Mystic - EN version

PART 2 : Learning - Chapter 16 : Training

Clave was lying on her bunk in the room Griselda had left for her, her blue pendant in her hand. Her real name was Mystic. It sounded false to Clave's ears; the young girl couldn't get used to it, even though several days had passed.

"I am the heir to this kingdom... Sirine.

I can hardly believe it. It really is surreal... But incredible."

She stared at her necklace. Griselda had later explained to her that this pendant was proof that she was the legitimate heir to the country's royal family, the "princess without a crown", Mystic. But despite all that, she had no memory of it. However, she would repeat it to herself as many times as it took to register it properly. She had time before she had to save her kingdom, didn't she?

– Clave! shouted a voice.

The young girl half jumped to her feet in surprise.

– You could have knocked, Noah!

– I did, but you didn't hear me, replied the young man.

He threw her a black cloak, identical to the one he was wearing.

– Griselda asked me to train you to master your magical energy, Princess.

– Don't call me princess, I don't even have a crown, she sighed.

– It'll come, just like everything else, replied Noah. And most of the time, a princess doesn't have a crown.

– Well, shall we start training? said Clave, changing the subject.

– With pleasure, but don't be too hasty. Put on something more appropriate than your dress and meet me at the foot of the eternal tree.

– Copy that, said Clave.

– I just have one question, Princess.

Clave sat up on the bed, attentive.

– Should I call you Clave or Mystic? asked Noah with a serious look on his face.

– It's not really important... You can call me whatever you like.

– OK... Princess.

– Except that! Okay, get out of there now. I've got to change.

She and Noah had grown very close over the last few days. They were like two friends who had left each other, who had just met again after many years and who had a lot to talk about.

Clave left her bed and set foot on the polished floor of her bedroom. She was beginning to get used to the luxury of this huge room, which she had been occupying for the last few days. A glittering chandelier lit up the ceiling and the walls were lined with beige tapestries. The large windows that flooded the room with light were decorated with sunny yellow curtains and Clave slept in a large four-poster bed in the same colour scheme. The whole room exuded cheerfulness.

Clave went down into the garden after putting on a white tunic, black trousers and the black cloak that Noah had given her.

The young girl was so looking forward to being able to control her magic. Even if the storm the other day hadn't hurt anyone, she'd rather not do it again, and learn to control herself.

She followed the small paved path and then the bamboo bridge that led to the Tree of Eternity, and after a few minutes' walk, she spotted Noah waving at her in the distance. The young girl ran towards him and grabbed the wooden sword he threw at her.

– You'd better not run out of breath, otherwise the training will be tough, the young man warned her.

– Yes, teacher! Where do we start?

– Don't rush it, apprentice. First things first. Sit with your back to the Tree and listen to me carefully.

Clave complied and sat down against the silver bark of the giant tree. Around her, red leaves fluttered in the wind. She closed her eyes.

– To master magic, began Noah, you first have to master yourself. Control your emotions. Remember, your power was unleashed when Arthur tried to hit you.

– How did you know about that? asked Clave.

– Shut up and listen! replied the young man. At that moment, your fear was too powerful and that triggered your power, which was uncontrollable. You had absolutely no control over it.

Clave opened her eyes again, more attentive than ever.

– What have you learnt from this? asked her master.

– That I need to control my emotions? the apprentice tried.

– Yes, you must! However, too much magical inactivity can affect control. So the first stage of this training will be to awaken your magical energy, because I feel it has been weakened by your long sleep. Are you ready?

Clave nodded with a smile. She was determined to do her best during this training, and to learn, with Noah, to control what was left of the royal family, which would surely help her to defend herself against Arthur.