I Will Protect You This Time

Episode 77

(THE ELDER STONE)

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Silver Shapeshifter…. 

Is it Beastmen? Aghh! No. It can't be. I have already thought so many times.

A human shapeshifter? Appearance Changer… 

Wait… Does it have to be a living thing? 

Aghh! What are you thinking Isabella?! How can a non-living thing have eyes! 

Sigh~

But… If by any chance… If it's not a living thing… Then what?

What could that be? 

A Silver Shapeshifter with blue eyes…

Silver… Blue…

Colour…

Suddenly a sudden realization came to my mind. I stood up from my chair in shock.

No. No way… 

Can it… Can it really be that?

Can it really be what I think it is?

No. Before assuming anything… I need to be sure… Be sure of What a shapeshifter is…

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I rummaged through different books on my desk. I found some books about Beastmen, but not a single one about Shapeshifter.

And my night passed by searching and reading through books to learn about Shapeshifters. As a result, I couldn't get a wink of sleep.

Chirp* Chirp*

It's already morning now. 

Aghh. I have to find books about Shapeshifters soon. But I don't have much time. 

Tomorrow is Rubena's Birthday. There will be a Congratulatory Banquet in the morning which will go on till noon. And a Dinner Banquet at night.

And after her banquet… that person will return. I won't be able to move around freely then. I don't want to attract too much attention when he comes back… If he gets suspicious, he might send Rubena to Fellmirr instead of me. 

That will be troublesome. Although I will never let that happen… 

Creak~

Suddenly Anne came in while slowly opening the door. She has a bowl of water in her hand.

"Ah. My Lady, you are already awake. But what are you doing on the floor? And what are all those books..."

Anne said with wide eyes looking at Isabella who was sitting on the floor surrounded by mountains of books. 

Ah. I was sitting on the floor as it felt much more convenient. And I can concentrate more this way.

"Hurry up and prepare my breakfast."

I don't have much time. I have to hurry up.

"H-Huh?"

"Tch! Don't make me repeat myself."

Isabella said while clicking her tongue.

"Ah-Alright."

Saying that Anne left the bowl on the table and hurriedly left for the kitchen.

Then I got up from the floor and went to wash my face. After a while, Anne returned to my room with a tray.

"Hurry up and put it on the table. I will eat my breakfast. And meanwhile, you prepare for my bath."

"Ah- Yes, My Lady."

"Oh and prepare a comfortable dress for me. A dress in which it will be comfortable to move."

"Alright, My Lady."

Saying that Anne hurriedly put down the plates of food on the table.

Then I started eating my breakfast and Anne went to prepare my bath. 

I hurriedly finished eating then took a bath. 

Anne prepared a high collar white top with a long black skirt for me to wear. 

It's really convenient to move, wearing this. 

"My Lady, your hair?"

"Do a ponytail."

"Alright."

After my hair was done, I hurriedly left my room and headed towards the Royal Library.

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Hmm~

This is not it either.

Haa~

There aren't any books about Shapeshifters. I found a book that had just a line about Shapeshifters.

< Shapeshifters are those who change their shapes. >

Aghh! I already know that. 

Sigh~

I have already read so many books. I don't think there will be any book about Shapeshifters here.

Then…

I looked in the direction where the Restricted Section was. 

I guess I have to there.

But can I go there without permission? Should I call Daniel?

Aghh. I don't want to. 

Nevermind. Let's try to get in first. Maybe this door will also open just like the Gate to the Realm of Myths.

Yes. I should try first.

Being hopeful, I walked towards the bookshelf where the door to the restricted section was.

After that, I took out the last book on the shelf.

Hmm. Then what? 

Now that I think about it, Daniel probably put his magical power in the book. Then a golden lily showed up on the back of his hand.

Haa~

I don't want to do it, but I guess I have no choice.

I tried to emulate my magical energy in the book. 

Hmm…

A few moments later…

Kyaa~ I knew it wouldn't work. So embarrassing! 

I covered my face with both hands after putting the book back on the shelf. I know my face is red now.

So embarrassing!

"What are you doing standing there?"

Suddenly I heard Daniel's voice from behind.

Aghh! Why is he here?! 

"N-Nothing."

"Pfft! Did you try to enter the Restricted Section on your own?"

Daniel asked with a smirk.

Aghh. So embarrassing!

I closed my eyes in embarrassment.

"Pfft!"

Daniel stopped his laugh with a hand on his mouth.

Aghh. I will return when he goes back to his room or wherever.

"Let's go. I will open the door for you."

Daniel said while holding my wrist with one hand. Then he took the book from the shelf with the other hand.

And whoosh~

A glowing lily revealed itself on the back of his hand.

Grrr~

Then the bookshelf moved from the way. 

After that, we entered the Restricted Section.

"So what are you trying to find? I mean which book?"

"A book about Shapeshifters."

"Huh?"

"What?"

"N-Nothing. You are searching for weird books. First Dark Magic then Shapeshifter?"

"..."

"Ah. Alright. I will give you one book."

Seeing Isabella's aloof expression, Daniel said with cold sweat.

Then he walked towards a bookshelf and brought out a book.

"Here you go."

Daniel said while handing me over a book with a purple cover.

< Transformation Magic Art >

I took the book and went to the corner of the room. There I sat at a table and started reading its Introduction.

< Chapter 11: Shapeshifters… … Page 175 >

I hurriedly turned on page 175. 

"Let's see."

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Transformation Magic is the Advanced Form of Shapeshifting Magic. In Transformation Magic, a Wizard can change his or her outer appearance the way he wants. 

In this magic, his Magical Ability or Power can be concealed. It's best for an Assassin Wizard.

On the other hand, Shapeshifting Magic is part of Ancient Magic. 

In this magic, wizards not only change their outer appearance but also their core. Although they can change into only one form. But in this magic, they have a boost on one or more of their Magical Ability. 

But it's a lost art of Magic. Although there is a group who bear this ability in their blood.

They are the Beastmen. When they shapeshift into their human form their Magical Ability increases. And when they turn into their beast form their core magic and strength increase.

We know that Shapeshifters are only living beings. 

But there is a legend of a stone that can shapeshift. Although nothing more can be known of this legend. Just that, this stone can change into any shape it wants.

< The Elder Stone >

What? A stone that changes its shape.

I knew it. My guess was right.

But I still need to know about its appearance.

And what's the legend?!

Aghh! These books always leave me in the middle of nothing.

"Hey! Are you done reading?"

"Daniel!"

Daniel flinched hearing his name from Isabella's mouth.

"W-What?"

"What is the legend of the ELDER STONE?"

He might know. He is an Academy student after all.

"Huh?"

"What is it?"

"That…"

"Hurry up and tell me."

"I don't know."

"What? You don't know?"

Isabella asked with a low voice.

But then...

"But I know a book that has the story."

"Huh? Really?"

I asked excitedly. 

"Yes. It's in Grandfather's Library."

Really? Grandfather's library… Thank goodness he knows about that book.

Wait for a second… What did he just say? 

Grandfather's library?

"Y-You…"

I looked at Daniel with wide eyes.

"How did you know?"

"What?"

Daniel replied with cold sweat.

'D*mn it! My mouth slipped!'

Daniel cursed inside.

"You. How do you know about the Library?"

"What? Grandfather's Library? When did I say that?"

"I didn't say that it was Grandfather's Library though."

What a lousy Liar.

'Aghh! D*mn it!'

"I-I went there once I was little."

"..."

"There I saw the book once. THE ELDER STONE."

"..."

How am I supposed to believe him…

"What? Why are you looking at me like that? I am telling the truth."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. I promise."

Haa~

Whatever. At least, because of him, I can read the book now.

"Alright. Then I will leave now."

"Okay. Let's go."

Saying that Daniel holds my hand.

"Huh? What are you doing?"

I asked with a frown.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that? We have to go outside together."

"What?"

Then how did I return alone yesterday? 

Ah. I guess because my power was activated then.

Isabella: "Nevermind.. Let's go."