Chapter 3: To My Brother

One of my biggest mistake was that after running away from my birthday in my first life, I turned to Iarkial, the person I thought was my ally.

'Well, he turned out to be an obssesed snake.'

"Zaria.. come with me. I'll make sure you're safe."

"How? Iarkial, this power is terrifying! You saw it! I'm not normal."

"Just trust me. You trust me right?"

Iarkial really did make sure I was safe—in the most absurd way; He locked me up in a tower.

That's when I also discovered he's just like me, a monster. He opened some sort of portal and before I knew it, I'm in a new world.

At first, I was able to learn everything about magic, ability, and the world I now then belonged.

Although Iarkial didn't allow me to go out and contact anyone, I was fine with it because I thought it's much better than hurting innocent people.

I was also able to learn how to wield my abilities to its utmost strength.

However, everything changed when one day a notice came. A war is going to happen against the Visceral Empire.

"I-Iarkial? W-What are you.. doing?"

"Shush.. Zaria.. with this, you'll be with me forever."

He caught me on guard and after that an intense pain and emptiness was all I've felt when I woke up that day. Then I found the symbol on my right hand.. crossed out by a black light.

Iarkial wasn't even satisfied with that, he chained me with dark magic flowing on the chains!

"Why... are you doing this?!"

"My dear Zaria.. they're going to take you away, so I have no choice."

"You crazy man! What happened to the kind brother I met?!"

"....kind? brother? Pfft! Zaria.. you're the only person that's been fooled."

That's when I learned what a dirty animal he is. From his obssession on me, him stealing the piece I composed, and keeping me here to satisfy his desires.

'It's disgusting.'

However as a result, I could gained knowledge and news outside the tower and every devious thing and plan they were planning for a lot of years.

Because I was locked and chained up in his office so that he could stare at me all day, I gained an enormous amount of information.

But I was never able to find out who it was that's really leading them.

One day, as I continued to starve and my throat was parched as a punishment from refusing Iarkial's advances, I overheard a conversation from one of the Serentra's members— their organization.

"I heard it's going to be the Duke of Trovis and the new Grand Duke of Lavrins that's going to lead the army of Visceral Empire."

"Did they really think they would stand a chance? Tsk."

"But hey... isn't Duke Trovis, outside? You know?"

"Idiot. The new Duke of Trovis is his son! Killian Trovis!"

At that time, I gained hope that I could finally be freed from the tower so I fooled Iarkial a little.

"I'll consider you if you give me a little freedom. I promise. So please.. "

With just a teary eyes and seducing look, I don't even know how that worked to that meticulous guy when I'm sure, I look like a mess being chained for a long time.

I was allowed to be free inside his office, but the door and windows are sealed as well using dark magic.

Still, I was able to write a secret letter to my brother. I wrote all their plans and weaknesses on that parchment and how Iarkial has the sword of Erebius.

'I'll go down, but I'll drag them down with me.'

Using my blood, I drew a magic circle on a small piece of parchment where I called my second elemental, an earth attribute elemental.

"Rin, take this to my brother.. no matter what. To the Duke of Trovis."

"W-What about you.. master?"

"I'm fine. Thank you, Rin."

I found out just a year after I came here that I have a second ability, I'm an elementalist; an ability that came from my father's family.

I found out what kind of family we have because of Iarkial and the knowledge I gained here however... I can't summon a higher rank elementals because of the dark magic around the tower.

Although it's fortunate that Iarkial didn't found out about my ability.

He sealed my ability, Enphysis directly and so it didn't affect my second ability. On a side note, the effects of dark magic covering the tower made it unable for me to summon powerful elementals to free my self.

'Though, it didn't take long for my plan to fall.'

Iarkial found out I was able to sent a letter to my brother when they marched towards the tower as they all cornered the Serentra's mages who were still preparing.

However in the end.. I still died.

I sighed and scratched this and that on the notebook I detailed all of the things happened on my first life and my plans now.

It was around this time that I contacted Iarkial and where my miseries really began.

Right. Back then, if only I didn't follow Iarkial's conditions when I was still free, I would've been reunited with my brother.

Though, it's not like I did learn the names of nobles from Visceral Empire since the people on the tower hated them. By the time I heard my brother's name, it was too late.

Now then.. how could I return there?

I'm excited and anxious at the same time. From now on, the future will be different because I won't meet with Iarkial.

I held the golden star locket hanging on my neck, a locket that was given to me by Lucas' dad.

"This isn't an ordinary locket huh? No wonder he hated it." The locket uncle gave me was an Imperial Heirloom. Up until I gave it to Rin to verify my identity on that letter, I wasn't able to open it.

I wonder what's inside?

Still, the fact that my family and Uncle's didn't really came here is a huge shock for me then.

"I shouldn't go outside for a while.."

"And why?" I flinched when I saw Vivian standing at the doorway, crossed arms.

I smiled at her, "I just don't want to."

"What about work?"

Pouting, I tilted my head, "I'll resigned."

Vivian scoffed at me, "Well okay, rich girl!" She turned around and rolled her eyes at me, "But I won't shoulder your expenses."

My smile went down. This is good, I should act fine and normal to everyone around me.

'No one should know I'm living my second life.'