"How are you doing, honey??" I heard Mom's voice from behind the door; there was a tinge of worry in it. I was feeling really tired even though I only used half of my mana. "I am slightly tired, so I won't eat anything today."
"Okay, honey! If you need anything, be sure to tell me or Lady Demetric!" Mom said before leaving. 'It was a kill or be killed situation!! I couldn't help but aim to kill it; it was either it or me.
If I had reacted just a little bit late, that bear would have killed me!! I don't want to die!! I need to get strong; I don't want to ever be in that situation ever again!! ' I was firming my belief.
It was early the next morning when I heard knocking at my door, "Jade, are you awake?" Dad's voice could be heard; it somehow carried uncertainty with it.
"Yeah, I am up." I responded by getting out of bed. I was so tired yesterday that I didn't even change my clothes. I opened the door, and there he was waiting for me.
"Jade I want you to know that nothing bad would have happened to you yesterday." He said, kneeling and putting a hand on my right shoulder.
"I know, Brother Cedric, and you were watching over me." I responded, making Dad ease a little, as his hand stopped squeezing me and just rested on my shoulder.
"Are you okay now?" He asked again, as his eyes bore into mine. "Yeah, I am feeling much better." I say while slightly averting my eyes.
"Dad, what was making the sound back then? When we were leaving?" I enquired, feeling my stomach churn a bit.
Dad had a pensive look for a second before standing up and responding with a monotone voice, "The bear was a she, and the noise was coming from its children."
I clutched my stomach so hard that I felt like throwing up again, but this time I couldn't. No, I wouldn't. My heart is going to leap out of my throat; this is even worse than yesterday's battle.
"Did... did you kill them?" I asked after resolving myself and settling down. I already have an inclination, but I need to hear it.
"I did what had to be done." Dad said in a firm way that left no room for arguments. I remained stoic for a short moment before excusing myself to head towards the library.
"Change your clothes and head to the dining room first; you didn't eat a thing at dinner yesterday, and you threw up what you ate before. Besides, I am sure Lady D has prepared something for you." Dad said, standing up straight.
"Okay." I simply answered before heading back inside my room, closing the door behind me. Not too long after, I heard my father's footsteps, probably heading back to his study room.
Afterwards, I went to the wardrobe; there were many clothes for me to pick. But ultimately I wore a red tunic with black pants. On my way out I picked up my satchel and closed the wardrobe.
'I think I will spend all of my time from now on in the library. I will learn every spell I can get my hand on.' I thought to myself, closing the door to my room.
I then directly went to the dining room; on the left, there was a water basket, which I used to wash my hands and face before sitting at the table.
"Lady Demetric, could you please bring me something to eat?" I enquired of Lady D, who has just entered from the kitchen door and brought with her a tray of food.
"Here you go, young lord," she said while placing the food down on the table. "Thanks" was the only thing that left my mouth as I started quickly eating the food.
"Young lord, if you don't mind me asking. How are you?" I couldn't spare a glance, as I was busy eating the food in front of me, as it was too good.
"Erm, fine. Thank you for asking," was all that could come out of my mouth. Lady Demetric left after hearing my answer, most likely to prepare breakfast for everyone.
As I was about to finish, I heard the front door open. "Lady D, could you prepare me the usual?" Sister Rhea said so before she saw me and was surprised.
"Well, if it isn't our one and only sleepyhead. How is it going? I heard from Mom that you went on your first mission yesterday, so how was it??" Enquired sister Rhea with a grin on her face while sitting in the chair next to mine.
"It was okay; I almost killed a bear." I responded after swallowing a big chunk of food, "Oh!! That's cool; you almost killed something! I had to kill this long snake, but it was so cute, and I wanted to raise it, but Father said no and had to kill it himself," Sister Rhea said in her usual fast-paced narration.
"So, how was the party??" I asked in between bites.
"It was lameee!! There was no battle between swordsmen and no hunts!! We were seated all day and received boring gifts, like dresses and robes!!" the sister said with a frown on her face. "Isn't that what girls are into??" I asked, confused.
"Maybe!! But not me!! So I decided that on the second day, I will use some of our flares like the firework spell!! And you see everyone was so happy about the spell for a second," the sister said with a big grin.
"That is until a tree caught fire!! And then suddenly the spell was bad. Ughh, people are such double-faced creatures!!!" She said the following whilst gnashing her teeth.
"I think that their reaction is normal." I said mostly to myself. "What did you say?" the sister started looking at me like I am her new mortal enemy.
"Nothing!! I didn't say anything!! I am off to the library!!" I responded, getting quickly out of the chair, leaving behind me a half-full plate, and my sister, who looks like she will skin me alive.
The left side of the house has a big tower that only consists of a library. As I got in, I knew exactly what I wanted; as such, I went directly to the spell-casting section and picked four books:
Advanced elemental magic.
Conjuring.
Psychokinesis.
There was also a book that caught my attention; it was a theory book named Control Your Mana, Control Power. With a name like that, it has to be a good theory.
And just like that, 2 weeks went by, with me doing nothing other than studying and learning spells, as well as practising what I learnt. There were also the occasional family reunions, since Uncle Dramon left two days after my mission.
However, although I learnt a lot of things, I somehow still haven't fully grasped how to make a pact with a summon just yet.
As such, even though I know 5 spells, I haven't been able to upgrade my rank, but it turns out the theory book "Control Your Mana Control Power" is a diamond in the rough.
'I am so glad the first book I read was it. since I trained all the time, even when I was reading the other books or eating, it only took me moving my mana from one limb to another.' I think to myself happily.
I also thought that since I can now control my mana to semi-perfection, I can maybe create my own spells. But I need to practise with preexisting spells first before making my own; I wouldn't want to tear my limbs apart.
I also found out that even though you don't have an affinity for an element, you can still use it; however, it doesn't come as naturally as the other elements you have an affinity with.
Today Brother Cedric and I will go on a mission together, and it's going to be a long one, seeing as how we will be escorting some merchants all the way to Lys by sea.
"Jade, are you ready?" Came the voice of brother, snapping me out of reverie. "Yeah, ready as I will ever be."