Glimpse

Kaito's days fell into a rhythm of training and routine. He spent his mornings sparring with the soldiers, his afternoons honing his swordsmanship under Gavril's watchful eye.

But Kaito knew that building trust and gathering information wasn't enough. He needed to understand the people around him, to forge connections, to unravel the secrets hidden within the castle walls. And so, he volunteered to help with the castle chores, his desire to get closer to Mary, to understand her motives, a driving force behind his actions.

Hope, ever eager to help, joined him in his tasks. They swept the grand hallways, their laughter echoing through the silent corridors. They scrubbed pots and pans in the bustling kitchen, their hands covered in suds.

They even attempted to assist the cooks with preparing meals, their clumsy efforts resulting in more flour on their faces than in the mixing bowls.

One afternoon, while mopping the floors in one of the guest chambers, Kaito's foot slipped on the freshly cleaned surface. He stumbled, his arms flailing, and sent the bucket of soapy water flying through the air.

The water crashed against the wall, splashing over a startled Mary, who had just entered the room.

"Master Kaito!" Mary exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise and indignation. "What have you done?"

Kaito, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment, stammered an apology. "I'm so sorry, Mary," he said, his voice filled with remorse. "I didn't mean to..."

Hope, who had witnessed the incident, burst into giggles, her laughter echoing through the room. Mary, her initial anger melting away at the sound of the child's amusement, couldn't help but smile.

"It's alright, Master Kaito," she said, her voice gentle. "Accidents happen."

Kaito, relieved that she wasn't truly upset, offered a solution. "I'll get you a spare uniform," he said, "while you wash up."

Mary nodded, her cheeks still flushed. "Thank you, Master Kaito," she said, heading towards the washroom.

Kaito went to fetch a fresh uniform from the linen closet, his mind still replaying the events of the previous loop, the chilling memory of Mary's death a stark contrast to her current lightheartedness.

He couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss, that there was more to Mary than met the eye.

He entered Mary's room, his eyes scanning the neatly arranged furnishings. He noticed a framed picture on her bedside table, a portrait of Mary in a beautiful gown, her hair styled in elaborate braids. But as he looked closer, he saw something strange. Beside Mary, in the picture, stood another figure, a woman who looked remarkably like her, but with a colder, more calculating expression.

Kaito frowned, his curiosity piqued. Who was this woman? Was she a relative? A friend? Or something more sinister?

He didn't have time to dwell on the mystery. Mary emerged from the washroom, a towel wrapped around her damp hair, her cheeks still flushed from her bath. She took the uniform from Kaito, her eyes meeting his with a hint of gratitude.

"Thank you, Master Kaito," she said, her voice soft. "I'll be back in a moment."

She left the room, heading towards the gardens to check on Hope. Kaito followed, his mind still buzzing with questions about the mysterious woman in the picture.

He found Mary and Hope tending to the flowerbeds, their laughter mingling with the chirping of birds. Kaito watched them for a moment, a sense of peace settling over him. He had to protect them, had to keep them safe.

He spent the rest of the afternoon in the library, delving into the texts on mana and magic. Elara joined him, her knowledge and insights proving invaluable as he struggled to grasp the complexities of this world's power system.

He learned about the different types of mana, the various ways to manipulate it, the potential for both creation and destruction that lay within its grasp.

He practiced meditation techniques, focusing on building his inner star, the key to unlocking his own magical potential.

As the sun set, casting long shadows across the library walls, Kaito felt a renewed sense of determination.