A few days had passed ever since Artemis received the letter and the first thing that she did was learn how to use her magic. In this world, magic was abundant and almost all people use it in their daily lives. It was a similar concept to technology but relied more on nature where magic spirits were everywhere like air. Every person was born with a body compatible with a specific element that depends on their bloodline and personality. They utilize the magic spirit compatible with their body and manifest it to become their own magic.
Like any other fantasy works, this world, Elyssian—had the standard elements able to be manipulated; fire, water, earth, wind, darkness, and light. It was rumored that there were more than six elements able to be wielded back in the times but disappeared over time and forgotten which naturally became a folktale. However, all these rumors were proven true as the two protagonists of the novel were able to manipulate the forgotten elements as stated in the novel.
Artemis herself wields one of the rarest elements there is which is light, given that she was the main character too. Being a light element wielder had its advantages that made their family stood out amongst others. What made the Francia family different from the other nobles were the fact that they were the only family that had multiple light wielders in the past generations. Mostly females of the Francia family had the blessing to attain this element, Artemis' mother and she were no exception while the males focused more on swordsmanship and military.
And so, with Artemis being title as a genius wielder of her generation, imagine just what would happen if they discovered that she was not able to cast even the most basic of magics? The huge blow it would create to her reputation was too arduous to even think about.
Standing in a small clearing hidden beneath hundreds of forest trees was Artemis, thinking hard about what to do. After doing a little bit of research in the library, she had a strong inkling on what to theoretically do regarding the summoning of the element. Maybe it was the blessing given by the mysterious man that she was able to easily comprehend the contents. But even so, controlling magic appeared harder than said when written in the fantasy books that she had previously read.
Artemis reluctantly sat down the floor with her knees. She closed her eyes and tried to concentrate her sensations on her body. Following the instructions of a book she had read on how to discern the magic spirit around her, she gradually felt a change in her body. Artemis felt a wave of a cold stream slowly mold to her body structure and she knitted her eyebrows in discomfort. Was this the feeling of the magic spirit around her? It certainly was a novel feeling, like being pricked by sharpened cold needles in the body.
Nevertheless, she persevered and tried to focus more. The book had gravely stated what would happen to the user if their concentration went astray even just for a second. There were possibilities of the magic spirit going berserk if not guided properly.
She did not know how much time had passed but the moment she opened her eyes, the sun was already ready to set. The hues of the sky painted the forest in a beautiful scene, just like straight from a painting. Artemis took a deep breath and held out her hand. In her palm was that same cold stream manifested into a ball that brightly shone amongst the darkening surroundings.
It was only a simple light ball that she had managed to create yet it gave her great joy. Never in her life would she think she would become a magic user that was able to manifest things into her own will without the use of technology. It was a novel feeling and she welcomed it greatly.
During this time of meditation, it was a good thing that she had finally learned the basics of magic manipulation, circulation, and so on. Even if there were still things that she could not understand just by reading a book, the academy will soon open once again which will provide her the necessary education she needed. With this, her future training will become a smooth path towards regaining back the previous magic skills she was known for, added with the blessings given to her.
Thinking of this, Artemis can't help but smile foolishly. This was the first time that she had ever experienced such ecstatic joy of being able to progress without too many hinders. The fulfilling emotion it gave her can't be compared to anything.
The sun gradually disappeared in the horizon, replaced by the crisp winds blowing against her skin as the skies darkened. Soon, she heard Jill calling for her near the manor and she stood up while patting her dress that became soiled with dirt and leaves.
"Young Lady, you should not stay outside for a long time. You can quickly catch a cold in this weather and we can't afford that. The academy will soon open its gates and we can't have you missing the opening ceremony," Jill said with a frown as she covered Artemis with a thick blanket and gave her warm tea.
"Thank you, Jill," Artemis replied with a small smile and drank from her tea, basking in the warmth it gave to her cold body. As they walked back towards her bedroom, she suddenly thought of the plot once again and sighed.
During this week, just two days before the opening ceremony, Ian will encounter a deadly situation in the Rushan Forest while secretly refining his magic spirit. He had been ambushed by stray wolves that disrupted him of his meditation, causing his situation to become severe. Artemis who had already become lovestruck heard of such news and immediately came to his rescue, risking her life as they navigated the well-known deadly forest trying to find Ian. In the end, Artemis herself was put into a treacherous position as she tried to risk her life for him by exhausting her mana.
Truth be told, everything would've been fine if she just ignored the news and pretend as if she never heard it. That way, she would not have to worry about risking her life trying to save him. He was the powerful male lead; she was sure that Ian would find a situation to save himself. However, things just sometimes go the way you expect it to be.
"…" Artemis looked at the frantic messenger in front of her table, her head hurting. As it turned out, he was here to report about what happened to Ian. She had already predicted this outcome and so prevented visitors from entering the manor. However, this cheeky one decided to barge in saying that it concerned her beloved Ian. Almost everyone by now knew her appreciation for him and so they did not hesitate to send him into her.
Everything would have been fine if he came by a little later but… why now? Just when a lot of servants were in her office cleaning out the ancient document to put in the archives… Now, how could she just refuse him and pretend as if she had never heard anything?
"Ha…" Artemis let out a sigh of breath as she massaged her head. She looked at all the servants carrying boxes of documents in their hands while glancing at her, curious as to what she would do.
In this situation, it was only natural to save him now. It was too late to try and make excuses. She was afraid that her reputation among servants will drop even more if she does not save a man in distress. She was already known to be ruthless to them, if she denies this one, she may as well be viewed as a monster.
"Young Lady?" The messenger asked in confusion, watching as her expression change.
"Yes. I'll immediately send a group of talented knights in the Rushian Forest. Where was he last seen?"
"Um, His Highness was meditating near the waterfalls in the east of the forest. But…"
"Hm?"
"Y-You're not going there yourself, Young Lady?" The messenger found it weird that she would only dispatch some knights and investigate personally. Does she not worry about His Highness? He was sure that Her Lady was known to be at every scene where His Highness is.
At the mention of this question, even Artemis could see the ears of the servants perk.
"…" She suppressed the desire to hit this man. Was that question really necessary?
With gritted teeth, she sent a cold glare at his way and the messenger flinched back. She took a deep breath and even if it was against her heart she replied, "…Of course, I'm going too."
"Oh, okay, Young Lady! I'll immediately prepare the knights," And the messenger immediately rushed out of the room, scared of her.
Artemis felt her head ache. Time was too short, in her opinion. She was not able to thoroughly train her magic and swordsmanship. She was afraid that before saving Ian, she would be the first one to be saved. That was why she intended to dispatch talented knights to replace her, but that damned messenger ruined it all. Now, she needs to accompany them too.
After thinking hard on what to do, Artemis opened her eyes and shook her body, trying to get rid of her jittery nerves. The Rushian Forest was known for its treacherous landscape and dangerous monsters. God knows just why Ian would decide to meditate where there were risks of putting himself in danger. In such a place, how would she survive?
Soon, the doors to her office opened once again and the messenger meekly approached her once again, "The knights are ready, Young Lady."
"Did you dispatch our most talented knights?"
"Yes, Young Lady. Only the best I picked."
"Hm… How many are there?"
"Five, Young Lady."
Artemis choked when she heard this. Why the hell is it so few? At this rate, she will really die! She frowned and coldly glanced at the messenger, "Why are there so few? Does the Francia's manor really lack that many talented knights? I'm disappointed."
"Ack, no, Young lady! I-I thought you were coming so there was no need to send in so many knights…"
'The thing is I'm weak and that is why I'm depending on these knights. Just why would you rely on me who barely knew how to wield a sword?'
Artemis felt speechless as she stared hard at the messenger. With a determined gaze, she ordered him, "Add in another five."
"F-Five more? But…"
"No buts! This is His Highness who we are talking about! You dare be careless to someone who carries the royal blood?"
"N-No… I'll immediately add in more, Young Lady…" The messenger was dejected and left the room once again. In his heart, the thoughts of the Young Lady being protective of His Highness was reinforced once again. Of course, this is her love they were talking about; how can he be careless?
In the meanwhile, Artemis also prepared herself some necessary tools to potentially save herself; including first-aid kits and a few potions. No one knows just what that Rushian could really contain.