Aunt Seren`s Arrival

Cynthia is gradually roused from her sleep by the chirping of birds and the morning sunlight filtering through the drapes. She blinks gently, her thoughts still shifting between waking and sleep. The familiar sounds of footsteps approach, announcing the arrival of the day as she stirs.

"Good morning, young miss," Jennifer says as she enters the room. She is closely followed by Opal, who is carrying a new set of towels and linens. Jennifer moves elegantly to help Cynthia out of bed, gently guiding her to her feet.

"Good morning," Cynthia replies softly, her voice still tinged with sleep.

Opal, already making her way to the bathing chambers, calls over her shoulder, "Shall I prepare your bath, miss?"

Cynthia nods as Jennifer adjusts the sheets and guides her to the restroom. She looks out the window as the first rays of light from a new day illuminate the garden below, her mind gradually waking up alongside the world outside.

As she prepares for her bath, Jennifer inquires, "Breakfast with the Lord as usual, young miss?"

Cynthia pauses for a moment to assess her itinerary. "Yes, breakfast with Father, as usual," she replies. "Afterward, I'll visit the Liangwei open market and see if anything catches my eye."

Jennifer and Opal exchange glances before Cynthia proceeds. "By the way," she says, turning to both maids, "did the staff enjoy the donuts I bought a few days ago?"

A smile appears on both their faces as they answer in unison, "Yes, miss, they loved the donuts."

Cynthia lets out a soft laugh. "I'm glad to hear that. I'll make sure to purchase more when I'm in town today."

"Understood, miss," Opal replies as she finishes preparing the bath. Jennifer excuses herself with a polite bow, leaving Cynthia in Opal's capable hands.

The warmth of the bathwater is soothing, and as Cynthia relaxes, her thoughts wander to the day ahead: first breakfast, then the market, and finally the evening's Foundation Celebration. The day is full of promise, and she feels a sense of calm anticipation.

Once she is dressed and ready, Cynthia makes her way downstairs to the dining room. The scent of fresh bread and roasted herbs fills the air, mingling with the faint perfume of flowers from the garden. The Marquess is already seated at the table, sipping his tea.

"Good morning, Father," Cynthia greets him as she takes her seat.

"Good morning, Cynthia," he replies with a warm smile, setting down his cup. They exchange a few pleasantries, and soon, breakfast is served. The meal is simple but satisfying a mix of fresh fruits, warm pastries, and eggs. They speak briefly of the day's events, discussing the celebration preparations.

After finishing his meal, the Marquess rises from the table, but before he leaves, he pauses and turns toward his daughter. "Cynthia, I've been working on something rather interesting," he begins, his voice laced with intrigue. "It's a spell an old one, incomplete. I'd like your help testing its effectiveness."

Curious, Cynthia raises an eyebrow. "What sort of spell?"

The Marquess smiles, his eyes gleaming with the excitement of discovery. "It's a spell meant to increase luck. No one has ever managed to fully master it, but I believe I'm close."

Cynthia's curiosity deepens. "Fortune magic? That sounds fascinating. Of course, I'll help."

The Marquess nods, then outstretches his hand. His wand materializes from the air with a soft shimmer. He points it toward Cynthia, his expression focused. "Fortunara," he commands.

A bright white glow envelops Cynthia, filling the room with an ethereal light. As the glow fades, Cynthia finds herself emitting a faint, lingering aura a soft shimmer that seems to cling to her like a second skin.

The Marquess steps back, inspecting his work with a thoughtful look. "It's still incomplete," he admits. "But if it works, you should notice an increase in luck today. I'm hoping the results will help me refine the spell further."

Cynthia smiles, her mind already turning to the possibilities. "Does that mean I'll have the fortune of finding some rare treasures at the market? Or perhaps witness something amazing today?"

The Marquess shrugs with a chuckle. "We'll see. That's what makes this test exciting who knows how it might manifest? I suppose your day will reveal the truth."

Nodding in understanding, Cynthia stands and offers her father a respectful bow. "Thank you, Father. I'll keep an eye out for anything extraordinary."

"Good luck," the Marquess says with a smile. "I'll see you later tonight for the Celebration Ball."

"Yes, and I know you'll look absolutely stunning tonight, without a doubt," a soft but confident voice rings out in the dining room.

Cynthia and the Marquess turn toward the entrance, where a lady stands, exuding serene elegance. Her noblewoman's gown flows gracefully, with a high-collared, fitted bodice that gives her a regal presence. Wide sleeves drape delicately, and a simple hood frames an embroidered blindfold adorned with intricate wind patterns. A subtle belt, decorated with small charms and feathers, hangs at her waist, producing soft, rhythmic sounds as she moves.

"Aunt Seren!" Cynthia exclaims, surprised, as she hurries over to the visitor. She embraces her warmly. "I didn't know you were coming!"

Seren returns the hug with a gentle smile. "Well, I wasn't planning to, at first," she admits. "But your father sent word that you've decided to pursue a Zephyros Spirit Beast. As a Wind Arch-Magus, I can't ignore such a strong presence. So, here I am, back in Brittannor to help you. But that's after your wand ceremony, which is happening tomorrow."

The Marquess, who has been watching with a slight frown, approaches them, his concern evident. "Seren, don't you think that's too much for Cynthia all at once?" he asks, his voice gentle but firm. "She'll need at least a day to get accustomed to her new wand before taking on something as significant as bonding with a Zephyros."

Seren tilts her head slightly, her blindfolded eyes giving no indication of emotion, but her tone is sharp. "Horace, I understand your concern," she says, a trace of irritation in her voice. "But I have other matters to attend to. I made a detour specifically for this child." She places a hand on Cynthia's shoulder, her touch light but resolute. "So don't try to infringe upon my time, dear brother. Manage your demands in moderation."

The Marquess sighs, clearly accustomed to Seren's unyielding demeanor. "You know," he begins in a matter-of-fact tone, "people always say wind maguses are the gentler of the elemental magus class. Yet you seem determined to disprove that stereotype every time we meet."

Seren's lips curl into a smirk. "Tough luck for them," she replies without missing a beat. "I don't live to meet anyone's expectations. If I did, I wouldn't still be alive, considering I'm a blind bastard child of a useless father." Her voice, while calm, carries the weight of her defiance and independence.

Cynthia looks between her father and her aunt, a small smile tugging at her lips. She has always admired the strength and resilience Seren carries, even when it clashes with her father's overprotective nature.

"Well," Cynthia interjects softly, hoping to ease the tension, "I'm grateful for both of you being here no matter what happens after the ceremony. I'm excited for what's to come."

Seren nods, her expression softening. "Good. That's the spirit."

The Marquess, still not entirely convinced, gives a slight shrug. "We'll see what tomorrow brings. For now, let's not overwhelm the day before it even begins."

"Well, in any case, Jennifer, Opal, and I will be off now," Cynthia says as she gracefully moves toward the dining hall's exit, her steps light and purposeful.

Just before she reaches the doorway, Seren's voice calls out behind her. "Cynthia, where will you be today? I'll join you once your father and I finish our discussion."

Cynthia turns slightly, meeting her aunt's gaze or rather, her blindfolded presence. "I'll be at Heritage Park when the military parade begins at noon."

"Very well," Seren replies. The Marquess nods in agreement. "Have a pleasant outing I`ll see you later dear," he adds.

With that, Cynthia departs, her maids following closely behind. The estate doors close behind them as they made their way in the carriage.

Their first stop was Haven Delights, the well-known bakery in the heart of Brittannor. The smell of fresh pastries and sugary treats fills the air as Cynthia enters and places a sizable order of donuts and other confections, ensuring they are sent ahead to the estate for the staff to enjoy. With that task complete, she turns her attention to her next destination: the Liangwei Chamber of Commerce.

Upon arriving, instead of heading toward the auction hall as she often does, Cynthia decides to explore the right side of the complex the open market. The air is filled with a lively buzz as merchants call out their wares and customers haggle for the best deals. Stalls brim with equipment, elixirs, artifacts, and curiosities from all over the world. Cynthia takes her time perusing each stall, inspecting different tools, bottles of shimmering elixirs, and small trinkets with magical auras.

After a while, her attention is caught by a peculiar sight. In front of one particular store stands a human-sized doll, its craftsmanship both elegant and eerie. Intrigued, Cynthia approaches the vendor.

"What is this?" she asks, her curiosity piqued.

The vendor, a stout man with sharp eyes, smiles. "Ah, you have a keen eye, miss. This is a martial doll from the land of Zhou. It's used to teach low-level martial arts to sect disciples."

Cynthia's eyes gleam with inspiration at the thought. A doll that could teach martial arts such an artifact could be useful for her research. "How many of these do you have?" she inquires, her interest deepening.

The vendor shakes his head apologetically. "This is the only one. It's a miracle I even managed to get my hands on it. The Zhou Dynasty doesn't allow these martial dolls to leave the mainland. It's nearly impossible to find one outside of Zhou."

Cynthia frowns slightly, understanding the rarity but also cautious. "How much?"

The vendor's smile grows wider as he names the price. "Twenty thousand Brittanor coins."

Cynthia's expression hardens. "Twenty thousand? For a doll that only teaches low-level martial arts?"

The vendor defends the price quickly. "It's not just any doll, miss. It's a priceless artifact from Zhou. No other country not even Hitoryama can produce martial dolls like these. It's worth every coin."

She weighs the cost in her mind, considering the rarity and the vendor's explanation. Though the price is steep, the doll's potential for her own studies and projects intrigues her. After a moment's thought, she sighs and nods, producing the card for payment. "Very well."

The vendor beams as he accepts the payment. "You won't regret it, miss."

Turning to Opal, Cynthia instructs, "Carry it for me, please."

Opal, without complaint, hoists the doll with ease, her strength betraying her delicate appearance. In one smooth motion, she makes the martial doll disappear into a storage ring on her right hand, a faint shimmer marking the object's vanishing. Cynthia, satisfied with the seamless transaction, resumes her exploration of the market, her mind already busy with ideas for how the martial doll could aid her research. The vibrant atmosphere of the marketplace buzzes around her as she continues perusing the various stalls, her sharp eyes scanning for anything else that might catch her attention.

Not long after, Cynthia's gaze falls upon an exquisite display: an antique quill pen enclosed in a glass case, its feathered shaft intricately engraved and studded with multicolored gems. She pauses, admiring the craftsmanship. Sensing her interest, the vendor approaches with a smile.

"Ah, I see the lady has an eye for quality. This is a Rune scribbing pen," she says, lifting the glass casing and presenting the pen for Cynthia to hold.

Intrigued, Cynthia asks, "What are its benefits?"

The vendor explains, "This pen is uniquely imbued with the ability to scribe in all elemental runes due to the variety of gems embedded in its metalwork. It's a rarity among scribing tools." She hands the pen to Cynthia.

The moment her fingers wrap around the quill, Cynthia feels an almost electric sensation course through her. She closes her eyes, absorbing the subtle yet invigorating energy emanating from the pen. After a moment, she opens them again and asks, "How much?"

The vendor, with a practiced smile, replies, "Normal scribing pens range from one to five thousand Brittanor coins. But this one, with its multi-faceted abilities, is priced at ten thousand Brittanor coins."

Cynthia glances at the pen once more, feeling its value. She agrees and hands the vendor the card to make the payment. With the transaction complete, she passes the pen to Opal, who stores it in the ring alongside the martial doll. Content with her purchase, Cynthia exits the chamber, her mood lifted.

As they step outside, Opal comments, "Young miss, it seems the Marquess' spell indeed brought you some positive results."

Cynthia smiles. "Indeed. It's proving to be quite a useful spell. I'll have to ask Father to teach it to me once it's perfected."

Jennifer, always pragmatic, adds, "That is if you're compatible with it."

Cynthia pauses, almost forgetting. "Ah, you're right! For my sake, I certainly hope I am."

After their brief exchange, Cynthia decides it's time to head to Heritage Park. When they arrive, the park is just beginning to fill with guests gathering for the military parade. Spotting a cool, shaded spot beneath a large tree, Jennifer spreads out a blanket for Cynthia to sit on. Just as she is about to take her seat, a familiar voice calls out to her.

"Hello, Aunt Seren!" Cynthia greets as she turns to see her aunt approaching. "I hope your discussion with Father went well."

Seren, ever poised, smiles as she sits down beside Cynthia. "It went as well as it could," she replies with a hint of exasperation. "He's still as stubborn and hard-headed as ever."

Cynthia chuckles. "That makes two of you, Aunt Seren."

Seren laughs, nodding. "I don't deny it. The difference is, that I own up to my stubbornness; your father, however, acts like he doesn't."

Cynthia bursts out laughing, enjoying the banter between them. They continue to chat, laughing over stories and teasing one another until the atmosphere shifts with a gentle gust of wind. The sound of a distant roar echoes through the air, capturing everyone's attention.

Seren tilts her head slightly, her blindfold shifting just so. "The military procession is about to begin. Yalzeruth is out of the water."

 "It's time," she whispers, feeling the excitement in the air. The day's festivities are just beginning.