“Wait a minute.” Madam Rothema interjected, stopping Briar with her hand. “I get the feeling this is going to take a while, so why don’t I make us a fresh pot of tea, hmm?”

Minutes later, each was in a comfortable seat, with a cup of hot relaxing tea in their hands.

“That’s better! Nothing as good as a fresh cup of tea, I say.” Rothema nodded, leaning back in her chair. “You may begin, now.”

“Well, first, I’m going to take a few months and go on vacation with my family.” Briar said. “I’d like to spend some time with them now that I have become an overpowered monster for my age.”

Madam Rothema nodded. She had been expecting this, after all. In fact, she was surprised that Briar hadn’t tried to leave sooner in the almost six years that she had been with them. Thus she had been prepared for Briar to request for such a thing after the current contest was over.

“And after that, I’m going to go traveling...” Briar added.

Madam Rothema blinked. This she had also surmised would happen. One does not simply become strong in the comforts and confines of the home or estate. It requires life and death encounters, battles, and constant honing of skills. There was not a Magi or Black Class that hadn’t gone through a series of life-threatening trials. Even if one were to accumulate a bunch of power: without knowing how to use it, such a thing would easily lead to death out of naivete.

But, just when she was about to ask where Briar would go, Briar spoke again. “…alongside my family.” Briar once more added.

THAT certainly raised an eyebrow for Madam Rothema. It was easy enough for one person to go travelling. All methods were available for them. If they wished to walk, run, ride, or fly: as long as they had the opportunity it would be easy enough. But to uproot the whole family from their home and go traveling together? It was unheard of, unless they were driven from the area by a stronger opponent.

Madam Rothema stared long and hard at Briar, who looked back at her with clear, determined eyes. There was a confidence there that there had not been a few months ago. As if, no matter what happened, things would proceed the way she planned them to.

“…While your plan seems simple in speech, to put it into practice is far more difficult, don’t you think?” Madam Rothema finally said.

“Difficult, yes. But not impossible.” Came the reply.

“May I ask what got it into your head to do such a thing?” Madam Rothema rubbed her forehead, feeling the beginnings of a headache.

Briar smiled. “The country is crumbling around their ears. While I would like to leave things up to the king, it has come to a point where I can no longer place my trust in the defenses of my country. I intend to pull my family out before the borders completely collapse.”

“So you’ve heard the news?”

“It’s hard not to hear now that I am like this.” Briar made a face. “It’s plainer than dirt. Although there has been no declaration of war, the movement of the people is a sure sign of something covert going on around the borders. If I can get them out before war is announced, I can almost guarantee their survival.”

Madam Rothema poured herself another cup of tea. “While it indeed seems like a good plan, what about you and your father’s duty towards the crown?”

Briar closed one eye. “What are you talking about? Me and father are simply going on a vacation. A vacation. Just because we are going where messengers can’t find us, doesn’t mean we are abandoning the crown. It’s too bad that we’ll be too late to save him, though.”

Madam Rothema raised an eyebrow, unimpressed, as she stared at her student with an expression that clearly emanated ‘enough of this nonsense’.

Briar smiled wryly. “No good, huh? Well, actually, it seems I have a rather troublesome order written here, which I do not have the power to refute.” She pulled a scroll out of her magic bag. Surprisingly, it had the king’s own personal seal on it. Briar handed it over to Madam Rothema to read.

To Thera of Rose Manor, future title-holder, genius of geniuses:

At the time I am writing this, we haven’t yet met. But, already I have begun hearing of you for quite some time from your father and Master Thales. If it turns out that your character is different from what I have been told, this letter will never reach you. But, seeing that you are reading it now, I am glad that my country could harbor such a talented young girl.

I know that with such a talent as yours, my paltry kingdom will soon become much too small to hold your future feats within its borders. I am also aware that you have experienced much grief because of my powerlessness against the copious strong factions that have snuck into the country. You were separated from your family, and have worked hard and long for five whole years. While I should be commending you for your work ethic, I feel that these words would only sound like an empty drum to you-hence I will be brief and blunt.

For all the pains you have suffered, due to my inability, I am heartily sorry. I am well aware that my country may not last much longer. There are skirmishes at the borders, and reports of the neighboring countries gathering men for invasion. I offer no excuses.

Instead, I wish to tell you that if we do break out into war, you have my heartfelt permission-no, You have only one order that you need to follow from me:

Should this country go to war, you are to take your family and leave this kingdom. You, and all your immediate family and household, are banished from the kingdom from the first day of the war, to the last day. And, should the kingdom fall, you are free to go wherever you wish, free of duty. All I ask is that you keep and cherish the title and sword that I shall bestow upon you, as a remembrance of the country you were born in.

So have I written, so mote it be.

King Rhiems

The king’s seal was once more applied next to his name.

“I found this in the study of my titled mansion.” Briar said, “The day before I left to train with Master Thales. Since then, I have been planning my family trip through the kingdoms. It seems I am not welcomed in my own country during wartime. So, I’d like to hurry home after this.”

Madam Rothema sighed. “While I’d like to smack his head for this, that King Rheims is too softhearted to be a king during these times… It would have been better had he been born in a more peaceful era.”

“But, he has one thing that no other king has, for the time being.” Briar said.

“What is that?” Madam Rothema asked.

“He has my gratitude.” Briar said. “And my admiration. This is a thing which many kings in this world will desire, and shall not have; will pine for, and will be remain without. They will only be able to wish for such a thing from me.”

He’s a good man. It’s a pity that he was trapped and ensnared by government duties and politics. Briar looked out the window at the pitch-black night.

“Why, that’s the first positive thing you’ve said about the monarchy that I’ve ever heard you say!” Madam Rothema chuckled. “Do you still think that governing systems are evil?”

Briar closed one eye, and looked at Madam Rothema, with a somewhat slightly begrudging expression.

“Now see here, I told you already what my opinion is about governments! They’re all good on paper, but when it comes to practical use, where you add humans to the mixture, they all fall apart sooner or later. It is because of the corruptible and weak part of mankind that is prone to making mistakes that they can never last. Power attracts the corrupted, and one bad apple soon spoils a whole barrel.

“Eventually, every government becomes filled with puss-ridden, fattened, selfish bureaucrats or nobles who can’t ever measure up to real men. I myself wish to never be a part of something like that. If all I can look forward to at the end of my life is politics, then I’d rather die, thank you.” Briar’s expression was as if she had drunk curdled milk.

Madame Rothema smiled. “You sound so sure of yourself. Are you sure you won’t collect quite a few of these ‘corrupted’ people yourself, once you reach the apex?”

Briar chuckled darkly. “I’d like to see them try. I have the perfect lesson for fools who can’t behave.” Entitled ‘Hell’s Regret’, it was one of the most terrifying lesson plans which she had studied in her previous life. She hadn’t ever needed it to be used upon her. Just studying the many parts of “Hell’s Regret” had made Briar certain that she never EVER wished to be subjected to it.

“But, true enough, I suppose. Eventually, people with ill intents will begin to gather around me, regardless of my intentions. At that time, I’m afraid mine will become a lesson brimming to the fullest capacity of students.” Briar said, shaking her head, sadly.

“Where will you go?” Madam Rothema asked.

“I don’t have a definite travel plan yet, but I figured a quick tour of all the continents should take at least five to ten years-give or take. Five years minimum, of course.” Briar said.

Madam Rothema nodded. How could she not understand? Five years was how long she had been forced to stay away from her family. Even if there were letters, it would only serve to make their absence more pronounced.

“I won’t stop you from accomplishing this goal of yours.” Rothema said. “How-e-ver! You are not allowed to slack in your studies! I will not allow my first student to become anything less than someone whom the Magicians Council can only shudder in their boots towards! Do you understand?” She stared sternly at Briar, who could see that Rothema really did have some sort of deep enmity with the Magicians Council

Briar nodded with a smile. “Have no fear. You can rest assured that this little monster will grow up to be a big monster that no one will be able to defeat.”

Rothema’s voice now held a touch of pride in it. “Good. Now, earlier, you said that you intended to tour all of the continents. Does that include those with the elves and the Beastmen as well?”

“Of course! I’m really interested in studying the nature and spirit magic they possess.” Briar replied enthusiastically. “There’s also the study of the differences in culture and plant life that I’m sure can’t be replicated on this continent.”

“Really…”

Madam Rothema was quiet for a time before handing Briar a page with a rune drawn upon it. “Before you leave, inform me by tearing that paper. I’ll have your homework ready for you at that time.”

Briar accepted the rune with a mischievous smile. “Somehow, I just knew our conversation would end up at this topic sooner or later.”

Madam Rothema had been her teacher for the past five years. While they weren’t related by blood, Rothema was already considered as family. Briar had a deep respect for her to the point of genuine admiration. In her heart, Rothema was second only to her own dear parents and her master from her previous life.

Briar placed aside her teacup and rose from her chair. “You have my word.” She bowed deeply from the waist, before retiring to her room. Since her fans and enemies were already probably swarming the inn they had originally stayed at, Madam Rothema had agreed to house Briar, Laura, Thales, and his brother for the remaining duration of the Ten Year Student Contest.

Madam Rothema only chuckled to herself. “The Elf and Beastmen continents, eh? Moreover, with her family in tow...I should hurry up so that everything is completed before she leaves.” Rising, she opened the window, and three streaking specks of light flashed out into the darkness like shooting stars, heading straight to Greyelle Kingdom.

One light landed in Rose Manor, home of Sir Maverick and Lady Helen. Another light landed in the Rose Mansion that the king had bestowed to Thera. The third landed in the king’s own bedchambers, unseen by either passing knight or observing magician. The instructions that these three lights contained would only be known by those who received them. And, of course, Madam Rothema as well.

------------------------

In her room, Briar polished the kashira of her magic katana, Thorn, as she thought of everything that had happened that day. “Vex, huh? Well, I’m not sure what your aim is, but be assured that if your plans harbor any ill intent towards me or anyone I care about, and if you manage to survive the consequences, then your name will probably need to be changed to ‘vexed’.”

Still fatigued from the long day, Briar put out the lamp and went to sleep, still holding onto her katana.