud, she understood where I''m planning her to sit. This girl was so much different from a living element. She didn''t seem to have her own thoughts and feelings which was expected to a non-being, but it''s still shocking to see a human-looking being acting like a doll or puppet. The latter appeared to be accurate since she''s only following every command and nothing after that.


    There''s still so much time and my curiosity about this girl increased. Since she follow commands, maybe I would get some answers.


    "What should I call you?" I asked.


    She looked at me and answered, "However you want, Irvene."


    She didn''t have a name? Then, I''ll give her one. "From now on, your name will be Winter since your silver hair reminds me of the winter season," I said.


    "Also, do you recall where you originally came from?" I asked.


    "From a place that I don''t know where it is and made by two people whom I don''t wish to meet again," Winter said.


    From what Winter said, she''s experiencing fear and somehow anger like a human. I''m started to get confused. At one time, she acted like a puppet and then act like a human the other time.


    "You feel pain?" I asked.


    "I don''t," Winter answered.


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    "But experienced how because they told me to," she continued.


    Winter''s so obedient but she''s an incredible non-being. Winter originally couldn''t feel pain but when her owner said to, she could do so. Maybe it wasn''t her will, it''s embedded into her and the magic''s owner inside her made it possible.


    "As your new owner, you wouldn''t experience it again," I said.


    I still have many questions, but it could be answered later. For now, I wonder how should I explain it to Meryll. When I was thinking about that, minutes passed by and someone knocked on the door silently. It''s Meryll.


    I opened the door and I''m about to explain when she glanced at my back and her brows quickly furrowed. It''s because Winter suddenly appeared behind my back.


    "W-wai-" I said.


    I don''t have the time to finish my words because I followed swiftly to Meryll when I saw her holding a small blade.


    "Winter!" I suddenly said.


    Then, I saw her quickly dodged Meryll and formed an ice barrier. Did she just used an ice magic?


    "Meryll, she''s not an enemy. Stop for now, I''ll explain," I said.


    I formed an ice wall between them to prevent these two from fighting and that was when I was able to speak. They also calmed down and then I made the ice wall disappear.


    **


    It took me a long time to explain to Meryll about what happened. Since Winter was only following what I said, it''s more easy to explain the situation to her than Meryll. After that incident, Winter stopped moving and stood in front of us like a statue.


    "She''s weird but would be helpful in a battle," Meryll said.


    "I didn''t know Winter could fight like that. Maybe, because of my magic, she''s able to use the ice element magic," I explained.


    "That''s amazing. I still have many questions about this girl but we have to discuss about our work," Meryll said.


    Because of what she said, I focused myself and listened to her.


    "Some Headmaster Estrama''s people headed to an underground place inside this mansion and there were many black diamonds that I supposed came from that mining area. They were laughing horridly and they kept portraying a person but only saying ''Him''," Meryll said.


    That person they''re portraying might be Headmaster Estrama.


    "What about the place or their plans?" I asked.


    "They said that they would give the black diamonds to him tomorrow at the red river," she said.


    Red river..


    "We''ll follow them. We don''t know the time but it''s likely that they would go when no body would be suspicious. After all, they don''t want to risk a Headmaster''s reputation," I explained.


    "You''re right," Meryll said.


    Then she looked towards Winter. "I think we''ll bring her along since we couldn''t let her alone in the devil''s lair," I said.


    "Then, we need to get ready for tomorrow!" Meryll shouted.


    "Shhh," I said.


    "Sorry..haha," Meryll said.


    Red river huh?

 44 Chapter 44

    Irvene''s point of view


    Morning finally came and we''re back to work as usual, not forgetting the plan to follow those people who would go to the Red river. I assumed that the restricted mining area was still as dangerous as it could be like what happened yesterday. Regardless of that, greed must have possessed that Headmaster.


    When we''re worrying about how we would hide Winter from Headmaster Estrama''s eyes, she transformed back into a silver marble. I hid it into my clothes pocket and put it on my cloak.


    "It''s good that she could transform into a small thing but how would she get back into a human form?" Meryll asked.


    I looked at her unknowingly. "About that.. I also don''t know. We''ll figure out later," I said.


    Recently, I''ve been filled with mysteries I still couldn''t solve. Everything just came piling up on me. Nonetheless, I would do what I could to unravel every puzzle I encountered. Quiet Mystical.


    Mystical Encounters...


    "Irvene?" Meryll uttered.


    My mind stopped wandering when I heard Meryll''s voice.


    "Ah--, let''s get outside so we could finish our work early," I said.


    "Okay then, talk to me if something''s bothering you. Don''t keep it yourself!" Meryll explained.


    "Don''t worry, I''m definitely okay," I answered.


    After our conversation, we walked down the hallway, reached the stairs and got down. We''re supposed to get outside of this mansion when a man named Erill Wanemoon called for us.


    "Why?" I asked.


    "Headmaster Estrama invited the two of you to the dining area for breakfast," he said.


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    That was all. He left afterwards.


    "Hmp," Meryll uttered.


    "We forgot to eat. They won''t poison us, aren''t they?" I asked.


    "You know it''s not a problem, but we''ll see," Meryll said.


    Since it wasn''t befitting for that Headmaster to just poison us, he wouldn''t dare or so I thought. It wasn''t hard to find the dining area since someone led us there. Only Headmaster Estrama and Erill could be found on the table. A quiet, simple room that wasn''t to be expected from the Headmaster.


    The table here was short though, but I saw another room with a longer one. I find this suitable especially when only a few would dine. Eating on a long extravagant table alone was just not my preference and maybe also a lot of people.


    "Archmage Elvina, you two may take a seat," he said.


    We sat beside each other and watched the servants placed the dishes on the table. I looked at the food and tasted a bit and continued eating which Meryll followed.


    All of us ate silently especially Erill, who hadn''t said a word.


    "You seemed to like the food, Archmage Elvina," Headmaster Estrama said.


    "As long as it''s safe, I don''t complain about any food I eat," I said.


    He just chuckled and did a quick glance at the dishes on the table especially the water.


    "Thank you for the dish, we''ll be leaving now for work," I said.


    After that, I drank the water from the glass, emptied it and didn''t forget to give Meryll her water.


    "Goodluck with your work. I expect that it''ll get done early."


    I heard the Headmaster said from afar as we walked away.


    "Demanding old man," Meryll whispered.


    "Don''t let him hear that, pffft," I said.


    While we''re walking I handed her a small bottle. I also have one which I drank and noticing my actions, she also did.


    "Antidote?" she asked.


    "Of course, you wouldn''t want to get sick during work?" I said.


    "Tsk. I haven''t notice at all but you should have said," Meryll said.


    "It''s better we keep it ourselves," I said.


    When we reached outside, there were already a lot of workers whose earlier than us. We immediately walked and made our way to the entrance of the mining area.


    The place wasn''t so silent like yesterday. A crowd of miners and knight guards were circling and we didn''t knew the reason.


    "What''s happening there?" Meryll asked.


    "Let''s see," I said.


    We walked near them and we managed to get at the center of the circled crowd. A miner whose swinging his pick axe wildly was trying to be stopped by the knight guards.


    "Aren''t two knight guards are enough? Something''s wrong with that miner," Meryll uttered.


    "I don''t know if we should interfere, let''s wait and see if they could stop him," I said.


    After I said that, that miner suddenly swung his pick axe strongly on the ground. It released a strong impact and pushed all of them except Meryll and I. The circled crowd were now lying on the ground.


    "Don''t go near him!" Meryll shouted.


    I hurriedly put long ice spikes around that miner and Meryll followed with an attack to make him lose consciousness. We managed to suppress him but it didn''t last long.


    "Irvene, his powers was familiar," Meryll said.


    Since Meryll was near while I''m not, I didn''t have an idea what she''s talking about. I hurriedly went near them while chanting long ice spikes to surround him again.


    I suddenly felt a faint sense of familiarity. His eyes were barely clouded with black color.


    "This was the aura in that dangerous mining area," I said.


    "They still allowed them to work in that area!" Meryll shouted.


    "We''ll talk about it with Headmaster Estrama later. We only agreed that there would be no workers during our work time but it isn''t agreed for it to close whole day," I explained.


    "They managed to find a hole," Meryll uttered.


    While we''re busy talking, we''re also trying our best to stop this miner. Not long after, the Headmaster with Erill Wanemoon came running near us. Maybe the knight guards reported it to them.


    "Archmage Elvina, let us do our work," Erill Wanemoon said.


    I heard Meryll hissed. I pulled her with me and see if they could stop that miner. I''m sure it wasn''t his intention to wreak havoc, it''s only that mysterious aura in that mining area was the reason.


    Erill tried to stop him with his magic and sword, but he only managed for a little while and then his faced looked weak after.


    Headmaster Estrama quickly chanted a small magic barrier to restrict the miners movement and seemed to chant a sleep spell. His plan worked but the moment he removed the barrier, the miner suddenly woke up and aimed at him.


    "It didn''t work!" Erill uttered.


    Then suddenly, Headmaster Estrama released a lot of magic and used a stronger magic barrier but it seemed to lack of defense so I hurriedly helped out and chanted a few spells to enhance the magic barrier.


    Huff, huff.


    I used a huge amount of magic but I did my best to not show it especially in front of them.


    The miner whose still strongly swinging his pickaxe became weaker because of the barrier. Not long after it fell on the ground and lose consciousness.


    That unexpected moment was unbelievable. Even though it was only possessed by a faint black aura from that dangerous mining area, it required many skilled people to defeat it. I needed to study that mysterious aura.


    Not long after, that miner was lifted up with the use of magic with a magic barrier. We couldn''t tell if it would wake up again.


    "It seemed to be related with the mining area, I want to have a word with you, Headmaster Estrama," I said.


    He looked at us and nodded with his furrowed brows. We made our way to the Alchemy room and the miner was also brought inside it.


    I wonder how strong its power could get. It''s just simply dangerous.

 45 Chapter 45

    Irvene''s point of view


    The room was spacious enough to study the experiments and move around comfortably. The unconscious miner was brought to a small seperated room. A few injured miners from earlier were being treated.


    We followed where the miner was being brought but it wasn''t on the small room but another one. It seemed that we went there because that small room was the only way to get on the other room. Erill Wanemoon spoke some words before we entered. They must have placed a magic barrier. The other room was big and no one was there except for beds and things related to alchemy and medicines.


    The beds wasn''t normal like in that other room because it was chanted with a few spells.


    "Archmage Elvina, you two may sit here to discuss with Headmaster Estrama," Erill Wanemoon said.


    I nodded and we sat on the chair and there was a study table in front where I assumed was Headmaster Estrama''s table. He sat afterwards and began discussing about this incident.


    "The miner was one of the miners that had worked at early morning in that dangerous mining area before you work since they''ll not interrupt you. They were the skilled miners whose the only team to go on that mining area for the time being. This is the first time such thing happened," Erill Wanemoon explained.


    He''s holding papers in his hand and then gave it to the Headmaster after checking each page. I observed Headmaster Estrama''s expression. He only maintained a blank face. I don''t know if it''s really the first time this had happened.


    Nonetheless, I should go to that mining area immediately after this.


    "Then no matter if it''s a skilled miner or not, we should restrict the miners from working there because it could cause more casualties than benefits. We see it already, a single miner took all of us to fight against. If more of them would act like that, I don''t know what would happen here," I explained.


    Headmaster Estrama was really persistent to mine minerals in that area but I explained it in a different way for him to stop the work in that place.


    He seemed to be convinced though. The Spirit Mining Company was at risk here so he couldn''t make such quick decisions especially if it could destroy our country''s most mined diamonds.


    In the end, Headmaster Estrama agreed to my advice. I sighed in relief after that. Meryll''s glare towards Headmaster Estrama still didn''t falter though, such a hot-headed woman but she did her best to prevent picking up a fight on the Headmaster. Both of them would have been seriously injured if that happened.


    Afterward, we checked on the miner''s condition and the black aura surrounding him were decreasing little by little. The Headmaster said that the miner would stay here for two days at most. A few people experienced on Alchemy came and checked his conditions.


    The miner released such strong powers so it was to be expected. I''m certain that he would be safe as he''s a skilled miner of Headmaster Estrama.


    Since there''s no more work to do here, Meryll and I started to do our original work. We already knew the way, so we walked there by ourselves.


    On the way here, we saw two persons walking by and they stopped in front of us.


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    "Archmage Elvina, the metal pole were already fixed and is working well. Headmaster Estrama said that you could check it if you want," he said.


    Afterward, they bid goodbye and walked away.


    "Let''s check the metal pole," I said.


    We walked towards it. The pole was releasing magic from time to time like the first time I saw it and there''s nothing wrong with it. We walked inside after that and took a short time to reach the end.


    The dark aura it''s releasing became much denser although most people wouldn''t feel it even it''s a skilled miner as long as they didn''t specialize on Alchemy. The difference wasn''t so large, but a person skilled in Alchemy would notice the difference behind it. The continuous stay in this area might be the reason the miner behaved like that.


    Even though, it''s still not completely studied, some related cases of people acting different after going to a certain place were studied years ago. The dark aura seemed to be the same but it''s much worse than the earlier cases.


    Since I''m a mage and my father studied Alchemy, I specialized in it. Meryll could also sense the difference given our harsh traning to different fields years ago and as an assassin, she should have a unique sense of her surroundings.


    This mining area held mysterious powers that the knowledge about it couldn''t be easily announced to the masses.


    "Meryll, could you lend me a hand?" I asked.


    "Of course, I''ve been waiting for what I have to do!" Meryll answered.


    Right, we''re just been observing this place and nothing else.


    "Then, use your two blades and try to break this stone that''s releasing the black aura," I said.


    Then she''s stunned for a second and looked at me.


    "Are you sure? I''m afraid that there''s only two possibilities, either nothing would happen or this mining area would be destroyed if I do that," Meryll said.


    I knew that but we should try it for the time being. We could get outside if something bad might happen with Ivy and Elis or if worst, I could use the portal.


    "Don''t hesitate, it''s dangerous as it is. If we don''t do anything then the Headmaster may continue to let the miners work in this area and the incident earlier will not be the last," I said.


    "Okay then, I won''t let that happen!" Meryll said.


    After saying that, she did her strongest attack. Her two blades grew slightly and glowed in dark red and she strongly hit it on the wall that''s releasing that dark aura. It could be said that her attacks were as strong as a skilled warrior.


    Assassin class have lower physical attack than most warrior class because assassin specializes in speed and also magic, although they prefer blades than staffs or wands.


    After her attack, a burst of wave came forth. It''s due to her strong attack. I balanced myself well to avoid falling and prevent using too much magic since I used a lot of it yesterday and I need to regain it for the time being thus, I asked Meryll to do this task.


    The effects of Meryll''s attack were gone now, but nothing came off afterwards.


    "Nothing happened?" Meryll asked.


    Or so we thought...


    After a while, we felt this small place moving and we saw the wall that''s releasing the dark aura formed a huge crack. It emitted a huge amount of dark aura and another burst of wave made of the dark aura appeared.


    This time any people would notice the difference of the amount of dark aura released. I hurriedly put a small barrier circling with Meryll and I to prevent us breathing that air. I''m worried that one of us could get affected.


    What to do? I have to stop this as soon as possible!

 46 Chapter 46

    Irvene''s point of view


    I did my best to maintain the magic barrier. Meryll even helped me to maintain it because she also knew how to make magic barriers. The burst of wave started disappearing and the cracks made by Meryll was vanishing in our naked eye.


    It''s as if it didn''t happened. I released the magic barrier a minute after. The aura it''s releasing seemed to came back to normal, although it might happen again if some miners tried to mine here specially on that wall.


    "It''s definitely dangerous here!" Meryll said.


    Both of us were catching our breathes. We decided to walk and get outside for the time being.


    "If we don''t find a solution to stop the violent releases of this mining area, this should be closed. I need to make something like that metal pole outside," I said.


    The metal pole served as foundation to prevent the mining area intact. It''s useful but it couldn''t prevent the sudden release of that black aura. I have to make a magic barrier to support the metal pole from making this place steady from the inside. The magic barrier should be placed directly to the wall, so the aura it releases could be controlled.


    The problem was how would I convert the aura of that wall into magic, so the magic barrier shouldn''t disappear. After all, I couldn''t chant a magic barrier spell that could last long without a person constantly releasing mana for it to won''t vanish.


    We reached outside and stayed here for a while. While standing, I suddenly felt tired, so I sat on the ground. I released so much magic consecutively that''s not even normal for my age. I could say that I could stand a fight against Headmasters, although I would collapse if that happened. The outcome would be uncertain at the end given their experience and I couldn''t use all of my magic.


    Meryll noticed me sitting on the ground. "Drink this. It''ll help you recover," she said.


    She handed a small bottle of potion. I kept potions on me but I decided to accept her offer. I remembered that I gave it to her earlier and it had my initials.


    IAL.


    It became a habit for me to placed my initials on every bottle of potions I created.


    "I''ll take this then, just talk to me if you ran out of potions," I said.


    "Of course, I''ll save money because of that!" Meryll said jokingly.


    We both laughed. I know that I''ve been giving her lots of potion, so a long, long time would be needed to spend before she would come personally to me asking for some potions.


    While I''m resting, I saw a faint black aura lingering in my hands. A sudden familiar feeling rose but I couldn''t tell what it is. However, it instantly disappeared.


    Afterward, we went downward and came back to the mansion, so I could study what I have to do to make a magic barrier made out of that black aura itself.


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    "Don''t forget what we have to do tonight," Meryll whispered.


    "Of course I won''t," I whispered back.


    Meryll said that she would take around the place and would come back later while I headed back into our room.


    While in our room, I took a book about magic barriers and a notebook from my bag. I still brought bag despite my infinite storage bracelet. They would had been suspicious of me the time when we reached here if I didn''t brought any bag here.


    Magic barriers serves many purposes especially for mages. Anyone could chant for magic barrier as long as they have sufficient magic and thorough knowledge about it. A person specializes in defense mostly learned magic barriers and some were able to master it with their own styles that were suited for their line of work.


    The most skilled ones often became exclusive teachers that guides the skilled ones of today''s generation.


    There were various types of magic barrier, and the one I needed was the Restricting magic barrier and that restricts anything from too much release of magic. It''s quite alike from my ring which restricts the overflow of my magic, although the difference was it''s not a human.


    The black aura was considerably a different form of magic but was too violent and it would be hard to suppress it. The idea I thought of was to use it''s own magic to restrict it.


    A catalyst would do, but I don''t know any suitable materials to hold the magic barrier made from the black aura''s magic. That''s what I''ll temporarily call it.


    I thought that I need to send a letter to Brother Mavien and tell him the current events here.


    I immediately got a piece of paper, pen and envelope in my infinite storage bracelet. After I wrote what I needed to say, I kept the paper inside the envelope and put a seal with my magic. It would determine whether the letter I would send was from me or not. Of course, Brother Mavien knew what seal I owned.


    Afterward, I summoned Elis. He quickly appeared before me.


    "What is it, Master?" Elis asked.


    "I need you to send this to Ruler Mavien," I said.


    "Yes, Master, but you said I couldn''t be seen here," Elis asked.


    I looked at him. "Don''t you forget? I have a portal," I whispered.


    He suddenly remembered then he nodded. "Oh right, and I knew that you must have done something in this room to bravely use the portal," he uttered.


    I rolled my eyes at him. "Just go now, I''ll send you outside the Spirit Mountain and don''t let anyone find you while on your way," I said.


    I opened up the portal and send the other way outside of Spirit Mountain. It would be located to a blind spot I saw before we entered Spirit Mountain.


    The portal would immediately disappear after Elis teleported and he knew better how to hide from the two knights guarding the gate of Spirit Mountain Company.


    It''s a good thing that I saw a map earlier at the room where the miner was brought, so I knew where I would send out the other way through my magic.


    "Goodbye Master, I''ll stay there for a while and wait for you to summon me," Elis said.


    Then he disappeared together with the portal. For a while, Elis would be staying at Soul''e Castle since he couldn''t come back and be seen entering Spirit mountain or else using portal would have been for naught. Furthermore, I couldn''t also send out another portal and let it stay for a long period of time later because I couldn''t let anyone see the portal.


    After that, I continued to study about magic barriers and search for magic barrier that could connect with the black aura''s magic.


    I guess I would continue doing this until Meryll came back and we''ll go to Headmaster Estrama''s study room to discuss about that mining area and request for materials that I would use for attempting to build a support for a strong Restricting magic barrier.


    This would be a long research! I hope I would succeed.


    Not long after Meryll came and I told her about our plans. She cheerfully agreed.


    "What are we waiting for? Let''s go to that Headmaster and discuss it!"

 47 Chapter 47

    Irvene''s point of view


    I tidied up my things and left afterward with Meryll to Headmaster Estrama''s study room. When we reached his room, I knocked three times and the door opened.


    We saw Erill Wanemoon opened the door and let us in.


    "Archmage Elvina, may I know the reason for your sudden visit here?" he asked.


    "I have a request for materials to the Headmaster," I said.


    After that, Erill called the attention of the Headmaster and led us to sit. Meanwhile, Headmaster Estrama looked at us with his tired face.


    "What materials will you be requesting?" he asked.


    "Two magic poles, the quality should be at its best, a stack of paper made out of a Redwood tree, and two carts of mined black diamond," I said.


    He looked at us tiredly and is about to talk when he seemed to realize something from what I said. Even Erill Wanemoon suddenly widened his eyes.


    "T-two carts of black diamonds? Did you even know how much we only have? Since it''s quite dangerous there, we only managed to mine four carts of a black diamond there and now, you wanted half of it," Headmaster Estrama said.


    "Headmaster Estrama, do you really want to fix that mining area or not?" Meryll interrupted.


    I sighed deeply and answered him. "The carts of diamond you''re worrying for will pay off once we succeed in our work and it''s not like I will keep it to myself," I said.


    Headmaster Estrama and Erill Wanemoon seemed to relax a bit.


    "Then what it is that you''re planning to do?" Headmaster Estrama asked.


    "I''ll insert the diamonds inside the two magic poles. As for the overall plan, it''s still not completed but I''m planning to restrict that violent mining area with its own powers. To do that, I need a bunch of its black diamonds," I said.


    "Your explanation is acceptable so I''ll provide the materials needed. Erill Wanemoon, I''ll leave you with this task," he said.


    "A-ah, Headmaster, since Archmage Elvina said that they''ll restrict that mining area once more, then the magic poles they requested would be another restricting magic poles," Wanemoon said.


    Meryll and I both furrowed our brows. What''s the problem with providing restricting magic poles?


    We saw how Headmaster Estrama frowned his face even more.


    "It seemed that we could only provide the rest of the materials tomorrow or even today but the restricting magic poles is not. You still don''t know but the construction of restricting magic poles is not available at any time of the day. Only a handful are made every year and the price is rather expensive. You don''t know how much we spent from buying that restricting magic pole you saw in that mining area," Headmaster said.


    "Is that all?" I asked.


    He looked at me in disbelief that I seemed to not mind his problem.


    "I just need to write a letter to Ruler Mavien and you''ll have no problem in that," I said.


    He once looked at me and laughed. "Don''t you know that I also requested help from the Ruler. It did make us get it earlier but we ended up spending a huge sum of money," he said.


    I smirked. "It was you, Headmaster Estrama who requested but it''s different this time. I''m well aware that magic poles'' materials to be built involved materials from different countries thus it''s expensive price and rarity but it''s not the case when I''m well acquainted with the person who''s responsible for making this," I said.


    "In case you don''t know, Archmage Elvina is quite acquainted with lots of people," Meryll said.


    She''s right and the person was none other than Wade Mc Knight.


    "Then I approve of that," Headmaster Estrama said.


    Erill Wanemoon gave me paper and a pen for the letter. I chanted an invisible barrier because I don''t have a table in front and started writing. When I finished writing, I placed a seal and hid it on the envelope he gave me after. Only Ruler Mavien would be able to read this.


    "Since we have no problem anymore, I''ll now gather the materials and notify Archmage Elvina tomorrow," Erill Wanemoon said.


    Afterward, we left that room and came back to our own room. Meryll once again saying things about how the Headmaster was so greedy that he didn''t want to spend a huge amount of money on that mining area.


    "Let''s just forget that and plan how we would follow them towards the Red River," I said.


    This shifted her attention and began suggesting plans on me. One of her plans were we would need to change into new black clothes and a mask.


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    When the night came, we waited patiently and came out at the right time where there were only a few people inside the mansion.


    Of course, those people would only begin if no one would be able to see them especially us.


    We''re hiding in a dark corner outside the mansion. It''s really good that it''s night. They''re making their way on the entrance of Spirit Mining Company and also its exit.


    Meryll and I planned that we would use the portal and we would reach the Red River first but we would only do that if we saw them really doing their plan. We didn''t want to wait for anything there if they didn''t do their plans.


    I looked at Meryll, signaling her that I would open the portal. She nodded then, I hurriedly opened it and we entered swiftly. In an instant, we''re standing where I sent Elis earlier. It was the blind spot under the tree which the Knight Guards wouldn''t notice us.


    When we succeed in using the portal, we swiftly ran and reached the Red River in no time. It could be said that we traveled for minutes but the distance would take half an hour with the use of a horse carriage. Although we hid again, far from the Red River''s location. We hid under the trees where no one could see us.


    "Irvene, are you really a mage? Your speed earlier was a speed of an assassin like me," she said.


    "You''re asking like we didn''t grow up together," I said.


    We only ended up laughing quietly and immediately stopped when we saw the men from Spirit Mining Company.


    "They''re also fast but we''re still faster," Meryll uttered.


    With the help of my spell, we were able to see what was happening from afar with a limited range and time. It''s an enhancing potion for our eyes and we could only use it once a month since it would bring bad side effects to our eyes if used frequently.


    From afar, those men looked like they were about to meet someone that they''re not able to in the daylight. When they reached the red river, some people from the other side, immediately appeared.


    "You''re right, they''re doing something shady tonight," I whispered.


    We waited and saw how those men bowed and gave something to a man at the center. Afterward, they handed a tied man in return.


    "We need to take action now," I said.


    Meryll nodded and we dashed quickly onto their location, making them stunned.


    I would not let you all go easily!

 48 Chapter 48

    Irvene''s point of view


    Those men were only holding torches and some using magic but it''s still not enough for them to see us moving swiftly to where they''re standing. They all showed their startled faces and immediately guard themselves but their strength proved not enough when they couldn''t follow our movements.


    I took the tied man first and placed him in a far enough distance although I didn''t untie him. Afterward, I ran swiftly and wielded my staff, chanted with a strengthen magic to hit them. This was all I could do to prevent them from knowing about us. Furthermore, I wouldn''t use a weapon with blades, afraid that I would accidentally kill them.


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    That wasn''t our intention after all.


    One by one, I hit their limbs with all my strength and avoid their attacks at the same time. This fight proved hard when I was not using magic while one of my opponents was a mage. I continued to persist since I won''t lose to them for that reason.


    Meryll was dealing with a lot of them while I handled only a few since fight like this was Meryll''s forte.


    When they were all not moving, I hurriedly chanted a magic barrier so they wouldn''t try to escape. We would not let them go until they told us their intentions.


    I once again chanted another magic barrier to Meryll''s enemies after she took them down. We walked near them but this battle didn''t finish as we thought.


    Before we had the chance to investigate them, four men appeared again. Their existence was releasing strong aura that made us realize that they weren''t like these enemies we managed to stop easily.


    Since it''s the case, I would be forced to use my true skills.


    They were wearing armors and it looked like that it would be hard to penetrate that hard armor by only using my staff with a strengthen magic. Their armors didn''t look familiar either so I guess that it was a customized armor and didn''t belong to Soul''e Military''s soldier or other related groups.


    The four of them didn''t wait and attacked the two of us with their glowing sharp swords and killing intent.


    Meryll hurriedly fought them while I called for someone.


    "Winter!" I shouted.


    The right one to be their enemy was Winter not me since I couldn''t waste a lot of magic and reveal my identity.


    Winter didn''t fail me for she quickly appeared in front of me. I touched her shoulder once she appeared and I transferred a lot of magic into her body. I could sense that she''s getting stronger swiftly once I started releasing magic into her.


    "Too much magic," Winter uttered.


    "I gave a few of my powers and now I command you to break their armors," I slowly said.


    Her silver hair gleamed and so her eyes, her red blood eyes. I suddenly felt it was very familiar but I couldn''t explain it.


    Maybe, it was because she''s borrowing my powers but I didn''t immediately notice that I was giving almost half of my magic yet I didn''t feel exhausted. I stopped and the moment I released my hand, she turned her face to the enemies who were fighting Meryll alone.


    Meryll was fighting all of them when she saw me doing something.


    Meanwhile, I saw Winter''s hands that there''s some weapon slowly forming. It formed a long ice sword and it''s releasing the powers I''m very familiar too. The powers that refused to stay relaxed within my body without restricting it with a magic ring.


    Winter took care of the two enemies and it helped Meryll a lot. Both of them slashed their enemies'' armor with all their might and didn''t stop until they saw it breaking into their own two eyes.


    Although, the situation didn''t look good since I sensed someone at my back. There''s still another one and much stronger than the rest of them.


    What was really their negotiations here that strong people started appearing?


    Instead of worrying, I felt really good. I didn''t know why but maybe it was just I didn''t felt exhausted after releasing a lot of magic into Winter earlier. Now, I wanted to release a lot of my magic after sensing the ominous aura at my back.


    I didn''t care anymore. These strong people should just die. They weren''t people anymore since I could only sense demonic aura lingering into them. This could only mean one thing.


    They were already a person turned into a puppet experimented by a powerful necromancer. By analyzing their movements, their attacks seemed patterned and all the same, even the one whom about to ambush me.


    "Meryll, Winter, our plan changed. Kill those four with armors!" I called.


    They nodded and we immediately went back on fighting them.


    I defended myself and created thin ice spikes that were enough to cut its flesh. The one I''m fighting wasn''t wearing armor, thus I could clearly see it''s blackened eyes with no emotion at all.


    Although it wasn''t wearing any armor, his speed was so great and he managed to stab me on my shoulder many times. Blood started to drip on both my shoulders and I hurriedly chanted a spell.


    "Hidden healing prowess, level 2!" I shouted.


    It repeated twice until I managed to beat him. I created ice blades much faster and attack him into his back into the fastest I could get it to travel.


    I felt my heartbeat so fast. It''s been a while since I experienced fighting a skilled man although only a man-turned puppet. Since his patterns of attacks didn''t change much at all and even though it could be clearly seen that I managed to see through his actions, it didn''t budge and fearlessly attacked me.


    "The chains of iron, the giver of desperation, I hereby bound the opposer in front with the silver chains of despair!"


    Finally, I was able to use a binding spell into my enemy. The more he resisted, the worse the chains would bind him. With his speed being taken away, I created a huge ice sword, no, I summoned an ice sword.


    Its sharpness pierced through his heart and the demonic aura surrounding him disappeared until I heard him speak which was not supposed to since he''s turned into a puppet.


    "Thank you for giving me my freedom," he said.


    After that, his eyes returned to a normal one, closed and no sign of life could be sensed towards him.


    "My Ice Sword has been finally used again," I uttered.


    That sword of mine that I didn''t use unless I felt the need to do so. Not long after, I saw a black diamond coming out of that man''s heart.


    "It can''t be," I uttered.


    I gripped the black diamond harder until it turned into a speck of dust.


    I suddenly wanted to kill again. This time, it''s not a puppet.


    "Irvene!" Someone shouted.


    Then I saw Meryll took my hands that gripped the black diamond hardly.


    "Stop releasing too much magic!" Meryll shouted.


    "Irvene... Master..," Winter uttered.


    I didn''t know what they''re talking about until I saw my hands freezing cold. I stopped it afterward and took a deep breath.


    "Let''s go back," I said.


    I released the barrier to them afterward.


    "Weren''t we going to interrogate those persons?" Meryll asked.


    "No need, I already know the reason," I said.


    Meryll only followed me and said that she saw black diamonds falling out of those puppets.


    I didn''t say anything for now. We came back to our temporary room and that was when I felt the tiredness in my body but I didn''t feel the tiredness I experienced in the past. It was like I didn''t have the illness within my body at all that time I fought.


    Could it be that I can still be healed from this illness?


    I wasn''t able to think deeply since my eyes closed on its own and I fell asleep.

 49 Chapter 49

    Irvene''s point of view


    I woke up even before the sun would rise. The exhaustion entered my body after we reached our room and I felt really well after resting. Nonetheless, I somehow feel sick because my body was burning a little. I stood slowly and summoned a potion into my infinite storage bracelet.


    Although the potion helped me, it was almost insignificant. Then suddenly, the room seemed to spin slowly until I felt dizzy.


    "I s-shouldn''t fall asleep," I uttered.


    I still have many things I have to deal with....


    ***


    The moment I opened my eyes, it was already dark. I opened the curtains after I stood up from the bed. It seemed impossible but I felt that there''s nothing wrong with my body anymore.


    I looked around the room and saw no one.


    Where''s Meryll? She didn''t even wake me up.


    Not long after someone opened the door. Meryll finally came back. Her expressions seemed weird though. Her widened eyes looked at me and slowly walked towards me and checked my body.


    "Is there something wrong?" I asked.


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    "And why you didn''t wake me up earlier?" I continued.


    Meryll gazed at me. "You, didn''t you know that you''ve been asleep for two days? You didn''t even wake up once at that time!" Meryll said.


    "I''m very worried and I don''t know what to do. When that Headmaster''s assistant asked about our work and I said it was doing okay and I didn''t tell anyone about your current condition," she continued.


    "How about Winter?" I asked.


    Meryll shook her head. "I don''t know since she disappeared before we reached Spirit Mining Company and she didn''t show up since now," Meryll answered.


    It was understandable since I wasn''t able to give her magic anymore after I fell asleep. This wasn''t the first time I ended up sleeping for a long time and the worst one was I''m almost asleep for a month until it reduced to weeks and days and didn''t happen anymore after I reached the age of fifteen.


    The moment I fell asleep, my condition was getting bad but when I woke up, I was very healthy and it seemed that nothing had happened at that time.


    It''s almost three years ago but it changed to coughing blood after using magic, thus they restricted me using the restricting magic ring, similar to what I''m currently wearing.


    "Don''t worry about me, I''ll make sure that it wouldn''t happen again," I said.


    Meryll nodded at me with her unhesitant gaze.


    "I''ll look after you every day starting today," she said.


    I didn''t say anything.


    I began changing my clothes in the comfort room and got outside to start my work. Meryll followed after me.


    "When you''re sleeping, they informed me that the materials you requested were already collected except for the restricting magic poles which will be delivered here the next two days," Meryll said.


    I didn''t expect that the process of buying the restricting magic poles would take long despite sending a letter to the Ruler. That letter contained the words I wanted for Brother Mavien to be said to Wade McKnight. Those words would make Wade to immediately send me two restricting magic poles.


    Nonetheless, two more days would not make a difference after the sudden change of plans.


    "The materials they sent were in this way," Meryll said.


    She pointed the other way that we''re supposed to go. I shook my head.


    "We''ll meet Headmaster Estrama," I said.


    "Okay," Meryll uttered.


    When we reached his study room, I was about to knock when the door opened. Erill Wanemoon looked slightly startled.


    "Archmage Elvina, come inside," Erill Wanemoon said.


    However, when we came inside, Headmaster Estrama''s presence couldn''t be seen which was unusual. This was the first time we came without him sitting on the chair beside the elegant desk.


    "Where''s the Headmaster?" I asked.


    "I apologize but Headmaster Estrama left and went outside Spirit Mining Company to do some important matters," Erill Wanemoon said.


    "If there''s something important you want to discuss, the Headmaster said that you can discuss it with me," he continued.


    I shook my head.


    "It wasn''t that important but can you say where he went off too? I just wanted to hear his opinions by sending a letter. I''ll let Meryll send it herself so it could reach him immediately," I said.


    "Right, I could send it myself," Meryll agreed.


    Although Meryll agreed, she looked at me confusedly, wondering why I need to send a letter.


    "The Headmaster went to the House of Salford family and it was quite far away, nonetheless if you insist, you can bring the letter yourselves," Erill said.


    "Is there anything you want to discuss?" Erill Wanemoon said.


    I shook my head.


    "We''ll be leaving," I said.


    Erill Wanemoon smiled.


    Weird.


    "Then, I shall accompany you outside," he said.


    He opened the door afterward and joined us outside since he''s also about to leave this room earlier but he saw us. He took the other way afterward.


    We came back to our room and skipped checking the materials I asked for.


    "Why do you need to send a letter?" Meryll asked.


    "We don''t really need to. I just want to know the Headmaster''s location," I said.


    I started packing my important things and also asked Meryll to arrange her belongings but only the ones important and leave some here.


    "Wait," Meryll uttered.


    "You''re also going to the Salford family''s place?" Meryll asked.


    "I have to," I said.


    "Didn''t you just finished resting? I''ll agree if you rest one more day," she said.


    I looked at her intently. "I skipped enough days to what I plan. Stop worrying, we''ll bring Elis, Ivy and also Winter," I said.


    Meryll sighed deeply. "Okay then, and I''ll watch your actions. You should prevent physical fights," she said.


    After that, I chose to work first. We''ll be leaving at night.


    Then, I checked the materials first and started chanting spells to the Redwood paper, wood that came from the Redwood tree. After that, we separated the black diamonds into 4 equal stacks.


    There were lots of Redwood papers and I took an hour to finish chanting it and another half an hour to finish separating the black diamonds.


    Since the magic poles were not here yet, we stopped working and checked the mining area. So far, it wasn''t releasing violent magic aura like last time but it couldn''t be said to the following days.


    We worked for almost an entire day and came back to our room. We were supposed to head outside the Spirit Mining Company but Meryll insisted that we should rest first.


    Since that was the case, I took this chance to give some magic to Winter and I''ll continue to give her magic again after we reached the House of Salford. I couldn''t continuously give all magic in one go since I''m preventing myself from experiencing sudden sickness.


    Not now.


    The right time came and we went out swiftly like last time. It was only a few hours before the sunrise. We should have left earlier but Meryll didn''t budge and let me rest so we''re now hurrying to reach that place.


    The portal was used again and we ended up on the same tree then we left the forest and reached the park nearest to Spirit Mining Company.


    "Finally, we reached this park," Meryll uttered.


    This park was indeed farther than the Red River''s location. Nonetheless, we didn''t have a choice since this was the path nearest to Salford''s Manor.


    "We don''t have enough time, let''s go," I said.


    Meryll nodded.


    We should reach that place before the sun rises again.


    Wait for me and I''ll deal with the two of you!

 50 Chapter 50

    Irvene''s point of view


    We swiftly ran towards the Essence Road. It was called like that because most of the workshops here create magic papers, spell books, potions, and other useful items. It was the most important thing a mage or even some class would need especially those that would travel outside our country.


    At the same time, the Salford''s manor was located near this road. It wasn''t surprising at all for they sell magic papers and they were producing the best quality in our country.


    Although it was called Essence Road, it was big as a town. Numerous huge workshops stayed here so the Essence Road wasn''t small as its name portrayed. The road in its name came from the people calling it one because this place was one of the ways to succeed during long trips.


    This place was often crowded during the day. As soon as the sun rose, those workshops would bring their stocks to the store that the people were allowed to enter and bought things.


    It''s still dark when we reached the last town that we need to pass before reaching Salford''s place. Nonetheless, Meryll urged me to rest first because we didn''t get the chance to sleep at all.


    We rented a small house, enough for the two of us and arrange our things. Every town in Soul''e country would reserve houses or small rooms for anyone who wanted to stay for a few days thus we easily found a place to sleep with.


    "Irvene, I''ll be sleeping now. You should rest also and stop worrying about whatever''s on your mind just for this time," Meryll said.


    "Of course, I''ll rest but let me chant some barrier spells first," I said.


    Meryll wasn''t able to talk since her eyes were gradually closing on its own. She only nodded and dropped herself on the bed.


    I also felt sleepy but I needed to ensure our safety. My body felt the exhaustion and I was only able to chant two main barrier spells and eight sub-barrier spells.


    Nonetheless, I didn''t force myself. I sat on the chair with a small table in front of the two beds. What I meant in resting was not using magic and not sleeping immediately.


    I missed cooking so I think I''ll just do it.


    I took some raw food on my infinite storage bracelet. It was two eggs, some vegetables, rice. I brought this to the small kitchen and started cooking.


    The scent of stirring the vegetables into a small pan released a good smell. I added rice after it was left for minutes after being cooked and added the egg into it.


    I yawned while cooking. "Finally, I''m about to finish," I uttered.


    After cooking the fried rice, I placed it on the two plates I found in this house. I didn''t forget to place another small serving on a plate. That''s the one I would eat and leave the two large servings after our rest.


    I placed a magic barrier so its heat would stay. It only required an insignificant amount of my magic so I think it wouldn''t count.


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    After I savor the food I cooked, I cleaned my mess. Then, I walked towards the bedroom and rested on the bed.


    ***


    When I opened my eyes, the sun was peeking through the curtains. I stood up and streched my arms.


    I guessed that it''s afternoon by now.


    I shook Meryll''s body slightly who''s still relishing her energy despite sleeping for so long.


    "Meryll, wake up now," I said.


    Meryll''s eyes opened and stretched her body before she stood up.


    "Okay, I''m awake now. Are we leaving already?" she asked.


    I shook my head. To wake her up, I released the magic barrier I made for the food and brought it to the table in the bedroom. The good scent of the food quickly went out. I heard her stomach grumbled.


    "Food!" Meryll uttered.


    "Let''s eat now," I said.


    While we''re busy eating, she asked something.


    "Did you cook this?" Meryll asked.


    I nodded. When I did that, her brows furrowed.


    "Didn''t I told you to rest? We should just buy outside although I really like the food you cook. I''ll tell this to Sid haha," Meryll uttered.


    That made me laugh. These two have a lot to catch up on when they meet and I''m afraid that they would start to babble again on each other.


    Nonetheless, they remained as good friends despite that competitive relationship with the two of them.


    When we finished eating, I cleaned it up while Meryll took a bath. We took turns after. Our things were now well arranged and were ready to leave.


    We only needed to wait for the man who offered us this small house. He didn''t wait for us longer and took the small house''s key afterward.


    "Thank you for renting us the room. This is the 5 gold coins for our payment," Meryll said.


    The man looked at us confusedly. "But your payment should only cost 2 gold coins," he said.


    Meryll chuckled. "The remaining gold coins should be our thanks for letting us rent a vacant house in the middle of the night. Bye!" she said.


    We heard him shouted thanks and waved goodbye for he didn''t have the time to explain because we left quickly.


    "I guess that he didn''t recognize you as the Archmage," Meryll uttered.


    "Well, they might have heard about me but they didn''t know my face and I''m not wearing the Archmage''s clothes," I explained.


    Nonetheless, it was still a good thing that a few only recognize me because I''m in the middle of an important mission.


    My long wait was over. We reached the tall gates of Salford''s manor. The golden letters formed the word, House of Salford. Most of the family members especially from their main branch was living here with their luxurious lives.


    Although I heard the news that they were quite brutal about their child''s training thus it resulted in talented sons and daughters who were known at their school.


    The Knight Guards suddenly appeared at the gate and questioned us. I didn''t expect that someone would appear even at a far enough distance.


    Were they always cautious like this?


    Or because Headmaster Estrama visited?


    I took out my Archmage''s cloak from my bag and wore it.


    "I''m Archmage Elvina and this is my associate, Miss Meryll Dellmira. We''re here to visit since Headmaster Estrama came here and discuss with the Headmaster of Salford Family," I said.


    The Knights seemed to be aware of my presence and already know what to do. They walked with us towards the gate and they opened it.


    "Please follow us, Archmage Elvina and Miss Dellmira. We''ll bring you to the hall and inform the Headmaster of your sudden visit," he said.


    The long gate opened and we entered the vast garden of Salford''s Manor. We strolled a long path to reach the entrance of the house and let us wait in the hall.


    The two of us were sitting on the couch and Knights left us with a servant.


    "Good Afternoon, Archmage Elvina, and Miss Dellmira, I''m Sedina Salford that will serve you the tea," Sedina said.


    I nodded and let her leave and serve us tea. On the other hand, I don''t know why a woman with the name of Salford to be a servant. I only ended up shrugging my shoulders.


    "What if it has poison? Give me the antidote already," Meryll whispered.


    I chuckled and gave her two kinds of antidote and Meryll hid it on her bag.


    Not long after, Miss Sedina offered us the tea that we gladly drink. It was delicious. I hope it wasn''t poisoned. She looked innocent to do bad things after all.


    Nevertheless, we couldn''t tell by their looks if someone was able or wasn''t able to do horrible things.


    Just like what I''m working on and finding out about someone''s dark secret.

 51 Chapter 51

    Irvene''s point of view


    We finished our tea and delicacies served but Headmaster Salford still didn''t show up. I wonder what important thing he had to do.


    "He''s taking too long!" Meryll grunted.


    "We''ll wait one more time," I said.


    Then I looked at Miss Sedina. I really felt uncomfortable seeing her standing while we''re sitting on the couch. She just stood properly beside us and stared at nowhere. Suddenly, she turned her head towards us and seemed to feel my gaze.


    "What can I do?" Miss Sedina said.


    "A-ah, well, I''d like to ask if you can check Headmaster Salford and know how long he would take?" I asked.


    Miss Sedina''s face looked hesitant but still agreed. She bowed after leaving and said that she would be back shortly.


    "Irvene, I hope that you aren''t seeking trouble here," Meryll uttered.


    My lips formed into a grin. I should see them no matter what happened. I stood up and told Meryll to follow.


    "W-where are we going?" Meryll asked.


    I didn''t answer her question and only ran towards the way Miss Sedina walked. I couldn''t help but be curious about what meeting those Headmasters were doing that was taking them so long.


    The hallway she took had two separate ways at the end. Along with those ways, I could see two doors. I wonder where they''re located.


    Is it left or right?


    Nonetheless, I took the right one.


    "Irvene," Meryll whispered.


    "Shh," I uttered.


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    When we walked halfway until the door opened. We immediately stopped our tracks and they did also, not expecting to see us near the door.


    Headmaster Salford was in front while Headmaster Estrama followed suit. I could also see Miss Sedina at the back with her worried gaze. She might be scared of getting scolded after she left us alone.


    "Hmm, Archmage Elvina," Headmaster Salford said.


    "I was notified for your sudden visit in the middle of my meeting. It took us a while, so I hope that you''ll understand why I can''t meet you two immediately," he continued.


    It seemed that my actions were unnecessary, nonetheless, our long wait was over. My gaze went toward Headmaster Estrama. We have a lot to talk about that just couldn''t be sent to a letter.


    "Well then, it''s already afternoon and we''re about to eat. I hereby invite Archmage Elvina and Miss Dellmira to our humble meal, and we''ll discuss your visit along with that," Headmaster Salford said.


    I didn''t know that this day, we''d be eating a lot. It couldn''t be helped.


    "I accept your invitation. It''s really a sudden visit for I have an important discussion to tell," I said.


    "I agree," Meryll said.


    Headmaster Salford and Headmaster Estrama looked towards each other and nodded.


    "I''m very glad that Archmage Elvina would be dining with us. I''ll lead our Archmage to our dining hall," he said.


    Hmp, too much formality. His words sounded like he really approves of me as an Archmage. If I could guess, Headmaster Salford was only putting up an act.


    We followed him to their dining hall which was not too far away. The huge two-way door opened and a grand long table with tasty food could be found inside.


    I frowned slightly. There''s too much elegance or I was just used to our family''s simple yet elegant designs. I know that Meryll could also felt that. Nonetheless, I shouldn''t mind it for now.


    We entered the hall and Headmaster Salford sat at the center. The servant led me to the seat at the right side next to Headmaster Salford while Meryll was next to me.


    Headmaster Estrama sat on the left side, facing me. Meanwhile, Miss Sedina left already. I began to think that they planned this after knowing that I suddenly visit here.


    This place didn''t have a single servant which was unusual. It was just the four of us. Furthermore, I could also sense that there''s a magic barrier chanted to this dining hall.


    "May you enjoy the feast," Headmaster Salford said.


    After that, we started eating and began discussing what I came here for.


    "In all honesty, I came here because of Headmaster Estrama," I said.


    The noise created by the spoon and fork stopped and they looked at me.


    "Hmm, you didn''t send a letter so it seemed a serious matter," Headmaster Estrama said.


    He didn''t ask why we knew his location, might be thinking that Erill informed us which was true.


    "Of course it is," I said.


    "Can you tell us now? I''ve been curious since the time I''m informed that you went here," Headmaster Salford said.


    I carefully placed down the glass of water on the table and started talking.


    "It''s about the Spirit Mining Company," I said.


    I looked at Headmaster Estrama and waited if he wanted to discuss it in front of Headmaster Salford. I was just acting carefully because it wasn''t a subject that could be said to anyone.


    "Go on," Headmaster Estrama said.


    "The power of that dark magic aura coming from that mining area, it smelled death and magic formed together into one," I said.


    Although I saw both of them with their stunned expressions, their opinions differed.


    "Archmage Elvina, if it was all, I advise that sending a letter could have been a lot easier. Time shouldn''t be wasted," Headmaster Estrama said.


    "Hmm, I guess it wasn''t that all," Headmaster Salford said.


    They looked at me, waiting for the rest that I would say. Even Meryll felt curious since she didn''t have a clear understanding of my reason.


    "I apologize for my unclearness of explanation. That wasn''t all I want to say. The black diamonds, I somehow found out that it''s quite useful for a necromancer class. Specifically, the one that''s evil enough to use its powers," I said.


    At this moment, my voice hardened and gripped my hands under the table. Somehow, Meryll was the calm one between us. It''s just as I planned. If I said this to Meryll she would have attacked them already and I wouldn''t let that happen without clear evidence.


    Although Meryll''s expression wasn''t good since she''s seeing Headmaster Estrama, it wasn''t as worse as what I feel.


    "Pardon us? What are you saying, Archmage Elvina?" Headmaster Estrama said.


    His voice raised a little and failed to hide away his true self with calmness.


    "I suggest that we should close that area for a few months. Further studies should be made around it and it was enough for a serious problem wasn''t it? Also, this season wasn''t great to visit the Red River although I planned to meet someone there and I would be gone from work for a few days," I said.


    After hearing a place called Red River, his actions were clearly changing and was trying his best to calm down. On the other hand, he might not be admitting it.


    I would make my patience longer once more and avoid killing anyone not worthy of my time.


    I looked towards the others'' expressions. Meryll was silently listening to me and Headmaster Salford maintained his calmness although I saw him flinched for a second after hearing what I said.


    "We talked about this before, haven''t we? We made a contract and if you didn''t fix it, the Archmage wouldn''t have the power to interfere with us!" Headmaster Estrama said.


    "I didn''t say that I wouldn''t fix it. It was just I would study it after that. That wasn''t included that I shouldn''t interfere after I succeeded, isn''t it?" I said.


    His expression worsened even more.


    I sighed. This would take long however I should


    come out here with a good result.

 52 Chapter 52

    3rd person point of view


    Flashback


    Along the hallway that showed the various ornaments yet screams of a dreadful aura, the headmaster of Salford family walked along this way and opened the door that revealed his study room.


    It was restricted.


    Failing to obey means punishment. A punishment that''s equivalent to death.


    Only he and one other person were allowed except if he allowed him to, with his presence of course. He fixed his grey colored robe before he sat on his golden chair. His eyes reached a black staff and its black diamond at the top was continuously giving off a dark aura.


    A knock on the door sounded and the man in a light-colored robe entered without his permission.


    Yet he wouldn''t experience death.


    It was because it''s the other man who''s allowed to enter his study room, with or without his presence.


    This person was the famed Headmaster of the Estrama family, Headmaster Estrama. Although he had a lot of papers in his hands, he walked in an imposing manner and didn''t lose his composure. It was supposed to be an assistant''s task but he couldn''t hastily bring one when going to Headmaster Salford''s study room.


    "Headmaster Salford, I''ve got the problems covered," he said.


    It was the first thing he said. No formal greetings that could be seen usually from the headmasters when gathering in an event.


    Nonetheless, it enlightened Headmaster Salford''s mood. His lips formed into a grin. He told him to sit and discuss this important news.


    "Good, good. As I''ve said, the inexperienced one should just stay out of important responsibilities. I wonder how long would that person persist and forcedly fit herself on the highest place," Headmaster Salford said.


    Headmaster Estrama heard his evil laughter. He maintained his silence and hesitated if he would talk. He''s quickly been found out because of his actions.


    "What is it?" Headmaster Salford asked.


    "I was talking about the problems of that mining area. It can be solved by her," he said.


    It made Headmaster Salford''s mood turn bad in a second.


    A misunderstanding, it was the truth.


    Headmaster Salford clenched his fist and an indisputable amount of dark aura lingered across the room. The headmaster in front felt the coldness of it slowly entered through his body.


    "What do you mean?!" Headmaster Salford asked.


    The latter showed him the papers he brought. It was about the plans for that mining area. Headmaster Salford examined it.


    "Those members of that family always give me a lot of problems," Headmaster Salford said.


    His calmness returned and asked him more questions.


    "What about her suspicion?" He asked.


    "About that, it''s always about the rumors she heard from the capital. Recently, a man had been controlled by that dark aura. It almost showed a hint of our plans but I acted well. After all, she''s just a young girl locked into the castle. It would have been harder if the late ruler had taught her the ways of the real outside world," Headmaster Estrama said.


    Headmaster Salford relaxed. "I''ve been worrying for nothing," he said.


    "But there''s one more problem, the trade that should have been successful had failed. I have a feeling that the man behind this is more cunning and dangerous than the former," Headmaster Estrama said.


    However, Headmaster Salford still maintained his calmness. Problems after problems, it was always like that. Solving affairs in the daylight and then making problems during the dark. It''s ironic but he was used to it. The only thing that made him mad was the persons that continue to hinder his hard-earned plans.


    This man, he was used to it. After the other''s death, he took after that man. Headmaster Salford thought that he would deal with him like the way he made the other dead.


    But it would be harder for the other man left a few cunning and powerful persons in this world.


    "We need to change locations and be more strict in releasing pieces of information to our men. Who knew, that girl is also a sacrifice. That man is the evilest person I met," Headmaster Salford said.


    Despite being one, he dared to call his enemy the evilest one. It was like admitting that he''s inferior to him when it comes to shady things.


    Nonetheless, this dark-hearted headmaster was stating the truth. Who knew how many times he was secretly defeated and beaten by that man when that man was still a child. No one would have believed that but Headmaster Salford didn''t want anyone to know that. It was such a shameful past.


    He erased it in his head and began talking plans with Headmaster Estrama.


    Along their serious conversations, someone knocked. It wasn''t a simple knock. Both Headmasters knew that this sound and patterns of knocking the door meant that it was a piece of very important news.


    "Enter," Headmaster Salford said.


    Although it was almost a whisper, the person behind the door heard it. A woman entered with her hands clasping and looked at him. She was the feeble daughter of his.


    "Speak," Headmaster Salford said.


    "Headmaster, Archmage Elvina and her associate are found on the front gate and the guards told me about this," she said.


    Both of the Headmasters remained calm but they wouldn''t deny themselves that they were startled.


    What does she need from the Salford Family?


    The Headmasters looked at each other grinning. They both have the same idea.


    "Bring her to the lobby and serve them food," Headmaster Salford said.


    The girl bowed and went outside.


    "Let her wait," Headmaster Estrama said.


    The time was ticking slowly and both of them continued discussing. They felt very good. Thinking of the scene outside, they laugh at each other.


    But the danger didn''t fade. It was still suspicious of them to visit his place.


    Not long after, the woman knocked and he gave her permission. She said that the two were being impatient and were on the verge of searching for him. Of course, it wasn''t a good idea. An outsider strolling at his place was a bad thing.


    "Time''s up, we should go outside," Headmaster Estrama said.


    "Hmm, let''s go," he said.


    The three of them went outside. With the lead of Headmaster Salford, once they saw the two, both of them acted like they were stunned that these two attempted to find him in one of the rooms in this hallway.


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    He acted with hospitality and let them join their feast. A feast that was suddenly held. Even the cooks in the mansion were stunned. They kept thinking why the Headmaster prepared their secret and special dishes, every single one of them.


    He felt good that he was in his best clothes and pieces of jewelry. He was almost tempted to bring his staff and end-all of this but it wasn''t the right time. Everything should be carefully planned or else in a single slip, his plans would fail.


    ''Let me see your mediocre experiences and logic,'' he thought.


    The Headmaster thought that the new Archmage knew nothing but to practice spells and read books in an isolated place.


    There was indeed truthfulness at it but one couldn''t make an accurate prediction on an individual.

 53 Chapter 53

    Irvene''s point of view


    *Present*


    I sat firmly on the chair and prevented myself from turning this place into ice. No matter what happened, I''ll leave this place with a good result.


    "Pardon, Archmage Elvina, aren''t you taking this work seriously and underestimating us? I''m in charge of the Spirit Mining Company. It''s my responsibility to study that mining area," Headmaster Estrama said.


    "Headmaster," I said.


    I looked at them and raised two fingers with a small envelope in it. The Ruler''s seal faintly glowed.


    "The Ruler''s words are absolute and what does an Archmage do? It''s also part of my responsibility to make sure that no dark magic could harm our country," I continued.


    They looked at each other until Headmaster Estrama took the envelope from me. He gripped it hard while reading.


    "It''s settled then, but the Ruler only have given you a week after you finished your work. It''s to be expected since the Ruler didn''t inform me," Headmaster Estrama said.


    "You still have many work to do according to what I''ve heard. Well, we can stop eating and let you go home?" Headmaster Salford said.


    All of us nodded. I have to finish the magic barrier poles quickly. It was good that I have Elis sent Brother Mavien a message and give me a letter proving that I could further study that mining area.


    We went out of this dining area and they quickly led us to the front gate. Headmaster Salford prepared two horse carriages. One for Headmaster Estrama with his assistant and another one for Meryll and I. His assistant just showed up after we went of the dining area and quickly held the headmaster''s things.


    It''s a good thing that Headmaster Salford prepared two horse carriages. I didn''t mind taking one with Headmaster Estrama but this girl beside me would not.


    "Very good, I don''t want to see his presence for a long period of time in such a small space," Meryll said.


    I sighed. She''s back with her talkative attitude after just listening with our discussions with the headmasters.


    We got inside the horse carriage. I saw Headmaster Salford stood at the front gate with Miss Sedina until I closed the door of the horse carriage. This horse carriage didn''t have any windows at both sides except a small window in front only.


    This kind of design was often used during cold weather. Although I didn''t feel that the weather wasn''t that cold or it might be that Headmaster Salford just casually chose one of his horse carriages since he only sees me as a regular visitor in his place.


    Nonetheless, it was easier to travel with a horse carriage than use magic and run from here to the Spirit Mining Company.


    "We can finally rest although I think that we will encounter a fight against them since your mood was so scary earlier," Meryll uttered.


    She''s right. It was good that I have Brother Mavien''s envelope ready.


    I think that I have asked help for my brother again to get out of trouble. I sighed deeply upon thinking of that.


    We were busy talking to each other when the horse carriage stopped quickly. We almost bumped into the metal wall of this horse carriage. Horse carriages ran swiftly with magic so when it stopped quickly, the result would be bad just like this.


    "Hey, won''t you ride safely?! Why did you stop?" Meryll shouted.


    But he didn''t answer her question. We immediately went outside the horse carriage. A man not far from us stood with his huge sword pointed on us. His presence was releasing a dark aura familiar from the one I saw from the Spirit Mining Company while the man riding the horse carriage disappeared.


    Only the man in front of us appeared but I could feel that he''s not alone. The horse carriage stopped in an empty circled ground inside a forest. This forest was not familiar to us. The man riding this horse carriage has brought us to a different way!


    "You want to fight? We''ll defeat you!" Meryll shouted.


    Meryll summoned her two black daggers and I also summoned my staff. She dashed towards the enemy while I chanted ice spikes upon their way. It followed with ice blades.


    The man''s huge sword clashed upon Meryll''s daggers and was able to dodge most of her attacks despite him being a warrior. He''s keeping up with Meryll''s speed.


    I ran towards them and made Ice rain. The sharp blades and icicles combined came down quickly and it slowed down his speed.


    However, he swung his sword and huge flames encircled his sword. Because of that, he melted some of the raining ice blades and icicles but it managed to suppress his overwhelming strength towards Meryll.


    Meryll then disappeared in front of him. I took this chance to chant another wave of ice blades and distract him. He accurately breaks it with his sword but Meryll came down attacking him from behind.


    A warrior''s body cannot be penetrated because of strong armor but Meryll''s daggers were different. It made inside his armor but that was it.


    Meryll was slightly startled that made them man escaped from her surprise attack.


    This man, he was surely releasing powers with dark aura but he seemed not controlled by it and even use its powers with great control.


    I felt even more angry than before. How much have they gone with this experiment?!


    I used more than half of my magic and chanted a spell.


    "Silver chains of despair turned into golden chains, I hereby command you to bind this man and feel my wrath!" I shouted.


    This circled ground enlightened. The golden chains and the men hiding within the forest both appeared at the same time.


    But no one can stop my spell!


    The golden chains swiftly enveloped the warrior and it sipped its powers. I could feel it being transferred to me.


    "So this is the great powers of my strongest binding spell for now," I uttered.


    There were ten men with daggers that appeared at us and I still felt that there''s more of them hiding. The rest should be archers, the long-ranged ones.


    Meryll and I continued to fight together and combined attacks. With that, we suppressed the assassins. Moreover, Meryll was an assassin too so she was familiar with every moves they used.


    With the powers transferred to me, I straightened my hands and pointed at one direction I released two ice blades swiftly than ever before. I heard someone fell at the tree.


    "What an accurate attack, you should be an archer!" Meryll shouted.


    "Focus!" I said.


    I could feel her excitement from this fight.


    I pointed at other directions and attacked the four other archers with the same style. It managed to strike two archers but the other two didn''t seem to budge.


    "Meryll, two more archers!" I said.


    "Alright, let''s switch," Meryll said.


    In a second we switched positions and I took care of the remaining assassins. Half of them were already unconscious on the ground.


    I chanted icicles and ice blades. It''s more than the usual number I chanted since the warrior''s powers have been transferred into myself but it wasn''t enough to bring down these sneaky assassins.


    "Living monster fire, as fiery as its name, I summon thee!" I chanted.


    Fire started to surround us and Elis appeared.


    "Bring them down," I said.


    "Yes, master!" Elis said.


    The assassins felt danger and they retreated for a while but Elis chased them down one by one.


    "Your surprise attacks won''t work for me!" Elis said.


    Everyone, here goes his arrogance.


    "Finish!"


    Both Meryll and Elis said at the same time and stood in front of me.


    "Great!"


    A man shouted and clapped.


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    "Who''s there?!" I said.


    It seemed that everything''s yet to end.