I Will Protect You This Time

Episode 66

(GREATER THAN ANCIENT MAGIC)

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It's so dark here.

Hmm…

"Let's see... there should be a lamp around here somewhere."

Saying that I started searching for a lamp on the cabinet beside the door.

"Found it."

I took out the match and the hurricane lamp from the cabinet then lit it.

"It's better now."

The little golden light of the hurricane made the area around me a little brighter… At least I can see where I am going.

Soon I started to climb up the stairs.

Creak~

Whenever I took a step, the old wooden stairs made a creaking noise. The house has a wet wood smell. Green slippery mosses are covering the stair handle.

Thank goodness it's not on the steps or else I would've slipped and broke my ankle.

Soon I entered the third floor. Unlike other floors, this one is completely fine. It's because Grandfather cast a spell in this place.

Anyways, after walking in the hallway for a minute or so, I stopped in front of a wooden door. As I pushed the door, it opened with a creaking noise.

And Whoosh~

As soon as I took a step in, the Fire Torches of the room lit up by themselves. This is also because of Grandfather's spell. The most impressive thing about this spell is that from the outside people will see only a Darkroom. This means they would never guess that I am here even if they pass by this Annex.

Anyways, after entering the room, I closed the door then removed the shawl from my shoulder then put the hurricane on a nearby table.

The Library itself is divided into different sections. Each section contains all kinds of rare books.

Some of the books are about Rare and Complicated Magic, different kinds of legends. 

And also some silly books like 'How to teach a frog swimming.'

Uhh~ Where did Grandfather even find such a book?!

Anyways, I shouldn't waste my time. I need to find a book about Magical Ability.

I started walking between the empty spaces between the rows of the bookshelves. It's hard to find a specific type of book as the library is really disorganized. I didn't care about it before as I picked up any random book with me and read them in my room. 

But now I think I should've organized this place.

I already read every book in the front row. Let's go to the last row. I haven't read them yet.

Hmm…

< LEGEND OF THE REALM OF MYTHS >

< MYTH OF THE NINE TALE >

< DARK MAGIC AND ITS EFFECTS >

< MANA >

Whoa…. So many books I haven't read. But I don't have time to read them. 

After searching for half an hour, I finally found a book on the corner of the middle row. If I hadn't looked carefully I wouldn't have found it. It was hidden behind some books.

Why though… Why is it hidden like that?

No… Let's not think much about it…

The Book has Black Velvet Cover. And strangely it didn't have any name written on it. 

I took the book and went to sit at a table. 

Let's read it first. It might be an ordinary book.

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There are different kinds of Magic. Fire, Earth, Water, Thunder, Air, Light, Ice and so on. 

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"Sigh~ I know about this."

Let's see the next page… 

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People learned how to use magic after being blessed by the Spirits of Nature. 

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Not this either…

Next page…

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Bloodline magic is when people inherit magic from one's family.

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Not this either…

I turned a few more pages and all of those had the information I already know.

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Ancient Magic… 

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Hmm. Let's read this.

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All Kinds of Complicated Magic like Time Magic, Spatial Magic and many more are parts of Ancient Magic. 

Although now there's any Wizard alive who can completely master this Magic. There might be few who can master one or two types of Ancient Magic. But they are extremely rare.

About time magic, the highest level of this Magic is TIME TRAVEL. And in history, there was one Wizards who travelled back to the past but what he did was just destruction. 

And that's why all the books related to Time Travel were burnt by the Wizards. The Higher Rank Wizard of that time hid the matter from the eyes of people.

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Wait… What?! I never heard of this! 

This book… Who wrote it?!

And how did I travel back to time… 

I want to know… 

No! That's not important. I am here to learn about my power. Yes. Let's focus on that, Isabella. 

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And the Wizard who did that was… ###

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What?! Why is the name scribbled like this?! Aghh!

Haaa~ Calm down. You can't do anything even if you know the name.

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But… There is one magic that is more powerful than Ancient Magic.

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What? Powerful than Ancient Magic?!

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No! It's not magic. It's far more than that.

And it's called…

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I turned the page to read the next line but-

Flare~

The book suddenly caught fire by itself. 

"No! No! No!"

I tried to snuff out the fire with my hand. But something was strange!

The Fire… Why is it not hot? It doesn't burn my hand. 

But then how is the book burning?

And in a moment, the entire book turned to fire and the fire took the shape of a face.

[ Not Yet. It's not time yet. ]

The fire face said with a heavy voice and disappeared.

What? Not time yet?

"What do you mean not time yet?! I was so close. But… Why? Why did it burn like that?!"

I am angry. Why? Why did the book burn? Was it a spell? That must be it! That must be why my hands didn't burn. It wasn't a real fire. But then why did the book burn. And who cast it…?

G-Grandfather?!

No way! That can't be possible!

But then why was the book hidden?

But if he really didn't want me to read it, he could've burned the book before. So why didn't he do it?

I don't understand. What's going on? 

Why? Why am I the one who doesn't know anything? 

Sob* 

No. I can't cry. I have to find out about my power before I go to Fellmirr. I don't have much time left.

There is only one month before the WALDOR ANNUAL MEETING.

After that, the Royal Palace will be in chaos because of Rubena. I have to find everything before that.

Ah… I can go to the Realm of Myths…

Yes…

But not today… It will be morning soon.

I have to wait for tomorrow night…

Yes. Let's calm down. We will definitely find some answers there. 

Let's just go back for now.

After that, I took the hurricane from the table and left the annex.

Rumble~

It's still raining. I couldn't hear anything from the library though. 

Haa~

Ah. I forgot my shawl.

Tch! Let's just return to my room. I will just change my nightgown.

And also… I don't have the heart to go back to the library now.

Soon after, I returned to my room. Fortunately, there wasn't anyone guarding my room. So I didn't have any problem getting in. 

Then I changed my nightgown as it was wet because of the rainwater.

After that, I lay on the bed and started thinking about all the things.

Magic that is far superior than Ancient Magic… 

And Grandfather…

What were you trying to hide from me that you even had to cast a spell?

And what were all those visions I saw today?

Haaa~

I can't think anymore. 

Let's sleep now. Tomorrow will be another big day. I will have to fight with them tomorrow too. I can't get weak.

If not for them, then for Leonus. I want to show him my strong side this time.

Yes.

Let's just sleep.

And after tossing and turning for a while, I finally fell asleep.

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Chirp* Chirp*

"My Lady! It's morning. Please wake up."

Anne said while removing the curtains from my window.

The bright ray of light reached my eyes. Ah. So annoying.

I covered my face with one hand.

"My Lady. You have to get prepared before the Jeweller arrives."

"Sigh~ I am getting up."

Saying that I got up from bed.

I looked outside. Seems like the rain has finally stopped. It's so bright.

"Greetings, My Lady. Hope you had a good night."

Anne bowed and said with a smile.

Good night, My foot. 

"M-My Lady? D-Did I do something wrong?"

Anne asked with a nervous voice seeing Isabella's annoyed expression.

"No. You didn't. Anyways I need to wash my face."

"Yes. I have already prepared the water on the table."

"Good."

Saying that I got down from the bed and washed my face. Then I started eating the breakfast Anne brought.

Surprisingly, both the Water and the Breakfast is perfect. She didn't mix anything like salt or whatever. 

Now that I think about it, she didn't ask anything about my change of Nightgown. She must've noticed. Well, I guess she is smart.

"My Lady? Is the food not to your liking?"

"It's okay."

"I am glad."

Well, let's enjoy the food. I will buy her something good today.

Knock* Knock*

"Princess Isabella, May I come in?"

Kelvin? Why is he here this early morning?

"No. Wait outside. I am having breakfast right now."

"B-But Princess, it's urgent."

"Tch! Anne, go and listen to what he has to say."

"Alright, My Lady."

Soon Anne went outside the door and talked with the butler. Then she burst into my room and said,

"My Lady! He is here!"

Who is she talking about?

"Who?"

"The Grand Duke."

My eyes widened.

"What?"

"Yes, My Lady! Grand Duke Roberto is here and is waiting for your visit!"