The waves crashed on the stones supporting the city and a salty scent permeated the air, reminding Selene of childhood summers spent on the beach.
Zurham City bustled with activity. The stalls displayed mouth-watering barbercue, soups, sweets and other street food, enticing the passersby to stop and have a taste.
"Would you like to have one of those, Lady Selene?" Mika suggested. Her eyes were visibly sparkling with excitement. She told her that this was her first time visiting the capital city of Zetheria.
It was Selene's first time, too.
"They looked expensive though."
"Oh, you don't have to worry about that. All the food here is free."
Selene gave her a bewildered look.
"How is that possible?"
"You probably forgot about it, Lady Selene. Major cities in the Crimson Empire have Food Districts that are entirely for free..."
She didn't want to believe it. Wouldn't the Empire exhaust all their coffers if they do this?
"... It is a symbol of wealth and prosperity and was managed by the Emperor himself. It was made possible by a decree, requiring wealthy houses to donate a small portion of their income." Mika stopped walking and looked at a food stall warmly, as though reminiscing a memory.
"But, what truly made this all possible was the citizens' effort and cooperation. Farmers who own a little land, donate all their harvest to the Food District. Those who had skills in making and preparing food volunteered to work here. In return, everyone will get food for free. No one will starve."
Suddenly, Selene imagined a Food District on Earth. If it's possible, then it will take a long time for them to achieve something like that. Probably, centuries or an even more realistic guess would be a millenia. And a more accurate guess would be that no one will think about making it or that if someone did, they will eventually give up.
'That's reality for you...'
Mika faced her with a smile. "Lady Selene, this is the power of cooperation."
A gust of wind blew their hair and the salty smell intensified. A woman's shawl flew up into the sky. The banners flapped like wings and the waves sounded louder.
"It's amazing. Whoever the Emperor is, he must be powerful."
Selene glanced at one stall where most of the smoke is coming from. The thick, appetizing smoke obscured it completely, veiling the busy street in wisps of white.
The crowd moved. The cacophony of voices made Selene dizzy.
"How about that one, Lady Selene? Let's try it!" Mika clapped her hands enthusiastically and looked over her shoulder. "Lady Selene?"
She was nowhere to be seen.
"Lady Selene?" Mika called, her voice drowned by the noisy crowd.
There, from a distance, something was reflecting the sun. It caught Selene's eye. It was too late when she noticed that she had been separated from Mika. She shrugged. Curious, she headed straight to the mysterious object.
She bumped her shoulders a few times before reaching her destination.
Coming out of the crowd, she stood in awe in front of a massive statue as tall as a three-story building. It was sculpted out of blue diamond. It was blinding and majestic. The hair, the features, the lines, curves, every crease in her armor, her hair being blown by the wind and even her eyelashes were crafted with great detail. She had the same pose as the Statue of Liberty, but instead of a torch, she was holding a sword. In her left hand lay an open book.
A shiver ran down her spine.
Looking down, she read the text describing the statue.
'In recognition of Princess Cassiela Esmeray Azzure. Hero of Zurham, the Last Blue Mage.'
Even though Selene was not originally a Zetherian, she couldn't help but admire whoever this person was.
'This woman... I would never sacrifice myself like she did... I could never be like her.'
"Isn't she amazing?"
Selene gasped and turned to the stranger who looked up at the statue bearing the same expression of admiration.
He held a bouquet of hydrangeas.
"I agree. Is she still alive?"
The gentleman chuckled. He took out the dried flowers and replaced it with the fresh bouquet.
"Heroes don't live that long." He was smiling and yet, Selene get the feeling that there is a hint of melancholy hidden beneath it.
"Do you know her?"
The gentleman looked neat and dignified. He seemed to be in his late twenties, including the few years his stubble added to his appearance. It made him look older. However, his eyes held so much more, giving her the impression that he is much older than Selene's estimation.
"She is my lover."
Amused, Selene stared at him for several seconds, wondering if he's being serious or if he's teasing her for her ignorance.
"Have a nice day." He smiled and slightly bowed his head, before turning back and disappearing into the crowd.
She stayed there for some time, not minding the glares of the sunlight, enchanted by the statue. Selene simply basked in its shadow, studying it with curious eyes.
'I wonder how she lived her life. I want a statue of me like this.'
"Lady Selene! Where are you? Lady Selene!"
Hearing the familiar, worried voice of her lady-in-waiting, she turned around and raise her hand as though she's about to say 'present.'
"Here."
"Elements! Are you alright, Lady Selene? We are all looking for you!"
Selene saw the guards forming a line behind Mika. They moved so fast as soon as they spotted her.
"I'm just looking at this statue."
"Oh."
Mika looked up and squinted her eyes. "Princess Cassiela."
---
Mika was fanning Selene hysterically. "My Lady, you will get sick if you don't change your clothes."
She used both of her hands, taking the role of a human electric fan.
"I'm fine."
Living in a tropical country, the heat in Zetheria is nothing compared to the summers back in her world. She had been a cadette of the Reserve Officers Training Corps. This heat doesn't even faze her.
Flipping another page, Selene didn't pay attention to Mika's ramblings.
They were inside a bookstore which was their original destination. The duke allowed her to go outside as long as she will be escorted by at least 20 guards.
She threw them a glance.
The guards stood in a corner not so far from them, pretending to be a decoration. Fortunately, they indeed look the part. They blended in with the bookstore's theme perfectly.
'Let's see, if I mixed this herb with Zanzanite Sand, I will acquire this powdery substance that has antibacterial properties.'
Nodding her head, she closed the book and put it on the tall pile she had created.
After adding some more, she decided to go to the counter and pay for it.
"Please deliver it to the Rosseficent Residence."
She strolled for a bit around the neighboring establishments, bringing with her a mass of blank-faced guards, earning her a few glances from the passersby. She bought some clothes and armor, too, in preparation for her training in the front lines. Selene resisted the urge to buy a pound of Zanzanite Sand she had seen displayed in one of the stores, knowing fully well that she wouldn't have the time to experiment on it and create that powdery substance.
Even though, she knew that she could afford it, something inside her was pulling her back, stopping her from doing it.
'I bought quite a lot of books. They should be enough.'
But, that wasn't it.
Somehow, Selene felt guilty in spending the money she did not earn herself. It was a weird feeling since she was used to only glancing at the items she wanted to buy and telling herself that it's not her priority. However, priority or not, the Rosseficent family won't go bankrupt if she spent this measly amount of money.
Shaking her head, she entered the store and bought two pounds of Zanzanite Sand anyway.
After some time, Selene decided to go back to the mansion. In less than three weeks, they will depart for the northern boundary where she would face an unfamiliar and unknown place—a battlefield.
She shrugged her shoulders. Thinking that life, in its core is a battlefield, so it shouldn't be that different.
Sanjiv wouldn't let her die. That should be obvious. But, who knows?
---
A few moments later, she was back in the mansion. Despite its luxurious halls, intricate pillars and grand archways, the place lacked the warmth and the sense of comfort a home should provide.
Being here made her feel anxious, alienated and lost. Stepping through the red carpet draping the grand staircase in the middle of the hall made her feel out of place for some reason. As though, she's a tresspasser.
'I'm literally a tresspasser...'
Shrugging off the weird feelings, Selene continued on her way to the chambers. But, before she could sigh in relief after reaching the landing, her feet stopped in front of a handsome, young man.
It was Sainth.
He looked at her up and down and Selene saw how his almost perfect features contorted in a somewhat angry or offended expression.
"Who allowed you to go out?"
"His grace."
"Why would you go out? You can order your lady-in-waiting or one of our staffs. It's their job."
"I'll consider your suggestion if I become crippled."
Selene glared and walked past him, not giving him a chance to spit out more nonsense that will put both of them in a bad mood.
"Why are you like this? You could have stayed in the manor and live peacefully!"
Selene didn't stop, pretending to hear nothing.
"Selene Antonette!"
Soon, she turned to a hallway and disappeared from his sight. Her steps became less urgent and her breathing stabilized.
People who are blessed in the looks department had weird or twisted personalities. She's starting to notice the pattern.
Entering her empty chamber, she took off her shoes and collapsed on the mattress.
Mika was still in the commercial district, buying her the necessary things she would need in the front lines. Her lady-in-waiting was happy to take on the task, so she let her be on her own. Accompanied by the guards, of course.
Selene sighed heavily and stood up. Fixing her posture, she inhaled and closed her eyes. Her hands moved in the air, as though performing a strange dance. At first, it was gentle and flowy, but in the next second, her right arm made a horizontal slash, sending three sharp objects flying and bouncing off the wall.
She let out a yelp, feeling like her body slammed to the wall instead.
'It really works.'
Her vines resembled the stems of roses, their leaves and thorns. Something she noticed during her practice sessions is that the vines start to transform the more she used it. It's beginning to resemble grapevines. She had imagined that she might be able to use the other parts separately. It did work though, the pain was still unbearable. She must get use to it, unless she wanted to die not from her opponent's attacks, but from the Spell Recoil.
Still, it is incredible. A far cry from the weak vines she had conjured for the first time.
"Third Form: Heal."
A soothing sensation spread through her body, relieving it from the spell recoil.
Feeling a lot better, she spent the rest of the day trying out a variety of attacks. From projectiles, to forming a sword. In the end, she was unable to form any type of short-ranged weapon as her vines' consitution made it difficult to precisely form the blades.
What she managed to create was a spear. Although, it did not resemble one at all. Its shape was slightly curved and when she tried to stab the wall, it slid off downwards like it was made of clay.
She shivered at the weird sensation.
It was unusable. Well, at least its tip was sharp.
'Maybe, I'm looking at it the wrong way?' Selene thought of other ways to utilize her vines, letting her imagination run free.
With these thoughts, Selene stopped creating weapons and let her vines crawl around with no particular form. There was no need to think of complicated things. She had to improve on what she already knew.
'A barrier or some sort of defensive form will come in handy.'
After reaching this conclusion, she abandoned the thought of creating sharp weapons from her vines. Because in essence, the vines were already a weapon in and of itself.
Creating a barrier made of vines was easier than she thought, the only problem was the time it took to form it and its durability. In a battle, a few seconds could very well decide the outcome. So, it would take some practice to engrave the structure in her mind, to the point of turning it into an instinct.
That would be a trump card in any battle she will face in the future.
Selene went on and spent most of her time practicing the barrier. She visited the family's library quite often, too, familiarizing herself with the monsters she might encounter in the war.
Well, all of it was theory. She would love to have actual experience, but she had to wait for when they depart for the frontlines. There wasn't much time to prepare and the library was limited.
Still, it was better than nothing.
As the days bled, Selene was improving. It was like preparing for an exam.