Malaya slowly made her way to the stage once again. Though all the stares of the people were once again centered at her, she was already starting to get used to that. As she made her way to the stairs, she took extra precautions to not trip again. Though she said that falling was alright, but if she tripped again this time, that might result in some things she didn’t want to imagine now.

She released a sigh of relief when she made it safely to the stage. As she glanced ahead, her father was not alone on the stage anymore.

Without any delay, Malaya greeted the two priests who were wearing white cassocks. The two priests greeted her back. 

In the middle of the stage, there was now a table prepared and a clear crystal orb was placed at the center. Surrounding it, were nine different flowers that has their buds close.

“This is the Fluorescence orb. And as you can see, nine flower buds are connected to it. Whatever bud will blooms, it would be the magic class that you will be classified.” One of the priests started speaking. “Now, just relax and place both your hand on the orb.” He gestured towards the clear orbs.

Malaya approached it and did what the priest said. She placed both of her hands in the orb.

“Now please close your eyes. You will find yourself in the fields of different flowers. Follow what flower that draws you in right away and that would be your class.” The priest said once again.

“Hmm. What if I somehow cheated and go to a flower that I want instead of the I draw in?” Before Malaya did the priest’s instructions, she asked.

The priest just chuckled. “Don’t worry, if you go to a flower that isn’t destined for you, it will wilt.” 

“I see.” The young Malaya started to close her eyes. And the next thing she knew she found herself at the center of a field of different colorful flowers. A soft breeze dampened her cheek and as she glanced up, the sky was clear and bright.

The young Malaya glanced back at the flowers surrounding her. Each kind from lotus, starflower, calendula, freesia, protea, dahlia, hollyhocks, carnations and black lobelia was divided and grouped into different sections.

‘They were all indeed beautiful but somehow nothing draws me in. Just like what the priest, that I should feel right away.’

Remembering all the words the guests spoke about her, her heart was filled with determination. ‘Nevertheless, I should see to it that my family will be prouder of me. I would not let them down.’

Despite being at in young age, since they were started to have consciousness of the world, they were already taught all the things as proper noble should know. The way you act and the way other people should see on you. And the young Malaya, adhered to this teaching wholeheartedly since she didn’t want to disappoint her family.

She then glanced at the flowers. ‘Maybe I should try to approach one? Since our family is Versatiles then I should go to Hollyhocks.’ The young Malaya reached her right hand towards the Hollyhocks but then, from the first flower she touched to the last of the Hollyhocks it all wilt with a domino effect.

Malaya immediately withdrew her hand. Her heart trembled with little fear.

‘Relax, there are still eight left.’ Malaya calmed herself. 

The next thing she went to was the Calendula flower for conjurers. It was just on the next right side of the withered Hollyhocks. But the same thing happened, and all the flowers wilted.

“This is just the second,” Malaya said to reassure herself.

Then she went on the Freeisha, Starflowers, Protea, and Dahlia. All of them withered within her touch. 

Down with the last three flowers, the young Malaya could feel now the extreme anxiety growing inside her.

The people who were watching especially her family got extremely worried as they saw how the buds surrounding the orb withered. Sweat was already trickling down to Malaya’s head.

Back in the field, Malaya started to approach now, the third to the last flower, the Carnations for Generis. As she touched it, her anxiety grew to a real fear now. 

‘Only two flowers are left. And somehow the once bright blue sky was becoming dimmer now. 

Lotus for Divine Magic and Lobelia for Dark Magic.

With trembling hands, she reached for the Lotus first. But the flower withered as well.

“Dark Magic,” Malaya glanced with fear-stricken eyes to the last flower. Everything was also dark now as the skies were now covered with thick black clouds. And the once gentle wind was no longer gentle.

Now that she was left with Lobelia for Dark Magic, even if this magic was not favored by many, but it was better than having none. She could feel her chest pounding hard as her eyes were on the verge of tears. With a bit of hesitation she approahed the last flower. She stopped just an inch away from it.

‘The last flower.’ With shaky hands, she reached for the final flower. ‘Please, don’t wither.’

Her fingers finally touched the petal of the last flower. But…

The Lobelia withered as well, along with her last hope.

Malaya gazed blankly at the once-bright field, which had now turned exceedingly dark and desolate. She looked down at her right hand. She could still feel the tenderness of the flowers that withered right away with her touch.

“I am…” Her knees eventually gave way. As she fell to the ground, she returned to reality, where the entire garden, had become eerily silent. “magicless…”

It was then that the young Malaya found herself genuinely falling this time. She had no idea and was terrified about how she would get back up after this.

—⚓⚓⚓—

Back to the present, five years later…

“Another memory that wasn’t in the novel.” Malaya grasped her head as soon as she awoke. She could feel her heart pounding as though she had actually experienced those recollections. ‘Are these Malaya’s true feelings?’

She took a few long breaths to calm herself. “Malaya, for both of us. I assure you that this time our life will become happier now.”

“Milady,” her attention shifted to the sleeping Dorris who was on the other bed beside hers. She then glanced to her window and saw that it was still dark outside. 

“I should go back to sleep for now as well.”