After I'd accepted the deal with the system and the two entities whom the system called my 'Patrons' I regained consciousness in Reina's body.
Starting my original mission was a bit challenging as I was still recovering and my father and brother were very concerned about my well-being.
The doctor was surprised as to how I had recovered from my sickness after almost dying, but then again, he and the rest were taking it as a good omen, not even considering that the child whom they had been tending to for all this time had been replaced by someone else.
Still, I couldn't do anything about it but just go with the flow as the daily tasks were keeping me busy. Those tasks were:
[Drink 3 litres of water every day.]
[Eat the nutritionally balanced three meals.]
[Walk for an hour in the garden.]
[Read a book.]
[Meditate for two hours.]
It was like having an assistant remind me of everything from the start of the day, still, I didn't complain much as my body was weak and after seeing my reflection in the mirror I was more than encouraged to follow a proper routine to get my body in shape.
[Name: Reina Minerva Aurelius.
Age: 10.
Specie: Human (Mage).
Magic: Frost and Mana Control (locked).
Class: Novice.]
"Why is my magic locked?" I had asked the system.
[The magic will be unlocked when your body is ready for it.]
I didn't quite understand it at first but then my two sweet Patrons explained.
[Goddess of Wisdom says that Mana control can be taxing for a weak body so unless your body is strong enough your attributes will be locked.]
[Defender of Divine Glory adds that Mana isn't only dependent on your physical state but also your mental and spiritual state so, meditation is necessary for you to be one with the Mana.]
I had to thank my past self for reading a lot of fantasy books which was why I was able to make sense of their instructions. I had a fair idea about Mana which was why I could also see that the magic I had was also quite strong and unique.
But since I couldn't unlock them just yet, I could only train myself physically and mentally till the time that I would be ready to use them.
With that thinking, three months passed by and the difference was visible in my body, I had gained weight bringing me up to the point where I didn't look like a walking skeleton anymore.
Meditation helped me a lot too as I was able to sense the flow of mana around me; except for the Frost I could control mana as well it was probably the cheat skill for me as how the system and my Patrons had been guiding me.
The people around could sense the mana in the surroundings, it was like feeling the air and the pressure in the atmosphere but they couldn't control it like I could.
Mana could be equated to life in this world, each person had a certain amount of mana in their body and no one could increase or decrease the amount of mana that you were born with.
If someone's mana was the size of a pebble then it would stay that way till the end of their life and if someone's mana was the size of a mountain then that would stay the same as well.
The difference was with how the mages utilized their skills to use their mana according to the affinity they had with the elements.
For me, my affinity was ice so, I could use my mana and create and mould the element of ice and to some extent even water if I worked hard. As for Mana control then I would have to practice a lot to be able to control it.
I could feel the subtle aura of mana around the servants but the same aura amplified when I was around the Duke and his son.
Speaking of them, I still wasn't sure how I should behave around them. I wasn't a family person, to begin with, I was used to staying home alone and passing the time with my hobbies but here, I didn't have my books or manga or anime so, I would spend time trying to read whatever I got my hands on to avoid interaction with people here.
"Reina, are you reading again? Do you want to have some snacks while you read?" Rune asked as he peeked past my shoulder.
"No, I'm fine," I mumbled.
"Ah, it's the history book of this kingdom." He said as he took a seat beside me.
I wanted to avoid them that's why I came to the library but I got caught, Rune fiddled his thumbs as if he was trying to bring up a subject.
"Um... Reina, would you like to go out for a stroll?" He asked and the task notification of a one-hour stroll appeared in front of me but something else was included in it.
[You have received a new task from the Goddess of Wisdom.
{Interact with your brother Rune for one hour.}
Reward: Knowledge about Mana eyes.]
No penalty.
I clicked on the Mana eyes to have a description and my eyebrows jumped.
{Mana Eyes allows the user to discern the mana level of the individual that they use this skill on. It also allows the user to see past the solid objects and gives them a clear far-sight vision. Mana Eyes can also see through the affinity of any individual (there are exceptions which are described in the guide).}
This could be an amazing skill if I unlocked it.
Just when my greedy side subsided did I notice what this Goddess was planning I sighed, these guys were seriously messing with me with these tasks. I looked at Rune who looked like he was nervous.
"Okay," I said and his face brightened up in an instant, it almost blinded me as to how good-looking this kid was. He'd surely break hearts in future.
I and Rune walked out of the library and towards the garden.
"I thought you'd say no again." He said as we walked.
Well, I was going to say no to this one as well, if it weren't for the carrot of a knowledge of mana eyes dangling in front of me.
He fell silent for a while before starting to speak again.
"It's almost springtime now." He said as he gestured at the green bushes where the new flower buds were popping up.
"Sure is, it's even warmer now," I said.
"Shall we come together for a picnic sometime once the flowers have bloomed?" He asked with a hopeful smile.
I would have said no but his smile was too convincing for me to refuse.
"Fine."
His smile broke out in a grin as he stopped and held my hand, "Really? You'll come?"
"Uh... Yes."
"Yay! It's a promise then." He said and I nodded.
We walked around for a while with Rune telling me about the random things and I just kept nodding and giving short responses.
One hour passed by pretty quickly and I wouldn't even have realised it if it weren't for the ding from the system.
I decided to check it later in my room. Rune seemed quite happy after we had our stroll and he came to escort me to my room.
"Um... Can we go for a walk tomorrow as well?" He asked as we stood in front of my bedroom door.
"...Sure," I said hesitantly and his eyes glowed.
"Then... I'll see you at dinner!" He said before he walked away and I sighed.
I walked inside my room and lay in my bed feeling tired already still I was curious so, I opened the task notification.
[Task complete.
Reward received: Knowledge of mana eyes.]
I clicked on the small book icon and instantly felt a vein pop in my head upon seeing the three lines, which were even shorter than the description of the Mana Eyes.
{Mana Eyes can be triggered through the control of Mana circulating in the Mage's body. The mage is required to be in complete synchronisation with the mana flow in their body. For that purpose, the understanding of mana is vital.}
I wasn't roaming out there for this three-line shit!
[Goddess of Wisdom recommends that you spend more time with your new family.]
"Stay out of my personal business!"
[Defender of Divine Glory asks you to consider their feelings.]
"You two brought me here to save this world not to consider the feelings of other people. Don't decide stuff for me, I'll work on your mission so, leave me alone." I snapped.
I hated it when someone tried to tell me what to do, it was somehow as if it triggered something feral within me.
[You have received a quest from Defender of Divine Glory.]
What now?
[{Help the Duke sort out the problem he's facing.}
Reward: Unlocking the skill of Mana Eyes.
Failure: Loss in the business.]
A business idea, huh...I massaged my temples as business wasn't my forte, but since it was a task with a failure that could affect me, I guess I had to research a bit about his problem so that I could help.
And also, it was the first "quest" that I received. Unlike the small tasks this was supposed to be a big thing so, I had to be serious about it also, considering the reward it was obvious that it wasn't an easy one.
I got up and went to the library again but on my way, I spotted the familiar face. It was the Aide of the Duke, Viscount Cade Ainsworth, a middle-aged man who always gave the vibes of a gentle and soothing person.
He wore a pair of thin-framed spectacles and was dressed in a blue vest, coat and breeches. He had long blue-grey hair tied back in a ponytail and warm brown eyes.
He looked a little worried though as he was walking by carrying a bundle of papers in his arms. He was so distracted that he didn't even notice me walking up to him.
"Viscount Ainsworth," I called making him flinch and drop the papers before he looked back at me.
"Ah... Lady Reina." He spoke, his face was pale and dark bags hung under his eyes.
"Are you...?"
No, he wasn't okay.
He smiled at me sheepishly as we both looked at the papers that were strewn around and I helped them pick it up and looked at the contents making me frown a little as I noticed something.
"Viscount Ainsworth," I spoke as I looked at the paper and he faced me.
"Uh, My Lady..."
"Can I have a word with you?"