Do You Remember Her Voice [2]

Inside the box was a dark purple book without any writing on its surface, only strange symbols and aesthetic patterns. There was also a small blue cube, about the size of an adult's palm. The cube was smooth on all six sides with sharp edges.

Deon looked at Vierenna, curiosity evident in his violet eyes.

She simply smiled at him and gestured for him to pick up the cube.

Deon obliged.

The cube was lightweight, ruling out the possibility of it being metal. However, its exterior didn't suggest it was wood either.

Strange. 

Vierenna moved closer to Deon, placing her hands over the cube, enclosing it within his.

"This is a beginner's cube, as you can see from its blue color. It will help you unlock your mana and guide you to reach the threshold of the first tier."

"What? Isn't it the Awakening Ritual that awakens mages?"

At least, that's what Deon had gathered from his research.

"That's true," Vierenna explained, "but the Awakening Ritual only awakens the ability to manipulate mana and latent talents. The human body still needs to adapt to the new change, which is a challenge in itself... Of course, individuals can learn slowly, but merely accessing mana and attempting to manipulate it is difficult on its own. The cubes are tools to ease this process by introducing the body to mana. Their role is to create behavioral patterns that make it easier for the body to follow mana—at least at the first tier."

Despite Vierenna's thorough explanation, Deon's thoughtful expression prompted her to elaborate further.

"The blue cube will help your body become familiar with the new found mana. But it's limited to the first tier. Why? Because an individual's mana manipulation starts simple and becomes deeper and more complex in each tier. So, the first cube will guide you to the threshold of the first tier, and when you advance to the second, your mana manipulation will only grow more focused and profound. Again, you could figure things out on your own and progress without external help, but the process itself is long and arduous. That's why cubes exist—to facilitate progression within each stage."

Deon looked at the cube in his hands in a new light.

'Isn't this just a form of cheating?'

As if she could read Deon's thoughts precisely, Vierenna said with a hint of disappointment,

"Well, at the academy, every student is given one. But nobles are already familiar with them, which is why they're always at the top of their classes. It's no big deal."

She said it casually, but Deon thought otherwise, making sure his thoughts were heard.

"It is a big deal alright. I've already wasted enough time; I won't waste any more."

Vierenna smiled at his words, her expression one of someone who had finally found solace.

'I'm glad you're back,'

she whispered softly, too quietly for Deon to hear.

"How do I use the cube?"

Deon asked, his curiosity and excitement getting the better of him.

"You need to maintain physical contact with the cube—preferably with both hands—and try to establish a connection with it. This initial connection is the hardest part because it's how you link the cube to your mana signature. From there, the cube will help you explore and guide your mana... Once you're connected to the cube, no one else can use it unless you intentionally sever the connection."

Deon nodded in understanding and closed his eyes, preparing to begin.

"Why the rush? You haven't even looked at all your gifts yet,"

Vierenna teased, snatching the cube from his hands.

Deon glared at her in protest but quickly remembered the box placed carefully beside him on the bench.

'The purple book...!'

He pulled it out of the gray box and held it in his hands, examining its intricate patterns with curious eyes.

"As you might expect, it's a beginner's spellbook,"

Vierenna commented from the side.

"Curse spells."

Deon's eyes widened. He couldn't take his gaze off the girl sitting close to him, a serene smile gracing her face.

His shock stemmed from understanding how rare and valuable even a single curse spell was, let alone an entire book of them.

Once again, Vierenna, adept at deciphering his thoughts, chuckled softly.

"Don't look at me like that. There are only three beginner-level spells in the book. It'll be some time before you can even think about trying to learn them. Until then, I might find other spells if you put effort into these."

Deon remained silent under Vierenna's radiant smile. He knew well that everything she did was directed toward her brother, Deon—not him. Yet, he couldn't help but feel moved.

"Thank you," he said, his voice quiet but full of heartfelt gratitude.

Vierenna smiled shyly and looked away.

She took a deep breath and turned back to Deon.

"Put the book aside for now. You should start with the cube first. As I said, time is not on your side."

Her tone was commanding and left no room for refusal.

Deon obeyed her words. But before attempting to establish a connection with the cube as she had instructed earlier, he instead asked her about their mother.

"Do you remember her voice?"

For some strange reason, he felt she wouldn't mind talking about it now.

And he was right.

She looked at him with initial confusion before catching his gaze on the small lake.

"Oh, Mother! Yes, I remember her voice. How could I forget?"

She looked at him with curiosity and asked in return,

"Do you remember her voice?"

Deon closed his eyes for a moment before answering.

"I want to say I do, and I do in a way. But I only remember it as a distant echo... I remember the face and all the other details, but the voice is the one thing I never want to forget."

He answered, though they weren't necessarily talking about the same person. (Everyone loses someone dear at some point in life, and the day will come when they want to remember and hear their voice again.)

"Oh, baby brother,"

Vierenna began, gently patting Deon's head, her expression one of pity and affection.

"Mother was—and still is—a special person. We both loved her as she loved us back. If you want to hear her voice, it's good you told me. There's a Memory Record with Father... I'll bring it for my baby brother."

Vierenna's last words were spoken with slight hesitation, indicating that retrieving this "Memory Record" wasn't as simple as she made it seem.

Deon owed her more than he could ever repay, so he didn't want his debt to deepen further.

"You don't have to. I said I still remember. This lake has already given me enough."

That was, in a way, true, despite all the confusion it had only added to his situation.

"It's not just for you. I want to mock your memories as a child. Isn't that my right as your big sis?"

This left Deon with no room for argument.

So once again, all he could do was say,

"Thank you."