"Michelle."
A woman with long black hair turned her head to look at a woman with blonde hair that was tied back in a ponytail. Putting on a smile she looked at the woman who called to her.
"Wendy. What did you need from me?"
Hesitant, Wendy eventually managed to get her words out.
"How is he doing? I didn't want to be a bother but it has been a little worrying since we haven't see him at dinner in over a week..."
Michelle nodded her head then thought about the interesting child she had met a week ago.
Styxas Serrano. A child who was only 12, no past of being extraordinary in any capacity, but was suddenly cursed. Losing his ability to see or hear, but he didn't show any sort of despair. He readily accepted the situation and immediately asked for someone to teach him to sense mana.
So Michelle gave her honest opinion.
"I think he is really gifted. He picked up quickly how to cast basic spells and with practice he'll be able to at least be able to find his way around without help... If he weren't cursed he might be a really gifted combat mage..."
Wendy gave Michelle a tight hug before leaving her to start her lessons with Styxas. While Wendy was glad to hear that her son would be better off avoiding adventuring and fighting, Michelle was slightly disappointed because what she said was true.
Styxas showed incredible talent and it was wasted because of an unknown reason. Letting out a sigh she started to prepare the various spells she wanted to teach Styxas.
****
This world didn't have the same classification of spells as the game I played had. Instead there were simply basic, intermediate, and advanced spells. Even then, those were just classified based on how hard it was to learn or cast them.
However I found that I was still bound by the rules of the game. While I was learning how to sense my mana a message appeared in my mind.
[You have learned to manipulate mana.]
[Select cantrips:
Creation: Simple Weapons
Creation: Shield
Creation: Tool
Create Water
Create Fire]
Since I only had two cantrips available at this point I chose [Creation: Simple Weapons] and [Creation: Shield]. These two would be the most helpful when it came to combat but later I would get the ability to create tools since it was extremely helpful outside of combat.
A lot of adventures we would go on would be really long ordeals, so it was best to be prepared for things like camping and setting up our camp.
However as I learned from Michelle I unlocked more cantrips. This made sense because in the game you would be able to pay to learn spells, or buy spell books, so it only made sense that I could learn more.
'Maybe I should focus on learning spells that don't exist in this world using the system from the game, while learning anything else I can through conventional means.'
With that I had been pouring myself into learning everything I could from Michelle. Today was the same, where she was teaching me to cast the cantrip [Clean], I was learning to clean my clothes with a simple spell.
Since this was a fantasy world there were a lot of basic amenities that simply didn't exist, and having the ability to use magic for those purposes was incredibly handy.
I learned cantrips pretty quickly, but that was mostly because of my feat of [Extreme Mana Sensitivity]. It allowed me to better understand the phenomenon of using mana to alter or create things.
Michelle was currently talking to me.
'Wow, you learned this one fast too! I almost feel like you don't need me, even a book and some quiet might be enough!'
However I shook my head while laughing smiling.
"You have helped me a lot. Besides... I couldn't read a book even if I wanted to."
I sent out a small burst of mana and felt the feedback in my mind like a sonar to be able to see that she was smiling.
'The maid says that dinner is ready. Your mother would really like to see you.'
I made a complicated expression. I had purposefully avoided Styxas's family because I was unsure if I could fulfill his role in this family, but if they had said something it would be best to appease them before it became a problem.
With a short nod I felt my hand be placed on a small thin shoulder, no doubt the shoulder of the maid who came to get us, and walked along with towards the dining room.
While we walked I mapped out the layout of the house silently in my mind. I didn't know if it would ever be important, but it was better to get into the habit of mapping things out.
While I was thinking useless things like that I suddenly saw another notification.
[Mapping Skill (1) has been acquired.]
Instantly a large map appeared in my vision. It recorded where I had been and was updating as I walked. I could even see a couple small dots next to a green arrow, that I assumed was me, that were walking the same direction as me.
Once we arrived at the dining hall the map was updated with a small white label that said 'Dining Hall'. Hiding a smile I walked into the dining hall after the maid. I was brought to my spot at the table but before I sat down I asked the maid to please lead me around the room one time.
I felt her hesitate but after turning her head for a moment she nodded. Then she walked me around the room once, and since I didn't have as great of a flair for drama I instead walked around the room with confidence. At first I saw the maid immediately move towards me, but it seemed that Michelle had stopped her from trying to help me, since I was able to move without being helped someone must have said something.
After arriving back at the spot I remembered was my seat, I reached ahead and slowly sat down in the chair by myself.
I felt a tight embrace from the side and after sending a short pulse of mana I was able to vaguely identify my mother's face.
I was startled at first but after a moment I shook my head at my actions.
To them their son just went through something traumatic and they couldn't help worrying. When I felt Styxas's mother's tight hug I realized I had no right denying these people peace of mind.
Also... She reminded me of my mother's last huge to me. Perhaps I needed them just as much as they needed me. So I decided to let myself be vulnerable and hugged her back.
After we finally let go a maid stood beside me and helped me eat. This was something I was used to, although I was still sad that I had lost that independence, so I simply let it happen.
During our dinner however I sensed another person sit across from me at the table.
Perhaps seeing my troubled expression Michelle spoke to me.
'It is your older sister. She is on leave from the school she goes to, because she heard you were cursed she hurried back.'
Of course I knew of her.
Anastasia Serrano. She was 15 currently, attending a prestigious school for nobles, and studying to be a mage. However in the original story our family falls and she ostracized at her school. Eventually it got so bad she just dropped out.
She then becomes an adventurer, taking care of Styxas until one day she dies while trying to protect Styxas, and her life came to a tragic end. That event would lead Styxas to focus on his ability to detect enemies and attacks so that he was never caught off guard again.
I sent out another pulse of mana and saw Anastasia Serrano for the first time. She shared the same sharp looking eyes as I had designed Styxas with, but she had a much kinder look to her.
'One of the benefits of being blind was the no one thought anything if you stared at them. That, along with the fact that I can't hear them even if they said something, makes it so that I can shamelessly do whatever I want.'
I looked towards her with a smile on my face and greeted her.
"Hey, big sis."
I could tell she was nervous but eventually Michelle told me that she said hi back. After which we began to enjoy dinner again. My parents mostly spoke to my sister and Michelle, but after a while Michelle said something to me.
'Styxas. There is something serious we have to talk about tonight.'
I didn't say anything but I nodded my head. Taking that as a sign to continue she spoke again.
'I have to leave here tonight... I wish I could stay longer but I have obligations to my guild. This means I won't be able to stay here and teach you... More importantly you won't have anyone who can talk with you anymore.'
My body stiffened and I looked at her with uncertainty.
I knew she couldn't be here forever but I was nervous about being alone again. I knew people would be here to support me but it was different than having someone who could talk to me.
'I can't imagine how you must be feeling... But I hope you can bear with it until you find a solution to your curses. I wanted to give you a gift before I left though.'
I then felt her hands take mine and place a book in my hands.
I touched the cover lightly but books weren't made for the blind in this world. Instead Michelle told me what it was.
'This is a mind reading spell tome. It came in today so I couldn't teach you it in time, but if you can improve your mana control to the point where you can read this book... You'll have no problems learning this with your talent. I know it's a crappy gift. Giving a blind man a book... But I believe in you.'
I held the book tightly before leaning over and giving Michelle a tight hug.
For me, she was the first friend I had made since I came to this world, and now I had to say goodbye.
After the dinner was finished Michelle was getting ready to leave when she suddenly spoke into my mind.
'Your sister gave you a very kind gift.'
A small instrument was placed in my hands and I ran my fingers over the keys. It felt very much like a piano.
'It's a small instrument. Your sister made it for you. If you press a certain key it'll create a sound. The different keys make different sounds, and lets your maid know what you want.'
I knew my sister was standing a little behind Michelle, so I walked around and gave her a hug. It felt awkward at first but after a moment she hugged me back. After a while I felt her cough into her fist before separating from me. She must have said something but since Michelle didn't say anything I didn't think about it much.
After that everyone said goodbye to Michelle and her carriage took off. Shortly after that I received another hug from someone and when I sent out a pulse I realized it was my sister. Michelle had told me that Anastasia had to go back to her school as well, and that must have been why she was hugging me now.
Everyone knew I couldn't hear or see them but from the pulses I sent out I could tell they still tried since their mouths were always open when I saw them. It made me laugh.
However she soon left and I was again thrown back into the dark silence.
A rough and firm hand gripped my shoulder. I turned, out of habit, and looked at who it was. It was my father who must be comforting me. I smiled and gave him a hug before announcing aloud that I was heading to my room to rest.
I walked without assistance the entire way, but I could see a maid following me on the map. Once I got to my room I told the maid that I would be fine for a while, and that if I needed her I would knock on her door.
After that I saw her move back to her room next to mine on the map and finally I walked back into my room. Taking a seat on the bed I exhaled a deep breath.
'Well... Since I don't have anything better to do, I guess I'll improve my sensitivity to try and be able to read that book. I should also exercise while I am young and healthy.'
Then began my daily routine until I finally managed to get to the point where I could read, and after another few months I finally managed to finish my task.
[Mind Reading Skill (1) has been acquired.]
With a smile on my face I finally was able to go to the next part of my life.