Year 3988, 15th Day of the 8th Moon
Ember Isle, Fliamma Kingdom, Continent of Humana

NUMBERS OF unreadable notes among the countless pile of opened books and scrolls were scattered around Elise.

Flipping of pages alternating with the heavy pound of mortar and pestle was the only thing that could be heard inside the Medicine Chamber. The pungent smell of herbs was enough to make the maids leave her alone.

A visible frown crossed her face staring at the failed attempt in front of her.

'Just why?'

The pulverized plants were not diluted no matter how many times she mixed them with water. She tried other liquids too but it was to no avail.

She scanned the book once again, pondering what she had done wrong. She was aware there was a mistake with the medicine she was making but she had no idea what was it.

It was definitely not the components, but the process. According to the procedure, she should mix the ingredients gradually after every eight pounds but the mixture did not dissolve. The powder remained afloat on the water and had no signs of combining together.

The room got stuffy and she needed a breather. Or else, the frustration would only eat her up.

She cleaned her mess as much as she could before leaving the room. Dell and Aya were not around when she went out and decided to roam around by herself.

Ever since she got there, she only knew the way to those places she went to. Elise did not bother exploring the whole castle since she was satisfied with her current situation.

While her mind lingered about the failed medicine, her feet led her to the garden. She kept roving, completely unaware of her surroundings.

Her thoughts were focused on how she did the instructions in the book along the way. She tried to recall the pages before it thinking about the possible words that she may have discounted.

"Heal... Healing... Healing Magic! Oh, that's why!"

She couldn't believe she overlooked it. Now she knew why no matter how she did it, she could not do it properly. That medicine needed magic and she had none. her lips uplifted as she dashed to return but all in front of her were trees and other greeneries until she arrived at the familiar sound of the waves was there and she was encircled by the golden sand.

It was the exact same scene back when she woke up in this world. She actually ended up on the shore and she had no idea how she got there.

"Why are you being stupid, Elise?!" she berated herself in annoyance.

She badly needed to fix her habit. Every time she was stuck on something, she tended to stroll without any particular destination. Her mother was always amazed at how she could keep thinking while taking a walk without bumping into anything.

But now look what it got her.

This was a world she was unfamiliar with yet she had the guts to loiter around. If that was not utterly stupid, she didn't know what to call herself then.

She walked around yet it seemed like she was getting out of nowhere. She couldn't even see the silhouette of the castle even if it was that enormous.

By then, the sun was already setting. It was such a beautiful view but she could not appreciate it for it was getting darker and her chance of getting back at the place was going slimmer.

She kept on fidgeting as she continued wandering aimlessly only to be led to the shore again.

Suddenly, goosebumps run on her neck. A chilling breeze shrouded her skin.

'Something's wrong.'

Someone was watching her. A slight quiver ran all over her body. Memories of past stalking incidents crashed her mind. She clenched her fist trying to calm herself, acting like she did not notice.

Her vigilance shot up as the atmosphere became heavy and a palpable feeling of trepidation was easing its way into her mind. Her hands became red from the nails digging into her palm.

Swoosh.

A swift wind reached her ears, only missing her earlobes by a minuscule. Her eyes gawked at the object that went past her.

It was a dagger.

The cold glint of metal glared at her, while she stand ice cold with an ashen face. Her body shuddered yet she braced herself.

She took deep breaths, clenching her fist in a close-open pattern. But, it could do nothing to relax her. Her mind was already running a marathon.

'Is it a trap? Some knight who mistook me as an intruder—'

"Ah!" The moment she turn her back, her answer was there.

The man's broad body was evident even from his robes but his gaze captured her. The blank expression over the dark circles and grim lines on his face screamed danger.

Elise had always learned things effortlessly which was why she tried many activities. Among them were self-defense lessons and other sports. It was truly a gift that she excelled in anything she did. The problem was, that real situations would never compare to competitions.

The man approached her in a slow easy gait, evidently sighting her like a cornered prey. She stepped back, forcing herself to run, her only option when she had no chance of fighting this man.

She swerved and headed full speed. The forest was the only place that could hide her. Sweat drips on her face as her chest became heavy. She could almost hear her own heartbeat as tiny dots were gradually making their way to her field of view. 

The grass rustled beneath her feet and the tree trunk surrounding her slowly became less. Her knees almost buckled upon reaching the forest clearance. But, she was not even able to catch a breath when the man materialized right in front of her.

Her mouth hung open, realizing that he could teleport. Her brain sped on to numerous solutions on how to escape with someone who had an ability like that, but it was futile.

The very fact that he could teleport alone meant she had no chance.

"No running." 

His blank expression turned sinister. His lips widened, revealing a few black stained teeth. His deep voice combined the sound of menace and playfulness.

"I really hate people running away from me. It makes me sad." His somber words did not match the grin on his face.

Elise knew that look. 'Oh my god! He is crazy!'

There was no mistake in it. She had watched too many movies for her own good and this one was an epitome of a maniac murderer based on his whole appearance right now. A sickening smile and haunting eyes coupled with a deep croaking voice that was increasingly becoming the sound of a grim reaper if she could ever hear one.

His lips remained curled, sensing her obvious fear. He was clearly playing with her, prolonging the situation to make her more agitated. She swiveled on her feet and ran as if death was chasing her which, in this case, was almost literally.

If she was in her right mind, she would have thought that it was a useless struggle but she panicked seeing the crazed look of the man. One could deal with a murderer more easily than a person who was insane.

She continued running and running but a voice cut through the silence of the forest.

"Stop running or I'll get angry. If I'm angry, I'll kill you then they'll be angry with me," he spoke as if he was merely saying it was pleasant weather.

As the word 'kill' left his mouth, Elise's face could not get any paler. Anyone would've assumed she was a ghost on how white she became. The weariness was already enveloping her, physically and mentally, causing her consciousness to almost slip away. The shock, panic, and anxiety were inducing her to give up but the adrenaline rush was keeping her awake.

She knew better. She would be at death's door the moment she faints. 

"I told you to stop running."

In an instant, his face appeared right before her. She had no time to react as his foot landed on her stomach.

The unexpected force pushed her back with unbelievable speed. The trees became out of sight as her body sprawled in the sand.

The pain almost numbed her senses but she quickly stood up. She would not let anything happen to her. She still needed to return. Her family was waiting and she could not afford to die.

The man was once again right in front of her. His arm swung to her but she quickly blocked the attack.

His left foot aimed for a kick and she immediately fended it off with her leg but he was agile and faster. He was attacking relentlessly and a single delay would cost her life.

She was left defending herself while the guy kept on attacking her. He took some blades and her shoulder was hit. Fighting him one on one was already hard enough but now he had a weapon in hand while she had none. It was a clear disadvantage to her.

'Am I really going to die here?' A dreading thought came to her.

The wound bled but she ignored the discomfort and concentrated on the opponent before her. The blood trickled on her arm, right where her birthmark was.

She raised her arm to defend, only to gape. She could not afford a distraction yet her attention went to the thing in her arm. Light as a feather but sturdy as a rock. She would not even know it was there if she closed her eyes yet it deflected the man's attack without problems.

"Oh, what's that?" His eyes were full of curiosity, transfixed on the object in her hand.

And so was her. She had no idea where it came from and what it was even. The color gold showed brilliance in the starry sky. It had eight-pointed edges that slightly curved outwards, resembling more of a weapon for offense rather than defending. But it was still wide enough to serve as a shield.

She was momentarily tranced in fascination until the swift sound of iron making its way woke her up. The man stretched up his arm and already resumed his offense. Elise lifted the shield out of instinct. Another swing and her hand moved on her own to block it.

But when she thought that lady luck was with her, black smoke enveloped the man. She was certain he was using magic. The mist gathered in his palm, his irises growing more ominous as he stared at her.

'Oh god.'  

"Elise!"