Some time has passed since she received Ramiro. She has made sure to take the little bird everywhere even to class but had to make sure that he is put in a one way, soundproof cage so everyone could only see a black cage-shaped container and not the bird.
Because of Leon and Rufus's prank, Amy agreed to train with everyone more often especially since they are now living together though that puts a damper on her schedule.
Amy's popularity with the students has skyrocketed in the academy along with Melissa who healed everyone. It wasn't her intention but other than Selim, she is getting so much attention from students from the other teams. She has gotten along with the other students and despite not much interaction with them, she has gotten to know some names and can recognize which person's team is by sight.
As for her circle, she successfully learn how to manipulate its size and power. Even a small circle will be more than enough to teleport no matter the size, mass or volume. Most importantly, it is undetectable. She used her manga knowledge of a forgotten rune from the Cambion to evade any magic. That is one of the runes in Hecate. This is normally impossible but she didn't spend her whole life doing nothing and furthermore, she is a fast learner.
No, the hard part is the ink. Amy has tried to make the ink but she can't create it with what she has even with the academy potion storage. Then it occurred to her that none of the ingredients are rare or powerful enough. She needs something more exotic and rare to make it. Aron created the teleporting function offscreen so the process is not shown. Everyone just assumed it just happened. She had to read and figure out herself that it has something to with adding something in the circle. She puts Hecate's rune and while the possibility was open, she didn't think it would work. She groaned at the thought and found out what she needed. She needs ingredients from powerful magical creatures with both the magic and the ability.
There are two methods and it requires capturing said creatures.
One, she can go to a forest and lure a unicorn but the issue is to get it, much less find it and get it to cooperate in the ritual long enough for the circle to absorb some of its powers. Aron met a unicorn by chance in the story though nothing happened. Its appearance is symbolic in the story as Aron has only seen it twice. Spotting a Unicorn is impossible as they are mystical even in this world. If she spots one, Amy could kill it if she could but she doesn't really want to. Killing a unicorn will taint her soul far worse than Rufus as it is one of the few creatures he cannot bring himself to kill either. She can purify the corruption but she would not be the same again. Besides, it is innocent. She cannot bring herself to harm it even if it will get her to her goals faster.
She then read a line in one of the books saying that Unicorn enthusiasts believes that spotting a unicorn will give you a lifetime of blessings.
Yeah, that's a load of bull. She slammed the book shut in frustration.
The universal legend about unicorns are that they are attracted to virgins and not just any virgin; pure hearted ones. Amy is a virgin but she is definitely not one with a pure heart because she has intentions to use the unicorn for a means to an end.
Two, she could go to the forest to where the fairies are. They are very fast and also have powers distinct from magic that humans have. They are extremely abundant in number but unlike the unicorn, she needs more than one fairy, not just a handful but multiple until their diluted blood fills up half a bucket and more ink. They are definitely not something that will taint the soul and Rufus had enslaved so many. And to catch a fairy is the reason how Rufus had so many. It is...
Amy chuckled in disbelief at the mere thought.
It is their attraction to handsome, virile men and they have absolutely no interest in women. The only handsome virile men she can think of right now is Rufus and possibly Leon and none of them are even grown men yet. There are other candidates, but they are neither grown men nor in the school.
"Dammit!" She groaned and buried her head in her notebook. That definitely puts a damper on her plans because she is only a first year. She wouldn't be able to leave to go search for a unicorn or fairies where she is right now.
So while searching for a solution, she heard little Ramiro peep at her. She looked at him with pure joy. People found it weird that she had a pet bird but it is not of the ordinary. Everyone brought their pets. The hellhounds have all followed Alina since she left so she never had any pets to keep and ordinary ones don't cut it. Ramiro grew very quickly. His feathers already came in and while it is still a juvenile, it won't be long until he reaches adulthood. Training him isn't hard either. Rufus has helped with that.
"Amaryllis!" Rufus approach her with a smile. "Leon says he wishes to train."
"Again?" Amy groaned. "Classes just ended an hour ago."
"He needs help with something." he says politely.
Amy packed everything and took Ramiro in her hand who is still chirping though is quite unhappy to see Rufus as the two kept walking.
For a brief moment, she saw Selim with a girl by his side.
*
"Again!" She yelled and Leon snapped his fingers but failed.
Amy felt like she might lose her cool. Her sharp look scares everyone in front of her. Amy has proven herself as a prodigy in magic and now everyone wants lessons. She could be studying something new instead of this.
She learned something over the years. Leon really sucks at magic if not his power. She knows that he doesn't use magic despite going to a magic school but doesn't know why he is this bad at it when he's much better at anything else. It took much effort on her end to make sure he can use magic to throw a javelin without making it explode but now she's got another problem; elemental magic.
She exhaled with frustration. Elemental magic is something she has already mastered even before enrolling in the academy. It took her five years to completely master it. Leon already knows wind magic and now he is learning fire.
"I keep telling you to direct your magic to your finger tips as small as you can and with a snap - " she snapped her fingers and showed them the flame. "You have fire." she finished.
Rufus snapped his fingers to show he has mastered fire. Leon on the other hand is struggling.
"I keep telling you that simply imagining it as fire won't work. You have to light your own fire like your body is a lighter and your fingers create the spark."
"Why are you teaching me fire first?" Leon asked. "I specifically ask you to teach me earth magic."
Amy sighed. "The same way you managed to master wind magic, Leon." she flatly answered. "Wind magic is simple because it doesn't require many rules to follow but you understand the limits of it. In other words, it suits your personality. Fire is the next best thing but requires you to learn control. Same with the other two. To master earth, you need to discipline yourself fully and be steady. And you clearly lack that."
Leon grumbled a comment.
Amy is the only one of the nobles close to Leon that mastered all four elemental magic. Even though Viola never used magic prior to getting a wand, she already knows basic water magic now. Leon mastered wind magic after some struggle but became proficient with it. He normally does all the things he did because of his power so she doesn't know why he is making this difficult for himself like this.
Come to think about it. Aron never mastered elemental magic. He is better with magic circles which can conjure elements but it is not the same as actually manipulating them.
"I'll help him." Nathaniel says to Amy. "I can see how frustrated you are with teaching him. I'll take care of the rest."
Amy nodded in response. "Alright, I trust you." she said and head off to train.
*
She began training with a sword at the training hall and applying her magic to it. One of the things she is struggling is using all of her magic simultaneously and in quick succession. Combining it to a different element is possible but using it all at the same time is difficult.
"I cannot understand why you work so hard sometimes."
Amy turned to look at Rufus who is carrying a sword. She can't help but be a bit nervous whenever she's alone with him. Though that rarely happens, on the rare times it does, she bit her lip and feel like she needs to be on her guard.
"You are skilled in magic, physical combat and academics. What is your goal?" He said and attacked first but she quickly blocked it.
Hell! He's strong! she frantically thought.
As they exchange blows, he keeps asking personal questions.
"I just want to be strong, travel the world and learn everything." She replied a bit louder than she'd intended.
"But you're a noble. You can do all that already."
"But I would have to depend on my family." She said, "I am also a woman. I may have powers but the moment I debut into society, I might be expected to marry and serve my future husband. I don't want a life like that. I prefer to live a free life. Don't you want that too?"
"You're gonna be a mage one day. You can choose not to marry."
"That doesn't make any difference," She argued. "Look back at our history. Many women studied magic but how many noblewomen in the world choose to become a mage? Many women with powers are spinsters and never marry but they remain as spinsters, why? They don't dare marry anyone who isn't a royal but also don't get themselves killed."
Rufus is quiet and seems to be in thought. "That sounds nice. There is one thing about my predicament. I am the only heir to the Marquis. I am expected to take that place. I don't have the luxury to think about that."
Amy stopped to look at him. She sees a tired look in his eyes. He is a boy with plenty of expectation towering over him. "I have a favor." she said.
He smiled as politely as he has always been.
"When the holidays come, can I visit the Valerian territory?" She says in a serious tone.
He laughed in response much to her confusion.
"Wait why?" he said still laughing.
"To catch fairies."
"Fairies?" he stopped and froze in place, his facade morphed into confusion. "Why fairies? They're not exactly fun to catch or edible."
"I need their blood and lots of it. Enough to fill up an entire jug."
He doesn't seem perturbed. "Oh," he exclaimed happily, "That's easy. I can ask someone back home to catch them and drain them of all their blood."
Unsettled, Amy stared at him. "I don't want them dead. I just need their blood."
"Nonsense. We kill our fairies in Valerian Territory. They are considered pests back home."
Dark
"But I need you to do something for me in return." He said.