The moment moved, Nine detected numerous hidden guards. She detected them using methods from the previous world, but what really surprised her was that she could see the fluctuations in the magic leaking out from them.
They seemed tense and flustered, but visibly calmed after realizing who she was. Interesting. These hidden guards didn't contain any killing intent. It seemed like the crown prince still had a bit of sway in the heart of the emperor.
Strangely, they didn't retreat but instead silently followed her as she glided forward in the water towards her residence. Nine showed no reaction to the intrusion of these guards. As if unaware of their presence, she continued, disregarding them.
The hidden guards looked strangely at the crown prince. Was this still the timid and shy crown prince? They narrowed their eyes, trying to discern what was different. They realized that the crown prince didn't walk like he was a wild, cornered animal. He walked with this back straight and his head tilted up, almost as if he was a monarch looking down from a lofty position. Inexplicably, they felt like the crown prince had really grown up. The very presence he commanded made them feel like submitting. He walked through the water almost as if stepping on solid ground. It was undeniably filled with charm and charisma. Some of them even felt like swearing fealty from this alone.
As she drew near her residence, Nine swiftly moved forward, disappearing with no ripples whatsoever. The hidden guards widened their eyes. They'd never seen someone do this so gracefully, or so quickly. One inevitably left slightly ripples or currents depending on how fast they were going, but the crown prince seemed like he vanished in thin air. Each of them had been trained and had the best martial arts, but the crown prince was able to disappear without a trace.
Nine watched the flustered shadow guards with a small smirk. Flustering them made them seem rather cute, as each one swivelled around, their eyes wide with puzzlement.
Leaving them, she slipped into her room without anyone discovering her. Going out with this shabby appearance was just unacceptable. Even if the hidden guards had seen her, they wouldn't speak of it, so it was fine for now. But these gossipy servants that infected her residence could not be allowed to do the same.
Thankfully, no one was allowed to enter her bedroom, so Nine was able to take her time and make herself presentable. Looking around, Nine's lips twitched. Truly, the original owner had been a bookworm down to her bones. The room simply didn't resemble a room at all, but instead seemed like she lived in a library.
Light shone down from up above, the ceiling reflecting a piece of complex and delicate magic. The light cast down a watery glow, the ceiling showed the beautiful watery scenery outside, but didn't allow anyone else to look inside. It made her feel like she was living in Atlantis after it sank.
Each shelf was neatly stacked and even colour coordinated. Casually, Nine walked up to a bookshelf before looking at the words. Eh? Each book was handwritten. Looking closer, Nine realized that each book had been written by the same person. Eyebrows shooting up, she pulled out a book and flipped through it.
Puzzled, Nine looked through her memories before realizing that the previous Nine had written almost all the books in this room. It took a lot to shock her, but as Nine scanned the large room, she felt dazed. It really did resemble a the libraries in her previous life. How long did she have to lock herself in her room to be able to write all these books? As a thirteen-year-old, how much time had she invested in here?
Unknowingly, Nine had gained some complex emotions regarding the previous Nine. She felt slightly sad that such a young girl had ended up so detached from everyday life that she had spent day after day in this admittedly beautiful bedroom with only herself for company. Sure, she was a little stupid, but it was a bit cute as well.
Shaking her head, Nine put aside the pesky emotions that were troubling her. She wouldn't forget her, but neither could she take her into account for each of her actions. This was her life now, so she would make the best of it by living how she wanted.
Her priorities in order, Nine made to close the book before a couple of words caught her eye. Instantly, her attention was drawn back to the book. As she read the first few sentences, it wasn't long before she was completely draw in.
Nine was unknowingly draw into the book. Complex theories and philosophies entered her mind. Enchanted, she slowly sank down to the ground as her eyes couldn't leave the pages of the book.
Page by page, Nine drank in the various writings hidden within the room. Theory after theory made itself known to her. Nine felt like a whole new world was opening up to her. What was this? It was the best feeling of experiencing something new.
Nine almost hated that she hadn't been born in this world in the first place. The theories and spells that were written in the book seemed to sparkle and shine in her eyes. How could such trasures have been hidden in a single girl's bedroom? Nine felt like it was a crime that these were hidden away.
Suddenly, the system broke her out of her reverence, making her feel like she was about to go mad. It had felt like she was on the verge of something, but it had been interrupted by the system.
[Magic Theory Comprehensive Vol.1]
[Use Skill Book?]
Nine felt a rush of emotions. Furrowing her brow, she stared at the screen. Based on those light novels that teens liked to read back in her world, the so-called skill book would disappear into light particles once it was learnt.
Hesitating, Nine looked at the vast amount of books in the bedroom before decisively clicking the yes button.
A display of white particles burst out from the book, swirling in the air before settling on her body. They seemed to sink into her skin as new knowledge appeared in her mind. It felt like she had absorbed every inch of the knowledge from the book and made it her own. She now had a new understanding of everything the book was talking about.
Nine sighed. The little girl was a genius, but her genius had been hidden and overshadowed by her timid personality. She had been a diamond covered in dust. She had been a genius but had been sorely lacking in emotional intelligence, causing her to stumble where normal people wouldn't. In the end, she had retreated into a shell, gradually losing what little common sense she had as she lost herself in the world of magic theory.
Surprisingly, she noticed that the book was untouched as she flipped through the pages. She put down what little worry she had left in her heart. What belonged to others, she wouldn't take, but what belonged to herself was always guarded jealously.
Slotting the book back in the shelf, Nine pondered over the new knowledge in her head. She walked absentmindedly as she pulled out a black outfit from the wardrobe which only contained black and white, very much to her liking.
Walking to the bathroom connected to her bedroom, Nine didn't even react to the luxurious sight in front of her as she mechanically washed up, her mind filled with the complexities of magic. Who knew that it was such an extensive profession? She had taken it lightly upon accessing her magic easily back in the forest, but she took back whatever dismissive thoughts she had of it now.
Truly, the previous owner had wasted her own potential.
An unknown amount of time passed when Nine finally snapped out of the enlightened state. She had been done with washing for a long time now, but she hadn't moved an inch. Glancing around, she realized that the bathroom continued on with the underwater theme. It was made to impress, and Nine could tell that a lot of effort and money had gone into making the room.
It felt like she was enclosed in a bubble underwater as fish swam around her at all sides. The colourful sea life was a sight to behold as schools of fish passed by. The gentle sunlight peaked through the water above, just like her bedroom. She wondered if every room in her residence was like this.
Stepping out of the water, Nine didn't make a sound as she brushed dark blue locks from her face. she looked at her body, examining it critically. She was normally indifferent, but what she found truly made her marvel at the good fortune of the original host. She couldn't help but sigh in admiration at the smooth skin that looked like it didn't contain pores. Her skin was as white and smooth as jade, untouched by the sun's rays.
Nine had seen countless amounts of beautiful people, but they truly couldn't hold a candle to this body. Looking in the mirror, she couldn't contain her shock. This face was absolutely gorgeous. She contained a beauty that could bring downfall to empires, not to mention cities or kingdoms. Her features were delicate and noble, with high cheekbones and soft pink lips.
The Nine right now would cause countless girls to swoon and make many guys question their sexuality. Nine smirked in the mirror, her appearance oozing out an evil charm that seemed to draw people in. She thought about it before she smiled gently and immediately stopped. Such a smile would evoke countless evil thoughts in another person or willingly entice others to their doom.
Nine resolutely swore in her heart that she couldn't smile in front of anyone randomly lest she attract attention she didn't want.
What Nine didn't know was that the previous crown prince had always hidden her features as she looked down, shy and without any confidence. Everyone had overlooked and forgot about her. After she took over this body, the change in her soul had simply caused her to shine without any blemish.
Even if Nine didn't care about looks, she had to admit that this body was simply too beautiful.
Shrugging, she put her thoughts aside as she didn't dwell on it. It was just the outer appearance. Only she knew what had led to her death in her previous life.