Chapter 7: ESP Test

“Tell me Claudia, what’s the most important thing for a magician?”

            “Master, aren’t we called witches?”

            Master flicked me on the forehead with a great force, even against a child, he was ruthless and I rub the red mark left on me. “When you’re in front of me, call us sorcerers, now answer the question!” I pondered a bit before I answer, but he flicked me again saying I take too long to answer.

            “Is it the amount mana we have?”

            “Wrong.”

            “Is it the ability to manipulate mana?”

            “Wrong.”

            “Is it the ability to understand the nature of the world?”

            “Hmm, partly right, but guess again!”

            “Muu~ I don’t know what else.”

            “How pathetic”

            If I didn’t know what master’s personality was like, I probably would have felt discouraged by his words and cried on the corner. “Listen well my pupil, the most important things for a magician is imagination.”

            I must had a dubious look that time since master scowled and grab my face with full force, “What’s with that face of yours, you don’t believe your own master?” he had irritated tone and his attitude was no different to a street crook.

            “That’s not it, I just never thought Master would say the most important thing would be imagination, it doesn’t fit your image.” I was quite a blabbermouth as a child; my Master couldn’t help but tighten his hand on my face.

            “Let me enlighten you my pupil, in general I would say knowledge is the most important thing for us magician. As you already know, to understand the nature of the world and its element is what makes us capable to manipulate them. However, without imagination, the knowledge of us insignificant being would remain stagnant, forever satisfy in our own little world.”

            “The world is full of unknowns,” he added, “do not believe only to what you see and hear and explore the unknowns to your hear content!”

            “I understand master!” probably.

            “….but master”

            “What is it?”

            “Can you let go of my face now?”

#

Groups of people were huddling together toward the courtyard. There, four boards showed the list of students of the class they would take the ‘special’ exam they were about to undergo and the map to it as well. I held my mom’s hand fearing I get separate and washed away by the crowds of people.

            The place we are at was Praetor Private Academy & Institution. Today, the exam they’ll face will reveal the moment of truth for most people. Government all of the countries had issued that at the age of six, it’s  mandatory that after we enroll to our designate school, we would take the ESP Aptitude Examination to test whether we are the chosen one or not.

            I felt the my mom’s hand became wet from sweat, she tried to put on her poker face, but however you look at it she’s even more nervous than me. After she took me to my exam class, she crouched so she would face me and told me that I shouldn’t worry whether I have the ability or not. You would think that after giving birth two exceptional daughter she would expect the same thing from me, but she treated me the same as my sister on their fated day, neither giving up the hopeful nor the inauspicious chances I have. I smiled and hug her tight, “Don’t worry mom, I’ll be fine no matter the result.”

#

Sixteen sits were prepared outside the room with our admission number attached. When I sat on my arranged sitting, I was greeted from behind by a few friends from preschool. “So you got in, congratulation!” I said in advance, they congratulate me as well then we started to chitchat to waste time before the exam starts.

            I wonder because of that that I didn’t notice, when I turned to my side I met a blond hair girl, with upturned hazel eyes, pale white skin, thin eyebrows that almost look nonexistent, dry lips, and distinctive cheekbones.

            I was surprised to see Loranne Hustlesky next to me; you might remember her as the girl who sat in the corner, but I remember her as someone who loves to be in the corner. Seriously, whenever it was time to study, storytelling, bedtime, or recess, I rarely saw her anywhere but at the corner somewhere. I even thought she might have a corner fetish.

            I saw the group slightly scowled at her appearance but try to ignore her, “So Corner Girl got in as well,” said Boy A with indifferent tone. “Yeah, I’m surprised, this might even be the first time I saw her anywhere but the corner,” Girl A added. “I won’t be surprised if she has power to move people into corners.” the others laughed at Girl B statement. “If she has powers though,” Boy A reminded.

            “Now I’m nervous if I’ll be able to ace the test.”

            “That’s true, being an espers is what everyone aiming for.”

            “But Claudia will surely have one!”

            “That’s true for Claudia.”

            I sat up straight when hearing where the conversations was flowing, “Wait, why would you think that?”

            “Of course, both your sister are talented espers, it’s only natural you’d be one as well!”

            Heyheyhey! Don’t make up weird expectation and don’t look at me with that envy + awe look you have with me. I also want to be one as well; the chances are still 50% like the rest. Crap, these guys just thinks I’m being modest even if I say it.

            The door from the exam room opens and a teacher here came out holding a walking board. Probably because I hadn’t expected it, no—in truth I have no way of expecting it. The man with a light brown hair, matching brown eyes, wearing a pair of glasses, and broad unshaved chin.   He had the demeanor of a strict responsible adult, but you could say that was also his charm that corresponds with his good looks.

            Father!!!

            I wanted to shout that but I kept my mouth shut, because he’s not just my father, he’s the father of my past life.

            That man explained the exam procedure so we 6 years old could understand easily. I was staring at him dumbfounded that I could only take in half of what he had said. He called out a name and the boy from the left corner sit stood up and nervously came inside.

            There were sixteen people in total; we waited for about three minutes when the boy got out looking dejected. “Looks like he was normal” whispered girl A from behind me. The next name was called and after three minutes the next name was called again, it took another five minutes before the second one that got in exited from the next door while gazing with joy at a bracelet he hadn’t worn before. I know then he succeeded on being an esper.

            I waited for roughly 20 minutes before my name was called, six people had got in before me and only two got out with a bracelet on hand.

When I think about getting an unfamiliar power called psychic, I got excited. Unlike those fiction stories where a person could invoke their power after an ‘awakening’ or they could wield it from the time they were born, in reality, those cases were rare that you could count by hand. In this test, after the computer deemed we have the aptitude to be an espers, it will also include the process of brain usage expansion, which invoked a person’s innate ability, at the same time, scanning what kind of ability the person had acquired.

Though when I say acquired, it didn’t mean we could automatically use our powers. That’s where the intuitions come in that helps us grow our ability. If a 6 year old could easily their power just as they got it, it can create quite a ruckus. However, there are some exceptions (*cough* sisters *cough*).

I took a deep breath to calm my excitement, and finally—I went to that room. 

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Chapter 6: Magic and science

Hello, Claudia here!

As you may know, I am one of the victims from the mass witch hunt at the 17th century, reincarnated into the modern world. 

For that reason, it's hard to keep up from the common knowledge I've known before.

That's why words such as molecules, surfactant, carbon dioxide, enzymes, peroxide and such, are nothing but alien words. 

So I stashed away the books before overheating my brain. 

"It seems the knowledge of this era isn't something I could learn on the spot." 

I tucked my hand and mulled on the floor. Galbraith seemed to sense my stress and lay himself beside me. I don't have any snacks for you by the way.

For starters, I seem to have grasp some elementary stuff. One of those is that H20 are components of water. At first i was confused how 2 gas molecules could create liquid, but i decide i should question details in the future instead. 

For now, accepting them might be the most hardest thing to do as it conflicts with what I know from the past. "Only time might help with that."

I rolled on the floor until my own face is facing the floor. The smooth floor felt cool and nice, I'm sure mom would get mad of me but right now I don't care.

Magic is divided into many branches: alchemy, enchantment, elemental, and void. 

            Alchemy is the use of specific ingredients and the injection of mana that magic user use to create such as the Elixir of life to bring back the dead. I should tell you the ingredients aren't something one is willing to risk,  and the soul must have desire to revive with the body still intact. 

Enchantment are use to create magic tools, very simple. 

Elemental is the spell to use mana to manipulate the elements of the world that are classified as: earth, fire, water, air, wood, and metal. To use it, you need to be able to understand the nature of those element to manipulate them. Magic user researched them thoroughly to uncover the truth of the so called the nature of element. 

The last is void magic that aren't categorized as the other three, because the nature of the spell is unknown, many could use but only a few has the capability to master it.

The use of magic are made in two different ways. One is to make a magic circle, the other is to use a chant. When using a magic circle the effect is permanent or can be used multiple times when injected with mana, that's why it's often used in enchantment. On the other hand, chanting is the use of magic by conjuring words, difficult spells uses long spells, but when mastered, it's possible to shorten the length of the chant, the effects are temporary but possible to maintain in a set period of time. Magic user usually use chanting as a means of emergency or merging the use with a magic circle to create a bigger effect of their spell. The reason it's more convenient to use the already prepare magic circle is the convenience of only needing to pour mana, some might even tattooed their whole body with magic circle to escape the inconvenience of chanting. 

I remembered the hard spartan training my master had forced on me.  It was hard but it felt great to master all four.  I've been able to wield many ancient and original magic easily since then that I made myself proud. 

However, when you think about it, compared to magic, the weapons and tools made in this era might be better. While magic is omnipotent, using it is a lot more tedious than weapons made nowadays and aren't easy to use because the need for strong concentration. 

The tools in this era on the other hand are easy for anyone to use if train and the power are comparable. If i use a stronger magic to overwhelmed someone like that, the time would be too long.  I thought about making a better magic tool, but I don't have the confidence it would rival much made another long heavy sigh, it seemed I had understand another reason why magic got extinct.

I look up from the floor, seeing the glass of water on the table that I had left. I thought about how I've used magic from a magic circle but not from chanting yet. 

I stretched out my hand toward it and at the same time transferring my own mana toward it, I wanted to imagine the water turning frozen solid by turning the temperature of the water colder. Instead i imagined the molecules clad together without letting it move and release the heat it had.
[Ice Block]

To my surprise, not only did the water turn ice, but the whole cup and its surrounding turn frozen solid. The time and range effect felt completely different from before. It's common sense to use elemental magic from the element available, but clearly the effects exceed from just a small amount of mana she had used, even the spell timing were faster. 

My brain starts to tick when i started to grasp the reason. "The use of magic is the use of mana by understanding the nature of things" and so I splattered a large grin on my face.

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Chapter 5: The magic of science

Few weeks had passed; my life goes on without a hitch as a four year old.  Today, an unexpected guest has come. “All right class, let’s all greet Mr. Arnold who came especially today to show us magic!” to Miss Lissa remark, the whole class cheered while I on the other hand couldn’t help but scowled.

            When I heard a magician was coming today, I won’t lie that I was excited what kind of person he was. He came in wearing a black coat and white shirt underneath; he wore a black cape, a long black hat, and a white mask.

            I tried not to think his choice of outfit, which I don’t know why, was deemed as a magician’s attribute. He had performed ten tricks. There was the classic ‘out of the hat’ where a rabbit ‘comes’ out from it, he borrowed Miss Lissa’s watch and performed a disappear and reappear trick, there was the vanishing cup trick, and the chick that came out of a popping balloon trick. Those were the few tricks he performed, the fact I got excited from the word magic cause a great disappointment inside of me. They were barely could be called tricks if the kids weren’t so gullible enough to follow his instruction without knowing it was part of the trick.

            However, there were tricks that got me interested as well. The first was a trick where a jug of water was poured a ‘mysterious’ powder which he then closes then he asked one of us to come up and poured the water at the four candles he prepared, but before the water could even touch it, the flame was extinguished. The second trick, was how he made two needles past through a balloon yet it didn’t pop. Other than that, there was turning water into wine (which by the way I could do as well with real magic), and my favorite was creating a large white goey foam pillar from two liquid, how did he do that?

            Before I knew it, I had the same face as the other kids.

            After that it was break time, while the other kids play I went and followed the so-called magician to the staff rest room. He took a drink from his container and turned to look at me who was peeping from the outside. He smiled at me and ask me to come inside if I had anything to ask with a gentleman tone, so I got straight to the point, “Tell me how you did that magic trick!”

            The man laughed as if he had expected what I was going to ask, “Sorry, I can’t tell you that” he said. I asked why not which he answered with a wink, "A magician never tells his secrets.”

            Somehow, I was annoyed from his secretive tone and smug look. I instinctively pouted at him and said, “You’re not even a real magician Alan!”

            Alan seemed surprised I knew his identity behind the mask; he made a forced laugh and convincing me that I got the wrong person. “It’s fine, you’re not really good at lying Alan.” He had a slight dejected look in his face, probably because he couldn’t even deceive a four year old girl and took of his mask, cape, coat, and hat. “This stuff is making me stuffy anyway.”

            Alan Walker is—an idler. He is a good friend of Miss Lissa and likes to come and visit the preschool from time to time, enough to make you wander if he has anything better to do.

 “How did you know it was me?”

 “Because you kept eyeing at Miss Lissa from time to time as if asking to be praise each time you made a trick.”

            Alan’s smile became a lot more forced than before, “Eh~ what are you talking about Claudia?”

            Hoho, so you’re trying to feign ignorance are you? “Alan, it’s no use hiding you like her you know, I’m amazed Miss Lissa hasn’t notice since you’ve been diligently coming to see her.”

            Alan was stoned when I said it, he drop his bottle container and deep flushed spread on his face, "A—aren’t y—you misunderst—standing Claudia, I just love see—seeing kids that’s all, hahahaha.”

            That’s a half-assed lie you just made, was the four year old me thought. Even so, I kept on an innocent smile in front of him, “then it’s okay if I happened to say what I think before to Miss Lissa right?”

            I turned and ran toward the exit, but Alan had already held on to my shoulder, pinning me in place. “Claudia would you like Brother Alan to teach you magic trick?” although I smiled at him, there was no mistaking my smile look portentous to him. “I’m so happy Brother Alan is so nice~”

#

I sat next to Alan and ate the kumquat he had offered me, Alan seem to have lost his dignity as he hung his head. He has a curly brown hair, slanted blue eyes, a pointed chin and angular cheekbones. For a third person, he is said to have a refreshing good looking, looking at him now I can say I do find him cute.  If only he wasn’t so easily threaten by a preschooler, I might not have the look of pity right now.

            First, he thought me the balloon trick, it was the first time I’ve seen a balloon up close and touched one, my cheeks was flushed when I touched the smooth surface and felt how light it was.  He told me if the needles went through the top of the balloon toward the knot or pass through a surface where he had put a cellophane tape it won’t explode. The fire-extinguishing trick was to mix water with baking powder, you closed the jug after it subsided and the carbon dioxide it made could extinguish the fire.

            Then I ask about the pillar of foam he made which he called, the Elephant Toothpaste trick. He only explained he only needed to mix some chemicals that’s hard to name even if I listen to him. After I quietly listen to him, there was a nostalgic feeling burning in my chest. How to say it—the feeling itself was still vague for me, but I do remember I had it around the time I started to learn magic.

            Once he finished exposing his trick, there were still a lot of question in my mind. Why does the balloon not pop when poke from the top, what kind of air is carbon dioxide and why can it extinguish fire, how does two liquid could make large foam in less than second. When I bombarded him with questions, I thought this must be how a child feels when they asked why the sky is blue.

            Alan looked half troubled and half annoyed at my questions, so I thought a loud how I was going to see Miss Lissa when beg me to wait afterward. “I only do what the instructions says so I can’t really explain it easily for you to understand,”  he rummaged  his backpack and took out two books from it and gave it to me, “I don’t really need so if you’re that interested., you can have it, other than instruction it also explain they know-how so it should satisfy you.”

            I read the title of those two books, one was [Simple Magic: Beginners] and [Easy Science Experiment at Home]. For me books are treasure, as someone from the 17^th century there were no such thing as books, only hornbook, but you can’t really call a thin wood with printed paper on it as a book. So being born in an era where books of different kind are easily bought and accessed can be seen nothing more than bliss.

            I hug Alan from over joy, though because of the size difference I was only able to hug his knees, his muscle is much sturdier than he looks. The bell rings and Alan had to pull me away so I could get back to class. 

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Chapter 4: Lingering fears

I woke up at noon, but truthfully I don’t want to wake up. 
            Reason being I was embarrassed, even though I’m a child but in mind I'm not, so I tried acting like a child but without being treated like a child.

            This is going nowhere.

            When my mother noticed I was awake, I was on the verge of suffocating from her hug. 
            Relax oh my doting mother!
             I don’t want to die from your excessive worry. Since I faint, I don’t have the right to say she shouldn't worry. She also told me that after last night fire—said the probable cause to be a malfunction on the electric stove—I had a weird seizure that kept me in daze without responding to anybody then fainted. My mother tried to take me to the doctor in hurry but my sister told her because I was seeing a large fire for the first time and fell in shock because of that, so she told her she should wait for me to wake up first to see how I'm doing.

            Since she's prone to worrying, I felt bad making her worry so much. She told me to rest at ease and went back out, probably making lunch since I skip breakfast. Once I was left alone, I tried reflecting my action last night.

            Even though I am aware of my fear of fire, I never realized how such a small scale could even flip my mind. This is bad; I don’t want to live my life afraid for every little fire. Besides, it would even raise suspicion as to why I’d be that afraid.

            So as usual, I woke up at midnight and sneak in to father’s reading room and took out a book about psychology and phobias (I’m so glad my farther loves to read). With the table light on, I studied intently without noticing the clock had showed it was 2 A.M (good kids, especially under 12 should not stay up late). I conclude my study to these points*:

            Fear of fire or pyrophobia  is one of common phobia in this world. Phobia itself doesn't always turn out to be problem, but on a excessive part could cause the disability to live a normal life. To a Pyrophobic individual, the mere smell of smoke or something burning can trigger an intense anxiety attack. This causes him/her to constantly to check the stove/gas leading to obsessive compulsive personality disorders. Ugh, just thinking I might have a personality disorder is nauseating.

            The common physical psychological symptoms are:

·        Dry mouth, difficulty in swallowing, trembling, palpitations and shaking in the vicinity of fires.

·        Some individuals cannot even stand small fires like birthday candles, fireworks etc.

·        Thoughts of death or dying, feeling like choking.

·        Going to abnormal lengths to prevent dangers from fires: Checking and rechecking several times a day to ensure the gas/stove is off,  keeping an escape route ready in event fire does occur or spending huge amounts of money on fire extinguishers, smoke alarms etc are some examples of such behavior.

·        Those with extreme levels of Pyrophobia experience a full blown panic attack at the sight, smell, or thought of fire: running away, fainting, screaming, feeling nauseated etc.

      I’ve recently discover my phobia, and I found three points I experienced. How scary accurate this book is. Now the section about overcoming and treating Pyrophobia tells me that the first step in treating fear of fire phobia is to diagnose it. Often, the phobic is able to assess if his/her symptoms are affecting the normal ability to function. If this is the case, s/he should not hesitate in approaching a primary health care provider to discuss further treatment. When the phobia symptoms are extreme, medication must be taken to counter the anxiety symptoms.

     Additionally, one must also utilize a few self help techniques to overcome the fear of fires phobia. Gradual desensitization or exposure therapy can be done with the help of family and friends or even a professional therapist. This involves looking at pictures of fires, thinking of fire and gradually progressing to being in the presence of small or controlled fire. An exposure of this sort can help the Pyrophobic control the anxiety response to fires.

The purpose of all these therapies is to get to the root cause of one’s Pyrophobia in order to help the individual regain confidence and etch out negative memories once and for all.

            Hmmm~ as much as I want to cure my pyrophobia, going to health center might be problematic seeing the root of my fear is from the death of my past life, so seeking help from outsiders is a no go. I closed the book and heaved a heavy sighed.

            For now, I noted how I should overcome my fear for me to try when I have the time and silently went back to my parent’s room. 

*Note: the following reference was found in http://www.fearof.net/fear-of-fire-phobia-pyrophobia/

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Chapter 3: Haunted Flame

“Claudy, say aaah~”

            “Beth, I can feed myself, I’m not a kid anymore!” I took the spoon from her and ate the chicken stew from my plate. In my past life, I live a simple life of a fugitive so the food were never as luxurious as I have now. Whether the homemade food, the takeout food, the convenience store food, or the fast food are all delicious that I feel nothing but bliss.

            Beth as always likes to treat me like a kid; she probably loves to act as a dependable loving sister, but the most part she just likes to pester me. That part of her never change since the past life, I got so much in trouble because of her. How nostalgic~

            “Claudia can perfectly feed herself, she’s not going to be spoon-feed forever you know” said Karen in a slightly cold tone. I currently have mix feelings with the eldest daughter of the family. In my past life, she was someone I would first confide with whenever I came in trouble since she was mature despite her age, and we had a lot of things in common that it wouldn’t be weird to say we were like sisters.

            Heck, now we’re literally sisters, yet somehow she has—changed.

            Well, I somehow understood that even when reincarnated doesn’t mean we possess the same nature as our past life. Since fate had somehow reunited us, if possible I want to get along with her. However, every time I tried to talk with her in a cheery tone, one look from her cold gaze was enough to make me whimper.

            She made the same gaze at Beth, but she doesn’t seem mind. In fact, she talked a lot more loosely with her but her tone strained whenever she talked or even mention me.

            WHAT DID I EVER DO TO YOU???

            “Hahaha, you’re so strict with your sister Karen, you never spoil your sister including Beth”

            “Really, I think I’m just normal. There’s no need to spoil her more than necessary is it, or else she’ll just grow up as a brat.”

            No, no, no, no, no, no matter how you say it, I can’t think of anything but strict. Is that how a sister should even talk? Yet my parents shrug it off as if it’s usual for her to say that. She’s only around 10 yet she’s very independent and never spoils anyone or even herself, are you sure it’s okay for leave her like that, mother? father?

            Galbraith barked and came over as if sensing my worry and tries to cheer me up as he leaned his head on my feet. Thank you Galbraith, you’re my oasis in this house! Karen’s expression soften seeing the Samoyed dog hiding beneath the table and stroke him playfully. Yes,, the only she let her guard down was the time she played with Galbraith. She gave him a treat from her plate which the dog took and ran off elsewhere.

            Oiiii, you just came for the food, didn’t you come to comfort me?!

            My complains could only resounded in my heart.

            I heard my father was a dog lover, so much he had three dogs before he married my mom. One was a Dalmatian named Rowling, the other is a Terrier named JK. He said he named it after the pen name of a famous author who told the story of boy who go to a wizard school. Sadly, Rowling died in an accident and JK died of old age.

            By the way, it seemed my father loves fantasy novel, I could somehow guess from his private collection book in his reading room. How should I say it, seeing my father in his late 40s would talk excitedly about fantasy adventured look so cute. You can’t help but love the man. It made me wonder how he would feel once he knows her own daughter is a sorcerer. Probably he would dance excitedly while asking to fly him with a broom.

            I think half way my conversation strayed away; anyway right now I’m trying to establish a way to connect with my sister. Should I use Galbraith, we both have soft spot in fluffy animals if my observation is correct.

            In the midst of my own thought, suddenly, a strong urge to run ran down my spine, I was barely able to think when I saw a gleaming red light that came from the kitchen. The others must have realized by smell when they’re expression changed, by the time they realized and turn around, I was screaming at the top of my lungs while throwing away the foods and plates as if they were obstacles.

            While I was in panic state, my parents rushed over to the kitchen trying to put out the fire. An alarm rang across the house and sprinklers from the kitchen went off. The fire quickly died out, but I was still in a numb state. My whole body was trembling, I thought my tear glands went numb as well since no tears came out no matter how much I want to cry. I didn’t know what I was holding on to, but I refused to let go and grip at it tightly.

            My family must have been calling me, but I could only comprehend noise around me. I tried looking up to them, but instead I saw the villagers who had torture me and drag me up to that stake. There were red glint in their eyes while they surrounded me, the ground was covered with flames and the sky was pitched black. What made it worse, I saw my farther, my friends, my master and those who got involved with me burned at the stake.

            I’m scared, I’m scared, I’m scared, I’m scared, I’m scared, I’m scared. Someone please save me, save me, save me, save me, save me, save me. My mind was a wreck until cold water was poured on my head, and my vision instantly cleared.

            I’m saw my the dining room and my family looking at me with a worried face including Galbraith. My mom was on the verge of crying and I loosened my grip but only realized I’ve been holding on to Karen’s shirt this whole time. I was scared what kind of icy glare she might throw at me so I hesitated to look up, but if I don’t apologize, she might hold me in contempt for that so I steeled myself to look at her.

            She was holding a glass of water in her right hand and gave me an indifferent expression, but then she gently caressed my head with her left and whispering repeatedly’ It’s okay, you’re safe’ her voice was so soothing, my heart that felt was racing against time finally slowed down. Having been washed by relive, I passed out at the spot. 

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Chapter 2: The Existence of Magic

“Look Claudia, this is where you’ll meet your new friends.”

            My mother pushes me inside, but I couldn’t help but feel unwilling after seeing such a place. Kids were running, laughing, shouting around the colorful room filled with toys. It’s the first time I’ve seen so many people in one room, heck it’s the first time I’ve seen so many kids in one room since I’ve been reborn.

            From my general knowledge, kids from then and now never change. They’re noisy, spoiled, and mushy, (sometimes they’re cute). I am wearing my pink one piece and my black hair was tied in ponytail, a blond woman with a slight colored hair came down to her knees after greeting my mother so she could face me at my eye level. “Hello there” she said with a smile, showing her dimples, “my name is Lissa, call me Miss Lissa okay~ what’s your name?” she should have known my name, yet she still ask me to get to know me.

            I turned my gaze down, grabbed my dress with my small hands and looked back at her, “Cl—Claudia” I tried answering while I stutter. As someone who never converse with a stranger it’s important to act a little shy, I sometimes think my action might be too calculated, but as someone who is different, there’s no such thing as being too careful.

            “I see, Claudia is it? Welcome to Apple Class, here you’ll meet lots of friends that you can learn and play with so let’s get along okay~”

            She tried giving with her brightest smile she tried to muster so I smile back and nodded. Miss Lissa took my hand, led me to the back of the room where she told all the kids to be silent, and introduced me to them. It was storytelling time and told me to sit wherever I want. I sat on the back, next to a blond girl who for some reason was sitting in a corner alone.

            Honestly, I prefer being in the corner as well, but since it’s occupied I sat next to her instead.  Some of the girls came over to talk with me and I act eagerly while I answer them. They went back to their place when Miss Lissa started to open a book and told us a story about a white dog who accidentally found treasure for an old couple, then a jealous neighbor heard of this and killed the dog in spite, the couple mourned their dog for weeks. The dog came back as a ghost, to repay their loving care since he was alive and told them to cook the pine in the garden with rice, which then turned into gold. The couple lived happily for the remainder of their life without a day forgetting their dog just as he did not forget even after death.

            OOOOIIIIIII!!!!! What are you telling such a story to a 4 year old! Look, they’re crying now, everyone’s nose is red and even the guys can’t hold back their tears! Are you trying to harass us with tears?! Think about how I feel having sweat coming out of my eyes!

            I turned toward the person in the corner, unlike the others she wasn’t crying, I don’t even know if she was listening to the story. Miss Lissa closed the book, and told us it was time for afternoon nap. She took a small white item from her pocket and put it in a stand that had speaker on it then play a soothing song to make us drowsy, she prepared our blanket and had us at the next room.

            With the lights off, the teacher left us with the door half opened. I too was overwhelmed with drowsiness of a toddler’s body and couldn’t help but sleep peacefully. 

             NOT!

            Opening my eyes, ensuring the little ones are asleep, I began to meditate. First, I tried sensing the mana inside my body that circulate my body, then use it to sense the surrounding mana. Using my own mana to distinguish the surrounding mana not only increase my proficiency in using it but also my sensitivity to my surrounding. With my eyes closed, I sensed the 20 other children sleeping in this room, the two teachers quietly talking, and the few children that was still playing in the next room.

When I came to this world, I had a huge misunderstanding. Magic doesn’t exist--or so I thought. To be precise, those who use magic are extinct, so I found out one hope admits my depression.

            I can use magic.

            Even if sorcerers are extinct, magic itself does not disappear. If one has the affinity and talent, it should be possible for anyone to become a magician. Moreover, in this modern era where they cultivated supernatural talent to use, it’s possible now for magician to gain respect unlike the times in the Thirty Years War and to be awed rather than fear.

            It might even be possible the era of a magic revolution.

            Hahahahahahahahahahaha, yeah right. Let’s leave it as a pipe dream.

            Putting aside my absurd thought, I realized I could use magic just a few days ago. In the middle of the night (somehow, my habit of an all nighters caught up from my previous life) I crept out of my parents’ room and went toward the kitchen. Somehow, the kitchen became a very good place for sneaking out, just by explaining I was hungry, they wouldn’t question why I was awake alone in the middle of the night. It seemed it become common sense to sneak into the kitchen for midnight snack at least once in their lifetime in this era.

            Anyway, since I don’t have my own room yet I can only perform my experiment here. I tried sensing my mana at first then my surrounding mana, which was a success, next I pulled out a pen and paper and draw a magic circle. I tried drawing three circles that intersect two snakes that intertwined each other, accompany with ancient symbols.  I then put a rotten apple I saved and put it on the paper. I charged mana and the magic circle then shone dimly, turning the strange coloring on it into bright red.

            SUCCESS!!!

            I had doubts but it was a success, if it wasn’t in the middle of the night I would have jumped around the whole room like a girl possessed. When I heard footsteps, I hid the paper behind and held the apple in the other. The kitchen light was turn on, and the one who was looking at me with watchful eyes was my eldest sister, Karen.

            “What are you doing?” she asked. My back had cold sweat leaking, while I was trying to avoid the question by wandering my eyesight, I held up my apple and took a bite after saying ‘midnight snack’ with a forced smile.

            She turn her eyesight away after convinced with that two words, she took a glass and pour some chocolate milk then went back to her room after drinking it. I sigh in relieve before I ate the rest of the apple, shred the paper, and went back to my parents room. 

<<<PREVIOUS CHAPTER                                                                           NEXT CHAPTER>>>

Chapter 1: My Mom is a Princess

Editted by Aria Red

"Claudia, wake up sweetie, it’s time for lunch.”  Hearing my name being called, the little me was very reluctant to part from the warmth of Galbraith’s soft white fur. Unknown to mother, I had stayed up all night reading books I had smuggled from father’s reading room, making it harder for me to wake up the next day, —that place is like a personal library—it was seriously hard when I could barely walk so there was a lot of crawling.

            Well, putting that aside, I didn’t want to let go of Galbraith! His fur is so soft and fluffy it was really addicting! If you ask if I was being childish, then I was, but hey—I’m still two years old, I can be as childish as I want now while I have the chance.

              Knowing that I didn’t have any intention on waking up, Princess Rosema—I meant my mom, pulled me away even when my tiny hands kept on holding on to our household dog, but since I didn’t want to injure him from pulling out his fur, I ended up letting go.

            My mom shouldered me until she had me sit on a unique chair specially made for toddlers. I never liked those chairs. For a child’s chair why did they make it so tall; do you know how scary it is when I looked down from that chair? Well, resistance was futile so I had to sit there while being fed, at my age, it’s a little hard but I could somehow manage to feed myself (I’m not that spoiled) but my mom is unfortunately, a doting parent.

            If you don’t believe me then you should see the massive four volumes of my picture albums she collected, and that didn’t include the pictures she took on her--what do you call it?—cell phone, and also the video ones. After she fed me, she took my plate and washed it along with her own. No matter how many times I see it, seeing the princess wearing an apron, cleaning, cooking, and feeding her child just like an ordinary housewife still feel weird to me who knew her as a princess in my past life, AND SHE’S MY MOM NOW!

            Well, it’s still more believable than the fact that I was reincarnated with the memory of my past life.

            How did I recognize the princess you say? My mother—I meant my past mother—was a maid in charge of attending her. As a commoner, I couldn’t get quite close to her but when we had the chance to speak, we hit it off quite well. She would secretly teach me reading and writing and other things. I’m immensely grateful for that. Afterward, she and my mother got involved in an assassination, which led to their death. She was only 13 at that time.

            My past father who was overcome with grief took me away from the capital and that led the change of my fate. I was around 7 years old at that time. It was a tragic moment, which I didn’t want to remember, but now seeing her making funny faces as she tried feeding me and made loving faces as she dot on me, I couldn’t help but feel glad she was given another chance to live her life peacefully.

             “I’m home!” a voice came from the front door and my sister came running to the dining room. She is in primary school, in fact; she has just attended the primary school. She has a brunette hair worn in a twin tail. She has the same obsidian eyes as her mother, and has a few freckles on her cheeks but she still looks charming.

“Welcome home Beth,” she kissed mother on the cheek and then she went toward me and kissed me on the forehead. Since it tickled I couldn’t help but laughed and she took it as a sign that I liked being kissed and kisses me either on the forehead or cheek every morning, noon and evening.

            “I’m home Claudia,” said Beth. She ran off toward her room but stopped and turned when then the red apple that had been on the basket of fruits floated toward her. “Beth, how many times have I told you to not use your powers inside the house!” Beth widened her eyes and said “Sorry, forgot” then ran to the second floor. “Honestly that child—” mom sighed.

            There was another shocking truth after I realized after being reincarnated, and that was the fact that I was born into a world—no, into a future world where the people called espers exist.

             I was surprised enough knowing a future where electricity, planes, cars, robots, phones exist that I almost died from culture shock. The future was beyond what a person from the 17th century could have imagined. It's like living in a fantasy world. At first, I truly thought I was reincarnated into another world, but that wouldn’t explain why not only the princess, but my two best friends, Lise and Astrid were reborn as my sisters, Beth and Karen.

            With the memory of another life, I thought it’d be dangerous not knowing the common sense of the current time so I had spent my time researching what is what and the norm of this era. I had to observe more intently, the speech and gesture of the people every time I went outside and watched TV with my family. Some are soap operas which I found to be the most realistic kind of TV show there is.

            Right now, the gist of my current life is, my family has my mother, farther, and two sisters. My mother, Adrianne Robertson is a retired reporter, a famous one at that but now a housewife and my father. Micheal Robertson, my father, is an employee of a private company. Both of them are normal. On the other hand, the eldest daughter, Karen Robertson is a fifth grader who can use clairvoyance and the second daughter, Beth Robertson who can use telekinesis, both of them are Espers.

            My name is Claudia Robertson, whether its fate or coincidence, I was named the same as when I was in my past life. According to my studies, after the people whom are called the scientists researched the potential of the human brain; they managed to unlock the possibility for humans to wield power they were only able to dream of. According to studies, although humans use 100% percent of their brain, to ‘consciously’ use every part of them was impossible. Normally, people are able to consciously use about 10% of it

            To give an easier example. When we are using muscles for certain activities and using our brain to brainstorm or to calculate, we are 'purposely' using our brain and making use parts of the 10%. However, we cannot control the metabolism of our cells, the amount of hormones we're giving out, or the speed of our blood flow. Then they asked themselves, what if we could control what we couldn't before?

             When one for instance is able to control the amount of their growth hormone, then one can adjust their own growth to their wish. If one could switch off their pain sensory, then one would be able to not feel pain. If one could control the cells in their body, it might be possible to change their body to their heart's desire.

             The result made a phenomenal breakthrough that resulted in the birth of people known as Espers. Currently, there are roughly 0.001% espers out of the earth's population. Additionally, after a few secret intensive studies I found out one thing that dreaded my heart.

            Magic doesn’t exist.

Prologue

Editted by Aria Red

XX October 1631

On that day, a woman was chained on a stake, crowds of people were pushing forward with rocks in their hands. Bruises and blood covered the entirety of her fair white skin, her black hair covered her face while she kept looking at the furious masses. Their glares hurt and sent shivers to her as one thing was conveyed from them. ‘Hatred!’

            She felt only bitterness as she gritted her teeth at the biased treatment of her kin. If she could she would have used all the spells at her disposal, letting them writhe in pain as they taste full agony before they meet their end. If possible, she wanted to engulf this town in a sea of flames, leaving nothing but ashes.  

            Even at her wits end, she couldn’t help but secretly struggled to conjure mana. Alas the same thing happened, nothing. With silver chains tying her down, a witch could do nothing but bit her lips in grievance until she meets her end. A soldier armed with a full silver armor came up to the stage next to her pitiful state, uncurling a piece of paper and announced her death decree in it.

            “Claudia Oriente, for the crime of performing witchcraft inside the town’s border, for the crime of using witchcraft on the residents of the town, for the crime of conducting experiment related to witchcraft, for the crime….” The soldier went on with all the crimes related to witchcraft. After all she is a witch. The list went on and on that the villagers were starting to get impatient on punishing the creature they recognized as a heretic.

            Finally, “The government has decreed that you are guilty of all charges and is to be burned at the stake!” The crowd started to scream boisterously. For the first time in a while, Claudia lifted her head and met the eyes of a certain noble. Among the other nobles and government officials, he was the only one wearing formal black attire. He stood by the balcony, watching her intently with his unique pale blue eyes, so pale that they almost looked colorless, yet anyone who looked at it would be captivated.

            “Any last words?” said the soldier. She kept staring at the noble with burning rage inside of her, and being asked of her last words she started to laugh. The crowds of course went silent at her peculiar act just when she was about to be burnt to death. She laughed so ecstatically that the people felt nothing but ominous.

            “CURSE YOU ALL!” she said at the end of her laughter. Her smile was gone, and her eyes showed nothing but wickedness. They cursed my loved ones, they cursed my power, and they cursed my existence, FINE THEN, I”LL CURSE THEM ALL!

            “You ignorant people, burn me if you wish, even if I die in this place, my hatred will stay and wreck upon this accursed land, even when a 100 or a 1000 years pass, I’ll curse every single one of you even in the next life!”

            Her words escalated the villagers’ fury and it took a few soldiers to calm the masses down. “LIGHT THE FIRE!” the hay beneath her stake was lit and almost instantly covered her surrounding with blazing red flames. Oddly enough, the coiling flame was warm and set her heart at ease. She then remembered the charm she had that her master had given her before.

            “May this necklace protect you from the flames of fate of our kin; I just hope that time will never come to you.” She never understood what he had meant, but now she does. “Thank you Master,” she silently said, “at least I can die a painless death.”

            She turned her gaze to the sky that reflected the same color of the flame, as if the heaven was mocking her as well. The sky then reflected her memories of the past, the time when she used to follow her master like a baby chick while studying from him, the time when she had dinners with her parents, laughing together as they talked about their day. The time when she went inside the forest with her two best friends, the time when she fought back for her life and went into hiding, the time she spent with her first love.

            She didn’t dare to let a single tear break from her eyes. She held back her sadness to fuel her anger. Her skin smelled like burnt ashes and started to turn pitch black. Her blood was rapidly boiling inside, her lungs screamed for air, and her white bones started to reveal itself.  She closed her eyes, bracing herself for death and in the midst of despair she smiled for she would be separated from this cruel world.

            When she tried opening her eyes, the world was dark, am I dead? She thought. However, she questioned her lingering consciousness. She felt her struggle to breathe, and in that dark place, one light shone above her. She felt her body was being pushed toward it, and couldn’t help but closed her eyes when the light was blindingly shining on her.

            She gasped for air, her sight was mostly blurry, and the most surprising to her, against her will, she started crying. As if she had let go of her regrets and relieved washed over her, she cried over her lost and joy.

            Why am I crying as if I had lost something, and yet why at the same time I feel so happy? Her vision was blurry but she could still make out the shadow of people looming over her. She tried reaching for them but—that’s strange she thought again. Her body felt light yet it was hard to move, she tried getting up but something or someone was holding her tightly and when she tried talking, other than ‘uuhh’ and ‘aahhh’ she could barely say anything.

            She started panicking, but then warm water washed over the blood, then afterward she was covered with a soft warm blanket. What is this? I’ve never felt anything so soft and comfy! A larger shadow then loomed closer to her, she tried concentrating hard and found out that she was a woman. She was probably in her mid 30s, she had a tanned skin and obsidian eyes, and her hair was cut short. She felt the beating of the woman’s heart that gave a different kind of warmth, a warmth so familiar yet so different. The woman put her in her arms, her soft smile and teary eyes made her feel safe and content.

            Before long, her eyes felt heavy and she was about to fall into a deep sleep, but she was bewildered over one fact when she focused her sight on the face of the woman.  

            Princess Rosemare!