The banquet preparation she could rest assured, but the research for her survival she couldn't.
For a couple of days Aliana re-living her State Exam mode, cooped inside the office to read as many books as she could and writing down every tiny bit of relevant information.
She completely shut herself off from the outside world.
Unlike the novels she read in her younger days, Aliana got no such thing as a sudden memory fusion. Aliana Jovan left nothing about her memory but everything about this body was on autopilot. No matter how late she slept, this body always waking up on time just a few hours before sunrise to practice.
Yes, to practice.
According to the Warrior Manual by Adrian Jovan, the essence of regulating magick to the weapon was to make a bond between the wielder's magick and the magick inside the weapon. As long as the wielder infusing their magick regularly the two energy will eventually be blended and made it easier for the wielder to maximize the power of the weapon with the help of magick.
But Aliana Jovan was a child prodigy, she didn't need any weapon to bond with her magick, her magick was THE weapon. She directly created weapons with her magick which meant it had an infinite source of energy.
Aliana could sense the danger deep inside her cells, she was like a kindergartener in Doctorate league. SHE AIN'T UP TO THE STANDARD!
Aliana Jovan was Warrior Magika, but her magick manifested in elemental form. In theory, she could make fire, water, air, or earth weapons. While innate talent determined what type of magick the Magika manifested, mental power was part of the training.
Aliana wasn't the real Aliana Jovan, she was a fake, well, a substitute in the same shell. If she concentrated long enough, she could form some fireballs, water splash, or small typhoons, but she could hardly manifest any real elemental weapons.
In a real death and life situation, she might not be able to protect herself, or worse she could die from a trivial attack from the opponent. Even if Aliana survived her enemy's attack, there was a chance she could be doubted as Aliana Jovan and killed by the mass.
She wanted to live but she got no one to guide her. If it was in the past, she would go to the Feather Society and learn from them.
OF COURSE!
Aliana Jovan was known to be strong but she was just struck by a thousand of celestial lightning, her being weak could be understood. Nobody would say anything if she was bored and wanted to learn how other Warrior trained!
It's perfect!
Just like any disciplined army, the Jovan Army had a routine to practice every day.
Lex was watching the hundred entourage guards moved as a whole. Their posture was full of confidence while every swing of their sword radiating indisputable ferociousness.
To be called an army, a hundred knights was too few but in the Jovan Army, each individual could fight up to ten people. An exaggerated description, but it was recognized by allies and opponents of the Jovan Army.
Being the only family that still maintained their aristocratic status through battle, the Jovans continued to perfect their training and battle strategy throughout the years.
Even though the knights were disguised as traveling escorts, but anyone with discerning eyes knew that they were a core part of the Jovan Army. They have experienced on the battlefield so regular training was nothing but a small thing.
They were caught off guard when Aliana walked into the training ground with her training uniform. Their commander was a god-like existence in the Jovan Army. They knew she was there but not many people had interacted with her. They couldn't help to be nervous, maybe the commander was here to test them.
"My Lady?"
"I hope I don't disturb your training, Sir Lex."
"Of course not, My lady. What could I do for you?"
"The celestial lightning seems to compromise my magick more than I expected, therefore I want to join your training to honed my skill."
The silence was loud.
"What's with the silence? Do you guys not want me to join?" it was only a raised eyebrow but the men were shivering unknowingly, "It's okay, you can speak freely."
The knights glanced at each other awkwardly, they were too confused to speak. Even Lex, who has become Aliana's right-hand man, couldn't believe his ear.
The outside world only knew that the commander of the Jovan Army was a child prodigy, she could create deadly weapons only using her magick. She led the army to win an unwinnable battle with her wit and strength but really... The public only knew half of the truth.
When following her first fight, Aliana's father - Fendi Jovan was killed because of a poisoned arrow hidden by the enemy's secret forces. Beyond everyone's expectations, the 13-year-old girl calmly continued the battle with her grandfather and returned to the capital for her father's funeral without ever shedding a tear.
When there was a rebellion in a conflict area, Aliana's grandfather was assigned to suppress the rebellion but an ambush in the army camp claimed her grandfather's life. The girl was taking the state exam when the news of her grandfather's death arrived.
She was again surpassed everyone's imagination.
She calmly thanked the military messenger and walked into the examination hall, only to complete the officialdom's exam with the highest marks. The next day, she showed up in the empire's martial art competition and winning the top spot.
At the time her grandfather's body arrived, Aliana Jovan personally petitioned to shoulder the responsibility as the heir. She then hosted her grandfather's funeral as the Duchess of Jovan. Then set off with the Jovan Army to quell the rebellion once and for all.
There were many groundless rumors related to the battle.
Officials accused that Aliana was seeking personal revenge and disobeying imperial decrees, but military attache knew that on the battlefield there were only two choices, win or die. Aliana made no statement whatsoever, the empire did not give punishment, and the rumor was evaporated as hearsay.
Then there was the battle with Kalos on the western border. The knights including Lex witnessed firsthand how Aliana used her power to destroy half the enemy's strength and then took advantage of the geographical conditions of the border to trap enemy troops.
She was a legend one way and another.
"Of course it will be our pleasure, My Lady." Lex finally took the matter into his hand, "It just our way of training was common, I don't know if it's suitable with your magick."
"It's alright, you can teach me from the basics."
Aliana's daily schedule was soon built, every day she would run before sunrise then work in his office after breakfast until late afternoon. Between tea time and midnight, Aliana followed the knights' training.
Unknowingly to Aliana, the spies inside Adrian Manor were on the move.
"What does the Duchess ask?"
"Books."
"Books?" the men glanced at one another, "What kind of book?"
"Books about magick."
.
.
.
In the blink of an eye, the day of the banquet arrived.
Adrian Manor was the official residence of the head of government of Adrian City, of course, the staff make elegant decorations and match Aliana's position who was not only the governor of the city but also noble.
Accessories with accented gold were in every corner of the hall, the cutlery used was of the best quality silver, and the cuisine served was the chef's specialty. Butler Sanders was in charge from the bigger picture to the tiniest detail while the main character was yet to be seen.
Aliana was in her room, staring at the reflection of Aliana Jovan staring back at her. Aliana classified herself as an ordinary girl with a sharp tongue and cynical gaze as her trademark, but the beauty in the mirror was a cold girl. Her black hair braided around her head, surrounded by a platinum tiara with a blue gemstone. Aliana was wearing a black wide sleeve and high-neck long dress.
A knock from the door woke Aliana from her deep thought, "Come in."
Lex turned the knob and saluted, "My Lady, the guests are here."
"Who's coming?"
"Everyone on the guest list is present, My Lady."
According to Aliana's research on AJ's journal and the library's books, there are three power factions in Adrian City. Officials, nobles, and businessmen.
Count Gabriel Wintour was a cousin of the Queen Regent, he ruled over the noble faction thanks to the support of the Imperial Family's power. The officials became local rulers in each district of Adrian City, all five of whom were members of the City Committee. They were in charge of running the Imperial program in each district. Then the Trade Association became a forum for independent businessmen and contractors who were not tied to Imperial-owned entities.
Aliana put her hand on Lex's arm, ready to fight with these hyenas in the stead of Aliana Jovan.
The three of them do look harmonious on the surface. Aliana's presence as governor in this military zone made the three factions nervous. In order to maintain the status quo, they had to make sure every other faction didn't pull Aliana to their side.