[Protagonist]
Blinding light and some heavenly fanfares are what I expected but nothing came.
Her skin simply healed and returned into its original state. Chunks of flesh grew and filled the dents in her body leaving behind snow-white skin, free from blemishes. Her lips grew back and covered her now pearl-white teeth. All of them.
But not everything was perfect. She shrunk. Her body was regenerating and at the same time growing smaller. At the beginning of the healing process, she became a beautiful 30-something-year-old beauty. Now she was similar to a woman at around 23 years of age, to top it off her cultivation did the same.
It happened so fast that none of us could react.
Her cultivation shrunk from a Smallstep Powerhouse to Third Stage Exalted in less than three seconds. It did not stop there. It only stopped when she reached the Third Stage of Mana Refining.
What stood in front of me was a beautiful young woman. Her face was beautiful. If you ignore the desperate look on her face. The loss of her cultivation hit her hard. And me.
I just lost a goddamn powerhouse of a bodyguard!!!
Calm! Calm down. I know that, whatever happened, happened because of the contract.
I just hoped that Madelyn would know what happened to her.
"Madelyn?", she did not react. I expected it. She just lost years of hard work.
"Madelyn!", still no reaction. Guess the hard way will do it.
*Slap*
A good slap woke her up. I did not want to do it but if it wakes her up it's all fair game.
She just turned her head to me and stared at me. She was...apathetic? I think she simply did not care.
She gave away her freedom to some kid, me, that was not even a month old. Now she lost most of her cultivation and is back to being at the lower end of the food chain.
"What happened?"
We had to find out if something went wrong with the contract. It concerned both of us.
Madelyn slumped into her chair and closed her eyes. She probably checked her body for anomalies caused by the contract. She probably also checked the contract inside her. I was too weak to do so.
"Haaaa", a sigh escaped her lips after not even half a minute.
"This was part of the contract.", well, at least we have some information about it,
"The 'benefits' I get from the contract are very 'sensitive'. A body like my previous would be to influenced by elements and some other factors. The regeneration set back my body and removed all influence. You could say that my body is back to being 'pure'."
"What does that mean for us?",
it sounded good in a weird sense but hopefully, she has some details.
"It means that I can now fully integrate the affinities I got and can start my cultivation anew. With higher talent, potential and with a good advantage over my peers. At least I hope so. The contract is vague on this part. It clearly describes that my body was purged of all outside influence and I am now like a blank slate."
"So what will we do now? I don't know about your 'family' here but once the nobles of the surrounding territories know about your current 'state', they will try to take over this city."
"That I am sure of. But don't fret. I may be the strongest...have been the strongest...but we have known that we have to be prepared for everything. We made sure to train the subordinates we trust the most to our utmost capabilities.
You might have felt it but everyone in this mansion is at least at the Third Stage of Mana Refining."
I have felt it but I thought that this is a very normal level of strength here. It seems like it is somewhat of an achievement. Perhaps a small one but not the norm.
"Then what now? You have prepared for something bad and can defend yourselves but what about your inner politics? I doubt your all happy with each other."
"Well...", a sad laugh could be heard.
"Yes, we have our differences. Not like those nobles in the capital but some of them would take advantage of this and secure some bigger benefits for themselves. They would not try to kill me or anything like that but offering themselves to lead the city or take over some of our shares in the shops would be something they would do.
Or to say it differently. They would not DARE to kill me."
"Your private army?"
"My family!"
A warm smile finally crept onto her face. At least we are still safe.
I had attentively listened to her words. We would not be hunted or anything like that but it would be better to not have anyone know of this.
I could see that Madelyn had a plan.
"Now listen. I know that this is a lot of stress for you. You also need a safe place to grow for some time. Gaining experience and strength so you can defend yourself.
I own a house in this city. A small one only my closest family knows off. I can arrange for us to live there until I gain back most of my strength. With my new talent and potential, alongside the affinities I will have a much smoother cultivation in the future and gaining back my previous cultivation is much easier since I have the experience of once achieving it."
It sounded good. She and I could slowly gain strength and her connection with the hospital and her position as a leader of this city would enable us to easily purchase cultivation resources.
A young lady with a child would not draw that much attention. We would not have to disguise as I am not known and she has not been seen for years. At least not her face.
"I would agree. I trust that you can prepare the house for us. I don't want to order you but do not tell too many of our plans. I think we can trust Mina and Dua but be careful about how many you tell."
I could agree with this plan. I did not wish to leave this city just like that. If what she said is all true, and I trust her, then this city or town is the perfect spot for me to grow and gain experience.
It is a trading hub which means all kinds of goods enter and leave the city on a daily basis.
The proximity to the forest means I can easily go for a hunt to strengthen my battle experience as well as my martial arts etc.
"Call Mina. Tell her about what happened and have her arrange the house. Tell her to stop the party. Tell her to spread rumors that you have to leave on an important trip to the Demons. Send a message to the other leading figures in the city.
I guess you have some kind of secret exit from this area?"
"Yes, we have such an exit. I installed a concealed Gateway in one of the rooms that is activated by a password that is only known to me, Mina and Dua."
"Then good. Take care of all that, meanwhile I will cultivate. I have prolonged my stay at this level for too long."
"Good luck, Milady."
Madelyn turned around and proceeded to leave the room. I was confident that she'd be able to arrange everything. Furthermore, I have to stop relying on these memories. Throughout our conversation I was always skimming through them, trying to find something that fits into the conversation.
This made me aware of a fatal problem.
They made me underestimate others. It was not very obvious but I was underestimating humans and whatnot.
I know that I have to gain experience but this part came from myself. The influx of memories was incompatible with my underdeveloped and weak mind.
I am intelligent yes. I have more willpower than other children yes. But I am simply a stronger CHILD.
I am still in my growth stage. I am simply to "impressable".
I decided to keep this thought in mind and first concentrate on my breakthrough.
After that, we have to plan for our escape and...and get Idan!!!
Oh god, I once again forgot about him! Why does this always slip my mind?!
OK calm down, calm down. Madelyn told them to bring into the courtyard. I guess he is probably sleeping in one of these rooms while waiting for me and Madelyn.
That is okay. As long as he is safe I can focus on my breakthrough. My breakthrough will hopefully open up more possibilities. Magic and a deeper insight into my inheritance will be helpful. Especially since I am different from everybody else. Humans, Elves and Demons might be different based on race but I am not even an original inhabitant of this world. I have no birth connection to this world or realm. I am simply a visitor of sorts.
I don't know of any disadvantages that should bring me but I somehow 'feel' like there are.
I hope my breakthrough will clear this up.
[Narrator]
It is a calm and soothing sight. The room is decorated with barely anything but it still emits a tranquil and calming aura. Simply sitting in the room and looking at the walls and the ceiling is something that would help calm the mind and control your thoughts.
To the far end of the room, opposite the sole door leading into the room, a bed is located. Well, a bed is wrong. It is more of a small contraption with a soft surface that can be extracted from the wall.
The surface consists of the pelts from two snow foxes. Both were Mana Refining Stage 3 beasts.
Beasts no common man and no ordinary hunter could slay. In the various kingdoms beasts of this strength are small lords. They rule a territory inside a smaller forest and from time to time terrorize villages and smaller towns.
Snow Foxes are known for their agility and their surprisingly high intellect despite their ancestors being simple foxes. Especially this intelligence is what makes them so fearsome. Traps, ambushes and their capability of simple and basic Ice Magic is derived from their, for their race and stage, surprising intellect.
But there is one thing that they are even more known for: their fur.
Throughout their lifetime a Snow Fox radiates cold energy composed of the Water and Ice Element.
This energy seeps through their fur and radiates into their surroundings. The cold energy slowly strengthens their fur and imbues this cooling property into the fur itself.
After a Snow Fox reaches the age of 15 years their fur contains the highest amount of energy it can contain. From that point onward the energy will slowly leave the fur due to the overload it experiences.
The two pelts are the hides from a male and female Snow Fox. They were slain precisely at the peak of their fur's energy input. Now they adorn this 'cultivation board'. The person currently occupying it has no clue of the properties of said fur. Aside from the cool sensation it emits it feeds Ice Energy into the person sitting on top of it and slightly increases the focus and state of mind of said individual.
The person sitting on top of the fur was a girl. She appears to be around 10 years old and is sitting on top of said fur in a Padmasana, the Lotus Position.
The scene radiates silence and peace. No sound can be heard. No breeze, no breathing, and no rustling. This assumption could not be more wrong. Invisible to most people energy is accumulating inside the room and gathering around the girl's body.
The cold energy emitted by the fur is gathering right in the middle of the various energy clumps.
It radiates with a freezing aura and slows down the energy by a large margin. At the same time, a part of the cold energy is absorbed into the girl's body and slowly settles into her skin.
The cold energy cycles for one circulation inside her bloodstream before her skin absorbs the now weak energy.
As time passes the energy clumps around the girl slowly decrease. The energy slowly enters her body and gathers inside her Dantian and Core. Both distribute the processed energy into her body and slowly strengthen the body.
The dantian gathers more energy than the core and forms a cloud of mist that slowly surrounds the dantian and forms an additional layer around it. The absorption of energy and compressing process strengthen rapidly upon its completion.
The core on the other side acts differently. While it does absorb energy it only sends it into the bloodstream and does not actively take energy for itself. Specks of energy that are unable to pass the core slowly seep into its membrane and convert into 'core energy'.#
From the outside, her body does not experience any changes. Only the inside of her body is repeatedly tempered by the energy. This process continued for a short twenty minutes before the girl opens her eyes. She slowly lifts her arms above her head and stretches them high.
"Nghhhhhh!"
Releasing a moan of satisfaction the girl jumps off the fur board and reveals a brilliant smile.
Clenching her fist and feeling the explosive strength hidden below her skin she gives her cheeks a few slabs.
"No getting overconfident!"
Reminding herself of the dangers of becoming overconfident she looks around the room and confirms that whoever she is searching for is not present.
"I guess she is still occupied with her tasks. Should I call here?"
The girl was speaking to herself while contemplating about whether or not to call a certain someone.
Apparently coming to a conclusion the girl relaxes her body and a concentrated look spreads onto her face.
Shortly afterward the door opens and a beautiful young woman enters the room.
Her appearance is breathtaking and the rather plain and casual clothes she wears accentuate her calm beauty.
"You called, Milady?"
The woman fixed her gaze onto the girl standing in the middle of the room and performs a small bow.
"Yes. How do the preparations proceed? Can you estimate a time at which we can leave?"
"I have arranged for my most trusted subordinates to spread the rumors of my departure and have sent letters to all the other lords in the city. Mina has canceled the party and is currently preparing the house for us. I am still contemplating on who we should take with us.
The cover story of us being new inhabitants of the town has been prepared but we still lack a maid of sorts. It is sad but we cannot take any of my direct subordinates as all the lords know them.
The hidden forces are simply not suited for such a job so I believe that we should take one of the normal staff members as a maid."
"No worries. I too thought of this and have decided on a person."
"Oh? And who did Milady have in mind?"
Surprise flashed across her face. She did not expect her master to have someone in mind considering she does not really know any of her staff members.
"Nomiki. She is a nurse in your hospital and took care of me while I was recovering. She is trustworthy. To an extent and she is dedicated to her work. Telling her that I still need to be observed and nursed will probably calm her suspicions of being delegated as a maid to us."
"I will arrange for one of my guards to quickly check her background and bring her to the house."
"Before that send Mina to her. She has something to tell you but since you're currently...indisposed she will have to take care of that."
"As you wish Milady. Is there anything else I should take care of?"
"Ah yes. Is there a training ground in or around that house of yours?"
A short chuckle escaped the woman's mouth.
"A please excuse me Milady. I think I might have been a bit too rough in my description.
I said that it is a house but it is more of a complex consisting of two larger and a small building. There is an extensive garden facility including a pool, training ground and meditative flower field.
It was built in anticipation of your arrival."
"That is good to know. One last question."
"Please ask Milady."
"Why are you so formal with me? Just an hour ago you were fine with a more casual approach."
"I am more comfortable with this approach for now. We are still strangers of some sort and Milady is effectively my master in both mind and body. Furthermore, the one aspect the contract is unclear in is the proper conduct on my part towards the master.
Furthermore, I am more comfortable with this approach because it is simply my position. Even if I were to interact more friendly and close with Milady we are still master and servant. It does not hinder us from growing closer but as of now this approach and conduct is only proper."
"As you wish. You can return to your duties but please send someone over that will guide me to Idan. I have taken to much time until now and I wish to see him."
"By your will."
Turning on her heels, the woman leaves the room in a very beautiful gait before closing the door and leaving the girl to herself.
Once again silence settles onto the room and the girl is left to her own thoughts.
After a few seconds, the girl moves towards the table the woman and she herself occupied just over an hour ago.
Taking the tea can, made of a very beautiful black metal decorated with golden figures of women holding oinochoe filled with wine, she refills her teacup made of a green gemstone with hot tea after which she added a spoon of honey into the tea.
Slowly sipping her tea the girl does not have to wait for more than five minutes before a knock can be heard from the outside.
"Enter."
After her permission, the door opens and reveals the figure of a white-clothed female.
She appears similar to Mina and Dua in the beautiful garden a while back.
The women swiftly fixes her gaze onto the girl slowly sipping her tea.
"Young Miss, Mina has informed me of your desire to meet your companion.
He is currently resting in a room down the hallway. I will guide you there."
"Then lead the way."
Setting down the teacup in her hands she rises out of her seat and nears the door.
"Please follow me, Young Miss."