Chapter IX - The Magic Within Mary

  "All right! Who’s next?" Laura called out.

  "I… guess I can go next." Mary said hesitantly.

  "Great! Step up to the starting line." Laura said with a grin.

  Mary positioned herself behind the magical chalk line Laura had drawn. As she prepared to start, Helen sauntered over with a mischievous glint in her eyes. She leaned in and whispered, "You’re going to pull a different trick this time, aren’t you?"

  Laura simply smiled—that was all the confirmation Helen needed.

  "Ready… Set… Fight!"

  Laura smirked, quietly murmuring, “Clypeus invisibilis.” A shimmering shield briefly flickered into existence before vanishing again.

  Mary charged forward, raising her staff to strike. But just as she swung, something invisible stopped her attack with a loud bang.

  She stumbled back, her eyes wide in confusion. "What—?"

  Mary furrowed her brows. She had clearly expected the scarecrow to come to life like it had for Helen—but it didn’t. She hesitated, then took a deep breath, closing her eyes.

  She stood motionless for a moment, gripping her staff, her brow furrowed in concentration.

  Laura watched closely. ‘She’s figuring it out. The staff's magic can break the shield, but is she truly ready?’

  Then, a faint red glow emerged from the staff—a soft, pulsing light, barely visible.

  Laura’s eyes narrowed in interest. ‘She’s close. She has good magical potential.’

  Suddenly, the staff flared with a brilliant red light. The air trembled, and with a loud shatter, the invisible shield broke apart.

  Without hesitation, Mary rushed forward. The staff glowed fiercely once more as she struck the scarecrow, and in an instant, the entire structure exploded into fragments.

  Mary exhaled deeply, smiling in satisfaction.

  Laura grinned. "That was impressive." she said.

  Mary walked back toward the group, her confidence visibly growing.

  Helen crossed her arms, smirking, "Well, that was fun. Who’s next?"

  Chapter X - The Kingdom in Peril

  “Well, maybe I can—” Isabelle started, but Laura suddenly held up a hand.

  “Wait. I hear something from the village.”

  Laura motioned for everyone to be quiet. The distant sounds of shouting and chaos drifted from the marketplace where she had just bought supplies.

  “Everyone, grab your weapons.” Laura whispered urgently. “And stay close together.”

  Isabelle tightened her grip on her bow, while Mary clutched her still-glowing staff. Helen’s hand fell instinctively to the handle of her katana.

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  “What do you think is happening?” Mary asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

  Before Laura could answer, a brilliant flash of purple light shot into the sky from the village center. Even from this distance, they could feel the rippling magical energy spreading through the air.

  “That’s a royal signal,” Laura explained, her expression turning serious. “Something has happened with the royal family.”

  “What could it be?” Isabelle asked, brows furrowed.

  Is it the missing prince? Laura wondered.

  As they approached the village, a man stood at the front of a growing crowd, his voice ringing out.

  “Everyone, I regret to inform you that the missing prince has been kidnapped. We found evidence that the forces of the evil lord Zyrax have taken him.”

  Murmurs spread rapidly through the crowd.

  “The missing prince? Who is that?” Madelyn whispered.

  “I’ll explain after the speech. Not now,” Laura murmured back.

  The man took a deep breath before continuing.

  “We suspect Zyrax’s forces infiltrated the palace sometime last night. The prince vanished without a trace—but we discovered signs of dark magic in his chambers. The Queen has declared a kingdom-wide alert. Anyone who rescues the prince will receive a great reward.”

  Laura’s mind raced. Zyrax kidnapped the missing prince. Why? Is the prince more important than we realize?

  Isabelle turned to Laura, tension in her expression. “What do we do?”

  “We need to help. Also, if we succeed, we might be able to ask for the missing piece of the dimension transporter as a reward.” Laura paused. “That’s just a bonus, though. I think the missing prince is actually in our class.”

  “What? The missing prince is in our class? How is that possible?” Helen hissed.

  Several nearby villagers glanced in their direction.

  “Shhhh,” Laura warned. “We’re drawing too much attention. Talk later.”

  Madelyn frowned. “So what’s the plan?”

  Laura squared her shoulders. “We need to speak with Queen Astralis.”

  “Ooooh, can I come?” Isabelle asked eagerly.

  “Yeah, I want to go too!” Mary chimed in.

  Laura sighed, “Fine. You can all come, but let me do the talking.” Her eyes scanned the group, lingering on Helen.

  “Alright, alright—I won’t say anything reckless,” Helen muttered, rolling her eyes.

  Laura nodded. “Then let’s go.” She turned toward the towering silhouette of the castle in the distance, leading the group forward.

  Chapter XI - The Castle of Light

  “Woah,” Isabelle gasped in wonder at the magnificent castle. The castle shone in the sunlight, gleaming as it reflected the light of the sun.

  “Hey, what’s that?” Mary asked, pointing to the highest tower.

  “Ah. That’s the magic tower. It’s where the most powerful sorcerers and sorceresses meet to discuss the well-being of Elrodia,” Laura told her.

  Mary’s eyes sparkled with wonder and awe. Laura’s gaze lingered on Helen once again. “Come on. We have to hurry. And remember, let me do the talking,” she said, her voice low but firm.

  Helen narrowed her eyes but nodded.

  As they approached the castle door, the guards drew their weapons and asked suspiciously, “Who are you? Identify yourselves. Only people with the Queen’s invitation may enter.”

  Laura replied, “Go tell the Queen that the Dimension Keeper of Earth is here.”

  Seeing the guard’s confused look, Laura sighed and said, “Just do it. The Queen will know what I mean.”

  The guard hesitated, eyes narrowing. Then, without a word, he turned and disappeared into the castle.

  Moments later, he returned—this time accompanied by a tall man with sharp features and short, jet-black hair.

  “You may enter,” the man said, his voice smooth but unreadable. He glanced at Laura, then at the others. “Follow me. The Queen is waiting.”

  Laura nodded and motioned for her friends to follow, her heart pounding nervously.

  The castle doors creaked open, revealing a grand hall lined with silver banners and glowing crystal sconces. The air shimmered faintly, as if magic itself pulsed through the stone.

  Inside the castle, Mary asked the question hanging in the air like mist: “Who are you?”

  The man smiled, slow and deliberate. “Curious about my identity? Or suspicious?” He stepped forward, the echo of his boots bouncing off the stone walls. “I’m the—”

  “I’ve seen you before,” Laura interrupted, her eyes narrowing. “You’re the Dimension Keeper of Elrodia. Chris, right?”

  The others turned to her, stunned.

  “What?” Laura shrugged. “My dad taught me.”

  Chris tilted his head. “So you’re the girl who claimed to be the Dimension Keeper of Earth.”

  “Not officially,” Laura replied. “My dad holds that title. I’m just… learning.”

  Chris nodded slowly. “I thought so. You can’t become an official Keeper until thirteen. It’s tradition. And protection.”

  The moment passed quickly, and they arrived at a large door.

  “This is the throne room. You’ll go in first,” Chris said, gesturing toward the door.

  The girls exchanged nervous glances before stepping inside.