The Reincarnated Archmage

"That's mine!"

"I'm the one who brought it, so technically, it's mine!"

"But you gave it to Aly already!"

"So Aly should be the one who should eat it. Not you!"

Ah. This tea is so delicious. After brother gave this to me as a present, it became as my favorite during tea time. I should ask my brother later on where did he bought it. I'll ask the shop who sells it to deliver a huge box of this tea to our house regularly.

"You're so stingy!"

"And you're a glutton!"

"Give it to me!"

"This is not yours!"

"Uhm... You two should stop arguing now."

"No!"

After I sip all the tea in my cup, that is when I put my attention back to my guests. Currently, I have three guests that I invited in my private tea party. Two of them were bickering and the other one is trying to stop them. I let out a sigh as I put my cup on its saucer.

"Can you both stop from arguing? It's just a simple tart."

I shouldn't bother with it since they are always arguing ever since they've met. It's been weeks since Victor and Eliana first met. When I invited Eliana for a tea, Victor was present that time. At first, they're having a normal conversation between two children. But as the party goes on, they started arguing because of some small problems. After that, my tea party is never the same without them arguing with each other.

This time, Eliana brought a freshly baked tart and gave it to me. As the tea party started, Eliana and Victor ate the tart on the table until a last slice of tart was left uneaten. That is when they started arguing who will eat the last slice of tart. No one is relenting between them.

I let out a sigh as I pour tea on my cup. It's a little okay if its Eliana, but for Victor to involve himself in a childish argument like this? Victor revealed that he's one of my apprentices from my past life, so basically, he should be an a.d.u.l.t in mind. But since he's arguing with a real child, it's either he's a bully or very childish.

"Aly, you decide!"

"Who should eat the last slice of tart? Me or this brat?"

And now you'll involve me? I look at Eliana and Victor. They're both patiently waiting for my answer. Letting out a sigh, I get the tart and put it in front of Martin. He looks surprised, but I give him a smile.

"You should eat it. You haven't eaten anything yet, right?"

I look at Victor and Eliana, who are now staring at me in disbelief.

"You two have already eaten three slices each. Stop eating too much sweets if you don't want your teeth to fall off."

With this, the two of them stop arguing. Finally, I have my small peace of mind back. As I pour tea on their cups, Victor and Eliana start to have another conversation and both of them we're too engaged on it. I think they're talking about magic stones. I'm just hoping that it will not end up as another argument.

"Ms. Alyssa, thank you."

"Hmm?"

I see Martin looking at me with a smile. He is Eliana's brother. We first met when I invited Eliana for the first time. Martin is too worried since that was the first time someone invited Eliana for a tea party, so he decided to escort her. Knowing their past from Eliana's story, it's understandable. When he saw how happy his sister that time, he finally let out a sigh and watched his sister spending her first tea time with a smile.

"Thank you for being my sister's friend. As her brother, I'm always worried that she will grow up without finding a good friend. That's why I'm so happy that she met you." Martin said as he looks at Eliana.

"She's a little stubborn, but Eliana is a good child. It's not that hard to be friends with her. And besides, I like that child."

"Did someone tell you before that you talk like an a.d.u.l.t before?"

"I learned it from my father." I quickly answer. This is my automatic answer whenever someone points out my way of talking. I feel like I'm lying though. If anyone of you saw how my father fawns over me, your image about that strict Prime Minister will be destroyed.

"I'm sure that Eliana told you that I'll be going to our uncle's residence at the countryside, right?"

"Yes."

"Ms. Alyssa, can I ask you a favor?"

"What is it?"

"Can you take good care of Eliana while I'm not here? If you do that, I, Dean Martin Santore, will support and help you with everything I have if you'll need my assistance in the future." Martin said with a seriousness in his voice.

"You don't have to be that formal and serious. Even without your promise, I intend to help and be a good friend to Eliana." I said and take a sip on my tea before continuing. "So you can put your full focus on your training. Just be sure to be safe, so Eliana wouldn't worry about you. It would be troublesome if we've received a news that you're injured or hurt, especially to your sister. But knowing how calm you are, I'm sure you'll be fine. I—"

I stop talking when I saw Martin looking at me without blinking his eyes. I unconsciously turn my lecturing mode on. I'm pretty sure Martin will think of me as a nagging child. Who in the world will lecture a child who is older than you?

"I'm glad that we meet again." He murmurs.

"Huh?"

"Nothing." Martin said with a smile. "Thank you, Ms. Alyssa."

"Stop with the formalities. Just calling me Alyssa or Aly is fine."

"Okay, Aly. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

-//-//-//-

"Aly."

"Brother!"

I saw my brother entering the gates so I instantly run towards him. I'm about to give him a hug, but I stop myself because there's someone standing behind him. He's a little older than father and his beard is white and long. He's also wearing a robe with red sash tied at his waist. I behave myself and walk slowly towards them.

"Did you just finish your tea party? How was it?"

"It's very lively, as usual." I said.

"Aly, about those two brats— I mean boys—"

"Brother, Victor is now my friend and Martin is Eliana's brother. Don't be harsh with my new friends." I said with a pout.

My brother let out a sigh before patting my head. The first time he heard that I'm being friends with boys aside from the prince, he panicked and told me to stop meeting them. As a future princess consort and the lady of Vivione household, he told me to be careful. I frowned when I heard my brother said it. I know that he's just worried about me, but who said that I can't be friends with the opposite gender? If they're brave enough not to be concerned about committing le majeste and facing the wrath of my father, then let them talk.

"But remember to tell me if those two starts to annoy and give you problem, okay? I'll be the one to deal with them."

Brother, stop threatening my friends. And stop smiling as if you'll do something sinister to them.

"I didn't expect to see sir Cedric is being a protective brother." The old man said with a cheerful voice.

"As her brother, I can't let any bugs to go wandering around my sister."

"I thought I'm seeing a big wolf protecting a small rabbit right now."

"Brother, who is he?" I asked softly.

"Aly, this is Priest Samuel. He's here to discuss something with father."

"Good afternoon, Priest Samuel. I am Alyssa Lerei Elise von Vivione. It's a p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e to meet you." I said and show him a curtsey.

"My, my. What a bright and polite child you are. You don't have to so formal with me, Lady Alyssa." The priest said, he's obviously pleased with my greetings to him.

"Let's go inside. Father will be home after he finishes some doc.u.ments in the palace. Is it okay for Priest Samuel to wait for a little bit?" My brother asked.

"Of course. I can wait for Sir Radel since I should discuss something important and it shouldn't be delayed any longer."

The three of us enter the house and my brother told the maids to prepare tea and snacks. Since there's a visitor in our house, I should help my brother to entertain him. We were sitting in the parlor and having some light conversations.

"I heard that Sir Cedric has been already a reliable assistant of Sir Radel. I wouldn't be surprised if I'll receive a news one day that you'll replace your father from his current position."

"You're giving me too much praise, Priest Samuel. I still have a lot of things to learn from my father."

"Just accept it, child. I've already witnessed how intelligent and capable you are." The priest said and turn his attention to me. "Even the news about Lady Alyssa reached me."

"What kind of news is that?" I asked.

"I heard that you were capable of using a difficult magic spell. Not only that, your intelligence you showed in front of His Majesty was well-known in the whole kingdom."

"Those news were just exaggerated." I said.

"You don't have to so humble, Lady Alyssa."

I didn't answer and just focus on the sweets placed on the table.

"Oh!" My brother exclaimed. "It's a good thing that you're already here, Priest Samuel. Can you check on Aly's magical power?"

"It's not a problem to me." The priest said and look at me. "Lady Alyssa, come here."

I'm a little confused, but I still follow him. Priest Samuel asked for my hand and softly hold it. A glowing light suddenly appears in my hand. I see. They'll be checking what kind of magical attribution will suits me.

I let the priest to check it for me since I'm also curious. The last time I've used magic was the first tea party I'd attended. After that, my family warned me not to use magic so recklessly. I saw how worried they are that time, so I nod my head and told them that I'll behave. In exchange, my father brought a lot of magic books to our library so I indulged myself learning different types of advanced magic whenever I have a free time.

As the priest gently holds my hand, his brows knitting until he lets out a sigh.

"Lady Alyssa, I heard that you had once used an advanced magic before. Is that correct?"

"Yes."

"After that, did something happened to you?"

Yes. I remember after I used magic that time, I feel a little dizzy and lose consciousness. When I woke up, I feel so hot that it feels like I'm burning in fire."

"I see." Priest Samuel nods his head and softly let go of my hand.

"Why are you asking this to my sister, Priest Samuel?" My brother asked as he gently put his hands on my shoulders.

"Sir Cedric, I..."

The cheerful priest suddenly becomes uneasy. He keeps on looking at me as if he's trying to think how to say whatever in his mind.

"It's okay, Priest Samuel." I said with a smile. "Whatever it is, you can say it."

He looks startled for a moment. It looks like a small child like me is trying to comfort an old priest like him. After a few seconds, he opens his mouth again.

"I'm afraid that Lady Alyssa should not try to use magic."