The noon sunlight was cut into fragmented specks by the heavy carved window frames, falling silently.
The magical dust in the study slowly drifted, exuding a stillness as if just waking from a deep dream.
After the recent string of failures, the atmosphere in the study became especially silent.
Lorin looked at the row of top-grade magic stones on the table that had completely lost their luster and turned into waste. His throat felt dry, and he let out a long sigh.
Although it would be a lie to say he wasn’t sad about failing to awaken his magic power, fortunately his greatest strength was his mentality as stable as an old dog.
Lorin took a deep breath, silently comforting himself in his heart:
‘Lorin, cheer up, keep a good mentality. Alice is watching. If you look so dejected, you’ll worry her again.’
He stood up straight first, shrugged his shoulders, put on a deliberately relaxed smile, and was just about to open his mouth to laugh it off.
But when Lorin’s gaze secretly glanced to the side, Alice’s tightly knitted light cherry-colored eyebrows and her trembling little hands made his heart clench sharply.
Alice stared intently at the pile of magic stone residue on the table. She pinched her skirt, turned her head, and with reluctance, as if she had made a decision, looked at Lucia who was silently cleaning up the mess.
“Miss Lucia, may I ask, what is the core essence of this guidance method?”
“I use high-concentration external primordial origin to resonate and awaken the same attribute magic power hidden deep in the awakened’s meridians.” Lucia explained patiently.
Although she also regretted this failure, the girl’s movements remained elegant and composed as she lightly swept the discarded stones into her storage bag.
“Does that mean the stronger the guide’s affinity for a certain element and the purer their magic power, the easier it is to draw out his magic?” Alice pressed on, her words filled with a desperate stubbornness.
Lucia’s movements paused, and she let out a soft sigh.
“Theoretically, yes, Princess Alice. If someone with an Apex Species bloodline and extremely high elemental affinity were to guide, the effect would indeed be much better. Unfortunately, I am just an ordinary commoner’s daughter with mediocre bloodline, and I cannot do more for Young Master Lorin.”
Hearing this, Lorin waved his hands repeatedly, sweating profusely: “No, no, no, Miss Lucia, this is not your problem. It’s definitely my own problem…”
“I understand.”
The girl’s voice was very decisive, directly interrupting Lorin’s excuses and Lucia’s conversation. She stepped forward and pulled Lorin in front of her.
Her delicate round-toe leather shoes clicked with an extremely crisp sound.
“Your Highness?” Lucia tilted her head, a hint of surprise flashing in her golden eyes. Although she felt it probably wasn’t what she thought, she still spoke out to remind.
“This method of forced resonance, if the guidance fails, although it poses no harm to the awakened, may severely damage the guide’s own primordial origin…”
“That’s good! I will never let him get hurt!”
Alice seemed to have let go of her last concern. Her extremely warm hands, accompanied by the pleasant scent of iris, gently covered Lorin’s eyes.
As his vision fell into darkness, Lorin’s senses suddenly amplified. His nose was instantly enveloped by an extremely familiar, sun-warmed pure iris scent.
Immediately after, a soft, jade-like body directly pressed against his back. The moon-white and crimson interwoven feather robe rustled against Lorin’s shirt. Through the thin fabric, Lorin could feel the girl’s astonishing softness and beauty with extreme clarity.
Thump. Thump.
Each beat carried the girl’s youthful warmth.
“Alice! What are you doing…”
“Don’t move. Shut up.”
Alice’s cherry lips were almost pressed against his ear. The hot breath she exhaled made Lorin’s face burn red.
He obediently closed his eyelids.
In the deep darkness, the girl’s warmth and the sense of security she brought caused the images in the depths of Lorin’s memory to surge like a burst dam.
Ten years ago—
Royal Academy of the Papal State
In that garden full of irises,
“Why isn’t Princess Alice taking pictures with everyone?”
“Stay away from her. That’s the Cruel Princess. I heard she likes to roast people with fire when she’s unhappy. Who knows if she’ll suddenly go crazy.”
“Did you hear? Her tyrant grandfather was executed. What a retribution…”
“Keep your voice down! Although Princess Ailin is in charge now, the House of Aksia still holds the power.”
At that time, little Alice curled up alone in the shadows of intertwined vines. Her frail form bit her lips tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms. She tried to open her eyes, lifting her head, refusing to let the hot tears spill from her eyes.
She was clearly looking forward to it. She had never thrown a princess tantrum. She had even excitedly studied with her aunt last night how to take better photos…
Why did everyone treat her like this?
At that time, little Alice didn’t understand the origin of the malice around her at all.
“Ooh, ooh.”
Suddenly that big idiot named Lorin rushed out. The boy clawed and pounced at the crowd like a rampaging dragon, baring his teeth and making an extremely fierce face, forcefully scaring all those gossiping noble children away.
Then he slowly walked up to her and scratched his head apologetically.
“Um, Alice, can you take a photo with me? No one wants to take a photo with me. You know, standing alone makes me look like an idiot.”
Little Alice sniffled hard. She tried to lift her head, her voice still trembling with unsuppressed sobs.
“Hmph, no help for it. This princess will reluctantly grant your request!”
“You idiot Lorin! You’re standing too far forward. Your big face is going to fill the frame!”
“Three, two, one… cheese!”
Before the shutter clicked.
“Big idiot Lorin, will you always be with me?” The girl’s voice was very soft, her beautiful eyes showing cautious hope.
“Yeah!” The boy nodded firmly.
“Then this princess will go to the most powerful academy on the Sera Continent in the future, and become the most powerful Pope.”
“Then I’ll go with the princess! I’ll become the most powerful Grand Duke.”
“Good! Let’s pinky swear! If anyone breaks the promise…” The little girl extended her pinky finger. “That person will become the ugliest big stupid dragon!”
Click.
That scene became eternal in that sun-drenched afternoon.
“Don’t look back. Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”
Alice whispered softly against his ear. That warm phrase directly traversed the long ten years, pulling Lorin back to reality and in front of Alice.
Lucia stood still on the side. Her captivating golden eyes widened slightly as she watched the two tightly embracing. Her expression was somewhat dazed.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.