Milla
"Have you noticed it?"
"Definitely, Sir."
"I felt a strong pull, which I never experienced even during my time among the mages in Rendyl. I'm sure you didn't expect it as well as someone who was born in a mana-filled environment."
"Yes, General. It was no ordinary flow of mana,"
I stood in the commander's office where General Nathaniel was staying for this month's army meeting.
"I want you to keep an eye on him, and when the opportunity arises, tell him everything. Help him control it while I investigate him and his family. You may leave now, Milla, and do tell the commander that I have things to tell him about the meeting today."
"As you command, General," I said and bowed before leaving the office.
General Commander/Duke Nathaniel Treston possesses the same capability as me. And it is the capability to manipulate man. Despite not being born in Rendyl, his link to the kingdom lies in his mother, who is a Rendyl citizen, making him a fellow mana user.
It was through his assistance that I became a part of the camp in the western region. The chance encounter with him at the kingdom's border was an unexpected stroke of luck for me.
He felt my mana and immediately recognized that I was from the neighboring country. Desperate for help, I told him everything, including my exile from the country. He recommended me on the camp so he could back me up here in the palace. He put his trust in me and even kept me in check since I came here. He's like a father who is proud of his daughter when I told him I won the tournament.
One of the reasons I let the others beat me up when I came here to the Capital is for them not to be so cautious and suspicious of me. The General promised me that he would help me find a way to be with my siblings again. So I have to endure their beatings even though I want to twist their necks whenever I see them.
But earlier is different, General Nathaniel knows that I have been holding back myself since I came here, so he gave me a cue that I can still do whatever I want while I'm here, including showcasing my ability. I am not afraid to be myself anymore, thanks to the General.
And now, he once again entrusted me with a mission.
During the battle between the General and Nicholas, I am certain that he exudes an amount of mana that enhances his ability and probably mistakes it for energy. He is surely unaware of that thing in his body, but when someone also can use mana, there is a force pulling you towards them depending on the amount. As for that idiot Nicholas, he has an overflowing amount that puts the General at a huge disadvantage so he resorts to using a little energy to immediately finish the duel.
If the duel continues, Nicholas might end up blowing up the whole training ground. That's how powerful he is. Even more than the Emperor of Rendyl, I must say. If the king of Sataraia knew this, he might use it to his advantage.
I continued my training for the day, and as usual, it didn't end peacefully.
"How dare you humiliate me in front of everyone?" Anari, my opponent earlier, confronted me as I was trying to polish the shields in the weapon rack.
"Is it my fault that you were actually weaker than me?" I simply said, continuing to wipe the shields made of steel.
"So you were really faking it all this time? Acting weak so you could show off and embarrass the whole squad in front of everyone? You were waiting for a time like this, am I right?" She said her teeth gritting in anger.
I stop what I am doing and give the attention that she wants. "You know, I'm amazed how brilliant your mind is to come to that kind of conclusion. Perhaps if you were in my shoes, you would've done it like that."
She attempts to assault me but seems like she remembers what I did to her during the duel so she manages to stop herself before she can even do anything.
"You should be mindful of your actions now, Anari. Just because I didn't fight back before doesn't mean I am weak or submissive to all of you," I take a step and lean closer to her right ear. "I can even wipe the whole squad if I want to."
She immediately got away from me, "You don't know what consequences you will face because of this, Milla Bryson," She said then walked out stomping her feet like a kid.
I resume cleaning the shield and other weapons. I have to talk to Nicholas as soon as possible. And I must gain information that might help the General in his investigation about Nicholas.
"That's quite a show," I immediately turned to where the voice came from. And there he is, leaning against the wall of the weapon room, arms crossed in his chest, in his black and gold uniform just like me, and a sly smile on his idiotic face.
"Is that your new hobby? Eavesdropping on someone's conversation?"
"Not really, I just happened to put some weapon inside when I heard Anari confronting you. Nice duel anyway," he said putting his hands in the pockets of his trousers.
"You finally decided to get even with that lady, huh? Are you not afraid that it might affect your position here? You just fueled the fire, Milla." he said boring his green eyes at me. "I thought you were being careful because of your family?"
"Why do you even care, Nicholas? These are my choices. The consequences are mine to face. So just go away, and again, mind your own hell of a business!" I said and slam the shield on the table.
He just stayed there, staring right into my eyes as if trying to read my mind.
"I am just worried you might show that vulnerable face again," he said as he shrugged his shoulders.
"How thoughtful of you, Nicholas," I said sarcastically.
"I'll get going then," he said then walked away, his hands still resting in his pockets. I bet he gained much more trust in himself because of the duel earlier. He's more carefree and relaxed now than before.
I leaned on the weapon rack, and I massaged my temples trying to relieve the ache in my head. It's so hard to deal with nosy people. My mind is too hazy right now to even try to explain things to Nicholas. I will talk to him tomorrow after our duty and will offer him help if he isn't too shocked by the revelation that I'm going to tell him.
Morning has come, and I am going to meet with the squad that I belong to. This is going to be a long day for sure. I do not look forward to meeting my colleagues who feel entitled, when in fact they are just as weak as the trainees in the training camp. They may be of noble blood, but they don't have noble brains at all.
"If it isn't the showoff girl," One of my colleagues said as I arrived at the area where we were assigned.
They all gather in front of me, and our captain is towering over me now. If someone saw us, they might picture me as a little rabbit surrounded by hyenas.
"How dare you embarrass me in front of the commander and the General?" the Captain said through gritted teeth.
"What do you want? I disobey the General?" I asked looking at his eyes.
"You could have let Anari win that fight!"
"Didn't I just do our squad a favor? I showed everyone how weak that girl who acts all high and mighty."
"You're damned, Milla Bryson." I hear one of them say. I remain looking at my captain who is now boiling with anger. His face is as red as a tomato.
"Relax, Captain. I didn't even show what I could really do during that time," I said smirking.
Looking back when I just got in a month ago, I let them dominate and beat me up, but now that the General assures me that everything will be fine, and encourages me that I shouldn't let these weaklings bully me, I will never let them beat me again.
"Everyone, drag her in the back alley outside the palace walls, you know what to do," the Captain said, and all the soldiers in our squad moved and tried to grab me by the arm and legs.
But of course, I didn't let them. Unlike them, I had been training all my life, so I could easily dodge this. They are all attacking all at once. Thanks to my good instinct they didn't even land a hit at me. After trying so hard, they are all sprawling on the floor.
I kneel to reach Anari who is now clutching her stomach.
"What did I tell you yesterday? I can wipe out this squad if I want to." I gave her a sweet smile before standing.
"I will request to be transferred to another squad because it seems like my colleagues are just a bunch of incompetent losers," I said as I was looking towards the Captain of my squad.
"You will pay for this! You are just an arrogant newbie!" Anari shrieked.
"Well, thanks," I said and walked away. I will inform the commander about this. He is not unaware of the things that have been happening to his subordinates.
As I was walking toward the commander's office, I saw Nicholas talking to one of the female soldiers. The girl looks like she is asking something and the idiot Nicholas is happily answering her. From the blushing cheeks to the sparkling eyes, I can already tell that she likes him. I can't help but roll my eyes.