Evening

When Ethan came out of the Count's office, Lena was waiting for him.

She was the same as ever, but for Ethan, something in her feels different. He doesn't know which part of her changed because it was a very subtle change.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, why did you ask, Master?"

And Ethan understood what had changed in her. It was her attitude toward him. She became more serious than before.

"Lena, you shouldn't be so serious around me. We are friends after all."

"But I am your personal maid now."

"It's okay, and I prefer your usual behavior."

"Em, okay then, I'll try, Master."

She replied seriously.

"Then we can continue studying in the library."

"No, I should help with the dinner, Master. Can I go to the kitchen now?"

"Yes, you can go, Lena."

"Then I go."

She bowed and left.

[Um, mister, how should I help her behave herself again as before?]

[You should just leave her alone to sort out her feelings.]

[That's all?] 

[That's all. And go to the library. I'll teach you about elements.]

[Um, okay.]

***

When this kid was busy teaching that girl how to read and when he was talking with the Count, I was busy familiarizing myself with the control of mana. There is a long way to go, but I have become proficient enough to form some elemental spells. Or should I say that this spells of the zeroth circle? It wasn't difficult. After all, I have a proper understanding of the elements. And even now, they constantly change themselves, one after another, in my hands. I found out that it's the fastest way to get better at mana control.

***

Ethan came into the library and sat down on the chair.

[Um, mister, how should we start?]

[Send your mana to the cage first.]

[Again?!]

[It would be different this time.]

Ethan was reluctant to do it. He doesn't want to lose consciousness again. But nonetheless, he forced himself to do it.

[Um, okay.]

He sent his mana into the cage and waited for his consciousness to be dragged away. To his surprise, it didn't happen, but he lost feeling in his left hand.

[What happened?! I didn't lose consciousness, but I can't feel my hand.]

[It's because I control it. Look.]

His left hand moved on its own.

[How did you do it?] 

[I let only one part of my consciousness to be dragged out. So I can only control your hand and mana now. And don't try to control the mana flow for now. It would disrupt my control over it.]

[So, for what reason do you need to control my left hand and mana?]

[It's to show you elements. Look at the palm.]

Ethan did what the voice owner said, and he saw it. In his left hand's palm, in a matter of seconds, water was created. After that, water became ice, and shortly after, water again. Shortly, water disappeared from his hand, and instead of it, there was soil, which was compressed to become a stone. Stone was decompressed and became soil again. And from the soil, the wood element was formed. And shortly, the wood element started to burn, and on Ethan's left hand's palm, a little fireball was formed. Fire was extinguished, and instead of it, a wind element was formed. And blue lightning threads started to appear instead of wind. With the help of the lightning element, little particles of metal started to gather, which merged into a solid coin. After that, the solid coin disappeared from the palm, and a warm light started to shine instead. Which afterwards turned into a black sphere of darkness.

After that, the mana flow stopped, the darkness dissipated, and Ethan started to feel his hand again. But he was too amazed to notice it.

[So, what do you think about my little performance?]

[It's amazing! How did you do that? I thought you didn't know how to form speels.]

[I learned recently.]

[When? It was only about four hours after you finished that book!]

[It was enough to learn it.]

[Wow! You are amazing, mister!]

[I don't think so. I believe even you will learn it in no time after I teach you about how world laws work.]

[Really?! Then please teach me about it!]

[Okay then, we start with math, physics, and chemistry.]

[Math!?]

Thought Ethan doesn't know what the words physics and chemistry words mean. He knows about math. His mother taught him how to calculate, but remembering how difficult it was for him, Ethan was scared.

[Um, mister, can we drop math and start with physics and chemistry?]

[What? You don't like math?]

[Yes, it's difficult.]

[But you know that physics and chemistry are even more difficult?]

Even more difficult! This can't be. When the voice owner showed him different elements, which were changed one after another, it looked so easy. Ethan was dispirited.

[Um, mister, is there another way to become stronger other than studying?]

[Are you scared of studying?]

[Um, yes.]

[Ethan, everything in the world has its own price. Even power. And obtaining it with the time spent studying or muscle pain after the training is a very cheap price, in my opinion. No pain, no gain. So stop being a little girl, Ethan.]

[Um, okay.]

[Good, then let's begin with the math.]

So Ethan's study session has begun.

***

The dinner was ready, and Lena went to the library to call Ethan to eat. When she came into the library, she saw Ethan with disheveled hair and dead eyes, as if his soul had been sucked away.

"Ethan, what happened with you?"

"Um, nothing. I was just studying. What brings you here?"

"Dinner is ready, so I came to call you down."

"Really?!" 

Ethan spent some time as if thinking, and after some time, his face brightened and his dull eyes became clean again. And he responded cheerfully.

"Let's go then! It's time to eat!"

He jumped up from the chair and went outside the library. His walking was fast, as if he were running from something scary.

"Lena, are you not coming with me?"

"I'm coming."

"Then let's hurry down."

Ethan's behavior was strange, but Lena decided against pointing it out. She just followed after him.

***

Although learning was difficult, Ethan doesn't think that it can be so difficult. And it doesn't help that the voice owner was very strict when it came to studying. He forced Ethan to repeat what he taught him several times, and after that, he asked Ethan how he understood what he said and repeated it with his words. And if Ethan made the slightest mistake, he would force him to repeat until Ethan managed to get it.

It was hellish, and in the end, Ethan's brain literally stopped working. The only saving grace was that shortly after, Lena came in and called him for dinner. She looked like an angel sent by the goddess to Ethan. And after he received approval from the voice owner, he quickly left the library, thinking that if he was not fast enough, the voice owner would force him to study again.

When Ethan came down, the Count's family was already gathered. Karl and Brenda sat near each other, and on their laps were two girls. Milicent was on Karl's lap, and Alice was on Brenda's lap. Both girls were eating with the help of their parents.

Lena went to the kitchen, and Ethan sat down at the table. And seeing Ethan Karl talk to him.

"You are late, Ethan."

"Sorry, uncle, I was busy."

"It's okay. There is no need to be sorry. I guess you were so engrossed with studying that you didn't notice the passing of time."

"Um, yes."

"So how was it?"

"It's difficult."

"Hm, I think it will be so. Studying something new is always difficult. So you shouldn't be so disappointed with it. Say Ethan, what do you think if I hire a tutor for you?"

[Disagree. I don't think any tutor can teach what I can teach you.]

"Thank you, uncle, but I think I will be fine studying on my own."

"If you think so, but if you find difficulties in your studies, you can tell me. I hire the best tutor for you."

"Dear, why do you want to hire someone else when I am here?"

"But, my love, you are busy with kids and managing our house. I don't want to increase your load even further."

"It's okay. I can find some time for Ethan."

"Then, what do you think about it, Ethan?"

"I don't mind."

"Good, then it's decided."

Brenda said it warmly, and shortly afterward, Lena came with the tray.

After that, dinner went smoothly, and Ethan was asked to play with the girls. And Ethan wasn't against it. It was much better than studying, and Ethan was sure that the voice owner would force him to study if he wasn't busy with something else.

So Ethan started to play with the girls, but at first it was mostly with Milicent. She was a very energetic kid and full of curiosity, very different from her sister. Alice was a quiet girl, but she wasn't shy. It was more like she was evaluating Ethan. And after not finding any problems with him, she started to play with him too.

After some time, Lena joined them after finishing her dinner.

The evening was full of kids laughter and happiness. And about the ninth hour, Alice and Milicent were taken away to bed, much to their reluctance.

And Ethan went to his room. He sat at the desk. His face was smiling when he thought about the funny moments that happened earlier when he was playing with the other kids. But his happy reminiscing was interrupted by the voice.

[I see your happy time is over. Then let's review what you learned today.]

[No, I'm tired, and I should go to bed.]

[You have some time before it, so you should spend this time doing something useful.]

[But...]

[Listen here. Many people paid a lot of money for only one lecture from me. But you are reluctant to learn under me for free. Someone doesn't know how to be grateful. So kid, you can be grateful and learn under me or don't be grateful, but don't expect me to help you after that.]

And Ethan was forced by the voice owner's ultimatum to study.