Sir Orlo thought Riona had finally found joy in learning. He couldn’t believe his ears when she suddenly requested to read books about spells.
He eagerly rummaged through the palace library night and day just to gather every book on the subject. He even combed through his personal collection to see if he owned rare editions that the palace library didn’t have.
The Eternal Scholar humd as he walked down the corridor, pushing a cart piled high with books. This ti, he wouldn’t get hurt by Riona’s disgusted look on her face because she was the one who had asked for these books.
Just imagining Riona’s happy face when she took the books and read the pages already sent warmth through Sir Orlo’s heart. Books were his first love, and learning was his life’s purpose.
Living up to the expectations of his esteed position, Sir Orlo found no greater joy than having more people discover the beauty of learning.
"Good evening, my beloved student, I hereby—"
Sir Orlo’s dramatic greeting was cut short as Riona sward to the cart, scooping up the books and bringing them to her desk. She read the covers, deciding which one to study first.
He would usually scold her for not adhering to the rules and proper etiquette expected of a lady of the royal family. However, this ti, Sir Orlo let those concerns slide.
Look at the spark and enthusiasm in her eyes! This sight warranted a great celebration fit for a grand banquet.
Just a few days ago, she would fall asleep several tis during lessons. She would whine nonstop about having to morize years and events in the history of vampires.
Sir Orlo didn’t know what had driven her to such a sudden, drastic change, but he certainly welcod it wholeheartedly.
"I like your passion!" he remarked.
Riona, of course, did not respond. Her focus was glued to the book. She picked up the second thickest volu and began scanning its content, as if she could absorb it all with just a glance.
That’s peculiar, he thought.
Perhaps her purpose wasn’t to morize everything, but rather to understand how spells worked for vampires.
Soon enough, Sir Orlo noticed that Riona was searching for sothing specific. Approaching her, he asked, "What are you looking for, Riona?"
Without lifting her gaze from the book, she replied, "I want to know about His Majesty’s spell."
"You an the spell that binds you here?"
"Yes!" Riona exclaid, finally looking up at her teacher. "Do you know anything about it, Sir Orlo?"
He squinted and took a step back. His suspicion grew within him. Riona was often up to no good, and he wondered what kind of mischief this girl was planning now.
"Why do you want to know about that? You just need to graduate, and His Majesty the King will lift the spell," he said, not answering her question.
Sighing, Riona returned to the book. Her face was clouded with disappointnt. The sight stung Sir Orlo’s pride. It was as if she were accusing him of not knowing, which was a grave and intolerable insult to him.
He slamd the table and leaned forward. "What do you want to know? You don’t need those books if you have . I am a walking library, after all."
Riona’s face lit up. "Really? Then, tell how the spell works. And how can soone aside from him deactivate it?"
Sir Orlo straightened up and rested his hip on the edge of the table. "First of all," he said, raising an index finger, "His Majesty is one of the most powerful spell-casters among all vampires. Mind you, all vampires, not just in this kingdom."
Like a young audience captivated by an engrossing play, Riona nodded eagerly, waiting for more words to flow from Sir Orlo’s mouth.
"So top-tier vampires can use spells, but they are pretty basic—like spells to find things, move objects, turn ice into water—trivial stuff to assist with daily needs," he explained.
Riona’s expression remained intent and curious. It was the first for Sir Orlo to see her willingness to listen without interruption. She was quiet and obedient, a rare sight that made him all the more eager to share his knowledge.
He continued with a sense of pride, "His Majesty the King is different. His power is telekinetic, and so he uses spells to enhance his power rather than using it separately."
While normal telekinetic powers could move objects, if trained properly, the wielder could control anything, including space and ti.
"With the right spell, King Valentin was able to isolate you, as an object, from the rest of the world and effectively lock you in this place. Furthermore, he also used a space isolation spell specifically designed for the area you’re in."
Riona blinked a few tis, trying to process the information. "I don’t understand. So am I so kind of ghost now?"
Sir Orlo tilted his head, seeking the simplest way to explain this complex alchemy concept to his laziest student.
"Well, you could say that. Right now, you and I are in different spaces, even though we can still interact. But in terms of the isolation spell, you and I occupy different realms."
Riona raised an eyebrow. "So, what you’re saying is, I’m in so kind of magical ti-out?"
"Precisely. Except this ti-out isn’t because you didn’t finish your vegetables."
She pursed her lips and muttered to herself, "How can I break away from this eternal grounding?"
"Think of it as a unique learning experience," Sir Orlo said with a grin. "After all, how many people can say they’ve been magically isolated by the King?"
Sir Orlo didn’t see anything wrong with the king’s decision. In fact, he thought it was quite wise, given Riona’s nature. But he and the king were probably the only ones who thought so.
Riona’s eyes suddenly lit up as an idea struck her. "Does that an I can escape the spell if I return to the sa realm as everyone else?"
Sir Orlo raised an eyebrow, surprised that Riona had exceeded his expectations. He had underestimated her capabilities just because she had never been willing to study.
He almost blurted out the answer but caught himself in ti. "What are you planning, Riona? What’s your sche this ti?"
Using brute force was out of the question. The spell was too strong, and trying to break it by force would require her to go all out, risking unconsciousness.
If she did, she would be beyond control and could harm her brother in the process. The alternative was worse: having King Valentin, the only one who could stop her outbursts, intervene.
"Are you planning an escape? From this palace, I an."
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