39: A Glimpse Of Zoya's Past

Zoya had been Evelyn's roommate since the first day of coming to the academy. Therefore, she had seen her wearing that beautiful amulet around her neck. Most of the time, she was tempted to ask Evelyn about it, but since they were not very close. She never pried into her roommate's private life.

However, upon seeing the amulet, she used to think was just a decorative artifact, glowing in this manner. She was startled out of her wits.

Evelyn didn't know what was happening either; her eyes were closed as she felt the flames flickering around her body. By now, her flames would have been extinguished by themselves due to her mana core issue, but it seemed that Leo's method was effective. And that is what she was fully concentrated on doing, not to mention, she had already prepared herself to take the hit. But it never came.

Therefore, she opened her eyes to see if Zoya had redirected the direction of the attack. However, the icicle had stopped just about eight inches away from her, while she was enveloped in a shimmering golden mist that resembled a protective barrier.

Surprised, she looked down as she felt her amulet vibrating slightly. That was when she understood what had happened.

The golden glow began to dim, and the icicle was slowly advancing towards her, even slower than the oldest snail. Then, stretching out her hand under the icicle, which was about twelve centimeters long and four inches thick and shaped like a dagger, she melted it with a burst of flames.

The scent of smoldering embers permeated the air, while silence enveloped the two girls in the room.

'This amulet healed me when the healer was transferring her white energy to me, and now it has protected me. The woman in my dream was right about it... But now that Zoya has seen it, am I also going to erase her memory?' She pondered as she stared at Zoya. However, she did not hear the voice that helped her erase the healer's memory.

How could she erase Zoya's memory when she wasn't a witch? What's more, could she bring herself to erase Zoya's memory, even if she could? Her thoughts were racing while her gaze was fixed on Zoya.

Zoya, who had just recovered from the daze of what had happened, became scared by the way Evelyn was staring at her without even blinking.

'Don't tell me she thought I did it on purpose. Why would she think that? I never had any issues with her. It was just an accident.' She reassured herself but that 'glare' was beginning to creep her out. So she decided to talk it out with Evelyn.

"I didn't do it intentionally. You should know that this is a spar. I thought you would deflect the attack… You know I was only trying to see how powerful you have become and if your training all these while was paying off."

Zoya's voice snapped Evelyn out of her reverie. She had been trying to connect with the voice but there was still no response.

"Oh, that. Do you think I will blame you for doing it on purpose? Um... I was just analyzing the fight a moment ago."

"Really?" Zoya exclaimed, relieved when Evelyn nodded. Then, with another wave of her hand, she dispelled the ice encasing their room. "You have certainly improved."

Evelyn approached Zoya's bed and, locking eyes with her, whispered pleadingly:

"Please, can you keep it a secret for me? Can I trust you with it?"

Zoya wondered what Evelyn was talking about, then she remembered the golden-glowing amulet. Now, things were beginning to make sense. Most of the time, she would see Evelyn wearing the amulet, but she was usually cautious about people seeing it. Zoya remembered her first day at the academy when she almost collided with Evelyn, who was rushing inside to hide something under her bed.

'So it was this amulet that day. I wonder what other things it could do and how she got it... Perhaps I can…' Zoya thought before smiling.

However, seeing that smile on her roommate's face, Evelyn was beginning to doubt that Zoya was someone trustworthy. She was beginning to wish the voice in her mind would speak to her at this moment and help her erase this Zoya's memory of her amulet.

"Only on one condition," Zoya said, leaving Evelyn wondering what she was really up to.

"What condition?"

Zoya's expression instantly turned bitter before she spoke:

"I want you to be my true friend." She said with a look of sadness in her eyes. This puzzled Evelyn. She thought Zoya would make a challenging request, difficult to fulfill. But then, Zoya continued:

"I never had any friends since I was a child, which is why I took the initiative to find someone I could call my friend when I first arrived at the academy. That's when I found you, and it turned out that you were my roommate. However, it seemed like you had your problems and you weren't very approachable.

"Actually, meeting you and the other two has been the happiest moment of my life. But I want to have a genuine friend, someone I can share my joys and sorrows with, and who will be willing to do the same with me."

'It seemed like everyone had their problems after all.' Evelyn pondered as she observed the gloomy Zoya. Her own emotions were beginning to fluctuate within her.

"Why didn't you have any friends while growing up? I think everyone does," she said before completing her sentence in her thought, '...except me. But at least I had Elvis growing up.'

"It's a long story. Are you willing to listen?" Zoya replied glumly, with her head bowed. It was evident that this discussion held some significance for her. Then she lifted her head and looked at Evelyn with welled-up eyes. Evelyn nodded.

***

Zoya recounted her lonely childhood to Evelyn, who listened intently.

"My mother was a maid from Dwight's branch family line, but she was loved by my father, who happened to be the only son of the current matriarch of the Dwights. Even though my father was already married to Ivory's mother, he had me with my mother, which infuriated his wife, my stepmother.

"To cut a long story short, my stepmother began plotting to eliminate me. She doesn't want me to share her husband's heritage with her daughter. However, my mother... my mother..." she stuttered as the tears she was trying so hard to keep rolled down her cheeks.

Zoya remembered how her mother had to sacrifice herself before the matriarch's throne by slitting her own throat, to ensure Zoya's safety within the family.

"My Lady," Zoya's mother said, referring to the matriarch who was seated on a throne. Ivory's mother stood on the other side of the chamber with the assassin she had sent, who was kneeling.

"I knew I had made the greatest mistake of my life by desiring something that could never be mine. Therefore, to atone for my sin and ensure that no one in the Dwight family will lay a hand on my daughter, I will taint the Dwight's Chamber with my blood," she declared with tears streaming down her face.

Taking a last glance at little Zoya five years old, she smiled at her before slitting her throat and slumping to the ground, lifeless.

"Mom!!!"...

Zoya wiped her tears with her hand and looked at Evelyn.

"She sacrificed herself to ensure that no one could ever harm me in the Dwights... but that didn't prevent Ivory and her mother from constantly bullying me and making my life a living hell.

"I had to train myself and awaken my elemental affinity by sneaking around where the young trainees of the Dwight were being trained. Even with my mother's sacrifice, Ivory's mother still loathed me and made sure I never received the training that the other kids were entitled to. I became strong on my own to fight back against Ivory and her friends, who always take pleasure in bullying me.

"But I haven't caught up to her yet. She had been trained with the family's resources and had a Master mage instructor.

"That was it. My life in the Dwights was lonely and full of hardships. I only managed to attend this academy because the matriarch supported me. After all, I was still her granddaughter."

"I'm really sorry, Zoya. I never knew you had such a tough childhood." Evelyn reassured Zoya, feeling the bonds between them become stronger. She no longer had any doubts that Zoya was after her amulet. She only wanted someone to call her a 'real' friend.

"It's all in the past now. You don't have to pity me. So, as long as you agree to be my friend and share your worries with me. I am willing to keep your secret. What would be the benefit of telling others about it, anyway?"

"Let's be friends, then. 'Real' friends that will look out for each other… And I hope that after we return from the dungeon hunting, you would be able to catch up with Ivory in strength and teach her a lesson"

"Really?" Zoya asked, overwhelmed with emotions and she embraced Evelyn allowing her tears to freely stream down her face.

After untangling the embrace, Evelyn decided to tell her about the amulet and how it has helped her. It was only right that she shares something with her newly forged friend. However, she left out some details, especially about the voice and how she erased the healer's memory.

"You mean you had that dream and it felt so real and that is why you had been trying to hide the amulet from certain people? Could it be that she was, maybe your grandmother who left the amulet with you?"

"I don't know. I never heard my mother talk about my grandmother. But I might as well ask her about her description when I see her next."

"About Mr. Werney, leave that to me. I will surely find out why he is searching for your amulet."

"Can you?"

"Trust me."

After further discussion, they both went to bed. Evelyn felt elated for the first time after confiding in someone.

Meanwhile, tomorrow will be the day of the sword duel between Elvis and Logan.