Rovenin played hide and seek with Carseain for a few days but didn't stand a chance against Carseain's persistence coupled with Ron's (Rovenin's Father) conjectures.
{Conjectures- guesses / clues }
Rovenin swore Revenge against his father only to be delayed by Carseain's stunts.
After repeated occurrences of misfortune caused by Rovenin's overwhelmingly enthusiastic disciple, Rovenin decided that he'd make Carseain go Chant-less as soon as possible no matter what.
He spent his time from dusk till dawn and sometimes even after dawn with the child who called him Big Brother ( Foxy, carrot etc...).
There was not much difference in the amount of time spent together but now Rovenin voluntarily sat with him rather than Carseain latching onto him.
Days passed by in the blink of an eye and so did months. Carseain improved at manoeuvring magic as Rovenin was no longer a physically frail genius shut-in.
Ron, who had a hard time getting his son out of that room to get some sunlight and fresh air, was delighted at the sight of his son reaching the minimum physical abilities of a child his age.
He blissfully ignored the fact that it was merely a by-product of Carseain dragging him around.
Rovenin levelled up!
Player : Rovenin. Age : 13
Strength : 15
Intelligence : 300
Stamina : 20
Magic : 150
Agility : 20
Unique characteristic: Magic Stone Fanatic.
Status : Depressed, frustrated, Fatigued.
It was one of the brightest days of the Esselgarde Marquessate when the Marchioness, Carseain's mother, was alive.
However, Rovenin was stressed.
Improvement in physical abilities did improve his magic abilities but he couldn't see the end of these days.
Carseain was far from going Chant-less.
On one such day, Rovenin sat with his head hanging near the Knight's training ground while Carseain was sparring.
Otto went and sat beside him.
He offered him a bag of water.
{ They didn't have water bottles during those days and couldn't make it out of metal as it was heavy and also pricey.So, they carried water into bags made of a special cloth or hide of animals. }
Otto : " By only seeing you're hunched back I can see you've gotten healthier. So, why the hanging head ? "
Rovenin lifted his head and turned to Otto.
Otto saw his sunken face.
Otto : " Wow, from fox eyes to the eyes of a dead fish. You look like you've been harassed."
Rovenin stared at him.
Rovenin : " Are you sure you don't have to watch over Sian ?"
Otto shook his head.
Otto : " You know, he's persistent and he's blessed with a great body but he's far from being a swordsman. "
Rovenin : " What are you expecting from a kid who's barely eight? "
Otto : " That's not it but, ya know...like he sucks too much.
His form's so bad that it makes me wanna cry."
Rovenin : " Ha...I kind of get that. I tell him to feel the magic but he just can't shift his focus from the chants to the flow. "
They both sighed together.
Otto : " If only I could control each and every muscle of his body, it'd be so much easier."
After a brief moment of silence, Rovenin gasped.
He sprung out of his place and looked at the sky with shining eyes.
" That is exactly what I should do."
He exclaimed.
Otto raised his brows.
Otto : " Do what? Control his body? "
He laughed.
Rovenin grinned back at him.
Rovenin : " Who said I have to control his body? Magic flows through the Magic circuit. "
Otto widened his eyes.
Otto : " Wait, you don't mean you're going to tamper with his magic circuit, are you?"
His voice was shaking as he said that.
Rovenin smiled.
Rovenin: " I am not tampering with it but I'll just insert magic and follow Carseain's Magic flow. Then after he finishes casting his spell, I'll trace it back so that he can focus on -"
Otto : " Kid, I get that you're a genius and my muscle brain cannot understand all that."
Rovenin sighed.
Rovenin : " All I mean--"
Otto : " Spare me the explanation but I know whatever you're trying to do ain't some small-time trick."
Rovenin smiled at the worried face.
Rovenin: " Rest assured, The Marquis of Esselgarde doesn't call me a genius for nothing. "
He ran away with a bright smile on his face.
Otto sighed deeply.
Otto : " I tried to cheer him up but it seems I ended up turning on some weird switch. "
He turned to the person who was standing behind him observing everything silently.
Otto : " What do you think of this, My Lady ?"
That person only smiled.
Carseain who went to find Rovenin ran towards them.
Carseain : " Otto, have seen Carrot-brot-
Huh?!"
He saw that person and his face started gleaming.
" Mother !"
He exclaimed.
That person was Marchioness Askaneira Esselgarde.
She walked towards her son as her Golden Honey blonde hair flew with the wind. Her sky blue eyes and fair skin were charming seconds only to her elegance.
Carseain ran toward her for a hug.
She picked up her young child gently in her arms.
" Sian, you stink !"
She giggled.
" You stink of perfume too! Bear with it. "
Carseain retorted curtly, holding onto her tight.
" Whoa! Look at my brat talking back to me. Mommy is sad. "
She made a sad face and the Young Carseain fell for it.
He made a worried face.
" Hey, no fair, You started it!
Ah... Don't cry, don't cry."
He fumbled.
He touched her face to wipe off her tears which were yet to fall.
She felt her son's tiny calloused hands on her cheek, who was genuinely worried.
She held his hands and gently felt his palm all over.
Carseain : " Mom, did you look at my swordsmanship? "
He said with glimmering eyes wanting to be praised.
Askaneira smiled.
"Yes, I did."
Carseain started beaming.
" Wasn't I awesome ? My Sword cuts --"
" You sucked too much..."
Carseain's smile froze.
" Pardon?"
She beamed saying,
" You sucked so much that it cracked me up."
Otto could see Carseain becoming a cracked stone withering away from her arms.
Otto : ' No matter how bad he is it's too much to say to a kid barely 8.'
She continued.
" I heard you've been fooling around with your big brother these days.
That's why you must've neglected your training."
" Ah ...so that's what she was after."
He mumbled silently.
Rovenin seemed like he just had a brilliant idea to work with but Carseain would keep pestering him . So, he egged on Carseain to focus on his swordsmanship for a while so he'd leave Rovenin alone for the time being.
Rovenin shut himself in his workspace for the next few days. He was worried that Carseain would come to find him but luckily, he didn't. He couldn't care less about the reason but just in case, he left a note for him.
It said :
" I found a way to help cast spells without a chant. I need to work on it a little more but you also must prepare yourself for that.
I left the training menu with James.
P.S : Sian, if I see you climbing through the window, I'll never help you with your Homework. "
Carseain was completely engrossed in sword training for five days after being traumatized by his mother. After he cheered up a little he went to find Rovenin but the note was handed to him.
He did not dare climb the window.
Rovenin finished materialising his idea but he did not feel elated as he thought he would be.
He did work hard but it felt easier than he expected.
Rovenin: ' I wonder why those geezers make such a big deal out of it. The only challenging thing is to actually sit and calculate the stuff. Rest is already explained in the books.
They're just being lazy.
Well, I guess the calculations which even took me this much time would take them years.
You can't blame them...'
The fatigue and sleep were finally hitting Rovenin.
He realized his legs were already numb.
He got up to stretch a little but fell down.
Rovenin pouted with a teary face.
" Gosh! I'll just get something to eat first
As soon as he opened the door he found Carseain wrapped up in a bedsheet sleeping beside the door.
He was leaning against the wall holding a few carrots.
Rovenin smiled.
' I can't believe this kid's a noble who's sleeping on the floor just to tease a commoner.
Well again, it's Sian we're talking about. '
Rovenin sat down looking at Carseain's face. He took the carrots and ate a bite.
' He must be cold sleeping out here. '
Rovenin called out.
" Chian...Chian... Cake cup..Ich kold here..."
( Sian...Sian...wake up it's cold here. )
{ He can't speak properly as he's eating. }
He tried to shake him because he wouldn't wake up.
But his bed sheet came off and Rovenin saw the Apple he was hiding inside.
He fell silent for a moment and then burst out in laughter.
" Hahaha...hahaha...Sian, you're really something. I can't quite pinpoint if you're here to prank me or because you're worried about me."
He gazed at him warmly.
' I can totally see him going all 'foxy, foxy ' trying to make me eat carrots and then shyly handing out the Apple. '
Apple is Rovenin's favourite fruit.
Rovenin slid into the bedsheet and held Carseain right.
' I guess I'll have to keep this stupid brother warm. It'll be bad if he catches a cold. '
" Big-Bro?"
Carseain mumbled in his sleep while cuddling up.
They both slept peacefully and warmly.