Pristine's Problem | ONC 2024

"So, would you believe if I say that there is a magical realm beyond this world?"

Pristine attempted to comprehend what the now-trustful man said.

"Yes," she returned immediately.

"Huh? That quick?"

"Yes! When I can believe in the existence of superheroes like you and sorcerers like that old woman, how much more different will believing in a magical realm be?"

Alan was dumbstruck by her solid answer. He ridiculed himself for expecting Pristine to widen her eyes in curiosity and decided to carry on with the matter in a faster mode.

"Agreed," he nodded as Pristine crossed her arms, expecting the arrival of the actual matter.

"So there is a magical realm beyond our world called Etheria. The inhabitants are called Etherials and there are many cities in it – the capital city being Pandora," Alan felt like he was narrating a bed-time story; he saw Pristine's drowsy eyes shutting her view and other senses.

To the point Alan, it's not a fairytale! Alan chided himself to speed the process.

"I have heard that they have some sort of magic providing service. It's called the 'Pandora's Pacting Magistrate'. They provide magic to those who are in need of with some payments, I guess. They –"

"Is that how you guys were also created?" Pristine interrupted.

"Yes."

"If that's the case, then it should be available to all humans right?"

"Not exactly, only those who have the portkey can reach there." Alan answered. After completing the answer, he realized the upcoming question to which he himself was dumbfounded.

"Then how did your dad get the portkey?" Pristine raised her brows cynically. She did believe in the whole magical stuff, but how on earth did a normal human like Mr. Alteiner get hands on a portkey to the magical realm?

There was much logic in the question raised and Alan felt embarrassed. How come he and his siblings had never thought of this aspect, even Arabella? Answering an 'I don't know' would be akin to chugging bottles of chagrin voluntarily.

This is where you need to use the big walnut in your head, Alan!

"That's not the point, Pristine," Alan held his palm out, " The point is we do have the portkey and we are going to use it."

Alan felt proud that he had dodged a possible dishonour with his bleak touché. But Pristine didn't seem to notice his sagacity. Instead, her eyes flitted in curiosity as her lips remained aloof to shut themselves from questioning everything abnormal.

Before she could part her chapped lips to fling another sensible query, Alan finished the remainder of his idea.

"I am going to use that portkey to get you an invisible potion. That's the only way to protect you."

His words were sharp and piercing; they meant his decision and conclusion adding that there was no more accommodation available for further thoughts.

"I see," Pristine's voice softened, laced with concern.

"I hope that doesn't bring you trouble."

Alan melted momentarily on discerning the concerning tone, but froze back on realizing the seriousness in her words. How much trouble was going to Pandora and making a secretive pact yield? Banishment from the Alteiner's family was the least degree of punishment that flooded Alan's brain. However, it was all the goblets of courage and determination his mother had fed since birth that made him go for the leap.