Mischievous Alice: The Eyes Of Hermes

"Oh my God…. what just happened?", Alice thought in her mind. Then she looked around her waiting for anyone's reaction.

Alex looked surprised for a moment and then calmed down. He's getting used to being surprised by her sister while Anne was experiencing it for the first… no second time if we're to include the fact that she learned reading and writing by herself.

"H-h-ho-w…" Anne was too shocked to even say a word.

"I-I'm sorry!" Alice quickly apologized.

Realized how small and feeble Alice was, and the wounds in her hands… Anne composed herself and immediately held Alice's hand to heal it.

"Oh no! Your hands!" Alex exclaimed.

Not even a minute has passed and Cygnus already came running towards them. Aquila followed from another direction. After Anne has completely healed Alice's hands, she told them of what happened. They were appalled by what happened again, but like Alex, they're getting used to it.

"There is no end to your surprises, my dear daughter." Cygnus sighed as he lifted his daughter and carried her in his arms.

"I'm sorry." Alice pouted.

"No, it's not your fault, Alice. It's not a bad thing." Alex encouraged her.

"Yes, my dear. Why would you feel sorry? If I'm gonna say it, I'd say I'm proud of you!"

Aquila chuckled. "Yes, my dear daughter. Don't ever think for a moment that you're weird or dangerous or bad. I guess you could say, we simply didn't expect such things to happen."

"Yeah, and we… just can't keep up with your greatness!"

"Hahahahahaha!" Everyone laughed at it.

"Ahm… If I may suggest, Mrs. Caeles."

"Yes, Anne."

"Since she's too young and can't attend school for a few years yet, and me being an elemental mage..and her...having a non-elemental affinity, I think.. I may not be able to teach her much."

"Yeah, you're right. How about reading and wri-"

"-she...already knows how to read and write...all on her own."

Alex seconded. "Yup, that's true. I was surprised, too."

"Oookay… Another discovery!" Aquila smiled.

"Yes, sooo.. I'm thinking. I actually know someone who specializes in void magic. Though, he's a bit of a nut cause. He's lazy and hard to talk to...somewhat… but he's a genius! He's the very first legendary ranked void specialist!"

"Oh.. I think I know him." Cygnus added. "He's that eccentric guy that lives at the weird mansion in the woods."

"Is he dangerous?" the mother worried.

"No, he's not. He can't hurt a fly! He's just really weird sometimes. And I think a genius should be teaching another genius."

"But you're also great, Anne."

"Nah, it's okay. I maybe smart and all but not a prodigy. I know that and I've already accepted that fact long ago." she replied smiling. "In that case, I'll go talk to him now and then come back. I hope he agrees, though."

"Alright. Thank you very much, Anne."

And prepared herself to go. She picked up her things and put her hat back on.

"Anne!....teacher Anne!" shouted Alice.

"Huh? Yes, Alice?"

Alice walked to her. "Here. Have this." And she gave her a big hug.

Anne's heart melted. "Ahhh~ that's so sweet of you."

"Yeah...we may have only met today but you're already part of the family. Thank you for teaching me and encouraging me all the way. You have been my first and great teacher."

Anne's cute eyes teared up. "Ahhh~ thank you so much Alice. And you ~ have been my first and greatest student."

"We'll still see each other right?"

"Yes, we will."

~ Monologue ~

It must have been sad to lose your student due to … not being able to teach her things she needs to know… basically, a harsh word to say it, lack of skills. And it was her first, too. When she came, she was so excited and I could tell she loves teaching. It was just sad that.. I'm like this...and can't use magic.

~ End of Monologue ~

After the heartfelt goodbye, Anne went straight to the northern woods where the man she mentioned lives. When she arrived, she was welcomed by, as it appears to be, puppets that looked exactly like humans. Anne wasn't exaggerating when she said he was a nut cause and Cygnus certainly did not lie about the weird mansion. It may look normal afar but if you look closely, all the servants were puppets, there were different machinery at the backyard, the garden had different plantation than usual and somehow the fountain's water was changing its colors. You'd thought it was a trick of the light at first until you try to scoop the water and sees your hand getting dyed in its color.

Even the interior was weirdly done. The inside of the house was a whole maze and you can see stairs in the ceiling. The rooms were placed in an odd arrangement as well. Surely, anyone who goes inside and don't know their place will definitely be lost in this household. Good thing Anne was pretty close to him and so she strode easily inside. She went directly to his room.

"Edward! Wake up!" she shouted as she banged the door open of his bedroom.

"Ugh…its you again" Edward grunted. He was a tall and handsome man in the same age as Anne and had a short, dark brown hair and emerald eyes. He was wearing his pajamas and lying on his bed, even though it's already noontime.

Anne grabbed his blanket and threw it in the air. "Come on! I'm your only friend and we went to the same school since young, give me your ears, I have something to tell you."

"What is it this time?" his voice, still sounded hoarse.

And so, Anne told him the whole story.

"So basically, you want me to teach a child?"

"Yeah! That's right."

"No. Not in a million years. I hate kids."

"Oh come on…. pleeeeaseeeeee?"

"No. And that's final. Now, go away." And he went back to sleeping.

"Hey! B-b-but…" , Anne sighed in disappointment. "If you would just -"

She wasn't even finished with her sentence when suddenly, she found herself out of the mansion, standing in front of the gates.

"Oh...I was thrown out." Accepting her defeat she walked away. Then after a few steps, she looked back and thought, "It seems that Alice needs to convince him herself…"