Chương 44: Prologue II

The foreign brick roads glowed with a faint hint of majestic splendor in Alisan's hazel green eyes. Compared to where she came from, this land was a rich tapestry of color, balance, and above all hope. Just looking at the lands around her, Alisan could feel a lightness to her step that was not there before. With each step she felt younger, she felt alive as she looked around the tall walls of the school and tried the old reliable way of just walking right in.

The feeling of levity was an illusion of course, as she knew this was all a facade meant to hide the truth.

"First time?" The younger guard at the gate called out, his voice bright and approachable. Hearing the deep tambor underneath his normal voice, Alisan could feel his instant attraction. Having been on the road for so long, Alisan's senses were on full alert, and she was also more receptive than normal women as to the intonations of men. For what it was worth, this one seemed to be especially attracted to her. A sentiment that was confirmed by his near constant stare and blushing cheeks.

"That easy to tell?" Alisan asked, coquettishly tapping her lower lip seductively. She didn't have time to play with her food now, but it never hurt to spend some energy on a potential chance encounter later.

"Well yes, and you seem to be traveling with your documents already out," the guard responded and then pointed to the portrait that could substitute for a wanted picture with how accurately it was drawn. Realizing that she had left the paper in question out, Alisan looked flustered for a second, then tried to cover her mistake.

"This isn't what it looks like," Alisan declared.

"What does it look like?" The lead guard that had been quiet up until this point finally cut in, trying to speed this process up. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

"Well, I know this might look like a betrothal letter," Alisan began, watching the younger guard droop ever so slightly at the comment. Only to watch him spring back as she added, "but this is just to help me find my second cousin. See, I am to meet him at Magic Academy, as it turns out I too have been blessed with the gift of magic." Knowing exactly what she was doing, Alisan raised her right hand and caused a faint red ball of light to burn brightly for a second, before fizzling out.

Not wanting the magic to be shown for too long, lest it give away its true intent and purpose. Playing up her inadequacy, Alisan visibly winced, "sorry, I'm not that good. I just found out that I have the gift, which is why I am here."

"It would appear that you clearly do have the gift," the older guard declared as he reached back and pulled a lever, one that Alisan assumed went back to ring a bell that would summon someone of importance. While the old guard was summoning someone else, the younger guard stepped forward and offered his services, "if you show me the paper, I can see if I recognize him."

"Really, you could do that?" Alisan declared letting a note of nervous exhilaration fill her voice, as she handed the parchment to the guard who proceeded to instantly recognize the individual in question.

"Oh, I know him, he is the Drakerton guy," the young guard stated and turned to face the older guard.

"That's the crest right, the Drakerton crest?"

"Yes," the old guard said after only looking at the paper for a second. That was all the time Alisan needed to confirm that this was the correct spot, and better still, she had a Family name to go from. Taking a moment to gather her thoughts, she proceeded to conceal herself with her main form of Illusionary magic and walk right through the gates.

Upon entering the gates, she could feel the moment the old and outdated monitoring devices reached out and tried to detect her presence, but they were no match for her new gear.

"Wait, where'd she go?" The young guard asked, looking around desperately for the girl to give back the paper to. Seeing the poor sod, Alisan could only shake her head. Foolish boy, you do not know what you wish for, Alisan thought to herself, as she began scouting out the famed Magic Academy. Upon seeing the well manicured lawns and idealized stone structures, Alisan could only shake her head.

"Such a pity it will all need to be burned down, only so we can start anew," Alisan muttered to herself as she continued to make her way onto the campus, all while looking for her real target. Until then, she reached into her bag, where she proceeded with the next step of her plan. No stone unturned, is all Alisan thought to herself as she continued to find her true goal for being here. The plan her master sent her to accomplish.