'What is the state of magic in this country?' Neirin recalled.
Neirin cut the bread with a knife and put it in her mouth. Since it was still warm and freshly baked, the bread melted, to her mouth effortlessly tasting the butter and milk.
The emperor was watching her every move as though he was tense. Was there something to be afraid of? Was he this sensitive?
Neirin has suspicions about the emperor. She doesn't have any memory from her previous life associated with the royal family, so now, this was new, somewhat skeptical, and distrustful.
She needed to calculate her actions without putting too much pressure on Vincent since she wanted that child to live a good life after she left.
Without putting much suspicion to her actions, Neirin smiled. "If I may ask, why are you opening this topic, your majesty?"
Emperor Gideon sighed. He leaned on the chair and casually cut the piece of meat he was given earlier. The servants who were with them earlier were now gone. From a different perspective, this looks like a private meeting over breakfast.
Neirin wasn't involved in any decision-making about the laws of this country, nor was she part of the congress of nobles that decided the laws. Therefore, she wondered why the emperor seemed to mind her reaction and opinion on this matter.
Neirin was getting more and more suspicious. She can't help but think that if something happens in the future, the blame might shift to her. That was a scenario she could not just ignore.
"You could say it's about time we push the developments of magic and research to a different level."
"What makes you think so, your majesty?" Neirin sipped her coffee. The sun started to illuminate the dining room through the windows.
The emperor's gaze deepened. "I received a proposal not long ago. It was perhaps a month ago."
"A proposal?" Neirin raised her brow, expressing her curiosity.
"That is correct. Yes." Emperor Gideon put down his utensils and clasped his hand together over the chair's armrest.
"Even though many scholars prioritized the revival of history back in ancient times, we needed to admit that in terms of research and magic, we are lacking in that aspect. We build the academy to utilize the remaining magic we have in the hope that those noble children studying there might be the future of our empire. We built different organizations to prioritize the magic technology invented long ago and put money into research and development. However, in my perspective as a ruler of this country, it is somewhat lacking."
"And what makes you think, your majesty, that the newly established organization for magic would change this outcome?"
"I am hopeful, yes." The emperor said in all honesty. His eyes seemed to be expressing his emotions very well as they glistened. "They have told me their goals and aspirations. It's nice to see men wanting to develop our country even more."
Neirin paused for a moment. 'Hopeful? Goals? Aspiration?' From what she knew, the emperor was someone who didn't speak about this. He was a greedy bastard. So, why all the fuss now?
"It's about a proposal meant to develop an association about the empire's mages. Their goal is to do various experiments to maintain magic in this world."
"Maintain magic?" this was another interesting subject. However, she can't understand why the emperor asked her opinion about this matter.
"Yes. I believe so."
Silence fell upon them. Neirin thoroughly contemplated the subject while the emperor waited patiently as he started eating again. The silence wasn't awkward. Well, it was good that the emperor asked her for breakfast to talk about this matter instead of tea.
Neirin began to think about the matter more seriously. The empire established only a few legal organizations to research the magic that existed in this world.
Those things that cannot be explained by science were considered magical.
According to history, back in the old days, magic was one of the foundations of the world. It was called the pillar of human existence as It was part of people's daily lives. They have evolved in a way that magic is like something they breathe. They cannot live without it.
That was why the scholars and some magicians who were doing their best to study more about magic discovered that it was slowly disappearing from the world. The empire called and established an organization that researched more about magic.
It was believed by scholars that magic back in ancient times was greater than what they have now. It was even believed that magic back then could create miracles that no one could ever explain.
However, according to scholars and researchers, the magic has been depleting. Although not many people believe it, it was even predicted that magic might not exist in the world in a few decades.
It was considered to be a national crisis.
Magic was considered to be the foundation of the creation of the world. It lives and continues to every living being in the world. According to some ancient history passed on to those who study academics and magic, it is believed that magic can be fused in the body and act as a source of power and strength for humans.
Some scholars even believe that with magic, one can transcend reality and the realm one lives in; however, there is no proof. It was just a theory.
Many magic theories have existed since the establishment of these legal organizations. And until now, they continue to study and improve the knowledge the humans have of magic to establish more power.
"Does your majesty believe that this establish organization would help the empire, especially the people around us?"
Neirin asked, lifting her head and looking at the emperor. Her gaze met the emperor's eyes. A heavy atmosphere falls upon them. The silence intensifies. The emperor heaved his breath as he answered, "Yes."
Neirin did not answer. Emperor continued. "I believe in that theory about the depletion of magic. Although there was still no concrete evidence, something inside me felt it, and it was getting stronger and stronger. Perhaps it is because I am the emperor of this empire. Perhaps it's a warning."
"If that's what his majesty thinks so." The emperor seemed to have made up his mind, so why was he asking her opinion? There was something wrong. Neirin continued, "However, may I ask what this organization's goal will be beside the betterment of magic? Would there be a plausible improvement?"
"they told me about the experiments they might conduct in the future. They have found a significant magic stone that seemed to contain infinite possibilities. They called it the world's essence. Their goal is to know more about it and incorporate it into the lives of us mortals."
Neirin nodded with a smile. She continued her breakfast. "If it's what his majesty believed, then all I can say is I am hopeful for the success of this organization. May I ask what will be the name of this organization?"
The emperor smiled. He looks enthusiastic as his nervousness disappears right after hearing Neirin's words. It added to one of Neirin's reasons not to trust his words even more.
"Association for the development of the empire's mage and magic."
--
After breakfast, Neirin walked in the hallway back to her room. She was still contemplating the talk she had with the emperor.
Even though how many times she ransacked her brain about the matter that the emperor had raised, there was nothing in her mind that seemed to recall similar happenings in the future. She doesn't trust her memories, but it leaves her with a specific basis for what will come in the future.
'This is getting more and more complicated,' Neirin complained.
In her mind, there were only two possible things that might happen. The association's permission wasn't granted, or there was an accident that caused it to disappear and never appear in her memories. Or perhaps, another was, she just doesn't remember.
Either way, Neirin needs to put everything for the sake of the future she wants.
Right, when she arrived at the door of her room, she pursed her lips, and it took her a great deal not to roll her eyes as she saw the crown prince leaning on one of the walls next to her door. She took a few steps to cover their distance.
The crown prince smiled at him as though he knew the reason why she was called early in the morning. Answering her suspicions, he said, "I don't trust the people that visited the emperor a few months ago."
"Well, good morning, your highness, the crown prince," Neirin said sarcastically as she couldn't even believe that the prince was the first thing she saw even before going back into her room.
Cassius laughed. He then walked passed her. "I'm just saying this for your own safety."
"Do not worry. I also don't trust any royals, as a matter of fact."
The crown prince scoffed as he grinned. "It's weird how I am even imagining working with you in the near future."
--