Ep.18 Ms. Vera Part 4

Kai Pov

Through the cabin's small square window, I watched Maya and Rowan sitting cross-legged in the grass, their faces serene in meditation as they worked to expand their mana capacity. The sight sent another wave of questions crashing through my mind, each one darker than the last.

What's wrong with me? What makes me different? Is it because I'm from another world, or is there something unique about the body I somehow ended up in? The questions swirled like autumn leaves in a storm, never settling, never providing answers.

A movement caught my eye – Ms. Vera's head snapping toward me with unnervingly precise aim. Then, in a blur that defied logic, she vanished. My heart leaped into my throat. Where did she—

"Come child, it's your turn now."

The gentle pat on my back nearly sent me through the ceiling. I spun around, my heart thundering against my ribs. "H-how did y—"

"Never mind that, child. Follow me." She was already moving toward the door, her movements fluid and purposeful, like water finding its path downstream.

We walked for a little bit, following the river's course. The sound of running water created a soothing melody as it danced over rocks and twisted through the riverbed. A gentle breeze carried the scent of pine and wild herbs, and for a moment, I could almost forget the weight of everything that had happened. The day felt peaceful, almost mockingly so, given the chaos of the past week.

Finally, Ms. Vera stopped and turned to face me. "Come here, child," she said, her voice carrying an undertone I couldn't quite place. Anticipation? Concern? I stepped forward, turning as directed while her hands positioned themselves on my back.

The familiar green aura began to emanate from her palms, and then—

Darkness.

Not just the absence of light, but something deeper, more absolute. It flooded my vision like ink in water, spreading through my consciousness. My chest constricted as if bound by iron bands, each breath becoming a desperate struggle. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't—

Images flashed through the darkness: Men in hoods, a circle of ancient stones, faces I knew but couldn't remember, and blood... so much blood...

Reality crashed back like a wave breaking against rocks. I found myself on hands and knees in the soft earth, gasping for air, drool trailing from my mouth as my lungs fought to remember their purpose. The world spun lazily around me, like a top winding down.

"Oh my child, are you ok?" Ms. Vera's voice cut through the fog, heavy with concern.

"Y-yeah," I managed to rasp out, deciding to keep the visions to myself. How could I explain what I didn't understand? The images already felt like trying to hold water in cupped hands – the harder I tried to grasp them, the faster they slipped away.

"Well, just as I thought, boy. You have already awakened, but it seems you're in class F."

My head snapped up so fast my vision blurred again. "I'm... class F?" The words felt like stones in my mouth, heavy and sharp.

"I'm afraid so. You have so little mana capacity you might as well have none at all."

Tears welled up before I could stop them, hot and shameful. "B-but you said I was special."

Her smile then was gentle, knowing, like she held secrets that could either break or remake me. "You are special, boy. You're just not a mage. All will make sense to you someday, I promise."

She knelt beside me, her eyes level with mine. "Until then, if you still insist on getting stronger for your friends, I'm afraid your only option as of now is mastering the sword. While I'm no master, I'm sure I can make you stronger. I promise."

I wiped my tears with my sleeve, my mind still reeling from the revelation. But dwelling on it wouldn't change anything. Maya and Rowan needed me to be stronger. Whether that strength came from magic or steel didn't matter – I would protect them.

Standing up, I felt the weight of my sword at my hip. It had always felt right there, natural in a way magic never had. Maybe this was why. Maybe some paths are carved in steel rather than starlight.

"When do we start?" I asked, my voice steadier than I felt.

Ms. Vera's smile turned sharp as a blade's edge. "We already have."