*Bam*
Score: 8-1
Score: 9-1
Score: 10 -1
11-1
12-1
13
14
15
16
17
18
19-1
20-1
*Bam*
Score: 21-1
Game over.
Victors?
Obviously, Ace and Maeve.
"Yay! We won! Hahaha!" Gracie jumped in excitement and dashed towards Ace and Maeve happily. Maeve smiled and picked her up in her arms as Gracie kissed her on her cheek.
Not wanting to lose the chance, Ace placed his cheeks in front of Gracie, receiving his share of kisses.
"Mama! You were so cool! You were flying so high!" Gracie exclaimed and the smile on Maeve's face widened.
"You want to do that?" Maeve questioned.
"I do! I do! Will you teach me?"
"Of course I will, but you have to practice really hard for it, okay?" Maeve questioned.
"I will! I'll work hard!" Gracie replied with a firm and determined tone. Ace patted Gracie's head with a smile as the little girl started showering compliments on her parents in an excited tone.
"Why… Why… WHY!?
HOW IS IT POSSIBLE!?
WHY ISN'T MY MAGIC WORKING!?
WHAT'S THE PROBLEM!?" While Gracie was complimenting Ace and Maeve, Elizabeth snapped.
She couldn't understand what was happening to her. She still remembers how her every spell failed… Even though she was 100% sure that it will work the next time, but... it never did.
Her magic never worked.
She tried and tried again only to fail yet again.
She was traumatized.
"Why is my magic working…?
How come I am not able to use a single spell…?
What's wrong with me…?
Am I that useless…?
How did this happen…?
What did I do wrong…?
Is it some sort of divine punishment?
Will I never be able to use magic again?
No… No… that can't be… right…?
What will happen next…?
How will I face my family…?
How will they react? Won't they just disown a disgrace like me…?" Elizabeth finally lost all her strength as she fell on her knees… completely broken.
There was no sign of her previous arrogant and noble expression left. She just looked like a heartbroken little girl, devoid of any hope whatsoever.
"Mama… what happened to that Aunt?" Gracie questioned as she pointed towards Elizabeth.
Maeve, who was already looking at Elizabeth sighed… "Uhh… I think I might have overdone it…"
"You did…" Ace replied.
"You can't blame me… I've been controlling myself like a good girl, it was bound to be released some way or the other. Plus, I wanted to test some of my new powers since I was a little curious"
"Hmm? Papa, mama, what are you two talking about?" Gracie questioned in confusion.
"Oh? Um, it's nothing, my princess. She just wasn't able to deal with her loss. She will be alright after a while… maybe…" Ace replied.
"Is it bad? Shouldn't we help her?" Gracie questioned.
"Help?" Ace muttered in confusion.
Help, this was pretty much an unknown word for him…
He never 'helped' someone before. For him, It was Elizabeth's fault that she chose Maeve as her opponent.
"What are you talking abo-" Ace tried to rebuke only to be interrupted by Maeve, "Yes, I think we should help her! Very good Gracie, always remember to help others, okay?"
"Kay!" Gracie replied and Maeve patted her head with a smile.
"Good, now don't worry about that Aunty, papa will go and help her" Maeve then turned towards Ace, signaling him to go and help Elizabeth.
"Oh… yeah… umm, you should always help others, Gracie, like a good girl… and also… umm… be kind to everyone... and all… okay, now I'll go and help that aunty" Ace replied awkwardly before walking towards Elizabeth, who was still kneeling on the ground while being surrounded by Antony, his friends, and her own friends.
Ace didn't fail to notice the smirks Elizabeth's friends were hiding behind their worried expression but he didn't care enough to call them out.
"Eliza, don't worry… you will be fine…"
"Yeah… just be calm. Everything will be alright…"
"Nothing will be alright!
Do you even realize my situation!?
I can't use magic anymore!
I am a failure… I am a failure!"
"Alright, that's enough"
Everyone turned to the source of the voice, and as soon as they saw who it was, their expression changed.
"You! Why are you here!? To laugh at us!?" Astut roared.
Ace completely ignored the idiot in front of him as his eyes met Elizabeth's.
"Nothing's wrong with you, you are fine, try using magic again"
"I can't! I can't do it! I've already tried it a million times!" Elizabeth snapped.
"Try again" Ace spoke, it sounded more like an order than a request.
Of course, against someone who was used to rule people… there was no way Elizabeth could ignore his orders as she stood up and waved her hands.
"…"
But nothing happened…
"See? I told you! It doesn't work! Are you happy now!?"
"Start from the basics. With a spell." Ace ordered again.
"It won't wo-"
"Start from the basics"
Elizabeth glanced at Ace deeply before nodding.
"A-As you say…
Oh Angle of Winds,
Come to my Aid,
Tear my enemies into pieces,
[Wind Blades]"
*Whoosh*
A simple wind blade was formed before it shot towards the sky, shocking everyone, especially Elizabeth.
"I-It worked…?" Elizabeth muttered.
"It worked, yes. As I said, nothing's wrong with you. Now try using it without the spell"
Elizabeth nodded with a determined expression and waved her hand again, this time, unlike before, a wind blade was formed before it shot into the sky with more power than before.
A big smile blossomed on Elizabeth's beautiful face as she jumped towards Ace in excitement.
Of course, Ace dodged the flying girl, causing her to slip but she regained her balance quickly.
"S-Sorry! I am so sorry! I was just too excited… a-and thank you! Thank you very much! I really appreciate you help, I will always be indebted to you!" Elizabeth thanked earnestly with a bow.
Ace just nodded and just as he was about to turn around, Elizabeth called out, "Mr. Ace, can you please answer my question? Why did my magic fail so suddenly?
I-It's completely fine if you don't want to answer that! I-I won't force you"
Ace sighed as he turned and glanced at Maeve, "You just chose a wrong target…"
Elizabeth's movement paused before she trailed Ace's line of sight and glanced at Maeve.
"You should be thankful to her… She went easy on you…" Ace muttered before walking away.
Though Elizabeth didn't completely understand what he meant, she had a rough idea as she bowed in Maeve's direction.