***

The air surrounding a new town is refreshing, the same sky with a different vibe, the sceneries with vast lands.

​​

The happy laughter of people who were busy doing their errands. And a lady fascinated by everything.

Yes, it was me. Evelyn.

A month has passed since I pulled that stunt. No, more like I run away with that excuse as a reason.

It wasn't a perfect plan as I encountered some unprecedented variables that affected my plan but still, I escaped in the meantime... it gives me the chance to escape that wretched fate until I'm strong enough... Is what I'd like to think.

Still, I'd like to focus on finding a cure to my mana leakage, and if possible, finding a way to break the curse that I don't know the purpose of.

That night was the day I planned to do the deed. To escape.

But someone tampered with it and almost messed it up, I only took a glimpse but I knew who it was.

"I'll freaking take my revenge!"

But who would have thought that "he" was the backer of Elise?

I know what I did was too risky and can lead me to death.

But as I was spending time with Prince Adley, there are some things that I noticed. He was surrounded by black magic.

It was unprecedented, that someone has the guts to corrupt him.

So, I take the gamble to change my plan at the last minute and make them think that they got me and make it look like I was dead.

My plan first was to look like someone kidnapped me with the help of someone from the Academy.

But that changed when I saw Elise and Prince Adley together as they walked from the forest near the storage house.

They were talking about their plans, about Elise becoming the Crown Princess in exchange for information for the Crown Prince's weakness.

I almost choked when I saw how wicked Elise smiled as she walked away from their meeting place.

And a bright idea came to me and I intentionally let her see me when I walked into the storage house.

I need witnesses you see.

But the damn girl....! *sigh*

She locked me in there... Well, it wasn't part of the plan, but a little tampering was enough for me to have something against her. And when I come back, I will punish that greedy lady.

First, I get into my acting. I "hysterically" knocked on the door and called somebody to "help" me.

And I know Elise was nearby and intentionally ignored my plea.

I still yell, as long as her presence was there. I did my part.

Though I know that there isn't someone nearby except the shadow knight that must-have sleeping because he was knocked down.

***

That night, when I "purposely" let her lock me in the storage house.

*knock *knock

"Is someone there? There are people inside!"

I started my acting with my voice in a panic, while I searched for the secret door that I saw on the first day of the hunting event while I was conducting my duty.

"Somebody! Help me!" I still called.

And I heard her snicker outside the storage.

Well, I don't really care. As long as I reached the meeting place that I said to him.

When I heard her walk away, that's when I started to also leave. And before I go, I used my fire magic.

The magic that I learned while spending my time in the grand library searching for an ancient spell.

I didn't go there just to read history books! Everything that I did has a purpose.

"Fire heed thy thee, burn thy place with thy powers and sealed thee everything until dark dust left to see"

'This spell is too long! Tsk. Ancient magic is hard!' I thought and a small fire was lit in the corner of the room.

"This will be enough, when I get out of here, the fire will make contact with the fireworks and will produce an explosion."

But first, I need them to think that I was trapped here. What should I leave behind?

I looked around myself and found the black ring that I always wore. And the hilt of my sword where the insignia of my family was carved.

"This is my favorite accessory though... I bought this with a lot of gold coins!"

I sigh and I leave the black ring and place it on the ground along with my sword.

And I walked out from the secret door and passed the dark alley that leads to the mouth of the cave located in the middle of the willow forest.

I stumbled upon this when I first walked and got lost in this willow forest at the back of the ladies' dormitory.

"You're here..." He pulled my hand and gave me a black cloak.

"We need to move fast, Chrisfold... The fireworks will make a loud explosion and people from the party will come to the storage" I said.

"Chill, Eve! I told you I will help you. So, I already set up all the necessary things... This will be your escape route." He said as he opened a map with an "X" mark on it.

"Let's go...!"

After we run a few miles we hear a loud -BOOM! from where I came from.

"Are you sure they won't see the passage?" I asked.

Looking at the lit sky.

"Wow! I feel like I was a joker, walking out while setting an explosion as a background" I said.

It was Chrisfold who told me that there's a hidden door located beside the chimney of the storage room it will trigger when you move the nose of the gargoyle.

"Don't worry, no one knew that door. Even the headmaster doesn't know that."

We ran through the wilderness, it was dark but nothing can be done as I need to leave fast.

"So how do you know about something that even the headmaster doesn't know?" I asked.

"When you live long enough, you will find a lot of things..."

"Huh?"

"..."

"Whatever..."

We reached the south gate, it was the unfrequent used gate in the St. Prisch Academy.

The guardian that was supposed to be stationed here was also at the party.

Well, who would have thought that they're too used to peace that they would neglect this?

But still, it helped me so... I guess this is what they call a blessing in disguise.

"We're here..." Chrisfold said.

"Yeah... Thanks for the help."

"Don't mention it. Find Gil at the top of the Sushu mountain in the Kingdom of Perspiru."

"Wait... How did you..."

"I told you when you live long enough, you'll eventually know things that some people wouldn't know."

"Huh?"

"Don't worry, I'll be there when the time comes... But for now here...!"

Chrisfold with his tall stature leaned across from me and his green hair and purple eyes sparkle against the dark.

*chu!

"What... the..."

"That's my Blessing!" He said and smiled.

'Did he just kiss my forehead? Huh? Blessing?' I blushed because of the unexpected action and I cover my forehead with my hand in defense

He chuckled and beckons me to go.

"I can't accompany you so, this is where we part." He said.

I was still stunned but eventually, I pushed the thoughts.

"O-okay...! Th-Thanks!" I turn around and walk away.

As I ran, I mumbled to myself "Blessing... For what?"

***

And now a month has passed since I started my journey to the Sushu mountain.

In a month, I only saw trees and animals in the way! So when I saw a vast land with older people doing farm work I was elated!

Along the way, I found out that the capital of the Kingdom of Levingstone was in chaos.

It's expected as they thought that someone succeeded in the attempt of killing a part of the Emsworth family.

Well, it will be just temporary. Everyone will start to forget about this incident. I just wished that Gab would find the hint that I left.

So that he wouldn't worry about me.

Right now, I'm in a carriage with some peddlers that I saw.

They are a family of five and they are on their way to sell their goods at the perspiru Kingdom.

I asked them if I could accompany them as we are going to the same town.

And they agree in exchange for protecting them.

"Sis... You have nice brown hair! It's so shiny!" Said the kid who was inside the carriage.

"Really? Well, thank you. You have nice purple hair." I said.

I looked at my hair. The once ombre hair that I have is gone and a chestnut color was replaced with it along with my brown eyes.

When I think about it, the kiss that Chrisfold gave and said that it was a blessing was maybe this.

That's the only explanation that I can think of.

And as for his identity, I have a feeling that I know him well but I don't have a memory of him, except for when I'm in the St. Prisch Academy.