One year has passed since Lisha has started living as Talitha Aricia Garter. Yet she still isn't used to her new life.
In her previous life, she didn't have much freedom to do what she wanted. Worse, she wasn't allowed to explore her own hobbies. Compared to her, Talitha can actually do a lot of things despite the pressure her father gave, she is the daughter of the third richest person after the royal family with loaded pocket money.
But that's still not enough.
This world is a place where status and position are more important than money. Moreover, magic, demons, and magical beasts exist here. Therefore, in order to survive, it takes strength and knowledge to be able to deal with those criminals and demonic creatures out there.
The old Talitha herself actually possessed the power to control elements, one of the Garter family's well-known traits. But again, her obsession with her status as the crown princess made her ignore it and become too dependent on her fiancé even though they enrolled at the best school in the kingdom for Elementalist and Magicians. She even said, "Why do you need to learn it when you have the sun of the kingdom beside you."
Ugh, you don't know how upset Lisha was at Talitha's character for wasting such a great talent while reading it.
However, Talitha is completely different now, she would not let such a talent be wasted like that. It might be a great opportunity for her to survive, and she knows where to go to learn that.
"Mary, I'm heading out," says Talitha as she closes the book in her hands.
"Yes, miss. Shall I tell Sir Jeffrey to prepare the carriage?" asks Mary.
Sir Jeffery, the first commander of Garter duchy. He was assigned as Talitha's temporary knight for a while since he is the most best knight the duke can trust, and she doesn't find the other knight as comfortable as him. Besides, Sir Jeffery doesn't feel burned with this extra job either. He actually kinda like it. It also helps him to get to know better of his young miss.
"Sure. But, please tell him to prepare the plain one that won't attract too much attention."
"Where will you be heading, miss?"
"Golium Street."
Golium Street is the best shopping district in the capital. You could say it's the mecca of the capital's best-selling goods and the only place where you could find the best medical herbs and magic tools. This street is separated into three main sections. They are the high-class shopping area where most nobles often shop, the middle-class shopping area for middle-class people and all things that are related to magic, and lastly the low-class.
"And prepare the plainest dress I have. We aren't going shopping today."
A few hours later, they finally arrived at Talitha's today destination.
"We've arrived, young miss." With the help of Sir Jeffery, Talitha carefully gets down from the carriage with a big smile.
Right in front of her is no other than a big old library, a place where the most completed information and books about magic are stored. The place most great Elementalists and Mages come to gather some information. And if you're planning to learn about this world's magic systems, this is the right place.
But since the entrance test is getting near, the library looks more crowded with prospective students than usual. Looks like it will take more than one or two hours to find all the books that Talitha needs.
"I will spend half my day here. You can come to get me in the afternoon." The groom nodded and left with the carriage.
The moment Talitha enters the library, she can't help but look around in amazement. Different from the appearance of the building that looks old from the outside, the inside actually looks more luxurious than the Garter duchy has. Without wasting any more time, Talitha quickly pulls Mary to the Magic section with Sir Jeffery right behind them.
But, where should she start?
"Sir Jeffery, as an Elementalist, do you have any book recommendations for a beginner like me?"
Sir Jeffry, who understands what Talitha actually means, then takes the first book that catches his eyes and gives it to her.
"Try with something lighter first, miss."
The Basic Knowledge of Elements.
Elementalists are multifaceted spellcasters who use mana to channel elemental forces, making fire, air, earth, and water do their bidding. They can quickly adapt to threats by harnessing the power of the elements or simply transferring their mana element to a weapon. Even their weapon skills change to suit the element they're currently attuned to.
As masters of elements, Elementalist has access to a variety of spells. But not as much as a Mage could do. Mages can use magic borrowed from supernatural or occult sources, which don't have specific limits like Elementalist who depend on what elemental they have.
To awaken their element, Elementalist has to build up enough mana first and strengthen up their body to receive the power. But it should be noted, the awakening time of each Elementalist is different and it is usually when they were around 7-9 years old.
Yet, she is already 12 now and her element still hasn't awaken yet.
Curiously, Talitha tucks her knight's sleeve and lowly asks, "Sir Jeffery, when was your first time awaken your element?"
"Hm… I think it was when I was 10, just right after my sword training with my mentor. My element just suddenly awaken. But, I can't say it was something to be proud from a late bloomer like me. Why?"
"Just asking," she lowly mutters.
'Looks like this will be hard, remembering how weak this body is. The old Talitha hasn't even trained her mana in the past 12 years. How can she survive in a magic academy in the first place!?'
"Ugh… what a headache."
✧.✿.✧
Later that noon, Duke Garter had called for Talitha's presence at the practice ground. The butler said something about 'knight'. She quickly told Mary to change her clothes and went to the practice ground.
Not far from Duke, there is a young man dressed in Garter's knight uniform. Talitha can't see his face clearly because of the helmet, but he looks quite younger than other knights she had met in the mansion. His features somehow reminded her of someone.
As soon as the Duke sees Talitha, he introduces his daughter to the young man beside him. "Bowles, this is my daughter Talitha."
Bowles... why does his last name feel familiar?
"And Talitha, this is Jevano Bowles. The second son of Viscount Bowles and Sir Jeffery's little brother. He will be your personal knight from now on."
Oh, right! Sir Jeffery's last name is also Bowless. Now, that's ring a bell.
Jevano then takes off his helmet and politely bows at Talitha. "It's nice to finally meet you, miss."
"I—"
The moment their eyes meet, Talitha can't help but freeze in her place. Fair-skinned, straight jet black hair and vibrant red irises. His age maybe close around hers right now—well, his visual actually fit into her ideal type. Yet, that's not what surprised her.
They are supposed to not meet each other like this nor right now!
Jevano Morgan Bowless, the crown Prince's future right-hand and captain of the imperial knights. Following his big brother footstep as a knight, he firstly joins the imperial knight at the age of 15 as a knight in training and his astonishing talent promoted himself as the first captain at the age of 19. He won his first sword tournament easily.
He is also the one who cut Talitha's neck by the Crown Prince's order.
But again… since when did "The Crimson Lily" has a knight as the crown prince right hand? And how can she suddenly know this information? Did she forget about something?
Anyway, Talitha needs to be more careful around him. She needs to get his good side to stay alive.
"Um... yeah, me too. Please take care of me, Jevano."
'Darn it. I'm not gonna meet my end that quickly, right?'