"Asher!" I called, seeing Asher finally arriving at the Magic Training Ground. I told him about the noble I met earlier, and he suddenly disappeared right after hearing all the things I said.
"Where have you been?" I asked, running towards him and when I reached him, he smiled and ruffled my hair. What the heck? He looks kinda happy today.
"What happened? You look like you're in the right mood today," I said, confused. He turned to me and he's still smiling.
"Your decision on planting a tracker to that man was right. I asked your Third Brother to investigate it," wow, he was able to order my brother like that? Well, if it's about with the Western Dukedom, pretty sure Brother Dae won't hesitate to help.
"Thank Eri, she was the one who did it," I said, ruffling my fairy's hair. She giggled cutely and I smiled.
"Good job, Eri," Asher said, leaning forward towards my shoulder where Eri is sitting.
"I only did what my Master asked me to!" Her voice is really a cutie.
"Anyways, it seems they are planning something," Asher spoke, clipping his chin while thinking.
"Yeah..."
It's a bit strange though.
It's been two years, but only now did they approached me. It's even more weird because just when I got my interest to these dukedom, kingdom, and empire issues, it is also the time when a noble from the Western Dukedom went to me. Hmm...
Come to think of it, even that dragon started showing himself in my dream when I found out about the civil affairs within our empire.
"We'll talk about this later, let's focus on your training,"
There is too much happenings here to be considered as a mere coincidence.
Could there be a spy?
No way. The only ones who knew about this are my family, Asher, Sir Abel, and Ziel. It's impossible that it's any of them. And I will never suspect Ziel.
"Alina? Are you listening to me?" I flinched and came back to reality when Asher called my name.
"I'm sorry, what were you saying?" I asked. He cocked his brow and stared at me for a moment before he sighed. Eri is currently sleeping on my head now and even though she's sleeping she's still able to control my overflowing mana.
I don't really know how it works, but I trust my guardian with it.
"If there are many things going on in your head, it might affect our training. Do you want to rest first?" I immediately shake my head repeatedly while smiling at him.
"I'm fine! Let's start!" I said as I sit on the ground with my legs crossed. I made sure to straighten my back and place the back of my hands on the sides of my knees.
"Okay, close your eyes," I did as Asher said and took a deep breath, as his previous teachings.
Before, he told me to take a deep breath and clear my mind my any thoughts.
•
Alina took a deep breath and did her best to clear her mind. Only thinking on how she will control her breathing. She recalls all of Asher's teachings on their previous training and finally able to go back to her own realm of consciousness.
She looks around and found the orb once again. Alina smiled.
On the other hand, Asher was surprised to see the mana particles floating towards Alina and forming an orb right away.
"Woah...that was fast," Asher crossed his arms and watched Alina as the orb slowly floats towards her.
"Touch it, and relax my mind and body..." Alina thought. She placed her hands on the orb and she was surprised when her hand permeates on its light, but still feels as if her hands are being covered with soft cloud.
"This is a different feeling," She thought.
Believing that it is a progress, she took a deep breath once again. Her hands felt like it is floating inside the orb, which made her think that it is fine not to put a force on her arm. And just when she did, the light of the orb crawled towards her arm, and into her chest it was absorbed.
Asher, smirked after seeing the mana particles that form an orb enters Alina's body through her chest.
"W-what, I feel comfortable and refreshed..."
"You can open your eyes now," Asher spoke.
Alina slowly opened her eyes, and they glint gold for a moment.
"It looks like you've connected with your mana core now, finally," Alina's eyes widened and she looks disappointed.
"Eh? That was only connecting to my mana core? I thought I'll finally be able to use magic after that!" She said, pouting. Asher stared at her and snickers.
"Did you really think it'll be that easy?" The Astra levitate into the air and crossed his legs.
"Now that you're connected to your mana core, we should make a strong mana foundation starting with controlling the flow. Visualize your mana flowing all through your body, coming from your core to the every part of your body,"
Alina nods her head and close her eyes again to imagine. She visualize a core within her chest releasing mana to every part of her body. As if it goes to every veins that she has. She felt her body getting light and even more comfortable as she continue with her visualization that helps her with her training.
Behind her mind, she can see the flow of the mana. From the core, towards the whole of her chest, simultaneously moving to her diaphragm and shoulder as it continues down and towards her arms, until it reaches her fingetips and toes. Through this visualization, she can now feel the magic flowing within her body as if she's one with it.
Outside, Asher watches her as she focuses on maintaining her mana flow secured. He smiled, with a proud expression on his face.
"I never thought I'm a good mentor," Asher thought, feeling proud to himself.
"Hmm, if it were me from Fel's time I won't be able to explain anything at all--thanks to Abel, I guess?" He lay down on the air while he floats and place his hands at the back of his head, bending his left knee a bit and leaning his other legs on it.
As the Astra praise himself for being a good mentor to the Princess, the Princess slowly opened her eyes, her eyes glint gold as she feels all the energy flowing within her body.
"Asher," Asher turned to her, and he smiled.
"Yup, your mana's finally flowing properly within your body, unlike before when it's scattered like clot to any parts," Asher said, nodding his head in amazement.
"Well, next is being able to control your mana," Alina cocked her head, getting confused.
"I thought what I did was controlling my mana?" Asher tilt his head as well and cocked a brow, looking in disbelief.
"That was only putting your mana in place because it's scattered all over your body, not flowing in a single place, it's only for controlling the mana flow. Do you get me? It's like your body stored all the mana anywhere, unlike now when it is flowing properly from your core," Alina creased a forehead, she's even more confused because it seems to her that Asher is just saying the same thing.
Asher took a deep breath and landed on the ground.
"Imagine your body. The mana inside is just there, it's not flowing at all, it's all there within your body sitting free. Like a jar full of water. Now that you're able to control the mana flow, your mana has finally able to flow properly in one place, from your core towards all the part of your body. Like how a water flow when you're sipping from a straw," Alina clipped her chin and imagine the things that Asher is saying. She slowly nod her head once she finally figured out what Asher was trying to point out.
"I see, then. How am I supposed to control my mana---"
Alina paused when suddenly, the Third Prince appeared in the Magic Training Ground.
"Brother Dae!" Alina cheerfully called, running towards her brother and throwing herself to him.
"Hello, Ali. How's your training? Oh--wow, your mana is finally flowing in one place, huh?" Alina gasped while her brother place his hand on her head and shoulder.
"Wow, he noticed it right away!" Alina thought.
"Yup! Asher taught me how!" The Princess replied happily as the Astra nod his head and smile in satisfaction. Diellzain's lips curled up and creased his forehead, seeing the reaction of the magician.
"Well, it's because Alina is a genius!" Alina crossed her arms, closed her eyes, and nodded.
"Of course, I am a Ciera after all! Oh--what brings you here, Brother?" The Princess asked.
"Right, we are training," Asher replied. Diellzain's face became serious as he face Asher.
"Astra, this man that you asked me to follow. I saw him visiting the mansion of a Baron, Baron Florian. He was there for about three hours before he left, he was even escorted out by their butler. And after that, he went to a forest, specifically the Forbidden Forest of Aethereia, he searched around to confirm that he was not being followed before he entered a cave, of course I was invisible so he didn't see me. I entered the cage with him, and what I saw within was...something I didn't expect to see," Asher and Alina exchanged looks before they face Diellzain again with seriousness all over their faces.
•
"What do you mean?" Asher asked. What did my brother saw for him to make that face? Is he mad?
"There are many caged small monsters, around twenty-five to thirty, with many skulls around the place. He spoke Heazurian and then disappeared with the cages of monsters," Heazurian...a language of the Ancient Nation, Heazure. It still exist up to now, and as far as I remember they worship an old Goddess. A God who was banished from godhood for falling in love to another God, which is a taboo for the Gods in this world.
And what the hell was that man doing? Why would he capture baby monsters? What the heck are they scheming?
"Heazurian, huh...been a long time since I heard that thing," Asher crossed his arms and clipped his chin. He seem to be thinking deep.
"Heazure is an Ancient Nation, and they worship the Goddess of Life, Aisha. The magic scrolls that they had created allows people with weak mana do such thing like teleporting a great amount of items," I spoke. Both Asher and Brother Dae nod their head. Their magic scrolls are actually interesting, I'd like to get my hand on one if ever I got the chance.
"That man must've used it," Brother Dae added.
"But, why would he capture many little monsters? I'm sure he got it from the forest itself--also, isn't it a crime to enter the forest without the permission from the Emperor?" Since it is a forbidden forest, there is a law made by the Fourth Emperor, that entering the forest without a permission and agreement with the Emperor will be considered as a crime and the people who defy this law will be punished.
"It could be for monster trafficking or they are planning to attack us with those monsters," Asher answered, which made me sigh in disbelief. Seriously, what are those people thinking?
"Additionally..." I paused and stared at the ground.
There's no way he can seize all those monsters alone.
"What is it, Ali?" Brother Dae asked, and Asher is also waiting for my response.
"I think he have accomplices within Dad's faction..." I mumbled, almost a whisper because I am not sure about that at all.
"Why do you think so?" Brother asked. I took a deep breath and turned to face him, concerned.
"I don't think he can capture many little monsters alone. Even if those are only baby monsters, his mana is probably too low to catch them..." I said.
"It could be that he used a magic scroll from Heazure," Asher spoke. He just debunked me. But...
"Magic scrolls from Heazure are expensive. Would they really risk wasting money for it just to capture monsters? Hmm, unless they can make more money out of it than the money they spent..."
"Exactly," Asher added, smiling at me. He looks proud and I felt encouraged as well!
"Then, could it be that the Kingdom of Hecate really are colluding with them? Could it be that they are selling them to the kingdom?" I asked, why do I feel nervous all of a sudden?
"Unlikely. Before the kingdom stopped contacting us, the Western Dukedom is much wealthier than the kingdom," Brother Dae explained. Is that true? A dukedom is much richer than a kingdom!? Then, how much wealth do we, the Imperial Family have!?
Am I actually underestimating my Dad's funds?
Anyways, I shouldn't be thinking about this.
"Then, it could be the other way around. The kingdom sells it to other nations for the dukedom?" I asked.
"If that's the case, it's not impossible," Asher spoke, crossing his arms.
"Right..." My brother agreed.
"Are we going to inform Dad about this?" I asked again, and both of them nod their heads.
"The Emperor needs to know about it. He also approached you and entered the Imperial Library without permission," Asher answered, his face crumpled as if he was really mad about the fact that the guy had the audacity to enter our library without consent. Why is he even mad about that? It's not like he own the place?
"He even lied and told you that he's friends with Uncle Clovis and Uncle Kieran," Brother clicked his tongue and clenched his fist.
Well, at least I am safe and sound.
"Let's end this training here and visit your father,"
"Okay!"
***