Chapter 30
The initially encouraging atmosphere grew heavy with seriousness.
Try as she might, the arrow refused to fly true. Finally, Jia lowered the bow in defeat.
“…Ethan, are there any… skills that utilize vital energy?”
“It is possible to project vital energy over a distance. However, it requires immense strength.”
Strength that Jia currently lacked. Despair settled over her.
“…What about magic?”
Julia’s question broke through Jia’s despondency. Catching her eye, Julia offered an encouraging smile.
“Believe it or not, I’m a renowned water mage at the Stella Academy. I can teach you magic.”
It was a welcome reprieve. Jia eagerly nodded.
“First, the basic theory is most important.”
Julia handed her a heavy, thick book borrowed from the library.
Fundamental Theories of Magic Manifestation
The sheer size of the book made Jia’s heart sink.
“All of this… from beginning to end?”
“Yes, you need to understand how magic manifests. The hunting festival is less than a month away, so you’ll need to finish this within two days. Since you possess vital energy, you should be able to grasp magic easily.”
Jia’s gaze remained fixed on the daunting tome. She cautiously opened it, revealing tiny print crammed onto the large pages. …Two days?
“I pray you will become His Majesty’s finest hawk at the hunting festival.”
Julia crossed her fists over her chest in a salute, mimicking the Valbersa Knights. Tristan and Ethan’s eyebrows shot up momentarily.
Jia murmured a quiet “yes” and sighed. …Even on Earth, studying was her worst nightmare. The irony of having to study in this world wasn’t lost on her.
***
She spent the entire day poring over the magic theory book. Much of it was incomprehensible, forcing her to constantly interrupt Julia with questions.
“There are five types of magic, correct?”
“Yes. Fire, water, earth, light, and darkness.”
“We can manifest magic using the ambient mana in the air or through mana stones. Why are there so many people who can’t use magic at all?”
“Some people are born without the ability to channel mana.”
She couldn’t get through a single chapter without asking questions. Without Julia, she would have been utterly lost. Jia tried to stay positive.
Engrossed in her studies, she was slow to react to the sound of the door opening. She quickly closed the book and scrambled to her feet.
“Yo-Your Majesty…”
The emperor walked straight to the book she’d been reading and flipped through it dismissively.
“This is a child’s primer.”
Suddenly, she felt like a grown woman diligently studying a children’s book. Jia lowered her head, clasping her hands together.
“Julia Distevan. Did you think my warning was a jest?”
Oh no. Jia rushed forward, trying to intercept the emperor as he advanced on Julia.
“Your Majesty, I invited her. I didn’t understand the book, so… I asked Julia, a mage, for help.”
“A mage in the Distevan family? Interesting.”
The emperor glanced at Julia, a smirk playing on his lips.
“Do you think your brother’s presence will save you?”
“…I apologize, Your Majesty. I will never set foot here again. Please forgive me.”
Julia dropped to her knees, prostrating herself in submission. The emperor lightly kicked her bowed head. Julia didn’t make a sound.
“Leave. If I see you here again, I will have your head.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Julia quickly fled the room. Jia stared at the closed door, devastated. This wasn’t what she’d intended when she asked for Julia’s help. Because of her, Julia had been reprimanded and humiliated. Guilt gnawed at her, making her lips tremble.
“…Your, Your Majesty. It’s my fault…”
“Yes, it is your fault. This is my bedchamber.”
He was right. Jia knelt, bracing herself for punishment. She deserved to be hurt, even if it meant blood. Mirroring Julia, she bowed her head low.
“I-I won’t do it again.”
“Distevan is the one who truly erred. She came here with an ulterior motive.”
Jia tensed, expecting a kick, but it never came.
She cautiously looked up, meeting the emperor’s gaze.
“Normally, both you and Distevan would be executed.”
The emperor’s eyes held a chilling indifference, the kind she had only seen when he was about to take a life. Usually, a spark of something ignited in his eyes only after blood was spilled. But now, even without violence, his eyes glittered with a strange fascination.
“But… I have other plans.”
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