Lumielle was simply not good at magic. Placing her cheek against the table, she looked over at Sebastian who was still smiling at her. "You've improved," her teacher hummed as Lumielle almost laughed. She had improved from no talent to beginner-level magic. It had taken her weeks and she could feel the mockery that Aris would inflict upon her. Honestly, it would have been better if she had gotten a false appraisal. It felt absolutely horrible working towards a goal that was useless. She would never be able to use strong magic.
"Teacher, you should stop lying."
Sebastian smiled, "I am not lying Princess."
Leaning back in her chair, she looked outside. The weather was quite cold today, "Teacher, can I ask you a couple of questions?"
Sebastian gave a nod as Evangeline placed some tea in front of Lumielle and Sebastian, "Thank you, Lady Evangeline." He hummed sweetly as the maid nodded curtly and stood behind Lumielle with her hands folded politely.
"For my birthday, I would like a gift. A truth serum."
Garnet eyes sparkled with interest, his lips quirked up, "I would be afraid that it wouldn't be ready in time. Isn't the Princess's birthday in a week's time?" He asked. That was true. A truth serum took a year to make and was almost impossible to get done right. Lumielle knew how expensive and valuable it was. If she could give it to Cosette and have her confess her deeds then she would be able to craft her perfect revenge by having her beheaded in front of the people. It was almost blissful thinking about it.
A truth serum was incredibly potent being able to extract veracity. Lies would not be able to be spouted for a twelve-hour period. It took a year to be brewed and had to be done perfectly with the right amount of magic, "I won't ask for anything for this year or the year after that. This is the only thing I want," Lumielle answered honestly.
Sebastian paused sipping his tea. His earrings glinted in the light the color of the gem a dark purple, "If my precious student wishes for it, then I will have to do my best. Though I have never made one, so I am not sure that I will succeed." He seemed quite delighted. Then again, she had to say there was an uncanny resemblance with Asterias.
She had been thinking about him again. It was the fact that they smiled all the time but Sebastian was polite and kind. The only time he snapped was when Asterias was here, she could see the annoyance etched on his face. She wondered what type of pupil he was. Then again, knowing the white-haired male's personality and his affinity for magic, it must have been very difficult for him to teach. Her condolences to the male in front of her.
"You'll be able too," Lumielle said. She didn't know where this belief and confidence came from. She didn't know Sebastian in her past life; he was a new figure that she had just gotten acquainted with. Yet, there was something about him that made her believe that he could do it. Perhaps, she did remember him from before. "I don't doubt you at all, Teacher."
Sebastian smiled, "Well, that's comforting to hear. If only all my students were like you and the Prince."
That must have been a jab at Asterias.
"Is there any magic that can turn back time, Teacher?"
Humming, Sebastian looked deep in thought, "There have been multiple discourses on whether it could be done or not. No one has ever tried nor has anyone had the magical capabilities to ever reverse time. It's an interesting thought but it's just not probable to ever execute it. It has been studied in hypothetical situations." Then at Lumielle's hunch been wrong? She had believed that magic was what had propelled her back in time. It wasn't that it was impossible but no one has the magical strength to do so.
"Not even Aris?" Lumielle queried.
Sebastian shook his head, "Not even the Crown Prince has enough mana. It would require at least triple times the mana that he has."
Then what was it? Lumielle had been trying to find the reason behind the reversal of time only to be left with nothing. It was frustrating. She was left with no answers and only a pounding headache. Books began to pile up around her as Leo had to forcibly rip her away from the library after realizing that she had spent an entire day surrounded by scriptures and vellum pages.
"I see," Lumielle commented to herself.
Sebastian stood up, "Is that all, Princess?"
"Ah," Lumielle said exhaling, "How does Rias know healing magic?"
The blonde teacher tilted his head, "He doesn't. Asterias isn't skilled in light magic."
"Then?" Lumielle queried. She looked confused. Her brows were scrunched up. She was sure that he had healed her. The soles of her feet had been weeping in pain but then, they were gone. There was not even a hint of a scar.
Sebastian's eyes widened in realization, "That little brat," he scowled before quickly coughing. "It's impossible for those who don't have light magic to heal. Though, extremely skilled water magic users are able to take wounds from others and implant them on themselves."
That was the reason that Asterias had asked Sebastian about healing magic. Sebastian remembered that day vividly as he had been called by the white-haired male. The prodigy in magic never asked about anything; he was so cumbersome to teach. Due to the fact that he excelled, his arrogance grew and he often found it amusing to toy with Sebastian. Yet, that day, he had called onto him. He had asked about healing magic.
"Can you teach me something?" Asterias had inquired after beckoning him inside of the Everion mansion. The proud pupil asking him for aid?
Sebastian chuckled though he was obviously annoyed, "You asking me to teach you? You've practically mastered all the elements."
Asterias didn't stop smiling, "Sebastian, you're my teacher. Isn't it the teacher's responsibility to help their students?" The tone of his voice was quite stern showing that he was somewhat annoyed by the blonde's words.
"Fine," Sebastian said curtly attempting to keep the smile on his face even if his brow twitched, "If Asterias is asking, I'm sure it'll be good. What is it you want to learn?" He mused placing a hand below his chin. His single monocle glowing in the fading light.
"Healing magic."
Sebastian gave him a look, "That's a useless stipulation and you know it. You aren't blessed with the ability to use light," he spoke and then whispered, "Though you're somehow blessed with doing other things."
Asterias sighed, his brows furrowing, "Is there really no way? Even if I'm not blessed with light, can I really not do anything?"
Placing a book down against the table Sebastian sat down in front of his young pupil, "It's not healing, Asterias, but if you're interested," the blonde said as the book flapped open and the pages started to turn, "High-level water magic can transfer wounds between two people."
Lumielle looked at Sebastian and then placed a finger against her temple, "You're telling me that," she exhaled, "That brat." Why had he done that? What had forced him to act in such a manner? Why did she suddenly feel guilty? Lumielle had purged herself of guilt ages ago, it was unneeded and she found it to be burdensome. After all, she had committed atrocity after atrocity. Guilt was not what she needed. Thus, she had abandoned it. Hoping that her sins would no longer wrap around her throat and suffocate her at night. Lately, she had been able to sleep well though she knew the further she got in life the darker the night would become. It was no surprise to her.
"Mielle!" Aris called opening the door, "You said that you would go into town with me." Her younger brother opened the door as Sebastian stood up.
"Then, I will be taking my leave," Sebastian said bowing as Aris greeted their teacher.
There was no use thinking about it, she had written Asterias a letter but it would take a while to get it to the North. The North though known for its strength barely used any magic. As such, letters were delivered at a normal pace. Luckily near the capital, wind magic was used and people didn't need to wait as long for their parcels. Yet, why had he done that and not told her? The only thing he wanted was to be her friend? It made her head pound.
Lumielle stood up, "Let's go, Aris. Are you ready?"
The Prince smiled, "Are we visiting the clinic again? I promise to bring Mia some cookies." He was brightly smiling at her. Part of her scheme was to raise prestige and vulnerability amongst the common people; she wanted them to revere Aris and herself. They would have to work to become likable and thus, they made bi-monthly visits to the free clinic that she had set up using Le'Havre Lumielle as funding.
"It seems like you like Mia more than me," Lumielle pouted.
Aris smiled, "Are you jealous?" He inquired.
"Betrayed," Lumielle tutted back as he nudged her slightly; a light laugh blossomed from her lips. Aris had tried to lighten her mood, he had seen the look on her face previously. It was the one that Lumielle had when she was deep in thought; it made him nervous from time to time. His sister must have been exhausted. She never seemed to rest, always running as if time was against her.