// Leanne's resolve. //

During the morning, when Leanne woke up she was the first to stand in their room.
As thoughts and worries continued to circulate within her mind.
She approached a large mirror, reflecting her body as she wore her nightly dress.
Her golden hair and sapphire eyes glistened but she expressed bitterly upon gazing it.

[One might think, it is strange to try and change now.
But... If my mother's spoken words were true.
Then I will need at least to be capable of doing something.

The words of that bandit are possibly something that struck me, deeply the most.
[You've got nothing to offer in the table.]

[I'll take everything you have.]

Had Estel not interfered during those moments.
It could have ended poorly, not only losing my title as a princess.
But turning even I into a simple tool for another in both body and mind.
And for Lana...
It would have without a doubt ended in a tragic tale,
As the bandits will undoubtedly betray their own word should she succeed in defeating him.
Perhaps even she knew what would happen.

Leanne exhaled as she looked at a mirror, reflecting herself in it.
Touching its cold texture with her hand.
She then bitterly thought.

I knew full well my brother held many comrades in arms.
Dukes, Marquis, Counts, Viscount, Baron, and Knights.
After all, he lived longer than me and graduated sooner than I.

In terms of a number of people,
He had made a connection with...
They were many... reaching at least 30 people or so.
Perhaps, I am against one of these people.
Or even all of them.

[I'm terrified, afraid and worried.
I cannot see who my true enemy is.
Or how many they are.

Yet Estel somehow shattered those horrors in front of my eyes like a hero in some kind of fairy tale.
But for how long will this last?] As she turns gazed at Estel sleeping face in her bed, the silver hair shined as a bit of light reflected its colors.

She then turned again to the large mirror in front of her.

[If I were to continue onwards.
Then I will need comrades within this place.
Perhaps, also perhaps change myself somehow.

I will need people who I can trust.
Perhaps, I've fooled around for far too long.]

Leanne then readied herself for the day heading to her cabinet to prepare her clothes,
Lana woke with the noise she made as a surprise reached her face.
To see the princess wake up sooner than herself was a surprising change.
As she often lazes off letting Estel or herself wake up from her sleep.

________________________________________________________________________________
-Present time-

// An unexpected appearance. //

As they soon moved, Leanne had requested for everyone to allow her to create a letter.
After a few moments, she called a guard commanding that person to run an errand,
Which is to send a letter and alter her daily schedules.

As all three stood to move to Estel's private schedule.

A cry is then heard from behind them.
"Wa-wait!"

As he approached from behind them with an exasperated breath.
He soon reached out for Estel, arm.
Only for her knight to swiftly, knock him down and pulled out his sword to point it directly at his neck.

Seid then shouted with aggression.
"Who are you, speak!?"

As everyone turned to gaze at him, Estel then cried out to her knight.
"Stop!, I recognize this person.
He's is a friend and I owe him a debt."

Inside his helmet, he then closed his eyes as he pulls his sword away from him and sheathed it while turning away. Estel approached him as she said.

"I'm really sorry about that, Jake.
This man is my knight."

As he sweeps off the dust on his clothing, he then asked.
"A Knight? why do you have a knight?"

Leanne then replied.
"It's a long story, if you want to know more it's best you stuck with us."

As she said these words, he soon followed the group.

While they were walking towards their destinate Estel then asked Seid about something,
she was curious about.

"What happened to the Wyvern?"

He then lowered his voice and moved closer to her ears.
"We moved her somewhere, it wouldn't draw too much attention.
Your grandfather applied widescale illusion magic around it, making the creature invisible.
While I placed a barrier around it, confusing and repelling anyone who attempted entered the area."

"Eh? What if it gets hungry and moved on its own?" She asked.

he then shook his head.
"That creature is extremely obedient and only moves when it's hungry,
Your grandfather also feeds it daily using stored food from his own shadow,
Though, I fear ashes might get hungry and start eating someone.
Because that wyvern tried to eat one of us once."

Estel could only give a wry smile as he said those words.
"Stored food from his own shadow?
Like some kind of pocket storage?"
He nods to her in reply.

She then asked.
"Was magic always this convenient."

Seid replied with.
"It depends on what attributes the person has...
Not everyone is fit to carry attributes, it requires the dark attribute to do what he does."

"Your grandfather is quite capable of using all of the elements,
despite being from the race of dark dragons the only attribute he cannot use is Light.
It is also why he is the former de-"

"Former de?"  as Estel pry into his unfinished words

Jake who was gazing at them then complained interrupting the two.
"What are you two whispering to each other about?"

Lana then giggled a bit as she gazed at the three of them.
Leanne, on the other hand, was feeling uneasy, unsure of what they will soon meet.

As they walked towards their destination.
They soon reached a classroom with a professor waiting for them.
He expressed his surprise to see the princess with them.

"Your royal highness? and the prince of Carona as well.
I wasn't informed, all of you would be attending."
Jake simply shrugged at his reaction, while Leanne sharply gazed at him as she asked.
"Is there a problem?"

He swiftly shook his head in response.

"I was told, a VIP required some elementary knowledge about magic.
Though, I didn't expect her royal highness was a part of this.
Very well, I will teach all of you the glory of magic."

As he said these words, a few introductions were in order.

Afterward, he then began to teach his words about magic.
As he wrote on the board while single chalk flew writing for him controlling it using wind magic while his finger playfully waved around on the side directly speaking with them.

"There are many elements and attributes in the world but each one possesses opposing elements.
Earth = Wind
Fire = Water

The rare elements regard elements that are different which are extremely rare.
These are...
Thunder = Ice
Light = Dark"

"Any questions regarding these elements?"

Estel then asked.
"What makes them so rare and special?
As she pointed at the rare elements."

He then replied.
"I suppose, it is because these elements surpass them in both power and ability.

Thunder can instantly burn and paralyze a foe which can be used in many ways like applying it with water.

Ice can slow and hinder any opponent as well as conjure weapons for their own like how earth mages perform.

Light can heal wounds and shield others from magic, while also for breaking curses.
But these people are often hunted down by the Order of Light, It's very unlikely you will find one.

Darkness, on the other hand, can house a variety of ability which is currently unknown to us.
Only the demon-kin's seems to be able to properly utilize them.
But most of us use them for simple curses and such, which are normally easily broken.

It is also rare for people to dabble deeper in it,
because of the risks and danger of being cursed by it, if one is not careful in using it."

Estel nodded to him as she asked another question, she turned to Lana with curiosity then spoke.

"What about illusions?"

He simply said.
"Illusion is a type of spell that can be used by any element.
It requires a bit of study, but when properly used it can trick anyone's senses.

Though, each element causes them to do different things."

Estel reacted as she asked. "Different things?"

"An example, Fire can cause an illusion to explode.
Wind causes one to use it in the middle of a battle confusing an opponent while still being able to harm them.

Earth can be used to create a doll of themselves requiring a bit more control.
And so on."

"So... Spells are different?"

He then further explained.

"Spells can be used in any magic, but one cannot use a spell without further study.
After all, it will turn into a flop if one tries to conjure a spell which they do not understand.

There is primarily many types of spells.
Channeled, Invocation, and finally Released.

Channel requires one to control the spell.
Invocation only requires a person to pour their mana into a spell as they are released automatically when they reached their peak.

Released are spell which is already prepared in hand,
They are instantly invoked using a scroll or a prepared spell.
However rare, instances are abilities which are innately born with.
Requiring no incantation or preparation."

As he explained this to Estel.
She imagined arrows piercing her back.
After all, Estel once tried to conjure a spell she didn't properly know, only to collapse because of it.

He, later on, continued to explain.
Providing substantial knowledge of a variety of spells, which had already been explained or known to her by Aisha while an hour swiftly passed by them

The group simply nods to him and gave him their thanks.

They soon moved to another class which was Horse riding.
While walking there, Lana and Estel had a discussion with one another regarding her question during class.
 
Leanne on the other hand then curiously asked to whisper to Jake's ears.
"What about your class?"

He shrugged as he said.

"This is more important than a single class or two.
After all, I'll still need to have her return my heirloom."

Leanne then recalled as she accidentally shouted in reply.
"That's right!"

The three turned to her as they curiously gazed at her, Jake swiflty made distance from her while turning away. As she swiftly shook her head, they simply raised a brow to her in response as they continued on their discussion.

________________________________________________________________________________

// De ja vu. //

As they reached the stable of the academy, they saw a wide and vast area.
Fit properly for use, there are also other students already participating in it.

One of them then rode a horse as they rushed to where they stood.
*Clack* *Clack* *Clack*

The sound of horse movement and its large figure approached them.
On top of it was a man which Leanne could swiftly recognize.
he then said.

"Ho... Leanne?
I thought you disliked participating in such menial activities."
As the Prince of Roswell said.

She simply replied.
"I came here to learn it with a friend.
It wouldn't be so menial, as long as she's around."

He then turned to Estel who wore a dress of a noble.
But unable to recognize her, he then turned his attention to the prince of Carona.
As he said.

"The Jake?
I've heard your family curse was lifted.
Though, never expected you would be interested in the owl.

Are you intending to marry her?"

Jake simply retort to the prince with bored eyes.
"Alex, there's no way that could happen."

He then laughed with a wide smile as he said.

"I thought so."

Leanne could only feel annoyance, Lana herself giggled a bit.
But his attention soon reached Estel.
As he then stepped down the horse, then approached her.
His brown eyes and hair reflected a gentle side of him, with a question directed at her.

"You seemed familiar?
Have we perhaps met before?"

But Estel could only turn her head away from him, as she recalled the moment where she had stolen his money by accident. [Chapter 11]

[A few weeks had already passed, it's only natural for him to forget.
But still, this kind of situation isn't what I expected at all!?]

With her heart beating faster with both guilt and pressure she froze in silence.
He then turned to her guard as he observed him.
[A knight? to wear that armor under this heat.
It also seemed like she's from a powerful nation.]

He then asked another question.
"Which nation are you from?"

Leanne wanted to pull Estel to her side but that would make her childish in front of him.
Her pride wouldn't allow her but to her surprise.
Jake was the one to step in as he pulls her to his side.

Estel reacted in confusion.
"Eh?" As he then said.

"Sorry, this person is the reason I am here.
We still have something important to discuss,
If you would excuse us."

With his words, he pulls her hand while her guard followed.
Leanne and Lana politely bowed to him, as they soon left him chasing after them.

________________________________________________________________________________

// Horse Riding. //

Upon reaching the stable, their instructor was there to guide them.
But after encountering Jake he then cheerfully greeted him showing signs of familiarity.
He then asked for permission to personally teach Estel how to ride a horse.

Which he agrees with an easy-going expression.
Estel who questioned his skills trying to retort.
Was then shot down when the instructor claimed Jake was a capable rider.

At that moment she had no choice but to follow his instruction as they rode a horse together.
Her guard was also capable of riding a horse without any kind of direction as he followed them from the sides.

In her mind, she regretted to not claim her guard can teach her instead.
But she lacked knowledge of the person who is guarding her.

With every movement of the horse, he guided her on, how to properly ride it with her in the front and himself in the back. Estel had a wry smile, as she felt pressured by the unexpected development.

She then asked.
"Jake? why exactly are you here?"

He gave her a bored look as he exhaled.
"You don't remember?
Then look closely at this emblem."

Pulling out a small emblem from embedded from his clothes, he shows it to her.

It has been at least a week after being given diamond pocketwatch heirloom.
She had used it repeatedly like equipment forgetting it's true purpose.
Estel then recalled as she blushed red in embarrassment.
As she rushed for her pocket and pulled it out while crying out.
"Wai-wait!, I'm sorry!"

As the old rusted watch became visible in her hand.
He then placed his palm on top of it while holding her hand.
He then told her with a serious.
"Explain to me, what the heck happened first.
Why on earth do you suddenly have a guard?
For what I recalled, you once said to me.

You were just a simple maid."

"What on earth happened?"

She looks away from him with a flustered expression on her face.

With her mind going in disarray with his sudden questions.
She gazed at her sides as she then noticed, Leanne and Lana riding a single horse gazing at her from afar. Their faces had smirks written on them, as she felt annoyance and irritation.

She then focused on the horse while gathering up courage, to answer Jake.

"I-"

But then another horse rider came from their right side interrupting their conversation.

"You two looks like your having fun."

The person in question is Alex, Prince of Roswell.

"I wasn't interrupting important am I?" He asked with curiosity.

As he gazed at him with a blank and annoyed expression with Estel relieved with his sudden intrusion as she collected her thoughts. He then complained,

"Alex...
Why are you, doing this now?"

He smirked while saying.
"Why not?
A close friend of mine is suddenly being charmed by a mysterious person.
When he usually confesses to every girl in hopes they would save his country.

But... now that there was news spreading about how the curse of your family was lifted.
I have no idea why would you pursue this lass any further?

Unless she had a hand in saving your country."

Upon mentioning the curse, Estel paled at the thought of him finding out.
But, Jake himself was unsure himself and thus he answered.

"Is it wrong for me to pursue such a charming young lady?
Her guard is also quite skillful, I am simply amazed at his swordsmanship and strength.
That I was asking her a few questions regarding herself."

To the which, Alex then asked.

"And that would be?"

"That is confidential," Jake replied

"Ho... now I'm interested." As the two clashed with their words while riding the horse.
Estel herself was feeling the pressure and panic as she thought in her mind.
[How the hell do I get out of this mess!?]