"So your Mayari Alverno, nice to meet you, I'm Dr. Ashley Milan, a friend of your teacher Helen" a doctor introduced herself to Mayari, "Let's begin your check up...please lay down in the bed"
Mayari layed down; "Please try to relax, Mayari" she stated, Mayari nodded closing her eyes and relaxing her body.
Ashley forwarded both of her hands to Mayari's body, the right hand is above Mayari's chest, while her left is above Mayari's stomach. After a second, both of her hands glowed blue.
Mayari felt her body lighter than ever, it felt relaxing. She can feel her body being refresh by the process, she have never felt this relaxed before.
Then Dr. Milan moved both of her hands above the center of Mayari's upper body; "Looks like your 'gate' is tired" she stated.
Mayari heard the 'gate' word before; "Close your eyes and concentrate, feel your spiritual energy going out from your 'gate', that is located in the center of your upper body" Helen instructed at Mayari's out of control magic lesson.
"Gate?" She asked quietly, still closing her eyes and feeling the relaxing sensation in her body.
"The 'gate' is a passageway of your spiritual energy, it is located in the center of your torso, which is I'm healing now" she explained, while still healing Mayari, "Our spiritual energy is used to perform magic, and the only way to get it from its storage is through the gate. That's why the gate holds an important part in us magic user, so you must always keep it healthy".
"I see..." Mayari simply replied, as she felt herself falling asleep because of the relaxing sensation she is feeling through her entire body.
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16 years ago
Fireworks exploded brightly at the dark night sky, it is very colorful and attractive.
The little Mayari happily look at the fireworks with a very big smile in her face.
"Mommy! Daddy! Look! the color of that one is pink!" She exclaimed happily, looking and pointing at the pink firework.
"It is sweety, isn't it pretty?" Lisa asked her daughter, with a very happy smile.
"Yes! It's very pretty!" Mayari answered screaming gleefully.
"Now, now, lower your voice, Mayari. We don't wanna disturb others that are also watching the fireworks" Adolf also spoke happily.
Mayari look around, and saw the other people who are also enjoying the fireworks. She smiled and screamed loudly; "I love fireworks!"
Her parents was surprised by her very loud scream, but instead of scolding her for doing so, even though they have just told her not to, they just smiled at her. Seeing her happy also makes them happy.
When the fireworks show ended, Adolf asked, with a smile, to her daughter; "Did you have fun?"
"Of course I have! Tonight was very fun!" Mayari answered, jumping up and down happily, holding both her parents hands.
"Where very happy to see you happy, sweety" Lisa said happily smiling at her daughter.
Mayari hugged them both, Lisa and Adolf also hugged back their daughter.
"I love you!... Mommy...Daddy" she said gleefully, hugging both of her parents tightly.
"We love you too sweety" Lisa replied.
"Very much" Adolf added, after kissing her daughter's forehead.
"I love both of you more"
"We love you most" her parents said in unison, hugging their daughter.
Mayari woke up from somehow a very long nap, her body felt very refresh. She sat up, and saw Helen, in the side of her bed, sitting down on a chair.
"How are you feeling?" She asked with a smile.
"I feel refreshed" Mayari answered, getting out of bed.
"That's delightful to hear dear. Now, let's proceed we still have things to do" Helen stood up.
"Like what?"
Helen grabbed Mayari's hand and said excitedly; "Like choosing a beautiful dress for you, for the ball tonight! I'm so excited to introduce you to everyone! So C'mon!" She suddenly pulled Mayari to come with her.
At the hall they saw Dr. Milan; "So your already awake, how are you feeling, Mayari?" She asked.
"I feel refreshed" she repeated her same answer before.
"Good!... your pretty expressionless" Dr. Milan utter, forwarding her face to Mayari, to scan closely for any emotion.
"Don't worry Dr. Milan, that's just her personality" Helen stated.
"I never met someone as emotionless as you before... Your eyes truly don't show any emotion at all. Are you on a trauma or depression?" Dr. Milan asked worried.
"Let's just say it's like that, but don't worry she's stable, she don't need any treatment" Helen replied in Mayari's place.
"Are you sure, Ms. Helen?"
"I'm very sure I'm fine, Dr. Milan. Thank you by the way for healing my gate" Mayari spoke.
"Your welcome" Dr. Milan replied smiling, "Make sure to always keep your gate healthy and don't overused it again"
"Thank you, Dr. Milan" Helen thank her.
"Your welcome...take care"
"You too"
"I'll keep that in mind" she nodded and then left to attend another patient.
Helen and Mayari also left and proceeded to Helen's planned activities.
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-At the palace-
In a large hall, 4 pair of partners are dancing.
"1, 2, 3...then bow" their dance instructor instructed, "It's perfect and beautiful your highnesses. You are all ready now"
"Thank you, Mrs. Hover" the dancers said in unison and bowed.
"Your welcome, your highnesses" she also bowed in return, "Well, I shall take my leave. Do rest" then she left.
After she left the tired dancers sat down on a fancy long sofa.
"Eve, can you explain me again why we need to practice this dance?" One of the male dancers is asking a female dancer that is holding a fan.
"We have a dance number to perform tonight for mom's birthday...wait... don't tell me you forgot that tonight is mom's birthday, big brother Stevan!?" replied the said girl.
"Of course not! I meant, why we need to do this dance? We could just do other dances that we already know"
"No way! I consulted aunt Helen and she said that this is mom's favourite dance"
"This is originated from mom's home country, right?" A sweet toned girl asked.
"Yes, that's correct big sister Evy. That is also why we are not familiar with this dance" a smart looking teenage boy, with glasses replied.
"Oliver really have a sharp head, hehehe..." Stevan teased.
"Well, it's more fine than being a womanizer flirt" Oliver teased back.
"Ouch! that hurt! but it is true by the way, right brother?" Eve also joined in.
"Hehehe...you got me" Stevan replied laughing, so as the others.
"What gift did you bought for mom?" A young teenage boy asked.
"I bought mom a new pair of very beautiful and expensive shoes" Stevan replied with excitement.
"We bought mom two different colored beautiful pendants" the teenage twins replied in unison.
"That's nice Stephanie, Stephania. I'm sure mom will love it" Evy complimented, refering to the twins.
"What about you big sis?" Stephanie asked.
"Well, I made mom a shawl" Evy replied, "What about you, Eve?"
"Mine is a beautiful fan, that I also made truly" Eve replied, covering her happy and excited smile with her fan.
"What about you, Oliver?" Stevan asked.
"I created a big family portrait" he replied smiling.
"Wow, that's one heck of a sweet and devotedful gift!" Stevan complimented. "What about you, Stephan?" He is referring to the young teenage boy, who first asked about the gifts.
"I bought mom a expensive gown" Stephan replied.
"Well, isn't that also sweet" he complemented, "What about you, big bro Evan?"
"Well, I just bought mom a luxurious dragon drawn carriage" Evan simply replied.
"Well, isn't that a sweet ride" Evy complimented sweetly.
From the door eight servants came, including Nino. They are the princesses and princes personal servants. It took the attention of the siblings, so they turned towards them.
All the servants bowed. "Pardon us your highnesses, but it is time for us to ready you for the ball" one of the female servants said.
"Looks like we need to get going" Evy stated the obvious.
"Alright, I'll see you all later at the ball" Evan said.
Then all of them went on their separate ways, with their personal servants.
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Nighttime
-At the Royal Garden-
The ball is held the Castle's Royal Garden. The Royal Family are not very far away from the entrance, they are welcoming their guests. All princes and princesses was aligned side by side at the back of their parents.
Each guest who arrive will be announce to let the others know that they have already arrived.
"Princess Vivian Urson of Tarvan!" the announcer announce, when a beautiful girl came in the entrance, with her personal servant. She walk towards the royal family.
Vivian bowed, so as her servant, and greeted; "Good evening, your majesties...your highnesses...and happy birthday, Queen Elvira"
All of the family members bowed back. "Welcome Princess Vivian" the queen welcomed her, "Thank you, I'm so glad you could come"
"I'm honoured"
"You may have a seat, Princess Vivian" the king insisted.
"Thank you, your majesty" she bowed again.
Before she go to her seat, she stop by to Evan. "Evan, let's dance later, okay?" she asked with a smile.
"Of course, Vivian" Evan replied.
"What about me Princess Vivian! would you dance with me... right now" Stevan, who is next to Evan, suddenly butt in, giving a rose like flower to Vivian.
But Vivian didn't accept the flower, "Sorry Prince Stevan, but your not the one I planned for to be with tonight, and so as the other up coming nights" then she left.
"Well, that's a harsh rejection" Oliver, who is next to Stevan, suddenly said.
"Naah...don't worry I have plenty of girls, who is head over heals for me, to mingle" Stevan stated smiling, "And I already knew that she have a serious crush on our dear big brother Evan"
"Did she already confess, brother?" refering to Evan, Oliver asked.
"Don't listen to your brother, he's just jumping to his own conclusion that has no proofs" Evan replied.
"Your wrong brother, my conclusion is correct, and I have proof" Stevan confidently stated.
"What is it?"
"It's pretty obvious, the way she blush, acts and talks to you, the obviousness of her having a crush on you is in the air"
"What if she truly have feelings for you, big brother? What will you do?" Stephan, who is next to Oliver, suddenly asked.
"Well, that's far from reality, she's just a childhood friend "
"She will surely confess someday, brother" Stevan simply stated.
"I wonder when will you get a girlfriend, brother" Oliver wondered.
"He'll get it soon, right brother?" Stevan asked grinning.
"I'll know the right girl when I met one" Evan simply said, suddenly Evan's eyes widened.
"Ms. Helen Revinyr and her apprentice Ms. Mayari Alverno!" the announcer announce, as Helen and Mayari, in her back, came in and walk towards the Royal Family.
Mayari is wearing a beautiful cyan gown, that have a long cloth extending to her neck covering her birthmark, her hair was done in a crown braid style, and she also has a pendant attached to the clothing in her neck.
Mayari don't really care about choosing a dress or coming to the ball, but Helen want's her to be there, so she have no choice. And the dress was chosen by Helen because it looks perfect on her.
Evan was surprised to see her again. Yes, he was planning to find and see her again but he didn't expect to see her too soon, and was beautifully dressed, attending a royal ball, and a apprentice of his aunt.
"Good evening, your majesties..., your highnesses..." Helen greeted. Then she and Mayari bowed, so as the royal family, "Happy birthday..."
"Thank you sis" the two sisters hugged each other, "So she's your apprentice. Nice to meet you, Mayari"
"I'm honored" Mayari bowed again.
"So Helen, what kind of special skill does this young one have, to be your apprentice?... I mean you never have apprentice before what did she do to convince you?" The King asked in curiosity politely.
"Well let's just say, she is very special, and a very strong young lady" Helen replied with a smile.
"By the way sis, you haven't told us where you met her"
"Well, I met her at our home country, when I visited" Helen replied.
"Oh...I see"
"Prince Fernando Arscelor of Enchantia, and his wife, Princess Gema" the announcer announce, as a tall middle age man came in, with his wife.
"Looks like my brother is here" the King stated.
"Let's leave the up coming chatting later, shall we sis?"
"We shall" Helen replied, then she walk towards her nephews, with Mayari following her.
"How's my beautiful and handsome nephews?" Helen asked.
"Where all fine auntie..." Evy replied sweetly.
"What about you auntie?" The twin asked in unison.
"I'm also fine..."
"'Fine'! But aren't you old auntie!" Eve teased.
"Hehehe...still young and beautiful, Eve? Don't worry you'll get old soon enough" Helen teased back.
"Hehehe... that's funny" Oliver quitely laughed.
"Hehehe...looks like auntie got you, big sis" Stephan said giggling.
"She sure got me" Eve surrendered.
"You look marvelous today, aunt Helen" Stevan complimented giving his aunt a flower.
Helen accepted the flower with a smile. "How sweet of you, Stevan"
"Aren't you gonna introduce your pretty apprentice auntie" Stevan suggested, readying another flower to give.
"Oh! This is Mayari Alverno. Mayari, these are the princes and princesses of Enchantia, and also my nephews"
Mayari already know them, since Helen had already introduced them through their portrait along the way to the palace. She is also not surprise to know that the guy that stand up for her in the alleyway is a prince, after all she is not easy to surprise and she already predicted that he came from a wealthy family base on his appearance and clothing.
"Greetings your highnesses" Mayari greeted and bowed.
Stevan walk closer to Mayari and gave her a flower; "Well, aren't you pretty" he complimented, staring directly at Mayari's eyes, trying to woo her. His eyes are showing a passion of love, while Mayari just stared back with nothing, emotionless as ever.
Mayari accepted the flower; "Thank you your highness"
"Here we are again with your girl flirting techniques!" Eve exclaimed.
Stevan turned towards Eve who is not very far away from Evan; "What...!? It's their choice if they want to fall head over heels for me, right Ms. Mayari?"
Stevan turned back to Mayari, to stare at her eyes again. But this time Mayari gave a death glare. She also gave a strong deadly aura around her, like she was saying 'don't come near me or I'll kill you', that made Stevan shiver in fear, and back away.
Mayari really hate guys wooing her, it annoys and irritates her. She also thinks of it as a waste of time.
"You and your apprentice, should take your seats, aunt Helen" Evan insisted politely.
"Yes we will, sweety. Let's chat later, okay?"
"Yes, auntie" the siblings said in unison.
When Mayari and Helen had left, Evan sighed; "...That lady is pretty scary..." He utter, "I can see dark aura around her"
"She's just like that because she's one of the girls who don't want guys like you" Eve explained.
"Well... I've already met girls that don't want to be my fangirls and gave me glares before, but... I never met glares as deadly as hers"
"Naah... your just exaggerating" the twins simply said in unison.
"I agree, maybe she's nice if you get to know her" Sweet Evy spoke.
"Uncle Fernando and Aunt Gema is approaching" Evan informed his siblings, when he saw his uncle and aunt walking towards them.
---
The ball was going smoothly, everyone is having fun chatting, dancing and eating delicious foods. Well, except for Mayari of course, she's really not into fun and just kept quiet sitting at a table.
She'll only left her seat if Helen is gonna introduce her to someone, or she needs to do or get something.
When someone ask her to dance she quickly rejects it. Evan haven't tried asking though since he's stuck with Vivian.
"Pardon my intrusion your highnesses, but Prince Stevan needs you, Prince Evan" a maid interrupted Vivian and Evan.
"Excuse me Vivian, Stevan is calling me" Evan excused himself.
When Evan was going to left, Vivian suddenly grabbed his arm making him stop. "No you can't go, you have to stay with me!" Vivian exclaimed.
Evan sighed; "What do you want, Vivian?"
"This is what I want...I want you with me" Vivian replied, "Because...I...lov-"
"May I have your attentions, everyone!" She was suddenly cut off when Fernando called everyone's attention.
"What was that, Vivian?"
"Umm... nothing... forget it" Vivian lost confident.
"Tonight's ball is held in honor of the birthday of our 'Delighful Queen Elvira of Enchantia'. As you all know she is a beautiful, greatful, loving, brave, and kind. That made her worthy of the Queen's Throne" Fernando gave a short speech, "So let's have a toast" he raise his glass of wine, "For our Enchantia Queen'..., 'Queen Elvira'"
Fireworks suddenly exploded in the dark night sky, before anyone, even Fernando, could get a sip of the wine in their glasses. It is very colorful and beautiful, they have never seen this kind of a firework show before, it is very different and unique.
Everyone, including the palace guards even look up the night sky because the fireworks are very enchanting.
Mayari is also looking at the fireworks, she can't lie it is truly beautiful and enchanting, it reminds her of a memory long ago.
Even though it doesn't show, it pains her to see those explosive, so she look away. She place her glass of wine on the table, and look at Helen and her sister instead, they are at the other side of the table, opposite to Mayari. They are looking very amused and delighted to the fireworks. Helen didn't even bother placing down her glass of wine on the table.
While looking at the sisters, Mayari suddenly saw a vision; Fireworks are still exploding at the night sky. At the palace roof, a young man wearing a black hoodie is placing an arrow to his bow, he pulled the string and aimed to the Royal Garden. The arrow glowed green as the man used his magic, enchanting it.
After the vision, Mayari look at the palace roof and saw a green dot; 'The vision is true' she taught. She don't know who could be the arrow for but she have a strong feeling that she needs to stop it.
As you all know, she can't stop a magic arrow, since she was still learning. Her only choice is to ask help.
She quickly informed Helen; "Ms. Helen! There is an arrow coming!..." but Helen didn't respond and just keep staring at the fireworks.
She grabbed Helen's hand that is on the table, and shake it hard; "Ms. Helen!... Ms. Helen!... Ms. Helen!..." She calls out but still no respond. It's like Helen was hypnotize by the fireworks.
"You majesty! Queen Elvira!..." The Queen also won't respond, and has the same expression like Helen.
She stood up realizing something, she look around, all guests are like Helen and Elvira, hypnotize by the fireworks.
She look at the fireworks and thought;'This is bad...those fireworks are hypnotizing everyone'