As his gaping mouth nearly touched the floor I couldn't help but muse.
What a fool.
"I-Is it r-really a-"
"Yes, it really is. A piece of magic equipment, more particularly a mana ring."
By wearing it the user will increase their mana regeneration rate, although only by a meager amount. However, a mage of Sir. Reeds caliber surely knows the leverage such an amount can provide in battle?
"O-of course! How'd you even get something like this? It's by no means a normal piece of magic equipment. Anything that can alter a mages mana capabilities wouldn't be considered anything lower than B-grade equipment!"
"Does it matter where we got it from? Don't sweat the small stuff! I just hope you'll accept this gift of ours."
"Well, thank you Young Master... I'll be sure to make good use of it." He said, as he gave me an awkward smile.
"Good! Good!" I said as I smiled and nodded my head in satisfaction.
"Why don't you try it on?"
"Very well, since you insists. I'll be sure to thank your mother properly when she wakes up."
"Don't worry about it. I just hope the ring is to your satisfaction."
As he slid the ring around his middle finger, his eyes slightly widened. He clenched his fist and smiled as he nodded in satisfaction.
"Unbelievable..." He muttered.
"It's really true... Thank you Young Master, I promise you that I'll put it to good use!"
"Don't worry about it, the stronger you are, the safer I feel after all."
As I looked at his ecstatic expression I couldn't help but smile inwardly. Even if he's a master mage, he sure is a moron.
"Then if you'll excuse me to do my job Young Master. It's not safe for you to expose yourself and the Mistress for a long period of time."
"You're right, I'm sorry. Please keep up the good work Sir. Reed." I said as I closed the caravan door.
A sly smile grew on my face as the downfall of a master mage amused me.
You reap what you sow.
To be honest, It would be for the best if I left him alive. It's only a matter of time before he shows his true nature and start a feud with my father. His traitorous schemes are so brazen that I wouldn't even be surprised if Thomas knew.
Unfortunately, coming out alive with him still on my ass is too much. Dead men tell no tales, and with him dead the name Kayn Gaillon will also be buried.
Only then will I bee free... At least until I gain enough strength.
I briefly looked at my mother who sat sound asleep in front of me. Her head resting on the caravan wall wit steady breaths.
*sigh*
If only she knew what was about to unfold.
I hope to make quick work of them, but I really doubt that I can avoid a commotion. The most challenging will be to keep her safe, but It's also the most important.
As my resolve once again steeled, I entered a meditative state to refine my core.
The once, dull, dark red sphere was now bright orange, almost to the point it could've been mistaken for a blazing sun. The moment I broke through to a novice mage my core experienced a color change which further verified my theory.
Every time I refined my core it would experience a slight color change. It's shade would brighten by a meager amount. However, at some point I experienced a substantial increase in power, as well as mana- control and capacity which made me divide the core refining process into stages.
Dark-, stable and bright stage. All corresponding to the mana core's shade. For every stage my prowess as a mage would increase substantially, however it couldn't be compared to a major breakthrough. One where my core would change to a lighter color in the color spectrum.
As I broke through to a novice, my core changed from red to orange, and if my theory proved right it would further evolve to a yellow core as I advanced to an adept mage.
I suspect this has something to do with the purity of ones mana core. The brighter the color, the purer the core. Meaning, that a white core is the peak of magehood. However, as of now this is nothing more than a theory, and I've just started my journey. A white core is still far from my grasp... I better focus at the task on hand.
We're quite far from the manor by now, but it's still too populated. It wouldn't take much for a passerby or some villagers to notice the ruckus and spread some rumours if Hubert would take action now.
I suspect he'll have us set up camp during nighttime which is the prefect time for him to act.
That's at least 6 hours till. In other words, plenty enough time for me to advance…
***
As my forehead was covered in sweat and a damp and humid sensation could be felt on my skin as a result of my clothes getting wet, a firm, but annoyingly overbearing voice called out.
"Alright stop! This is enough for today. To ensure that the young lord is in pristine condition for tomorrow's meeting we will set camp here for tonight."
*sigh*
As those words left his mouth, and the trotting sound of horse hooves walking cut out a slight sigh escaped my lips followed by a barely visible mist of vapor.
As my muscles finally relaxed as I let go of the mental and physical tension caused by refining technique I clenched my fists as a resolute expression appeared on my face.
"I'm nearly there… Just one more push and I'll advance any moment."
"K-Kayn? Are we there y-"
"Are you okey dear? You seem kind off out of it? Has the journey been that tiring?
As my mother woke up and her soft voice spoke out I smiled.
"A little, I guess… Not that you would know seeing how you slept the entire time."
"You! Little punk!" She said as her cheeks reddened.
"I'm just tired watching over you little rascal. Give me a break."
Seeing how her lips pouted and how she crossed her arms I couldn't help but let out a laugh.
"Hahaha I get it mom, don't worry too much."
"Yeah, I-m just tired… t-tired?"
Her response came barely a whisper, almost as if she was mumbling to herself which raised me an eyebrow.
"Are you okey?
"W-why… Do I feel so s-sleepy… these days…" She said, as she kept mumbling to herself, her voice faint and drowsy.
"MOM!"
"Y-Yeah!? What's up Kayn?" She asked startled.
"Are you okay?" I asked one more time, concerned.
"Yes, I think so. I guess this journey is just making me a little anxious…"
"Don't wor-"
"Don't worry about it! I'm here after all! I'll make sure to keep you guys safe and sound, so don't worry too much."
My response was cut mid sentence as the door opened and a smug, arrogant voice spoke out annoyingly loud.
"Sir. Reed…" My voice solemn , as it was hard to keep my annoyance in.
"Yes?"
'Go die already you dumb b*stard'
Is what I wanted to say, but unfortunately the time was not ripe yet.
"How long will we stay here? Wouldn't it be better to push for the Pennington manor and have a stay there instead?"
"Perhaps, but we're not short on time. Haste makes waste, so for both your and our sake we'll use this opportunity to rest."
"Very well, have the fire and tents up and going shortly. I'll be out the moment you're done just let me know."
"Fire? You can't be thinking about lighting up a campfire here? It's like setting up a flair signal for all the bandits?"
"Pfft, what's there to be afraid off? Aren't you here to protect us? Or would that pose too much trouble for a master mage?" I said, as innocent and naive as possible, trying to hurt his ego without being to provoking.
"Y-your right! You heard that guys!? Light up the fire!" He shouted.
"If you'll excuse me. I'll let you know immediately when the fire is up." He said looking at me somewhat annoyed before his eye shifted to my mother lingering on her a little too long before he closed the door.
"Isn't that great mother? You'll get plenty of rest before we arrive at the Pennington manor."
"Yes, I guess so…"
"Is something on your mind mom? It seems like something been bothering you these days?"
"Yeah, you're right."
"I'm, right?" I said. Quite flustered and stunned not expecting her to just admit it like that.
To be honest, I've felt- no I've known it for a while. That she's been hiding something. In many ways she's a mysterious woman, and to her it may have seemed like she has done a good job hiding it, and she somewhat have.
If it was the previous Kayn he would've never caught on, but I'm not him. I'm no child mentally and I've had and have my own secrets to keep and my own struggles throughout my life. I would be dense to not notice that something was amiss.
However, I trust her. In this world, she's my one and only family. For me, someone who's the word trust should have been foreign to, to believe someone whole heartedly like that was something I myself would never expect to be possible.
And so I waited. Hoping for her to one day share her struggles and let me carry her burdens with her. Watching her hurting was painful. And I might sound like a hypocrite saying this, but I know that keeping a big secret for yourself will only eat you inside.
But I understand her. I'm no more than a child right now. Hoping for her to confide in me, a mere child was unlikely. No parent would let their child carry their burdens and that's why I was stunned.
However, her next word put me in a daze as I froze on the spot and inwardly grimaced.
"Kayn."
"What are you hiding?"