Celes:
Bludgot. My sword is something that amplifies violent tendencies within me. Since young, being raised by mercenaries I was already very violent. The sword only made it easier to channel that violence into my unrelenting swordsmanship.
Ever since I was able to wield the sword, I have continuously gotten better and better. My swordsmanship was less than mediocre before I picked up Bludgot. My swordsmanship used to be retrained and clumsy.
Bludgot taught me how to unleash myself while I learned how to keep my emotions in control.
But lately, it was getting harder and harder to control myself. There was a time during the war when I almost snapped and killed my own schoolmates. They were getting on my nerves and I was mentally spent after fighting for hours.
That was when I lost control of the amplification brought from the sword. Luckily, Ryan was there. he quickly brought me aside and forcefully fed me a sweet potion that put me to sleep.
Thanks to him, I was able to avoid killing any of my schoolmates and possibly ruining my life.
"Hold it with both hands. Try to feel the energy that is within the gem. It is very similar to mana."
Elina was guiding me on the usage of the gem while Ryan watched over us. he was still skeptical of the gem but agreed to let us do as we wished.
"I can feel it." I said. I had my eyes closed and both nads on the gem. Elina did the same on the opposite side.
I could feel the energy in the gem. It was a dense yet soft energy. Very similar to my blood element mana. The only difference is that the gem's energy felt more smooth. Rather than thick blood, it flowed smooth like water.
"Good. Try to imagine the energy going through your fingertips and up your arm. Then it should flow through your shoulder and down to your heart."
Elina continued to give instructions and I followed them carefully. I needed to gain control of myself from the sword. Its job isn't to control me but to fuel me.
To do that, I had to refine my bloodline. Only by being in control of my strength can I serve Ryan.
I imagined the energy entering my fingertips. I slightly shivered when it actually entered. I quickly shook the feeling as the energy melded into my fingers like it belonged there.
Since it worked, I continued following the instructions. I imagined the energy flowing through my arms and shoulders, guiding it carefully to my heart. When the energy reached my heart, I could no longer feel it.
I was somewhat worried but still continued to repeat the process. A couple of minutes later, Elina's voice sounded again.
"The energy disappeared once it reached your heart right?" she asked.
'Yes." I replied. It seemed that I did it right.
"Good. That means that your heart accepted the energy. Now every time it beats while the energy is flowing through it, your heart will automatically purify your blood.
It will naturally circulate the new blood throughout your body so there won't be an issue."
Since it wasn't a problem and things were going well, I just continued the process.
...
Elina and I did this for hours straight. Outside the carriage, the sun had already set. We had been doing this since lunch and now it was already dinner time.
"Let's stop here for tonight." Elina said and I agreed.
Grrr!
My stomach growled as I was quite hungry. Keeping up my focus for such a long period of time costs a lot of energy. I need to replenish that by eating some good things.
I went up to Ryan and put my arm around his neck."Let's feast!" I declared while dragging him out of the carriage.
The long line of carriages had stopped a long time ago. Bustling camps had been formed. Tents were being erected by some while servants set up cooking areas.
There were dedicated chefs that the Vornix clan had brought along for this trip.
"You want the chef's meal or my mother's?" Ryan asked as we walked around the campsite. On one side was the road while on the other side was a dense forest of evergreen trees.
"Of course you mothers. I think I'm addicted to her cooking." I said while admiring the view.
It reminded me of the days when my mercenary team would camp in forests. We often needed to travel all over the place to complete our tasks. Spending nights in forests under the star sky was something I always relished.
I started to feel a bit melancholic at the memories of those days. I wonder how the team is doing now. I hope they make good money, eat good food, and have exciting fights.
Ryan had noticed the slightest change in my expression.
"You miss them?" he asked the obvious.
"Yeah. I miss those jerks." I said jokingly while punching him in the arm. Though, he probably could hear my sadness.
"Haa." he sighed and said, "I'll see if I can arrange something."
"Seriously?" I asked, looking at him in surprise. Those guys were very far away. They were nowhere near any of the neighboring nations.
"I'll try, can't guarantee anything though." he said dismissively while shrugging his shoulders.
Ah, this is what I find so cute about him. He always took the easy way and always avoided troublesome actions during the war. He would never put in any more effort than necessary.
If he wanted, he could have ended the war earlier but was just too lazy. He didn't want to overly strategize and put effort into a war he didn't approve of in the first place.
However, when it comes to those close to him, he always gave his best.
He would often try to play off his efforts but I know how many sleepless nights he spent trying to adjust the strategies so his friends wouldn't end up in danger.
"Hmm." I smirked and gave a hard slap on the back.
"Ouc!." he yelped. "Can't hold back a little. I'm still not recovered."
"Nope." I said while sticking my tongue out. It was a gesture he taught me to mock people. I ended up using it on him instead.
He just sighed but then started laughing. It seemed that the mood was getting light with my little jokes.
We quickly found our way to a place where a set of tables and seats were spread out. Near the tables were large metal devices.
These devices had a flat top and bottom and were held upon by metal bars on each corner. The device was hollow.
There was a campfire being made in the hollow space. Servants were feeding it with sticks and logs. Some dried leaves were occasionally added.
On the flat top of the devices were pots and pans. Ryan's mother was managing one of them.
I went up to her and took a whiff of what she was cooking.
"Mmm. It smells so good. I can't wait to eat it." I said out loud.
Ryan's mother turned around. She took the ladle that was in one of the boiling pots and gave it to me.
"Try it." she said. I nodded and brought the ladle to my lips.
A burst of flavor from the broth flooded my tongue. It was spicy and full of flavor. the tiredness I felt from absorbing the gem was being washed away.
The spiciness woke my senses and refreshed my mind.
"It's amazing. The spiciness is so addictive. Can I get some more?" I complimented the dish and asked if I could get some more.
"No. The beef isn't cooked yet." she denied my request and took the ladle back. She wiped it with a cloth and used it to stir the pot.
"Can I try the other stuff?" I insisted.
"No. You can try it when everyone eats together." She denied me again. I was then told to let her cook in peace or she wouldn't give me anything.
I walked away with a tinge of disappointment but a lot of expectation.
I ran up to Ryana and Elina who were talking while sitting at the tables. Risa was with them, munching on some pre-meal sweets.
Risa sat across from the couple so I decided to sit right next to her. My gaze went to her silky soft hair. My hand subconsciously started to give her head pats.
"Mhhm." Risa made cute little noises and looked up at me.
She finished the sweet in her hand and closed the jar of them that was on the table. Elina saw this and retrieved a piece of cloth. She leaned over the table and wiped Risa's face which was covered in crumbs.
"What for dinner?" Risa asked. She must have seen me go over to her mother.
"One of them is a spicy beef stew, I think. As for the others, I was shooed away before I could see." I told her.
Risa's eyes sparked when she heard this.
"Mommy's beef stew is amazing. I can't wait!" She started bobbing her head side to side in excitement. I couldn't wait either.
Beef is my favorite meat and stew is my favorite dinner food. Both of them combined would be heavenly bliss.
"What's your favorite dish from your mother?" I ask Risa.
"Umm..." She makes a thinking expression while tapping her finger on her chin. She took a while to respond as she couldn't think of one.
"If you can't choose one, tell a couple." I made it easier for her. I get it, some people just have a hard time choosing one favorite.
Risa then started listing her favorite foods and explaining why they were her favorite.
Ryan and Elina lightly smiled when they saw the two of us talking. They had long stopped their conversation and focused on our words.
...
Elina left soon after as she was going to eat with her parents. As much as she was reluctant and wanted to eat her future mother-in-law's cooking, she had things to discuss with her parents.
Dinner was served shortly. Ryan's father and mother sat down at the table followed by the three elders who had just exited their carriage.
During dinner, I struck up a conversation with the 3 individuals who had specks of gray in their black hair. All of them sported different shades of green eyes.
There were 2 men and one woman. The men were named August and Martin Vornix. The woman's name was Solia Vornix. All of them were of Ryan's grandfather's generation.
August is his grandfather's younger brother and Solia is his younger sister. Martin is their cousin.
I wasn't able to take much more with them. As soon as the meal was served, I was taken over by my gluttonous nature. All could do was focus on how delicious the food was. The elders were no exception. The only reason they even came out of the carriage was to eat Lady Nahira's food.
"It is a sin for us to be so busy. I can't believe I wasn't able to attend family dinner sooner." said August as he relished the spicy beef and potato stew.
"Blame Rexman for giving us soon many tasks." Solia started cursing her elder brother Rexman, Ryan's grandfather.
"Don't blame him so much. Even he can't attend the dinners held by Lady Nahira. He is too busy making pills." Martin tried to defend his cousin.
Ryan's grandpa, Rexman Vornix is one of the best pill makers in the empire. He spends most of his time on the production or research of pills. Rarely does he come out to have meals with his family.
The same is the case for the elders who are constantly given tasks by him.
Dinner went by quickly as everyone gulped down the dishes. There was everything from pan-fried cauliflower to carrot soup. All of it was phenomenal.
I ate so much that my stomach was bulging out. the same was true for the elders and Risa. Ryan and his parents were more in control and ate moderately.
They looked at all of us and sighed. The servants quickly cleaned up the plates and all of us headed to bed. I said goodbye to the friendly elders.
They headed to their carriage to sleep while I went to my tent. It was right beside Ryan's. We said goodnight to each other and headed into the spacious tents.
It was so that there was a full-size bed inside. 2 people could comfortably lie on the bed.
The tents were pure white with it trapping heat very well. The cool spring breeze was kept outside while the inside was warm.
I jumped onto the soft bed face down. I snuggled my face in between the pillows and then filled on my back.
I clapped twice with my hands and the light in the tent went out, it was a magic device.
I closed my eyes and put aside everything that happened today. I didn't care if I was a descendant of an infamous god. It wasn't going to change who I am and how those close to me treat me.
As my stomach was full, my body was warm and my mind was relaxed, I quickly drifted into sleep.