As Lilith and Kato walked on, the landscape gradually shifted around them until she found herself standing before a grand Minka way larger than then the one she stayed at before.
The garden was blanketed in a pristine coat of snow, shimmering and glistening in the soft light that filtered through the trees. A small river flowed through the garden, its icy surface a mirror for the world around it. An Engawa surrounded the garden, making it possible for people to walk around it.
Suddenly, a vision of cuteness materialized before Lilith and Kato - a young girl dressed in a dainty maid's uniform. Her outfit was similar to what Lilith had seen before, but with one striking difference - where the one Lilith saw before had been a traditional black and white, this girl's dress was a vibrant shade of crimson and snowy white. The colors seemed to glow against her skin, emphasizing the delicate curves of her figure.
The maid possessed an enchanting countenance with delicate features that included a dainty and endearing visage. Her long, lustrous hair was the color of fresh snow and woven into numerous intricate braids that coiled and twisted elegantly, fastened together at the nape of her neck. Each braid was adorned with exquisite gold ornaments fashioned into the likeness of blooming flowers, imbuing her hair. Her eyes were a soft shade of pink that perfectly complemented the gentle tint of her lips, creating a harmonious and alluring aura.
"Kato-sama, have you brought another woman home? At a time like this?" The maid asked as she gazed and shifted from Kato to Lilith. "How far have you two gone..."
But before the maid could continue talking, Kato interrupted her. "Stop right there. Lilith here is my guest, and she's only here to have her katana made."
"Hmmm… yes, I will show her the way to the blacksmith." The maid's words were accompanied by a furtive glance, her eyes darting toward Lilith with a hint of suspicion.
"By the way, that is our blacksmith," Kato spoke as he pointed toward the maid. "Her name is Aya Suzuki."
"You may simply call me Suzuki," Suzuki spoke in a chilling tone.
"Wait... she's the blacksmith?" Lilith's words tumbled out in a rush of surprise as she took in sight before her. Suzuki, the slight and delicate figure before her, was revealed to be a blacksmith.
"She's stronger than she looks." Kato chuckled and waved the two girls off. "Well, I have the stuff to do."
As Kato turned and walked away, Suzuki shifted her gaze toward Lilith. She stepped forward, her small hand reaching out to rest gently on Lilith's shoulder. "I don't suspect you of anything, but if you have any utter motives, then I will make sure to end you. Especially if it's towards Kato-sama."
"I don't have any problem with that." Lilith's hand rose in a gesture of pure innocence as her eyes softened into a gentle, relaxed gaze.
With a subtle tilt of her head and a gesture towards Lilith, Suzuki beckoned her to follow. The two of them strolled leisurely along the Engawa that encircled the garden. Their footsteps on the polished floorboards echoed in the tranquil surroundings. Eventually, they arrived at a room where Suzuki slid open the door with a gentle push. As they stepped inside, they slipped off their shoes, relishing the sensation of cool tatami mats under their feet.
As they entered the room, Lilith's eyes were drawn to the exquisite Tokonoma. A recessed space in the tatami room that is used to display a hanging scroll, flower arrangement, or other decorative objects. The room was suffused with a soft light that filtered through the shoji screens, casting a gentle glow on the tatami mats. At the far end of the room, a magnificent scroll hung, capturing her attention with its vibrant hues and intricate brushstrokes. The painting depicted an erupting volcano, its fiery maw spewing molten lava and ash into the sky.
Suzuki glided towards the scroll, then with a flick of her wrist, the scroll came to life, the colors intensifying until they seemed to vibrate with a mysterious energy. As if in response to this sudden burst of magic, a radiant circle of light began to materialize on the tatami mats beneath their feet. The air crackled with anticipation, and before they knew it, both Lilith and Suzuki had vanished.
In the blink of an eye, Suzuki and Lilith found themselves transported to a place that seemed to be a cave. The air was thick with a musty scent, and the ground beneath their feet was slick with moisture. The only source of illumination came from a flickering forge at the far end of the chamber, its smoky glow casting long shadows that danced and shifted with every gust of wind.
Suzuki beckoned Lilith towards her and reached down to pick up a pair of sandals. She tossed the sandals toward Lilith, and they landed on the ground with a soft thud.
"Are you not going to wear any?" Lilith asked as she slipped her feet into the sandals.
"I like to be barefooted when I forge," Suzuki spoke as she removed a layer of her maid clothes.
"Is that so... but why is the smithy here in such a mysterious place? Why not a regular smithy?" Lilith asked.
"It's because of that," Suzuki's eyes flickered towards the forge, drawn by the intense heat and the vibrant flicker of flames. With a graceful gesture, she raised her hand and pointed toward the fiery inferno that burned within. "That is called Starlight flame. One of the great flames that burns hotter than a greater fire elemental. It's a rare type of fire that allows me to forge greater weapons with its fire mana."
'Fire mana...?' Lilith thought to herself.
<
<< Mana, the lifeblood of magic, is divided into six elemental categories - Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Darkness, and Light. Each element held within it a boundless well of energy. With the right incantation, a magician could conjure up a blazing inferno, a torrential downpour, or a mountain of stone, all with the power of their will. But one element that remained beyond the reach of mortal hands - Darkness. This primal force is reserved for devils and demons alone.>>
In the world of magic, each person was blessed with a unique and irreplaceable gift - a signature of Mana that is as distinctive as a snowflake. No two signatures were alike, and each held within it the key to unlocking a particular set of elemental energies. Some signatures were drawn to a single element, and those who possessed them were known as specialists - masters of their chosen element, with an understanding of its nuances that bordered on the supernatural. But there were others who were blessed with a more versatile signature, whose Mana sang in harmony with multiple elements. These gifted individuals were a rarity, their talents revered and sought after by all that knew the true power of magic.>>
I see...' Lilith thought.