Avoid The Lead!

.

'A direct approach is often best!'

Celia walked up to Taze that same day and asked in a low voice, "What is wrong with you? Why are you sick?"

Taken aback, Taze raised a fine brow. ~"What are you asking? I'm completely healthy."~ He replied using telepathy, which made Celia return to her seat to avoid unwanted stares.

Carla sent Celia a questioning look, but celia shook her head slightly, reassuring her.

She turned her focus back to Taze, saying, ~"At least five people in this class are convinced the 'Crown Prince' won't live much longer."~ She left out the fact that she was certain.

~"That's a groundless rumor."~ He insisted.

"Tsk!" She exclaimed aloud, but disguised it as a cough. ~"You fell ill in your first year... Isn't that why you left school?!"~

Pause...

Then, ~"You really do know too much..."~

~"You said you don't mind!"~ She retorted, then quickly blurted out before she lost courage, ~"I suspect someone is out for your life! What are your symptoms?!"~

If she was even to attempt curing him, she needed to know his symptoms for a start, but Taze was quick to distract her.

~"Celia! I didn't know you cared! This is a wonderful day!"~

~"Shut it and list your symptoms!"~ She demanded, but he began reciting poetry.

~"For you, oh Fair Lady! I shall brave the highest mountain, and cross the deepest seas...!"~

~"Grrrrr!"~ She gritted her teeth and cast the spell which blocked out his telepathy.

Behind her, Taze gave a small smile. 'Celia, I can never let you get involved...'

A few more days of trying to get answers from Taze, were about as successful as sweeping back the tide with a broom!

Once, Celia even tried grabbing his wrist to forcefully read his pulse, but he caught her hand, yanked her closer and planted a bold kiss on her forehead, which tossed her concentration out the window, as she sucked in a sharp breath...

'I give up!' she surrendered. 'I'll figure it out on my own!'

In the following days, Master Sylva was amazed to see Celia focusing on Mind magic.

"This is new..." He observed. "Through the years you've been particularly dismissive of any Mind Magic, even your Foresight magic."

That much was true...

Under Master Sylva's guidance, Celia had mastered almost every aspect of Light magic, had broken down her ice magic to water and air magic, mastering those as well, and she could even harness a bit of earth and fire magic.

But she was indeed dismissive of her Foresight magic, which she was still unable to control, and which had never manifested past age nine.

It was the same in her previous lives, and after her first life, she never bothered with it again, because she already knew every unfortunate event that would follow, and found ways to prevent them whenever she could.

But in this life, she was determined to delve into Mind magic, because she wanted to delve into Taze's mind, and maybe even foresee things she may have overlooked in her first life.

"Well, you already have an affinity for Mind Magic, so technically, it should be easy." Master Sylva explained. "However, I suspect you're mentally blocking it out, and that is the worst kind of challenge... Fighting yourself!"

His words resonated with Celia, reminding her of the strange memory she had seen in her first year... The memory where Vitav had been replaced by Taze.

She did feel like there was a part of herself veiled in mystery, which was astonishing, as she couldn't recall feeling any such thing in all past lives.

"There's a way to explore your inner self, but it's too advanced for you." Master Sylva put in, sipping his tea. "Maybe in two years."

But Celia didn't have two years and she wondered if it wasn't too late for Taze already.

"Try me!" She challenged. "If it can be taught, it can be learned! I'm beyond determined!"

"Oh?" Master Sylva smiled. "Very well! Just sign here!" A formal looking document appeared and floated over to her, accompanied by an inked feather quill. "Make sure you sign clearly."

Celia looked down at the paper. "This is...?"

"Don't worry, don't worry!" He waved her away. "It's a simple waiver stating that I can't be held responsible, if I work you to death!"

And he indeed nearly worked her to death!

Celia was tasked with memorizing almost an entire book each day! And then mastering several advanced Mind spells, all in a few weeks!

As three months went by, a worried Carla watched Celia get more and more razzled and frazzled!

"Celia! Are you okay?!" Carla inquired one day, furiously waving her hand before Celia's zoned-out face. The two were walking back to the dorms from a shared class.

"The Mind is a Spectrum, and Thoughts are Facets..." Celia recited in a mutter, her feet moving subconsciously.

"Oye! Celia!" Carla shook her.

"Ei?!" Celia was suddenly alert. "Where are we?!"

"Aren't you working too hard?!" Carla worried. "You haven't told me why you're suddenly studying so much, but..." She leaned in to whisper. "Is it because this is your sixteenth year? You know, about that unknown Prince you mentioned?"

Celia had confided in Carla, without confiding too much.

At least Carla knew Celia dreaded her sixteenth birthday, because on that day a prince might show up and propose marriage, and though Carla doubted it all, she remained supportive.

But Celia shook her head and patted Carla's shoulder. "My birthday is in Winter, and it's still late-spring. Besides, I don't think he would show up..."

Vitav was still unknown to the public, and even if he wasn't, there was nothing in this life to attract him to her... There was no way he would suddenly appear and propose marriage!

She shook her head as she turned to reassure her friend. "This is another issue that's not mine to share, but know that I'm fine..."

.

.

The next day...

There was a drip-dripping sound, as early morning dew dripped off a bridge's railing, and into a small puddle.

The fresh morning air was filled with the silence of dawn, and beneath the bridge was a tunnel filled with darkness, with only dim light filtering in through the entrance.

A shadowed figure sat in the dark, and his startling blue eyes stared at the puddle, watching ripples spread after each drop.

H is eyes narrowed as a pair of dirty boots splashed right into the puddle, shattering the calm.

"Yo. Forgive me for not bowing a greeting, 'your highness' but you did awaken me when fairy folk still linger in sleep." The speaker was a rough looking fellow who might make the worst of bandits seem friendly, and the scars on his arms and face told of many past battles.

On his back were a pair of beautiful intricate wings which lit up the cave, but contrasted wickedly with his frightening features.

He ran a hand through his shoulder-length red hair as his wings vanished, casting them in semi-darkness. "So tell me, 'your highness', what can I do for you?"

The fairy's sarcastic tone wasn't missed, and Vitav Nowen, first prince of Luxia, gritted his teeth as he rose to his feet, removing his cloak hood to reveal his flawlessly handsome face and striking blonde hair.

"Lord Fardell. Pleasure." He greeted, sounding every bit as sarcastic. "Don't blame me. I was forced to summon and remind you that times fly by quickly..."

Vitav sat and crossed his legs. "Why is there no movement on the fairy front?" A cup of warm tea appeared with a wave of his hand, and he took a leisurely sip before continuing.

"Why just last week, my dear younger brother displayed a skill close to Peer Mage level, and father is already calling him the 'Youngest Grand Mage' in history..." Vitav rolled his eyes.

Peer Mage was the level before Grand Mage, and it took years to achieve.

Someone as young and sick as Tazeus should be no where near it!

That day, Lady Flora had incited the core families to insist on removing Taze as the Crown Prince, since he was so sickly.

Pressured, King Vien had summoned Taze, and a servant had to support him, just so he would remain upright as he entered the Throne room and stood before the gathering of Nobles and High Mages.

A few of the Mages on Lady Flora's side had given Taze a set of spells to perform, all too difficult for his level...

But though Taze weakly staggered throughout, he flawlessly performed them all!

Vitav was certain Taze had used some trick, but there was no proof, and King Vien had gotten excited over it, singing his praises for days on end.

"If my dear brother wasn't so sick, father would have made this public, and he would have the people's support already!"

"And how is any of this my concern?" Fardell sounded bored, picking at his teeth with his pinky. "Since when was I tasked with babysitting a 'spare' prince?"

"This 'spare' Prince..." Vitav began in a low angry drawl. "Is the future King of Luxia!"

.