The Abandoned Princess, Yet She Is Loved - Chapter 67

Grace did exactly as he instructed. Robert, who had come closer to her, gently placed his hand on her arm.

 

“Whoa… You truly are remarkable.”

 

A gasp of admiration escaped his lips.

 

“Since you’ve received the divine beast’s power, Madam, your quantum is the purest and most powerful. The more you train, the stronger you’ll become. And since you don’t have a set affinity, I believe you’ll be able to use all four elemental powers. From now on, you’ll learn how to control quantum at our tower. It’s a place called Panbion.”

 

“Panbion…”

 

Grace quietly repeated the name he mentioned.

 

“There, you’ll be trained by masters of each element.”

 

Training… Grace lightly clenched and opened her fists. Just the thought of it made her heart race.

 

“I heard about your husband. I understand he joined the Imperial Knights as a commander.”

 

“Yes, that’s right. Um… I actually have a question.”

 

“Of course, feel free to ask anything.”

 

Grace asked cautiously.

 

“Um… Is Panbion different from the Magic Tower?”

 

When she lived in the Winstaine territory, she’d heard that the mages in the capital worked in a place called the Magic Tower.

 

“Yes. Armento are completely different from mages, and Panbion is an independent organization, separate from the Magic Tower. In fact, the two groups aren’t exactly on friendly terms.”

 

“I see…”

 

“I actually have a favor to ask of you, Madam.”

 

Robert’s eyes turned serious.

 

“Please, go ahead.”

 

“Only the High Lord of Panbion and the four elders, including myself, know that you gained your power through the divine beast’s death. You must never reveal this to anyone else.”

 

“…I understand.”

 

Grace nodded.

 

“A meeting with the Lord will be arranged soon. I’ll inform him of today’s visit and ask about his availability.”

 

A few days later, just as he had said, Grace met the leader of Panbion, the Lord.

 

A maid sent by Count Japelin escorted Grace to Panbion. Standing at the arched entrance of the towering structure, Grace took a deep breath.

 

“What brings you here?”

 

As she entered, a young man seated near the entrance addressed her.

 

“I’m here to see the Lord.”

 

“Are you the Duchess of Winstaine, by any chance?”

 

“Yes…”

 

“Please follow me.”

 

Grace walked behind him. They reached a large, box-like structure at the end of the hallway.

 

“Please step in.”

 

The man opened the door. Grace stepped inside, and he entered after her, closing the door. A round button was on the nearby wall.

 

When the man pressed it, the glass box began to rise into the air. Grace’s eyes widened in surprise as she stared at him.

 

“This is…”

 

“A structure that moves using the power of wind. We call it a transport box. Since the tower has many upper floors, we use these instead of stairs.”

 

“Ah…”

 

There really are so many fascinating things in the world of the Armento. After a moment, the transport box came to a stop.

 

“This way, please.”

 

They had arrived at the Lord’s room, and the man opened the door for her.

 

Grace slowly stepped into the room. A man sitting at the desk looked up, sensing her presence. He had silver hair and violet eyes, and appeared to be quite mature in age.

 

“You’ve arrived.”

 

His sharp gaze exuded authority. So, this is the leader of the Armento.

 

“Hello. I’m Grace Winstaine.”

 

Grace greeted him with a bit of nervousness.

 

“I am Duke Eurys Philipon, the Lord. I’ve heard about you.”

 

He approached her and offered a handshake. Grace took his hand.

 

“Indeed, I can sense the immense energy bestowed by nature itself.”

 

“Ah…”

 

“Once you learn how to control that energy, you’ll be able to sense it fully yourself.”

 

“Yes, I hope so.”

 

Grace nodded. She was curious about this “energy” the Armento kept mentioning.

 

“I’ve spoken with Count Japelin. From now on, you’ll be known as someone born with a rare constitution that inherently holds the elemental powers. You may present yourself that way to others.”

 

“Alright… I understand.”

 

“If the truth gets out, it could put you in danger. Some might believe that by killing you and taking your blood, they could inherit the divine beast’s power.”

 

Oh. Grace nearly covered her mouth in shock. She hadn’t imagined something so horrific until now.

 

“Panbion will do everything possible to help awaken your powers. The pain you’re feeling in your body will also gradually subside.”

 

“……”

 

“First, you’ll learn how to control energy. Then, you’ll be taught how to use your abilities. If you ever face any difficulties, please don’t hesitate to speak up.”

 

“Thank you…”

 

“I’m deeply indebted to your husband… so I’d like to help you in every way I can.”

 

Grace could feel the sincerity in Duke Philipon’s words. Even though Frederick didn’t have the best reputation in the capital, there were still people who cared for him. Grace was relieved.

 

“Now, please come with me.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Grace followed Duke Philipon. He opened the door of another transport box.

 

“Please, step in.”

 

As he pressed the button, the box began descending with a sinking sensation.

 

“The training grounds are near the tower.”

 

Duke Philipon guided her to a low-rise building close to the Panbion tower. As they entered, a young man near the entrance stood up abruptly, as if he had been waiting for them.

 

“Welcome, my Lord.”

 

“This is Count Joy Filtners, in charge of basic training. Everyone who enters Panbion starts with this, regardless of their elemental affinity, before moving on to specialized training.”

 

“Nice to meet you, Madam.”

 

“Likewise. I’m Grace Winstaine.”

 

Thanks to the introduction, Grace exchanged a handshake with Count Joy Filtners.

 

“You’ll be receiving basic training alongside other Armento.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Most Armento awaken at a young age, so the basic training group tends to be younger. Will that be alright with you?”

 

“Yes, I’m aware.”

 

She didn’t mind the age difference among the other trainees.

 

“The program includes both theory lessons and hands-on training. You’ll pick it up gradually as you continue.”

 

“Alright.”

 

“Let me take you to the basic training hall. This way, please.”

 

Following Count Filtners, Grace entered the training hall where more than twenty boys and girls were gathered. They seemed to be in their early to mid-teens. As Grace entered, curious eyes followed her, likely because she was older than them.

 

“Please stand here.”

 

Count Filtners led Grace to an open space.

 

“Close your eyes and stretch out your fingers.”

 

Grace did as she was told.

 

“Focus inward and draw the energy up to your fingertips. Just feel it and try to gather it.”

 

What is that supposed to feel like…?

 

Grace couldn’t grasp it at all. She tried to feel the energy inside her, but nothing seemed to happen.

 

“Do you feel anything?”

 

“Not really…”

 

“Tighten your core and imagine drawing water from a well. That’s how you raise the energy.”

 

“……”

 

What would that even feel like…? Grace braced her core and tried to concentrate.

 

Deep… somewhere deep inside… the energy.

 

“…Ah?”

 

She suddenly felt something stirring deep in her lower abdomen. Surprised, Grace let out a small gasp.

 

“Seems like you felt something.”

 

Noticing the change in her expression, Count Filtners encouraged her.

 

“Keep focusing and try to pull that energy outward.”

 

“Ugh…”

 

The energy moving deep within her… Grace concentrated, trying to draw it out. It was a strange sensation, as if something might appear—or maybe not.

 

“……”

 

Suddenly, she opened her eyes. A white energy had gathered at her fingertips.

 

“That’s exactly how it’s done.”