Back at the central stage, I stood in front of the King and Queen, waiting for them to declare me the winner of the Spirit Hunt. Thousands cheered before I was about to receive a blessing as Alice stood by my side proudly. I wasn’t aware until I had won that the contest ended once the first Tersilya got captured. It was down to luck that the other two managed to get away long enough.

While the King prepared to give a speech, the rest of the contestants stood in line to our flank.

“Alexander Kallis, representing House Kelthyra,” King Elwyn said with a smirk, giving me a look of approval. “Congratulations on being this year’s winner of the Spirit Hunt. You-”

Sirist interrupted the King’s speech by stepping forward onto the stage. Looking at his expression, I was confident he was shoved and wasn’t stupid enough to do so willingly. He looked back at his so-called friends and gritted his teeth before glaring back at me, and all I thought about was that surely he wasn’t going to make a scene. Alice and I both agreed that it was for the best to let what happened slide so as to not ruin the festival and cause unnecessary drama from what essentially boils down to a teenage scuffle.

“Young Sirist,” the King addressed him as the crowd went dead silent. “Is there anything I could help you with?”

“I. . . I, Sirist Ivosya, accuse Alexander Kallis of breaking the Spirit Hunt rules!”

The crowd gasped while his teammates devilishly grinned, except for Aymon who sighed. It didn’t take long for everyone to start mumbling nonsense, probably accusing me of various acts. However, the truth was on my side and so was Alice, so I wasn’t worried.

“That’s a bold claim,” King Elwyn said, crossing his arms as he turned to Sirist. “Tell us, which rule did Alexander break?”

“Morgan, Galborn, and I were running side by side with Alexander and Lord Aymon, but as soon as Lord Aymon took the lead and left us behind, Alexander attacked.” He fed the crowd quite a bit of gossip material, and it seemed he wasn’t done either. “He teleported and knocked me to the ground before mercilessly charging at the rest.”

“So you’re saying he ambushed the three of you and won?” King Elwyn asked.

“That’s absurd! If anything-” Alice wanted to defend me, but I pulled on her hand while her father silenced her by raising his hand.

It wasn’t the time to get emotional, but I understood that Alice’s frustration when it came to drama regarding her home had reached a boiling point.

“He surprised us, and before we could understand what had happened, he used magic to defeat us.”

“Did he now?” King Elwyn turned to me. “Is what he says true, Alexander?”

Letting go of Alice’s hand, I sighed. I wanted to see the expression of the Elders they represented, but it seemed none were present at the time, either that or they hid well.

“Your Grace, it is true that I attacked first, but it was out of self-defense.”

The crowd had mixed reactions, as expected. While I represented the Royal Family, I was still an outsider and a human.

“Silence!” the King ordered. It was the first time I saw him acting seriously. “Alexander, care to elaborate?”

“Thank you, Your Grace,” I said, clearing my throat. “While it’s true that I had attacked first, it was only after they suddenly stopped and made their intentions clear. In a situation where I’m unarmed and forced to face three opponents I knew nothing about, I had to act decisively, or it could cost me dearly, if not my life even. After I threw the first punch, they proceeded to use magic in hopes of defeating me, but I managed to come out triumphant.”

“He’s lying!” Sirist yelled, turning to the crowd to gain their support. “How would-”

“Alexander Kallis.” The Queen’s voice cut him off as she stepped closer to me.

“Your Majesty.” I respectfully bowed before she got within arms reach.

Feint mana fluttered around her as her gaze fixated on mine. It was the first time I felt a bit intimidated by her. Alice stayed quiet, trusting her mother to do the right thing, but even she showed signs of worry.

“We can’t ignore the accusations made against you, so I’ll ask you only once. When you attacked, did you truly do it out of self-defense?”

“Yes. . .” It was hard looking at the Queen’s intense gaze, but I spoke the truth. “They suddenly stopped and planned to attack me.”

“Sirist Ivosya.” The Queen’s attention shifted. “Look at me.”

“Your Majesty, I. . .” he said, looking at the ground.

“I told you to look at me, young Sirist.” She approached slowly. “Before my eyes, I want you to answer me truthfully. Did you intend to attack Alexander Kallis?”

“Your Majesty,” interrupted Aymon. “If I may, I have a confession to make.”

“Aymon?” She looked surprised to see him step forward. “What is it?”

“Before the competition started, I was approached by Sirist and asked to join him. However, I refused as I believed attacking Alexander dishonored our tradition, so I believe Alexander speaks the truth.”

“What?” Sirist mumbled in shock.

“Why are you admitting this now?” Queen Sylphena asked, turning her full attention to him.

“Because I’m ashamed that I couldn’t stop them from acting so childishly without damaging the relationship between our Houses. If admitting to my faults was going to resolve the issue faster, preventing the incident from ruining the festival and taking away from Alexander’s achievement, it’s a small price to pay. If possible, please pardon their childish mistake and spare their families the humiliation. After all, the Moonshine Festival is on a day of forgiveness.”

Queen Sylphena looked to me for approval at which I simply nodded in agreement with Aymon.

“Sirist,” The Queen said, gazing back at him.

“Yes. . . Your Majesty?”

"I shall overlook your misdoing just this once." She softened her voice, calming the tension. "However, you should apologize to Alexander and thank Aymon for saving you from a severe punishment. Understood?"

"Yes, Your Majesty! Thank you." Sirist turned to me and said, "On all our behalf, I apologize for what we've done."

"It's fine. . ." I awkwardly answered, just wishing it was all over as soon as possible.

"Sirist, return to your group," Queen Sylphena commanded before turning back to Aymon. “Aymon, I shall remember what you've done today. Such a noble act mustn't go unrewarded."

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Aymon bowed with an unchanged expression, watching the Queen return to her husband's side .

Alice didn’t look pleased that they got away with that, and even less so with the fact that Aymon got to act high and mighty, but at least she was happy it was all over. The King proceeded with his speech, and it was finally time for Alice to grant me her blessing.

Alice pulled me to the center of the stage and told me to kneel. When I did, she drew a rune on my forehead and started chanting in Elvish. I didn’t understand a single word, but I patiently waited for it to end while constantly looking at her with a smile. Before I knew it, the crowd cheered, and she helped me stand back up as we were finally allowed to enjoy the festival for ourselves.

Walking off the stage, I didn’t get a chance to see her parents, but Alice stuck to my side.

“Alex,” Alice whispered, turning to me while holding my hand. “May I have the honor of staying by your side?”

“No,” I said as I chuckled.

“Oh. . .” She averted her gaze, making me sigh in disbelief that she believed I was rejecting her.

“Alice Kelthyra, look at me,” I whispered, waiting for her to glance up before I said anything else. “It should be me who asks, so. . . Would you do me the honor of staying by my side?”

“Yes.” She smiled, performing a curtsy. “But you know. . . You could’ve just said yes.”

“Where’s the fun in that?”

We laughed before Alice showed me around.

The festival was full of life and was nothing like I expected. People entertained themselves with songs and dance, while the children gathered to listen to stories told by those that traveled the world. Everywhere you looked, food was on display, and since I’d won the competition, they kept giving it to me for free; however, Alice warned me there was a feast held at midnight by the bonfire.

Many children younger than Elena approached us to give us handmade trinkets made of flowers, so we wore matching bracelets. Alice even got me to compete in a few of their festival games, some of which were harder than they seemed. However, what captured my attention was a puppet show that used magic to manipulate the dolls while faint ethereal music played around us. It was magical in every way, and I’m sure Ellie would freak out if she had the chance to see it.

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“My kid sister would’ve loved this,” I said, looking at the enthralling play.

“Elena, right?” Alice smiled, glancing at my placid expression. “Why don’t you bring her next year?”

“I can already imagine her winsome smile. She loved whenever Penelope used magic, and before we separated, Penelope helped me cast a spell on a figurine that made it appear frosty. You should’ve seen how happy she was.”

“Is it weird that I wish to meet her?” Alice asked, lowering her voice.

“Why would it be weird?” I chuckled, holding her hand tightly. “If anything, I’m sure she’d be thrilled to meet you.”

She was quiet but then glanced at the puppet show. “You know, you’ll be able to show her all sorts of tricks now.”

“Teleporting is fun, but I don’t think that’s what she’d be interested in.”

“Why don’t you learn some cantrips?” she suggested.

“What’s that?”

“Oh, right. . . You don’t know.” She chuckled. “They are the simplest types of spells that belong to the zeroth circle of magic. It sounds similar to what your sister helped you cast.”

“I didn’t know there was a zeroth circle. Does that mean anyone can cast such spells?”

“Anyone with a mana core.” Alice looked back at me. “These spells consume little to no mana, so even you could cast them abundantly, but they’re tricky to learn. Most don’t bother learning more past a certain point, but a few are always fun to know.”

“So, how many have you learned?”

“Five, no. . . six. I haven’t really been using them.”

“Sounds to me like you know a lot.”

“My training progressed fast, so I had extra time to mess around until I mastered Mana Breathing.”

“What cantrips do you know?”

“I’ll show you later when we’re alone.”

“And you’ll teach me one?”

“If you’re nice.” She giggled.

We left the play before it ended to explore some more, but before I knew it, time flew by and night came. Everyone gathered at the city plaza, where a massive bonfire was lit, and the grand feast was presented.

“Congratulations, Alex,” said Queen Sylphena, as I was honored to be seated next to them. “It seems you weren’t as fast as you thought, Alice.”

“I was caught by surprise,” Alice said, smilingly looking away.

“Her pride will never let her admit defeat,” King Elwyn teased.

“She’s right though, I-”

“And he’s so modest about it too,” he cut me off. “Poor boy.”

“That’s not-” Alice turned quickly.

“No, no. It’s fine,” King Elwyn interrupted her. “You’re my daughter, and I’ll love you regardless.”

“Honey, stop messing with them,” Sylphena warned him while showing us a warm smile.

“A bit of fun never hurt anyone,” Elwyn said but noticed his wife staring at him. “Fine, fine. . .”

“Alex,” Sylphena said. “I wanted to apologize to you.”

“What for?” I looked confused.

“Those that attacked you went unpunished, and I questioned you first when he accused you. I hope you understand that I never doubted you.”

“You shouldn’t apologize for something they did, and it all turned out well in the end. Besides, questioning me was the right call. Had you defended me, it would’ve made everyone believe you’d already decided who to side with because I represented your House. I would’ve done the same if I were you.”

“Seems I was worried over nothing,” she said before sighing.

“Father, Mother. There are some things we need to talk about later,” Alice said, sounding serious.

“Is everything alright, sweetie?” Elwyn asked.

“For now, but it’s important.”

“Should we talk after the festival?” her mother asked.

“Tomorrow’s fine, right Alex?”

She looked back at me, but I had no idea what she meant. Worried I was missing something obvious, I kept looking back and forth between her and her parents.

“Are you asking me because of the festival, or?” I looked at Alice blankly.

She sighed, shaking her head before turning to her mother. “Tomorrow’s fine it seems.”

Maybe it was because I drank a bit of wine that was given to us, but I felt confident after seeing so many people dancing around the bonfire, so I turned to Alice and asked for her hand.

“Would you like to join me for a dance?” I asked, admittedly a bit nervous.

“Lead the way,” she said with a beaming smile, taking my hand before we ran off to join the others.

I’m not sure Alice appreciated how much courage it took to ask her that in front of her parents, but liquid courage always did the trick in moderation.

Now, I wasn’t the best dancer, but I couldn’t be called terrible either; however, Alice was like a graceful diety that practiced the art all her life, and at times I forgot what I was doing as I got caught staring at her. We got lost in the songs and danced until only a few remained awake. In the end, she grabbed my hand and took me back to the gardens where we could share our thoughts in peace.

“Today was wild,” I said, sitting on a bench by the fountain, leaning against the backrest.

“It was. . .” she mumbled, stretching her legs.

“Are they cold?” I glanced at her bare feet.

“My feet?” She curled her toes. “Maybe a bit, but it’s fine.”

“Here.” I tapped my lap. “Tuck them here to warm up.”

“What?” She chuckled.

“Come on,” I insisted. “I don’t want you getting sick. Your parents might kill me.”

“They wouldn’t do that,” she said but placed her feet in my lap anyway. “Thanks. . .”

“Don’t mention it,” I said, wrapping her legs in a loose piece of cloth from my robe while resting my arms on them.

We sat in silence as I stared in the distance, just enjoying myself.

“I’m glad you stayed,” she said, looking at me for a while.

“So am I.” I glanced back at her with a soft smile which she quickly returned.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t get you the flower.”

“Why? I had a great time. Besides, it’s not often I win at something against you. Catching you is an achievement,” I pointed out, making her chuckle.

“I’m glad you’re the one that caught me,” she said, leaning down on her bent knees. “But how’d you do it? How’d you cast for the fourth time.”

“Depends how you look at it. Theoretically, it wasn’t the fourth time.”

“Huh? But you cast Blink and Shield, and your Stride ran out.”

“I also cast three spells back when I fought my dear competitors.”

“But how?” she asked, not even questioning if I was telling the truth, which made me smile.

“You’d trust me if I told you I cast twenty times as well, wouldn’t you?”

“What does that got to do with anything?” Alice looked confused.

“Never mind.” I chuckled, holding her legs firmly. “Anyway, that was the seventh spell I cast. Actually, I could cast three more right now.”

“Has your mana pool increased?”

“No. I can still only cast three spells.”

“Then-”

“But I recover that amount of mana fairly quickly. See. . . I never told you this because I didn’t know it was a big thing, but when I found out I decided to keep it a secret until we had a duel I could actually win. Of course, that never happened, so I never told you and-”

“Alex. You’re rambling.” Alice smiled, shaking her head.

“Right. . .” I sighed. “To put it simply, I can recover mana while on the move. There’s no need for me to meditate.”

“Wait, what? How is that even possible?”

“I’m not sure, but it’s still slower than meditation.”

“But with your mana pool being so weak that it doesn’t make a difference, huh. . .”

“Ouch.” I chuckled at her realization.

“I didn’t mean it like that!” She giggled, knowing I was joking. “Does father know?”

“I haven’t mentioned it yet because I didn’t want him accidentally telling.”

“Well, now that I know we can tell him tomorrow. I’m sure he’ll freak out.”

“What did you want to talk to them about anyway?”

“About the fact that someone knew about your capabilities despite training in the palace.”

“I guess that’s strange.”

“You think?” She sighed. “But we’ll think about that tomorrow. How’d you like the rest of the festival?”

“I loved it.”

“You looked disappointed after the blessing.”

“Huh?” I was surprised she mentioned that.

“Was I imagining it?” She asked, tilting her head to the side and pushing her hair behind her ear.

“No, I wasn’t disappointed. I just wasn’t sure what was going on. Didn’t really feel like a blessing when I spent most of my time confused,” I explained, laughing lightly. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m glad you did it.”

“I get it. It’s just a tradition anyway. After being introduced to so much magic at once, it’s bound not to feel that special.”

“Well, catching you was still on my mind.”

“Can’t believe you tricked me.”

“You left me no choice. Even while hidden, I wasn’t able to catch you. Has anyone told you that your reflexes are insane?”

“My father said they were above average.”

“I think your father just has an issue complimenting us.”

“Yeah,” she said as both of us sighed simultaneously before laughing. “Anyway, it was smart of you to cut me off like that. I was so focused on moving forward that I couldn’t dodge you.”

“I’m sure you would’ve gotten away otherwise. . .”

“Well, if it’s true you can recover mana while running, then I guess it’s only a matter of time before I burned through mine.”

“You dodged without using a spell. . .” I sighed.

“True,” she said, pulling her feet away from me and standing back up. “I’d love to stay here all night, but I think it’s time to hit the bed. I’ll pass out here otherwise.”

“Ah, right. . .” I remembered we had training tomorrow.

“Not that I’d mind, knowing you’d keep me safe,” she said, turning to me and getting closer. “Hey, Alex.”

“Hmm?”

I looked up and felt her soft lips touching my forehead as time seemed to have stopped. She pulled away and gazed into my eyes with a charming smile.

“There,” she said. “Hopefully that makes up for the blessing.”

“Yeah,” I mumbled, clearly flustered.

“Goodnight, Alex,” she whispered.

“Goodnight,” I said, as she left me with a coy smile.

Chapter End.

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