Chapter 18 - Burning With… Questions

Strength + .1

Strength + .1

Agility + .1

Agility + .1

Endurance + .1

Endurance + .1

Durability + .1

Wisdom + .1

Forcing + 1

Jiran reviewed his gains from the last two days of grueling exercise with equal parts frustration and satisfaction.

You would think magical training would yield faster results. There is definitely something addictive about seeing a numerical value increase after days of strenuous labor.

But it begs the question of why killing beasts yields so much more. I bet if I lifted up a beast over my head and threw it into a tree I would get three points in strength. Meanwhile, days of back-breaking labor only gives two.

Jiran swung his tool of death and trenches down for the hundredth time that morning. He put every ounce of strength in his muscles into the swing sending sweat flying from his brow and arms. Forcing was fully active and empowered his shoulders, arms, and back.

The swing was fast and deadly but lacked the connection he had been striving for since that first perfect attack.

I connected with something powerful. Why can’t I find that “something” again? It's frustrating knowing what it should feel like but having no clue how to repeat it.

Samris said he will be back today. Maybe he knows. If I can convince him to teach me.

Jiran sighed, knowing his thoughts were nothing but a fantasy.

“J-Jiran, you have a visitor,” One of the girls interrupted his thoughts.

Really? I wonder who it is. Mom or Dad maybe. I wonder what they want.

“Thank you, Farah,” Jiran said with a kind smile which sent the girl scurrying away.

With a shrug, he wiped the sweat from his face and arms before heading to the manor’s foyer to greet his guests. Jiran grew more nervous with each step. Uncertainty and doubt clouded his mind.

What should I say to them? What do I want to say to them?

Entering the room he was relieved to see his cousin Niya. Curiosity led her by the nose as she bounced around the room touching every surface and object as if she’d never seen a table or candlestick before.

Niya greeted him with a nervous smile which fueled his desire to mess with her. Doing his best not to grin like a fool, he spoke loudly.

“Oh, it’s just you. Well, good day then,” He turned around as if to leave the room, the smile he could no longer contain spread across his face, hidden from her view.

“Jiran! Where are you going?! Come back here, you jerk!”

Laughing, he turned around and gave the girl a hug as she rushed to follow him. He was amazed how skinny and frail Niya felt when he wrapped his arms around her. She was no longer taller than him, for the first time in their lives.

“Sorry, I couldn’t resist teasing after seeing you poking around like some village girl in a manor for the first time.”

“I am a village girl and this is my first time in the manor! You’re still teasing me, aren’t you?” She trailed off as his laughter mounted.

“Bully,” She mumbled as she punched him in the arm.

“Ouch! Hey, I’m injured, you know. That actually hurts. Besides, If I didn't bully you then you would just go around beating everyone up without ever tasting the sweetness of defeat." Jiran laughed while rubbing his bicep.

“Maybe, you still deserve it,” She stuck out her tongue before realizing his recent growth.

“When did you get so big?” She scowled at him as if his growth was something he should have known better than to allow.

“Thirsty? Sharaal makes the most amazing juice. You’ll love it,” He offered.

“Yes, please” She nodded vigorously as her entire demeanor instantly shifted to adorable innocence.

https://imgur.com/BLd6DAB 

Still chuckling, Jiran led her into the staff kitchen. After pouring juice for the both of them, they sat down to relax near the window.

Clouds swelled and burst outside, sending small rattles through the window and plaster walls.

Niya moaned with delight as the delicious nectar rolled across her tongue. She drained half her cup in the first pull. With a knowing smile, Jiran slid his own cup in front of her.

“I’ll tell Sharaal you like it,” Niya had the decency to blush at her behavior but took his offered drink nonetheless.

Slowly at first and then like a charging beast building momentum, questions poured out of her in rapid succession that showed no signs of slowing.

“How… have you been, Jiran? Did you get your mana back yet? Is Lord Feylon absussing you? You look really good! Did you get stronger? What are your attributes now?! Why haven’t you come to see me yet?!”

Jiran frantically patted the air between them with both hands in an effort to slow her down.

“I see you still have that nasty habit of spewing out questions one after the other before I can answer even one.”

Niya puffed her cheeks at him then continued sipping from her cup. She eyed him with a look that shouted, “you had better get to answering.”

“Fine, fine. I’ll talk. No, Lord Feylon is not ‘absussing’ anyone. He quirked an eyebrow at her and the color in her cheeks deepened.

“I’ve been extremely busy. Lord Feylon is having me fight weaker beasts in the forest,” Seeing the alarm in her expression, he quickly added, “while he watches to ensure I’m safe.”

“I’m already halfway to tier two with my attributes. His methods are very effective.”

Niya spat out the sip she had taken and gave Jiran a look of wide-eyed perplexity.

“H-half… halfway?” Something inside her broke as she stared wistfully at the wall behind him.

“Yes, almost. How far are you now? You’re a season older than me so you should be pretty far through tier one by now, right?”

Her hollow, tittering laughter filled the quiet room as she refused to make eye contact with him. After collecting herself, Niya gave him as serious a look as a nine-year-old could.

“This isn’t fair at all! How are you so far ahead of me after only tiering a few weeks ago? You were injured too. No, I refuse to believe it. You must be lying.”

“Lying? You think I would lie to you, Cousin?” A dangerous glint entered his eyes as he stood and approached her menacingly.

A flash of fearful realization crossed her expression just before he pounced and mercilessly tickled her sides. She screeched and squealed and pushed but wasn’t nearly strong enough to contend with his higher attributes.

Her peals of laughter turned into tears streaming down her cheeks before he relented and took his seat as if nothing had happened. Niya breathed heavily while holding her sides, as if the flimsy protection of her fingers would stop him if he chose to continue.

“Believe me now?” Jiran curled an eyebrow at her with a snarky grin.

“You really did turn into a bully! I’ll get you back for that,” She playfully snarled.

“Hey, Niya. I’ve been really curious, and if I wasn’t under house arrest I would have come to ask you. What did Micah teach you about Molding? He was in the army so he has to have some cool tricks.”

“Uhm, nothing really. He told me to trust the skill or something. That it knew the best way and I just had to listen,” She shrugged as if her words weren’t shattering Jiran’s entire worldview.

He stared at her with his mouth hanging open in horrified shock.

No fucking way. Calm down, Jiran. Micah’s probably just trying to protect her. He must have told her that because he doesn't want her to get strong enough to attract attention.

“What level is your skill at then?” A small part of him desperately clung to the hope that he was wrong.

“Oh that's right! I wanted to tell you before your teiring. Father said it would be rude to brag before you even had the skill and then you got hurt and couldn’t use your mana, so I kept forgetting.

“I got level three about a month ago! Isn’t that exciting? Father said it was amazing. Aren't I amazing?” She puffed out her chest proudly with her hands resting adorably on her hips.

A soft, high-pitched groan escaped Jiran’s throat as he stifled the hundred comments that rushed to the surface of his mind.

“Niya, you’re amazing. That’s really impressive,” He managed through gritted teeth.

“Hah! Try not to be too jealous, little cousin. I’ve had a lot longer to practice than you. It’s okay if you’re still stuck at level one. I’m sure you will get there eventually, just give it time,” Her attempt to mimic an adult consoling a child fell on deaf ears as Jiran facepalmed.

Jiran changed the conversation before he accidentally said something that might give her a complex for the rest of her life. They continued to enjoy each other's company as they talked about their daily routines and challenges while Jiran gave her a quick tour of the manor.

With a fond smile and another hug he waved goodbye and watched her run down the street toward town.

I shouldn’t think too hard about what she said. There are a dozen reasons Micah could have told her to only use the automated version of the skill and not activate it manually. Just one more thing to add to my list of questions for this mysterious tutor.

Jiran resumed his exercises until he was interrupted again by a maid informing him that Samris had returned and wished to see him. He quickly washed up and changed before sprinting up the stairs.

Excitement bubbled inside his chest at the chance to finally ask the questions that had been burning inside over the last two days.

When the door opened and he stepped into the peaceful room, he breathed a sigh of relief seeing the man as healthy and vibrant as ever. Jiran was shocked to realize a part of him was truly worried that Samris might never return.

https://imgur.com/SuzFBpk 

Have I become so attached already?

“Welcome home, Lord Feylon,” Jiran bowed politely.

“Thank you, Jiran. Tell me how your training fares?”

“I’m doing well, Samris. I mostly focused on Forcing and recovering from my injuries while you were gone.”

“Excellent. I’m proud you followed my instructions. I knew on the first day we met that you were a diligent child. I am pleased to see this has not changed with your elevated status.

“It would appear you are near bursting with desire to discuss something of great importance. Don’t keep me waiting, out with it,” Jiran saw a glimmer in Samris’s eyes and realized he was hoping for an update on his Unique status.

Sorry to disappoint you, Samris.

“What does ‘control mana beyond initial parameters’ mean?” Jiran watched his face scrunch in confusion as he pondered the words several times.

“I’ve never heard of such a phrase. Does this have to do with your Unique status?”

“No Sir. It’s related to the Molding skill,” Samris’s confusion grew deeper.

The golden-eyed man mumbled to himself while pulling out a notebook and flipping through the pages. He began to scribble furiously while occasionally looking up at Jiran for a second before resuming his notes.

“Most curious. As I have stated previously, I do not wish to influence your development overmuch. However, this subject falls far outside the purview of my own education. I can detect no complications in answering such a simple query.

“Controlling mana beyond initial parameters implies performing operations beyond the norm. In the case of mana, which is restricting in many regards, utilization beyond those restrictions could mean performing almost any operation beyond the norm, or rather, doing anything at all.

“For instance, a well-known constraint of Molding is that it may only be used within the body. Perhaps the removal of that restriction would result in unexpected schools of thought and research,” Samris chuckled, enjoying the hypothetical nature of the conversation.

“T-thank you, Samris. That was very helpful. I have so many other questions. How high do skill levels go? What is the average level in the empire for Molding and Forcing?”

“I am sorry, Jiran. I do not feel comfortable answering your second question. As for the first, no one knows.

“I suggest you exercise restraint and hold your questions for your tutor when he arrives, which could be any day now.”

Jiran fell into deep thought, now more certain than ever that the third option for his subskill was something he could not afford to pass up.

If no one knows the cap for skills, then there is a good chance I’ll get another shot at the flat bonuses. In the meantime, if I can break some of the rules with the Mana Expansion option, then I have to choose it!

Samris continued to speak, unaware of Jiran’s agonizing inner conflict.

“Get plenty of rest tonight, Jiran. Tomorrow we will begin a new phase of your training. The densoons will make our endeavors more difficult, but I believe you are up for the challenge,” Samris’s quirked brow let Jiran know he was expecting a response.

“Yes, Samris. I am ready,” Jiran responded with an excited grin while mentally confirming Mana Expansion as his first subskill.