⋘ ──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ──── ⋙

When I finally went back inside the manor, it was way past sunset. I didn't realise that time had passed by so quickly after I contracted with Nova, and ended up causing a commotion because I had disappeared for so long. Mother almost fainted upon seeing Nova sitting on my head, father held a somber expression and Marise's face was red because she saw the clothing I was wearing.

I'm pretty sure one was not like the other.

"Evangeline, how did you contract wi—" father pinched his eyebrows. Oh? It seems he recognised what it was. I knew it! He must have felt his powers. But, I wonder why he never mentioned it to anyone else before. Does he have that much of an aversion to fighting against demons? If so, it's strange how he allowed Evangeline, the daughter he doted on so much, to become a representative though. What did she say for him to let her go so easily?

After changing into a proper dress (much to Marise's fuss), father called me into his study room. I knew what he wanted to talk about, of course. After all, he knows I haven't awakened my powers yet and it was almost unheard of to successfully contract with a divine spirit before awakening them.

"I'm not sure myself," I answered truthfully. How could I possibly say it was a trial and error kind of thing?

"Hmm. Well, we can't allow anyone else to know about this, alright? Not to mention, the high level of divinity of your spirit. Otherwise, those damn holy mage ministry will—" father clenched his fist, unable to continue his sentence.

"Don't worry, father. I don't plan on revealing Nova to anyone"

"Nova? Ah yes, you meant the divine Hō-ō. Yes. That might be the best idea. I really didn't want you to get involved in all of this mage nonsense. Not after what happened....." he trailed off.

Not after what had happened?

"Anyways, don't reveal this to anyone outside the estate. I'll make sure the servants keep a tight lid on it" 

"Yes. I understand, father," I bowed respectfully before being dismissed.

"The Holy Mage Ministry hmm?" I muttered under my breath. I've heard of that name before.

The Holy Mage Ministry, otherwise known as the HMM, consists of high ranking nobles appointed to govern over the mages in the kingdom. In the early days, they were made up of people from all walks of life. As long as they had holy mana, they were automatically part of the HMM and could even become one of the councils. But in recent years, the council appointed are only those who reigned from noble families. In the novel, the HMM fanned the flames of discord between the noble holy mages and the commoner mages. It's a long and complicated subplot but I remembered skimming past them because it dove into politics and factions and I was only interested in Malakai and Elijah. 

"I should have read through them carefully," I sighed, now regretting my hasty decision.

But, one thing I do know is that if the HMM knew about the fact that I've contracted Nova before my awakening, I would probably be taken in for interrogation and exploited for their own benefits. After all, it was really weird that it turned out to be a successful attempt.

Could it be because I'm an anomaly? I'm not originally from this world so, maybe I could do things that others couldn't. I thought me being in Evangeline's body meant that I will also have to deal with her original limits and the limits of this world but, maybe I have to change my hypothesis on that one. I wonder what else I could do.

I looked at my wrist, touching the red star that marked my pale skin. It appeared after I had made my contract with Nova. At first, I thought it was a weird rash however, it wouldn't go away no matter how much I scrubbed my skin raw.

I supposed I'd better use long sleeves or a cloth bracelet to cover it up in the meantime. The red star likely serves as proof of my bond with Nova. The author never mentioned having a mark in the novel though. What the hell is going on? What other things differed from the novel?

Oh! Speaking of things differing or being the same...

"Isn't my birthday in a month's time?"

I found it kind of ironic that Evangeline's birthday coincided with my own birthday back in my past life. Not to mention, we shared the same age too.

I placed my palm upon the windowpane, the cool feeling of the glass tingling my skin. The spring constellations have started to move and the air was growing warmer by the day. Summer is coming soon, which means, the selection ceremony will begin in half a year.

⋘ ──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ──── ⋙

Clack Clack Clack.

The sound of rolling wheels upon the gravel road fell into a rhythmic pattern. My eyes felt heavy as I tried to blink the tiredness away. Suddenly, my body jerked forward because of the carriage's abrupt movement. Luckily, Marise caught me in time and pushed my body back so that I wouldn't land face first on the floor

"My lady, please be careful"

"Sorry," I mumbled, rubbing my eyes.

I was really weary today. I couldn't sleep the entire night because Nova had been complaining until dawn.

Why?

Because I had accidentally ordered bamboo stalks not, bamboo seeds. I didn't realise it was two different things. I'm not a food connoisseur, so it's not like I meant to do that on purpose.

Anyways, Nova was incredibly pissed at my blunder and started berating me all night, yelling that I scammed him into a contract and blah blah blah. Whatever. Ugh. This bird is going to be the death of me. He's more prissy than Evangeline ever was.

To appease Nova's anger (and also for the sake of my sanity and sleep), I asked for father's permission to go into town to look for bamboo seeds. He was still a bit apprehensive to let me go out in public since I've only just recovered my health. Eventually, with my charming tactics, he conceded and allowed me to go, but only if I brought the strongest Alcmene knight, Sir Klein, along. I agreed, of course!

Heck, I'd even bring the entire army with me if it means I could go into town!

"How much longer?" I stuck my head out the window. I couldn't really see where we were. I really wished there was a GPS or something here in this world.

"My lady! That's—" Marise's scream got cut off as Sir Klein pulled up alongside the carriage.

He pushed my forehead back inside and gave a despondent sigh.

"That's dangerous, my lady. If I knew I would have to chaperone a troublemaker this afternoon, I would have passed this task along to Vice-Captain Rein"

"And miss a chance to accompany a beautiful noble lady into town?" I grinned, much to his disgusted face.