Chapter 145 - All About Magic

"Do you believe in reincarnation?" A young boy asked the young girl sitting beside him, not giving her a look as he spoke. He just stared at the night sky, the stars twinkling and shining brightly. Along with the stars was the bright full moon. The place was lit with a soft cool glow coming from the moon. The two young kids were sitting outside. They didn't care if it was cold or not, the surroundings were peaceful and the night sky was beautiful. They were only the ones awake during this hour.

"That question again? You already asked me that multiple times," The young girl responded and a sigh escaped from her lips. "Well, yeah. But do you believe it?" The young boy asked again, still not giving her a look. "I don't know. Isn't it where you get born again? I don't what to experience this kind of life again, I would rather be a ghost than to be reincarnated and experienced this kind of life again," The young girl replied to him and leaned back, her hand pressed against the cold ground as she leaned.

"Well, you are correct but at the same time not correct. It is true that you are going to be born again but you are not going to experience the same life that you have experienced before, that's just like you are going to the past to experience the same things again. But you will not remember your previous life," The young boy said and rested his chin on top of his arm that was being propped up by his knee. The girl beside him just hummed and didn't say anything.

"It would be wonderful if we meet again in our next life," The young boy said. "That would be impossible, aside from us not being able to remember our past lives, we would probably be enemies or something. We wouldn't recall any of our precious memories. You just said that earlier," The girl said and let out a sigh once again. The young boy beside her hummed before he responded, "That's what makes it more interesting and exciting," Was what he said.

"And…" The boy's next words were inaudible as he said it in a whisper. The girl didn't hear it properly, "What did you say? I didn't hear it, could you repeat it?" She asked him and looked at the person beside her, a confused look across her face. "I said, you look ugly and dumb," The boy just said and turned his head to look at the girl, showing her a mischievous grin.

"You must be hallucinating again," The girl replied. "Oh, you look like a flower," The boy said and let out a soft chuckle while the girl just let out a sigh. "Let's go back inside before your hallucinations worsen, I don't want you running around here thinking that you are being chased by an elephant, monkey, or something," The girl said and stood up, pulling the boy along with her before she dragged him inside.

--

The sweet and soft scent the flowers emitted filled the whole place and wafted to Alexandra and her companion's nose. The atmosphere of the place was peaceful and relaxing, Alexandra was clearly in a good mood today. There is still an hour left before her tutor comes so she decided to spend it with Arthur, her new friend. Carlos remained at the entrance of the garden because of the same reason as before, it might be too awkward for them to talk about some things if they are someone following behind them. Besides, the place is secured and safe. Arthur can be trusted.

"…Being able to control your magic and use it properly would make you powerful and everything will be easier for you. Even if you are just a wielder of light magic—the most common type of magic—If you can control it. Mana is also one of the factors of being able to control and how powerful you are. The more mana you have, the higher the tiers you can use and the higher level you are and vice versa. But the more mana you have, it would be hard to control it. That's why females can control their magic and use it properly than boys. But it doesn't mean that since they are able to control their magic, they are already more powerful than us. They have low mana and they can only do Tier 1-3 spells," Arthur started to teach her and tell some things about magic as they walked around the garden. Alexandra listened to every word he said and didn't miss a single thing.

"People's magic or mana started developing at the age of 6 but for some, it would sometimes develop at the age of 5. It is fully developed when they are already 9 or 10 years old, that's why you can only enter the academy when you are 9. But since you are still 7 years old, your magic or mana isn't fully developed yet. I can only teach you a few things first not until you turn 9. Maybe I could teach you about the ideas and the spells that you can use. You don't have to rush things, you are still young and developing. My magic and mana is already developed but I still don't know about some things," Arthur said. That's the first time that she heard that, she nodded multiple times as she listened to him.

"Wait, so that means you are going to teach me until I turn 9 and I can control it?" Alexandra asked in a confused tone of voice. "Yes," Arthur responded nonchalantly as if it was just normal for him and he doesn't care. Alexandra's expression across her face brightened and she smiled widely at him, she suddenly grabbed his hands and faced him, "Really? Really? You aren't lying, right?" She asked him, still smiling widely while holding his hands. Due to the sudden contact, the oh-so shy Arthur blushed as he is not used to other people touching him and getting close with him aside from Friyedor, aside from that, the person holding his hand was a girl. He wasn't used to it, that's true that he has a little sister but she is completely different.

He quickly withdrew his hands, "Uhm… You still probably don't know this but I am not used to other people touching me and getting close with me especially a girl aside from my family and Sir Friyedor," He said. Eh? Who could have known that this boy who looked like he was annoyed about everything and who had a dead expression on his face when the second time that she saw him was this shy? No wonder he didn't accept my help (the one where she held out her hand to help him stand), she thought to herself as she stared at Arthur.

"I-Is that so?" Alexandra said, she blinked multiple times. This is new, this is really new. "Yes," He said and regained his composure. He cleared his throat and softened his features before he spoke once again, "Let's go back to the topic, I am not lying. I am indeed going to teach you. Besides, it would also benefit me. I am slowly trying to get used to socializing with other people because my mentor tells me to do so, it would be hard for me if I don't get used to it when I turn into a palace wizard and become an Elder. Palace wizards would usually embark on a mission and that includes traveling to other places and looking for something that they need. Elders do it too but it would be harder," Arthur explained.

"I see, then it's a win-win situation," Alexandra said and nodded multiple times. Arthur continued to discuss some things about magic and mana while Alexandra listened to him as they walked around the garden. Alexandra learned many things because of him which she didn't learn from the books.

--

"Brother Christian," After talking with Arthur, she decided to visit her brother before she returned to her palace for her session. Her brother, as usual, was inside the library reading books alone while his knight was just standing a few feet away from him. There were more books than usual stacked on his desk and he was completely absorbed from the book he was reading. "Brother Christian," She called out to him once again, this time grabbing his attention as he lifted his gaze away from the book and looked at her.

"Oh, Alexandra. I'm sorry, I was completely absorbed with the book I was reading. What brings you here? Are you going to read a book? Shouldn't you be back at the palace for your tutor?" Christian asked and smiled at her, his smile was gentle as always. Alexandra shook her head and smiled back at him before she responded, "I am here to visit you, actually. I made a friend, a new friend, yesterday," Alexandra said as she approached him. She still has less than 30 minutes to talk with him before she returns to the palace.

"Really? I am happy for you. Who is it?" He asked. "Arthur. He is a palace wizard under training and a candidate to be an Elder. He isn't used to socializing with others and he is shy," Alexandra responded. "Oh him, I know him but I never talked with him. He's the youngest palace wizard and candidate to be an Elder. That's actually quite shocking that he made a friend and on top of that, it's you," Christian said still smiling at her.

"Well, Sir Friyedor wanted him to become friends with me since I don't have any other friends who are almost the same age as me. If possible, would you like to come together tomorrow to the garden? I can introduce you to him. Don't worry, I am not forcing you to do so since I would always drag you with me when I talk with the other workers here. I think it's just that it would be more fun," Alexandra said and smiled at him, hoping that he would agree to her request.

"Sure. I think it would be more fun too," Christian responded with a wide grin on his face. Alexandra's expression brightened and her smile widened. She thought he wouldn't agree to it or would be reluctant since he is also not used or have trouble communicating with others. Dragging him around while she talks with the other workers and letting him join their conversation was a good help for him, he was not awkward or shy when talking with others although he is still having trouble with it.

Alexandra decided to remain there longer and talk with his brother until she has to return to the palace.