Jack strode toward the centre of the garden, where the floral aroma and earthy scents grew more intense. The air was soothing, relaxing both body and soul.

  “Ahem.” Jack cleared his throat, making his presence known.

  The red-haired girl turned and smiled at him ever so sweetly. “Oh! Mister Jack, you’re up early,” she said, her tone far too amiable for his liking.

  Jack hesitated for a moment before nodding. “So are you, Princess.” He returned her smile.

  “It’s been a great week,” she replied, absentmindedly poking at the dew-covered flower petals.

  Jack tilted his head, crossing his arms as he looked down at her crouched figure. “How so?” he asked out of curiosity.

  “Since Sir Canis arrived, he’s been busy restoring the Eastern Dam. He made it whole again—” She paused, searching for the right words. “I mean, more aesthetic than ever!” she exclaimed excitedly.

  Jack shrugged. “Buildings are great, but there’s more to life than making them beautiful, you know.”

  “Huh? What do you know about city buildings?” Aurelia scoffed. “I almost forgot — you don’t see the world the way we, the ruling class, do.” Her tone carried a hint of condescension.

  Jack’s eye twitched. “She was nice for three sentences… Ugh. Still, she did save my life if it weren’t for her limitless mana, I’d be six feet under.” He let her harsh words slide.

  Exhaling sharply, he replied, “What I meant is that life is more important than buildings. That’s why I’m siding with Triss.” His tone remained calm.

  “Eh? Uncle, are you trying to debate me?” She narrowed her eyes, challenging him. “And why Terissa, of all Virgo mages? You don’t even remember their names, do you?”

  Jack stumbled back a step, her words stinging like a bee. “I~uh, I’m just bad with names,” he admitted softly.

  She let out a victorious chuckle. “Hehehe! Look, look!” Aurelia motioned for him to crouch next to her.

  She hovered her palms over the empty soil, her smirk brimming with confidence. Mana coursed through her veins as she pictured a metal pillar in her mind.

  “Domoklasis!” She cast the construction spell.

  A subtle shift in the wind — then nothing.

  “You cast a wind spell?” Jack asked, furrowing his brows.

  “Ugh! No! Wait, wait, wait!” she blurted. She outstretched her palms over the ground again, focusing on a simpler structure. “Domoklasis!” she bellowed.

  The ground vibrated gently, and a cinder block slowly emerged from the soil.

  “Wow! See? See?” Aurelia clapped her hands in excitement.

  Jack poked the block. It crumbled at his touch. “You just made a concrete block… and a bad one at that.”

  “Hey! Where’s my praise? I literally created something out of thin air!” she pouted, puffing her cheeks.

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  Jack sighed, smiling slightly. “Ah, my deepest apologies, Princess. You did well, considering how difficult it is to create something from nothing.”

  “Right? Master Canis taught me well! Soon, I’ll be able to cast an entire building or two,” she said, chuckling in glee. Beneath her strong, prideful, and often narcissistic fa?ade, there was a side of her that was genuinely endearing.

  “How about you try?” she suggested, her crimson eyes gleaming.

  “Try? Arcane?”

  “Yeah! Why not? What have you got to lose?” she teased, smirking.

  Jack chuckled dryly. “That’s like asking a fish to climb a tree, Princess.”

  Before he could resist further, Aurelia yanked his wrist. “Come on! I’d love to see you squirm.” She grinned. Apparently, no one had ever denied her what she wanted.

  “Open your palm like this,” she instructed, demonstrating.

  Jack mimicked her gesture, but before he could question it, she suddenly laced her fingers with his, locking onto his hand.

  “Uh? What are you doing?” he exclaimed, his face heating up. Her palm was unbelievably soft.

  “I~I’m channelling mana to you… I don’t know,” she mumbled, avoiding his gaze.

  “But there’s no need for touc—”

  “Whatever! Stop overthinking and do as I say!” she snapped, her cheeks flushing pink.

  Aurelia inhaled deeply. “Now focus. Close your eyes if it helps.”

  Jack did as instructed, steadying his breathing and emptying his mind.

  “What’s this?” He felt warmth pooling in his palm, a soothing energy that slowly spread through his body.

  “Ah… I remember this feeling… at the dam, when she saved me. This must be mana.”

  “Can you feel it?” Aurelia’s voice snapped him back to reality.

  “Mmm, mmm.”

  “Good… Now we’ll try a simple spell. Domoklasis. Break it down into its base material. Let’s start with sand,” she murmured, her voice soft, almost serene.

  “Okay…”

  “Picture sand in your hands — the rough texture when you rub it between your palm and fingers, its properties…” She continued in a calm, steady tone. “Now say the word with me.”

  “Domoklasis!” they chanted in unison.

  A gentle hum resonated between their connected hands, a pulsing rhythm against their skin. Jack sharpened his focus, picturing the golden grains of sand beneath his fingers.

  Then—

  A flash.

  Gleaming red eyes filled with malice.

  “Hello!” An eerie whisper rang out.

  Jack jerked back violently, stumbling onto his rear and pulling Aurelia with him.

  She landed on his chest, preventing her from face-planting into the dirt.

  “Owww, what in the Sun was that?” she groaned, her ear resting against his firm chest.

  Her eyes widened in horror. “A~Ah!” She scrambled off him in a frenzy. “P~Pervert!” she accused, her voice flustered.

  Jack blinked rapidly, his breath shallow. “I-I-I don’t know…” He stammered, his eyes darting around in panic. He slowly rose up into a seated position.

  “Mr Jack! Look at me!” Aurelia snapped her fingers in front of his face, drawing his attention.

  “Princess Aurelia… did you hear it too?” His voice wavered. He could have sworn someone or something had spoken to him.

  Aurelia nodded slowly. “Yes… something like a ‘hello’.” She rubbed her arms, the goosebumps on her skin evident.

  “Was it a phantom?” he asked, still breathless. His heart pounded in his chest.

  “Very unlikely. This wasn’t a summoning ritual,” Aurelia replied.

  A movement caught her eye — a maid approaching them.

  Aurelia immediately sprang to her feet, brushing the dirt off her clothes and acting as if nothing had happened. Jack instinctively glanced over his shoulder before rising as well.

  The maid’s service smile remained unwavering as she greeted them. “Princess, Master Jack, what a lovely morning. Would you two like some tea and cookies while you enjoy your leisure?” she asked, hands neatly clasped on her thighs.

  “That’d be great, Jane,” Aurelia replied with an awkward smile. Then, she turned to Jack’s dumbfounded face. “Don’t tell me you don’t remember her name either?”

  Her remark struck deep. Jack winced. “Ugh… I’m sorry,” he muttered to Jane.

  The maid merely shook her head with an understanding smile before retreating to prepare their tea.