Unturned directions

After we had become an official party and departed from the village, we rode a carriage heading to our first stop at a village near the Great Valley which leads to Port Kalyiar. It helps us save more of our energy for the journey.

After a day's journey, the carriage finally halts to a stop. Me and Marieka slept through the ride, meaning Annaliese was the only one wide awake. She stood up and patted Marieka’s shoulder, then she awoke.

Annaliese tried waking me up, but I was still grumpy. “Miss Varieka! Please wake up!”

…

No answer, staying silent before grunting, curling myself more.

I want to sleep more…

A few minutes later, the two of them went off the carriage while I was still laying on my side. Annaliese and Marieka turned to look at each other before Marieka attempted to wake me up again, reaching inside the carriage.

“Eilー, Varieka! Wake up!! We’re here! You can sleep at an inn later!” Marieka began shoving me.

“Mm…. A few more minutes…” I grunted.

Without a choice, Marieka grabbed my body and tried to lift me up, but I didn’t budge considering her strength. “Uhm… Anneliese… Please help me here…”

She tried grabbing me up again, this time Annaliese helped to carry my feet. And then I was lifted in the air, afterwards they both thanked the man for the ride before I was carried till we arrived at the inn. Marieka let go of her grasp, letting Annaliese carry me.

From this point on I had no recollection of being carried, I only felt my body being placed in the bed, unbothered and continued to doze off like a baby…

Three hours later, I finally woke up, rubbing my eyes and looking out the window. It was nighttime… Then I thought to myself, how’d I end up here?

I got off the bed, and saw Annaliese curled up on the other side of the bed. Woah, I must’ve looked like that…?

My ears picked up noises of scratching, which turned out to be Marieka who was writing at the table. Candles lit open as she turned her head to look at me. “You’re awake, Varieka.”

Yawning, covering my mouth. “ーJust call me normally when she’s asleep.”

I snapped my fingers and changed to my nightgown using magic. Marieka turned to Annaliese, squinting her eyes and showing signs of concern.

“Are you sure she won’t recognize you? Eilise?” Marieka raised a brow.

“Mmm… I’m sure of it, Annaliese is from Brynheint. She wouldn’t know what the Pointed hat of Ryven looks like… The kingdom’s far away from each other, makes it harder to know who is which. Anyways, what are you writing?”

“Oh nothing… Just trying to… Create magic, ehehe~~”

I paused. “......Last time you tried creating magic, you drew a magic circle and used the wrong formula, resulting in the table exploding. You know what, let me help you…”

I went to her table to check what she’s been writing. Oh great heavens. What am I seeing…

Tilting my head to get a better angle, I asked. “And this is…..?”

“Well, I’m not sure… I just went with the flow and tried to create magic. You know, like the old times?”

I facepalmed, exhaling in disbelief.

She tried her best but, did she forget how much skill it takes to create one… She’s still trying this even after four years?

“Marieka…. You do remember thatー”

“ーI know, Eilise. Please don’t embarrass me even more….. It takes five years to create one for the average mage, but it doesn't hurt to keep trying… Even if it may seem hopeless…”

“It still takes a month to create magic for us Pointed hats. I could help you create one, but you have to tell me what it’s supposed to do. I need a detailed description.”

Marieka’s expression shot up. “Really!! Then that’s a promise! I can’t tell you what it specifically does… But I can give you hints.”

This little girl… Fine, fine. I’ll do that, I hope she surprises me…

I took her pen and wrote some basic formulas, those that include logic and common understanding.

Creating magic is complicated. There’s multiple things to consider, first will be the foundation, without it you’re better off ripping the paper.

After I finished writing the first formula, the paper lit up blue for a second before the letters disappeared.

“Woah!? What did you write!” Her mouth opened.

“That’s the foundation, it’s used for stabilization so it can be mass produced. I always skip this part because I prefer it being unstable. But since we’re making this magic for you, I’ll make a good foundation so it's usable.”

Her shoulders eased. “So my assumption of making magic was wrong this whole time…!? I thought you had to draw a magic circle, then deviate from that!? Now I feel dumb…. Thank you Eilise! Personally, I feel like apart from you being a Pointed hat, it doesn’t look like you’ve changed.”

“Huh…? What do you mean?” I tilted my head.

“Like, you’re you! It makes me feel at home… You're still the same old Eilise I used to know.”

I froze, my eyes widened. I haven't changed? Really…? I thought I felt different three years ago… I still remember my first task when I was appointed. Has it really been that long? It feels like yesterday. By that time I’ve already changed a lot.

Scoffing, my heart achedーthe quill in my hand limped slowly.

Perhaps, the pressure must’ve been too much on me….

“Mmm~~,” Annaliese grumbled, the bed creaking.

“WAA!!” I jolted in response, quickly turning behind to see if she was awake… Well, It looked like Annaliese was only moving in her sleep.

I took a moment to breathe, calming myself. That scared me. Thank goodness… I was worried if she overheard our conversation.

“That was close… Ahem, so tell me first the details, Marieka…” I looked to my shoulder and saw her sleeping, her arms used as a pillow, snoring.

I tilted my head confused. She fell asleep that quick…!? Goodness me, Marieka must’ve been writing the whole time we were asleep… So even after all this time, she wants to create magic despite her inability to do so. If only she had the talent and ability, she could’ve been a better Pointed hat than me…

Summoning a blanket using pocket magic and holding it with both of my hands, I wrapped it around her shoulders gentlyーas to not wake her up.

Such a hardworking girl… I hope you keep being the same too… Unlike me… I patted her head and stepped back from the table.

Now that’s settled, what should I do now? Perhaps I’ll sleep again hehe~~, but the problem is, I already slept a while ago, and now I have to wait again…

I went to the window and leaned with my arm, looking up to stare at the beautiful stars in the night sky. The stars shone brightly above the mountains of the valley from a distance, which gave me a sort of… Relief for a moment.

It’s always nice and calming when everything isn’t bothering you… To relieve some pent up exhaustion from the mess…

“ーYou stressed? Miss. Varieka?” A voice came from behind me.

I turned behind and saw Annaliese getting out of bed… I didn’t say anything for a second, until I realized… She woke up…?

Wait… Huh!? Was she awake the whole time?? So that means, she DID hear our conversation?!

I shivered. “ーO… Oh goodness… So you were awake the whole time? Please, no need to address me as Miss…”

“Actually I just woke up now, but it does seem like I was always awake. It’s just how knights get up in the morning. We don’t show any kinds of weakness when waking up because our instructor used to be harsh on us.” She exhaled.

Oh… She didn’t hear us earlier…?! Then… That’s good…

Clearing my throat, I took a deep breath and exhaled in relief. “Ahh… It must’ve been rough… That’s pretty impressive, Annaliese. That level of discipline you have…. As for your question, I’m just overthinking… Thank you for your concern.”

“Well, I won’t pry but. Hope you will be okay with whatever you're dealing with… Just enjoy everything you find enjoyable, no need to stress. I want to try to make this journey enjoyable for all of us. So it would be awesome if we keep up the good spirits!”

I nodded. “Mmm, I'll keep that in mind Annaliese. No need to try to make this journey enjoyable, It’s already enjoyable as it is.”

For Marieka only… Meanwhile I’m not having it… Anyways, her advice…? Just try to enjoy anything I like, and not overthink anything. Sure I can try, my mind just can’t get rid of the memories from my past.

Turning around to the window once more, I clenched my fist.

LET’S FIRST REMOVE THIS PROBLEM!! WOOO!! YES I’LL BE HOPELESS!!!! YOU CAN DO THIS EILISE, KEEP TRYING!

I closed my eyes shut.
THIS IS GONNA BE ONE FUN TRIP!! LETS GO I’M READY TO SLEEP ALL DAY LONG!