Chapter 4

In the center of the rose garden, a demonic beast was entangled by thorns, unable to move. And there, in a daze, stood the former fiancés and a young girl, their eyes fixed on Emilia with a look of disbelief.

The sudden growth of the roses, the thorns moving as if with a will of their own. This was the power symbolizing 'Earth,' one of the four major elements that constitute the matter of this world. The ability to control plants at will is something that only those who possess magic can achieve, something that is impossible under normal circumstances.

"Emi... Emilia, why are you...?"

"... Lord Aloys."

"Why can you use magic!"

Amber-like clear orange eyes were trembling with confusion. Aloys Warren, my former fiancé since childhood, shouted at Emilia with a biting expression.

"Why... Why do you have that power!"

"Yes... I do. Lord Aloys.

I possess magic."

Emilia smiled calmly.

Magic particles lingered in the air like a gentle breeze, causing Emilia's long hair to sway softly. At the same time, the former fiancé's expression twisted as he saw her uniform gently fluttering.

"But, you're in the Advanced Class!"

"Yes, I am indeed in the Advanced Class."

"Then, why!"

He understood immediately what he was trying to say. Yes, I am enrolled in the Royal Nebuchadnezzar Academy's Advanced Class. The Advanced Class is for those who aim to become civil servants, those who study land management, and noble children who enter for the sake of their family's prestige. Those who aim to master martial arts join the Knight Class, and those who possess magic, which is rare on the continent, join the Magic Class.

Magic is possessed by only a select few. Typically, magic begins to integrate into a growing body around the age of ten, and abilities start to blossom. However, it is not easy to perform what can be called magic. One must understand the four major elements, systematize that knowledge, and channel one's magic into a spell to activate it. This requires vast knowledge and long-term training. To freely wield magic and earn the title of 'Magician,' one must study magic at the academy's Magic Class. In principle, those who possess magic should be enrolled in the Magic Class.

That's why Aloys was shocked. Why could Emilia, who was in the Advanced Class, use magic? His mind must have been filled with questions.

"Why can you use magic if you're not in the Magic Class!"

"I can use magic even if I'm not in the Magic Class."

"That can't be! Those who possess magic must enter the Magic Class!"

"... It's true that the minimum requirement for entering the Magic Class is to possess magic. However, the primary goal of the Magic Class is to cultivate Magicians."

"Then, why!"

"... Yes, that's why I don't need it."

"Don't need it? What do you mean!"

"... Lord Aloys, the premise of your understanding is incorrect."

"Huh?"

"The Magic Class is for those who aim to become Magicians.

However, if one already has the title of Magician, there is no need to enter the Magic Class."

"Huh? I don't understand..." Aloys, bewildered and confused, raised his voice in doubt. Emilia smiled calmly in response.

"You didn't even know I had magic!"

"... I didn't tell you, Lord Aloys..."

"You didn't even hear it from your father!"

"... Not only you, but my father didn't know either..."

"What!"

"... I didn't tell my father about this power."

Emilia had kept her power a secret from her family and even from her former fiancé, Aloys. Perhaps it was fortunate, but because Emilia was disliked and kept at a distance by everyone, and because she was considered incompetent, no one ever found out.

"When did you...!"

"... Since I was young. Right after I met you."

"Why! Why didn't you tell me!"

"Because I didn't want to..."

"You were my fiancé! Why!"

"... Because I wanted to believe in the future—"

Emilia slowly closed her eyes. The memories that came to mind were of her younger self, a lonely little girl, tears streaming from her eyes, and the memories of her past life.

She had seen the same dream many times, the moment of her death.

How many times had she woken up in a panic, confused and terrified by the recurring tragedy in her dreams?

Each time, she would reassure herself, as if in prayer.

(It's okay, it's okay...)

Betrayed love, a mad self, and a heart that stopped beating.

That was her future—

No, the future she wanted to change—

For that, she had been accumulating power.

Emilia opened her eyes calmly and looked at her former fiancé. Then, she turned her gaze to Stella, who stood beside him.

To end it all—

Emilia suddenly raised one arm to the sky. Aloys and Stella, who hadn't noticed until now, saw that an owl had been circling above the rose garden, above Emilia. The owl descended at Emilia's signal and perched lightly on her arm. "Why is there an owl..." someone muttered, but Emilia didn't respond, only facing the small visitor.

Her small, bright purple eyes met Emilia's purple eyes. Both pairs of eyes were the same clear amethyst color.

In an instant, words replayed in Emilia's mind.

'...Baron, residence—arrested... seized, —completed'

As the last word ended, Emilia gently stroked the owl's head. The owl, looking pleased, narrowed its eyes and chirped in response. At that signal, the owl on Emilia's arm began to crumble and disintegrate, as if melting into the air.

A magic boy, seeing this, muttered in astonishment, "Transmission magic..."

Transmission magic, as the name suggests, is a spell used to convey words to someone far away. Considering that the main means of communication in this world is through letters, transmission magic is a highly confidential method. While there are other means of communication, such as letters and birds carrying messages, for important secrets, transmission magic is often used.

It takes the form of a butterfly or a bird, blending into the environment, and delivers the message directly to the recipient's mind, ensuring no information leaks. It is a reliable and convenient method of communication, but it is, after all, magic.

Only those with magic, specifically Magicians, can create it. Moreover, it requires a high level of skill—imagination to create a lifelike animal, the ability to locate the intended recipient, and the ability to identify and deliver the message accurately. It is a difficult spell to perform, requiring the integration of these abilities into magic. Creating a spell that uses the four elements of the earth is already a technical feat, but creating a spell that involves imagination is even more challenging.

The rare and important transmission magic descended upon Emilia, and the spell disappeared with her words. The spell's disappearance can only be undone by the caster—

Having witnessed the magic twice, and considering the difficulty of the second spell, it was clear that Emilia was not just a novice but a skilled magician.

Stella and the men surrounding her recalled the words Emilia had spoken earlier.

["If one already has the title of Magician, there is no need to enter the Magic Class."]

Possessing magic and already able to perform high-difficulty magic.

In other words, she is...

Realizing this, Stella and the men surrounding her were stunned.

"Unbelievable!"

"Why do you have such power!"

Stella shouted, her usually cute expression twisted in anger as she glared at Emilia.

"Let's end this."

Emilia straightened her back and took a step toward Stella.

"Stella... no, Stella Barlak."

Narrowing her eyes, Emilia stared at Stella with a cold expression.

Emilia mulled over the information brought by the transmission magic.

She—Stella—had done something she shouldn't have.

"I know everything you've done."

"What! Everything?"

"You committed sins that should not be committed."

"Sins?!"

"Yes. For example, the academic fraud in your school."

"Stop making false accusations! You're just jealous because I'm excellent!"

"No, it's the truth. We have evidence. A professor who succumbed to your charms has admitted to leaking test questions and altering your grades."

"What! I don't know anything about that!"

Even if Stella denied it, the professor had already been questioned by the school and admitted to the fraud, leading to his dismissal.

"And the crimes of your family."

"..."

Stella gasped, taken aback by Emilia's words. She glared at Emilia suspiciously, but her eyes betrayed her unease. She must have had some idea.

"Your father, Bratley Barlak, has been arrested by the knights for multiple crimes, including false tax reporting, embezzlement, and illegal transactions involving forbidden magic to control demonic beasts."

"What!"

"You knew about your father's crimes, didn't you?"

"..."

"And you were involved, weren't you?"

"I don't know anything about it!"

"Numerous pieces of evidence have been found at your family's residence, including items from your room and your own handwriting."

"Why! I have nothing to do with it!"

"Stop lying."

"Stella Barlak. There is a warrant for your arrest, and you are suspected of being involved."

As Emilia's words ended, the sound of footsteps approached from the entrance of the rose garden. Men in black knight uniforms, swords in hand, approached. The emblem of the Royal Knights, a red gemstone, adorned their chests. They slowed their pace as they neared Emilia and Stella, and upon seeing the demonic beast entangled by thorns, they drew their swords. Their eyes were serious, and they surrounded Emilia and Stella, ready for battle. The second prince, who had the opportunity to interact with the knights, reacted.

"You! What's going on!"

"With all due respect, Your Highness. We are the Royal Knights, First Division."

The Royal Knights, responsible for maintaining the peace and order of the Nebuchadnezzar Kingdom, are divided into several units, including the royal guard, intelligence unit, palace security, and capital security. Among these units, the First Division is the elite of the elite, consisting of the most skilled knights.

Emilia was surprised.

Why the First Division? The information she received through the transmission magic did not mention this. The investigation of Stella Barlak's father, Baron Barlak, was supposed to be handled by the capital security unit. Even though the First Division has the authority to intervene in other units' jurisdictions due to their high capabilities, she didn't expect them to be involved in this case.

Ignoring Emilia's surprise, the leader of the knights who had arrived announced sternly.

"Stella Barlak, you are under arrest."

"Lies!"

"No, it's the truth. Evidence of the crimes you committed with your father has been found at your family's residence."

"Lies!"

The knights repeated the same words Emilia had told them earlier. However, this time, it was not just Emilia but the knights with real authority. There was no escaping it. Stella must have realized this.

She clung to one of the men surrounding her. The three silver bracelets on her wrist jingled, a symbol of her influence over the three men. The bracelets were a strong guarantee for her. Stella called out to the second prince, "Lord Virgil!" in a voice that evoked a desire to protect. The second prince, with a strong-willed gaze, shouted loudly in response.

"You! How dare you suspect her!"

"There is evidence."

"What evidence! It's irrelevant."

"Your Highness, we have a warrant. Please hand over Stella Barlak."

"Never! What right do you have!"

"Your Highness, we have a proper warrant."

"Then, she is innocent! I know her well, and I am the second prince. You will not get away with defying me!"

"... Your Highness"

"Who gave you the order!"

The knight talking to the second prince sighed deeply and took out a piece of paper from his pocket, holding it up for Stella and everyone else to see. The warrant had Stella's name and, at the bottom, the name of the person responsible. Seeing that name, everyone present was taken aback.

"It is a warrant signed by the Crown Prince."

"What!"

"How can this be!"

The Crown Prince, second in power to the king in the Nebuchadnezzar Kingdom, had issued a warrant. A document signed by the Crown Prince was an order that no one present could defy. It was unusual for a warrant to be issued for a baron's crimes and his daughter, and the fact that it was signed by the Crown Prince, who was of a much higher status, was even more surprising.

Why the Crown Prince... the question remained, but in this situation, it was convenient. Even the second prince, who was trying to protect Stella, could not defy the order.

"Stella Barlak, surrender now. If you resist, we will have to use force."

With the knights' sharp swords at the ready, Stella had no choice but to surrender. She lowered her head, her body trembling.

"What is this! What is this!"

Her initial whispers grew louder. Stella suddenly looked up, glaring at Emilia fiercely.

"I don't know! I don't know about this! This is not part of the game!"

"This is not how it was supposed to go!"

"First of all, why do you have magic!"

"There was no such setting!"

"Why! Why am I being cornered!"

"You! It's because of you!"

"It's because you didn't follow the route!"

"It's all because you didn't die!"

At the same time as Stella's shout, a loud roar echoed from the demonic beast. It was a terrifying sound that shook the ground. Unlike before, the beast seemed to be asserting its natural ferocity, and Emilia immediately realized that the beast had been released from Stella's control.

The outcome was clear. The only result would be the brutal and indiscriminate destruction caused by the ferocious beast.

The beast, now free, tried to break free from the thorns that restrained it. Its sharp fangs tore at the thorns that had entangled its limbs, injuring itself in the process. In a moment, several thorns were severed, and the beast's violent movements created gaps in the thorns.

The beast was about to be released—

Emilia, in a panic, prepared to cast a spell with her left hand, but at that moment—

"Stay alert."

A low voice whispered in her ear. She was firmly embraced from behind, a strong grip protecting her. The warmth from the person's body seeped through her clothes and into her back. Surprised, Emilia's eyes widened.

Then, a dull glint flashed across her field of vision.

By the time she realized it was a sharp sword, the beast's bright red blood was splattering, and its head was flying through the air.

The severed body fell with a heavy thud, and a pool of blood slowly spread around it. The beast lay still, clearly dead. Emilia, surprised by the sudden turn of events, let out a sigh of relief.

(Thank goodness... No one was hurt—)

With the ferocious beast no longer a threat, the person who had embraced her to protect her relaxed and slowly let go. Emilia looked up to see the person who had shielded her from the beast.

"Hey, finally got to meet you."

Black short hair, eyes like obsidian. A tall, imposing figure with a well-built physique. He wore a black military uniform, the uniform of the Royal Knights. Next to the red emblem, a badge indicating his rank as a division leader gleamed.

"Let's fulfill our promise, Rōgetsu."

His sharp eyes were fixed on Emilia.

He smiled mischievously.