Lady Maxiel's smile was like shimmering diamonds, it was gorgeous and sweet, filled with the loving warmth of a mother. Moulin could not help but be lured by her gentleness and love.
Lady Maxiel caressed Moulin's rosy cheek thinking of how adorable his son was. He had changed so much that it was hard to believe it was true. But no matter, he was her son and she will always love him. Moulin was the only one who could spend so much time with her than those two older sons of hers. One thought only of work while the other was as loud as a boasting crow, too busy shaking his tail feathers. It was only right that she would indulge Moulin the most. However, it would seem that she could no longer treat him as he was before. He had become so decisive, so quiet, and so... gentle.
Before she could easily predict Moulin's mood with a single glance but after he returned from the snowy mountains of the north, he became so detached to everyone and it was already hard to guess what he was thinking from his eyes alone. Lady Maxiel furrowed her eyebrows out of worry.
"Moulin..."
He tilted his head curiously, "Yes, Mother?"
"What the Head Seer had found past the obstruction of your internal soul is quite complicated to explain..."
"Am I... a pured Maeruthan?..."
His heart pounded loudly as he waited. Yes, he was extremely nervous. His fingers fumbled on his lap while he bit his lips anxiously. His mother's silence was like a death flag as it stretched for a few seconds, giving rise to the fear in his heart.
"You are not a pured..." She smiled.
The words were like water from a holy spring washing away the doubts and terrors in his soul. His shoulders slacked as he sighed in relief. A smile graced his lips as he stared at his mother, her figure was like a remedy for his heart. He was foolish to believe the Seer's assumption. He was grateful and there was no reason why...
"But... as I had said, its quite complicated" Turns out she wasn't finished. Moulin's forehead creased, confused. "Colahn had successfully breached the barrier protecting your internal body. But not long after, it somehow began to repair itself. Colahn had to hurriedly examine your internal body before the barrier would once again lock him out. Once the barrier had closed, he immediately withdrew his spirit sense. Your internal body isn't like those of a pure Maeruthan. It is something much more different that even Colahn could not identify any particular cause of your awakening. Your meridians are thin but bright, your internal soul is the purest of light, and your core is unfathomably vigorous..." Her hands gripped Moulin's as she gazed at him.
"Your internal body is certainly the purest. If you continue to cultivate, it will most likely rid you of your illnesses and weakness. However, your future might also be unfortunate. Your body is already pure and we cannot recklessly assume that you cannot be a pured even if your internal body appears to be different than other pured maeruthans. I understand that it is hard to take in but we are still unsure of the root of your purity and awakening..."
Moulin lowered his gaze. It was still unsure but it was better than what he had expected. Only, he hoped that the gods would pity him but for sure they would probably detest a being, not from their world. If this was true then he would lay down his cards to pray to anyone listening, be it demon or deity, as long as they would pity him. Sometimes, he could not help but be shameful.
"You have a rich mana core. In your age, you could be called a prodigy. Your mana has been the cause of your advancing health and the strengthening of your body. My son, you have been given a miracle from the heavens, cherish it properly. You are indeed very blessed... When you have time to visit the manor, Let's visit the Sacred Er'Lun Temple in Rafelon together with your father...", There was a wistful smile on her beautiful face, she could not hide it.
Moulin paused.
He lifted his gaze, "When I have time? But... I'm not going anywhere nor am I going to do anything"
Lady Maxiel looked at him silently for a few seconds as if imprinting her son's little frame into her mind one last time. She shook her head and chuckled a bit before reaching her hand out towards the table beside Moulin's bed. She paused slightly when her gaze spotted the blooming Moonflower within a crystal vase. She ignored the flower and took an unnoticeable letter, stamped with a familiar crest, between her fingers. She held it up to Moulin for him to see it clearly.
Moulin's eyes widened the moment he saw the golden wax seal on the letter. It was from the Imperial Azuran Academy. There was a moment of shock in his face before it was followed by confusion. His gaze shifted to his mother.
"Remember when I mentioned about the people from the Imperial palace visiting earlier this morning? They discussed with your father and wished to offer you this. Your reputation seems to be causing quite a stir that they had to intrude was what we thought. It turns out it wasn't"
Moulin received the letter, holding the elegant envelope with unusual gentleness. He didn't ask more from his mother but only accepted the silver paper knife she handed to him next. His movements were slow as he opened the letter, a pleasant scent wafted out as he took out the elegant paper within.
He read it. Fast but careful.
Not a moment later he abruptly lifted his head, eyes widening, " They want me to join the Academy guilds?..."
"Yes..."
Lady Maxiel was confused. Her son's reaction wasn't right, it was as if he was given a shock instead of being immensely happy. She asked, "...Why? Aren't you delighted?"
In truth, Moulin really wasn't. No, he didn't know how he should be reacting. To any noble or commoner child, this was a dream come true but it wasn't to Moulin. Not that he wasn't a little bit joyful of the news but he wasn't very sure if he should be accepting it.
The Azuran Academy was located in Thaeria City, it was three cities away from Zenin. He neither wants to be away from his parents nor did he want to surround himself with strangers. And it would be best to conceal himself from the public until the gossips and rumors about him had quieted. He had enough of venturing outside the walls, Corhan might be alluring and fascinating and he definitely wanted to explore it. But currently, he could not trust his own abilities and his reckless decisions. He nearly got himself sliced in the gut. He wanted to become stronger and steadier, capable enough to search for the answers he needed to seek. He was still fresh from the nest, too confused and curious about everything else about this strange world.
The Azuran Academy was a wonderful opportunity, the original Moulin would most likely accept in a heartbeat. But for him, he didn't need to hurry. There was so much time left for him, he must use it wisely. He still needed to figure out this "pured" problem if he precisely is involved with it. Yes, there's still time...
"Moulin?" Seeing her son lost in his thoughts, perhaps thinking too hard, she called him out.
"Mother..." He finally decided. "I don't think I'm ready for this..."
His voice was low, hesitating. "I will not be joining the Azuran Academy guilds or any other guilds as of now. Perhaps when I have improved my training and excel in my martial arts then I can decide to join..."
Lady Maxiel blinked, "Well if that is what you truly want then it's alright. Mother wanted you near anyways. It would be terribly lonely here without you..." She grinned, utterly delighted. She was worried at first but Moulin doesn't seem too eager to quickly enter the Academy. Although she wondered why he had easily decided to turn down the offer, others would have accepted in a flash. But perhaps Moulin must have something heavy in his mind. No matter, she will absolutely resolve anything bothering her son.
"Thank you" Moulin smiled warmly.
Like an arrow in the heart, Lady Maxiel gasped "Oh, my son. How adorable you are! Yes, don't ever leave your mother here with those two elder brothers of yours. Honestly, my face would get even wrinklier when I speak to them...", she began to chatter about her troubles, sitting closely by Moulin's side. Her eyes twinkled every time she smiles.
Moulin could do nothing but to submissively comfort his mother. Laughter rang in the air as the pair of mother and son converse, bantering with each other. The morning light shrouded their frames, a soft and joyful atmosphere surrounding the room.
Meanwhile, beyond the doors outside of Moulin's bedroom, a tall figure leaned beside the wooden doors. He was silent. Ears listening to even the faintest of sounds within his youngest brother's room. Emlen sighed with eyes closed. He knew his brother had awakened but he didn't enter. His mother was the only one among his family who could easily talk to a person gently and flawlessly. After yesterday, he, Maxille, and their Father didn't dare to volunteer to discuss with Moulin, afraid of how explosive they would be, ranting out their worries and grievances. His mother had almost burst out in anger when she had heard about Moulin's situation last night, she had mercilessly banned them from Moulin's room.
He glanced at the door handle then shook his head. No, he shouldn't interfere...
"What are you doing here?"
Emlen lifted his head, "..."
Maxille narrowed his eyes, he glared at Emlen, "Were you eavesdropping?". He glanced at the doors to Moulin's room.
"Stop wasting your mana, it can do more than something as insignificant as allowing you to eavesdrop on someone's discussion" He chided, expression crossed.
"Weren't you going to do the same thing?" Emlen snorted, "Disappointed that I beat you to it?"
Maxille paused. His hands clenching on the book in his hand, his alibi. He coughed and looked away from him, "Stop lingering by the door. Mother will be furious once she comes out"
Emlen didn't respond.
His silence somehow confused Maxille. It was particularly unnatural for his second brother to not counter him with his irrational remarks. But he didn't say a word for he knew this younger brother of his was always as silent as the night whenever he was in deep thought so he waited.
"Moulin is going to turn down the Azuran Academy", Emlen spoke in a slow manner, his arms folded on his chest.
Maxille's eyes widened in surprise. Moulin will? How odd. Wasn't it such a wondrous thing to even be invited...
"Does that disappoint you? That he wouldn't be entering the Academy with you?"
Emlen glared at his eldest brother, "On the contrary, I'm quite satisfied with his decision. Guilds in Azuran are especially filled with worthless schemers, scums, and filthy little aristocratic mongrels who know nothing but show off. That environment might as well burn if Moulin would've agreed to go there. It wouldn't be safe for him. And even if he would've wanted to, it wouldn't be easy to join a guild. It isn't as easy as dueling one of the recruits anymore" He looked away, grumbling, "You wouldn't understand..."
A corner of Maxille's lip turned up. Emlen was now a grown man yet some of his childish mannerisms never left as he grew.
"The moonflower in Moulin's room..." Emlen said after a few moments. His gaze lowered.
Maxille frowned as he stared at his brother. As if he had chewed something bitter in his mouth, there was distaste evident on his countenance. "What of it?..."
"It was that man, wasn't it?" Emlen pulled himself off the wall and stood opposite with his eldest brother.
"Lower your tone. I do not wish to speak about him"
"Father already knows about it. The whole noble circle does! I do not want Moulin to be acquainted with that brute. It's fine if it's someone who belongs to the Left Court, like that Vernallian lad but not an Archnoble! Him of all people. I do not want his loathsome grimy eyes on Moulin like some snake. We should talk to Moulin about this..."
"Leave it," Maxille shook his head, "Father will discuss it with him..."
Emlen's eyes gazed at his brother, clear reluctance swirling in his eyes. He could only sigh and glanced at the doors beside him. Perhaps, there was nothing between Moulin and that man. Perhaps, it was all a misunderstanding. Perhaps, it was just rumored. But Emlen saw it. The look in that man's eyes as it traced every form of his youngest brother. Moulin wasn't even bothered, he didn't flinch by his touch, neither did he looks uncomfortable. It was as if they had known each other before...
No, it shouldn't be. Emlen glanced at his brother before walking past him, his thoughts ran chaotically.
Maxille only stood as he glanced at his departing brother behind his shoulder. His thoughts weren't the least bit different from his brother's. He only hoped the future would be fortunate...