Phantasia: The Princess Knight

Alicia looked at the rock shaped object in her hand that was about two times the size of her fist closely. "What does a magic core do?"

"From what I know humans and demihumans can use it to craft weapons and demonic beast and dragons eat them to raise their strength since a magic core is solidified Magicules " Loeri explained.

"Hmmm…. So does this thing taste good? " Alicia used some water magic and washed the magic core off before putting it to her mouth and taking a small bite. She had thought that she would not be able to bite into it but surprisingly she was able to. Not only that but when it entered her mouth it completely melted in her mouth releasing all the Magicules into her body! The high concentration of Magicules that entered her body, rushed towards her Magi Sack. As the Magicules passed through her system Alicia felt great pain almost equivalent to what she had the first time started taking in Magicules. The amount of Maficules from just this one tiny bite of a magic core was ten times what her body could handle!

Loeri seeing the sight in front of her eyes widen. "What are you doing! Are you trying to kill yourself!?"

Alicia was not able to say a word the pain she was feeling right now was much worse than a year ago. She was having troubles standing as her body swayed back and forth before losing her footing and started to fall. In her half-conscious state, she suddenly felt something warm embrace her.

"Alicia! Hang in there, try to control the Magicules! Do not let yourself faint!" Berlin's worried voice entered Alicia's ears.

Hearing the anxiety of his voice and the warmth of his embrace relaxed Alicia quite a bit. It was the feeling one would get from a father or mother. This feeling made Alicia remember her own parents. It made her remember the care and love they had given her as she was growing up. In her half-dazed state, Alicia whispered: "Father, Mother, Akari is sorry. I am sorry that I died… Akari will live a fulfilling life in this new place..."

Berlin, who heard her words, was confused but he had no time to think of such things. "Alicia! Do not pass out, you have to stay awake!"

Berlin's words once again entered her ear. It slightly snapped her out of her daze. She bit her lip hard, causing blood to flow. She wanted to concentrate some of the pain in her body to her lips. But the pain only lasted a second before the wound she had just caused healed instantly.

Seeing the instant healing gave Loeri an idea! "Old man I have an idea on how to save her!"

Without waiting for Berlin to reply, Loeri went to work ruthlessly clawing and biting Alicia. Seeing this Berlin fell into a rage and fiercely smacked Loeri away as he roared out: "What are you doing to my daughter!?"

In his rage, Berlin forgot to control his illusion magic and his disguise as an old man faded away. Loeri was stunned to see that the old man was actually a young man in his thirties! In her memories which she inherited from her parents, she knew who this man was! "You! Your..."

"Answer me! Why did you start attacking her!?" Berlin yelled out.

"Not attacking! I am saving her! The wounds are healing! It's using the excess Magicules in her body to heal the wounds I created!" Loeri yelled back. She didn't want to die, she is only a few hundred years old! She wanted to grow up alongside Alicia until she died from old age! Not die a few days after making a contract with her!

Berlin only now looked over at the wounds that Loeri and just caused and saw that they had completely disappeared. Seeing this he now understood. "I am sorry I just… Do it gently..." He did not want to see his daughter get hurt. It pained his heart. Over this past year, he had grown very fond of this little girl. Although she was not blood-related to him he felt a deep connection to her. She was bright, honest and cheerful. She always tried to help him do things around the cottage. She worked hard in her training and never complained no matter how harsh it was. He felt more fatherly love towards this child than any of his sons or daughters in the castle.

Loeri did not hesitate to continue causing more wounds on Alicia's body. She could tell the man holding Alicia like she was a rare gem would never be able to do what she was doing now. Loeri did not want to harm Alicia either but right now both their lives were on the line. Loeri bit and scratched leaving deep wounds in Alicia's arms. Each time she did Loeri felt pain in her heart for having to do such a thing.

Slowly the mass of Magicules in Alicia's body started to begin to deplete at a rapid pace. The process took almost twenty minutes before Alicia's furrowed brow slowly eased up. Her breathing became steady as if she was in a sound sleep. Only then did Loeri stop her actions and let out a sigh of relief.

Berlin looked at the peacefully sleeping Alicia and gently brushed her hair back. He waved his hand and all the blood and dirt that was on her body disappeared instantly. He did the same for Loeri as well.

"Loeri, I am sorry for my earlier actions. I also hope you can keep my real identity from Alicia for the time being. I do not plan to let her know until her coming of age ceremony when she turns fifteen. It is not that I do not want her to know but it is for her own safety. She needs to be strong enough to protect herself by that time." Berlin explained.

"You got my word. You should go before she wakes up." Loeri replied. She could tell that this man only had Alicia's best interest in mind.

Giving one more look at Alicia, Berlin laid her gently on the ground before his body flashed and he disappeared from sight.