Looks like most of you are still against mc's sister, so it will be a solo mc (:
Don't forget to drop those stones!
Magic training incoming?
*
"Grr...", A female voice suddenly spoke out inside the second floor of my villa, in my room to be exact. Roselia, who was still in front of me, had a look of anger appear in her eyes as she let out a low growl.
"To think that a puny doll would kick me out!", Roselia said, letting out a complaint after she opened her eyes.
"Now now, Rose, I didn't think that would happen either.", I said, opening my eyes shortly after. I could only shrug my shoulders after Testa-Rossa forcibly kicked Roselia's Astral Form out of my mind. I didn't know that could be done, but then again the divine knights are experts in wielding Mana. Perhaps more so than the Hexen Clan.
"Hmph, no matter. I was almost done with what I came here for. But I did want to bring up a couple things still."
Roselia and I parted a bit before we resumed our conversation.
"Oh? What would that be?"
"I didn't think I would be shown my own daughter's death so quickly. To think that bastard of the Gnomes would go so far...", Roselia responded carrying a hint of anger in her tone.
"Your daughter? Are you referring to that witch that assisted father to slay that wolf?"
"Umu. I haven't introduced myself, even though you know who I am already. I had gone by previous names, but now I go by Roselia Millstein. Rose for short. Isola is indeed my daughter.", Roselia said, introducing herself to me.
"Is that so? Since you said it in that way, I go by Naoto Osborne now I'm...still trying to get adjusted, but I've think I've mostly settled in from my past life."
"That is good. Sometimes acceptance is quite difficult.", Roselia said, nodding her head in acknowledgement. "But as for me? I refuse to accept Isola dying in such a manner. That slippery bastard...", Roselia said with a low grumble.
Roselia is probably referring to that fated battle between Isola and the Black Alberich. He was indeed the leader of the Gnomes Clan, which were similar to the Hexen Clan. Except they were in charge of protecting another Sept-Terrion. The Sept-Terrion of Earth, the Lost Zem. The two often had feuds, as I recall.
As for the Black Alberich, he would come into existence in the next few years after the Hundred Days War. He always liked to possess his descendants, eventually becoming one in soul and body should he find a good vessel. And Roselia's daughter, Isola Millstein, who was Emma's mom, would end up getting caught in the next possession, eventually finding her own life forfeit...
That would be a battle I would like to see for myself, but it looks like Roselia didn't want to accept that outcome.
"You know some things are fated to happen, right Rose?"
"Bah. I've done my due diligence when I was the Burning Sphinx. But now I no longer serve that role, so I am free to do what I want. If Isola is destined to perish, I'll give a nudge if I need to. You've shown me a plenty outcomes. As to whether they will still happen, they remains to be seen.", Roselia surmised, which also drew a good point.
"That is true. Even though I know all of this, it is possible it may not happen. Back in my previous life we call it the butterfly effect. Even me being here, I don't know what will happen.", I said to Roselia.
"The butterfly effect, is it? I think we have something similar. What was it again? What goes around comes around?", Roselia said as she tilted her head.
Hearing that, my eye twitched a bit.
"That's a really simple way of putting it...", I retorted at her. She let out a small chuckle seeing this.
"Umu, Surely I jest. I know this is a matter to take to heart. From your perspective though you may be entering a busy period. In what, three years or so?"
"That sounds about right. After that I may be cut off from communications for a while."
"What in blazes are you going to do?", Roselia retorted back at me.
"Nothing special.", I simply answered her with a grin.
"Whatever. I don't care what you'll be doing during that. I need to start my own planning. But even then, we still have a couple years."
Hearing that, I raised my eyes a bit.
"Are you implying something, Rose?"
"Be grateful you brat, for I am willing to take you in as my disciple.", Roselia said with a grin.
"Heh, and here I thought you wouldn't do that. Why the sudden change of heart?", I asked as I chuckled seeing Roselia behave like this.
I didn't think she would be so direct to ask me to become a disciple of hers. I am not against it either, learning magic would be great. With Testa-Rossa coming into the picture, I should learn as much as I can.
Even though I plan to wield the Rapier as my go to weapon of choice, as father mentioned during training, it is best to be diverse. I plan to learn all the weapon styles I could get a hold of. Testa-Rossa is designed in that aspect after all. Him alone will help boost my weapon proficiency regardless of what it is.
"I solidified my thoughts on you becoming my disciple after I saw your connection to Testa-Rossa. Should our paths be fated to meet, we witches often watch over potential Awakeners and guide them through their Trials. However, it is all dependent on one's efforts.", Roselia explained to me.
"I see. About that actually...", I began to say. Roselia left my mindscape before Testa-Rossa talked to me for a brief moment, so she has yet to learn of that matter. I decided to bring it up.
"Umu, what is it, boy? Having second thoughts already?"
"Not about becoming your disciple, no. To be honest, shortly after your Astral Form left my mindscape, Testa-Rossa briefly spoke to me."
Hearing that, Roselia's eyes turned wide a bit.
"Testa-Rossa actually spoke to you? What did he say?"
"He mostly was looking forward to my future growth in becoming stronger. Besides that, He wanted you to become my Guide, Rose. To Guide me in becoming Testa-Rossa's Awakener.", I explained to Roselia.
In the end, hearing that made Roselia laugh.
"Haha, so that was the case! I had my doubts as to why that happened. Testa-Rossa even left me a gift in some Mana. Perhaps that was his welcoming gift for you."
"You received some Mana from Testa-Rossa?"
"Umu. It was definitely not enough to recover fully, but I was saving most of my Mana to create a Familiar for Emma and Vita. Having a Familiar will promote one's Mana more quickly as they share links to Zemuria's spirit veins. How about it, boy? Do you have an interest in learning Magic?", Roselia asked me.
I immediately nodded my head in acknowledgement.
"I definitely do, Rose! And you're saying you'd grant me a Familiar right off the bat?"
"Haha, I appreciate your eagerness. But I would have to perform this spell once we arrive back at the village. Then, I shall create a Familiar for you. That way you'll be able to meet the other witches too."
"I am to go to your village? But what about my current matters?"
"I am graceful enough to let you settle your matters with your family. Besides it looks like your father already has plans to take you to some place once I depart today."
"Eh? Father is going to take me somewhere again? "
"Umu. Take this.", Roselia said as she nodded her head. She then passed me a wooden talisman of sorts, inscribed with the symbol of the Hexen Clan on it.
"Even though I won't be around, once you are ready to tread the path of Magic, use this talisman and it will call me. My village is currently hidden away from the plain eye so this will be the best method to contact me."
"Got it, thank you, Rose. Once everything is in order, I will be sure to call you."
"Good. Till then, Naoto.", Roselia said, reaching for her staff. And just like that, she let out a quick chant, teleporting from my room. I was now left alone.
Wait, did Roselia just call me by my name...?
Shaking that thought away, a smile appeared on my lips. Anticipation filled in my eyes.
Looks like the path to learning Magic has opened up to me. I will have to double check my Status to see if my MP has increased at all lately, but with officially connecting with Testa-Rossa, even if it was just briefly, my Mana capacity should start to skyrocket. They are known for using Mana efficiently after all.
And on top if that, Roselia is even letting me create my own Familiar...
Just like how Vita received Grianos, and Emma received Celine, I too will receive my own. I had always wanted a foxlike Familiar so perhaps that may come to fruition.
Either way, I have to let my family know somehow, that I may be away for a given time. Or perhaps ask Roselia an exception to traverse from her village to my home. I don't want to miss spending time with my family too. I know Elie is trying to schedule play dates with us as well, and I don't want to miss those either.
Still, the most important matter now to get myself ready for is in regards to father. Roselia said he wants to take me somewhere. With Roselia gone now, I could now make my way back to the first floor.
Yet little did I know I would meet father next to mother and Rean with a couple of secret agents sent by the imperial family..
*
White fox familiar.
Name suggestions?