The original heroine (11)

As Cyrus and I were chatting about nothing in particular a student came up to us. "Ms. Erem prince Julius is looking for you."

"Aa! Thanks a ton for telling me, I'll find a new place to hide."

The student stuttered nervously "n-no, you are supposed to meet up with him."

"Yepppp, totally that's where I'm going." Grabbing my bag I waived goodbye to Cyrus, who looking at me oddly, and rushed out of the library. I wonder if Lady Rodenne will find me like she promised, or should I look for her. Ah! I just got a great idea.

After a bit of searching I managed to find her "Lady Rodenne!" She turned her head when she heard me calling and smiled at me.

"Ms. Erem how wonderful, I was having a little trouble tracking you down."

"Sorry about that, but I was wondering if we could have out magic lesson at your house? I've heard wonderful things about the estate and would love to see it."

She clapped her hands together happily "oh how delightful! It would be my pleasure to grace your eyes with the wonderful beauty of the estate."

Success, those psychos can't follow me there!

On the carriage ride to Lady Rodenne's estate she explained in great detail to me her heritage "My father, Marquis Rodenne married the king's sister. Despite the 3 dukes having more power than my house, our position is elevated by the fact that I am next in line for the throne after prince Julius."

"Huh? That's kind of weird. There's no one else in the royal family?"

"Not anymore, but more importantly would you explain your lineage to me? It's fascinating how a commoner has such strong magic, surely there's some noble blood in your heritage."

"Haha, I mean it's possible...I don't actually know anything about my parents or their parents."

She brought her hand to her mouth in horror "how terrible, it must be awful to be a commoner. I simply can not comprehend it."

Hmm, I get the idea that she's exaggerating on purpose. "Yeah...it's real rough."

The estate was definitely impressive, I had visited a few castles and extravagant mansions in my past life. Still they were dead buildings, simple relics of a different time. This place was alive, filled with servants, nobles, and a bustling energy. "It's amazing, thank you so much for allowing me to visit."

Lady Rodenne smiled smugly "but of course!" She confidently led me through the manor pointing out expensive paintings and artifacts as we went. When we came to a lavish tea room she invited me to sit down.

I thanked her and sat awkwardly, I wonder how this will go?

A maid came in and elegantly poured us tea. The tea had a calming aroma, aaah how nice.

Soon Lady Rodenne started to speak "so, I understand that you have trouble with control. We should start there." She held out her hand and a small flame appeared. It flickered sporadically in the air above her hand.

"When you cast fire magic you have to use your rage as fuel. If you have a lot of repressed anger, it can be very difficult to control the strength of your flame. Of course the more rage, the more firepower-provided you don't run out of mana."

"I think I'm following?"

Suddenly the flame in her hand spiked and roared, despite the obvious increase in power the flame stayed in the same position.

Woah, that's sooo cool. I held out my hand to attempt to make a small flame, but Lady Rodenn hurriedly told me if I was going to cast a spell it would be safer to do it downstairs.

The courtyard was also quite beautiful, and more importantly it was an open space where a fire would be easy to contain.

"Limit your anger, just take the tiniest bit." Lady Rodenne advised me from a few feet away.

"Ah,okay." I focused on the mental image of taking the tiniest spoonful out of a bowl. Don't get mad, don't get mad, don't get mad. Just channel the anger...

A large flame roared to life, it was hot and filled with energy- but I could still control it.

Taking a deep breath I stared in awe at the fire which I had produced. It burned with an intense heat, and I was filled with excitement. Aaaa, what an amazing feeling, a large smile lit up my face .

"Now try getting rid of it." Lady Rodenne's voice cut through my dazed trance.

Hmmm get rid of it? How would that work?

"Release your concentration and imagine the anger fading away into the world."

I closed my eyes and let go of the anger, slowly the heat faded away and when I opened my eyes the fire was gone.

"Wow! I did it!"

Lady Rodenne laughed happily "hohoho of course, you had me instructing you."

I stared blankly at the ceiling as I thought about the day. It was my first time controlling fire magic. Back when I was staying with the Brianson's Liam had taught me some basic theories, and wind magic,but had instructed me to that I should wait for proper schooling to practice fire magic. The exhilarating feeling was unforgettable, it was 100 times better than when I had just let the fire loose in the classroom or when I used wind magic.

I wonder why that is? Do I just like fire, or is it because of all the anger I have stored away? Hmmm I'm also curious about Lady Rodenne. She was so rude to me at first, why the sudden change in attitude? In the principals office it seemed like she happy because I was incompetent, then why help me to get better??

There must be a reason for her change, not to mention her peculiar way of talking. Just what is going on in her mind???

Should I ask Cyrus or Lucina? But would they know...hmm maybe?

I sighed loudly, ack I have so many questions and worries. Especially about my fate, what was it Lucina said about there being an attempt on the heroine's life? That's something I should really look into. And Julius... just what am I going to do about that situation?????

The poor kid, I'm sure he's just worried about me. Still-what he said about being locked up was seriously scary. Aaaa, I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss him and it's not like I can keep avoiding him forever.

Eeeeh, I'm sure it'll work out. It's best to sleep on this kind of thing...

I'm dreaming right? RIGHT?!!!

Below my feet was some kind of cloud-looking thing and above my head was a black starless sky. Despite the lack of stars or sun the area was lit perfectly. How odd...

And most odd was across from me, an angry Olivia.

"You idiot!" She shouted at me. Or I shouted at me???

"You're going to ruin everything!!" Huhhhh? For a dream I was experiencing this pretty clearly.

"Ruin?" As I said that word I realized that it was my voice , not Olivia's voice. But the voice of Ellie Cross who I used to be. I felt my hair and looked down at my body. Why am I Ellie again???

"What's happening?"

Olivia's face contorted with anger "why didn't you tell Julius who you are?! I know that you've realized he's your old friend"

"Umm, I was waiting for a better time?" What part of my subconscious did this dream come from??? I didn't realize I was this guilty about not telling Julius.

"There won't be a better time if he KILLS US!"

Um alright? She's, I mean I'm not wrong I guess. "Why would Julius ever kill me?"

She stared at me in total shock "are you being serious? He's Julius he just kills people, it doesn't matter how close you are to him."

Umm no, that's not correct.

Olivia, I mean I must've noticed my confused expression because she took a deep breathe and started to explain the situation. "I don't know what kind of person Julius used to be, but ever since he came to this world he's been nothing but a heartless monster with no regard for anything but his own selfish desires."

Sounds about right...

Olivia continued to talk "you see I'm the original heroine, it's a bit of a complicated story. But I'll explain it to you, on one condition-you have to tell Julius who you are and stop him from killing us."

What! The original heroine? So she's the Olivia that I possessed, then why does she know about being the heroine? Wait, no...this is just a dream. Just a weird, very vivid dream. Still I'm curious as to what my subconscious has come up with, so I should probably play along.

"Sure, okay I was planning on working it out with Julius tomorrow anyway."

"I don't think you understand how serious the situation is. You are my one chance to get that psycho under my control. I won't let you foil my revenge."

"Aah no, I totally get it. Feel free to explain."

She glared at me silently " after coming across a strange artifact I ended up summoning people from earth to this world."

She gritted her teeth angrily "One of those people was the monster who replaced Julius."

"He ruined everything, not just my plans but brought ruin to the whole country. I had to get back at him, I had to."

Did all of this really come from my brain? Hmmm this can't be a good sign.

"I was consumed with fear of what would happen if Julius found out I'm the one who summoned him, but more than that I needed to make him I pay."

"You seem stable."

Olivia scowled at me "don't patronize me, you empty-minded bitch"

"ME? An empty-minded bitch???" I started to walk towards her, but remembered I was talking to myself.

As I seethed silently Olivia looked at me with contempt in her eyes. "You're nothing like I expected, it's a let down if I'm being honest."

A LET DOWN?!, why am I so mean?? Maybe, just maybe this isn't a dream. This is the kind of a rage I reserve for other people. When I get mad at myself it's usually more of a sad disappointment.

"Wait a second this isn't a dream is it?"

"Of course not, this is a spell"

"So you're really Olivia Erem? Then why do you know about being the heroine?"

"Maybe if you had listened to me you would know by now" her voice dripped with hostility

"Then hurry up and explain before I die from rage."

"Oh did you already forget the one condition I made." Her lips twisted downward and an annoyed expression appeared on her face.

condition? Haha...I've might have forgot.

"You have to stop Julius from killing us, and get him under control. Ugh I can't believe I have to entrust my fate to your incompetent hands. Just do that and I'll explain everything."

"No need to be nasty about it."

Olivia's brows furrowed and she yelled at me."You have to take this seriously! If you don't we'll end up dead!!"

With those concerning words the dream faded away and I was once again Olivia.