Battlefield in the garden of roses

Chapter 15

Five months passed by. Eleanor has been recognized as a student at magic tower and she is currently the brightest one in history. She learned very well and had already gained a full control on her affinity. With the help of grand wizard, she can now summoned a pegasus although she has yet learned to ride it. Other magicians addressed her as a genius and her existence is still a secret to people out there.

Eleanor pet her pegasus, trying to train her. The grand wizard monitored her closely these days as there are rumours about a war with the monster that will break anytime soon. Magicians from magic tower might be summoned and the grand wizard requested her to find out the power of the pegasus. 

"Maybe the sacred power of pegasus can stop the war, one and for all." 

The words from grand wizard carried a heavy weight. Eleanor sighed and continue her routine with the pegasus.

"Oh my, a beauty and her pegasus. What a sight for my sore eyes."

Ronald walked towards Eleanor with a bright smile on his face. Ronald is Jasper's older brother and just came back from his quest to find the heart of blue dandelion. Just like his brother, Ronald also stuck with her like a glue right after meeting her. He confessed his attraction on the same spot and earned a good beating from Jasper for his attitude. To draw a clear line, Eleanor addressed him as a brother.

"Brother Ronald, what brings you here?"

"I saw a bright light from the garden and decided to see it for myself. It happened that the bright light is from a beauty and her pegasus. By the way.....are you sure you are not the reincarnation of any goddess? You so pretty and you got a horse that can fly uh"

Ronald teased Eleanor, in hope of seeing her getting shy. Eleanor on the other hand gave him a blank expression.

"So sweet words brother...however it is well known that I bore darkness affinity. How can lights coming out from me and a goddess on top of that?...Hahaha brother you need some magic for your mind as it keep thinking nonsense."

"My beauty, how can a man think straight in your presence."

Ronald who was amazed with Eleanor's beauty, once confessed his attraction and not only getting a cold reply from Eleanor but also a beating from Jasper. They weren't in love but so attached with each other to the point that Jasper didn't think twice and beat his own brother.

"Stop beating around the bush brother."

"Oh, the grand wizard is looking for you and Jasper. He waited for you both in his chancery"

If Jasper is senseless then Eleanor is utterly insensitive. Giving up with insensitive Eleanor, Ronald told her the purpose of his visit.

*****

Eleanor walked calmly into the chancery after receiving permission to enter. Jasper and Ronald were already there together with grand wizard and three magicians from east tower that conduct researches. It was easy to recognize those magician from east tower as they all wore black cloack instead of emerald green.

"My child, please have a sit."

Grand wizard acknowledge the presence of Eleanor by offering her to sit while smiling.

"Thank you, grand wizard."

The room felt tensed with sudden silence. Eleanor looked around, trying to smile but her lips won't cooperate.

"Camellius. There is something we need from you ......however due to the upcoming occasion, it would be best to hear your consent first."

Grand wizard finally broke the silence, putting her heart at ease. 

"Before that, would you care to properly introduce yourself to us as some still don't have the idea about your real identity."

The grand wizard continued with a forced smile on his face, Eleanor can understand how he doesn't want to do this. Their relationship was great and the grand wizard has always known for his consideration. Asking for something like the past would not be a good move if it's from other's mouth. Confused with the rare request, Eleanor decided to play along.

"Uh-uhm. Greeting the magicians from the magic tower. I am Princess Eleanor Ivy Tudor of Anathor but please call me Camellius and please put aside formality"

Eleanor noticed the change of air after her introduction. Jasper looked at her with blank expression, making her wondered if he is senseless or just dumb, Ronald who seemed shocked as expected while the grand wizard remained calm as the millpond.

"Did I do it right?"Eleanor turned to grand wizard, hoping for some aid in conversation.

"Yes my child, you are doing right"The silence took quite some time before the magician from research tower continue their conversation again.

"Good day Camellius. I am Elois, this is Tony and Ruby. The three of us are from the east tower. We are magicians, specialised in research and potions making. It is a pleasure meeting the precious child of main tower "The brown-haired female magician introduced herself together with her mates. After giving a warm smile she continued.

"The research tower had found a way to help you control the sacred power of pegasus. Grand wizard specifically requested this research to be done. "

"REALLY?"Eleanor couldn't contained her joy as handling a myth beast was hard. She need a huge amount of magic to tame her pegasus before it recognize her as the master.

"I-it is a..a gift having darkness affinity a-as it is the only affinity that can summoned myth beast."The other magician known as Tony continue the conversation. He seemed tensed before but looked better and he stuttered a bit.

"We are thinking about asking you to execute the method we found and if it's working.....we hope you can join us on the upcoming war with monster"Elois invited her for a war as if it's a tea party, so casual and so calm. However, it was so clear that Jasper and Ronald were not in the same page. They both gave out disapproval sigh, making Eleanor wondered just why did they became this protective of her.

"I see...everyone has been so nice to me and there is no reason for me to not contribute together."Eleanor who found no problem with the suggestion quickly agreed. Elois seemed so pleased with her decision.

"However my child, the head of expedition is Sir Winter Von Ulrich...will you be ok with it?"Grand wizard expressed his concern as it was common to worry, the engagement between Eleanor and Sir Winter was well known. Everyone praised Sir Winter, romantic knight presenting a ring made of the black dragon's heart as proposal ring. The rumours of Sir winter's love story spread like a pandemic throughout Anathor especially after the gossip of princess Eleanor was actually a beauty, shutting the rumours of her being hideous. Only grand wizard and Jasper knew that Eleanor was so desperate to run from her marriage when they first met her as she was so messed up, with fake male name, unstable mana affinity and begging for magicians to cover her from the royal knight. 

"Will you promise to protect my identity at all cost?"After giving a long thought, Eleanor asked for reassurance from grand wizard. It was dumb to worry for uncertain future, not to mention she can be a great help if she participated the war.

"Rest assured my child. There is only Camellius in magic tower."

 The discussion continued with method on utilizing her dark affinity during war and controlling pegasus. As discussed, Eleanor will be Jasper's shadow during the war. Her acts will be Jasper's responsiblity and he seemed pleased about it. Ronald will back her up and covered her whenever things goes wrong so Eleanor will be using camouflage magic on that day. Their goal is to end the war, one and for all.