There were things I wanted to change before the core of the story. I had a little over a year until war broke out, only months to fix the problems with the noble houses. The problems with House Swaine and House Riveia would start at the beginning of next summer and the war would breaking out by fall. We were nearing winter, and I was trying to figure out a way to quell the anger before it starts. It started because Deidra is in love with Viscount Peruka, but her father Count Phillip Riveia was being pressured by Marquess Richard Swaine. He wanted to strengthen the family line, and because of the strife it lead to their house members on the front lines doing things to hurt the others. It ended up with the Swaine knights killing some Theosian diplomats to frame the Riveia's that the war started. My best bet was to become known on the front lines of the border to try and create a report and stop the murder of the diplomats. I didn't know how I would reach the Marquess or the Count. I spread my message of healing to the front lines. I had recieved a letter back, expressing great gratitude to my offer. They were about a two days ride away from the border, but we had a moment of peace because of the upcoming winter. The winter meant that monsters went into hibernation and the interactions on the lines became non existent. They would send any injured to the villiage, but call for me if anything bad happened. It was better for me to stay in the villiage and grow my reputation, as well as study at the monestary. The books Mother Meredith had showed me were amazing. They had ways on how to cultivate mana, as well as attack spells. There was one I found where your bent light into a sharp spear tip and could manipulate them to cut. Shields, dream manipulation and even support magic like buffs of speed. The idea was to embue people with your power to enhance them. Dream manipulation was made using methods from House Peri of of Curse of Phobus. They were able to make illusion and hallucinations to scare people and even dig into their minds. This magic was to soothe nightmares and ease internal pain when healing magic was uneffective. I was trying to learn as much I as could to be as useful as possible. I had managed to make a strong shield and was working on dream manipulation, but I knew I had to cultivate more mana to be effective. It was what I was doing today. Donatello was sleeping on a large bed the local seamstress and hunters worked on for him. It was a show of affection and gratefulness for his hardwork for the villiage. They used sheep wool on the outside go be soft for him. They stuffed with with feathers, and made him a grey fleece lined blanket the size for a king bed. He was sleeping soundly, tucking in and comfortable. I was focusing my mana into my hands, causing a golden light to tingle in my hands and bathe me. It was dark outside and it was my only source of light. To cultivate more mana, I was drawing light out of the world and trying to consume it. It was hard work, and it felt like I wasn't really accomplishing much. I could feel my mana growing bit by bit, but it was like I was picking up droplets of mana instead of rivers. I had tested how much mana I was gaining on average per day. I had been cultivating for a week and each day I was only able to go an extra ten seconds longer than before. I was at two minutes and fifty seconds at the manor, now I was at four minutes. It was significant improvement for me, but in the grand scheme of things it was basically nothing in comparison to the average mage. I still refused to give up, allowing myself one hour per day to improve. It was dangerous on my body if I tried to go for longer. I tried the first time and I almost felt my mana explode in my chest. I did this close to bed time as it allowed me to get a good night sleep and feel refreshed in the morning. I dropped my hands when I knew I reached my limit, feeling the light sink into my skin. My veins began to glow underneath my skin as it traveled up my arms to to my chest. I let out a sigh, particles of light flowing from my mouth with it. It had a cooling effect to my throat, like I was chewing mint gum. It was a nice feeling, pleasant albeit a bit dangerous. I had been working hard lately, trying to come close to the soldiers and villagers. So far I was doing well, my free healing giving them an easy reason to trust and respect me. Everyone was kind to me, except for Altir. I rolled my eyes at the thought of him. I mostly avoided him, but when I did run into him it caused tension. After he discovered I was healing the villagers and nearby villages for free, he grew enraged. When he first found out he burst into my room and started screaming at me. He told me he regretted healing me, and threw all kinds of insults my way. I ignored him, quite used to them. It irked me more that someone was trying to chastise me when their actions were disgusting to me. Ever since that day we fight or bicker whenever we see each other. Even when Lisa said she didn't trust me yet, she was quick to jump in and defend me when Altir threw a fit. I tucked myself into bed, turning on my side to look out the window. It was a long way to to for peace, but I was determined to do it. As I looked at the night sky, I felt free and safe. It steeled my resolve to make sure that I could do right by these people.
"How are you adjusting Rhea?" Edwin's gruff voice startled me and I almost threw the tea cup into the book below me.
"Oh dear you scared me! You're so quiet!" I couldn't help but giggle at how I got caught. I was immersed in the grimoire I was reading. Mother Meredith said I could take whichever books I wanted from the library and store them in the bookshelf I my room. Since both Altir and her had already read the books there, they were no point to them being there. I did take some, my own grimoires and journals lining the first shelf. I didn't like to take many though, just the ones I could practice more like vegetation, shielding, buffs and cultivation. I was reading about the attack light magic down here since I wasn't quite keen on attacking people of my own volition but figured it would be good for defense. I had brought my medicinal tea into the library to study, I was now realizing that mught have not been the best idea. Edwin looked down at me with a emotion in his eyes I couldn't quite place. It didn't make me feel unpleasant though, but actually comforted.
"Sorry about that, I didn't mean to startle you." He rubbed the back if his neck as if he was ashamed. I waved my hand in front of my face as if to swat his words from the sky.
"Don't worry about it, I don't mind." I gestured to the chair next to me on the long table I was studying at. He nodded and sat down, looking at the texts surrounding me. I had a few on history too, as well as geography and politics. It was a jumbled mess of texts on multiple subjects but I reveled in the studying. My entire other life I worked and studied so this was second nature to me.
"You're a hard worker." He sounded impressed. I was a little surprised thT the captain if the knights was impressed with my studying habits opposed to my physical capabilites.
"I need to do this to help everyone and myself. This is nothing." To me this was life and survival. I didn't think that I was any different. He just let out a small chuckle as my fingers grazed against the magic circles on the page. To do these you had to draw the picture of the circle in your mind with mana to manifest the spell. I was drinking in every curve and rune, picturing it in my head over and over again.
"You're a healer, you don't really have to do anything." My fingers stopped at his words. I didn't have to ask him what he meant. Healers were paid top dollar and praised in society. They were easily given status in the royal army, or taken in as noble families high paid physicians. I had expected that the Count and Agatha hired a healer to heal me after their beatings so thdy could continue. I never saw their face because I was passed out, but it was the only logical explanation.
"I don't really care about that. I'd rather die poor and happy than live wealthy and sad." My words seemed to strike him as if I had said the words he long waited to see. I lifted my teacup to my lips as his brain rebooted, my bell sleeves from the light grey dress Mother Meredith gave me rolled up. It exposed my forearms, a few scars from slashes and beatings dotting my skin. His eyes locked on it and his jaw clenched as did his fists. I saw him out of the corner of my eye. I braced for him to ask me questions but he stayed silent. His eyes just stayed on me and his body tense.
"You're a good person." His hands released then tension in him, but he was still stiff. I changed my eyes and saw a spiky red aura of rage. I was wondering if something I said hurt him.
"If I upset you, I'm sorry." His stoic face turned go me, but his aura was yellow in surprise. It melted to a sad deep blue.
"Don't worry lass, you didn't upset me." His eyes landed on my arms again and dots of red laced his aura. I pieced the two together and felt guilty. This man didn't know me but he seemed to care about me. Perhaps I reminded him of someone.
"May I ask you a favour?" He nodded and I flashed him the gentlest smile I could. His aura turned a brilliant happy green.
"Would you be able to have tea with me once in a while?" This time his stoic face melted to a small smile and his eyes softened.
"I would love that."