The Missing Enchantress (English Version)

Chapter 8

Here I am now, taking a leisure on top of a tree taking in fresh air. I just leaned on the tree and peacefully sat there, listening to the sound of the wind as it sways the leaves of the tree.

To be honest I feel more and more comfortable the longer I stay here, learning all sorts of stuff about magic. Like how does it work, how to use it and what types of magic I am capable of using. Well, they don’t just teach magic alone but an arm to arm fights as well as it may come handy at some point.

Rays of sunlight were finding its way in between the gaps of the branches and leaves of the tree. I squinted as I brought my hand up covering my eyes from the direct rays. I faced my palms to me and brought closer and just stared at it.

“How ironic really…”

I guess fate is really playing with me. Even if I don’t really want to believe in magic and all sorts of stuff here, I guess I really need to. And learn them for I believe this is the only way for me to be able to get back home. Whenever I don’t have classes, if not here I would be probably spending my time on the library looking and reading a bunch of books that might have a clue or lead of the mysterious magic of me being dragged into a book and be here.

Yet, I always remember what Sigurd said, that it is impossible for such thing to happen. While he might have a slight point as I have read the book but don’t remember what happened at all. But I feel really different, there’s a hunch in me that what’s happening to me right now is almost different from what happened in the story originally.

“Kiera? Kiera!”

I brought my eyes down and looked for whoever is calling me. And yeah it was Asleif, and there he grinned at me like he didn’t saw me for a very long time. It was Asleif who helped me out and led me here, he was also the one who talked to Lady Sherilo to let me enter into the academy and let me stay in the dorms provided by the school. Well I was granted to all of that, in return of me working for them. More like a working-student really.

“Catch me, I’ll just jump directly from here.”

“What? Hey wait–“

He didn’t have time to argue as I have already jumped to him. Yeah this is how crazy I can get at times. And the face he makes is almost priceless every time, I could laugh so hard really.

I jumped in a sitting fashion so he could easily catch me with his arms and so he wouldn’t see under my skirt as I was wearing the school’s uniform right now. I just closed my eyes and gathered my arms together in front of me.

When I felt that he did caught me with his arms, I immediately opened my eyes and just smiled at him. Well, as usual here comes his annoyed face that never fails to c***k me up everytime I see it.

“You never change really, you are still as crazy as hell,” he shook his and then gently put me down.

“Well, I was confident that you will definitely catch me,” I just grinned at him.

In one year, yes, a year has already passed ever since I ended up here in this world. I did nothing but just learn and learn about everything I can learn. Asleif always visits me from time to time here, he might be checking if I am alright here and all. Well, I can say he is one of the people I came close to here in this world. As for my classmates, well, nothing much of a problem really, they are good and there are some of them that I came close as well.

But I am really worried about my studies and life in the real world every now and then. As well as my apartment, I might have no place to go home to if I lose that place.

“KYAAAAA! So cold!”

Asleif just laughed at me, probably savoring the moments he gets his payback to me.

“That’s what you get when you just space out suddenly when I am talking to you.”

I pierced him with a sharp gaze.

“Do you really need to rub that icy cold things you make to me?”

He didn’t answer and just went laughing hard at me. Yeah, he also never fails to annoy me really. He is that kind of crazy as well, he suddenly makes something out of his really cold magic and then rub it against my skin to surprise me. Who does not get annoyed with that?

I sat on the green grass, still under the shade of the tree. It is really so relaxing, whenever I breath this really fresh air and hearing the gentle oddly satisfying sound of the wind as it sways the foliage around us. It would really be too bad to waste this kind day full of tranquility and peacefulness in the library or continuous training.

I couldn’t help myself and just yawn and stretch my limbs out.

“You know what Kiera? Come to think of it… I still don’t know your full name,” he said, looking straight probably enjoying the tranquility of the surrounding.

“Addinell… Kiera Addinell,” I said.

“A-addi… Addinell?” He brought his gaze to me with a weird sudden surprised reaction.

“Yep, why? What’s the matter?”

He just smiled awkwardly as he scratched the back of his head “Uh… nothing… uh where did you really come from? You know I was just wondering… because you said you don’t have any place to stay here.”

I just looked at him straight to his eyes and he diverted his eyes away.

“You know what, you wouldn’t really believe me if I say to you where did I really come from.”

“Try me!” he shrugged his shoulder.

I just sighed. “Well, I came from… um… how do I say it… um from an entirely different world? In a world where magic is just a fantasy or where it is not real. I think you don’t believe in things like that.”

His face suddenly darkened, and the feel of his vibes suddenly turned different. I wonder what made that sudden shift, have I said something wrong?

“Asleif?” I poked him in his arms.

“So, it was already here all along…” He murmured.

“What? What do you mean?”

He just fixed his gaze towards me, until his brows crossed. He just sighed heavily. What the hell is happening to him? Don’t tell me, this is the time he goes really crazy and might go berserk for no reason, that would be scary.

He brought his hands forward and held my shoulders.

“Kiera, by any chance, are they already aware of your full name?”

I just shook my head. “Um not yet, just my first name.”

“Well that’s good… and they still don’t know where you came from?”

“Nope… but wait, I guess Lady Sherilo knows my full name already.”

His brows crossed again after hearing my answer. What is happening to him so suddenly?

“Are you really alright Asleif? You are becoming really weird.”

He let go of my shoulders and decided to lay down flat on the grass, he brought his hands to the back of his head as if he is making them his pillows.

“Just remember this Kiera, do not ever tell anyone as to your whole name and where you came from.”

I threw a confused look at him, “W-why not?”

“Just don’t do it and trust me… you trust me right?” He darted his eyes to me.

I could only nod at him. He is suddenly acting weird really.

Asleif works for himself, I mean he takes quests and requests posted on the town board. Sometimes, he brings me along in his quests to let me experience it first-hand. Whenever he tags me along, he will be the one who would ask permission directly to Lady Sherilo, the Academy’s head and probably the owner. I guess they are really that close.

And there, the academy’s bell suddenly rang. That is the sign that the classes will be starting soon.

“So then, see you later Asleif… my classes would be starting soon,” I waved at him as I turned around and headed towards the school building.

“Okay, just do your best! I heard from Lady Sherilo you’re really weak on hand to hand combat… don’t be so feeble!” Laughing at me and waived as well.

I turned around to him once again and rolled my eyes.

“Just you wait, when I’ll get a lot better, I’m gonna floor you without a sweat.”

“Heh! I’ll be rooting for that!” He grinned at me.

“Come to think of it… why are they just letting you enter here whenever you want?” I asked.

He crossed his arms and raised his head, “Of course, only because I am much stronger than Lady Sherilo.”

“If you say so…” I said with a sarcastic tone.

I turned my back and went heading towards the school building. I really need to go now, or I might end up throwing that guy into the cliff if I can’t help it anymore.

I am now in the training field where we test and practice our combat skills. This time, we will be putting our learned hand to hand combat skills into practice. Here I am standing in the middle of the field, in front of me there stood my sparring partner. We were surrounded by our classmates, and our teacher between us who would be acting as the fight supervisor.

I brought my hands in front of me and balled my fists tight as I bent my knees completing my fighting stance. I just sat on my stance as I watch my nemesis do his stance as well. Nothing could be heard aside from my own heartbeat and every breath I take.

“Practice match will be commenced, now BEGIN!” our teacher announced.

I took in a deep breath and exhaled it with all my might as we stared at each other.

He bolted towards me at a breakneck speed, trying to catch me off-guard with his sheer speed. I ducked to dodge the incoming punch he threw.

“Wha–“

It was just a feint, he anticipated I would duck as my attempt of dodging his first attack. He threw a low punch trying to catch me to my abdomen. I parried his attack with my hands and quickly hopped backwards a few times to create some distance from him.

To my surprise, a Fire-attack spell was heading towards me. I dodged again by stepping towards the side and ducked. He’s really good! To think he easily put a lot of pressure to me, rendering me into all defensive mode, and not giving me a space to breath at all.

When I raised my head and tried to look where he is. And again, catching me off-guard I flinched as he was already up-close making me lose my balance and just fell down helplessly. He aimed his fists towards me immediately and stopped short.

“Stop! Practice match finished, Russel wins!” our teacher again announced the conclusion of the match.

I could only sigh. Whew! Even if I know that was only a practice match but, it is still terrifying to think the fire magic spell was that close to me. For sure I would be a real toast if I got hit by that.

We bowed at each other and shook hands as a sign of sportsmanship. I mean no hard feelings, whoever wins or loses. I said or think that way but I couldn’t help myself to feel hurt of being the weakest everytime on hand to hand combat skills. Well, at magic as well, I couldn’t say I am a genius or good at it either. I figure out this is not really for me.

“Don’t be so down about it, Kiera, you can do it next time.”

I turned my head and found Shiela patting my shoulders. She’s one of my classmates and a friend I kind of grew close to here.

“I’m so weak…” I could only sigh.

“Don’t be like that, everyone has their own place where they can shine… and we can say your magic is very useful in actual fights. You can heal your comrades and yourself as well,” She gave her sweetest smile to me.

I could only force a smile to her, I don’t wanna make her worry so much. Yes, I am a healer type mage. I can harness natural magic that can heal my comrades and myself. But I am not able to master my own magic yet. I am only able to heal very minor wounds or cuts as of the moment, nothing much yet.

But Lady Sherilo is teaching me very well and patiently. Well she is a healer-type mage herself as well so, she’s a very good teacher for me. She would lend me some of her books as well that will be of a great help to me in cultivating my magic. Even if its only on small steps, she said I am gradually improving anyways.

“Come to think of it, Kiera, Lady Sherilo told me she wants to see you in her office.”

I just nodded. “Okay, thank you Shiela,” I smiled at her. I turned around and jogged towards the locker room to change. The school has a different set of clothes for training and for the real uniform solely for academics.

After prepping myself, I rushed towards Lady Sherilo’s office. When I got in front of the office door, I knocked and opened the door. I entered and gently closed the door again. And there, Lady Sherilo is in her desk writing something. I walked closer to her and greeted her.

She really has that perfect gorgeous body and a beautiful face. A perfect striking appearance that could make heads turn really. On top of that, she’s really smart and strong in terms of magic and all. But, I am really wondering why not even once I noticed or saw she’s dating someone considering her beauty and all.

“I heard you called for me, milady,” I bowed my head slightly to show respect.

She nodded, “Ah yes, we’ll be talking about something,”

I glanced at her with a curious look, “About what milady?”

She gazed at me straight and seriously, “I am the only one here who knows about your real identity.”

“U-um… what do you mean?”

“What I mean is, I know where you are from and to your real last name… So, like what Asleif said, never ever tell anybody about it no matter what.”

“U-um… what if someone grows curious about it and asks for my last name milady? What will I say to them?”

“Conwell… from here on, you’ll be bringing that last name. And you can say, you came from the kingdom of Knavesmine, which is partly true…” She clasped her hands together and brought it to her chin.

“But why do I need to hide that milady?”

She didn’t answer my question immediately. She stood up from her chair and sashayed towards the window. She almost glowed as sunlight reached fair white skin, as her eyes were fixated on something faraway outside.

She paused for a moment and replied, “It’s for your safety and protection.”

“For my safety? Why? Am I a target of someone or someone wants to kill me?”

She sighed and looked towards me. “You wouldn’t be able to understand all of it right now.”

“But…”

“You want to return from where you came from right?”

I was surprised with her sudden question. “U-um… o-of course I would like to.”

She walked back to her desk and faced me. “Then, just follow what I just said and remember it always so you can return home soon.”

“You know a way how I can return home milady?!” I leaned forward towards her. Yeah hearing her words made me really excited.

She just nodded. Finally! A hope for me to return home.

“I will follow you and act accordingly always I promise,” I grinned at her.

She just smiled and just shook her head facing me. Maybe she was surprised by how I get so jumpy and all after hearing that. Well, I can say Lady Sherilo is a kind lady and very accommodating. No wonder I feel so light and comfortable around her really.

“So then, that’s all I wanted to talk about… and wait,” She took a book from her bookshelf and placed it atop of her desk. “Take this, you need to study and learn this magic as well, this would be a great help for you.”

I took the book and peeked inside it a bit. The book is not about healing magic and the like but, oh well, Lady Sherilo said that I should also learn attacking spells, so I can protect myself if I am all alone.

“Thank you for this milady, I’ll certainly take care of this book. I shall take my leave.”

She nodded and smiled, then I turned around and went on heading outside her office. Yes! Finally! I do have a chance now on returning home. I went on, walking along the wall hopping in joy. As long as I don’t tell anybody about my real last name and where I came from. Remember that Kiera! Piece of cake!