Dear Diary,
Today I found a textbook at a second-hand bookstore. This textbook had an excellent cover, which depicted a symbol I couldn't recognize or associate with any known entity or house. It was immediately eye-catching like a beautiful woman seen passing by on the street. Not the example I'd use, but nothing else is coming to me at this moment.
Anyway, I hurried home and cracked the tome open. The cover alone sold me on this purchase, but I also took a sneak peek at the first page before making the purchase. The tome was brief, but it seemed written by a competent author.
BUT I WAS WRONG.
This author, after having a beautifully written introduction, proceeded to explain how he cast spells like an absolute IDIOT.
I now question if he wrote the introduction at all! He proceeds to, for about fifteen pages, brag on and on about how he is the first to discover new types of magic. Yet doesn't describe, in a SINGLE INSTANCE, how this "incredible magic" is performed!
How am I supposed to cast the spell?! What's the point? I can't tell you how often I dig through that kerfuffle of papers in the basement of the Gilded Towers and find a tome by an amateur mage bragging about how they've discovered this "awesome" spell.
But the spell isn't awesome, IT'S SHIT!
So what do I do? Visit an established bookstore, where you'll find a professional author offering in-depth descriptions and guides on how to cast the spell.
But guess what? IT'S THE SAME FUCKING THING!
They don't describe what they were feeling when they cast the spells, what they were envisioning, how their body felt in the moment, their catalyst, or how much mana they invested.
Absolutely NOTHING!
(A large scribble consumed most of the page from this point forward, a clear portrait of this author's frustration. Words continued at the bottom.)
It makes me laugh, though. This author bragged that he could corrupt an elf's soul with "evil magic". Yeah right. What a waste of my hard-earned gold.
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Elise stopped and grabbed Gwyn's sleeve when they were outside the elf's room at the Gilded Towers.
"Gwynevere... I..."
"What? I thought we were just going to see the Head Whisperer."
"I want to tell you something, but it needs to be private. Only between us."
Gwyn sighed.
"How do I know you aren't forcing me to be sympathetic towards you right now?"
"It's hard to explain."
"I can see the Head Whisperer by myself, if that's the case."
"Fine! Just... behind closed doors, please?"
The least you can do is hear herout. She's saved your life.
Gwyn begrudgingly stepped into the messy threshold of Elise's room at the Gilded Towers and promptly sat on her bed.
"Let's make this quick."
Elise straightened her messy hair and took a deep breath.
"What I am about to tell you, only you will know. Not even my own father knows of this information."
Not even the King of Keceo knows this?
Hesitance coated Gwyn's words.
"Okay..."
"As Artero stated, yes, I can manipulate minds."
Gwyn nodded.
"How does one know if they're being manipulated?"
"They do not know they are being manipulated."
What?
"What do you mean?"
"I mean." Elise sighed, clearly exasperated. "I can only manipulate people into doing things they already wanted to do, either subconsciously or consciously."
Gwyn blinked.
"What? So..."
"When I used it on you earlier, in your room at the Gilded Towers, all I did was make eye contact with you, which is required for the 'mind control' to work. Then, I mentally suggest something. If you were already wanting to do the thing I am suggesting, you then perform that action."
"Wait. So you can only make people do things they were already planning on doing anyway?"
"Or thinking about... yes."
"Then how does your father and Artero know about your power?"
"Because I told my mother, and she must have told some version to my father, but he doesn't even know the limited extent of my power. Artero knows because I told him. How he arrived upon official documentation, I have no idea."
"Use it on me right now."
Elise stumbled backwards.
"What?!"
"Use your power on me. I want to test something."
"Gwyn, I'm not sure..."
"I'm not asking."
Elise swallowed and sat beside Gwyn on the bed.
"Okay..."
Their eyes met, and it was like lightning. Gwyn felt a rush of emotion. Her hand traced up Elise's arm. She felt herself being pulled towards the elf. Before she knew it, her eyes were closing. Her lips drifting towards...
Elise looked away.
"Gwynevere... even after what I've done to you... You still want to kiss me?"
Gwyn flushed red.
"What? N-n-no I don't! I was thinking about how I wanted to leave."
Elise shook her head.
"That's not how it works. It's only what I suggest. If it is your true desire, then you perform my commands."
So I wanted to kiss her? But that's not what I was thinking...
Another sigh left the Chosen One's lips as she stared at Elise's mouth. Her heart swelled at the thought of their lips touching.
"I want to trust you."
Elise only stared towards the floor.
"I know..."
"But I am having trouble."
"I know..."
Gwyn looked towards the exit. The King of Terror was blocking the front door, arms crossed. It was like he was listening to their conversation. Gwyn closed her eyes, and he vanished. She fixed her gaze towards the Bloody Princess. She looked as pathetic as Gwyn on her first day on Keceo.
"Never again."
Elise looked up.
"Yes?"
"Never use your power on me again."
"I wasn't going to! I already—"
Gwyn held up a hand.
"Your power only works when you make eye contact?"
Elise slowly nodded.
At least I know the signs now.
"Can you read minds?"
"No, but there are ways of doing so."
Gwyn pondered this. The Chosen One, in this moment, realized how far out of her element she truly was. Magic had far-reaching implications, and there was still so much she didn't know. She counted herself lucky that it was Elise who was using mind manipulation on her and that the elf was so eager to correct her mistake.
The young woman stared around the room, which seemed to be thirty times as messy as when she was last in it. Her eyes drifted to what was clearly a penis-shaped item on Elise's nightstand.
Elise noticed what Gwyn's gaze was fixed upon.
"You weren't supposed to see that."
Gwyn stifled a laugh, a smile on her lips.
"Saw it anyway."
Elise's ears turned a vivid shade of pink, but only darkened upon the Chosen One's next question.
"Why? Why did you use your powers on me?"
Elise sat quietly as if saying the wrong thing meant life or death.
"I wanted you to like me."
Gwyn was in stunned silence.
Elise's jaw was tight. She didn't want to look as pathetic as everyone assumed she was.
"You would think… despite being a royal princess to one of the most powerful men in all of Keceo, you would be respected." She shook her head. "But it couldn't be further from the truth."
"Elise—"
"I was cursed... If it wasn't for this damn curse! I would be so much further in life! People would respect me. My family wouldn't pretend like I didn't exist!"
Gwyn reached out her hand.
"Elise…"
"So I used my power on you. I just wanted you to give me a chance. See me as who I am before realizing, I'm some cursed loser."
Gwyn raised her hand to Elise's face.
"You are a cursed loser, but you're my cursed loser."
Elise choked out a laugh.
"That's not funny..."
"Then why are you laughing?"
"Because..."
Their eyes drifted to each other again.
"Stop that..."
Elise appeared clueless.
"Stop what?"
"Making me want to kiss you again."
Elise shook her head.
"I'm not doing anything, Gwynevere."