Sleeping Beauty [WMMAP Fanfiction]

Chapter Ten: Thank You For This Life

"Hey," Alice acknowledged the pair of Felix and Athanasia when they came to visit her outside.

"Hi Ally!" Athanasia waved an arm, being carried by the other knight. "We ran into Mister White!!"

"So I will study more," Felix agreed, nodding. "I won't ask you for help, Alice; you're busy preparing."

The two jolted when there was a crisp snapping noise; Alice, with a single swing, broke the training dummy in half.

The tourney was going to be held soon; and the lot fell between Felix and Alice to decide who would go forward as a competitor. Alice drew the short stick that meant she had to join, once again. She already did last year, and had to join a group that was randomly decided. Even if they only had to go for one day, she still didn't like it; being put on stage for eight hours or so, no thanks.

"You better not."

"But what about Ally's magic?" Athanasia inquired, worried. "Lucas said she can't use magic too much."

"I can use a little bit. Water is more of a lower level for me. I think that would be enough."

"I think you'll be just fine," Felix approved, giving her a thumbs-up. "Remember, the point of this event is to have fun and work together."

Ah, the memory of last year, where Alice was paired with some knights who did remember her, so cooperation was a bit strained.

"Yeah, I know that."

. . .

"Wow!!!" Athanasia awed as she watched the projection for a close up of what was happening below.

It was only in the tourney's more competitive matches that she could witness the magic of others. Currently, those below had ten seconds to make something big happen with their magic.

"You can do it, Allyyy~!!"

"Be careful, princess, you don't want to fall," Felix advised to the little blonde leaning over the railing, right before a strong gust swept over the arena.

A pillar of water exploded from the ground, whirling as the picture description of a water spout, rising above to the skies.

"GAH!" Athanasia's jaw dropped. Felix hurriedly picked her up and retreated further back.

"And I told her not to use her magic too much," Lucas whispered from behind Robane's leg.

Ice was expected from Alice, but she didn't make ice out of her own mana. She used her mana to order the moisture in the air, usually to freeze. But she had agreed to not do that, so what she ordered instead was to simply gather.

The water disappeared, suddenly choked, before shrinking into a thin stream that turned to mist.

The big screen focused in on Alice's figure, the cause of the water stream.

Th-That's Jenette's knight! Athanasia thought. I always forget that she's super strong in the book, but that... Isn't that too much!?? She's not a noble or anything!! This just pops out of nowhere?!

"Felix."

"Hm?"

"Remember to never make Ally mad."

Alice was only up for one day. Because there were many more knights, and because she was a personal guard of Claude and Athanasia, she couldn't dilly-dally for too long. But it was because of her performances, grand and short-lived, leaving the crowd wanting more, that people started whispering about her.