Elevation of Mana Chapter 182 Getting A Tutor

Isha

“Whatever we choose, she needs training,” I informed my husband after we'd put our child to bed. There were things you simply didn't need to discuss before them.

“Yes... I could.”

“Justin, you spoil her more than you would ever admit. I know you love her, but she needs someone who can discipline her properly.”

“So you?” he asked, not denying it at all, merely offering another solution.

“I'm unsure, what about finding someone professional.”

“I may know a few people,” he said while tapping his lip in thought.

“Your apprentice love. He's already like a member of the family, but you now he won't let her off.”

“Are we sure we want to keep up this tradition anyway? We could train her together, with others, it wouldn't be so hard...”

“Justin, there's a reason for it. I know you hated it, and I did too, but there was a good reason that old bitch made us all go out into the wilderness. You know what kind of power we can wield, you know what abilities can come from it. What if she hurts someone, even unintentionally, or kills them?”

“It's true. Did you know that I saw what Jina did during the war? What she was capable of.”

He didn't talk about that much. That battle had been horrible, and while everyone remembered it, and even he would use it if he had to he didn't like to, and in our private time we barely spoke about that chapter of our lives.”

“I know she did something, killed all those children...”

“It was instant. I doubt our little girl could do that right now, but one day she might be able to. We need to keep her from going down that path. I shudder to think what could happen should she one day.”

“Do you think she'd pose a danger to us now?” I asked.

“No, not as we are. Our power would push hers aside, but other children, possibly.”

That was something he'd told me of seeing first in the southern swamps. One of the soldiers there had been able to resist spells, and after some inquiries, and a bit of practice both us and Chien could now do the same. It was an odd technique, but very useful. I suspected that most of all elders knew of it, probably why old Elaya had insisted in taking the children herself to train.

“Chien will be the best for it then,” I insisted. “He's a decent man.”

“He's a bit of a joker,” my husband replied.

“Only about things that are fine to joke about. You've seen how he is when things are bad, or serious. You also trust him, and so do I.”

“Fine then, if you're sure I'll speak to him tomorrow morning,” he offered.

“No, I'll do it. Need to make sure he knows how seriously I take this,” I said clicking my tongue a few times. “He sees you and still thinks you're about for fun.”

“Generally speaking he's right too.” He settled beside me and we headed to bed, both tired from the long day.

The next morning I found our long-time friend and my husband's apprentice is all but title.

“Whatever it is, I didn't do it,” he said as I came to his section of our compound, clearly looking for the man himself.

He was no longer a boy, which was sort of sad to me, having known him as such it was a bit nostalgic. However he still acted like one enough, chasing women, making jokes, and not taking many things seriously at all.

“It's not what you did, it's what I want you to do,” I told him simply.

“And what's that?”

“I want you to train Adia in basic magic.”

“That seems like a horrible idea, why would I do that?” he asked with a scoff as I heard something fall from his room. He saw me looking and simply said, “Don't worry about it.”

“Because you're the best man for the job.”

“That seems inaccurate, and anyway the boss needs me for his current projects.”

“I assure you he doesn't, and he agrees with me. He trusts you Chien, he knows that you'll keep her safe, that you'll see to it that she learns what she needs to. Do you know how many people he can trust? So few that the best candidates for this job are in this room. Well, there may be a few more, but not that we can contact.”

“She's your child, and from what I've heard her magic is more like yours anyway. Rumor is she healed that boy. Yes, there it is, and it's true, I can see it on your face. You know, and I know that I know nothing about raising kids, don't want to, don't need to.”

“You remember our trip with Rolan?” I asked him.

“The Ancient from the forests to the north? Sure, what about it?”

“You yourself claimed to be raised by my husband, and while I personally think he views you more like a little brother he needs your help now regardless. You're still Chien, of the tree of Justin aren't you? Will you let his child have something subpar and potentially dangerous just to spare yourself some discomfort?”

“You're a real monster Isha, you know that?”

“And by that you mean I'm right?” I pointed out.

“Fine, but you're spending the day here teaching me what I need to know.” As he spoke the door to his personal bedroom opened, a small face peeking out curiously, skin peeking through the cracked portal. “Er, one moment, need to see to this first though.”

I spent no few thoughts on if I'd made the right choice as he had a conversation with his previous night's companion. She worked here at least, which meant that she wasn't a security risk, but still thinking that this was the man I was handing my child over to bothered me deeply.

“Alright, let's begin with everything you think I should know,” he finally said as he returned, looking at me with a crooked smile.