The cold water from the shower rubbed against Alicia's smooth white skin. Sometimes she deliberately bent down and let thousands of droplets puncture her neck and back, so they should relax her tense veins. Albeit the pressure was shoal, the rushing water droplets could still stimulate several meridians of the girl's body, blessing her a slight relaxation. Relaxation of the mind after yesterday's problems, and what was to come today.
Today was quite an exciting day. Her plan was that she would travel with the Honourable Grand Magus Lachlan Haddock to some faraway place to find out the intricacy of herself and Orb, the magic ball. After that, according to the promise of the Grand Magus, she would be taken to Roma for her Arcane training. Yes, she knew very well the plan could not be just "Revealing destiny - contemplating - accepting fate - the end". There must be an enormous obstacle that should disrupt her day, like normal days lived by those still wandering on earth. What kind of trouble she was in, she could not foretell for sure. Who knew, this time a new group of mages would try their luck capturing Orb and Alicia, or the ship she was travelling on fell into the middle of nowhere. The girl tried to ignore all the worrying predictions, drifting along with the water.
Alicia did not want to be grandiose with her clothes now. She had prepared her clothes last night and put the rest in the suitcase. After drying her hair, she spruced it, styling her hair in lower twin tails—her favorite form of a ponytail, perhaps—while her white shirt was only half-buttoned, giving a little peek under her shirt. She looked again at the bed, there was still a black skirt, maroon tights, black tie, and a dark coat that was still drooping down waiting to be worn.
She sat down and took the nylon pants. They might seem small and flimsy, but the tights were still reliable as the girl lifts her right leg and began to enter the fine nylon tunnel, and so did the left. Once attached, she felt all over his legs and felt a smooth, silky sensation on the pantyhose that followed the shape of her legs perfectly. She fluttered her legs and made sure there were no wrinkles on her tights, which she found unsightly. she closed the remaining buttons on her shirt, then put on a black skirt complete with suspenders. Without forgetting, she also wore her dark tie and coat, and with that, Alicia finished her dressing.
She stared herself back in the mirror. Her appearance was proper. Alicia did choose to wear more simple clothes for travelling. After all, she had no plans to go to the gala or anything such. She took a big notebook and put it in her large waist bag. During her travels, she wished to record something related to magic. She felt she had an obligation to issue a new edition of the magic encyclopedia to put her knowledge to test; maybe also to tell her grandchildren later.
There was one last thing she did not want to forget. Alicia grabbed the frame standing upright by the dresser and pulled out a portrait from the frame. She looked closely at the picture. A bespectacled woman and a little girl with oversized round glasses hugged the woman, smiling. Alicia had almost forgotten that her eight-year-old self had smiled as sincerely as the one in the photo. She was not a confident kid at all when the photographer captured her image at the time.
"This is it, Mama," she said. "I am a mage now, and I will follow in your footsteps to save the world. Mama, keep me in your prayers, please."
The photo was tucked into the notebook page after she hugged it for a moment. After all the things she needed were locked tightly in her bag, she rushed out of the room.
Leith, Donar, and Alicia's two friends were already sitting in their chairs, enjoying breakfast. From the hallway, Alicia could hear Gilmore who seemed to be reciting a rhyme about the breakfast he was about to taste.
"Yer powers, what mak mankind yer care, and dish them out their bill o'fare. Auld Caledonia wants nae sinking ware, that jaups in luggies. But if you wish her grateful prayer," —Gilmore pointed at the newly arrived Alicia—"Gie her a Haggis!"
Alicia pretended to be stunned by gaping while placing her hand on her chest. The bespectacled girl who had just arrived later took a seat to her father's right and Nadine's left. "That should have referred to Caledonia, Gilmore. But aye, okay, not bad."
"Okay, can I eat noo?" Leith was getting impatient because Gilmore was procrastinating his breakfast with an old rhyme that he did not care about at all. Not waiting for an answer, the younger brother immediately split the Haggis and transferred a piece to his plate.
"Haggis?" asked Alicia. "Nadine, dinnae tell me you prepared this all night."
"No, no, hen. Of course, I bought it. After all, today's a big day for you," replied Nadine.
After the opening chat, the four devoured a giant intestine balloon filled with meat and grains straightaway. In the middle of breakfast, Donar spoke to his daughter, "So, for today. Have you prepared everything?"
The piece of haggis was swallowed down her throat before she could utter words. "Yes, Papa," said Alicia briefly.
"I see. That is good."
Knowing the conversation was too shallow, Alicia felt awkward. She asked back. "Perhaps Papa has something to talk about? Behest, advise, or something?"
"Such as?"
"Uh, maybe something like, 'stay vigilant', or 'don't act rashly', or 'take good care of Orb with all yer life'?"
"Those are common sense. Surely, you already know them all, don't you?"
"Which she always forgets," chirped Leith, who was sitting across from her. Alicia did not sneer at her brother because it was often true.
"Well, maybe something like that deserves another reminder."
"No need, hen. I'm sure you'll remember," the father smiled briefly and went back to eating.
Alicia did not like her father's behaviour this morning at all. A desire came to her mind to say it directly, but it would be better to talk to him in private before leaving.
But, looking on the bright side, breakfast went smoothly! No sudden ambushes, no riots. Just four people with scrumptious Haggis chunks.
After breakfast, Alicia put her small suitcase in the living room. Coincidentally, when she was there, the doorbell rang.
"Let me open it," Alicia tugged at the doorknob. She thought the person behind the door was the Grand Magus. Or the mail carrier. Alicia, who should have been excited, was slightly shaken. In front of her was a woman with long, straight, dark hair. Brown was her skin. Her countenance was oval-shaped. Slanted, her eyes were. The woman seemed to put a fire horse emblem on one of her accessories. In front of Alicia was Penelope Crimsonmane, a daughter-in-law of the patriarch Alasdair Crimsonmane.
Penelope greeted her first in a soft voice, "A pleasant morning to you, Alicia."
Trying not to stutter, Alicia replied to the woman's words. "G-good morning too, Aunt Penelope. Can I help you?"
Donar happened to be passing by, finding both of them. "Penelope? What are you doing this early in the morning?"
"Donar, morning to you, too. I brought something," Penelope pointed out the large bag of food she was carrying. It was not unnatural for the youths in this family to feel reluctant to see the lunchbox. They thought that the food box was actually a poison box. "Ah, are you planning to leave?"
Alicia, worried, just glanced at her father, hoping that he would be the one to give an answer.
"The time isn't right, is it? Do you mind if we talk for a bit?" added Penelope again.
Without hesitation, Donar's feet stepped closer and opened the door wide. "Of course, Penelope, come in."
Penelope sat on the sofa and kept the bag of food on the table. Donar and Alicia sat together. Nadine, Gilmore, and Leith peeked from the dining room.
"Actually, I just came from the magical authority's office. They asked me to go there for questioning regarding the incident that happened to you. I am not here on behalf of House Crimsonmane. I'm here on my own, wanting to express regret for the disgraceful deed committed by the extended family. We've been overreacting since that night—"
Alicia, just staring at her thighs covered in silky nylon, muttered, "You are indeed overreacting." Not a single glance she wanted to cast at his aunt.
"I understand. If you want to know, not all relatives really hate you that much. I personally feel sorry for your situation, but Alasdair has strict rules regarding interacting with the ostracized. At least until now, when some of us did things that unexpected …."
Penelope added, "But you have my support, Alicia! They've gone too far this time. It doesn't matter if they're our family, they must be dealt with in the fairest way possible!"
The aunt's passionate support could not match the awkwardness that swirled in the living room air. Alicia could not stand her supportive attitude. Truth be told, Penelope rarely cornered her like a sewer rat, unlike the other relatives. Alicia seldom even saw her because Penelope herself often travelled back and forth from Camelot—the home of her husband and daughter-in-law—to the hometown of Kapiqaq on the Mu continent—work affairs, she used to tell. The work that Alicia did not know about either. That being said, it did not diminish the fact that overall the house's treatment had made an imprint on her. She viewed all other than her father, mother, and brother as criminals and a conspiracy of hypocrites.
"I'm just expressing my concern. You don't have to push yourself, Alicia. Thanks for taking the time. I'll find my way out myself." Penelope said goodbye and left. The conversation was brief, but uncomfortable at the same time.
Not long after, there was another knock on the door. This time it was visited by a sound that soothed the body and soul. "Hello, the Honourable Grand Magus here."
Alicia immediately ran and opened the door. It was neither a trap nor a prank. Indeed, before her was the wizard in a fedora hat and his trademark dark blue attire.
"Thank goodness you came," said Alicia.
"I saw a woman just walked out the door, your relative?"
Alicia nodded slowly. "But she didn't mean to do anything. Just brought a bag of food and an apology."
"A bag of food?" Haddock saw a white cloth bag standing on the table. "Are you going to eat that?"
Alicia shook her head.
"Maybe we should burn it. What do you think, Lord Donar?"
Donar casually took the bag and handed it to Haddock. "It's frustrating to receive something from our family only to be obliterated. But at this point, I don't trust anyone at all."
"A wise choice. Then, Alicia, are you ready?"
"Are we really not allowed to come?" Gilmore seemed to be very worried if Alicia going alone.
Leith also supported Gilmore. "Agreed. What if something happens again?"
"Hey, when I say 'we', I mean Nadine and me. Not including you, kid."
"What the …."
The conversation ended in a feud, Gilmore and Leith almost throwing fists when Nadine tried hard to break them up. Alicia smiled slightly at those childish boys. Hopefully, this would not be the last time she had seen that familial scene, for in her stormy mind there was a feeling that she would leave them, if not forever, for a long time. All because of the prophecy of the chosen child who was heralded to save the world.
"Sorry, kids. I'd like to have a family picnic trip to Vanir, but Vanir's entry procedures are strict. You, who are not authorized are not allowed in, even if your only need is a vacation. So leave her to me and the mages of the Magisterium. We will take good care of her."
Alicia whispered to her father, "Papa, can we talk alone for a moment?"
Donar agreed to the girl's request. Straightaway, the two of them entered Alicia's room. The room was empty, with dim light from the curtains she did not open at all. Now that they could speak face to face, Alicia let out a groan.
"You didnae talk to me much this morning. Are you angry with me?"
Such words pierced his heart. Of course, Alicia could read her father's gestures.
"Alicia. I have no reason to be angry with you."
"I troubled you when I was little. I troubled you even more when I am finally endowed with magical power. And now, I must leave you. Surely, you have a lot of discontent in your mind!"
"Dinnae talk like that, hen!" rebuked Donar. "Those times have passed. I couldnae prevent or manage everything." Donar sighed, then continued, "I'm not ready to wish you farewell, hen. I wish I could spend more time with you. I'm always worried about you. When you were captured, when you were hunted, when you were about to die, and now you're leaving me. But how could I blame it all on you? Because I have to be honest, rarely being with you makes me feel like I barely recognize my own daughter."
Alicia immediately hugged her father in emotion. "I hope you don't talk like that again. You know me well. I understand the situation, and I love you."
"And I understand the situation too, my daughter. I just don't want you to go that far so quickly. I can't imagine the harshness of the world outside Caledonia, outside Camelot." He wiped the tears that flowed down the girl's cheeks. "But if the Silent Divine has big plans for my daughter, then it is already a role of a father to do his job."
"I'll make time to visit you and Leith!"
"We will wait."
Beautiful music aired in Alicia's private room. They turned to the table beside the bed, where Orb was.
"O-Orb! Y-you saw everything?"
Orb squeaked with joy, breaking the heartwarming atmosphere of the moment. Both of them became absurdly embarrassed, indicated by their own unique behavior.
"Okay, it's over. Bring your Orb, go now," said Donar, blushing.
They finally came out with a new friend, Orb. Alicia got ready, took her suitcase, and said goodbye to the others.
"All right, pals. Thanks for accompanying me this far. I think it's also a good time for you to return to Trinketshore."
Nadine hugged Alicia and said, "Don't forget to bring news, okay? And I hope the Celestial Monks will give you permission to play your portable console in your spare time!"
Alicia laughed at the last sentence. "I really doubt that."
Unlike Gilmore, who was saddened by the loss of his best friend, he wrapped his arms around the two girls, then hugged them as he lifted them up. "Alicia! You have to be strong! Just like me! But if anything, send a message to me by whatever means, and I'll be right there! No matter the depth of the ocean and the vastness of the earth!"
"G-Gilmore, awright, awright! As long as you d-don't squeeze us!"
Gilmore went too far again. He lowered them back to the floor. Alicia approached her big friend while seeing the look on his face, which was in contrast to the strong nature he mentioned earlier. "I thought the strong ones don't cry?"
"I-I'm not crying, really!" a trembling voice and teary eyes indicated otherwise. The tears could not be held back forever, especially when Alicia hugged Gilmore again in private.
"Naw, just cry. I hope you and Nadine can become knights soon. Who knows? We can serve together again."
"I'll do it, Alicia. I'll do it. Take care of yourself, hen. I hope you don't die before that time comes."
"Aye, of course not, ye eejit."
The last person he had to say goodbye to, her own brother. Leith was probably the toughest of them all. Still, the look in his eyes was utterly ominous, as if he asked for a square go. Alicia knew her brother. She knew that he did not mean it that way.
"The Eternal Empire has beautiful places, unlike Trinketshore," Leith said. "Don't bother to come back here. Papa and I can go there and take you on vacation at the same time. I hope you don't act a hick. I hope you're not stupid. I hope you listen to what the monks instruct you."
"I want to be a mage, Leith, not a monk. Following your orders in Roma will bore me to death. Breaking rules once or twice should be fine," Alicia replied.
"Roman tantrums are scarier than mine."
"Is that so? I want to test it."
Smiles crossed the faces of the two siblings. They did not hug. Just a flat and less warm conversation. Maybe so as not to hurt Leith's injured chest. But they did express intimacy in different ways. That did not lessen Alicia's affection for Leith and the other way around. In fact, this was how they expressed it.
"Wait, Alicia. You're forgetting something." Nadine went to her room and came back with something. A fold of cloth. A protective magic cloak given by Ailsa, Alicia's mother.
"Just in case," said Nadine.
Alicia's eyes shone as she touched then picked up the crimson robe. Her robes which had been dirty and dingy from the ruins of the mausoleum, were now fiery clean.
"Nadine! I almost forgot this existed. Thank you so much!"
Alicia put on the robe. Her mother's protection was with the girl. Alicia felt safe now. Then she approached Haddock. "I'm ready, Grand Magus."
"Then there's no need to linger. First stop, Vanir!" []