Elise stared at the calm surface of the lake. The waters were so still and clear that it was difficult to imagine that she had almost drowned in it yesterday.

Heaving a sigh, she buried her face in her knees.

She thought back to what had happened last night.

After hearing Andric’s account, she decided that the best way to proceed was to pretend that she had lost her memory.

Using that as an excuse, she would be able to get more information while not sounding strange for not knowing certain things.

Her tactic had went smoothly, and the young man who had saved her seemed rather sympathetic towards her as well.

She contemplated briefly about using a fake name, but since Elise was a pretty common name and it would be troublesome to remember a new one, she decided to use her real name.

After having a difficult time sleeping last night, she got up just as dawn was breaking and requested Andric to show her where the lake was to see if she could find any other clues.

She had searched through her belongings yesterday but the results had been unhelpful.

The rucksack contained a cloak, two changes of clothes and a dagger around 30cm long. On the other hand, the messenger bag only contained a flask of water, a pouch with money and some vials that, after some assistance from Andric, were found to contain medicine. There was absolutely nothing that could give a clue to who this body originally belonged to.

After insisting strongly that she would be alright on her own, she finally managed to convince Andric to give her some time alone at the lake. As the lake was not very big, she was able to complete a round of the lake in less than an hour. However, she was unable to find any further clues.

Heaving a big sigh once more, she tilted her head to look at her reflection in the water.

She had to admit that this face was prettier. Though her original face was praised by countless men to be beautiful, she preferred this current face with wide doe-like eyes, a small nose and cherry like lips which she thought was definitely much more charming. The only similarity she had found between her current body and her original body was the pair of grey eyes.

Who is this girl and why did she appear in her body? What has happened to her original body? Did the soul of the girl go into her body?

If the soul of the girl had switched places with her, her brother would most probably be able to find out immediately. Given the ability of her brother, the word of it should be carefully controlled, so the chance of lash back from the other nobles should be minimal.  He would definitely try and find a way to restore her soul back to her body as well. It would be wonderful if she woke up one day to find that she had returned back to the castle. However, if she had died… Then, she will need to live on with her current body.

But it was not the time for her to worry about that now.

Elise sighed as she looked with resentment at her snow white hands.

The condition of this body was just too… terrible.

Her original body had bountiful mana, and as she was well taken care of, her physical condition was excellent as well. On the other hand, the body she was in now was weak and the mana was next to none.

Imagining a flame in her palm, she chanted, “What I desire is a flame. Appear.”

At the end of her words, a tiny and fluttering orange flame that could be put out by a passing breeze appeared on her palm.

Elise’s expression turned dark. She had imagined a ball of flames around the size of a head. To think that the outcome of that was a flame that had shrunk so significantly in size. It seems like she would need to spend some time getting used to using magic with the current body.

“You are a Mage?” A surprised voice came from behind her.

Elise jumped as she had not heard him approaching. If it was in her previous body, she would have been able to sense anyone within ten metres from her, so it was impossible for anyone to sneak up to her.

The flame in her hand had also vanished when her concentration was broken.

Andric felt slightly guilty at the unhappy look the girl shot him when her flames disappeared.

He had brought the girl to the lake and went off afterwards due to her insistence. Knowing that the area around the lake was relatively safe, plus he needed to pack up, he had obliged reluctantly. However, he was still worried and came back as soon as he could. This was when he saw the girl using magic, and had sounded out suddenly. It was estimated that only around 1 out of 10,000 people can use magic so he could not be blamed for becoming overly curious.  

“Is that a problem?” Elise asked cautiously.

Andric, who had squatted down beside her, looked puzzled. “Why would that be a problem? It is just that it is very rare, so I got a bit excited. Sorry that I startled you,” he apologised.

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“Magic is very rare?”

“Well, yes. Some people can live their entire lives not coming into contact with any magic,” he explained patiently.

Elise frowned. From where she came from, there was not a single person who was unable to use magic.

“Ah, but if you are able to use magic, then you might be able to enter Lauritopia,” he said with a wry smile.

“Lauritopia?” Elise exclaimed suddenly.

Seeing the girl’s excited face and remembering that she had amnesia, he explained, “Lauritopia is a floating continent that was said to have appeared over the sea around two hundred years ago. It is a land that is said to be utopia; a paradise with fertile lands and no poverty. However, only Mages are allowed to enter the place. All others, regardless of their wealth and status, are all turned away.”

Truthfully speaking, he did not believe that it was really an utopia as some do. As long as there are humans, there are bound to be conflict. However, he was rather curious about the mysterious land, although it was most likely that he will never be able to enter the place as he was unable to use magic.

“Do you know where Lauritopia is?” Elise asked as she grabbed onto his arm.

Andric blinked blankly at the hands on his arm before he looked incredulously at the girl. Is this girl planning to enter Lauritopia?

“Lauritopia is very far away from here. In addition, even if you are a Mage, you can’t enter just for that reason alone,” he warned. “They have very strict tests for people entering.”

Elise could hardly stay still to listen to Andric’s words of caution. After all, Lauritopia was the name of the continent she came from.

So this is the lower world, Elise thought as it all dawned to her. The reason why she was unfamiliar with the name of places as well as the weak mana in her body.

Elise tried to recall what she had learned previously about the land beneath theirs. The land of Lauritopia was overflowing with mana hence all its occupants were born with a a good amount of mana in their bodies. However, the lower world did not have as much mana, hence its was understandable that its occupants likewise had little mana.

She had never been to the lower world before. While she knows that it exists, there was simply no reason for her to go there. However, she was told by others that the lower world was chaotic and the people were frail. While she was unable to tell if it was chaotic at this point, it was true that their mana was little.

Having understood where she was currently at, she felt as if a weight in her heart had lifted up. Although she still had no idea how she came to the lower world, and how she could return to her original body, at least she had a goal to work towards now. The first thing she was going to do is to find her way back to Lauritopia again.

Unknown to her, her feelings had appeared on her face, so Andric could only feel baffled at the young girl who had suddenly brightened up.

Was she really going to try and enter Lauritopia? Lauritopia was notorious for its difficulty in entering and it was almost like a dream for most people.

“Do you know how to go to Lauritopia?” Elise questioned as she leaned forward in anticipation.

“I have never been there, but I believe you will need to pass through some countries. It should be to the far east from here,” Andric replied as he tried to recall what he knew about the mysterious continent.

“I don’t have a map that leads there with me, but if you are interested, you should be able to get one from a store in town.”

Elise stood up immediately. “Thank you very much for the information.” Now that she knows what to do, she need to get to town to get the map and start making the journey back home as soon as possible.

Looking at the young girl who seemed like she was going to run off into the forest anytime, Andric didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Does she have any awareness that she was a person who had almost died yesterday?

“Wait. Since I need to return to town as well, why don’t we go together?”

Elise thought about the offer, but soon found that there was actually no need for consideration. Andric was familiar with the area and knew where the town was. Although she was unsure of how tough he is, he should be capable enough to fend for himself in the forest. Additionally, she had no idea how to exit the forest, and her magic was next to useless. In the event that any beast attacked her, she could only count on the dagger to protect her.

The beasts in the lower world should not be as vicious as the ones back in her hometown, but it probably will not be wise for her to cross their path at her current state.

Looking at Andric in the eye, she replied with a smile, “That would be deeply appreciated.”