Fate continued to experiment, mostly with the red bubbles, to improve his magical abilities. He was able to create two red bubbles at a time and combine them into a small, wavy streak. However, he had to continually feed the bubbles with additional mana in order for them to stay present.

 

The largest gains were, however, that 『Fire Magic(Minor)』had gained experience points and that his              【Magic】stat had increased a fair deal as well.

 

-I didn’t think that I’d be mastering this faster than 『Mana Manipulation(Minor)』. I thought that mana manipulation was a requirement to be able to use magic, but it seems to be a separate entity unto itself.

 

It was true that Fate’s progress in mana manipulation had noticeably slowed, but that would probably have had to do more with the fact that he had been more focused on raising his physical stats, with magic being a minority. 

 

Fate: “I feel tired...However, I feel like I should do something just for the hell of it…!”

 

He picked up a stone shard from the corner and began to carve something behind the curtains. It took him a few minutes to carve what he wanted to say into the wall before he covered it so it wouldn’t be seen.

 

-I’ll get some sleep, but first...Journal, status page!”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

• Name: Fate
• HP: 101.0/153.6
• MP: 2.80/32.07
• Level: 0
• Race: Human
• Age: 4 year-old(4 year(s), 0.7 month(s) (22+ years old)))
• Job: None
• Previous Jobs: None
• Titles: 【Familiar of Fate】

--------------------------------

• Stats: 
  • Strength: 17.95
  • Endurance: 34.215
  • Wisdom: 7.0
  • Intelligence: 8.47
  • Stamina: 20.599
  • Agility: 13.428
  • Fortune: 1.0
  • Magic: 15.534

            ---------------------------------

• Passive Skills:『Balance - (Lv.3)』, 『Natural MP Restoration』
• Active Skills: 『Mana Manipulation(Minor) - (Lv.3)』, 『Fire Magic(Minor) - (Lv.1)』
• Unique Skills: None
• Equipment: Fate’s Journal(Soul-bound)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-Haaahhh...I wonder what’s considered a good start in terms of a beginner mage’s mana pool? Mine probably sucks, but I can just say it’s because I’m a toddler...best excuse ever!

 

Fate joked to himself a little more before lying on his old, makeshift bed and falling straight to sleep. He hoped that tomorrow wouldn’t bring too many surprises…

…

However, the world would not heed Fate’s wishes as Jacob came early in the morning to lead him out of the room. Fate gazed around the room for a short while, recalling all the time he had spent endlessly training to occupy his mind. 

 

He couldn’t particularly call these memories those of a happy childhood, but he attempted to burn every one of them into his brain, for he might not have any memories close to these in the future.

 

-I guess it was time well spent if nothing else, but I can’t help but feel that I didn’t do all I could while I was here…

 

Finally, after a while of repeatedly scanning the room was led out by Jacob into the halls. He once again saw the hallways that he had run through, imagining the sense of short-lived freedom he had possessed. 

 

The hall continued on as he passed by several other locked doors and rooms that looked like prison cells, at least from the outside they did. The hall floor gradually became slightly smoother and some degree of detail marked the walls. 

 

-Are they actually moving to a nicer section of the manor? No, no don’t get your hopes up, Fate…

 

Eventually, the two of them stopped in front of a small wooden door made of something similar to an ordinary oak, but with no varnish. Jacob slowly opened the door to reveal a small room with wooden floors, a window that fit the back wall and was barred up near the ceiling, and a small cot, on the right side. 

 

It wasn’t nearly as big as the last room nor did it possess ample building materials, but there was an actual place to sleep instead of some blankets tossed on the floor. This could be described as a move, not a step up or a step-down, but it was just another room…

 

-I guess I’ll have to get used to these accommodations…

…

-Why, why, why…?

Issac: “I am...sorry, my Agate. However, his majesty has requested that I...ride to the Ashimars’ territory and quell his insurrection that he has begun…”

 

Agatha and Issac were sitting atop their bed in their room, while Issac was breaking the news to his wife that he would be deployed to quell a rebellion started by another noble. She felt heartbroken at this sudden turn of events and tears flowed freely from her eyes.

 

-Why did this have to happen?! That damn Ashimar, trying to start a rebellion to raise his standing and steal land from the other lords...from us! Why must my husband ride to stop him, and why can’t some other man be sent to sacrifice their lives?!

 

Issac could see a portion of her thoughts in her tortured gaze and put a hand to her cheek to steady her. She actively rubbed her face against his palm.

 

Issac: “I know, my Agate. Our son...he is growing older and I wish to be around to spend joyous days together with both of you, but I...I cannot neglect my duty.”

 

Agatha: “...But…”

 

Issac: “If I were to leave that...bastard to do as he wished, would he stop at conquering some nearby fields from serfs or towns along the countryside? A deplorable bastard like him would most certainly not stop there...how long would it be until he begins to threaten innocent people, how long would it be until he attacks our friends...how long would it be until I have to worry about our family’s end?!”

 

He spoke in a frustrated yet saddened tone, raising his voice in a way uncharacteristic for his usual self. It truly worried Agatha.

 

They embraced each other and continued to sit on top of the bed for what seemed like an eternity…

…

At the same time as his parents’ tragic farewells, Atlas was meditating while lying in bed. A small gust gathered in the palm of his hand, but even when he tried focusing more mana and effort into it, he could not make it expand.

 

This certainly was not the level of the attacks he had thrown at his brother days prior, however, it could not be helped.

 

-Mother was supplementing my lack of skill with her own mana...and, for now, it seems like she won’t help me to grow stronger...I must grow stronger, or else I’ll end up like my older brother! 

 

Atlas: “I will annihilate him, no matter how hard I have to try!”

…

Fate had been left to get himself acquainted with his new room and was, just as in the previous room, locked inside. He had nearly drifted back to sleep on his cot while trying to ignore his fears, however…

*knock!* *knock!* *knock!*

 

He forced himself to sit up, wondering whether it was Jacob or not. Previously, neither of the maids had ever knocked at the door and had simply rushed in to get their duties over with, but this knock was not the usual one that could be attributed to Jacob.

 

-Jacob knocks solidly...and only twice, right? Who else would be knocking...wait, why are they knocking in the first place? I can’t unlock the door and none of the staff seem to regard me as anything other as a plague so who could it be?

 

Fate hesitated for a moment, however, he decided to answer them and get it over with.

 

Fate: “Enter.”

 

The door opened without a creak, unlike his other rooms, but the figure in the doorway was vaguely familiar. They gave a curt bow, which was quite unexpected given Fate’s reputation within the manor.

 

-Wait...she’s…!

 

???: “Greetings, young master! Oh...so sorry, I didn’t mean to shout...My name is Elizabeth, but you may call me Liza if you wish.”

 

It was the maid whose face he had threatened to burn off in the hall, truly unexpected...