Chapter 3: Unsettling Revelation

SERIS VITRA'S POV:"Caera, focus on connecting to the mana from your core and slowly guide it to your Emblem," I instructed, my voice calm yet firm.We sat in the middle of the garden, the tranquility of the surroundings contrasting with the intense concentration needed for this exercise. Caera closed her eyes, her small hands resting on her knees as she took a deep breath. I oversaw her, noticing the slight furrow in her brow as she focused.The connection between a mana core and the rune required precision and patience. This task would be challenging for someone as young as Caera, but I knew she could do it. Her innate talent and potential were already evident, and now it was a matter of honing that potential."Remember," I continued softly, "don't rush the process. Let the mana flow naturally like a stream finding its path."Caera nodded, her expression serious as she followed my instructions. I could sense the mana around us beginning to stir, a subtle but unmistakable sign that she was on the right track. I remained silent, allowing her the space she needed to find her way.The garden, usually a place of calm and reflection, had become a sanctuary for this crucial moment. The sunlight of the evening filtering through the trees created a dappled pattern on the ground, and the gentle rustling of leaves provided a soothing backdrop to Caera's efforts.A moment later, the Emblem at her back flared to life, glowing in a brilliant crimson red intertwined with a vibrant green hue. The dual colors danced together, the crimson representing the fire affinity and the green signifying wind. The sight was mesmerizing, the colors swirling in a delicate yet powerful harmony that spoke to the unique potential within her."Good, now let the Emblem do what it wants, don't try to force anything," I guided her, my voice calm, ensuring she remained focused.As Caera concentrated, the mana particles around her responded, drawn to the strength of her Emblem. At first, they gathered irregularly but soon the shape changed into a sphere and finally, arranged themselves in a precise hexagonal pattern, each the size of a thumb, that encased her body internally. The pattern was intricate, weaving itself within her, reinforcing her very being.It was as if her mana had become a second skin, providing her with an inner armor that resonated with the dual affinities of fire and wind. The hexagons glowed faintly, their subtle shimmer indicating the power contained within them.Caera's breath steadied as she became aware of the change within her. She could feel the difference—the added strength, the resilience that now coursed through her veins. The reinforcement was not just physical but also a deepening of her bond with mana, an evolution of her abilities that would only continue to grow.She looked at me with a mixture of wonder and determination. "I can feel it, Mama. It's like... I'm stronger from the inside."I nodded, my gaze softening with pride. "You are, Caera. This is a reflection of your potential. As you continue to practice, you'll learn to control and enhance this reinforcement, making it a vital part of your strength."Caera smiled with a confident light in her ruby-red eyes. "I want to keep getting stronger, Mama. I want to learn everything I can.""And you will," I replied, placing a hand on her shoulder. "But for now, let's focus on understanding what you've accomplished today. So tell me, do you get to know or feel something new and different about mana?"Caera nodded thoughtfully, her brows furrowing as she tried to articulate what she had experienced. "Yes, Mama," she began, her voice steady but filled with enthusiasm. "It's like... I can sense mana wanting to take a certain form. It was trying to adjust itself into a certain pattern like it knew exactly what to do without me even thinking about it."I listened intently, recognizing the significance of her words. "That's an important realization, Caera," I said, my tone encouraging. "What you're sensing is the natural affinity your mana has for specific patterns and forms. Generally, when people obtain a mark, they are able to gather mana non-uniformly. And with Crest, they can somewhat control its density. An Emblem allows the user to define the shape of mana to their liking. And Finally, a Regalia gives insight into shaping mana into complex three-dimension."Caera's eyes widened as she absorbed the information, her mind clearly racing with the implications. "So, because I have an Emblem, I can shape mana into different forms?" she asked, her voice tinged with excitement.I nodded, pleased with how quickly she was grasping the concept. "Yes, exactly. The Emblem you've been bestowed with grants you the ability to guide and shape mana into specific forms with much more precision and intent than most. It's a rare and powerful gift, one that can give you a significant advantage as you continue to grow."She seemed to ponder this for a moment, her expression thoughtful. "And with a Regalia... you can shape it into even more complex things? Like making mana into a solid object or something?""Yes," I confirmed, my tone gentle as I encouraged her curiosity. "A Regalia allows for the manipulation of mana in intricate and complex ways, enabling the creation of detailed three-dimensional forms. But for now, let's focus back on your Emblem."Caera nodded her head, eager to learn more. As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the garden, I guided Caera through the intricacies of refining her Emblem's reinforcement. We discussed how to enhance the level of reinforcement by layering mana and experimenting with various patterns to increase flexibility and strength. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and she absorbed the information with a determined focus.When Caera expressed a desire to practice reinforcing her sword, I had to gently remind her that it was getting late. "We've covered a lot today, and you've done exceptionally well," I said, my tone firm yet encouraging. "But it's important to rest and come back with fresh energy. We'll practice with your sword tomorrow, I promise."Caera nodded reluctantly but with understanding. "Alright, Mama. I'm looking forward to it.""Now, before we leave, I told you not to call me mama especially when people can hear us, right?"Caera looked up at me with a slightly apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, Mama. I just... it's hard not to when I'm with you."I sighed softly, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I know, Caera. It's just... if other scythes found out, you may get into danger."She nodded, her expression serious. "I understand. I'll be more careful."I smiled, appreciating her maturity. "Let's head inside now. We'll continue with your training tomorrow."_________________________________________________________________________________The next morning, as the first light of dawn broke over the horizon, I led Caera to the training grounds once more. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of dew-kissed earth, and the sky was painted in shades of soft pink and orange. It was the perfect time for focused training, the quietude of the morning allowing for complete immersion in the task ahead."Today, we'll focus on something more advanced," I told Caera as she stood before me, her sword in hand and her ruby-red eyes reflecting her eagerness. "You've already learned to augment your body with mana. Now, it's time to extend that control to your sword."She nodded, her expression serious. I could see the determination in her eyes—an unwavering resolve to grow stronger, to master every challenge I placed before her."This won't be easy," I warned, my tone firm but encouraging. "The sword is not a part of your body, but to wield it with true mastery, you must make it an extension of yourself. The mana that flows through you must flow through the blade as well, connecting to the Emblem which is empowered by your core."Caera nodded, absorbing my words as she gripped the hilt of her sword. She was eager to learn, but I knew this process would be far more challenging than simply augmenting her body. It required a deeper connection, a level of synchronization that would test her patience and perseverance.Over the next few days, we focused intensely on this training. Each morning, I guided her through the complex process of extending her mana into the blade, feeling it as an extension of her own being. It was slow progress, but I could see the gradual improvement as she learned to merge her mana with the sword, letting it become a part of her.By the end of those days, she had made significant strides. The sword, once a separate entity, was beginning to move with her as if it were truly an extension of her own body. There was still much to learn, but she was on the right path, and I knew she would continue to excel with each step she took.One day, while we were deep in our training, the sound of hurried footsteps caught my attention. Cylrit, usually composed and measured in his movements, came rushing toward us, his expression urgent."Scythe Seris," he called out, his voice betraying the gravity of the situation. He barely paused to catch his breath, his eyes flicking between Caera and me.I immediately stopped the session, turning to face him fully. "What is it, Cylrit?"He bowed quickly, his words tumbling out in a rush. "Sycthe Cadell has returned from Dicathen," "And?" I asked, my tone serious, bracing myself for the implications. The fact that Cadell had returned from the continent of Dicathen could mean only two things: either Lady Sylvia had been captured, or she had managed to escape. Given the circumstances, the latter seemed highly unlikely.Cylrit hesitated, his gaze dropping momentarily before meeting mine again. "Lady Sylvia has been captured, but she is not... alive, and her body was recovered."I felt a cold weight settle in my chest, a mix of anger, sorrow, and something more complex—a sense of loss that ran deeper than expected. "So, it's over," I muttered to myself, though the words felt hollow.But as quickly as the emotion surfaced, I pushed it aside, focusing on the immediate implications. "What has been done with her body?" I asked, my tone icy and controlled."It's been secured and sent to the High Sovereign as proof," Cylrit replied, his voice steady, though I could sense the underlying tension."High Sovereign?! Wasn't he busy in his chamber researching and experimenting about reincarnates?" I asked.Cylrit hesitated for a moment before responding, "He was. However, it seems the experiment was successful, so he came out today to handle the situation personally."As if Lady Sylvia's death wasn't a shock enough, the fact that the reincarnation experiment had succeeded and pulled the High Sovereign away from his research was deeply unsettling."I think I should head for Teagrin Caelum," I said decisively. "I need to you ensure that Caera's training continues as planned and that she remains protected in my absence."Cylrit nodded in understanding. "I'll prepare the necessary arrangements for your departure immediately. Is there anything specific you need?""No, you can go now," I replied, my tone firm but appreciative.Cylrit bowed and quickly set off to carry out the preparations. I turned my attention back to Caera, who was listening to our conversation with her ears perked up and a sudden curiosity in her eyes."What is it, little one?" I asked, wanting to know about her sudden curiosity.Caera looked up at me, her curiosity evident in her wide, ruby-red eyes. "What are reincarnates, Mama?"I paused for a moment, considering how best to explain such a complex topic. "Reincarnates are individuals who have been brought back to life through unknown magic that High Sovereign is experimenting on."Her brows furrowed as she absorbed the information. "Why would someone want to bring someone back to life?""There could be many reasons," I explained carefully. "Sometimes it's done to gain knowledge or power or bring back someone who had special abilities. In this case, the High Sovereign wants to get the reincarnates to be his weapons."Her eyes widened, reflecting a mix of confusion and concern. "Weapons? How does that work?""It means he plans to use them for combat or other purposes that serve his interests," I said, choosing my words carefully. "It's a dangerous and ethically complicated process. The High Sovereign's goal is to harness their abilities to strengthen his own power and influence."Caera looked thoughtful, her young mind trying to grasp the gravity of the situation. "That sounds really scary. Is there anything we can do to help?""For now, our focus needs to be on your training," I said, giving her a reassuring smile. "It's important to be prepared and strong, no matter what happens. We'll face any challenges that come our way together."She nodded, her expression resolute despite her worry. "I understand. I'll do my best, Mama.""Good," I said with a nod. "Let's finish up for today and get some rest. We have a lot of work ahead of us, and we need to be ready for whatever comes next."As the sun dipped below the horizon, I guided Caera through the final steps of her practice, the weight of the looming challenges ahead hanging heavily in the air.~~A/N: Don't know what to write here, anyway vote for the chapter if you enjoy it, and tell me if I messed up anything in the timeline. Pretty sure Arthur was almost turning 4 by the time he left Sylvia's cave and Caera is 2 years older than him. So by the time she turned 6, Sylvia and Arthur were separated, right?