Chapter 2

"Why?!!"

She screamed and jolted up from her sleep. Her eyes were blurred by tears which later fell endlessly on her cheeks. Her heart was beating as if to burst out of her chest. Gathering her legs, she pulled them in to her chest, hugged them and started sobbing.The pain from her heart was swirling like waves inside her, crashing on her like numerous swords stabbing on her.

After she had calmed down, she wiped her tears after letting out a river of it. she finally gave herself time to look around the place she woke up to. She let out a defeated laugh when she realised where she was. 

"Is this my punishment?" 

She looked up at the roof, demanding for some answers from any divine beings if any were there. 

"No. I believe this is hell.", She scoffed and answered herself. 

The rain was heavy outside with thunders and lightnings clapped loudly after one another. The house was all dark and the raging lightning was the only source of light to show about the view of her surroundings. Sounds were also muffled due to the storm which was why she failed to noticed the footsteps and let her heart skipped a deep beat when the doors to the house were pushed opened. 

"Y-You?"

She gasped and mumbled to herself. Why did he look so young? A moment ago, he was with his beards and now he looked exactly like he was in his teenage years.

"I'm sorry, here take this", The boy pulled out a bread, break it in two and gave one side to the her. Caught dumbfounded,

she grabbed the half bread. Even under the darkness, she would never had mistook him for anyone else. 

"This will all be over soon, Ina. I'm glad to have such a blessing as you with me. Please don't scold me too much, I even brought you a bread. Look, I'm much better now", The boy proudly explained and smiled at her.

Hearing no answer from the girl. The boy tried to take both her hands to calm her down believing she was mad at him but the girl gasped and jerked his hands away as soon as his hands landed on her's.

Seeing her reaction, the boy sighed and pulled his ears with a cheesy smile.

"Look, don't be mad anymore, Ina~ I'm so sorry for going out~"

A certain memory then folded Ina's mind as she watched him. She gasped and had her hand covered her mouth in shock. She remembered this day. It was the night before they entered the Magic Academy. She couldn't forgot this night because Leon has kissed her for the second time. 

A month before that night, two robbers came in their house. When Ina arrived at their home, there were no more signs of the robbers but she found Leon lying on the floor, groaning and bleeding from the stab wound on his abdomen. The most she could do was gathering a lump of idle water on her hand and used its healing properties. She pressed Leon's bleeding abdomen and prayed for his life

But the robbers returned at the door, after inspecting the back of their house for goods. The truth was that, there were not much values in their home and the robbers couldn't left with nothing. And after they saw, Ina, who was healing Leon, they grinned their teeth in joy. The girl was using Magic and she would be a great value at the Market, more valuable than anything little things they grabbed out of desperation inside Leon's house. 

Then a fight broke out. Leon while on the floor, tightly grabbed the leg of one of the robber who was carrying, the struggling Ina. The other robber started kicking Leon. Leon's head started to bleed and the wound on his abdomen slowly started opening again. At the moment, seeing Leon's condition, Ina snapped and used Impure magic. For water element user, the impurest form of water magic was blood control(/bending lol). She cracked the bones of the two robbers, pressed their body together as if they were crushed on both side by a closing wall and crumpled their body to form a thorny ball. She did not end there, Leon was also suffering from her attack, although he was not crushed like the robbers, he's body was being restrained and pressured, he could hardly breathe. 

But fortunately Leon was close to Ina and used all of his remaining strength to pulled Ina on the ground, his bloods spilling everywhere. He then managed to calm the raging Ina by plating a kiss on her lips before losing consciousness.

Leon survived only because of his stubbornness and strong will. Ina tried healing him but healing properties only works to close his wounds but he has lost too much blood and was unconscious for many days.

"Y-You just fully recovered yesterday, am I right?"

Ina asked to which Leon immediately nodded. 

"Yes. But I also have to prepare for tomorrow. I need a good fresh air so we could do as planned. Forgive me just this once Ina"

Ina just couldn't comprehend the situation and stood silent, contemplating whether she was back in time or she was in hell.

Troubled with her thoughts, she again failed to notice Leon leaning closer and closer and when his lips were just inches away from her, she jerked up from her seat and cleared her throat in excuse. 

"I understand. I will go out for a moment then" 

Ina abruptly went out of the house. She pressed the door closed with her back and breathe for air.

"Am I actually back in time?"

She walked over to the other side of the house and found the mirror, that was hanged on the outer wall of the house and proceeded to look at her reflection on the mirror. Her heart skipped a beat with a sudden rush of joy.

"I look so young?"

Her lips trembled. She almost let out another heavy tears again but decided to slap both her face instead to control her emotions.

She let out a heavy breathe and finally decided to enter the house. Leon was packing up and already light up the candles, so the room was not dark anymore.

"Do you think I forgot anything?"

Leon asked Ina. Ina dismissed his words and went to sit on the bed near him.

"Leon, would you ever kill me for power?"

Ina'a sudden question left Leon speechless.

"What?"

"Would you ever kill me for power?"

Ina asked again much louder and bolder. 

Leon cleared his throat loud. 

"No, Ina. Why would I ever do that to you? Look Ina-"

Leon stood up and went to sit beside Ina. Ina moved an inches away from him since their bodies touched. 

"I know tomorrow is a big day and you are free to roam your mind with any possibilities but trust me, I would never harm you in any way. I could only do this much all because of you Ina. I only have you now"

Hearing no response again from Ina. Leon sighed. He couldn't understand why Ina became so out of it that night, he thought it was because they were about to enter the Magic Academy the next day. 

Leon fixed his sitting position-bend his back and support himself with both his hands on the bed, his gaze fixed on the roof. 

"Ina, I am always grateful for my parents to bring you to our home. It is like I am having a younger sibling. But as we grow much older, I started to not feel that grateful about it"

Hearing his words, Ina finally turn her head to her side to look at him and their eyes met. 

"I don't wanna be a brother to you, Ina. Although it might be hard to understand, I just wish you could leave some space for me in your heart"

Ina, knew exactly what he meant. It was just that she still haven't got the answers she wanted from him. 

If he likes her, if he cares for her, why did he do those things to her. To the point, he eventually sacrificed her life at the end. She would have believed his words if all those happened after Helma but it didn't.

He always ask for forgiveness and to do those for him for 'their' cause. But did Leon actually care about her?

"I think your actions are clear Leon. I should also leave a space for myself."

Looking at the innocent Leon, Ina knew he still hasn't done all those things to her but he would eventually do it again. She have loved Leon for as long as she remembered but she also realised that night, she have never loved herself. 

"I knew you wouldn't understand my words~", Leon shyly laughed, thinking Ina was yet too naive to understand his confession. He stood up and closed the suitcase. 

"Let's sleep now Ina, a big day awaits us tomorrow!"

Ina watched as Leon prepared his bed to sleep. 

Their reasons to enter the academy is honestly needed to be done. Mr and Mrs. Bracath died because of Torpan Gramil and she really has to stopped Torpan from killing innocent people and to get rid of Helma. There is just no way to do all that without graduating from the Magic Academy and have higher grounds. 

Ina laid on her bed and turned around to face the wall. Leon was already sleeping soundly on the side. 

"I didn't learn anything much about magic and focused on Impure magic before. Even if there may be no chance to put my name on , 'The Book of El' . I will again enter the academy and learned it well this time. I will never used Impure Magic again", Ina finally slept after she resolved herself. 

Ina yet find it weird to be young as she woke up. There were no muscle-ache or back pain. She doesn't have to cough every 1 minute also. 

"The carriage we paid for just came"

Leon announced, getting all fresh up and looking charming with his suits. 

"Why are you still not dressed, Ina! Make haste!", Leon scolds as soon as he saw Ina still on her casual clothes and on her bed.

"Oh.."

Ina did slept so peacefully and nice that night. It just have been that long since she last did it.

Ina started getting dressed up in her maid outfit and both Leon and Ina finally hopped on the carriage. 

As Leon was explaining for the last time on how they should act at the academy as they have already practised. 

Ina was lost in her thoughts, staring outside the moving landscapes. 

It was not long before, Leon felt asleep. The Magic Academy is at Darnis District, which is a district away from their village located at Mystia District. They have to pass Kelopan District to reach Darnis. The Kelopan District is still a few kilometres away, so they would have to ride the carriage for at least two days. 

They cannot afford to waste money to rest on any Inn on the way. So they paid the driver extra and allowed him to rest for few hours only. It was harsh. 

The Bracath family were just farmers. They earned their livings by selling their crops and vegetables. Mrs. Bracath would be the one to sit on the market to sell them and that is how she met Ina. Ina was born on the streets, a kind beggar woman of 62 looked after her for about 5 years until she passed and she was the one who named her Ina Gargain. When Ina was 8 years old, she stole mangoes from Mrs Bracath and Mrs. Bracath chased after her and caught Ina.

Mrs. Bracath then learned of her situation and since Ina would always come back to steal her goods everyday, she finally decided to do better and introduced her to her family. 

After Torpan Gramil forcefully bought The Bracath's land, the Bracath family then started falling down rapidly. They did bought another land with the money but the new land couldn't yield crops and vegetables enough to feed the family. Thus, they have to work at Torpan Gramil's new Research Tower and earn their living. The Research Tower accepted any workers and would pay them good too. 

Until, it was Leon's 14th birthday and the day Ina got taken away by the travelling Mages from the Magic tower.

Ina showed signs of magic when she was 10. She somehow without any guidance managed to learn healing capabilities of water magic when she was 12 years old. Leon had fell from the tree and he's knees were wounded. Out of desperation she gather water from nearby soil and pressed it at his wound and prayed so hard, it healed. 

She was captured by the Mages when she was 13 years old. Although the Bracath family warned her to not to use her magic in front of others. That day Ina alone went to the market to sell the only few goods they had on their new farm, she saw an old women who had accidentally slit her wrist on the broken glasses due to her fall. Remembering the old woman who used to look after her, Ina couldn't ignore her. The slit on her wrist was severe and she would bleed out before any help arrives, after all they are just living in a small village. 

The travelling mages were disciples of Grandmage Gerom. They were with their master, Gerom on some research that day. The research they were doing were crucial, they would have to leave their duties and ride two days ahead to reach the mage tower at Darnis. So Grandmage Gerom took charge and they did the magic test on Ina under his supervision and authority. 

Grandmage Gerom talked with Ina and leave a mana trace on her before letting her go. 

They have to register Ina's name in the 'Book of El' and for that they have to bring Ina herself at the Magic Tower. 

Ina went back and met with a Happy Leon and decided not to tell him about her situations. The Grandmage told her, it was her choice to begin with anyway. 

The MC's parents barely managed to came home that night, bringing their last surprise cake for Leon and soon died that night. Ina, then told about what had happened to her as they were both sad and enraged. That same night, the Grandmage Gerom knocked on their door tracing the mana he had placed at Ina. She then told him she would come to write her name on The Book of El. The Grandmage hand her a Magic Pouch, inside it, were money and gold. The Grandmage left after saying.

"You have beautiful eyes, child. This is a gift from your family but this is also the last"

With this, Leon and Ina have money but cried heavily that same night with the Regretful thoughts that if only the money had came sooner, they might be able to save their parents. After two days past, with the money in hand, they went to the Magic Academy and Ina write her name as, 'Leon Gargain'. The mages on duty that day were descendants of pure blood after writing her name down on the list book, they didn't bother to question her as they want her to be gone from their sight fast and luck was incredibly on their side because even Grandmage Gerom was absent that day. 

Since Ina had two years left to enter the Academy. They started preparing for their revenge and used 30% of the money from the pouch to illegally buy Magic books from a mix-blood merchant for Ina to practice her magic. And used more to buy necessities so they could look like they were secretly backed by the Pure blood parent. They already used 50% with all their preparations and couldn't waste anymore money since If their plan went well, they would have to stay in the Magic Academy for 6 years.

Present time. Ina looked at the Sleeping Leon before her and softly started speaking,

"Leon. You took the role of the mix blood saying that I would be challenged with bullies and pure bloods. You said it yourself you do not wish for me to suffer more, considering my past. But.. being with you as your maid Sigh All you have ever done was throwing me around exactly as a maid. No, you forgot I'm a human. You have never loved me. But I have no right to be the blame on you. Since It was me, who let it all happened"

Ina sighed and looked out the window again.

"I cannot let that happen again. Even if I have to fight against you, Leon"

Ina knew they would encounter Amara inside the gate with her maids and planned to delayed their encounter by using any means. She absolutely hate Amara, Amara did unforgivable things to her in the past. Things she would always have to remember even though she may fortunately be given another chance in life, there are memories and traumas remain that can't be forgotten.

"Leon, my stomach is unwell. Maybe because of the long ride. Mind if I rest on the carriage for a while?"

Leon agreed immediatley and they stayed at the carriage half an hour extra than the original story. If possible, Ina wished for Amara and Leon to never met.

But unfortunately for Ina, Amara was also late. She overslept. Her parents intentionally plot a scheme against her and ordered the maids not to wake her up if not by herself. They did the same with Original Amara but the original Amara was super excited and woke up even earlier than her usual time. 

Mr. And Mrs. Wavern could not watch as their only precious daughter who was just out of coma to abruptly went away from them but they couldn't say 'No', either to her. 

Leon and Ina finally made their way towards the Gate of the Magic Academy after they stayed in the carriage for half an hour.

Leon, who was still worried about Ina's condition was talking and looking at Ina as they walk, causing Leon to bumped at Amara who was busy admiring the Little view she gets to peak from the Magic Academy's Gate. 

Her fist clenched immediately with the sight of the person she wished to never see again.

But when their eyes met. Instead of those fierce and disgusted eyes of Amara, she was welcomed with a warm and sparkled eyes.

"May I know your name?"

Ina was dumbfounded.The girl who had done nothing good but awful and miserable things to her was bowing and greeting her with a beautiful smile. It was the first time Ina experienced Amara smiling so sweetly at her. Even the gloomy aura around Amara seemed to changed or was it just her imaginations? 

Ina also watch as Amara's forehead popped out from all possible corners from Leon's front. She could also see, Amara's teeth which was spread wide opened as she desperately tried to have her attention.

But something changed after Leon's introduced himself. Ina witnessed Amara who sprinted away from them like a criminal- Grasping the handle grip's on both her suitcases with both her hands tight, Amara did not forget Clara and pulled Clara's left arm between her body and her right arm, tight, dragging everything she ever have away and gone like the wind. 

"Hmm. What just happened? Is she okay?", Leon spoke. Both Ina and Leon were so focused on watching as Amara flees, they only came back to their senses when Amara vanished completely. The drama was entertaining. 

Leon turned around to look at Ina let out a small laugh at the remains of Amara's escape in awe. 

"What?"

Ina cleared her throat. 

"You were saying?", She asked Leon

"Nothing. Let us go?", Leon chuckled.

"Okay"

And they too entered the Gate. 

There were no special quarters provided for the maids and the students who brought their own maids needs to take full responsibility of their own maid.

Leon and Ina would also be living together in Leon's room in the dormitory. During the early days in the dormitory, Ina did not face much problems but it gradually becomes harder to live in the boy's dormitory as the boys aged and became bolder and bolder. 

Knowing this Ina knew she has to find some other ways. She could only wished for some opportunities to come along the way.

Ina now slept on the folding bed. While Leon slept on the bed.

...

The Academy would start only after two days from the Entrance day. Thus, the students have some time to familiarise themselves with the Wide Academy compound and with their fellow students.

Ina decided not to follow Leon and stayed inside the dorm. But she was not the only one. 

Amara as expected got a huge room as the Duke's daughter and have a separate room for Clara to stay as well. The children of the Dukes were given separate building and so does the children from the Royals. 

"It's impossible to avoid meeting the main characters. So, I should instead avoid interactions with them and not meddle in any of their affairs" 

Amara was sitting on her bed and made a new resolution. She would have loved to venture the premises of the Academy like everyone else but she just could not find the courage to do so at the moment. Her fear of meeting the main characters was bigger than she thought.

"Gosh! I've never been this scared of taking risks in my life!", Annoyed by her own self, she throw the pillow on the floor which was calmly picked up by Clara and the pillow gets back with its other pillow friends. 

"As I should, I need to avoid Leon at all cost but Ina~", Amara sigh, knowing of what would happen to Ina. 

"But as long as Amara is away. She will be alright, right Clara!? Well technically all of those that happens to her was mostly done by Amara" 

Amara took the pillow away from its pillow friends again and hugged it tight to her chest. 

"But Clara. If Amara is a good person. Ina might not hate me right? Maybe I could still help her somehow~" 

Amara went silent for a moment.

"Argh! Whatever, I'm going back to sleep!"

Clara watched as Amara pulled up her blankets and breathe a loud sigh before she falls back to sleep. 

Clara tugged Amara in. She already got to the solution that the person she serve rarely speaks with sense. She just nods and smiled with everything Amara said and did not bother to think more about her senseless words anymore. 

But Clara likes Amara as she is now. She wished Amara to stay like her present self than the past Amara. 

"I'm sorry, My Lady for wishing such a thing"

Clara gentle gaze falls on Amara. And soon she went to sit on the chair next to Amara's bed and silently start to read the story book, Amara gifted her.