The evil spirit, who was set ablaze with him on the execution day, lives in his body? That was a much greater fantasy than Eric expected.
Now, what does it want, showing up all of a sudden?
Five years later, Eric could now walk on both feet. He didn't have much locomotion as a child, but whenever he was exhausted from walking, he would crawl.
The first day that the evil spirit showed up, Eric had a small talk with it in his own head before the annoying queen came in with her lullaby… putting him to sleep.
And day after day, they had discussions during his little free time. One time was when the maids left him in the room to quickly attend to something in the chambers.
Eric had thought, 'Why are you here now? And why is it that you're living in my mind?'
The evil spirit had replied.
Believe me, as much as you're a foolish man over why you're trapped in this form of yours, so am I thunderstruck that I am inside you. Even more to think you're the one who controls the body, not me. Anyway, I just gained consciousness and… let's hit the metal while it's still hot. We both died an undeserving death, didn't we, Eric Windsor?
That might be applicable for Eric, but he knew this spirit got what it deserved. But as he had put that aside and worked with the witch over the past five years, he was still doing so as he sneaked into the Old Library.
The ceilings were vaulting, dark, and carved out of golden bricks. And above all, it had this lingering smell of old books. Eric had gotten himself a small lantern before heading inside, knowing everywhere would be dark. This was because it was almost abandoned, with two to no guards upkeeping it. But for what Eric was after, it was better than the library built just some years ago…
… If you're in need of ancient and correct information, not edited or newly published ones, then the Old Library is a bet for you.
Eric placed the lantern gently on the floor and jumped to grab onto the shelf's wooden platform. He grunted as he grabbed higher ones, holding well onto it so that he didn't fall. And, well, he didn't… until his hand was just about to grab the green-covered book on the highest column of the shelf.
He yelped as he toppled onto the ground. But thankfully, the book came rolling down as well. As Eric rose, a hand rubbing his fatigued back, he mumbled,
"Ah, what a relief."
Then he grabbed the book and spread the pages over the dusty concrete ground. He brought the lantern closer to get a clearer view.
The evil spirit's voice came up within him.
I know as slave Ivan Belsmouth, you never had the chance to learn anything about magic. But to survive as Eric Windsor, you…
"I can do this alone," said Eric in his tiny, baby voice, cutting the spirit off. It knew not to disturb him too, for that was how he had been able to make this nonchalant, self-sustainable child do as it said over the years.
Or… man.
Eric squinted his eyes at the words.
The book was titled "Essential Knowledge of Magic."
It read:
"Magic itself exists freely in nature, alongside sound, wind, light, and space. Just as these other elements are alterable by man, magic itself is. Practitioners of magic are called Magicians or Sorcerers…"
Eric nodded. 'That means… the best way to understand magic fully is to tie it to free will, existence… and like life and death?'
The spirit replied in a grumpy tone.
Well, you have always heard of that sharp mind. I didn't even think of it that way.
Eric continued reading nonetheless – he wasn't actually asking it any questions. The spirit just liked to meddle in things that don't concern it… Or, perhaps, it did, because as long as Eric himself thinks, the spirit is concerned.
It lives in his mind.
"There are three types of Magicians – White Magicians, Black Magicians and Fake Magicians. White Magicians are generally the Diviners, Charmers, Jugglers, Revivers and the strongest of all, Wizards. The Black Magicians are witches or evil spirits who are ranked Grade Earth to Grade Abomination. For Fake Magicians…"
A thick, masculine voice echoed down to where Eric sat, "Hey, who's there?!"
Eric immediately grabbed the lantern and sprinted towards the hole he sneaked in from. If the guards saw him, they would report to the queen whatsoever – it was their job. And that would get Eric into detention for two weeks. Because he wasn't supposed to dig his eyes into any other sorcery knowledge beyond what his tutor teaches.
Eric got himself out of the mess. But how disappointing.
He could have learned about all types of magicians, knowing beyond what the tutor would teach in a few days. Well, they were just three months into the sorcery class, and the man had been teaching nothing other than… how to meditate effectively before casting spells.
Maybe the queen's lullaby wasn't actually the only thing Eric hated about this rebirth.
But every little thing is enough, they say. Eric was at least somewhat satisfied.
As soon as Eric vaulted over the fence into his compound, he met a sight that froze him in place. Not surprised, but just wondering – how did the oldest prince get into his chambers this time again?
That was his older brother, something Eric was too irritated to pronounce. But, well, that was right. The prince was shouting let me see my brother, and the guards did their best to hold him back without hurting him.
'For how long has he been escaping here?' Eric thought.
He had gotten carried away so much that the head of the guards assigned to watch over him finally found him. The man bowed, draped in black, and a white sword clasped to his side.
"Your Highness."
Eric looked at him and cleared his throat. He knew what the man would say next.
"Allow me to escort you back into your chambers."
That was what they always did when his childish brother was here. Eric heard the prince was never like this – he was a gallant swordsman, also a Diviner. Cold and even unapproachable at that. But the princess's death took a toll on him, and he lost his memory, only to wake up acting like an immature child.
In summary, this brother from another mother always comes by Eric's chambers to meet him. But for some reason, all the guards block him and take him back home… when he is out of energy and passes out, just like now.
As the guard escorted Eric into his chambers and closed the door, he looked back outside. They had lifted the prince into the carriage and taken him away. Something tightened inside Eric… And as though reading his mind, the evil spirit said,
I am sure of one thing. Whoever murdered the princess has a hand in the prince's condition, maybe some high-level sorcery. But, well… that's their loss, isn't it?
Eric went silent for a moment, then pulled down the window cover. He nodded and mumbled.
"Yes, their loss. And our chance… to seize the throne."
The evil spirit replied,
That's my boy.
Eric lay in bed, tucked the duvet around himself, and turned off the candle.
"Well, you're not the one to sit on that throne. It's mine." He had an unyielding sense of determination and frankness when he said that.
I am not eyeing it; you know that. I will assist you in taking over the throne, and in return, you will find me that scroll. That's what we agreed on, right?
Eric went silent for a while. Then, sighing, he responded, "Sure."