Rielen was awoken earlier than usual. She blinked at Hyla, who was urging her out of bed. "The schedule has been changed for this morning, Miss." Rielen tried to press for more details, but Hyla shook her head. This usually meant she didn't know, or she wasn't allowed to tell her.
Sighing, Rielen stretched and began her morning routine. Breakfast was delivered to her room, instead of meeting the other girls. It was more simple than she had grown used to here in the palace. Soon, Hyla guided her outside of the East Wing into a small room that she had not entered before.
After waiting for a little while, a woman whom she had never met entered the room. The woman was dressed suggestively, in attire that was not commonly seen in the Kingdom. She had dark raven hair that reached her waist and was lightly curled, as if it was meticulously styled to be that way.
If Rielen had been a boy, she could see herself fall in love at first sight. She gulped. 'I hope Eon hasn't met this person.' Dark thoughts reached her mind as she imagined him being interested in this woman.
"I am Charla." The woman smiled down at Rielen. She pulled herself on top of the desk in front of Rielen, and picked up some paperwork. "In the event that a girl is not chosen to be our next ruler, we prepare them to enter the world." That was a very broad subject. ' What does entering the world mean?' Rielen was confused. After all, she knew that girls were rarely chosen to be the next ruler.
What she didn't know is what happened to those girls who didn't join the army after their training was done. Was this happening because she finished her nature magic training?
"I can see you're confused. Don't worry, young one. This is training only given to the selected girls who come through the Academy. It is not advertised, and most certainly not mentioned, until a certain level of training is completed or is finished completely. Your gifts are very rare and the King has ordered your special training to be started early."
Rielen was still confused. Why would women get 'special training'? She was on guard, because she felt like she wouldn't like what she was about to hear. She just prayed that, whatever it was, she could remain near Eon.
Charla smiled as she watched her new pupil think in front of her. She had been very interested in teaching the newest arrival to the Academy. Her file was interesting. Even more, she had a connection with a boy with interesting powers as well.
"I will start your education with relations that are often held between men and women. I am sure your mother may have already gone over this with you. I will explain why it is different for those of us who carry mana." Charla went into a long embarrassing conversation about the physical relations between the two sexes.
Rielen's cheeks were burning. Her heart could be heard in her ears. She never expected that there would be a special class for this type of thing at the Academy. Also, why only for the girls?! She was taking slow deep breaths to remain calm. Charla smiled, as she was used to these reactions.
Although she had been teaching these types of topics over the last 15 years, she definitely didn't look like her age. Her mana was special, in that it maintained a certain appeal. She wouldn't look old, or gain any wrinkles, until she advanced to a significant age. A rare talent in the world. She would teach at the Academy and also be sent on 'special' assignments for the Kingdom.
"Now that we have covered physical relations, let me explain why this is important for you as a mage. Mana is often influenced on the maternal side of your lineage." Rielen frowned. I thought that magic was given by the Spirits? "Yes, the Spirits do assign us mana from birth, but they are more giving to those who already cultivate their mana before giving birth.
"We do not know the exact reason why they favor females, but there is significant evidence that strong females give birth to strong offspring. It is also useful to know that pregnant female mages are very vulnerable." Charla repositioned herself.
"It is because of this vulnerability that the Kingdom has put resources into protecting and educating young female mages who have talent. It is because of your unique talents that you will have a protected status as a mage in our Kingdom." Surprise filled Rielen's face as she learned of this protected status.
"This protected status has many benefits, and also many drawbacks. As female mages often have more freedom if they join the Military, this will not be an option for you. Many promising female mages are often married or partnered into the nobility to create stronger bonds between the Royal Family and their servants."
Charla almost spat out the part about the nobility. She remembered the agreement she had to make to remain 'free' from that particular instance. Rielen's eyes clouded over. "You, however, have been given special compensation." Charla had fought with the King about this decision.
"If you manage to master your second ability, the King has allowed you to choose your partner." Rielen was holding her breath. "I could choose whomever I want?" Charla nodded her head. It was her life mission to free the young girls who came after her.
Several of her young friends had been locked into marriages and concubines of despicable nobles. She could not save them, but she could fight for this newer generation. Everything she had done for the Kingdom had been for that goal in her mind.