3 Part 3 : The Previous Her

The reason why mother and father were baffled due to my sudden interest in learning magic despite arrogantly refusing to was because of...

The "original Airene"

The Airene in the game had nothing else aside from her appearance and social status.

Even the people who she called her friends were all cross-eyed snakes. As to why she had no friends, well it could all be blamed on her snobby and arrogant personality that everyone despised. She discriminated against people who are of lower status than her and acts as if she was above everyone else.

People only bothered to even talk to her because of her ducal lineage. Aside from that, her extremely amazing personality earned her the nickname... Mini Tyrant.

.....

In the original story, Prince Andrew visits once every blue moon and everyone else simply avoided her like a plague. Even her relationship with her parents was unpleasant. Hence, she had none to confide to other than the opportunistic people she called her friends. Not like she ever opened her heart to them anyways. Whenever she went to tea parties, nobody ever bothered to greet her willingly, only some who are forced by their parents do so. Contempt filled voice could even be heard every time they greet.

Since she never had studied and had no magic power, she was supposed to be placed to the C class for failures but because of her status, she instead was placed into the A-class.

(The advanced class is the S class)

So, she was a burden, a heavy and annoying destructive waste, a lame excuse for garbage, a sad option for a future queen.

Ah, so that is why the prince and everyone else killed her and framed her family. Though, her family did nothing wrong (according to the game.)

"...why."

Recalling the memories I had about this new body of mine, I let out a few tsks.

But, since it or whatever it is...

Gave me a new opportunity, I would have to use it well.

I wanted to at least be friends with the capture target and dispose of the image of me being this snobbish brat... is what the 5-year-old me right now is thinking.

If I do end up being friends with the capture targets and other nobles... I would at least avoid getting executed.

Airene was executed because she was found guilty of attempted murder to the main heroine.

What a foolish girl, to willingly become cannon fodder for the heroine.

It was as if... she was purposely seeking her demise.

....

A few days later, the servants informed me that my 'teacher' had arrived. So I waited upon his arrival alongside my mother.

And oh boy, am I started for a multitude of different reasons.

In front of me is...

Clayden. the. second. capture. target.

The so-called "black-hearted shota." Clayden is cute and is 2 years older than me, yet he already mastered intermediate-advanced magic alongside swordsmanship. He was called a shota due to his young preteen appearance in the game's flashback cutscenes.

He was quite the OP character if I might say. Clayden was nice and cute to the heroine but was cold-hearted whenever situations got him too.

He despised Airene because of her haughty personality and her tendency to belittle others. He had respected commoners since her mother was hailed from one of them but was later elevated to the title of marquess.

Because of his father's excessive doting on her mother, none dared to lay a finger on Clayden or his mother. All they could do was snicker and talk.

"Airene, honey I am sure you have met Clayden before about two months ago at Chrona's house?" Mother said gently while she caressed my head.

Uh, what, how, where, when? Who is Chrona again? When did I meet them?

Mom, how could you possibly forget the fact that I have a.m.n.e.s.i.a!

"Ah yes, Sir. Clayden... wait. I beg your pardon, but who are you again?"

I exclaimed while awkwardly smiling.

Mom, amnesia here!

I gave my mother subtle signals in my gestures to inform her.

"Ah..! How could I possibly forget? My dear here had injured her head a few days prior. My apologies Clayden, but it seemed that her memories were lost due to that, as well as her change in personality."

My mom understood my gestures and spoke up.

"...I see. Then I would be looking forward to working with you again, Airene."

He looked at me with a wide smile that did not reach his eyes. Had I... no had this body already done something to him? Though he was smiling, why do his eyes gaze at me with contempt?

Lost in thought, I jittered.

"...Likewise."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We went towards my chambers and exchanged some pleasantries before commencing our lessons. Once we entered, I beckoned him to sit on the sofa and ordered the maids to serve some tea.

As always, Clayden kept his smiling facade on as we talked. Since we barely knew each other since it was still early in the game, I was quite sure he wouldn't have yet bore hatred to me since the reason he despised me in the game was because of me always hitting servants and disregarding every one of lower rank. of course, he was of no exception.

But have the previous Airene met him before? Since, if she had, I am afraid he would've already had a terrible impression of me.

Though now, everything is different. The inside of Airene had changed. So even if we had met before, he should have noticed my more polite way of speaking... right?

"So... Clayden. I heard that you were merely 2 years older than me and yet, you've mastered magic and excelled in swordsmanship... amazing!" I spoke first to ease the tension.

"Yes, I am flattered that Miss Airene would say so to 'me'." He smilingly replied.

I realized his sarcasm and grabbed his hand impulsively, covering my palm atop his.

"Now then, Clayden there is no need to call me formally, just call me Ai, a new nickname of mine. Since I was going to be your apprentice and all..." (Since he is of lower rank, there isn't a need to address him with honorifics since we are both children.)

His eyes flashed a hint of surprise, though he quickly regained his calm demeanor. I even wondered why the hell does a 7-year-old have a better temperament than me, heck even some adults. Muttering with a playful voice he agreed swiftly.

"Very well then, Ai."

He looked quite... cute when he said that. His black locks with shining golden eyes gazing at me with that... mischievous smile?

Geez, though he is like that he was too handsome to bear.

Does this world have sunglasses?

"Then Clayden, how will you test my aptitude?" I asked him.

"You simply just need to use this magic crystal."

Then Clayden pulled out the crystal inside his pocket and gave it to me.

I touched the crystal and the light inside illuminated brightly. As time passed, the light that emanated from it glowed brighter and brighter.

I could see the vibrant colors of red, blue, white, yellow, and grey flashing from it.

Upon looking at the sight of these colors, Clayden was overcome with shock and disbelief. How could this infamous brat have this much power? He scrutinized.

"CRASH!"

The crystal then broke.

...Hah. did my magic possibly exceed the limits of the crystal?

I turned to Clayden and like a small puppy, I cocked my head towards him and gazed dazedly at him, pointing my finger towards the direction of the crystal shards.

"Uhm, what was that?"

Clayden then put up a serious face and said,

"Ai, you are a monster. No, a prodigy brimmed with raw capabilities. One that has yet to appear in hundreds of years."

I was baffled upon his words, or to be more precise, he fact that Airene of all people was supposedly a prodigy.

Clayden then explained that most people would only have a dim light of magic with only 1 or 2 colors in the crystal but what I displayed now, was something of a rare occurrence.

Hearing him complimenting me like that, I shook my head and sighed.

Why, oh, why was Airene that foolish?

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