After dealing with the branding process and completing all the necessary legal paperwork, I now find myself sitting in a carriage with my mother and Hana, the half-elf slave we've just purchased.
I'm studying the back of her left hand. On it is a brand marking our family crest—a white rose entwined with thorns. This image has symbolized our family for countless generations, and I had previously asked about the significance behind it. The rose is supposed to represent harmony prevailing amidst the thorns of challenge.
"Does it hurt?" I asked Hana, breaking our shared silence.
"No, milady, the branding process only left a slight tingle," she replied, offering a smile.
"I see." I responded with a gentle nod.
Our conversation in the carriage then shifted towards her previous line of work, her skills, and her true capabilities.
"So what did you do before your encounter with us, Hana?"
"I was actually in charge of the cooking duties, as that's a forte of mine," she admits.
"Cooking, you say?" I continued the conversation, genuinely intrigued, "What sort of dishes can you prepare, Hana?"
"I am familiar with a variety of generic dishes, mi'lady," she revealed, a twinkle in her eye speaking of a covert passion. "However, I have a particular fondness for Elvish cuisine, having grown up amidst elves."
"Well, that sounds exciting!" I responded with a chuckle. "Perhaps you can introduce us to some Elvish dishes sometime."
"I would be more than happy to, mi'lady," she confessed, her face lighting up with gratitude.
Thereafter, I began inquiring about her magical abilities. "What about magic, Hana? Can you use it?"
She nodded, "Yes, mi'lady. I possess some skill in healing magic and herbalism. Though I am no mage, I believe it could be helpful in certain situations."
"I'm sure it would be," I assured her with a smile.
As we finally arrived at our mansion, each of the cobblestones embedded in the drive seeming to welcome us home, my mother took charge. She introduced Hana to our head maid, who would further acquaint her with our household.
Our journey eventually came to an end as we reached our mansion. My mother took the lead then, handing Hana off to our head maid for a proper introduction to our home.
Currently, I'm with my aunt at the library, awaiting the arrival of our instructor.
"So, how was the trip?" Aunt Claire asked curiously.
"Well, it was quite interesting, we actually visited the slave market. We've purchased a half-elf," I divulged, to which my aunt displayed a distinctive expression of intrigue.
"Oh, interesting!" Aunt Claire responded. She continued the conversation, inquiring about our newest family member's former occupation and capabilities. My choices seemed to meet her approval.
"Good, oh yes, I've got news for you. Your father will be home in a few days," Aunt Claire shared, her smile carrying a contagious excitement.
"Really?" I couldn't help the joy that made itself evident in my voice. It had been several months since I last saw my father, and I missed him dearly. The last encounter we had was a blurry memory; I was still in recovery, hardly able to move.
"Yes, oh, it seems your instructor has arrived," Aunt Claire shifted my attention just in time for me to spot Aunt Soya's arrival.
"Hello, Atthy, hello, Claire," Aunt Soya greeted us warmly.
Following short pleasantries about our recent activities and our lesson for the day, Aunt Soya informed me, "Today, I'll be teaching you about mana pathways."
"The pathway is the conduit through which our mana travels from our heart to the rest of the body," Aunt Soya began, using a detailed illustration of the human body to guide her explanation. "These pathways act much like veins, branching out to the entirety of our physical being."
She focused her attention on me, "For those blessed with innate talent, the body naturally completes the cycle of mana. It's pretty much as breathing. It's involuntary, an inherent part of their being."
She pondered wordlessly for a moment before looking at me with a determined spark in her eyes. "Now, Atthy, I want to see how you channel your mana."
My fingertips tingled at her words, the sensation strange yet familiar. It had been days since my last cultivation exercise, but I remembered the calming rhythm of the process with clarity.
"I'll give it a shot, Aunt Soya," I murmured.
I closed my eyes and concentrated, commencing the journey of my mana from within. I observed as it bubbled up, brimming beneath my skin and urging its way outward.
The familiar ripples of energy spread across me, circulating underneath my skin and emanating a soft glow. It felt comforting, like the warm rays of the evening sun draped over me. I embraced this energy and it molded itself into a thin veil of protection, a membrane snaking its way around my body.
Aunt Soya was silent for a moment when I opened my eyes, her gaze scrutinizing the thin barrier of mana surrounding me. A brief nod, then lips broke into a smile. "Perfect, it seems I don't need to teach you how to circulate your mana," she proudly announced.
As i continue channeling out my mana to outside slowly my body become sluggish.
"Okay you can stop now. It seems you mana preserver slightly growing" My teacher giving me information
Although i never try using my mana unless with my teacher, it seems my mana slowly growing with my cultivation technique i use everyday before going to sleep.
"Now, seeing as you already know how to channel mana externally, it's time to delve into the workings of magic spells," my teacher declared proudly. She made a grand show of presenting her bag, from which she drew out several considerably hefty tomes.
I couldn't help but gawk ungracefully at the impressive pile of books now in front of me. Is she seriously expecting me to absorb all this knowledge?
"We start with the magic circle and how it interacts with mana," my teacher proceeded with her lesson, unfazed by my widening eyes.
It was a little too reminiscent of the intense college sessions I unknowingly missed. This was leagues heavier than I anticipated.
I was completely at lost with how dimensions functioned, let alone the complicated mess of mathematical fractals involved in developing a magic circle.
With my head feeling dizzyingly heavy, I simply nodded along. I wasn't even sure if I was processing any of her words.
My exhaustion was apparently contagious as my aunt was out cold, slumbering peacefully on the plush sofa.
"I guess it's time to wrap up our lesson for today," my teacher finally said, and she couldn't have chosen a better time. I was holding onto consciousness by a thread. It was disturbing how similar this felt to my former, dreary college lectures.
"Now, for your homework, I need you to draw this magic circle and remember it," she said, gazing at me with an excited gleam in her eyes.
"Alright, teacher," I managed to mutter, my face betraying my utter exhaustion.
"Now, now, no need to look so downcast. If you can successfully draw without looking at this magic circle, I have a little surprise waiting for you," she teased, her smirk revealing her anticipation.
"All right, challenge accepted!" I mustered up a smug grin, deciding to accept this new task with a pinch of spice.
The physically draining days finally came to a close. Late into the night, I found sanctuary in the comfort of my bedroom.
"Finally, it's over," I muttered, sinking my face into the plush pillow.
Knock knock,
"Mi'lady, may I enter?" Came Hana's voice from behind the door.
"Sure, come in," I responded.
As the door creaked open, a look of surprise spread across Hana's face.
"Uh, is there something you need?" I asked her, curious about her sudden visit.
She glanced at me, hesitation clouding her eyes, before she finally mustered the courage to speak up.
"Ahh, I apologise for the intrusion, mi'lady. I've brought this bell... If you need anything at all, just ring it and I'll be here," she managed to stutter, her face flushing a deep shade of red.
"Oh, alright. But wait, why are you looking at me like that?" I asked her, puzzled by her odd behavior.
"It's... your wings, mi'lady," she admitted, stuttering again as her eyes flicked nervously towards the floor, her gaze constantly darting back to my direction.
Crap, I'd totally forgotten to activate my concealment tools! Still, it wasn't much of a concern; Hana was bound to find out about them sooner or later.
"That's my wings for you. Pretty cool, huh?" I couldn't help but flaunt a little.
"Indeed, they are pretty, mi'lady," she confirmed with nodded.
"Thank you for the bell, Hana," I responded, flicking a wing nonchalantly. "And don't worry about my wings. They're a part of my identity, nothing to fret over."
She nodded, even though her expression was still etched with awe. "I understand, mi'lady," she assured before slowly retreating towards the door. "I'll leave you to rest now."
As she turned her back to leave, the gentle moonlight poured in through the window, throwing her shadow across the room's wall. But something about her silhouette seemed odd— her ears seemed to elongate, her eyes flashed crimson, and when she smiled, I could've sworn I saw fangs.
I shot up, rubbing my eyes to make sure I wasn't hallucinating, but when I glanced back at her— she was gone. All that was left was the gentle sound of the door closing behind her.
"Mi'lady, it seems we both have our shares of secrets," hana mused alone in her room.