Chapter 48: Choosing My Own Power

< Tera > sold all sorts of things. They even secretly sold rare plants that were otherwise banned from circulation until the authorities came to crack down. There was a plant called “Veloa,” as small as a pinky finger, said to be raised by fairies in fairy tales, and they also sold “Hepp,” which on its own was an unimpressive poison, but could become extremely toxic if mixed with other substances.

So… if I brought back a plant that grows well even in the wild, wouldn’t it be possible? Raising it without killing it…!

‘Maybe this time will be different!’

With a sudden idea, I stood up.

“Spirit…!”

I wasn’t certain, but still, it was a spirit…! That little flame bird had really appeared.

I looked down at my hand.

I didn’t feel the same energy as last time, but the memory of the flame bird made it seem vivid again. That hot yet warm sensation!

Could it be that the spirit influenced it? Maybe the fire spirit’s energy harmed the plant!

‘Let’s test it.’

There’s no need to keep being defensive. If I keep hesitating, I’ll just get dragged along the same way as before!

“At least… I’m not just a background prop anymore.”

When I went to the capital this time, I bought only good things with the knowledge I had from before my regression! The shop clerks were amazed, and so the attention that had only been focused on Cecilia now spread to me as well.

But that wasn’t enough. I needed a definite turning point.

If, by chance, I really had gained the ability to handle spirits—if I could use this power—then I would have my own trait. Spirit Arts were rare, so I wouldn’t have to worry about being compared to others!

My heart pounded rapidly. Just the thought was electrifying.

If I could make flames burst from both hands, everyone would go ooooh!

‘…….’

Even I thought that was childish!

I dropped my outstretched hands and shook my head, calming myself after my little solo performance.

“Where can I find Evan?”

We were supposed to have at least one or two classes together, but I didn’t plan to attend any more classes today. If I ran into Evan as often as Cecilia did, I could just go anywhere… Ah!

“I just need to find Cecilia!”

After pondering, I set off to find Cecilia, white anemone in hand.

*****

Cecilia, as a botany major, truly loved flowers and trees.

There were many gardens throughout the academy, but she usually went to either the Delium Garden, where most botany practice took place, or the largest white climbing rose garden. Thanks to the magical stream flowing under the beautiful white roses, the blooms were always lush and gorgeous. The fountain in the center was small for the size of the garden, but its statue was beautiful and tall.

I chose to take the long way around instead of the shortcut by the dormitory.

The weather was so nice, I wanted to walk. The air was chilly, but there was no wind, and with the bright sunlight, it wasn’t cold at all. As I walked lightly down the hill, I saw some students coming up.

They glanced at me and whispered among themselves. At first, I wondered if it was because of the anemone I was carrying, but their gazes lingered longer on my face and my hair ornament, not the bouquet.

‘Ah! I matched with Margareta today, didn’t I?’

So I’d really gone all out with the decorations!

I’d forgotten to take them off while I was deep in thought in the dorm.

“Hello.”

“Yes, yes. Hello, Lady Liana.”

“Hello.”

“Yes, nice to see you.”

“Pleased to meet you.”

As they passed, I greeted them with a relaxed pace, and, startled, they returned my greeting.

If I’d been facing them, I could have read their lips.

I decided not to care too much. It hadn’t been long since my riding accident, so I thought people would talk about me for a while.

Passing the athletic fields near the annex where most club activities and practicals took place, the white roses began to appear. After passing the vine-covered walls like a maze, the fountain came into view. Scattered tables hosted social gatherings. With so many nobles around, it felt more like a social club than an academy.

‘Let’s see, is Cecilia here?’

I felt some uncomfortable stares now and then.

The entrance to the white climbing rose garden was narrow, but the space around the fountain in the center opened up wide.

There was no one inside. With fewer trees, there was no shade, so this spot wasn’t popular at this time of day.

“Ahh, it’s warm….”

‘Is no one here?’

I let out a sigh and quietly sat in the garden.

‘It’s so peaceful.’

The noisy thoughts in my head calmed down. Sunlight breaking through the leaves and flowers was beautiful.

Shushushuk.

I sat blankly, forgetting my purpose for coming here, when I heard a sound from beyond the decorative wall.

I tilted my head and turned toward it….

“Hey.”

“Kyaa…!”

Someone tapped me on the shoulder.

Startled, I whipped my head around—and this time, a yelp came from the other side.

“Ugh.”

The one who got smacked by my hair as I turned was—

“Evan!”

It was Evan.

“…Your Highness?”

I belatedly added “Your Highness,” and he gave me a look of disbelief and laughed.

“You scare more easily than I thought. But at the academy, you should call me by name. Are you adding ‘Your Highness’ on purpose?”

Evan pretended to be strict, his cheeks a bit flushed.

‘Ah! I just slapped the Crown Prince in the face with my hair!’

“No… Um, are you okay?”

“Ah, it stings a bit.”

Evan rubbed his cheek with a grin.

“So, what are you doing sitting here?”

He bent down to look past the decorative wall I’d been staring at.

“Just…….”

“Feeling faint again?”

“No.”

“Hm.”

“Really, no!”

“Feeling down lately…?”

Huh? What’s he going on about now?

As I frowned, he waved his hand, saying it was nothing.

“Well, get up then. Someone might see.”

“…….”

Let them watch!

I refused Evan’s hand and stood up abruptly. Grass clung to my robe hem, so I brushed it off as Evan stared at me.

“You really hate accepting help.”

With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he furrowed his brows as if troubled.

“I’m developing independence.”

“Independence?”

“It’s a thing.”

Whew. That was a shock.

More importantly, where was Cecilia? As I checked the anemone to see if its petals were still intact, I glanced around.

“Who are you looking for?”

“Yes?”

“Who?”

“Cecilia.”

“Cecilia?”

“Where is she?”

We looked at each other in confusion for a moment.

“Did Cecilia step out for a bit?”

“…Ha.”

Evan gave a short laugh.

“Why are you looking for Cecilia from me?”

“What do you mean, why….”

“Why?”

Evan tilted his head, waiting for an answer.

His masculine eyes bore into me intently.

‘Because… you’re always stuck to Cecilia like glue!?’

“She’s not here?”

“Told you, she’s not. Did you come here looking for Cecilia?”

“Yes. Ah, so she’s not here. Then……”

I turned to leave, then stopped.

Wait! I came out here to find Evan, didn’t I?

I spun back around, and Evan was watching me leisurely.

Ahem. I felt a bit embarrassed for acting foolish… But achieving my goal was more important!

“Your Highness. I mean, Evan.”

“Yes.”

“You said we’d go see the professor in two days.”

“I did.”

‘Ah! I didn’t mean to interrogate you… And it hasn’t even been a full day yet!’

It feels like a week has passed.

“Which professor are we going to see?”

“That’s what you wanted to ask me?”

“…Yes.”

“You’re not very patient, are you?”

A quiet chuckle escaped him.

Not patient, you say! If I really lacked patience, I would’ve turned everything upside down before my regression! Or I would’ve come back and confronted you, grinding my teeth! Not that it would’ve made any difference.

Suppressing the surge of annoyance, I muttered inwardly.

‘I’m the one who needs this!’

“I’m just curious. Do I really have a talent for Spirit Arts?”

“You saw it in the infirmary. What could be more certain than that?”

“It was just a moment….”

Evan looked at me in silence. His eyes, shining brighter in the sunlight, seemed to be trying to figure something out as he led me away for a stroll. The sound of our footsteps on the grass quietly filled the silence.

“It’s certain.”

‘Really? Is it really certain!?’

I held back my urge to ask again and again.

Fine, if he says it’s certain, then it must be. I saw it, too.

“What are you curious about?”

“…….”

“Didn’t you come here because you had questions?”

Evan smiled and sat at an empty table. With a wave of his hand, a staff member came by and served us tea and coffee.

“Sugar cubes, too.”

“Yes.”

“You usually put in three, right?”

“Huh?”

“Or not?”

“That’s right.”

He’s right, but… why do you remember that?

No. Stop overthinking. Focus on the goal! Just talk about the spirits!

Anyway, what I saw back then wasn’t a dream! I’ll just ask everything, comfortably.

Stirring the sugar into my tea brought by the staff, I calmed my restless mind. I resolved not to let myself be swayed by every little action or assign it meaning.

Clink. I set down my teacup a bit loudly on purpose, and Evan looked at me. His face wore a mischievous smile, but his gaze was sharp. As if he intended to dissect every word and purpose behind my questions.

Of course. Kindness is just a front. As the Crown Prince, he must have something on his mind.

I also smiled lightly and spoke.

“I have a few questions.”

Evan nodded as if to say, go ahead.

“Which professor will I be learning from… and how much can I learn from them?”

“And?”

“And… the effect of a fire spirit on plants.”

My last words trembled just a bit.