4 Part 4 : He is Here

After we finished testing my aptitude with magic, Clayden proceeded on explaining the basics to me. He even literally demonstrated the term 'playing with fire'. Whilst being mindful of his surroundings, of course.

"In actuality using magic, is quite simple. But some people can't properly grasp it because their aptitude is far too low for it. Well, your case is... unique though."

He said with a slight grin on his face.

"You simply need to imagine, open your mind, be creative. Your mana core is naturally formed already, so whatever aptitude you decide to use, try to form something from it. Then, you could try to combine it with another aptitude. That is If you have the talent for it."

He explained that in this world, there are essences called mana. If someone has a low aptitude for it, it would be difficult for them to learn magic. Mana regulates the flow of everything, hence they are everywhere. With mana, you can create the most beautiful things, or... destroy them.

People would normally have to cultivate and form a core that's based inside their bodies and slowly try to absorb it, but there are exceptions for people like me or Clayden whose bases were already naturally formed. Children would normally only be able to feel the mana around them, not directly apply the use of them. So, in other words, we are an anomaly.

He then told me to try to create something using mana. Well, since I am already capable of subtly grasping the feeling of magic, I did it with ease.

Letting out my magic, I imagined something I wholeheartedly adored in my past life, the two most popular mythical beasts, dragons and phoenixes.

As a huge fan of anything mythical, I would naturally form these two things using my magic.

My concentration gradually deepened, I tightly shut my eyes. In my mind, a phoenix and dragon, soared through the skies, forming a trail of wind and fire. I can't make it from an actual beast since I have no idea how anima works. I just used my instinct.

With that image, my whole being started to glow. My palm then felt strangely ticklish. Ahh, so that's mana... I thought. It felt... warm and fuzzy.

THUD.

Clayden dropped to the ground upon the sight of two fiery beings that were majestically glowing. They looked like rays of light, fierce and alive. It was simply a sight to behold.

"Amazing...

I've never seen anything like this. I have seen magic taking the form of things such as fireballs, salamander tails, a stick, or even a beam. But that... that's on a whole other level."

Clayden intently gazed at me and spoke again,

"Your raw magic capabilities... it- it has even far surpassed mine, the so-called genius of the century."

His eyes sparkled like stars, brightly gazing at me. I snapped out of my strange daze and the two majestic beings of light became tiny until it ended up looking like two worms before... *poof*.

My eyes then met Clayden's and I could only let out an awkward laugh.

Clayden gripped and cupped my two hands tightly, his expression seemingly serious.

"Airene... "

He said with a hoarse voice that didn't catch its appeal due to him being a 7 year old.

"It's too wasteful for you to be engaged to that snake. Dump that scumbag prince and choose me instead."

"....?!"

My eyes could only be described as question marks at this point. Why is his face so serious when saying this, we've just met for god's sake! And we're kids to boot! As I was busy examining Clayden's expression, the loud noise of the forcibly opened door could be heard.

BANG!

The loud voice caught both me and Clayden off guard, and...

there stood Andrew, a dark complexion on his face.

He walked towards our direction and forcibly yanked Clayden's hands off mine.

"What are you doing to my fiancé...?"

Andrew said while glaring and smiling at Clayden. An eerie expression to say the least.

Clayden looked at Andrew with a cold face seemingly shouting 'this idiot can't read the mood'.

But he nevertheless 'explained' to quell Andrew down, even though he mocked him, he had to respect the fact that Andrew is still nobility after all.

"Your highness, I was just joking about this, you see. Airene's powers are extraordinary. Wait, no that is an understatement... though, needless to say, it's a waste on you."

Of course, his highness's face turned dark and he eyed to Clayden with a warning. If not for the fact that Clayden was a distant relative of his, he would've already pummelled him to the ground. Speechless, I facepalmed... in my heart of course. Wow, the balls this guy has... I silently lit incense for him.

Andrew silently glared at Clayden with the latter just sighing as if he meant what he had said.

Clayden knew very well that as the heir of the Chrome household and an essential aid to the royal family, he had his... privileges. Insulting the prince is strangely one of them as the eyes of the adults merely see it as 'childish bickering'.

Cursing in my heart, I thought,

in which part do these kids even act like kids?!

Observing the back and forth argument that came from Andrew and Clayden, I regretted not bringing popcorn along. So, I stood there, awkwardly silent. Not knowing which side to appease since both of them could off me one day.

'It seems that I would have to treat them like adults.'

"Your highness, Clayden is my magic tutor. What he said before was just a joke... right Clayden?"

I exclaimed with a heavy sigh, rubbing my throbbing forehead.

Well, I guess Clayden is more like a learning partner rather than a teacher. But aren't children supposed to cry when insulted? Dang... these people are just broken.

I turned to Clayden eyed at him meaningfully and whispered in a low voice so only he and I could hear, all while ignoring Andrew's suspicious gaze.

"Clayden, there is no need to say anything unnecessary, alright? That was just a joke."

In return, he teasingly smiled at me, nodding his head, making Andrew's suspicion grow even further. But since he didn't act on his suspicion, it meant that... our relationship is where it's supposed to be.

I then held their hands and placed them together in the form of a handshake.

Of course, Andrew still squinted his eyes, suspicious at both of us while Clayden was just smiling. But the smile didn't reach his eyes.

--------------------------

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We all then sat down together while the maid came and placed some sweets and tea on the table.

"So, your highness. I see that you are early for our meeting. Isn't it on Tuesday?"

I spoke first to ease the tension.

But Andrew interrupted me and declared,

"Call me Andrew. Just Andrew."

Hearing his petty words, everyone in the room froze.

...Isn't this too quick of a development?

"Your highness..."

"Andrew." He said to me with an intimidating smile.

"Okay then... Andrew."

While still baffled, I said it calmly. But unbeknownst to me, my ears were slightly red.

Still, though.. there is no way Andrew is already in love with me. We've only met twice. Squinting my eyes in suspicion, I stared at him meaningfully. What does this guy want?

Andrew smiled at me and then fixated his gaze on Clayden, his smile seemingly smug. They were in a strange smiling battle, though the smiles were cold

"I just wanted to see you earlier since you seem like an interesting person, Airene. And please call me Andrew when there is just the two of us."

"Hey, so I'm ignored here? That's so mean of you, Ai." Clayden interrupted, crossing his arms.

"Shut it Clayde- Wait... what did you just call her?"

"Ai. A mentor's privilege."

Andrew mercilessly glared holes into Clayden and seemed like he would dropkick him anytime soon. But he restrained himself and turned to me with

an expressionless face, eerily full of smiles.

"My dear fiancé, I will call you Ai as well in private from now on, is that fine?"

That sounds like an order, your highness... Please stop pressuring me! My palms are already sweaty from the tension..!

"Yes, you may."

At least he isn't that possessive. I thought whilst letting out a sigh.

"So, what was that talk about Airene being extraordinary and your filthy hands touching my fiancé again?"

He sipped his cup of tea, hiding his thoughts. 'You've lost before everything has begun, Clayden. She's engaged to me.'

Even though he looked elegant and gentle, to me, he looks like a demon due to that aura of his. But Clayden just smiled back and explained the whole situation about me being OP.

"Hmm I see... then I must've been lucky to have an interesting yet promising person as my fiancé and as the future queen. It will surely benefit the country," he said

I knew it! He must've been protective of me due to his best interest. I remembered that at first, he visited Airene regularly, but it slowly turned to a halt.

...This is why I never liked politics, I feel like a pawn. Though, I am pretty relieved since I am utterly disinterested in cultivating a relationship with this black-hearted dude. Blegh, even the thought of it is carved from hell. Out of all the capture targets, this guy seems the most devilish of em all. Even the demon lost in a shameless battle to this guy.

We continued chatting while I brought back the topic of training my magic.

We went out to the garden with a third party, accompanying us. Andrew is also quite outstanding, being just a level lower than Clayden, the renowned prodigy. So there we practiced our magic, happily together...

"Oops. My apologies, your highness. I'm afraid I may have accidentally slightly burned your pants."

"No worries, Clayden. I think I will accidentally cut you down as well."

"Hahaha, you jest, your highness."

"Hahaha, you will see to it that I'm serious."

Clayden then took a step back.

"Oh, come back here Clayden. You surely know that I mean no harm, right?"

"Likewise, your highness. I meant no harm as well when I wanted to steal your fiancé."

Yep, happily together...

"Ai! Watch out!"

I caught the wild fireball that was supposed to be aimed towards Andrew and menacingly threw it back at Clayden with its power multiplied.

"We're supposed to be training me here, God damn it!"