Lorenza looked at herself in a broken mirror and realized she didn't quite look like a peasant due to her unique features, such as her pale skin, purple hair, and distinctive eye colors. She thought about changing her appearance to blend in better.

  Her colored eyes were a result of the La'ra kingdom's feared power, Magicka. There were only two ways to open a Magicka for a La'ra: by killing someone she loved or by a strict ascetic regimen. Lorenza preferred the ascetic way, saying, "I will never kill anyone I love to gain power, but I must open my Magicka either way or another."

  As she opened the door, she collided with Natale, who was bringing a sandwich. Lorenza caught the falling sandwich in mid-air, impressing Natale with her smooth move.

  Natale complimented her, saying, "You were like a ballerina, Lola."

  Lorenza corrected her, saying, "You meant a ballet dancer?" and explained the difference between the terms.

  Natale asked Lorenza to teach her those poses, so she could be more confident in her movements and avoid breaking plates. Lorenza sat down on a table, eating her sandwich and drinking her juice, surrounded by the crowded inn.

  Lorenza enjoyed the taste of the simple sandwich, yearning for a simple life even more. Natale, on the other hand, ate quickly, mentioning that the place would be crowded soon. As predicted, the inn became crowded, and Natale struggled to keep up with the requests. Lorenza decided to help, despite Natale's initial reluctance.

  Lorenza took the plates from Natale's hands and showcased her serving skills, moving swiftly and singing a song in a different language. Although the song honored the La'ra kingdom, Lorenza hoped no one understood the lyrics. However, the clients liked her service, and she received a jar full of tips. Natale called her an "elegant angel," and her father, the innkeeper, was impressed.

  Lorenza tried to give the jar of 36 golden nuggets to the innkeeper, but she refused, saying they didn't need it. Lorenza insisted, wanting to exchange it for the clothing she took from Natale.

  The innkeeper called her "filthy stubborn," sensing that she was raised in the Royalist culture despite her claims of not being one. She warned that her potential Magicka powers made her a "walking nuclear explosive" to him, referencing the destructive forces she had seen before.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Lorenza grimaced and left, with Natale following her.

  They walked near the river, where Natale asked, "Are you leaving?"

  Lorenza replied, "No, not yet. I am fond of this place. The La'ra Kingdom and the Royal Guards can't find this tiny village. I know there's a huge possibility that they're after me. Besides, I'm not bothered by your father. She's telling the truth. Magickas are destructive, and I have a destructive force in me. That's why I must open my Magicka to protect myself from myself."

  Natale asked, "Where's the La'ra Kingdom?"

  Lorenza said, "They're near the Alps."

  When Natale asked what the Alps were, Lorenza explained, "They're near Switzerland or the new kingdom of France."

  Lorenza stopped and said, "I am trying to find a quiet place to interact with my Magicka. The destructive thing is not the Magicka; it is the user's intention that makes a Magicka dangerous. Magickas are like tools in a toolbox; they are neutral powers. If you are unjust, they act unjustly. If you are just, they act justly. I have no unjust intentions like the La'ra lineage, so I suppose my Magicka would be like me."

  Natale smiled.

  Lorenza expressed her desire to live a simple life, saying, "I yearn for your simple life, Natale. Can you show me the carefree, simple way of life? And I will use Magicka to protect myself and... people like you..."

  Natale replied, "I would, if only you would teach me how to be a good servant like you."

  Lorenza frowned, remembering a past trauma, and said, "You don't need to praise me like that. Sometimes those praises remind me of the final blow-ups during the bed acts."

  When Natale asked what she meant, Lorenza said, "Never mind."

  She looked at the grass, stood up, and stretched her body, saying, "This place seems to be a good place to practice."

  Natale asked, squatting down, "What will you do?"

  Lorenza put a determined face and said, "I, Lorenza La'ra, will squat down here every day after helping with your daily works. For the next forty days, I will eat nothing but rice and plain water, as the tradition says, to summon up my Magicka."

  Natale yawned, "Sounds boring to eat nothing but rice for forty days."

  Lorenza replied, "You must bore yourself to death in order to summon it up. Now, please, leave me alone. I must run now."

  Natale offered to run with her, and Lorenza agreed.

  For forty days, Lorenza worked at the inn, helped Natale, and ran around the village, eating only rice and water. Natale tagged along but gave up due to the plain rice. The Magicka did not appear, and Lorenza wondered if she should be alone. Natale agreed to let her try it that way.

  Another forty days passed, and nothing happened. Lorenza tried again for forty days, but still, nothing happened. She decided to give it another forty days, but after six months, nothing spiritual occurred. The inn's fame and business grew, and Lorenza formed bonds with Natale's family. Natale taught Lorenza how to play kick-ball, but she didn't like it due to the distance and fear of being caught by the Royal-Guards. Lorenza had recently turned 16.