Chapter 29 – The Doubts
Ashleigh’s POV
Flashback
“Ashleigh… Someone sent you a letter, here.”
I turned to Elgin. When he got the letter from his pocket he immediately handed it to me.
“That seems important because it came from Principal Alastor.” he says.
I looked at the one on the back of the envelope. It is true that it came from Principal Alastor.
“All right, I’m going out.” he says.
“Thank you, El.” I said.
He smiled first before leaving my room.
We are still in Calux’s palace. This is also the last day we will stay here.
I breathe deeply before I opened the contents of the envelope and read it.
_____________________________________________________________
June 16, 2018
Dear Ms. Ashleigh,
I would like to talk to you about your current performances at the academy. I would also like to talk to you about what we talked about last week. I hope you agree to my request. I will wait for you on Monday… On the eighteenth of June. after your first class.
This is really urgent…
Sincerely,
Principal Koume Alastor.
_________________________________________________________________
I raised an eyebrow after reading the letter from Principal Alastor.
Will we talk about what we talked about last week?
I just held my breath and arranged my belongings for the return to the Academy.
End of Flashback
I was just quiet now while in class. Yes, my first class. Actually, I don’t understand anything because I think about what Principal Alastor said last week and I got really curious because of what he wanted to tell me today. I am with Stheno now in my first class today and she is really serious about listening to our lesson. While me? I was about to die thinking about what Principal Alastor wanted to tell me today.
When the class was over, I told Stheno that I was going to Principal Alastor’s office. She offered to accompany me but I refused because Principal Alastor might get angry when he saw me with someone. Stheno just sighed and smiled before she decided to left.
When I got to the door of Principal Alastor’s office I took a deep breath before knocking.
“Come in.”
When I heard Principal Alastor say that, I immediately went inside.
“G-Good morning Principal Alastor.” I greet him.
“Good morning Ms. Ashleigh… please take a sit.” he said calmly.
I could not stop my heart from beating fast… When I sat down I noticed that the Principal was taking something from his drawer.
I just sat quietly while trying to calm myself. When he got the item in his drawer did he rearrange the seat while still holding a portfolio?
“I heard what happened at the party in the kingdom of Fleland. Are you all right?” he asked as he opened the portfolio.
“Yes, Principal Alastor.” I answered.
“Duchess Matilda told me what happened…” he said.
When he opened the portfolio he stared at me.
“Do you remember what I told you the day I called you?” he asked.
Flashback
I left alone with Ms. Aislinn in Principal Alastor’s office I felt very nervous. It looks like the Principal has found out that I am just a trespasser and he will lock me up in the dungeon!
“A strong mage… came.” he said while reading a book near the beautiful window.
I could not fathom what he said. I was confused by what he said.
He slowly closed the book and approached his chair.
“Please, sit down.” he said and pointed to the chair on the side of his desk.
As I sat down I noticed the seriousness on his face.
“Such a very strong magus…” he whispered but I still heard. “You have to be careful… You are not just an ordinary mage Ashleigh. You are one of the magus who has an important role to play in this world. You will encounter many obstacles. As you gradually rise, you may be good and able to stand up for yourself but… You will also encounter bad people. I know that you have questions that you need to be able to answer but by yourself. ” he explained.
“What do you mean? That I myself have to find the answers to my question? What do you mean by the good and bad that I will encounter? I do not understand you.” confused I asked him.
“I know… At these times, you can’t believe what I’m saying. Even you are doubting yourself for being a magus.” he said and walked to the window.
“H-How did you know?” I couldn’t believe I asked him.
He turned to me and smiled.
“It looks like Professor Radagast has already told you what he knows about your personality. But he still has things he hasn’t told you yet.” he says.
I could not understand what he was pointing to so I just waited for him to finish what he was going to explain to me.
“You still have things you can’t find in yourself. Things you never thought were real you.”
“First of all, being a mage, you never thought you were one.”
“Second is the true strength of your power… You have not seen it yet because you are in the first stage yet… and there are many more to come.”
“At that time, Are you ready to face the destinies for you?” he stared at me while seriously asking me that.
It was as if cold water had been poured on me because I suddenly could not answer. It was as if my tongue were receding. I do not know what to answer… Yes, all of this is new to me. I could not believe that I had the same power as the people here. Never in my entire life have I ever dreamed that my dreams would come true and read when I was young.
“I will repeat my question, Ashleigh. At that time, Are you ready to face the destinies for yourself?” he asked me again.
I do not know where I got the strength to answer his question.
“I’m ready, I’m ready to face them even though my life will be in exchange for it.” I answered.
Principal Alastor smiled at my answer to him.
Suddenly he took something from his pocket.
“Here… I wanted you to wear this.” he said and handed me a rose gold ring with a princess-cut diamond shape that was colored purple.Material © NôvelDrama.Org.
I was surprised to reach out and put on the ring … I looked up at him with a confused look.
“What is this Principal Alastor for?” I asked him in astonishment.
“That ring you can use while you have not yet fully earned the true strength of your power. In the meantime use the mana of that ring every time you use that power. But remember not to abuse the use of that ring. Sometimes the power of a magus is out of control so I gave it to you because you deserve to wear it and also because you are a novice magus… ” he explained.
I stared for a few minutes at the ring I was wearing.
“I will also help you gradually find other answers to those questions. I will also help you to be even stronger, you are a special magus. Ashleigh.” he added while staring at me.
“Strong magus? What do you mean?” I will ask.
But he did not answer but sat down in his chair.
“Someday you will know who you truly are.” he says. “You can go out now.”
I bowed to him first before leaving his office.
But before I can finally leave his office I will never forget what he said in his calming voice.
“There are a lot of people who will go after you, to get your powers so you need to be careful. Until then Ashleigh.”
End of Flashback
“I remember what you said… Principal Alastor. But how can you say that the person you say will chase me is… because of my power?” I asked him.
“You are strong Ashleigh. You have not seen it yet because you are just a beginner. Soon there will always be people chasing you.” he replied.
“I am ready to face them. It is also because of the ring you gave me.” smiling I said.
“I’m glad you liked the ring but don’t forget what I told you. That…”
“Remember not to abuse the use of that ring. Sometimes the power of a magus is out of control so I gave it to you because you deserve to wear it and also because you are a novice magus…” at the same time Principal Alastor and I said.
He frowned as we finished speaking.
“You did memorize it, but you didn’t even do it.” annoyed he said.
“S-Sorry Principal Alastor.” I said while looking down.
He sighed and sat down in his chair again.
“Ashleigh… These are the possible reasons I gathered for you, for having a strange kind of power. Everyone knows there is no magus left on Earth but you came from there. I gathered documents of the previous magus that also came on Earth and I have some information gathered. Ariella Wilson is one of them. She is an Earth / Wood Attuned from Britain. Next is Galdur Usoro a Fire Attuned who came from the Philippines. And there are many more but the last name Nevrakis? There is no magus with such a surname who studied at this Academy. ” he said in astonishment while still looking for information on the papers he is now looking for.
“S-So what do you mean Principal? Maybe I’m just an adoptee?” confused question.
“Not like that Ashleigh… I am thinking that… You might be a ‘Changeling’ but I’m not sure yet…” said Principal Alastor.
Changeling? C-Changeling? I read about those before, In the book, Back home. Does the Principal mean I might be secretly replaced in my mother’s womb while in her stage of pregnancy? Is that the reason why I am different from them?
“C-Changeling…” I whispered and my tears slowly dripped.
“Ashleigh… I’m not sure yet. Please don’t cry.” said Principal Alastor who touched my shoulder.
“What if I am a Changeling? What will be the reaction of the parents I consider? That they raised the wrong child? That I am a cursed child?” I cried and cried.
“Ashleigh… calm down, Just like I said I’m not sure about what I said. So don’t cry please.” said Principal Alastor.
“What if it’s true, that I’m a Changeling? I’m sure… my parents will be hurt, and so will my older brother.” I said while sobbing.
Principal Alastor sighed and handed me a tissue.
“I’m not sure yet… I’ll look for more possible reasons. I hope while I’m not summoning you yet do not think negatively about your personality. Ashleigh, Focus on learning magics first. Focus your attention there first. Don’t worry your questions will also be answered. For now, go back to your class first. ” said Principal Alastor.
I just smiled and nodded.
“Ashleigh, you are a great mage. Just keep learning your magic. You can also be one of the Elite 10 if you continue learning magic.” he says.
I just nodded again and bowed before leaving his office. I looked down and held my arm tightly.
What if I’m really Changeling? will my mommy and daddy still accept me? will my older brother still accept me as his sister? Will they still be happy when they find out the fact that I am not their real child, that the one who was not really carried in mommy’s womb when she was still pregnant?
It hurts… maybe they will just reject me… It’s too painful to think about the possibilities if it turns out that I am Changeling.
To be continued…