ALL NOVEL Chapter 40
“Acella.”
A cold voice lingered in Acella’s ear as she walked from the waiting room to the arena.
The guard knights and maids took a step back.
Click, click.
Camilla approached Acella, her sharp high heels clattering.
Acella looked at her without answering.
“You’re not even greeting me now? Where did you learn such an attitude? You’re getting quite bold, aren’t you?”
“I’m here to meet your Majesty. Could you please not disturb me?”
“Ha, look at your tone! Do you think you can impress his Majesty with the magic you’ve practiced without me? My apprentices have already completed their training! They showcased Fourth-tier Magic!”
Reaching Fourth-tier meant you had truly succeeded as a wizard.
Camilla’s skills were undeniable to the point where others sought her guidance, even if it meant enduring her harsh nature.
Of course, not many lasted under her rigorous training.
Only three wizards were participating in today’s competition.
After all, this was an imperial palace with a sage present.
In reality, the Moonlight Palace faction had little influence overall.
But on a special day like today, it was different.
Camilla had completely passed the wizards who could have assisted Acella in shining roles over to George.
Acella couldn’t help but feel disappointed by this.
Camilla didn’t see Acella as her own child.
To her, Acella was merely a means to gain the imperial family’s power.
Until now, she was the most viable option, but if not, she would just cling to George as a backup.
To Camilla, Acella was just that much of a presence.
“Mother, may I ask you something?”
“Do you really think you have the right to ask me questions?”
“Why do you need the Emperor? You’re already enjoying power as Empress, aren’t you?”
Camilla scoffed at Acella’s question.
“You little brat wouldn’t understand! I need the Emperor’s power to finally achieve my noble ideals!”
The current Emperor, although old, was precise in his judgment.
The reason he made Camilla Empress was merely to create a weapon like Acella, effectively leaving her in the small Moonlight Palace.
Did she think that once she became Emperor, she would wield power as a significant player?
Acella couldn’t help but feel astonished by her simplistic train of thought.
“George is useful. He’s ambitious and has the talent to inherit. He won’t dismiss someone unless they pose a risk as long as it benefits him.”
Camilla strongly insisted.
“Acella, I’ve raised you as your mother. Isn’t it your dream to ascend as the next Emperor? What on earth are you blinded by to act so recklessly!”
As Camilla yelled out, Acella blinked in surprise.
She unconsciously gripped her wand tighter.
It was a reflex ingrained from the special education received up till now.
‘…The dream of becoming Emperor.’
I was only trying to fulfill your dream.
“…Huh.”
Acella regulated her breathing gently.
Recalling the words of the attending physician.
Breath count is important.
It helps regulate heartbeats and ease tension.
…Indeed, she felt a bit more stable even in front of Camilla.
When Acella opened her eyes, hiding her emotions, she expressionlessly announced,
“Watch my magic, Mother.”
Leaving the fuming Camilla behind, Acella exited the corridor.
“Next, there will be a magic contest held in the Moonlight Palace! His Majesty the Emperor’s third daughter, Royal Princess Acella, will personally demonstrate!”
After the announcer’s guidance, Acella stood in the center of the arena.
The battleground layout was already gone, leaving only a clean stage.
Acella recalled the magic circle she learned from Seymour, raising her wand high.
— Boom!
The magic activation took place.
The formula Acella had drawn in her mind took shape smoothly through her wand.
Her golden mana shimmered brilliantly, forming a flawless circle without a single flaw.
“Ooh, that’s neat.”
“Wasn’t the sage teaching Royal Princess Acella?”
The Emperor’s siblings made comments while observing the magic.
Acella completed the magic circle and moved on to the casting stage.
As mana began to flow into the drawn three circles, a fierce sound erupted as they spun.
Light particles began to coalesce into a form within the triangular pyramid space created by the magic circle.
It was a statue of the Emperor in a majestic pose.
“Bringer, it’s a translocation spell.”
“Isn’t this a handy spell to fetch distant objects? I’ve heard Third-tier is quite challenging.”
“Ha ha, looks like Royal Princess Acella has indeed learned a lot from the sage, right? Brother.”
The Emperor’s brother remained silent while stroking his chin slowly.
Indeed, the magic shown by Acella was an extraordinary talent for her age.
“She’s not unique either.”
The sage Seymour had already reached fourth-tier at just ten years old.
Naturally, the Emperor reserved his admiration, as they were comparing her to a legendary figure who emerged only once every hundred years.
Just as he had dismissed George’s knights with mere laughter during the team match, his standards were clear.
“If that’s all you’ve got, I’m disappointed.”
The Emperor propped his chin in a dull manner.
Acella was essentially a magical weapon crafted with the witch Camilla.
Her magical talent alone was considerable at twofold.
The Emperor hoped for something more impressive than this.
“Ha ha, just Third-tier magic, huh? Bringer was utilized plenty by the court magicians preparing the arena for the team match.”
George could feel victory inching closer and clenched his fists.
“If it’s the same translocation magic, you should’ve shown us Teleport instead! Pathetic!”
Lau reproached the overjoyed George.
“Teleport is a Fifth-tier large-scale magic. It requires substantial materials and multiple wizards. Speak sensibly.”
“Magic is meant for wizards to play around with. Rulers don’t have time for such detailed matters, Lau.”
“Ow, you young old-timer.”
Lau waved his hand dismissively as though offended. George crossed his arms, concealing his fury.
Acella disregarded their lukewarm reactions, continuously activating her next spell without pausing the wand.
“Still have more?”
George frowned as he concentrated.
This time, four magic circles were forming.
It was Fourth-tier magic.
“Wow, how did she construct this?”
Though Lau observed Acella closely, he momentarily lost track of her movements, tilting his head in confusion.
Because Acella’s magic circles were overlapping in strange forms, creating an incomprehensible figure.
“What spell is that?”
“I can’t make sense of it. It’s the first time I’ve seen such a shape or formula…”
The Emperor and princesses were equally puzzled regarding its nature.
And then swish.
Acella drew one more magic circle, passing it through the center.
“Fifth-tier?!”
“No, it’s not a direct connection. If I had to classify it, it’s more like a superior Fourth-tier… How did she conceive this construction?”
“Wait, then it must be.”
A knowledgeable Emperor showed a strained face and nodded.
“A new magic. Royal Princess Acella has developed magic.”
The Emperor’s eyebrows lifted slightly.
Acella, still calmly steadying her breath, murmured softly.
“Recall.”
— Bang bang bang!!
Golden mana spun with violent rotations.
Particles formed from the tesseract-like magic circle.
The translocation magic and effects were similar.
Once the casting was completed, something that hadn’t been there suddenly appeared.
It was a magic that brought forth something that wasn’t present.
However, what Acella had produced was.
“A hatchling?!”
“What, what did you say?!”
It was a hatchling, a baby dragon.
The tiny red lizard, no bigger than a palm, seemed to have never seen a human before, glancing around in awe.
Flap, it unfurled its little wings, perched on the Emperor’s statue’s shoulder.
As it let out a burp of mana, flames erupted along with it.
“Oh my gosh, did Royal Princess Acella just use translocation magic on a ‘living creature’?!”
“Isn’t that Teleport?!”
“Teleport is a spell where the caster moves or opens a gate! There’s no magic anywhere that moves another living being!”
The audience area erupted into a clamor.
Acella felt a rush of confidence from her successful casting, lightly smiling.
Seymour had mentioned she had a talent for space-related magics like Bringer, Teleport, and Summon.
Broadly speaking, it involved space-time.
It was a feat only possible for those with a unique perception of the world.
Recall was a magic she developed specifically for today’s contest.
Having created a spell that never existed anywhere in the world, she was certain the Emperor would give her high praise.
That’s what Acella had thought.
But.
“Your Majesty, everyone who witnessed that magic here must be silenced.”
“Indeed. If this gets out, chaos is sure to ensue.”
The Emperor and princesses fidgeted with alarm.
The Emperor also glared at Acella with a serious expression.
As if weighing her value against fate, his gaze was cold.
‘Why?’
Acella couldn’t quite grasp the situation.
In reality, most knights and attendants among the audience were applauding.
Those who were serious were from the higher echelons.
Individuals of significant magical understanding.
‘…Ah.’
Acella finally realized her mistake.
Nodding, the Emperor said.
“Indeed, that magic is potentially dangerous.”
*
“Why are their reactions like that?”
The Head Maid asked anxiously.
I had been watching Acella’s magic demonstration from the spectator’s area reserved for claimants.
“I can roughly guess the reason.”
Acella’s magic performance surely showcased her abilities.
She was simply too competent to a concerning degree.
“Ha ha, Acella, just like your mother – so arrogant. I knew you’d end up like this. You should know your place; how dare you aim for succession from such a tiny spot?”
George jeered at Acella, exhilarated.
Honestly, I was a bit infuriated by this.
I know how hard Acella has worked in Seymour’s classes.
Putting in effort wasn’t wrong, was it?
[No. 012: The Empire’s Downfall 52% → 92%]
Feeling frustrated, I stepped forward.
“Teacher?”
I moved behind the Head Maid.
“Prince George, I have something to say.”
“What?”
George frowned and turned to look at me.
It was as if he was scrutinizing the fool in the royal family.
I was a well-known ruffian back in my hometown too.