The next morning the family sat around the dining table in lifted spirits. It was as if all the tension that had filled the air just yesterday had been blown away by Neel's arrival.
"So Armin, how's your magic study going?" asked Neel as he broke his bread in half and gave some to Gray.
"A-About that. I'm not sure I want to continue practicing magic anymore," he replied, a bitter smile on his face.
Even though the pressure of saving the family didn't weigh on him as much anymore, seeing Arya mere inches away from death -merely because he messed up on casting a spell- still scared him.
"I see, well I heard news that the count of Elden city is giving out scholarships for aspiring knights and mages. Do what you will with this information, but strive to better your life," as he said this he looked all around the table, encompassing even the baby Arya.
{So the nobles in this world aren't the shit bags they're always portrayed to be in fantasy novels, huh?} thought Arya as he continued working on a calculation problem in his mind.
{Esla are you done?} he asked.
{I finished a while ago, just waiting on you,} she replied.
Although Arya was the one to teach her math, she would always finish her calculations way before him. It was a classic example of the student having surpassed the master. Having nothing else to do but calculate, it was no wonder she was faster than him.
{And so? What did you come up with?} he asked, a bit annoyed that he was outdone by someone he had taught.
{We are missing huge chunks of essential information. Sure we managed to simulate a suitable activation sequence -theoretically speaking of course- however, we are yet to find a sustainable way of activating it,} she replied.
{We need more books on mana cores and the like. Perhaps after learning more about its internal workings, then we can - as you so often say- engineer a working mana core from what we have,} she continued.
{Umu, we'll ask for one when we go today.}
"Arya, are you okay?" asked Streya, as the whole family stared at him.
{Ah shit, I zoned out again.}
"He's been like this ever since. Cassandra says there's nothing wrong with him, but I can sense he's not the same," complained Lillian right after, prompting Neel to look at Arya with a worried expression.
"Attention seeker," coughed Gray as he ate his meal.
{I guess that heartwarming moment yesterday didn't fix all our problems,} he sighed inwardly.
{No, I don't think it did,} laughed Esla.
Although she often spoke on complicated topics, Arya couldn't help but feel that she was really a child whenever she laughed.
It reminded him of his youth, of his days with Randy.
After breakfast, Lillian cleaned up the table with the help of Streya, while Gray and Neel went out to visit some old gentleman. Neel didn't say too much about why they were going there, but he seemed to be a tad bit excited.
"Okay, I guess since Gray and Neel are gone, then all of you can come with Arya and I," said Lillian as she wiped the sweat off her face.
"Where are we going mom?" asked Streya as she wiped the water off her hands with a cloth.
"For Arya's check-up with Cassandra and Argen."
"Really!" exclaimed Streya, clearly excited.
Armin on the other hand didn't look so eager to go.
"Can't I stay here?"
"You're too young to stay home alone. You know the check-ups take a while," she replied, not having any of Armin's excuses.
***
When they arrived at Cassandra's they found her and Argen discussing something in front of the cottage.
"Oh, there he is," said Argen as Arya and his family came into view.
"It's been a while lad, you haven't come to get your second spell yet," said Argen, looking at Armin as he said this.
"I-I've been busy," replied Armin, before hiding behind Lillian.
"Come in, please," invited Cassandra, opening the door for her guests.
The check-up went on like it usually did. Argen and Cassandra both inspected Arya's body using magic, and they both jotted down their own notes. It was as if they were two doctors competing on who would find the best treatment for their patient first.
"Do you guys have any books on mana cores?" asked Arya as the two were packing up.
"Mana cores? Why ever would you want something like that?" asked Cassandra.
"And anyway, there is no such thing as books on mana cores. Mana cores are naturally occurring constructs, there is no need to understand their working because their workings cant be changed," she continued without giving Arya the time to reply.
"I see," replied Arya, disappointment audible in his voice.
"I may have some notes that can help you. But they'll cost you."
Argen looked at Arya with hungry eyes, he was clearly up to no good.
"We don't have any money if that's what you're after, and I'm not giving Arya to you, even if its for a second," interrupted Lillian.
"No, no. I'm aware of your financial situation. What I want is payment in the form of research. It's obvious the boy is a genius beyond human understanding, that or he's an imposter in a baby's body," said Argen, the last part so soft that no one else could hear.
"I just want him to share with me what he discovers using my work. After all, with eyes that can see the world of mana, I'm certain that he can get more information than I could," he added.
And he was right, Arya was probably the only person who could even think about manipulating the calculations needed for spells and constructs.
Without being able to see the blueprints of templates the way Arya could, it would otherwise be like trying to work on a machine without light.
"Arya can see the world of mana?!" exclaimed Streya and Armin, clearly surprised by such a turn of events.