In Azure Sylva Continent, magical powers existed. The entire continent was filled with MaËn or the magical energy mixed and pulsating in the air around.
MaËn existed together with the power of the four elements - water, wind, fire and earth. The magical energy was together with the power of the elements in the air.
However, not everyone in the continent was able to breathe in MaËn. Only those people who were born with innate ability to distinguish the magical energy from the natural air and see the twinkling orbs of light that signified the elements were able to breathe in MaËn and acquire magical powers from the elements.
And those people who had this innate ability of collecting and converging the magical energy based on their innate elemental resonance were called Wizards.
Wizards could either be a man or a woman wielding magical powers. But for particular distinction, Wizard men were addressed as Wizards and Wizard women were addressed as Wizardess.
A Wizard or a Wizardess could possess an innate ability of resonance with one element or two elements and even more.
In the entire continent of Azure Sylva, a common Wizard could only possess an innate ability of resonance for one element. Those who possessed resonance for two elements were considered as rare talents. And those who possessed more than two were either considered as a waste or a genius.
Because acquiring magical powers were not as easy as it sounded like. Wizards could access MaËn and see the twinkling orbs of light in the air that signified the elements - blue for Water element, yellow for the Wind element, red for the Fire element and green for the earth Element.
In order for a Wizard to successfully obtain magical powers, one would need to breathe in MaËn and collect the twinkling orbs of light which were the particles that represented the elements according to one's innate resonance.
If a Wizard has an innate resonance towards the Water element, despite of all the elements that were present in the surroundings, the Wizard could only collect the blue twinkling orbs of light that were just as small as an average fingernail.
Breathing in MaËn and collecting the elemental orbs was one thing. But converging both into one's own energy was the another thing.
A Wizard could recharge one's magical powers by breathing in MaËn and guiding this magical energy to merge into one's own energy.
Whereas in order to practice one's magical powers and reach a new level and rank of magic needed both efforts of breathing in MaËn and collecting the elemental orbs simultaneously.
To breathe in MaËn and collect the elemental orbs and guiding both into one's own energy was the process of practicing one's magical powers.
If a Wizard would be able to successfully guide and converge both into his own energy, one could attain a new level or rank in magic.
The success rate of converging was never determined. If a Wizard has a strong resonance with the element, most likely that Wizard could succeed on his practice.
Besides, everything would required time. If Wizards needed to reach new level or rank, they would need to seclude themselves in order to make time for practicing.
However, this does not mean that a Wizard could collect as much elemental orbs because the amount that a Wizard could collect varied depending on the current rank of magic that one has. Thus, if one was a mere beginner, there was only a very minimal amount of elemental orbs one could collect. The amount was only sufficient for a first level Novice Rank. If the beginner would try to forcefully exceed the sufficient amount, a mishap was bound to happen. Forcing to collect more orbs than one's current limit was like trying to eat more than you can chew.
Achieving new levels meant opportunities to learn new spells and climbing up in ranks meant gaining the ability to unlock and execute the special magical technique of an element.
Hence, the awe, reverence and fear of ordinary people towards Wizards were not unfounded. This was also one of the reasons why Wizards could also be viewed as the same significant and powerful beings as the rulers of every kingdom.
But kings were only ordinary people with no magical powers, weren't they? Good thing that Wizards were never interested to rule a kingdom. Wizards were mostly Nature-inclined and grounded people. Only few sought after the riches of the world and went on different paths being consumed by greed and pride.
For since from the very beginning, even written in the kingdoms' history books, Wizards were known as the "Protectors of the Land".
Because the entire continent was riddled with monsters and other creatures that only and always sought violence and destruction towards the human race, Wizards were given the ability to fight against the darkness and maintain peace to prevent absolute destructions. They also maintained the balance whenever nature decided to struck dangerously.
And in return, rulers of the kingdoms needed to provide for them and not go against them. Peace and amity were needed on both sides so that no misunderstanding or mishap could arise which could also bring definite destructions in the land. This was also one of the reasons why Wizards and Kings could be viewed as equals at some point.
However, if viewed in terms of extraordinary abilities, Wizards could truly rivaled any ordinary people like the Royalties.
Thus, the power behind the famed and mysterious Blue Blossom Boutique could be a Wizard and for a Wizard to possess such influential and massive power, that Wizard might be found in the Wizard Tower.
Inside the private viewing room.
Atallie together with Leonor and Lila were left by themselves. Atallie has the brochure that contained creations and different designs of dresses and other clothing suitable for both men and women. They were given time to choose what they wanted to purchase and they could immediately summon an attendant by ringing a special bell should there be any query or concern or they would already like to place their orders.
Thus, while enjoying a particular tea served in the boutique that Atallie seemed to be truly enjoying, she opened her beautiful mouth and spoke, "I'd like to know more about this boutique."
"What is it that you would like to know, Madame?" asked Leonor.
"Though it's my first time to visit this place, I cannot deny that it's reputation and fame were not for nothing," said Atallie.
"That is true, Madame. It is also my first time to visit this boutique and I am impressed by everything so far," Leonor agreed.
Atallie threw a furtive glance to Leonor while elegantly sipping her tea.
This woman is undoubtedly prideful and stubborn most of the time but for the duke, she will drop everything without hesitation.
For several days that she's been with me, she never treated me without courtesy and respect.
She is also agreeable at times, like today.
"I never thought that it would require the insignia of the head of the family to enter a private room in this boutique. Good thing you have it with you," said Atallie.
Leonor's ears perked up. Although she had not yet personally visit the Blue Blossom Boutique before, as the head maid of the house of the Duke of Kargaz, she was always well-informed and must always be updated of almost all the buzz. Thus, Leonor already knew the sets of rules and regulations of the boutique.
"To answer Madame, the insignia was just a duplicate of the actual insignia of the duke," Leonor said with respect. She knew that the duchess Atallie would find it suspicious if she, the head maid, actually had the insignia of the head of the family while the duchess currently didn't have one.
Atallie knew what Leonor could be thinking. She gently put down her cup and said, "It's alright. The duke and I have not yet solidified anything with the current situation where we are in. Therefore, I understand."
Leonor kept mum. She has nothing to say anymore about the current situation between the duke and the duchess. After all, as much as she wanted to do something for the duke about the situation, Leonor knew too well that it was not within her boundaries. And if she somehow overstepped, she would be facing the wrath of the duke and Leonor would never want that to ever happen.
Atallie understood what Leonor's silence meant.
After a few minutes of quietness inside the private room where only gentle clicking of cups and cutleries were heard together with the rustling of book with the designs, Atallie once again opened her mouth.
"I am curious. According to what you have told me before about this boutique and what I have seen so far, this boutique seems to be truly excellent and top-notch. Thus, I can't help to ask who is the owner of the boutique?" Atallie asked with the same indifferent appearance and monotonous but gentle voice.
"Although my knowledge is limited, I have heard before that Blue Blossom Boutique could be owned by a formidable Wizard of the Wizard Tower," Leonor answered.
Atallie slightly tilt her head on left side and asked, "Wizard? Wizard Tower?"
"Yes, Madame. Considering that how special and specific it handles its clients and how it rivals the Intelligence agency of the Royals, everyone believed that only a highly capable Wizard from the Wizard Tower would be able to achieve that feat," said Leonor.
Talented and highly capable Wizards could be found inside the Wizard Tower. That was why this conclusion from the people were not unfounded.
"Mm, so it's like that," Atallie said. She seemed to be pondering about something.
"Do you have more questions about the boutique, Madame?" Eleanor asked.
"Not anymore. For now." Atallie replied. Her thoughts were swept back at the back of her mind.
"If that's the case," Leonor gathered the book of designs, "If I may, I would like to recommend these pieces of designs to Madame," said Leonor as she gave the book.
"We will go with that," Atallie gave a nod and agreed.
Leonor was delighted to hear nothing of disagreement from the duchess.
The duchess is a stubborn lady, but most of the time she is well behaved and quiet. I also find her as an agreeable person at times.
The company of three remained quiet while enjoying tea. Only the turning of pages of the book of designs were heard inside the room as Atallie and Leonor picked a few more designs to choose from.
And that was how their rainy day was spent, picking and choosing and purchasing sets of dresses until both were satisfied.