Mischievous Alice: The Eyes Of Hermes

After that incident, Anne went back to the Caeles Mansion to inform them of what happened. Alice decided that she needs to go and meet this teacher to convince him. Her parents offered to accompany her but she thought that this was a test so she wanted to go alone instead. It was a custom to the country that if anyone wants to be an apprentice of someone, they must work hard for it. Anne would be accompanying her to the mansion and she'll speak with his soon to be teacher. With everything set, Alice and Anne went back to the mansion in the woods.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

They knocked on the door of the house. The door opened and let both of them inside. But as soon as Alice stepped inside, her surroundings became pitch black while Anne got transported back to the gates of the mansion.

"What? I'm alone?.... hmmm.. I see, so this must be my test.", Alice thought.

"For goodness sake, Edward, she's just 3 years old and you want her to take a trip to your house? Seriouslyyyyy???!!!!", Anne wailed outside.

And so Alice traversed the mansion alone. A few seconds after coming in, the lights went back to reveal a very confusing maze. Stairs and doors were all jumbled up. Some were on the walls, some on the ceiling, some on the floor. There was no evidence of which is the right way to go. Alice tried walking around to observe the surroundings. She went near the stairs and doors to look were they lead to but when you go close to them, it was impossible to see what's beyond.

Alice sighed. "This is hard. What does he expect a mere 3 year old child to do in a house of maze? It's not like I could just waltz anywhere here. I could end up anywhere if I go through the wrong door or climbed the wrong way. Hmmm….", she thought to herself for it was really impossible. "Unless…."

Then, guided by her impulse, she reached out her hand to one of the doors to check if they were illusions. But to her dismay, they were all real.

"How could I?... " she's beginning to be frustrated now. "What else have I learned from reading those books? So far, all the things I've practiced is appraising and refining. I don't know a thing at all! How does he expect me to solve this without knowing a thing?! That's absurd!"

~ Wait ...that's it! ~

"Edward!", she shouted with all her might. "You, who is the master of this house, hear me!"

And from his magic crystal, edward was indeed watching her.

"Listen! I...REFUSE YOUR TEST!"

At this very word, Edward flinched.

"Yes! I refuse it!. I refuse to be tested with the same measure as someone who was taught by wisdom and experience. I came here to be guided, to be mentored! Not to be scorned of my ignorance! "

Edward smirked at her words.

"Yes... as of now I am ignorant and I accept it. For ignorance is the beginning of wisdom and curiosity is the beginning of learning! So I ask you, be my mentor!"

"Hahahahahahahahaha!" a very long laugh can be heard echoing throughout the whole room.

Suddenly, a black whole appeared out of nowhere and from there came out Edward. With his brown hair and emerald eyes, he gazed at Alice. He was no longer wearing his pajamas but he wore a nobleman's clothing and held a cane with the crest of their house on his hands.

"Interesting," he started. "What an interesting little fella' we got here."

"So he's Edward, the man in the woods." Alice thought to herself.

"You are correct when you said ignorance is the beginning of wisdom, for unless someone recognizes their own weakness, their own foolishness, will they be able to progress. And curiosity is the beginning of learning, for anyone who wants to learn needs to seek, and an answer will finds them"

Alice felt relieved. "Phew!"

"And for that, congratulations! You have passed my test."

"?! ….What?"

"Yes, threading to my house was never the test to begin with. I only wish to evaluate your character. And evaluate, I did."

"I-...I see. Thank you."

"I have something to prepare today. Come meet me tomorrow at 8am. I'll arrange for your transportation so you don't get lost in my house."

And so, the trial has ended. Before she knew it, Alice was brought out the mansion, by the gates, where Anne was waiting for her. Alice told her what happened and they were both overjoyed that he agreed to be her mentor. After a few more chats, Anne accompanied Alice on her way back home. When they arrive, Alice was surprised that their home's renovation was completed!

"Wow...so this was how it looked like originally! It's so beautiful…" Alice thought to herself.

The mansion was indeed restored to its former glory. The walls filled with moss were no more and was replaced by white brick walls and marble stone columns. The tiles on the floors were glistening white and black. The roof has been fixed as well and looked very sturdy. The tapestry, carpets, furniture, doors and windows, everything has been fixed down to the last utensils in the house. There were brand new clothes in the dresser as well. The garden's plants no longer withered but were all in full bloom. The water fountain was fixed and waters were now dancing back and forth in it. Everything was truly, very beautiful.

Alice was welcomed back warmly by her family and their servants. Anned joined in the fun too and told everyone of what happened. Same as them, everyone was overjoyed and excited. They were all proud of Alice and thankful to Anne for all her help. They continued chatting till dinner and celebrated the whole night. Everyone was happy.