The Reincarnated Archmage

"This academy is too plain and boring. Why do you have to stay in this kind of place?"

When I turn my head around, Lyle is already standing next to me. He's back to his original form. It's been years since I last saw his original form so I'm trying to get used to it again. Seeing Lyle standing straight next to me, I'm missing his fluffy cat form already.

"What?"

'Nothing.' I said through telepathy. 'Do you really have to come with me? I told you that you can always stay in the mansion though.'

"Of course. I should always be by your side. I have an obligation to protect you."

'Because of our contract?'

"Heh. Maybe." He said. "I'll leave you for a while. I just have to do something important. I'll be back later.'

Without waiting for me to reply, Lyle suddenly disappears into thin air. I hear Zain calling me and ask if I want to drink my afternoon tea. Since we arrived early and have nothing else to do for now, Zain suggests for me to drink my tea in the garden. He said that there are tables and chairs made of silver and gold placed in the middle of the garden. When I nod my head, Zain is already preparing the things I need and serves me my favorite tea.

As Zain pours the tea on my teacup, I sit on my chair in a relaxed manner and appreciate my view. A lot of things improved in this garden. Aside from these tables and chairs, many additional flowers and trees are planted here. The smell of the freshly brewed tea and the atmosphere here really makes my fatigue from traveling to disappear.

"Zain, you should try to relax too. You are now also a student of this academy. You don't have to act so seriously and stern when it comes to your duty."

"Your well-being will always be my top priority, My Lady." Zain quickly answers.

"But I'm afraid you'll be having a hard time studying and at the same time, attend to all my needs. I'm already old enough to take care of myself."

Zain still shakes his head to show his disapproval. This kid... I wonder what kind of training did my father gave to this kid for him to be this dedicated to his work. Before I can another word to Zain, I hear someone shout my name.

"I found you, Aly!" Eliana said before sitting on the vacant seat beside me. "I'm already here!"

Eliana happily informs me that she had arrived. The maids who accompany her are following her while holding her luggage.

"You should have put your things first in your room."

"Correction. Our room. We're roommates!"

"Oh."

"So Aly, help me to organize my things later. Please?" Eliana said as she looks at me with her round and puppy-like eyes.

"...Fine." I said. "Just let me enjoy my tea first, then I'll help you."

"Okay!"

Zain already makes another cup of tea and gives it to Eliana. He also helps the maids to unload Eliana's luggage from her carriage. As we talk about random things, I suddenly remember something.

"Did Victor arrived already?" I asked.

"I don't think so." Eliana said before taking a bite from her cookie. "I met Victor yesterday at the plaza while I'm buying new dresses. Victor said that he'll arrive late because he still needs to personally fetch the sword his father ordered for him."

"I see."

I just remember that Victor plans to be a knight so it's no wonder why he gives much importance to the sword he'll be using. After finishing our tea, we stand up and starts walking towards our room. As we turn left, something catches my eyes so I stop from walking to look at it.

"Aly, why did you stop?" Eliana asked as she also looks at the direction where I am looking.

"It's nothing. Let's go."

Maybe it's just my imagination.

-//-//-

"Aly!"

Before I can even turn my head, someone jumps on me and wrap her arms around my neck. It's good that I still maintain my balance. Or else, both of us will fall on the ground.

"Aly, why did you leave without me? You should have waited for me to finish wearing my uniform."

"I told you. I left early because I have something to say with Zain."

"Fine. But you know that we're roommates!"

"...I already know that since yesterday."

"I know! And I'm so happy that I have the opportunity to sleep with you in the same room."

"Eliana, I told you not to act carelessly." I said in a stern but quiet voice enough for her to hear it alone. "And be mindful of your words."

"Hmm. I'll remember it."

Eliana always said that, but she never does it. She always pretends to listen to my words, but still want to stick around me. This child...

Today is the first day of our classes. Eliana and I will have the same class and section. Victor will also our classmate, but I haven't met him yet since we arrived at the academy. But I should not be worried about him too much. He's already old enough to take care of himself.

"Aly, you should sit beside me. Okay?"

"Hmm."

"That's good! Oh! And can we eat with my brother later at lunch?"

"Sir Martin?" I asked.

"Yes! I told you before that my brother is also a student here, right?"

I remember now. Eliana told me that after returning from the countryside, Martin spends a whole month with his sister before entering the academy. He's one year ahead of us. It's actually a good thing. Martin can study at the academy and at the same time, Eliana can also see his brother and avoid being worried about him.

"And Aly, I also want— Ah!"

Someone bumps with Eliana as we walk together in the hallway. I firmly hold Eliana's arms so she wouldn't fall. But the girl who collided with her lose her balance and fall on the ground together with the books she's holding. When I'm sure that Eliana is okay, I start helping the girl collecting the books she's holding.

"Ah! Thank you."

"You're welcome—"

So what I saw yesterday is not really my imagination. Life is full of surprises indeed. The girl who bumped with Eliana is familiar to me. Her features are very similar to my appearance before. Golden hair, emerald eyes, and pinkish lips.

But what catches my attention is her eyes. This girl has a faint spark in her eyes. You will never see it if you didn't give much attention to her eyes. This girl is blessed by a Light Spirit. I'm sure of it.

"Uhm... Are you okay?"

I slowly blink my eyes before giving her a smile. I found Eliana in dazed so I wave my hands in her face. She flinches a little before pulling me close to her.

"I apologize for bumping into you. It's my fault for not paying attention to my surroundings." The girl said.

"It's okay. What's important is no one is hurt." I said.

"I have to go now. I still have to bring these books to the library."

"Do you want us to help you?"

"No, it's okay. I can do it myself. And I don't want to disturb you and your friend." She said before adjusting her hold on the books. "I'll go now."

I nod my head as an answer and the girl quickly left us. I stare at her figure until she's out of our sight. I suddenly let out a soft sigh. It feels like I saw my old younger self in her.

"Let's go, Eliana. Eliana?"

Eliana has a furrowed eyebrows. It looks like she's thinking about something.

"That girl is very familiar to me." She softly said. "But I'm pretty sure that I haven't met her before. Weird."

"Maybe you met her in one of the noble parties before?"

"I don't know." Eliana before shrugging her shoulders. "Forget it. Let's just go to our classroom."

Eliana wraps her arms around mine and happily chats about her expectation in this academy. While listening to Eliana, I suddenly thought of that girl again. I felt like I saw my younger appearance as Veronica a while ago. It feels weird and at the same time nostalgic.