It hurts when I move my arm. It hurts even more as I opened them up and the tailors were taking my measurements. My aunt, the queen was finally convinced by my progress in training that she immediately had me fitted for a new dress.
“Please. Don’t make the dress heavy and puffy.” I told the tailors.
“As you wish, Princess.” The head designer, Gary nodded.
“We’re done.” One of his assistants said and they helped me put on my shirt. My sore muscles screamed in pain with every movement that I have to gasp in relief when it was over.
“Thanks, everyone.” I told them as I headed for the door. “Custard, Viex, let’s go.” I called as I opened the door for them. Immediately, they ran for the door, happy that they were no longer fawned over by the rest of Gary’s assistants.
“It was a pleasure your highness, please look forward to your dress.”
I smiled at them one last time before grabbing my weapon and headed for the training area that sir Terrence has set up for us. As usual, the princes were already there. Ace and Nate were doing their warm-up seriously while Ren was hanging upside down on a tree and starring blankly into space. But hey, at least he was half doing something. I guess.
Nate and Ace were busily sparing and Ren only did one pull up when he saw me. “Hello, princess goddess!” He teased like a drunk idiot. “How’s it going?”
I sighed tiredly and leaned against the tree. “Just finished getting measured for a dress. What about you guys? What are you going to wear?”
Ren, still hanging upside down, paused. “We get ours delivered here from our home. Final fitting and adjustments will be held here.” Custard was looking up at Ren’s hair and decided to jump on his face. Ren let out a grunt as he fell with Custard still at his face. He took Custard away from his face. The little wolf wagged its tail as soon as they were face to face.
“Custard says that he thought you were dead so he decided to wake you up.” I translated for him.
“Hey, little guy.” Ren says. “I’m just tired. In fact, I think we all are. It has been a while since I felt sore muscles after training.” Ren sighed. “Sir Terrence is a good and strict teacher, that’s for sure.”
In an instant, Nate was in front of us with a proud look on his face. “I know right? My father is a knight.” Then his face darted towards me smugly. “A vampire knight. WOAH-!” Nate jumped as he narrowly dodged Ace’s swing.
“If you have the time to act proud, why don’t you practice more so you can live up to his name?” Ace questioned him before he charged again. Nate parried his blow with his own sword.
I saw Ren looking at me. He was playing with Custard on his lap while Viex decided to perch on my shoulder. “Are you okay? You don’t look so good.”
“If you’re muscles are sore just imagine what it feels like for someone who never does train.”
“Right.” Ren chuckled.
“What is wrong with the princess?” As soon as we heard Terrence, we immediately formed a line to greet him. Terrence nodded at us in acknowledgment before turning his attention back at me. “Princess, may I?” He asked. I nodded in response. Terrence held my hand and slightly pinched my biceps. I yelped in pain. “Right. I think you have enough physical training for the week.”
“Really?” Hope flashed in my eyes as I immediately planned my schedule for the whole day. To roll on my bed and sleep. Then murder anyone who tries to wake me.
“Yes. And no. I did say enough physical training for the weak. I never said that we wouldn’t start training on your magic.” He says before looking at Nate. “Prince Ace, may you assist me in teaching her? As a vampire, I do not know how to control or manipulate magic.”
“Very well.” Ace agreed and sheathed his weapon.
“Excellent. Come along then, princess, and bring your familiars with you.” Terrence turned his back from us as he headed for a vacant space. Ace and I exchanged glances. I raised an eyebrow at him and he followed.
“How come you agree?”
“What?”
“I mean, what benefit would you get by helping me with my magic?”
Ace paused before looking back at me. “I have to admit. Although you are an accidental prone idiot, you do have a gift when it comes to magic. It would be a waste if you wouldn’t use it.” I gasped and placed a hand over my mouth in shock. “What?” He asked.
“I can’t believe you’re saying that. I mean, a while back you tried to erase your magic.”
His brow drew together into a frown. “So what? Everyone makes mistakes.” I gasped again. This time, it was louder. “Will you stop acting surprise to everything!?”
“Ace-”
“PRINCE!”
“What the hell did Serena fed you that you have become slightly docile?”
“So you want me to be hostile is that it?” He narrowed his gaze at me dangerously that I choked on my breath.
A choking laugh erupted from my throat. “I was just joking! Don’t be such a-” I tried hitting his shoulder lightly in nervousness but he was able to catch it.
“Stop wasting time. Sir Terrence is waiting!” He snapped and started pulling my hand as we continued to follow sir Terrence towards an open field a few distances from where Ren and Nate were sparing.
“This place should be good.” Terrence observed before looking back at us. “Princess, please sit.”
As per his instructions, I sat on the grassy lawn and crossed my legs. Immediately, Custard and Viex were on my lap while staring expectantly at Terrence. The knight simply laughed at both of them. “You two, come here. You do not want to crush your master when you morph.”
“So...we’re going to train on how to morph them? But I already know how to do it.” I said.
“Can you do it simultaneously?”
“I did before.” I confirmed.
“Show me.” He ordered.
I took in a deep breath and began to focus my energy on my familiars. At that moment, Ace reaction and it looked like he was about to stop me until Terrence blocked him with his hand. “Let her try first.”
I pushed back the uneasy feeling that settled within me as I tried to focus again. I saw Viex beginning to morph, but I was having trouble giving enough magic to Custard. I felt my head throbbing as I focused harder. Custard looked back at me worriedly. With a grunt, I pushed enough energy unto the both of them. It was a success. They managed to morph into their true forms. I smiled at first until I suddenly began to feel sick and fell back. I saw Custard and Viex returning back to their smaller forms as I did. Ace pushed past Terrence and was immediately supporting me just before I fell back.
“I knew this would happen.” Ace muttered as he directed those words at Terrence.
“She has to learn on her own. Otherwise, she wouldn’t take this seriously.” Terrence said before his gaze fell on my wrist. “Princess, have you always worn that bracelet?”
I followed his gaze until I saw that he was looking at the leather bracelet on my wrist. I raised it in the air until it was on the same eye level as me. “I guess? I have worn it after the expedition back in Vertez. Back when I was drained of my magic.”
“I see. It makes sense.” Terrence place a hand on his chin and studied it more. “This is a magical item that stores extra magic. Running low on magic is actually dangerous and could be life-threatening. This item would pump some magic back into your body when it detects that your magic is dangerously low. Most tamer knights and warriors have these. Where did you get it?”
“I just woke up and this was suddenly on my wrist.”
Terrence’s gaze went to the two princes sparing behind me and then to Ace. Terrence sighed. “Any one of them could have given you that.” He muttered to himself. “Well, it doesn’t matter. All we need to focus on right now is how you should be controlling your magic. Prince Ace?”
“You were trying to use too much. The amount of magic that you were pushing was completely out of control. That may have work before when you only have one familiar, but now you have two. You need to learn how to balance distributing it. But from what I have observed, your wolf need more magic than the fox.” He says and looked at Custard, who seemed ashamed as he lowered his head and ears to the ground.
‘I’m sorry, Master. It would seem like the half-demon transformation is requiring a lot. It’s all my fault.’
“Don’t worry.” I told him as Ace gently helped me back into a sitting position. “It just means that you are stronger now if you require that much magic. Don’t worry too much because I will be able to figure it out.” Then, I looked up at Ace. Unsure about the promise that I made to Custard. “Right?” I asked him doubtfully since he has a better idea about it when it comes to magic.
I couldn’t help but feel relieved when I saw Ace nodded in agreement. “Right. All you need is practice.” He sat on the ground just beside me and opened his palm out. “Give me your hand.” He ordered me.
“Why?”
Ace grinded his teeth in annoyance. “Just give it!” He commanded and I immediately placed my hand on top of his. “I want you to try again. Reach out to them with your mind. I will be the one providing the magic this time.”
I raised a brow at him. “Can you even do that? I mean, is your magic compatible enough to allow them to morph?”
“Doesn’t have to be compatible. I just need to give you some of my magic. All you need to do now is focus on your familiar and allow the current of magic that I will pass on to you to flow to them. I want you to familiarize what I mean by controlling the flow. Whatever I give you, you give it on to them. I still do not know how much magic your wolf needs but we’ll figure it out. Understand?”
I nodded.
“Good. Now start focusing on them. I meant it. Your attention span is very weak. The moment that your mind begins to wander, I will hit you. Are we clear?”
“Very.” I nodded. “Crystal clear, boss.” I said and started to focus on my two familiars in front of me. Then I felt it. Ace’s magic was flowing in gently.
“Start opening up to them and allow me to give them magic.”
I pictured a pipe in my head. A pipe wide enough to allow a constant flow of magic towards them. Instantly, I saw the smooth transition and morphing from Viex. He grew flawlessly like how he did back when we were in that other realm. His six tails fluttered in the air majestically.
“I’ll transfer more to your wolf. Make sure that you remember the feeling.” He says. I nodded as I kept my focus on my familiars. I felt the increase in magic flow that I almost jerk my hand away. Thankfully, Ace was keeping a firm grip on my hand. I continued to focus and imagined a larger pipe intended for Custard.
Then it finally happened. Custard began to grow his horn and began to grow back into his gigantic form.
Although I was still keeping my focus, I could not help but marvel at the amount of magic that Ace has.
“Remember this flow. This is the constant amount that you should be giving them.”
“I remember.” I said and then looked at him. “But, Ace, isn’t this a lot of magic? How much magic do you have?”
“This is nothing. I believe that you can do it since you are also a royal. You just need to practice more to increase your limit.” Ace sighed and I felt the flow of magic finally coming to a stop. Viex and Custard returned to their smaller form instantly.
“Um…” I started to say.
“What?” Ace demanded with a raised brow. “Do you have a question?”
I said awkwardly and scratched the side of my cheek in embarrassment. How should I word it out? “Hand.” I said.
“What hand?”
I blushed and raised my other hand that he was still holding on to. Ace’s eyes widened and he immediately released his hold on my hand and got up. “What the hell are you doing holding onto my hand?!”
I gaped at him in surprise. “Excuse me!?” I demanded and got up on my feet as well. “You were the one who was holding onto my hand!”
“I wasn’t!”
“Yes, you were!”
“Stop holding my hand!”
I raised my hands up in the air in disbelief as I showed them to him. “Look! No one is holding anyone’s hand here! Are you blind!?”
Ace turned his back on me and glared. “I WOULD NEVER UNCONSCIOUSLY HOLD YOUR HAND!” I saw the tip of his ears turning red before he started marching in the other direction and left.
I crossed my arms and gritted my teeth at his retreating form. How dare he accuse me!? Only I can accuse people around here!
“Well.” Terrence finally spoke after a long time as we both watch the grumbling elf prince marching back towards the castle. “Princess, I think that concludes your magic training for the day.”