Breaking the Barrier

It had been a week, and the day of entering the academy was nearing. She still hadn't been able to destroy the wall, but her progress with the field of magic formulas was going well, which had improved her mood. Right now, she was sitting with Leon, chatting.

"Leon, would you be comfortable entering the academy, especially since you're going too?" she asked.

"I think so. A day must come when I confront the world. I cannot forever live behind the Evacard family name."

Seeing her friend's reaction made her heart sink. She decided to approach this topic with great difficulty, knowing it was quite sensitive for Leon. So, she chose to change the subject.

"Leon, we'll be able to see my sister at the academy regularly. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

"Yes, we can. We can meet Sana once in a while since she gets only a few holidays thanks to the academy."

"Yes, then I'll see you afterward. It's time for my magic class and your swordsmanship class."

"Good afternoon, teacher."

"Good afternoon, Princess. How is your mood today?"

"It's rather well, teacher. I just know that today I will be able to bypass the wall."

Crambell looked at her confidence, which he knew was due to her feeling well after saying these words, and said, "Very well, Princess. We will see. Follow the instructions I gave you."

Perscillia sat in a lotus position and started concentrating. Initially, there was no success, but suddenly she felt the wall beginning to crumble. She cut herself off from the outside world and focused solely on the chance she had obtained after so much difficulty. The next moment, she found herself in a dark place. Although it was unfamiliar, it felt strangely familiar, as if she had been there before.

She looked around the dark place but couldn't see much. Suddenly, she saw a door right in front of her. Her body floated toward the door on its own, and she could no longer control her movements. It was a strange sensation. Her hand stretched out, and she pointed her finger at the door. At that moment, a burst of light emerged, but the light slowly began to cover her. Then, a burst of darkness came from the door, devouring the light and chasing after the light that seeped inside her body. She saw a great mass of black and red energy transform into a small ball. The ball floated beside her face, slightly opening as if showing its teeth, and then entered her abdomen at an astonishing speed. The next moment, she saw countless light dots and vast blackness, along with the unsettling feeling of being watched, as if she were prey. She opened her eyes abruptly and began to have difficulty breathing.

"Huff, huff."

Crambell ran up to her with a worried look. "What happened, Princess? Are you alright?" He also sent his mana sense and a small strand of his mana inside her to check for any problems. To his surprise, not only had she broken through the inner skin, but her condition was also significantly improved. Her already large mana pool had increased slightly, and her mana density had skyrocketed. If not for the circle, she could be mistaken for a second-circle mage. It was not unheard of, but she was definitely a once-in-a-century genius, and he was her first teacher, which made him quite proud.

"I am okay, teacher. It's just that I saw something."

"What did you see, Princess?"

"A door, a huge door, light, and also a red ball. Then a vast dark place with stars."

"Hmm, this is the first time I've heard of such an effect after breaking the inner skin. I will contact my master in the tower and also inform Duke Evacard."

With Crambell busy with Perscillia's situation, the week passed, and the time to join the academy arrived. Perscillia was really looking forward to her teacher's answer, but he had found nothing. Perscillia, too, did not dwell on it much, as there were no negative effects. She had been tirelessly working toward this day, the day she would depart for the academy. Thankfully, she was not too nervous, as her friend Leon would be accompanying her on the journey and would be admitted alongside her. Her teacher would also be coming with them.

She stood in front of the palace, saying goodbye to her parents and easing her mother's worries. The carriage, escorted by around 20 fully armored knights, awaited.

"Goodbye, Mother. Don't worry; I can take care of myself. I am already 14."

"Yes, yes, my little sweetie." She felt rather embarrassed by her mother's display of affection and then looked at her father and bowed. "Goodbye, Father."

Her father nodded and looked toward Leon. "There will be many eyes; be careful."

Leon nodded and also said his goodbye. Then they both entered the carriage and sat beside each other. Leon was the first to speak.

"What about Teacher Crambell? Isn't he escorting us?"

"Yes, he will. We will meet with him shortly."

"Are you nervous, Perscillia?"

"Well, I am. What about you?"

"Not that much. But you don't have to be nervous, Perscillia. You have me."

Perscillia just giggled. They talked about their worries, and then their teacher arrived and sat beside Leon. As they departed, she noticed malnourished people surrounding the estate. She looked at them with a mix of pity and curiosity.

"What happened, teacher?"

"As you know, the increase in taxes to fuel the war with the Feysac Kingdom and this year's famine have left people in dire straits, so they are protesting."

Leon's interest was piqued. "It's a sad situation. They're pouring their energy into protests that won't change much. It's as if they're shouting into the void."