Chapter 1.2 - To the Palace

As Lycoris walked through the front doors of the main building of Duke Njohuri High School, with the two Foot Guards following close behind her, she looked back, and thought about how much she loved and hated this school. It was where she had learned everything she knew. Well, except for absolutely all the royal history, her more special, and complicated spells and potion recipes, and how to fight, among other things.

She reasoned with herself that maybe not everything was due to the school. But there had been quite a few incidents, mostly during her childhood, of other girls ganging up on her because they knew she would not fight back. However, when her father taught her a spell that could temporarily remove the mouths of those girls, they swiftly started leaving her alone. There were also all those weird stares and glances she always got in the halls from both new and old students.

Lycoris and the guards walked from Njohuri High and through a small part of town consisting of many smaller houses. The pale-yellow brick of the houses radiated the same empowering energy as the ones the central tower was made of. Though maybe not quite as strongly. The pale-yellow brick was moonstone, it served as a power amplifier the residents of the Moon Kingdom, given their power level was high enough. Moonstone was a heavily regulated and rare material; it could only be gathered from sights where a meteor had fallen. The Mages would control to see how much magical energy was contained within, usually the amount was high. In some cases, they would have to reduce it if the material was intended for use outside the palace grounds.

Lycoris took the time to examine the faces of her escorts. One of them she recognized as one of her older friends, Kristian.

He had graduated three years prior. Though, despite his mother’s position in the guard, he was still just a footguard, he seemed to like it that way. Lycoris knew him the same way she knew Fortis, though he acted more like a babysitter than a playmate. When she grew older, the two of them had found a mutual interest in books and learning. From there a friendship had started to bloom.

“I didn’t realize you were still in the footguard,” she started as they continued walking. The other guard seemed surprised, but quickly acknowledged she was not speaking to him. Kristian let out a small chuckle.

“Being honest, I’m not eager to rise up the ranks,” he touched his neck with his unoccupied hand.

“And why is that?”

“Being in charge of others isn’t really my thing. I’m only in the footguard to begin with to appease my mother. She believes people would gossip if I didn’t pursue a military career” he paused “However, beyond that she doesn’t care where I rank.”

They continued into a less populated part of the village.

“I see. At least you won’t be pressured to proceed, should you not want to” she observed him for second “Do you even like being part of the military?”

“I do. I’m content, being a footguard is easy but mindless work, it provides me enough time to seek intellectual challenge elsewhere.” There was no trace of hesitation in his voice. They had now reached the entrance to the palace grounds.

“I’d be happy to have my study buddy back,” she nudged him lightly with her elbow as the other footguard spoke to the gate keeper.

“Yes, though it seems you have surpassed my level when it comes to magic studies.” Kristian chuckled.

“That doesn’t matter, we don’t have to be doing the same things, we don’t even have to study magic.” She light-heartedly argued back, they continued into the courtyard.

“What about your siblings? Surely they’d be interested.”

“I’d think again. As you know Dash’s interest in learning magic is non-existent to say the least. Nihara is too young, her interest don’t currently lie in studies.”

“What about Dosa?”

Lycoris sighed.

“He’s just… too secretive? He seems like he wants to keep his studies to himself. He definitely has no interest in sharing them with me of all people.” As she finished, she spotted Dosa sitting on a secluded bench with a heavy looking book. They made eye contact for a few seconds; she felt his bright yellow eyes pierce hers. She broke eye contact as they reached the Central Tower.

“That’s right! The two of you always had a sort of rivalry.”

They went inside heading for the central staircase.

“Yeah… I feel he sees me as someone to beat rather than work with.”

As the three of them ascended the central spiral staircase, she noticed her younger sister running around playing tag with some of the other children. Lycoris caught herself envying Nihara, at that moment she was carefree. What she would give to have that kind of innocence.

“Are you okay, Lycoris?” Kristian asked as she snaped out of her thoughts.

“Yes,” she paused, “Why?”

“You just suddenly got this sad look on your face.” He said with concern in his voice.

“I-“

“We’re here,” the other guard interrupted.

“Remind me again why the King’s office is on the second highest floor,” Kristian commented. He was not out of breath, rather Lycoris suspected it might have been out of laziness.

“It’s a strategic position I believe,” she answered almost forgetting about her previous thoughts.

“That is correct,” a new voice added. Both guards immediately bowed and Lycoris turned towards the now open door where her father was standing.