A few weeks passed and Mia continued her training. She trained diligently under the King to learn proper etiquette, under Sabrina to learn hand to hand combat, and under the elemental of wind to master her magic. Everyday was a busy one for Mia, she worked tirelessly to improve herself so that she would be ready to save the kingdom and the world. Edward thought it would be a great idea to practice a formal event. So, the Queen organized a grand ball where Mia would have to dress and act like she belonged in high society. It would be a great way to see if her training under Edward had paid off. The day of the ball had arrived, and Mia awoke as she always did.
"Good morning." Mia said as she entered the dining room where Lucell had her breakfast ready. He still made her breakfast every morning, thought now he would mix it up with other things such as eggs or pancakes. This morning he had prepared a grand breakfast in honor of her ball. "Looks amazing Lucy." Mia said as she began to eat.
"Today is a big day for you." Lucell started. "Today you get to try out all of the things that Edward has taught you. I know you will do well. Here the Queen had this delivered this morning." Lucell then pulled out the dress that the Queen had prepared for her. It was an exquisite white dress that flowed off of her, extenuating her beauty. "I think it will look wonderful on you."
Mia had never seen such a pretty dress. It was still weird to her that she wore such things now, but she had grown to like the feel of a dress. "Thank you, Lucy." Mia smiled. "I hope I don't let the Queen and Edward down. I really hope I can pull off this event. IT just seems like this whole thing is beyond me." She continued. "I am a soldier, a warrior, I never was in ballrooms or fancy events. I never dealt with diplomacy or anything of the sort, all I did was fight. Now I have been thrust into a spotlight I never desired."
"You will be fine Miss Mia." Lucell assured her. "The fact you are having such thoughts are a sign of how much you have grown."
"I just don't know what I am doing." Mia answered. "Everyone is depending on me to be a proper lady now; I never even knew how to be a proper man." Mia started to tear up. "I never had a life before all this, it was all just combat training and fighting. My life really started when the Goddess changed me, and I do not know how I feel about that. So many wasted years, so many missed experiences." Mia wiped her tears away. "It didn't bother me at first being a woman, I never even knew what it was to be a man. I was a weapon pure and simple; however now it is that fact that bothers me. I missed out on being a man and I will never again get to experience that now that I am a woman."
"Miss Mia, what experiences are you referring to?" Lucell asked, trying to calm Mia down.
"I don't even know!" She yelled. "I just know I am missing out on something!" She takes a moment to calm herself. "I am sorry Lucy, I get emotional sometimes, I do not know why. Please forgive my outburst earlier."
"It is quite alright, Miss Mia." Lucell responded. "Your entire life changed just a few months ago, it would only be natural that it would finally catch up with you. You have finally reached a point where you have become used to your new life and it has given you time to reflect on your past. It is natural to be emotional when thinking about one's loss."
"The thing is, I don't even know what I lost!" Mia explained. "That is what has me so upset, I know it's silly, but I just feel like my life ended back then and now I am someone else entirely."
"Well in a sense that is true." Lucell answered. "Your life as a man ended, and your life as a woman began. So, in a sense you are a completely different person. I just hope that we have made your new life somewhat better than your last one."
"You have Lucy!" Mia jumped up out of her chair. "I thank the Goddess everyday for blessing me with all these new friends. I never had any friends in my past life."
"Well I am glad!" Lucell smiled. "Now finish your breakfast and rest up because the ball is tonight. I of course will be your escort, so I must go out and freshen up a bit myself."
Sabrina then let herself in the house. "Yo, short stack!" She yelled. "Let's go get your hair done!"
"Oh right, I did forget about that." Lucell told Mia. "You are to go with Sabrina so that you may get your hair done for the evening."
"Okay." Mia responded as she got up and left with Sabrina.
The night of the ball arrived, and it was time for Mia to make her grand appearance. Lucell entered first and announced her to the crowd. "Introducing Lady Mia, former hero of the church, now savior of humanity." He shouted in a deep commanding voice.
With that Mia walked in, she was radiant. The dress fit her perfectly and her hair matched its beauty. "Do I look okay?" She whispered to Lucell.
"My lady words cannot describe your beauty." Lucell whispered back. "It is my honor to walk beside you this evening."
"Thank you, Sir Lucell." Mia said as he grabbed on to his arm as she was trained. They made their rounds and Mia was passing every test that Edward threw at her, she was truly the belle of the ball. All good things must come to an end however and the ball was interrupted by a scout.
"My Queen!" The scout shouted. "We have been surrounded!"
"Must be the royal army!" Edward shouted back. "I can't believe they got here so quickly! Damn that pope!" Edward then turned to the Queen. "My lady, please allow me to try and talk to the army. Let me at least try and get them to our side."
"You may attempt it." Morain answered. "Although, I doubt those fools will listen. Lucell and Mia please accompany Edward to the forest's edge. Do not engage the army unless necessary, and it would be better if Mia did it alone. Lucell only help Mia if her life is in danger."
"My lady! There are over twenty thousand troops surrounding us!" The scout shouted. "Sure, we should mobilize the army!"
"Those two are more than enough." Morain answered. "You may go and watch, but do not interfere."
With that Edward, Lucell, Mia, and the scout left and brought Edward to the edge of the forest. "Alright Sir Edward. We will only intervene if we must, please go talk to your troops." Lucell explained.
Edward walked out of the forest slowly with his hands in the air. "My troops I mean you no harm!" He shouted.
"It's the traitor King!" Some of the troops shouted. "We heard all about your plan from the pope! We can't believe you were a demon lord lacky this whole time!"
"There is no Demon Lord!" Edward shouted. "The Goddess is the one who resides in the forest!"
"Lies!" The General in charge shouted to reassure his men. "This man is a known servant of the Demon Lord do not believe a word he says. Archers ready! This traitor dies now!" With that the archers all pulled back on their bow and prepared to launch a volley at Edward. "FIRE!" The general yelled and the archers launched their assault.
Edward braced himself for the oncoming arrows. To his surprise the arrows never made contact with him. A wall of wind had blocked all of the arrows. Mia walked out from behind the King. "Are you alright, Edward?" Mia asked.
"Yes, Thanks to you Miss Mia." Edward responded.
The soldiers looked on to this small human woman who had such a command over magic. Dressed as she was, she was the most beautiful woman any of them had ever seen. "She is a witch!" The General shouted. "She obviously serves the Demon Lord and he must have bestowed his power upon her! She is most likely just one of his whores!"
Suddenly a loud Roar could be heard coming from the forest. Lucell had transformed into his monstrous battle form. "Please calm down General!" The scout pleaded. "The Queen asked you not to intervene."
"He called Miss Mia a whore!" Lucell was in a rage. "I shall not stand for it."
Mia turned back to Lucell and smiled. She put up her hand asking him to stand down. "I have been called many things since I became a woman. But a whore is new." Mia shouted back at the General. "Please tell me would a whore be able to do this?" Mia then stretched out her hands and floated into the air. In each of her outstretched palms a massive tornado formed.
The soldiers began to panic, they had never seen magic, much less magic of this level. "It must be the Goddess!" One of the Soldiers yelled. "It has to be the Goddess!"