When I mentioned saving Sister Hin, my father became thoughtful again. I secretly clenched my fist, hoping for a clear and optimistic answer from him.
But his complex gaze already signaled the presence of multitudes of complications and obstructions in my journey to help Sister Hin.
My wish might be a pure and simple one, but just like how a child's naive wish for 'world peace' doesn't make all the complexities and evils disappear, my journey was bound to be even more gruesome than my visit to Crimson Lake.
Still, when that naive child grows up, she can be a better person and change the world for the better around her, as long as she keeps those ideals in her heart and mind. Thinking of that, I took a deep breath and convinced myself that I had to begin somewhere. And so I prepared to take my baby steps.
After thinking of my question thoroughly, my father began presenting his answer with measured words,
"There's no limit that humans can't surpass with the totems. There are also no indicators that can measure a person's luck or worth. There's no assurance or certainty to have, that you, my child, will be successful in the end, but I can guarantee you this, Tiff, as long as you're able to become a Nobilis Class Hunter, there'll be lots of people willing to help you for your favor.
Even the best physicians and herbalists would be willing to visit our little city to check that little girl for you. But the path to power is long and hard. The dangers likewise are beyond both you and I can imagine right now.
No matter what, keep in mind that whatever happens in the end, you have a family that'll love you and appreciate you forever for who you are, and… you are always welcome here. You are wanted here."
I had just turned 12 that day. He could have fed me hopeful words, giving me external motivation to fill me up with energy that would make me brash and ignorant of everything for a short burst. Thankfully he respected my will and my choice and gave me a real answer. He told me everything that he would have done if he was in my shoes. And if, after knowing all that, I still went on the path to acquiring power to save my friend instead of backing off, then it was going to be my choice. And the last words that he uttered told me that he would respect my choice.
His words gently tugged at my heartstrings. With a warm heart, I stood up from my chair and went to him for a hug, and got another few pats on the back when I did.
Suddenly, he looked at me up close with a complicated face and muttered, "Your Uncle Manto and I had been trying to get a visit from the Mayor all this time, but his schedule has been too busy recently.
Yesterday, a soldier from his courtyard came to deliver the news that in three days, he would be visiting our homes to check that little girl's condition. These people will ensure that both of you are free from any curses now.
From what I had heard from the old folks around, he was a 'teacher' before acquiring his official post. When he comes, you can try to ask him if he would help you awaken. Make sure to be nice and polite when you ask though, his change in mood could decide our fate."
I sincerely nodded my head and thanked him for his words again. My heart, which was falling deeper into the abyss for the past two weeks, was now being lifted by my unrealistic hopes and desires.
Praying to all the Gods and Goddesses that I remembered from the books and stories that I had heard and read, I went back to Chloe's room.
As I walked back, I thought of the significant role that the 'teachers' played in human society.
These were people that were connected to others from all walks of life. The respect that 'teachers' had was only second to the royal families in our culture and society. And it was all for one simple reason: Only 'teachers' knew the process of carving totems and awakening the dormant potential of the human body or artificially granting them 'extra potential', whatever the case with totems was. I didn't know how they functioned.
I had heard that the more experienced a teacher was, the better the quality of totems they could carve during the awakening process.
Usually, a minor difference in precision and quality wouldn't affect the totems much, but if the difference was drastic, they could even cause the death of the hunter during the infusion of Vampire Blood. Even if it didn't lead to something as serious as death, there were bound to be lasting side-effects like increased ravings or problems in utilizing that newfound strength.
The teachers that came from outside the city were usually new teachers that were trying to spread their name and earn some money while doing so. Their fame and experience would determine how much they would be earning after all.
Rich people with no other ways of awakening their potential could approach these teachers for 'awakening', which is the official name for the totem carving process. Of course, if they found any complications later on, they wouldn't have anyone to complain, since their deal would have no evidence.
I knew that of all the people I knew, both Uncle Albert and Aunt Enka were awakened people, but I didn't know how strong they were.
Were they only at Initium-Class or were they stronger than that? Were they capable of healing Sister Hin or did they know anything that my father didn't?
Considering how mysterious Uncle Albert was, there was a huge chance that he would've been awakened by the mythical Mayor himself.
I clenched my fists and hoped to be awakened by the Mayor. For once, the optimistic expectations bested the sadness and misery I was accumulating in my heart temporarily, and I wanted that state to last forever.
Since my father had only seen the Mayor once or twice in his lifetime, he was sure to be an unfathomable existence for the 12-year-old me but there was no harm in pleading to him for help, especially since his vast experience and his past as a teacher could ensure that the totems that he would carve would be close to perfection.
I had asked my father if there were any differences in quality and the type of totem carved but he didn't seem to have any idea.
I also prepared to ask that from Mister Mayor after two days but before anything else, I planned to beg him to save my best friend, since everything I was planning was nothing but an extended "Plan B" to save her.
Thinking of all this, I was about to pass by Rowan's room but upon noticing that his door wasn't properly shut, I decided to take a peek inside randomly.
I expected him to be reading something or sleeping, as he usually did during the day but far from my expectations, he was actually up!
With his back facing me, he was standing upright, one hand on his back and another on his chin as he gazed outside the window.
Gentle moonlight lit his room, nourishing it with a dreamy hue. I couldn't see his eyes, but he was definitely pondering something as he gazed outside the window, at the outside world he rarely connected with.
Peeking at him like that, I realized that my brother seemed to have changed a little from that incident as well. Or he just wasn't as one-dimensional and plain as I made him out to be earlier.
Behind that stiff and indifferent face and his withdrawn personality was a character that was growing up and maturing as well, his thoughts a mystery to everyone around.
However, I had an unconditional trust in him that he wouldn't do anything that went against the safety and ideals of our family. I could safely depend on him and use his presence to lighten the burden of my responsibility a little.
Tiptoeing back, I clenched my fist, silently promising myself a lot.
With that thought and determination in my mind, I entered my room.
The familiar sight of the wooden cabinet and two single beds stuck together, with Chloe sleeping on one of them warmed me for some reason.
My bed was neat and recently cleaned up, definitely by the little girl lost in her dreamland.
I lightly kissed her forehead, feeling gratified by the selfless love of my family, and then closed my eyes, preparing to purge my head of all negative and disparaging thoughts until I fell asleep.