Revisiting Life and Love at the Magic School: From Prologue with an Ex-Lover - Chapter 8

“I always thought we’d meet again, so nights like these are tough…”

From the age of seven, when life rewound, until she entered school at thirteen, Oriana had been dreaming. She dreamt of the day she would meet Vincent again and be held gently in his arms.

The moonlight streaming in through the window reached Oriana’s bed. Yanah occupied the upper bunk, while Oriana used the lower one. Yanah’s regular breathing indicated that she was already asleep. Quietly slipping out of bed, Oriana moved a chair closer to the window.

She retrieved her perfume from her shelf and sprayed a bit on her chemise. The scent of cedarwood enveloped Oriana, but it was still different from Vincent’s scent.

Nights like these amplified Oriana’s longing.

“I miss Vincent. Even though I knew I’d never see the person I lost again… when the second life began… I found myself hoping that maybe I could be with Vincent again.”

However, Vincent, who lacked the memories of their past and the deep love for Oriana, found her intrusive and irritating.

“I just want to sit beside him naturally.”

If her legs bent at an odd angle, she would reach out to him. If she felt embarrassed, she would bury her face in his neck. If he was kind to her, she wanted to reciprocate his kindness.

“But now, none of that reaches him.”

Their new relationship was always tinged with tension and a sense of responsibility. There were nights when Oriana desperately wished she could return to the time when she was loved by him without any effort.

“I want to be held. I want him to say, ‘You did well,’ and pat my head. And…”

Oriana’s hand touched her lips. The scent of cedarwood grew stronger, and her vision blurred with tears.

“Vincent…”

A small voice fell softly into the room.

—

“In the land protected by dragons, Amanesel.”

In Amanesel, the title of Duke was a prestigious one, passed down only to those who carried the ancient blood of humans blessed by dragons.

Of the eight Dukes known as the Eight Dragons, Vincent, the eldest son of the Purple Dragon Duke, was destined to inherit and manage the territories held by the Purple Dragon Duke, along with its people and wealth.

In addition to the complex knowledge required for managing the territories, Vincent, as a member of the Purple Dragon Duke’s family, was also expected to receive a high level of magical education.

Before enrolling in the School of Magic, he had studied extensively about subjects such as agriculture, forest management, financial matters, and business methods. After entering the School of Magic, he devoted his time to magical studies during regular periods and, during long vacations, continued to immerse himself in learning about his territories.

Vincent absorbed knowledge easily, and once he experienced something, he could understand ten more things. He consistently met the expectations of those around him.

It was easy for him to sense what others expected of him, and walking on the path laid out by his parents was not difficult for Vincent. He followed his parents’ instructions, received the education they desired, and followed the path they had set for him.

For Vincent, who had always been learning the ways of a noble, the School of Magic was like a vast garden where he could walk freely.

He felt a presence leaning against the wall.

How long had it been since he started feeling this presence?

Vincent closed his eyes and then opened them while lying on a lounge chair.

This place was a small lounge located in the East Wing. Vincent had stumbled upon it during his first year by sheer accident. It was dusty and clearly hadn’t been used in years.

When he needed to be alone, Vincent came here. However, he didn’t frequent it too often to avoid drawing attention from other students. But at some point, he began sensing the presence of someone outside this small lounge.

Perhaps because he was so focused on the presence inside, whenever Vincent made even a slight movement, the person would quickly flee. However, he had once managed to catch a glimpse of that person’s figure secretly.

It was Oriana Elsha.

Questions arose in his mind: Why was she here, and why didn’t she enter?

Whenever Vincent came here, he made sure not to be followed by anyone. He didn’t want to believe that he was being followed, but being found in this location meant that someone had trailed him here.

“To this extent…”

It was needless to say that he was exasperated. He had even tried looking for other places in frustration. However, he couldn’t bring himself to change locations just for Oriana. Instead, he pretended not to notice her presence.

He had been fearful, wondering when she would audaciously open the door to the lounge. But over the course of four years, Oriana had never entered.

She sensed his presence and would quickly flee, so she clearly didn’t want Vincent to find out about her presence here.

“If she doesn’t talk to me, then I guess it’s fine.”

He had thought this for a while. Gradually, he began wondering when she would come.

The two of them alone in this space.

“This should be a perfect opportunity for her to realize the love and affection she talks about.”

Today, too, Vincent waited with bated breath. Yet, there wasn’t even a sign of the doorknob turning. Oriana wasn’t attempting to open the door. She just quietly sensed Vincent’s presence.

“But maybe, today might be the day she finally comes.”

Vincent waited in silence, keeping his breath held. However, there wasn’t even a hint of the doorknob being turned.

Today, too, the door remained closed.