A couple of days ago, I made you a promise, remember? I said I'd be your guide through the early steps of your training," she began, her voice carrying a hint of nostalgia as if reminiscing about the commitment she had made. "And I fully intend to keep that promise. But, if you're to truly excel and tap into the depths of your potential, training under Leo is the key," she added, her words trailing off into a thoughtful sigh.
She seemed to be pondering the future, contemplating the journey ahead and the growth that awaited us both. "For the time being, let's focus on the basics. I'll teach you about mana and auras, the very essence of the power that flows within us. I'll show you how to sense it, to gather it," she said, her tone sweet, her approach gentle, as if she was easing me into a new world of understanding.
Her words, kind and patient, served as a balm, pulling my thoughts away from the darker corners of my past. With her guidance, I was about to embark on a journey of discovery, learning to harness the energies that bind the world together.
I acknowledged her guidance with a nod, though my expression remained etched with confusion. "But what about this..." I hesitated, my voice a hushed whisper, betraying the uncertainty that lingered within me. With a slight gesture, I drew her attention to the collar fixed around my neck, the symbol of my current limitations. "I can't use my ability with it on," I pointed out, seeking clarity on the matter.
Her response came in the form of a knowing smirk, as if the answer was a secret she was on the verge of sharing. "You really think that little old thing can hold you back?" she teased lightly, her confidence in me apparent. "Listen, you're not going to use your ability just yet. Instead, you're going to learn how to gather energy, to expand your mana pool. That's what will make your abilities stronger and more enduring. Do you understand?" Her words tumbled out swiftly, a stream of wisdom that I eagerly absorbed.
With a newfound sense of confidence, I gave her a nod, this time firm and assured. Her faith in me had kindled a fire of determination, and I was ready to learn, to grow beyond the confines of the collar and my own doubts.
"Thank you," I offered, my voice steady and serene, as I locked eyes with her, ensuring my gratitude was fully conveyed. But her reaction was not what I expected; she returned my gaze with a furrowed brow, a silent question lingering in her expression.
"You've helped me more than I've received in a long time," I admitted, the words barely more than a whisper, a testament to the depth of my appreciation. The air between us seemed to pause, heavy with unspoken understanding.
She halted for a moment, absorbing the weight of my words, and then her face softened into a warm, generous smile. "So Are you ready to learn?" she inquired, her laughter light and inviting, like a melody that eased the tension from the air. She extended her hand towards me, an offering of guidance and a promise of the knowledge to come. Her simple gesture spoke volumes of the journey we were about to embark on together.
As our hands connected, her touch was gentle, a comforting presence that seemed to ground me in the moment. "Y'know," she began, her voice a soft murmur that drew me closer into her confidence, "you remind me of my daughter." There was a tenderness in her tone, a hint of nostalgia that made me lean in to listen more intently.
"The girl," she continued, her eyes never leaving mine, "she's hard-headed and cold on the outside. But on the inside, she's just like a big teddy bear. Just like her father " Aria's gaze seemed to delve deep, as if she was searching for a reflection of her daughter's spirit within me.
She shifted the topic, her curiosity piqued. "On another note, what are your abilities, child?" Her inquiry was laced with sweetness, an invitation to share a piece of myself.
Her initial comparison took me by surprise, sparking a curiosity that outweighed my hesitation. "I uh... You have a daughter?" The question escaped my lips before I could rein it in, a spontaneous burst of wonder that seemed to amuse her.
"Yes, I do," Aria replied, her laughter still echoing around us. "Although she's in the kingdom briskton now, training at a battle school. She's striving to make a name for herself in this new day and age." As she spoke of her daughter, there was a palpable shift in her energy, a pride that radiated from her like warmth from a fire. She spoke of her family with a sense of pride, her words painting a portrait of her daughter's ambition and her own hope for the future.
"Oh, Briskton?" I echoed, my brow furrowing in a moment of sudden realization. "Isn't that...?" The thought trailed off, unfinished, as a flood of memories came rushing back. "Yes, that's the kingdom I moved to with Alex and his mom," I said, a sense of clarity washing over me. "That's right, the battle school – the very one I got accepted to alongside Alex." I could feel the pieces of the puzzle clicking into place, my voice tinged with nostalgia.
A small smile played on my lips as I continued, lost in thought. "Yeah, I know the place," I murmured, more to myself than to her, my mind wandering the halls of memory. The surprise on her face was evident, her eyes reflecting a mix of astonishment and intrigue.
"That's the place my brother goes to," I added, the word 'brother' imbued with a sense of camaraderie and shared adventures.
"Really?" she uttered, the single word hanging between us, ripe with possibility.
I nodded in confirmation, a silent affirmation that bridged our worlds for a fleeting moment. "Hmm," she hummed, her mind visibly shifting gears as she pondered this new piece of information. "I might have an idea, but it'll have to wait until we get out," she said, her voice soft but laced with a resolve that piqued my curiosity further.
Without another word, she moved, positioning herself behind me with a grace that spoke of experience and purpose. "Now, what was your ability, child?" she asked once more, steering us back to the matter at hand with a gentle persistence that left no room for further digression.
"I can manipulate blood I suppose?," I revealed, the words slipping out almost hesitantly, unsure of how she would take it. At my confession, I could feel her tense up, the air around us seemingly charged with a newfound intensity.
"Really?" she questioned, her voice laced with a note of surprise that matched the widening of her eyes.
"Yeah," I admitted, feeling a mix of pride and uncertainty. "It's not on the wheel of the elements like the normal abilities, so I guess I might just have demon blood." The words were heavy, carrying with them a history of confusion and self-doubt. I exhaled a heavy sigh, the sound tinged with a blend of resignation and wonder.
"In a way, it's related to watery, I guess, but it has no exact connection other than it being a liquid?" I continued, trying to make sense of the unique power that coursed through my veins. "I don't know, it's always been hard to figure out." Another sigh escaped my lips, this one steeped in a sense of defeat, acknowledging the complexity of my ability.
Her reaction, however, was not what I expected. A laugh, light and genuine, broke from her as her hand traced down my scarred and bruised back until she reached the center of it. The touch was gentle, almost reverent, as if she were exploring the map of my experiences etched into my skin.
"No wonder why your aura is everywhere," she spoke, her voice filled with amazement. "That's really one hell of an ability." Her words, imbued with a sense of awe and appreciation, lifted my spirits, offering a glimmer of validation for the power I held within. But the look in her eyes also said that she almost didn't believe it. Like something was wrong? Or off.
"Okay, I'm going to need you to close your eyes and just relax, alright? Take a deep breath and let it out slowly," she instructed with a calm and soothing voice. I nodded in agreement, willing to trust in her guidance. As my eyelids fell shut, the world around me faded, and my other senses seemed to amplify. The sound of her steady breathing became my anchor as I felt her palm gently rest against my back, its warmth spreading through my skin like sunlight piercing through clouds.
"Can you feel that?" she inquired, her tone gentle yet curious.
I hesitated for a brief moment, tuning into the sensation that was blossoming across my back. "The warm feeling?" I asked, seeking confirmation that what I was experiencing was real.
I heard a soft hum of approval from her, affirming my perception. "Yes, that's mana," she explained with a hint of excitement in her voice. "I'm channeling some of my energy into your mana pool. It's located at the center of our bodies, the place where our spirits dwell. Do you understand what I'm doing?" Her question carried a weight of importance, as if she was entrusting me with a profound secret.
With the warmth still radiating through me, I nodded once more, feeling a connection to something much larger than myself, a shared energy that linked our very beings.
Suddenly, a sensation of discomfort began to emerge from within me. It was a peculiar kind of pain, not quite physical, yet it ached with an intensity that was hard to ignore. "I see," she hummed thoughtfully, and with a newfound sense of purpose, she placed both her hands firmly on my back.
"In our bodies, we have a network, a complex system through which our mana circulates, flowing and cycling within us," she began to explain, her voice taking on the tone of a teacher imparting valuable knowledge. "If this network—the pathways for our mana—becomes obstructed, it can severely hinder our ability to harness and use our abilities. Worse still, it can lead to them spiraling wildly out of control due to the buildup of unchanneled mana," she continued, her words painting a vivid picture of the inner workings of this mystical energy system.
A memory flickered in my mind, and I found myself speaking before I fully grasped the thought. "I used to have these intense dreams, and my brother... he would have to wake me up because I was unconsciously using my abilities," I said, my tone laced with a mix of question and realization.
"Yes, that's exactly a sign of a blocked mana passage," she confirmed with a reassuring smile, her eyes reflecting a sense of accomplishment. "You're catching on quite quickly. You're a good learner, kid," she praised, her encouragement warming me much like the mana she had transferred earlier. It was a compliment that made me feel more confident in my ability to grasp these new and mysterious concepts.