Project Mage

Gaiza and Aliana plummeted through the sky. The Eastern part of Jancito loomed closer and closer. Gaiza clung tightly to Aliana with her heart racing while they descended at a breakneck pace. Her blue hair whipped around in the wind.

Aliana, with her frosty blue and silver robes billowing in the wind remained calm and collected.

They crashed onto the Eastern city's outskirts. Gaiza released her hold on Aliana. She quickly scrambled to her feet, trying to put some distance between them with a blush on her face.

"Princess Aliana, I-I hope you're alright!" Gaiza stammered

Aliana rose gracefully. "I'm perfectly fine, Gaiza," she replied. "I already told you long time that you can drop the formalities, you know."

Gaiza flushed even more, avoiding Aliana's gaze. "Y-Yes, but…I just prefer to call you Princess," she mumbled

Elena, who had landed nearby, observed the interaction with a humorous smile.

"Looks like you two had quite the journey down here," Elena remarked with her short red hair catching the sunlight. "Don't be too hard on Gaiza, Aliana. She has to get used to not calling you that."

Aliana sighed softly. "I know, Elena. I appreciate her dedication, but she should lighten up. I am no longer Princess Aliana, at least not for that Academy anymore..." She then turned her attention to their surroundings. She knew this city well; it was her home before she was trapped on the Mystical forest island. Memories of her grand princess house flashed briefly in her mind.

"We've landed in Eastern Jancito. This is my home, or rather, it was before I was trapped on that accursed island."

Aliana led the way through the city. Memories of her past life started flooded back. She recalled the grandeur of the kingdom, the unusual pink house that stood out among the fancy buildings, the marketplace with dessert vendors, and the imposing Castle of the King guarded by royal guards.

She led them to the Fountain. People chatted and shared stories, buying sweet treats from outdoor salespeople. Next, they passed by a massive hotel that had always been a prominent landmark in the city. Its opulent design and extravagant decorations had made it a symbol of luxury in Eastern Jancito. Finally, they arrived at the Eastern Sword God School, where students practiced their swordsmanship in open courtyards. The Tournament area, designated in a specific district, was particularly crowded.

Aliana surveyed the city she once knew so well with nostalgia. "We'll need to blend in and gather information," she said."I have a feeling we'll find something important here."

Aliana, Gaiza, and Elena moved through the streets of Eastern Jancito. The buildings that surrounded them each told a story of the city's rich history.

They passed by the unusual pink house. It had always been a topic of curiosity among the locals. Aliana's memory flashed back to the time when she had admired the house's uniqueness, even in the midst of her rigorous training.

Next, they strolled along the dessert-filled marketplace, where vendors offered a colorful array of sweets. The scents of freshly baked pastries and sugary delights wafted through the air, triggering memories of her childhood visits to these stalls. She could almost taste the sweet confections she had savored as a young girl.

Their path led them past the grand hotel, a magnificent structure adorned with intricate carvings and gold accents. Aliana recalled attending a high-society event here, where she had been the center of attention, a cryomancer of unparalleled beauty and power.

Aliana's memories began to turn darker. She remembered a fierce battle she had fought against an opponent at the Eastern Sword School with swirling vortexes of energy around their hands. The clash of their powers had been intense, leaving Aliana with a vivid recollection of her injuries.

Aliana touched her eye with a shiver, feeling the phantom pain of the past. It was here, in this very city, that she had been slashed in the eye during that forgotten battle. Yet, to her surprise, there was no scar or bruise to be found. Her eye was pristine, as if the injury had never happened.

Gaiza and Elena noticed Aliana's discomfort and concern etched on her face. Gaiza asked, "Princess Aliana, are you alright?"

Aliana hesitated for a moment, then offered a tight smile. "I'm fine, Gaiza. It's nothing."

Elena, who had grown closer to Aliana after their shared experiences, could sense that there was more to the story. She exchanged a knowing glance with Gaiza but didn't press the issue.

The group continued their exploration of Eastern Jancito. The sound of rumbling stomachs broke the silence. Elena and Gaiza exchanged sheepish glances, their hunger becoming impossible to ignore.

Aliana turned her attention to her companions. "We can't search for information on empty stomachs," she declared.

Gaiza, however, objected. "Princess Aliana, we need to find information as soon as possible to reunite with the others. We have no time to rest...”

Elena nodded in agreement.

Aliana sighed, recognizing the validity of their point. "Very well," she conceded, but heard their stomaches rumbling in disagreement with their ideas. “You know, you two should let me treat you today," Aliana declared with a warm smile.

Gaiza and Elena exchanged surprised glances. Gaiza hesitated, "Princess Aliana, we appreciate the gesture, but we couldn't possibly..."

Aliana shook her head gently, her smile unwavering. “Consider it a small token of my gratitude.”

Aliana's memory provided her with a recollection of a quaint restaurant not far from their current location. She recalled its name and location vividly. With a graceful gesture, she led Gaiza and Elena through the winding streets of the city until they arrived at the restaurant.

"It's called 'Frostbite Bistro,'" Aliana explained with a small smile. "I used to come here in the past. They have the most exquisite dishes, and I think you'll both enjoy it."

With Aliana's guidance, they entered the restaurant. Aliana, Gaiza, and Elena were seated at a cozy corner table inside the "Frostbite Bistro." The restaurant had an ambiance of warmth and sophistication, with soft, icy-blue lighting and elegant decor.

A waiter, dressed in a crisp white uniform with a frosty blue tie, approached their table with a friendly smile. "Good evening, ladies, my name is Leo," he greeted them. "Welcome to Frostbite Bistro. My name is Leo, and I'll be taking care of you tonight. May I start you off with something to drink?"

Aliana, always composed, ordered a glass of water with ice, while Gaiza and Elena requested herbal tea to soothe their rumbling stomachs. Leo jotted down their orders and soon returned with their beverages.

While setting down their drinks, Leo's eyes widened in recognition as he glanced at Aliana. "You know, you look quite familiar," he remarked with a puzzled expression. "Have we met before?"

Aliana maintained her composed demeaner."Maybe," she replied calmly, “but I’ve been away from Eastern Jancito for quite some time."

Leo nodded, seemingly accepting her response. He took their food orders, and soon enough, their dishes arrived—delicately plated and exquisitely presented.

However, as he set down their meals, Leo gave her a curious look. "I can't shake the feeling that I've seen you somewhere," he said. "Your face, it's so distinctive. Are you sure you haven't been to this city recently?"

"I did use to visit here in the past," Aliana admitted with a polite smile. “My name is Aliana."

Leo's eyes widened in recognition. "Ah, Aliana! Now I remember. Yes, you used to come here quite often."

Aliana seized the opportunity to inquire further. "Leo, have you heard any interesting rumors lately? Something that might be of interest to someone like me?"

Leo leaned in slightly while speaking in a whisper. "Well," he began, "there have been whispers of one of the Five Goddess' artifacts rumored to be hidden somewhere in the city. It's a pretty big deal."

Aliana, Gaiza, and Elena exchanged surprised glances. This was information they hadn't come across during their journey.

Leo continued, "But it's not all good news. Ever since those rumors started circulating, strange things have been happening in the Forest that separates the East and West parts of Jancito."

Curiosity piqued, Aliana pressed for more details. "What kind of strange things?"

Leo sighed, growing more serious. “Ever since these rumors started circulating, something strange has been happening. You see, the forest that separates the East and West parts of Jancito has been experiencing rare occurrences. Mystical creatures that were supposed to be kept out due to the barrier surrounding the entirety of Jancito have started showing up."

Aliana's interest was piqued. "Mystical creatures? That's highly unusual. Do you have any idea why this is happening?"

Leo nodded gravely. "It's hard to say for sure, but it's causing quite a bit of trouble. The Eastern Army has been dealing with these creatures, and it has led to some clashes with the West. You know how sensitive the relations between the two parts of the city can be. We've been lucky so far, but tensions are rising."

Aliana, Gaiza, and Elena absorbed this information now knowing what was going on within the towns. Leo returned with their food and he discreetly placed their plates before them. His eyes once again met Aliana's, and he spoke in a low, cautious tone.

"Miss Aliana," he began, "I'd like to give you a word of caution. It's important that you don't mention that I shared this information with you. But, there's something you might find interesting, especially if you plan to visit the Eastern Sword School."

Aliana's curiosity was piqued. She nodded. Leo continued, "Recently, there's been an unusual child at the Eastern Sword School. This kid started training with the Sword Gods at the age of 7, and over the years, their magical abilities have grown extraordinarily. They've become one of the strongest individuals skilled in sword magic, despite being just 13 years old now."

Aliana, Gaiza, and Elena exchanged glances with narrowed eyes. A child with such exceptional prowess was a noteworthy development, and it might hold valuable information for Aliana's plans.

"Thank you for sharing this with me," Aliana replied softly. "Your discretion is appreciated."

After finishing their meal, Aliana suddenly looked somewhat distressed. She cleared her throat, casting a gaze at Gaiza and Elena.

"I, um, just realized something," Aliana began while seemingly having a flushed face. "We don't actually have any money. Back on the Mystical Island, we didn't need things like currency did we..."

Gaiza and Elena exchanged shocked glances. Gaiza stammered with widened eyes, "Wait, Princess Aliana, A-are you serious? Y-You don’t have any money?!”

Aliana chuckled softly. "Yes, Gaiza, I'm afraid that's the case. We're in a whole different world now than we were when we were stranded on that island in the forest."

Just as their waiter, Leo, was about to return with the bill, he paused for a moment, as if deep in thought. When he approached their table, he wore a warm smile.

"Here's your bill," Leo said, holding it out, but then he took it back. "You know what? Don't worry about it. This one's on the house."

Aliana, Gaiza, and Elena blinked in surprise. "Thank you, Leo," Aliana said with a smile. "That's very generous of you."

Leo winked at them before taking the bill away.

The group stepped out of the restaurant. Gaiza and Elena exchanged concerned glances. The issue of money and their need for accommodations weighed heavily on their minds. Gaiza hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up.

"Princess Aliana," Gaiza began with worry, "how are we going to pay for things or find a place to stay if you don't have any money?"

Aliana, however, wore a confident smile. She turned to them and gave them a nod. "Don't worry, I have a solution. We can go to my old house. It's not too far from here."

With Aliana leading the way, they walked through the bustling streets of Eastern Jancito.

But upon reaching the location where her house should have stood, Aliana's speech faltered, and her steps slowed to a stop. What they found before them was far from the magnificent home she had described. Instead, it was a dilapidated, broken-down structure, a shadow of its former glory.

Aliana stammered in shock. She took in the sorry state of her once grand residence.