10 NORTHERN REGION: PART III

That evening, Athena had a small meal with Diana and her grandfather. Afterwards, she was brought to Diana's room to rest for the night.

Athena was already resting in her bed when Diana suddenly surprised her with a question. "Athena, you're a noble lady right?"

"Of course, not. Didn't I say I'm a refugee and I'm here to help."

Diana giggled as she found the girl's lies silly. "I noticed earlier, I'm sure grandfather did as well. I'm sure you're a noble, what I'm curious about is why you are here?"

"I chose to come here, and now I'm here."

The girl was not moved by her reason, she knows there is more to it so she continues inquiring. "You were sentenced here weren't you? I wonder what you did to be sent here..."

'Who made you such a smart pants.' Athena was impressed by how smart the girl was at speculating things. Was it really that obvious, did she show any sign she was noble lady. "You're wrong, like I said, I choice to come here. So go to sleep."

Diana just smiles and accepts her defeat. It seems the girl does not wish to share her misfortune with her, "Athena, thank you for choosing to come here."

"Good night, Diana." Athena smiled as well, please, that she had made a friend.

As the night deepens. Athena woke up from her quick nap as she started grabbing some of the books she brought along with her.

The books she mainly brought were all about magic of course. One of the books she brought was about Elementalist. As her mother is a powerful Elementalist, she assumes she will be too. Since, Elementalist magic runs in the blood.

She started reading through a couple of pages as she decided, "Better do it than reading these nonsense books."

Athena gave up as she found the books even more challenging to understand. She didn't expect to make a simple glow of light would be a challenge. Seeing how complicated all that was written in the book, she realized what she planned to do might be impossible.

Outside the house.

Athena headed out to the back of the house. It was already so late, she presumed everyone had drifted into deep sleep. As she wandered around the house, she examined the land.

...Didn't expect the land to be this bad. Better test what I've learned from all those reading and secret practices.

Since then, Athena's parents have stopped her lesson, she has focused on understanding all types of magic in the world. She found out that being an Elementalist is a gifted trait everyone has at the same time, can be inherited. But, one can lose it once they focus on another type of magic.

Athena went around the house and looked for a hoe and rake as she started cleaning a small portion of the land. Since she was unsure if her magic would work, she cultivated the land manually as best as she could.

"Darn it, this body is so weak. I can't believe I'm exhausted already after a few minutes' work." Athena grunt as she continued to push herself to finish her task.

It didn't take long for the girl to give up on clearing the land. There was just too much to do and she didn't have the energy to continue. Plus, it was the first time she did any manual labor. Back at the estate, the most she did was walk for a few minutes and that was exhausting already.

"This will do for now then," she said as she steps in the middle of the path land she prepared.

As she focused herself, it was the first time the girl would attempt to cast any sort of magic. The light was just child play, what she was about to do was not amateur sort of magic. What she was about to attempt was something that would take years to train if one is not gifted.

She softly whispered the enchantment as the wind carried it along, it was an enchantment to call upon the spirit of the land. Since it states that spirit is the reason, why land is so full of life since they will grant blessing and nurture the land for a fruitful harvest.

Athena soon felt her body aching and burning within, she realized she was at her limit. She notices a small spark of light approaching from the ground. It thrilled her as she realized what it could be.

"Spirit."

She was amazed to see a spirit appearing right in front of her. But, her body was reaching its limit as she collapsed on the ground. Her eyes were blurry, but she could still visually see the spirit. As she saw the spirit floating in the area, she whispered.

"Please, help me."

As the spirit disappeared, Athena smiled despite not seeing the change that was happening in the area.

Not long, the girl finally woke up.

She notices the difference in the atmosphere of the land, and quickly grabs the hoe to check if she can finally plow the ground better. When she saw the hoe could dig through the land, she smiled from ear to ear in delight that her effort works. As the girl continues to plow the remaining land, she then grabs the bag of seed she brought with her.

"I better plant some tomatoes and herbs for now. At least it won't take long for them to grow," she said whilst she layered the ground and labelled what seeds she has planted.

After finishing all her work, she sat by the old tree and felt something strange about it. She reached out to one of its lower branches and broke it. It surprised her to see the tree seems to be alive.

Did I by change restore the tree to life as well?

Does that mean my magic can restore those that were dead already?

As the girl continues to ponder on things, she notices the blister in her hands. She laughed when she realized that it was the first time she actually had blisters because of manual labor. Back then, she would get blisters from practicing her violin and other instruments.

Whilst reminiscing about her past, she didn't realize that she soon drifted off to sleep.