5 Chapter 5 - Changes

Sala mustered up all of the courage in his body, ready to charge into Kane's room. Whether for an apology or to demand an explanation, even he did not know. Soon, however, hesitation sprouted in his mind. At the very least, he decided that the discussion could wait another day.

After sneaking back into his room, Sala collapsed on his bed. He closed his eyes, though, as he was desperate to try to make some progress on his newly acquired mana control. Before he could, however, all of his power left his body, plunging him into the deepest sleep of his life, lasting only several hours.

Despite the short duration, he had never felt so well rested after waking up. All of his chores were done in a flash, and soon he was left to his own devices. Not yet ready to tell Kane what he had learned, he decided to practice his mana control, and returned to his room.

Gathering mana into that very same center, down into the core of his body, Sala practiced his mana circulation. Gradually, the particles gathered into a flow, forming a dense center, from which tension started to build.

Sala felt a familiar spark, and knew this was a deciding moment. Pouring strength into what felt like every muscle in his body, the flow of mana grew thicker and thicker. Pressure built until it felt like it would crush his body.

Then, just like it never happened, the mana reached a breaking point. Sala could feel the pure energy traveling through every extremity, every nerve, every fiber of his being. Colors seemed more vivid. Every slight breath of wind was apparent. Even, to Sala's dismay, the odor of the chicken house seemed to grow in strength.

Jumping up, the tailed boy celebrated his newfound progress in wizardry, only to find a wide-eyed Kane by the door.

"You..." Kane stuttered. "How did you... That was mana."

"Well, you did buy me the books." Sala attempted to explain.

"But you shouldn't have been able to..." Kane paused. "So you saw." He added, quietly.

"The message? The fact that you put this on me when I was child?" Snapped Sala, even surprising himself. "Yeah, I guess I did."

"Listen, I know you want answers but, right now, you need to come with me." Kane bore a dark look, seemingly unbothered by Sala's harsh tone.

"Not until you tell me what's-"

CRACK.

A slap resounded in the enclosed room. Sala reached up to feel his face, where it stung. Kane grabbed his hand and pulled him downstairs, in the midst of his daze.

---

"Listen, Sala." Kane took a seat in the cellar, gesturing for Sala to do the same. "I'm sorry I hit you, but there's something you need to know."

Sala stood, arms crossed, seated across from Kane. A sour expression crumpled his tall face, accentuated by his high and wide cheekbones.

"Your father... No, I guess it would be better to start with your mother." Kane sighed. "Your mother had natural Mana Wells."

Sala attempted to keep a calm expression, but a flicker of interest lit his face for the briefest of moments. "Natural Mana Wells...?"

"Yes... I believe you've heard of them. Roughly one in hundreds of thousands, possibly millions of people, might possess them. It was because of them that she was labeled a witch." Kane's face hardened. "And it was also because of them... That she was murdered."

"Murdered...?" Sala could no longer disguise his astonishment.

"By the people of our own village." Kane affirmed. "You see, the ability in her Mana Wells was something akin to clairvoyance. It was quite the coincidence, in fact, that the future village chief, the Witch of Calamity, and an unassuming stable boy would be the greatest of friends as children."