That one night, Apophis was fast asleep after dinner; he had a bad dream.
The sound of his own footsteps running aimlessly forward in the dark. There was not even the slightest bit of light visible in front of him. Everywhere he looked, he fought nothing but emptiness.
"Why did I have to dream something like this? There seems to be some kind of bad feeling.," Apophis said curiously.
The sound of violent magic clashing with each other could be heard not too far from where he was standing. Apophis immediately ran to that sound, from darkness until it began to appear more and more clearly to see someone in front of him.
A female swordsman was fighting fiercely with another guy. The sound of swords and iron claws colliding with each other caused a loud sound that reverberated throughout the area. After a few attacks, the woman was clearly at a disadvantage. Her body began to have severe wounds from opponent's claws that had been clawed until blood flowed out non-stop.
"Who exactly are they? Let's look at them closer." Apophis said.
The sound of claws cutting the woman's wrist caused blood to gush out non-stop.
*Scream* Her shout of pain felt familiar, like someone that Apophis knew before.
"Mariel!" Apophis shouted in shock after seeing the woman's face clearly.
The sound of claws slamming into Mariel's chest caused blood to spurt out. Her body trembled in pain, and she slowly fell to the ground. Her breathing was only a light and slow inhalation. She was dying soon.
"No, no! Mariel! Wake up!" Apophis shouted.
Apophis woke up and his body was covered in sweat. A nightmare dream remained in his mind all the time. Was it a dream or a reality that will happen in the future?
On the bright morning dawn, Mariel wakes up with a refreshed body and energized because she slept well throughout the night.
"I slept well." Mariel said, stretching her body before getting ready to take a shower and get ready for breakfast like every day.
Two months have passed and today the exam results will be sent to her home.
Everyone was waiting with such excitement that they could barely do anything. Mariel felt that each minute passed very slowly. When will the letter be delivered? She really wants to know the results of the exam to get into the number 1st high school of magic. Will she meet Beatrix again? Many questions keep popping into her head.
"The letter has arrived." the voice of the postman with a bag full of letters shouted and Mariel's letter was carefully sealed.
"Thank you very much." Marielle responded, taking the letter into the house, so excited to open it.
"Let's open it, my dear." Claudia said, also excited as well.
Marielle slowly unwrapped the letter. She also took out the paper inside and looked at it with a hand that was shaking almost uncontrollably. Her irregular heartbeat was a sign of excitement for what she was about to see. She slowly unfolded the paper and read it slowly to Deric and Claudia at the same time.
"To Miss Mariel De Stella.
Congratulations very much. You have been selected to study at the Terios of Wizard: High School of Magic, you are 9th out of 500 students selected. Please come and register to the school next week, date x, month xx, year xxx.
Sign
Capital City Leader Lagos
"Dad! Mom! I did it!!!" Mariel shouted with happiness. Deric and Claudia couldn't hold back their tears and embraced their daughters with the utmost emotion.
"I will immediately send the good news to Segal. We will celebrate tonight together." Deric said, whistling in a good mood.
"I'll cook you all favorite foods you like." Claudia said with a smile on her face.
"Thank you, Mom." Mariel responded with a smile.
Mariel walked up to the bedroom, relieved. Her first goal was successfully completed. She attended the number 1st high school of magic and was a pride not only for her but for her parents as well.
Wink!!!
When Mariel opened the bedroom door, she found an old necklace that was secretly kept in that box. It was shining out a black light.
"What happened? Lord Apophis!" Mariel was curious and immediately picked up the necklace and put it around her neck.
Suddenly, a shout sounded in Mariel's ears. His voice was very impatient and wanted to say something.
"Come to see me quickly!" Apophis' voice sounded in Mariel's ears.
"I will be there soon." Mariel quickly answered in a daze.
She tried to act like normal, slowly walked down the second floor until she passed the living room where Deric and Claudia were talking about buying school supplies and Mariel's new school uniform.
"Dad! Mom! Please let me go ride a horse and get some fresh air around here. It won't be long." Mariel said pleadingly.
"Sure! My dear. Please come back before lunchtime. In the afternoon we can talk about other details of your school." Claudia said.
"Don't go too far, Mariel." Deric said.
"Yes! Dad." Mariel replied.
Mariel rode her horse: Unicorn through the deep forest until she arrived in front of the cave where Apophis was hiding inside. After dismounting, she walked near to the cave and used the necklace she had brought with her to make a symbol in front of it. Then there was a way that allowed Mariel to go inside.
"Hello, Mariel." Apophis, standing tall in the middle of the main hall, greeted her.
"Hello, Lord Apophis." Mariel said, kneeling and bowing.
Mariel told Apophis that she had successfully passed the entrance exam for the Terios of Wizard: High School of Magic, and that she might have less time to see Apophis because she had to stay in the dormitory inside there and focused on studying hard from now on.
"I used to study here as well. We're both smart. Lol." Apophis said and laughed.
"Lord Apophis studied there too!" Mariel was stunned to be attending the same high school of magic that Apophis had attended before.
"Alright, let's get to the point. I will ask you one thing." Apophis said with a serious expression.
"Sure." Mariel replied.
"Can you promise to be loyal to me forever? There is something I might have to bother you with after you enter the school, but I assure you that I will not cause you any trouble." Apophis asked.
"I pledge to be forever loyal to Lord Apophis." Mariel thought for a moment and said with confidence.
"Good! Thank you for your loyalty. I have something for you." Apophis said, pulling out a small red box from inside his robes and had shown it to her.
When he opened the box, it was a small round object, only about an inch in diameter. It was pure and clear, and it had bird wing-shaped carvings dotted on it.
"It is very beautiful." Mariel said after seeing this item.
"This is the Heavenly Life Fruit, it was from the Heavenly Tree at the edge of this world, within 100 years and only one fruit would come out. It is sought after by many people and dark wizards." Apophis explained.
"So, did you want me to take it or do something?" Mariel asked, curious that Apophis suddenly brought out this priceless item to her.
"I want you to swallow it." Apophis said.
"Why? This item is very important to you. How difficult was it for you to get it?" Mariel asked.
"For me, it has no value now. But for you, it will be the most important thing in the future because the properties of this result will allow you to rise from the dead once more." Apophis said.
"I felt very distressed to accept this." Mariel said, feeling uncomfortable.
"It's okay, just accept it." Apophis said as he used his own power to cause the Heavenly Life Fruit to slowly float out of the small red box. Then slowly floated towards Mariel.
Mariel held out both hands to receive this fruit, feeling distressed. Contemplate in her heart whether she was truly worthy of something this valuable. But if Apophis decides to give it, she should accept it willingly.
*Gulp* Mariel slowly swallowed the Heavenly Life Fruit into her stomach. A warm feeling spread throughout her body until she felt comfortable. It was like floating to heaven. This Heavenly Life Fruit seemed to gradually disappear and transform into some kind of energy that covered Qi energy lines throughout her own body.
"I feel very warm and comfortable." Mariel said with a smile.
"That's Good. From now on, be careful. There are many dangers in the world outside. When you decide to do something, think about it carefully and don't use your emotions to make decisions because danger can come to you. Be always conscious." Apophis reminded.
"And during that time of you studied, attached this small brooch as well. You could put it on the inside of your shirt and didn't let anyone notice." Apophis said as he handed Mariel a small brooch, about one centimeter in size, which was in the shape of a small black snake.
"If you need to contact me directly, just hold the seal and use your magic to communicate to me and that's all. It's convenient for us, Lol." Apophis explained and laughed.
"Thank you very much, Lord Apophis. For being kind to me." Mariel said.
"It's okay, I just have a feeling with you like we hit it off." Apophis said, not knowing that Apophis had the ability to sense future threats. He can also see each person's past. The first time they met was in the cave when Mariel came with Segal. Apophis saw the past life of Mariel, who was an orphan child, and Segal, who was alone after losing both his parents and younger sister. Apophis had been an orphan since childhood too. We've been through many good and bad stories, including countless hopes and disappointments. Mariel's kind and generous heart made Apophis feel loved and wanted to help her to reach her ultimate goal in life.
After that, they talked about many other things until it was time to go home. So, Mariel said farewell to Apophis and hurriedly rode her horse back to the house, acting normally so as not to arouse anyone's suspicions.
Deric and Claudia discuss details with Mariel on many things, while Segal requesting to accompany them on the day of registration.
"After registering and finishing your information, I'm going to take you to buy a new sword. This time, we will buy it for you as a big reward." Deric said with a smile.
"Thank you very much, Dad." Mariel responded with a smile.
A few days later, Segal arrived at Mariel's house early in the morning. Everyone finished their breakfast, finished their daily routine, and traveled to the capital city together. They went to the previous exam location and waited in line to register for classes while the staff stayed at the waiting table in front of them.
After submitting registration for study, Deric paid Mariel's first year's tuition and dormitory fees, totaling around 10,000 gold coins.
"It's very expensive, Dad." Mariel immediately felt guilty because this was a huge sum of tuition for only the first year, which still had two years left until graduation. Her parents had to spend more than 30,000 gold for all.
"Don't worry. We saved money for your studying from the beginning." Deric said.
"They also have a part-time job for hiring students to work after school class every day. You can earn extra income for your personal expenses but focus on your studies too." Claudia said.
"Yes. I will earn extra money for my personal expenses while trying to disturb your money as little as possible and also study hard as well." Mariel promised.
"If you need any help, please contact me. In case I can give you some." Segal offered.
"Then I'll ask you with 100 gold a month." Mariel said with a smile.
"I probably don't have any money left to eat." Segal's face turned pale.
Everyone laughed with joy, then they all left the registration tables and took the bus to the same most famous sword shop that they had arrived at last time.
"I will go buy various ingredients for cooking. Once all of you're done buying swords, then we will meet and go to buy new magic school uniforms and school supplies for our daughter." Claudia said.
"Ok." Deric replied, immediately leading Mariel and Segal into the sword shop. As for Claudia, she went to buy things at the market again.
"I have about 5000 gold for you. Please choose a sword that is worth this price and is suitable for you, Mariel." Derik said.
As Mariel and Segal walked around selecting various swords. Deric stood and talked with the owner's shop son, Sikis, who was the seventh generation to inherit this sword shop. As for the elderly father, he was the 6th generation and stood in the waiting room inside the shop while introducing customers about detail.
Mariel picked up several swords and tried swinging them, but she still didn't like it. Segal also helped to select swords for her, but they didn't seem to find what she needed.
"Many swords are too heavy. Some of them are lightweight but these unable to do enough damage when you used." Segal said, shaking his head slightly.
"That's the point. I still can't decide which sword is the best for me. When it comes to having my real sword, it's really hard to find the right one." Mariel moaned softly.
Meanwhile, Segal was walking towards Deric and Sikis to ask for more advice about the other swords. Mariel seemed to sense something.
*Wink* "We meet again." A voice echoed in Mariel's ears, causing her to turn to look at where that voice came from.
On the shelf at the top of this shop. It appeared to be a sword covered with an old cloth and clear glass covering it. Even though it wasn't very clear, it could be seen that it was one of the most famous swords.
Mariel stared at the old sword and seemed to have a reflex. The sword radiated a golden light mixed with red. Many people in the store turned to look and gossiped about the miracle that had happened.
Deric, Segal and Sikis were shocked to suddenly see this golden red light for the first time. Especially Sikis, the sword shop owner's son stood trembling, unable to believe that he was witnessing what was happening in front of him.
Mariel slowly revealed a smile and turned her head to look at Deric, Segal and Sikis whose were still standing there stunned.
"Dad, I think I have found the sword that is most suitable for me." Mariel said, pointing up at the shelf where the old sword was shining.
Sikis' father, a sixth-generation owner, emerged from the door of the waiting room inside with two other customers chatting. Everyone was also shocked by what had happened.
"Finally, the second-generation owner of the Dragon Slayer Sword after Victor has appeared." the sixth-generation shop owner said with a smile.