"So, how was he?" Ashera asked. She was seated on a large, comfortable chair. Her long hair fell carelessly over her shoulders, with some stray strands covering up her eyes. Before her were the three sisters – Rose, Daisy and Sunflower.
"His understanding of wind is poor," Rose gave her honest assessment. "His comprehension is at the Intermediate Stage, but his use of it in battle is limited. However, he is intelligent and creative. Before his practice with me ended he had been able to conjure a wind shield." Rose added.
"I see," Ashera nodded her head.
"And you?" Ashera pulled back the loose hair strands so that the triplets could see her dazzling eyes.
"His understanding of water is exceptional. It's at the Mastery Stage, and he is almost as good as I am." Daisy started. "However, he doesn't seem too reliant on it so he was a bit rusty when we fought. Tis no surprise though, since he is multi-elemental."
"Good," Ashera nodded her head, pleased with what she was hearing.
"Sun," she called.
"His fire mastery is at the Intermediate Stage. But his use of it in battle is exceptional. He is able to manipulate flames and conjure shapes that highlight the depth of his creativity. In addition, he is so well versed in its use that he is able to use it subconsciously, unlike with the other two. His fire is showing signs of improvement, and I reckon that he would reach the Mastery Stage in no time." Sunflower's report was as bright as Daisy's. It had Ashera grinning brightly like the midday sun.
"What about your techniques? Did he show any interest in them?" Ashera asked.
"No," all three sisters responded at once.
"It seems he has his own techniques," Daisy started
"And they aren't the least bit inferior to ours," Sunflower finished.
"It isn't surprising," Ashera nodded with a look of understanding. "His identity is a bit special. It is normal for him to have manuals superior to or similar to ours." "But even then I don't think he has a mental technique just yet," Ashera added.
Rose was a user of the Emotionless Sutra, Daisy's mental technique was Mermaid's Breath, and Sunflower's mental technique was called Kirin's Light.
"Now that you mention it, what is Mane's identity?" Sunflower asked with a stern expression on her face. That was something she was really interested in. Daisy's ears perked up slightly hearing Sunflower's question. She obviously wanted to know this too.
"Not yet," Ashera shook her head and denied Sunflower's request. "Why not?" Sunflower questioned.
"If I told you your opinion of him may be swayed. And right now I cannot afford to have that happen." Ashera explained
"And that doesn't apply to Rose?" Sunflower argued.
"Rose is a master of the Emotionless Sutra. Nothing can sway her emotions into the positive – not even that boy's identity." Ashera calmly reasoned with Sunflower. "And you both know that my words are true. She already doesn't like the boy." Ashera shrugged.
"Hard to argue with that," Daisy flashed her Mistress a cool smile and said. Sunflower pouted displeasingly, but she wasn't probing anymore. Her Mistress's words were right after all.
"Especially you, Sun"
"What about me?" Sunflower frowned and said.
"I need you to genuinely learn as much as you can from him. There is still much I want from him. If you know his identity your treatment of him may change. And I don't want that. If you aren't genuine, he would find you out. He is an intelligent kid"
"Sure," Sunflower shrugged and said.
"She already has a favorable impression of the boy," Daisy butted into the conversation with a teasing smile on her face. Her words caused Sunflower's expression to turn dark, and her hair slowly began to rise.
"What have I told you about using violence every time you're teased?" Ashera snapped her fingers and dispersed Sunflower's rioting aura as if she was blowing out a tiny flame.
"It isn't like she is wrong," Ashera added with a knowing look on her face. "Just remember that he is still a kid before doing anything rash," she added, causing Sunflower's expression to become even darker. Daisy chuckled melodiously, and even Rose couldn't help the small smile that made its way to her face seeing Sunflower's darkening expression.
"Daisy, I need you to go into one of the towns and get the poor boy some clothes. He cannot keep wearing those feminine trousers"
"Yes Mistress," Daisy responded immediately and proceeded to leave the room.
"Sun, you should return to Mane," Ashera ordered, and Sunflower nodded her head and left as well.
Once the two were gone Ashera's expression became much sterner, and she released a small sigh.
"Are you worried about the curse Mistress?" Rose asked as her figure flashed and she reappeared at her Mistress's right hand.
"I am. I always worry about the curse." Ashera didn't hide her feelings. There was no need to.
"The boy is greatly talented. He will be strong enough to break the curse in no time Mistress," Rose comforted.
"I have waited several millennia for hope – hope that can make me believe that I would be freed from this curse. Now this hope has appeared. I would wait even longer for this hope to blossom into the key to unlock my chains." Ashera smiled and said. Her dazzling smile looked a bit forlorn and lonely, and even the stolid Rose couldn't help but sigh in pity.
"We would do our best to prepare him, Mistress," Rose promised, and Ashera nodded her head in thanks.
"Something does baffle me greatly: how attached she seems to be getting to the boy. They've only known each other for a few hours and she is already very comfortable around him." Rose frowned and said.
"You cannot see?" Ashera lifted her head to look at Rose and said.
"See what Mistress?" Rose asked with a puzzled expression on her face.
"They are the same kind of people – Sunflower and Mane," Ashera stated. Rose frowned, her brows furrowing in doubt.
"They both have almost no friends, and are not a reflection of who they really are on the inside," Ashera explained.
"Sunflower acts like a wildflower, displaying infinite charm with amorous eyes that can steal the soul of any man. Anyone seeing her would think she's a loose woman, but you and I know that she is cleaner than a white rose. Yet she is so free with Mane. His aura pulls her to him. So much so that she wasn't shy to share a bath with him."
"Mane is no different. His aura is cold and distant on the surface. And he has the ruthlessness of a killer. There is no doubt that his hands have been stained with the blood of several hundreds – maybe even thousands."
Rose nodded at Ashera's words. She had observed the very same thing.
"But his ruthlessness is nothing but a cover for the fragile heart seeking company and a soulmate who can understand him deep within."
"So you see, they may be separated by a vast age difference, but they are very much the same." Ashera's explanation seemed very sound to Rose, for she nodded her head in understanding.
"In the meantime, do you think he should know about this?" Rose asked. Sending Sunflower to Mane was basically asking that the boy be told about the Curse of the Hundred. Sunflower wasn't dumb. She knew what must be said and what mustn't. Since it was no secret that Mane was their Mistress's hope, he had to be told of what his purpose was. But Rose questioned the timing. For it couldn't be too early.
"I know what you're thinking Rose," Ashera propped her head onto her arm and said. "But I would leave the timing to Sunflower. She is brilliant. She will pick the right time to tell the boy." Ashera stated with unwavering faith. As long as Sunflower got close to the boy and he started to feel affection for them, he wouldn't feel forced to offer his help. He may even be spurred on to provide it.
"You're right. Sunflower would know what to do," Rose stated. "In the meantime I think you should get some rest Mistress," she added, and Ashera nodded her head before closing her eyes and drifting to sleep right there, in that position.
*Knock knock knock*
Mane was taking a shower when he heard the knock on his door. "I bet it's your bath partner," Hildegarde teased. Mane didn't reply her. He hastily completed his shower before donning his blindfold and a towel and opening the door.
"It seems a came a tad too late," Sunflower smiled seductively when she saw his half-naked appearance. Her eyes roamed his body like she was an artist thoroughly checking out an art piece, resting on his recently healed wound before settling on his well-defined set of abs.
"Haha. Please come in" Mane laughed uncomfortably before ushering Sunflower into his room. She had helped him dress earlier, so he couldn't tell her to wait outside.
"Please give me a minute," Mane requested before retreating into the washroom with a pair of trousers and a coat.
"Okay," Sunflower wasn't unreasonable this time. She knew not to take things too far. But she did skip the couch in Mane's room and make herself comfortable on his bed like it was hers.
True to his words, Mane was back within the minute. He smiled bitterly upon feeling Sunflower's presence on his bed. He tried moving to the couch, but Sunflower had been reasonable enough for the day.
"Just come here. I'm not going to do anything to you." Sunflower giggled and said. Her laughter was akin to Christmas bells, capable of cheering up the souls of all who were lost. Mane hesitated for a while before moving to the other side of the bed when Sunflower added,
"What are you afraid of? This bed is so large that it could fit eight people effortlessly."
Mane settled down furthest from Sunflower's aura. Once he was comfortable, he let out a small sigh.
"What is it?" Sunflower obviously heard his sigh. After all it wasn't done in secrecy.
"I'm just thinking about my friends," Mane said. Images of Lam and Lily forced their way into Mane's mind, and the smile that followed was involuntary. He couldn't help but wonder how they were doing. And what they would think if they found out that Mane was with a member of their race.
"I see. The Prince and the Princess?" Sunflower asked as she inched just a bit closer to Mane's side of the bed.
"Yeah," Mane nodded. It seemed that they knew quite a bit about him.
"Are those your only friends?" Sunflower asked with a curious expression on her face.
The images of Abelard, the twins – Jake and John – Selina and Frederick came to Mane's mind at her enquiry. But ultimately he frowned and said, "Yes. Those are my only friends." Before adding the last bit in his head, "In this world."
"I'm hurt," Sunflower had a pitiful expression on her face. She was now right next to Mane. So much so that Mane could feel her body heat.
"Why?" Mane asked curiously. "This numbskull," Hildegarde sighed. This boy was hopeless when it came to understanding people outside of schemes and war.
"I thought we counted as friends now," Sunflower sighed exaggeratedly.
"We are not," Mane shrugged, his shoulder brushing past Sunflower's in the process. His words caused Sunflower to smile wryly.
"But I do have a favorable impression of you. We could become friends." Mane added, and a large smile blossomed on Sunflower's face.
"He's learning fast," Hildegarde nodded her head in approval. "I do feel sorry for Lily though. At this rate this woman is going to imprint herself deeply into Mane's mind."
"I see. I shall work hard then to become your friend. You need more than two after all." Sunflower smiled and said.
"You are one to talk," Mane chuckled.
"What do you mean?"
"You say I need more than two friends, yet you have none," Mane stated. There was no way Sunflower had any friends. She lived in this lonely tower after all.
"I actually do," Sunflower argued. "My sisters are my friends, and so is Mistress Ashera"
"That doesn't count. They are your family." Mane fought back. "The fact that you cannot separate friends from family means that you don't understand friendship."
"Can't your family be your friends?" Sunflower bit back. Her words were sound, since one could have their best friend being their brother or sister.
"Looking at two people who have not the slightest idea what friendship is arguing about the meaning of the word is exhausting," Hildegarde rubbed her temples in frustration.
"Well, that is true," Mane agreed with Sunflower's last words and the Fire Elemental involuntarily let out a smile.
"What I should have said was outside of those you consider as family, you don't have any friends." But Mane's words wiped her smile away and left her with a face full of longing.
"So I would also try hard to be your friend," Mane added, and Hildegarde's eyes filled up with crocodile tears. "You've gotten so smooth," she remarked, not hiding her thoughts from Mane this time. Mane's lips twitched hearing her words, but he chose to ignore her.
Sunflower's expression was slightly complicated. She turned to look at the side profile of the boy next to her, finding it hard to believe he was this knowledgeable at such a young age. She flashed him a smile he couldn't see, one full of genuine appreciation and joy. Then she propped herself up to look at his frontal view.
"Thank you," she murmured to his hearing and then plopped back down. But this time she had half her body resting on Mane. Her torso was directly pressed against Mane's chest and abdomen, and her head was resting on his shoulder.
"Don't move," Sunflower pleaded when she felt Mane shift uncomfortably. Mane froze sensing the vulnerability in her tone. He sensed that she just needed a warm hug. So he smiled and obliged, wrapping his arms around her, a move that seemed to take her by surprise. But she smiled shortly after, and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Both remained in that position for a long time. In fact, Sunflower fell asleep in this state. Mane could tell from her even breathing and overly calm aura. He had planned to use this period to study the anatomy of elementals and the other races – including humans. Imagine his shock when he found actual books, and not stone slabs. But compared to all the things he had been through in the past couple of hours alone, that revelation was pretty trivial.
Slowly, Mane also drifted off to sleep; the sweet fragrance of the warm beauty within his arms serving as his lullaby. As he did, he couldn't help but wonder how his friends were doing – his other friends. Were they already on Systema? And if they were, how were their trials going?