While I was asking myself a lot of questions, Stella smiled innocently at me and poked me gently with the end of her wooden sword.

— “What you've just experienced is the fighting technique of the Royal Knights of Rosefield. You need to be in good physical condition to be able to move like that.”

But that doesn't explain what just happened. How does she move so fast? I couldn't even follow her trajectory.

— “How do you do that?”

— “To keep it simple, our style consists in circling around the enemy to attack them where they least expect it. Juggling between the front, back and sides of our opponent in order to disorientate and leave them breathless. We alternate between all the sides to diversify our attacks. We're even more effective when we attack as a duo.”

I can understand what she's saying but that doesn't explain her extraordinary speed.

— “What about your movement? It's impossible for you to be so quick without any explanation behind it.”

— “So you've noticed then! I give you a good point! You have a keen sense of observation, that's a very important asset. But yes, I couldn't move like that without a little something extra.”

She seemed to be waiting for me to answer but I had no idea what she was getting at.

— “I'm referring to magic, without it I wouldn't be able to reach that speed.”

So it was magic... She can do this with only magic? I can't believe it! I can't believe magic really does exist! I want to know how to use it too!

— “I want to learn more about magic! Please Stella! Share your knowledge with me!”

In my country, when you admire someone and want to ask for their services, you prostrate yourself on your knees to show them all your respect. That's why I did it, my forehead was resting on the ground against my hands. I want to do the same too. If I can master this magic then I’ll have no problem fighting! Stella seemed overwhelmed by the situation, quite embarrassed but still enjoying my gesture at the same time. She waved her hands and looked around, hoping no one would see us.

— “I appreciate your enthusiasm but please stand up…”

— “Hello Stella!”

I raised my head at the sound of this new voice. A young blonde girl was passing by and waved at her. With a smile, she trotted over to the training ground but slowed down as soon as she saw me. Her cobalt-blue eyes landed on me, she frowned but quickly shouted out, her finger pointed at me.

— “Ah ! You're the boy from yesterday!”

She had only just recognised me.

— “Hey.”

It was the mysterious blonde-haired girl who had been training last night, under the light of the full moon. When I think back on it, this set-up seemed pulled straight out of a romance novel but that wasn't the case. I really did meet her that way.

This time, she was wearing her official uniform and to be royal, it damn was. Her golden armour came with some royal blue clothes, her imposing epaulettes held her long cape in place. The girl's eyes darted back and forth between me and Stella. She was lost and tried to make sense of the situation.

— “It's his training.” sighed the master swordswoman at last.

She tilted her head to one side and frowned.

— “If that’s the case, why is he on his knees?”

Her question forced Stella to lift me up firmly. She grabbed me by the collar and got me back on my feets. 

— “Let's forget all that and move on to something more interesting that I think will capture your attention Keiji.”

She turned to the girl who was still staring at us and motioned for her to come over.

— “Can you help me with a demonstration Lehia?”

So she is Lehia... I can finally put a name on this person whose face lights up everyone we call her.

— “Of course!”

She ran over to us and positioned herself next to Stella. Being able to help her superior seemed to fill her with joy. And so began another lesson with Lehia this time. Stella cleared her throat and began to explain the principles of magic.

— “First of all, to manipulate magic you need a conductor. You can't use it with your bare hands. All minerals are conductors of magic, whether it’s bronze, iron, gold or rare and unknown materials.”

She turned to Lehia, who held out her wrist to show me her gauntlet, Stella did the same. I carefully watched their hands.

— “To do this, our equipment allows us to create our own magic.”

They took turns opening their fists and creating a semblance of magic in their palms. I was astonished by this sight. Lehia's magic was bright and oval-shaped while Stella's looked like a violet flame that was burning increasingly.

— “Why are they so different?”

She took a look at Lehia's magic for a moment before answering.

— “Because we had two different learning. Lehia has her own and mine is the one I learned when I was younger. They're ingrained in us and act like a signature. But if we learn the same thing, then we can invoke a similar one.”

They shared a knowing glance then both simultaneously replaced their magic with a whirlwind. This mini-tornado waltzed in the palm of their hands.

— “Wind is the magical art taught to the Royal Knights of Rosefield. That's how I was able to move so quickly earlier. I helped myself with some wind.”

At her words, she sent an air blast from her fingertips that tickled my hair.

— “We can therefore exploit magic in several shapes, substances or elements. It's up to the user to create it as they wish. The most technical part is knowing how to capture the magical source that surrounds us. You have to feel it, imagine it in order to create the slightest spark.”

Stella motionned for Lehia to leave. She leaned against the fence outside the field to observe the rest of my training.

— “It's like electricity then, you need conductors to exploit its energy…”

This futile thought crossed my mind, it's true that it could be similar on this aspect.

— “What are you mumbling about?” asked Stella as she leaned towards me.

— “Nothing important, I think I've understood your explanations.”

— “In that case you could give it a shot. Don't worry, it's quite complex at first but you'll manage to produce a semblance of magic if you apply what I've told you.”

— “Even a child can do it so don't worry!” shouted Lehia from across the field, a big smile on her face.

I don't think it was the most encouraging sentence but the intention was there. They both expected great things from me but, was I going to be able to show them anything?

— “However, given that you come from another world, perhaps you could try magic with bare hands? Who knows, you might be able to show us a few new things.” suggested Stella.

For a few seconds, I looked at my hands and palms while imagining myself producing what they had done.

— “Clear your mind and think only of what you want to invoke. Choose the element you want. It'll be easier for you if it's a natural element.”

She stepped back and observed me do it. Stella always explains her exercises with great ease but for this one, I'm not quite sure how to go about it. Think about what I want, focus, clear my mind. Earlier, they started by extending their hands. I imitated their movement, closing my eyes so all my attention was focused on what I was feeling inside.

With my right hand outstretched, I tried to channel any energy that might be surrounding me. I needed to capture something, to imagine the wind emerging from my palm in vain. I don’t know what she was getting at, my arm started feeling numb

There's no point in going on, I can't feel anything. I'm sure Stella will bring me more information to help me. But the first thing I saw was her devastated look staring at my hands. My heart skipped a beat, I feel like everything I've been trying to learn up until now has fallen apart. Did I disappoint her? Why is she reacting like this?

— “It's strange…”

She covered her mouth with her fist, she was deep in thought and no longer paid any attention to me. I was starting to panic, like I'd received a bad mark from a teacher I adored. I turned back to Lehia who was still there, she too was looking at Stella but with a completely different expression. She was frozen, wide-eyed and waiting for the next words from her superior. Her reaction was not reassuring at all, I swallowed nervously.

— “Do you want me to go on?”

I had pulled her out of her thoughts, she tried to smile as if nothing had happened.

— “No it'll be fine, thank you Keiji. Your training is over. We'll start again tomorrow morning with the appropriate equipment. You will be able to experiment magic then.”

I helped her put the equipment away in an overwhelming silence before she left the training ground. Stella left me alone without any further explanation. Had I done something wrong?

Maybe Lehia could tell me more, she's known her longer than I have. I joined her, she was still leaning against the fence but her attention was focused on the tips of her feet. As soon as mine entered her field of vision, she looked up.

— “Hum… I’m sorry to bother you but I wanted to know if I've done anything wrong? Stella looked disappointed and rather cold after seeing me fail.”

She couldn't look me in the eye so she lowered her face again.

— “Er... I... I can't talk to you about it.”

I don't understand.

— “Why?”

My question caused her to lower her head even more, her fists clenched.

— “It's out of my hands...” she whispered between her lips.

I was even more confused than before and wanted to know more but she quickly avoided the subject. She left me too without looking back once.

— “Good luck with your training.”

Cold words and a cold attitude. Why did she react like that too? I don't understand, I was the last one on this now empty training ground. I hope I haven't made a misstep that will seal my fate here, that’s not my goal. I need to show my best side in order to learn more. I must make up for it over the next few days.