4 A new plan

That same night, Savine asked her mother and father for a private talk.

"Ney? What's wrong? Why did you call us?"

"…"

Liley was worried, and Nahar had a grim expression. 

"Mother, father. There's something you need to know."

Their eyes furrowed They definitely thought that their Ney was going to talk about her departure. But they could probably never guess Ney's next words.

"In my mind, there is another person."

"…"

"She knows countless things… things that I can't even imagine. And I think… that I'm starting to learn the things that she knows as well."

"Ney?"

"Is everything okay?"

Savine smiled confidently. She knew that she needed to be patient.

"Mom…" Savine smiled gently. "I understand that I sound crazy, but yesterday, just when the mana inside me was about to take over, that person appeared in my head. She helped me contain the raging mana inside me."

"Ney, stop talking nonsense," Nahar grunted. "I get its hard, with everything going on with you, but you can't make jokes like that."

Savine tilted her at an odd angle.

"Father, you work as a woodworker. I have drawings of some tools here that may make your job easier."

Savine spent most of Ney's savings to buy some paper and thin charcoal. She drew a few woodworking tools that might not have been introduced to the world yet.

The first paper was filled with small upgrades to existing technology, such as a clawed hammer, a layout ruler, a sawhorse, the jig, flathead nails. The second paper introduced new tools: a sliding bevel, a hand plane, a sander. And the final paper showcased different types of chisels and their uses.

Savine wondered if she should add some tools powered by mana here, but those were a long way away, so she didn't bother. She also thought that aside from their use, Nahar wouldn't be able to understand anything about them.

Sure enough, seeing the blueprints that Ney made, Nahar's expression turned to confusion.

"How… these detailed drawings…?" he murmured, staring at the pictures. "What even is this?"

"This is called a hand plane. A tool used to smooth and shape wood surfaces. It has a blade mounted on a flat base and is used for flattening, smoothing, and shaping boards, as well as creating joints and decorative features."

Savine spoke as mechanically as she could manage.

"And this one?"

"A skew chisel. A woodworking tool with an angled blade that cuts at an angle to the grain. It's used for turning spindles, chair legs, and bowls... and anything else that requires a delicate touch. It can be challenging to use at first, but it's very rewarding if you get the hang of it."

"Definitely…"

Savine could see Ney's father nodding along, easily visualizing the uses.

However, Ney's mother was not so trusting. Ney had never drawn in her life and combined with her current nonsense; it was impossible to stay calm.

"Ney! From which gentleman did you steal these! Or did you find them from the ground?!"

"I've drawn them all," Savine replied confidently. "Like I said, the person inside my head knows a lot. I think I'm learning to 

She pulled out a piece of charcoal and started drawing Liley's face. Since she worked hastily, her work looked somewhat rough, but it was impossible to deny the likeness it had with Liley. From the slightly large forehead on top of the slim, boney chin; to her long, curved nose and the forever scrunched-with-worry eyes. The overdrawn lines even gave the drawing a sense of style.

The two stared at the drawing for a few seconds. With how she produced the same result in front of their faces, her parents couldn't speak anymore.

"Mother. Check this as well."

Savine produced another piece of paper with recipes for more modern baking products. Savine hated sweets to her core, but for whatever reason, sweets were always the best-selling type of product, losing only to beauty products. But since her mother worked at a bread shop, there was no better thing for her to sell.

Liley looked at the list of recipes with some doubt, but with the matter of Nahar and Savine's drawing, she couldn't disregard these things completely.

Eventually, she asked.

"Ney, what is going on? Who is this person in your head?"

"It's nothing to be confused about," Savine smiled, patting her new parents' shoulders. "And there is nothing to worry about. The voice inside me, she is not a bad person. She said that she was God's Chosen, and because she appeared inside my head, that I'm God's Chosen as well."

The two of them glanced at each other in astonishment.

"God's... chosen? Which God?"

Savine smiled. 

"I'm afraid I haven't yet heard of that. But I'm sure I will eventually. And when I do, I'll be sure to tell you two about it."

"Then what else is she saying? This voice?"

"The voice has asked me to take control of my mana," Savine ignored the question. "But she doesn't wish for me to fall under a Magus's control. She suggested thinking about searching for the tool in the black markets or perhaps from another country."

"Didn't she already help control your mana?" Ney's mother asked.

"So you were listening," Savine smiled. "Yes. She did, but she said that it's only a matter of time before the mana inside me bursts out once more. It's better to take care of this problem once and for all, instead of delaying it."

"…"

Everything Savine said was probably a good thing, but the frown on the two's faces only deepened. Savine smiled inwardly before pleading.

"Mother, father. Please help your child. When the time comes when I can use the mana, surely, our family's future would be brighter than ever. First and foremost, we need to make money. Father, try to convince your boss to make these tools. You can sell them or use them to create sculptures or whatnot. Mother, try making these recipes."

"We'll… try," Liley said. "But… can you tell me more about this voice in your head?"

"Of course. I, foolishly wanted to hide her existence, but she insisted that I tell the truth to you two at least. She hopes that you will keep the secret. Not because she's dangerous or anything, but because she feels that no one else will be as understanding as you two."

"…"

"I'm sure you have a lot to think about," Savine said. "I'll be going to sleep now."

Her eyes lingering on her parents for a couple more seconds, Savine reentered her new room.

She thought of acting more subtle with her new guardians. She really did. She could've slowly transformed to make sure the change in Ney's soul was something of a secret. If she was careful enough, no one would even know that Ney became a different person.

But that was too much work for a relationship that she was going to throw away a few months later.

It would be better for her to simply put 'Savine' in the front and make the matter of Ney's death an open secret. Since Ney was a mage with no way of solving her mana issue, she was either going to die or be sold, anyway.

Her parents should've been prepared for something like this.

Also, this coincided with Savine's other plan. To publicize her specialty.

When she first started going to different worlds, Savine tried her best to keep herself a secret. She did everything she could to act like the original owner of the body and only after a year or two, she would begin her conversion efforts out in the open.

But as time passed on, she realized that, albeit a bit risky; it was easier to just declare that she was God's Chosen and work from there. For that to work, it was better to have a proper story as well.

A story about a greedy corporate leader turning over a new leaf overnight and becoming a man of virtue and charity. A story about a despot king becoming one of the kindest and merciful rulers in history. Or perhaps, a story about a weak, crippled girl turning into rich, influential mage in a matter of months...

All under the banner of God, of course.

Savine's job was to make herself into an object of worship. Not to play house with strangers.

'Now then… What would be the fastest way I can be done with all this? …I suppose I should go talk to a merchant.'