17 Chapter - 6 : A little girl's determination.

Here, it was still evening. The teacher had just finished sending off Ashwaal. Still being evening, the sun had yet to set. Grillmart could enjoy a nice moment of peace. This short moment made him mumble a few things he wanted to let out of his mind.

"If only things could always be this peaceful, then the world would be all the better for it."

"Yeah... That would be a miracle. Will you be able to show us such, Ashwaal? Alkmard truly is a blessed land. When I see the smile on the student's faces, this conviction runs even deeper into my bones. Full of joy and happiness, year after year. But it won't always be so... I'm sorry everyone, I'm sorry on behalf of the old master."

"Sorry, for taking away your smiles. For the looks on your faces when you think back to a year before. I'd only wish you'd realise it sooner, have you seen how many of your seniors can actually laugh like you all are doing right now?"

"Sorry, Young Miss. This unfilial one can do nothing except stand to the side."

"Ashwaal, this old man can't do anything else but put his hopes on you. I leave the rest in your hands. Let me witness what you can do... No, let me see what you will do.

The old man was talking to the wind, and it carried his words as it blew by. To fade away, unheard by all. Words that he spoke out. Words that he wanted to let out. To remove from his memory. Words that he couldn't.

After he finished speaking, he seemed to age even more than before.

"Hey, hey, Uncle Mart, tell me, 'Why do birds fly?'"

"Young Miss..."

As he recalled distant memories, a single tear slid down his face, dripping to the grass.

The grass bloomed. It grew a flower and bloomed. He deeply wished his wishes could also bloom.

But wishes didn't come true so often, did they?

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"Hey...."

Hm? What's that? I want to...

"Hey!..."

...continue...

"If you dare finish that sentence, I'll knock you out and feed you to the birds."

"Yes, yes. I'm up." I immediately got up and stared nervously at the 'commander'.

From my sitting position, his gigantic figure was like a tower shrouding me from the sun. The sun?

Looking more closely, it was actually a light bulb. A testament to the fact that I was indoors. Though I was sleeping on the floor, there was a mat laid down on top of it, with a pillow where my head rested.

"Stop looking around so much! This ain't some kind of circus. Breakfast's ready. Be quick or you won't get a share." He walked away with wide strides, fitting through a door that was half a foot smaller than him.

Getting a clearer view of the room it was like any other unoccupied room, with a window and a light bulb and having nothing inside it.

"This isn't the time for that..." Right now, I had to think about how I got here.

"There was that bright glow and... that's right! Where are the rest of them?" Quickly realising that I was the only one in the room. I rushed out the door following the 'commander'.

They should be fine, right? Even I'm fine. But maybe, just maybe. Damn! I have to stop thinking like this.

I ran through the hallway for a minute or two till the light assaulted my eyes and I had to squint. When they finally cleared, what I saw was...

"Caleb, can you please pass me the ketchup?"

"Kay..."

"Nou dat ish the job uf a genthul man. Lett mih duh ut"

"Sorry. but I'm the one who she asked."

"Huh? Yeh vwant tuh go agan punnk?"

"Remember who beat you up the last time please."

"Hey you two, if you keep bickering the food will get cold."

Cecille, Caleb, and the now 'bald' guy dining on the same table.

"Oh my, oh my, don't you young un's get along so well. What about you two, do you want more?"

"Yes please, Mother Franklin!" The goons would never stray far from their boss. They were eating the food with like they were starving for a week.

The commander was silently eating as he sat at the middle. With the goons to the right and the rest to the left. He was like a wall that separated them from where I was seeing.

Right now, I was relieved. I let out a sigh, that took all my worries with it. They were safe. They were fine. Two people, I could call 'friends'. When was the last time I had one? Was it 5 years back or more?

"Hm? When's Ashwaal waking up? The food will be done before he can even grab a bite."

"Please don't say that when you're the one who's eating the most. Even those two over there combined won't compare to what you've eaten. Oh, they passed out."

"Hey, it's not like it's my fault. I'm still growing so I have to eat up so that I can grow. And when I do, hehe...."

"Stop showing a grin like you have some plan when you can't even think properly. As for growing.... don't tell me you only think of your height?" That last part came out as a mumble. For some reason, Cecille didn't seem to hear it while I unexpectedly could. So did the bald guy who instantly glanced over to Cecille as he heard it.

He couldn't help but give his approval by nodding which earned him a glare from Caleb.

They were quite far from the door so they couldn't see me. Though thinking about it, this house was quite small for a big guy like the 'commander' to live in. And that 'Mother Franklin', the coincidences were too much.

"Doesn't matter. If it happens, then it happens. Don't tell me you were trying to run away."

"No, I wouldn't dare think of it. Not when there's currently someone glaring at me from the middle of the table."

I quickly turned back to face the menace that was standing with both hands on her hips. Though I felt quite embarrassed, I just had to. It was either this or a stare-off with a guy who was literally screaming 'danger' with his figure.

I could clearly see the figure of the 10-year-old who I could've mistaken to be just a few years younger than me. By that I mean even fewer.

"Hi, again,...."

"Just that?" She questioned like one who held the strings.

"What else do you expect?"

"Honestly, even I know a 'Nice to see you again, little sister' is too far off but I was sure at least you'd be capable of a normal greeting."

"You can't blame me. Why don't you try to converse after having no company for over 5 years?..." That came off as a weak mumble.

"Eh? Did you say something?"

"I mean. I have to confirm something... Is this your... where you.."

"About that... how should I explain? Wait! You haven't even kept your end of the promise for a whole four days now."

Four days.... had it really been that long?

"It's not my fault the Principal decided to torment me. It's already amazing enough that I actually met the Witch and lived to tell the tale."

"Don't make it sound so exaggerated. Big sister is by far the nicest person. You're the one that's bad, bickering with a girl."

"Hm? Big sister?"

She instantly held her hands to her mouth at that remark. It seemed that she had a 'closer' connection to the old hag than what seemed on the surface. Thinking back, that old man Grillmart and senpai should also have been closely tied up with her. Not that it was my concern.

"Anyway. Aren't you forgetting something?"

"Forgetting? No, I'm not. Instead, I'm just feigning ignorance, which cannot be considered forgetting."

"Oh really?" Her eyes were shining as they turned playful. Surely she wouldn't...

"I wonder what Mother Franklin would do if she heard that a certain someone didn't intend on keeping their promise?"

Threaten me...

I could only resign myself as I gave a sigh..

"Let's go out to the porch. This place should have one, yes?"

"Yay! Let's go then! Time to learn magic!" She cheered as she lead the way outside

Sadly, the opposite might happen too...

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Grassed filled the area, trees at the far edge. Where was this place? It couldn't be inside the city. Probably far west or east. Either way, there was a shabby old house which didn't match its inner appearance.

Standing outside I faced the little girl, Eville, who was all prepared and ready.

"Don't be so happy and all. I never said I would teach you anything."

"Booo! Then why did you say to move to the porch?" She replied while pouting.

"I'm going to ask you if you're really serious. There's no turning back once you've decided. The small practices you did in the outer city aren't even going to make the cut for comparison. Especially when it's from me and not other people. Honestly, if it were up to me, then I'd definitely make you turn back but... I'm not exactly the boss here am I." I truly felt somewhat powerless with regards to the young girl in front of me.

Maybe a testament to the blood she inherited from her parents, her eyes were full of her determination. Her figure was one that would never turn back. I could already tell her answer.

But what surprised me was that she gave the same answer in an unexpected way.

"Actually, even I'm a bit scared." I had the faintest hope she would turn back..... but that small spark was easily put to dust.

"Ever since I got that book from Mother Franklin, I've been trying really hard to read that book. I'd try so hard that my head would hurt. I can't even remember how many hours I spend every day doing just that. Then finally, as I gradually started understanding the words, I could finally read the book and follow its practices." She paused for a moment, then continued.

"But with no one to teach me, I had to struggle. Sometimes, my mana would deviate to the wrong parts of my body and it really hurt. Other times I would send out too much and burn my own skin. There were even times when I tried too much I forgot I had no more mana and had to clutch my stomach while enduring the pain." Her head drooped down. Her hands clutching her skirt so tight, it was getting wrinkled.

"But I'm not going to give up." She said with utmost confidence. Like a rock that wouldn't budge.

For a moment, I felt that her words, though not really loud, caused the area to shake.

Even I didn't have the heart to turn her away. But the path that she was about to follow.... if it were me and I was given the chance then I would definitely take another choice. Would she do the same? The difference here was she could make the choice. I didn't have one.

I turned my eyes to the house from which a pair of eyes were watching us. As if sending their approval, the one in the house gave a nod.

With the removal of the last barrier, I let out a sigh. WIth it, all thoughts of turning back, of finding a leeway disappeared.

If I had half-heartedly done any task. then maybe I wouldn't have lived to see this day. Even though I won't be teaching her long, this meant I couldn't make any exceptions even if it's for a little while.

"Are you really sure? I said it before, there's no turning back." I gave one last look at the girl, who was still staring at me, unblinking.

"No. I can't turn back. I won't turn back. I have to find my mother and father!" She cried out. Not like the little girl who liked to play around.

"Fine then, I accept." With that, I decided to teach her the little that I knew.

But for her. There might hardly be any that fit the role more than me.

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"You don't really have to go easy on her. My little girl can take much more than you think."

"Maybe, but I don't like overworking without the same level of profit," I replied.

The one sitting opposite me was sipping tea from her cup. Her elbow was laid on the table as she stared at the girl giving her all in her training. Contrary to her words, her eyes were glued to the figure, shaking ever so lightly everytime the figure would fall to the ground. But the figure would always get back up and repeat what she did.

Honestly, even I was surprised that the little girl could show that the words she said before were not just words through her actions.

The figure before me stared straight at me again. A smile evident on her face. Was it natural for her? Or was it because of the pride she felt in seeing her little girl grow up? I couldn't tell.

"So, Miss Franklin..."

"Please, call me Mother Franklin. Everyone calls me that except for my idiotic little brother."

"Ehem... Mother Franklin, what can you tell me about her parents?"

"Oh, to think you actually care about my little girl. And here I thought you'd be all cold and heartless."

"Wouldn't my corpse be hung on the city walls if I dared do that?"

"Now why are you asking me that?" She closed her eyes and smiled. To me, that was scarier than a ghost.

'"Then, can you tell me what you're teaching my little girl? If you do your job really well, I might throw in a few bonus answers to some of your questions. Though it would depend on you to pick the right questions."

"Like what?"

"Aren't you interested in knowing about 'certain' things like, for instance, how a city just disappeared into thin air?"

"No. I'm sorry but I have all I need and that's to 'not get involved'. I do 'not' want to get involved."

I immediately rejected her offer, though I would tell her nonetheless.

"What she's learning right now is elementary mana condensation. She's already able to control her mana and form a fireball, so we can skip teaching her how to control mana. Instead, she's learning to condense mana to take shape, without casting a particular spell."

"Hm? What's she learning again?" She didn't seem to be pretending. I guess she seriously didn't get what I was saying.

"Please don't tell me you really aren't getting this."

"Oh, but I'm not. I didn't get to learn magic through such basic steps like you kids."

"Even so...Might I rudely ask how old you are right now?"

"Now, now, Ashwaal. Let me give you a piece of advice. A woman's age is off limits. Clear?" Her smile now seemed more threatening than ever.

"Anyway, what she's learning to do is project her mana as formless mana, like a gas for example. Then condense it into a particular shape and finally solidify it. She can easily do that through a spell but she'd only be able to do so for that particular spell. Whereas she'd be able to easily do all the shape transformations for elementary spells, which are full of them. That is if she succeeds."

"Eh? Even I didn't expect that. Wouldn't that take years of learning? Normally they'd be taught a few elementary spells and just skip to intermediate ones as the grew older." She seemed incredulous as the surprise was evident in her brows. Of course, even I didn't believe it myself when I first heard it.

"That's right. It would take more than four or five years to learn all the elementary spells. In fact, most kids don't even learn them. But as a noble, it is a must. Still, that's definitely not worth it at all. That's why they are taught to only focus on increasing their mana and mageforce other than the few spells they're taught. That's the most ideal way. Even I agree with that part."

"But the way she's learning, she'll be memorising the sensation of forming all those shapes. That way, reproducing them will be easy. Now, if her property, that is, her element was added to that, then that mean's she'll be casting spells like Fireball or Fire Daggers without real 'casting'. And if she's doing it through non-specific mana condensation, that means she'll be able to form it into any shape she wants. All spells through one practice."

Even I was amazed when I first heard it from the madman itself. Condensing mana to take form? To solidify mana? That was madness. For force mages, their mana couldn't be solidified since it would have the property of 'force' which had no shape. Maybe that's why he specifically searched for elemental mages. And I, the unlucky month, was caught in his web.

"It seems easy and all. So continue..." Her eyes were no longer so friendly. Maybe only half as kind as they were before. She was serious this time.

"The bad parts are... It's going to hurt. A lot. She'll be overstrained from forming too many shapes. Concentrating too much mana would make it burst and hurt herself. When her element kicks it she would burn herself. If she sends out too much mana her skin would tear, or in the worst case burst. If she has no more mana while doing it she might faint. It also has its own condition, that, she needs to be able to consecutively form at least 128 shapes before she can instantly form them separately."

She hung her head and stared down, contemplating. Would she let Eville continue learning it? There were many other ways elementary magic could be learnt. The 'path' that she was treading on might be too much for a 10-year-old girl.

While she was thinking, things got worse.

*puff*

The sound of fumes bursting out rang aloud.

Wasting no time, I immediately rushed out of the veranda. Reaching the girl who was lying with her face planted on the grass, I could clearly see the burnt skin on the back of her right hand. Could feel the sweat drops that wet the grass.

"Only the outer skin was burnt. You might not be so lucky next time. Don't try to add your element so early and just focus on the shapes." I said while taking some ointments from the bag she had and applying them.

She gasped for breath with a grin on her face. I could never picture that on a kid at all. In between her breath's she spoke out.

"Big Brother Ashwaal... I did it..... I finally.... formed the first shape....." She closed her eyes and rested, though she didn't fall asleep.

I felt the presence of another behind me. I turned to take a look and was a bit taken aback by what I saw.

Mother Franklin, in her black dress with her black hair that was tied at her neck, was staring at the little girl on the ground with a frown on her face. Her deep blue eyes stared straight at me. Her white face no longer looked kind and lovely, nor were her peach-coloured lips spread out.

It seemed she made her decision. One that was not in my favour.

"My little girl got hurt... She got hurt because of you." She raised her hand and I was instantly blown away.

I thought that I would be blown far away, but I stopped in midair even before I flew a metre away.

I couldn't breathe. Couldn't take in any air. Something was strangling me. Like a hand was clutching my neck.

I couldn't help but think it was amazing. I couldn't feel any elements at all. There was only 'force' in her magic. To think someone would reach such a height as a force mage.

"Eville was hurt because of you, so you have to pay. You no longer have to teach her, I'll find someone for her this time."

Fear was slowly filling my mind. I couldn't think straight. Would I die here? She said she would spare me, didn't she? What would she do? Am I finished? Damn, I can't even move! Can't move a single part of my body, my mind, my soul. Think of a way to live. Think. Think. Think...

.....Would dying be so bad?...

Before I had the answer to my question, my saviour arrived.

"Stop it, Mother. Don't hurt Big Brother!" The girl whom could be said to be the victim of the problem had got up and stood between me and the Mother. The urgency had gotten to her and she couldn't be bothered to care about names.

And as she did I was also dropped to the ground, freed from the magic. I supported myself with both of my legs and one knee on the ground. I could hardly face upwards.

And in front of me, the little girl stood weakly clutching her right hand with her left. Her left knee bent, her back leaning forward. What little energy she had left, she was using it to look at her 'Mother' and not fall to the ground.

She drew strength from who knows where and spoke aloud.

"Mother Franklin, I won't lie to you..... It hurts.... a lot... but... I still agreed with this. Please.... don't stop me. Not now. I haven't even started trying."

"I can't 'not' interfere. Do you know how much it pains me when I see you hurt like that? All this struggling... What if you never see them again?"

"Even so... I won't turn back..... because even if I don't find them..... there's still you... and the sisters, ...and the little kids whom I have to take care of..... I have to get stronger.... so I can do that."

"And right now... there's no one better than Big Brother Ashwaal who can teach me.... I don't think there'll ever be one."

"So, please... Mother Franklin..... Mother... Allow me to do this." With all the energy she had, she stood up straight and bowed, bending her waist, still clutching her hands.

She almost stumbled forward but with some unknown force, she didn't.

"Hmph! Do as you please!" Mother Franklin loudly spat out her words and instantly disappeared as she turned back.

There were some sparkles as the sun illuminated them.

Too exhausted to even comment. The danger was over anyway. I just lied on the grass with my back. My legs and arms spread out.

Right now, the sky looked more beautiful than it ever did.

Right now, I was glad, that I could see the sky.

Glad, that I was still alive.

I closed my eyes for a moment. While I did, I felt the grass moving. Someone was walking. Moving towards me. It stopped as it circled around me and stood before my head.

Opening my eyes right now would be a fatal mistake. I couldn't even be bothered to.

I felt weight dropping to the grass. Someone had dropped their knees on the ground. I guess I could open my eyes now.

As I weakly did I saw the face of the girl. Her tears hadn't dried up, her cheeks still wet. She stated at my face without blinking. Maybe expecting something. While I only looked straight at the sky.

"Hey..." I called out to her.

"Mmmm" She made no sound as her tears dripped to the ground. I guess that could be considered a reply.

"Thanks, I guess..."

"...." No reply came. But still, I continued on.

"You know... I know I don't have to tell you this and this is really out of character.... but.... you should go make up with her..."

"..."

"If she really did want to stop you..... who could stop her?"

"..."

"Family..... that's the feeling I got when I saw you two.... even if you were arguing... even if she was mad... I'm sure anyone would agree....."

"Family..... they're precious.....So please..... go make up soon..... and let me rest here for a while." I closed my eyes for the last time.

What was this feeling that I felt in my chest? Envy? Maybe. But also glad.

My last thought was that It wasn't so bad having a little sister.

And then the darkness faded away.

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Had he fallen asleep? She could hear his breaths as they grew more regular with each passing moment.

"Hey..... Big Brother Ashwaal..... you're asleep.... right?"

Hearing no reply, she took that as a yes.

She shifted a bit forward. Her feet were to the side of her hips. The way she was sitting down, her bent knees almost touched his head.

Careful not to wake him up, she gently lifted his head and laid it on her lap.

"Stupid big brother... Eville hates you."

"You think you know the best?.... Well... this time... you're wrong....."

"You said family's precious... You might not know....but... that makes you precious too...."

"If I went right now... who would take care of you? Stupid Ashwaal..... always thinking about others... You should take better care of yourself..."

"So.... rest a little while...."

"Hey... did you know?.... I always wanted one too...."

"The other kids... they wanted parents and all.... but me..... I already had 'Mother'.... so all I wanted.... was a big brother..."

"Thank's Ashwaal... I'm really glad.. that you're my big brother..."

The only one who heard the young girl's voice was the wind that was blowing around them. The faint breaths of the boy, still so distinct as he slept.

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She had her back to the wall as she was sitting, tucking her head between her knees, hugging them with her arms. Her eyes were wet, and she wasn't keen on drying them.

She could have stopped her, could have protected her through her whole life, but why didn't she stop her?

"My little girl's grown up..... she's all grown up...." She couldn't help but be proud of that. Out of all the children she took care of, that one little girl was special.

"I'm sorry, Era, I'm really sorry I couldn't bring myself to stop her."

"I wish you could've seen her right then.... she was so brave.... she really is your precious little angel." She held the picture frame from the table in her hand. She had never felt so much earning like now, to see the people in the picture again. Thinking back as she saw the picture, she couldn't help but let her tears fall.

It was a picture of a man with his grey mane scattered about. With his large figure and wide arms, he hugged two women. The one to his right held a baby in her arms. A man with neatly combed blonde hair had his hand to her waist. The one to the left was smiling. She looked exactly like the other albeit a few years younger.

Oh, how she wished they could be together. How they would laugh and smile and play together.

She couldn't help but hate herself. The one who benefitted the most was her. Eville was separated from them. They were separated from her. 'She', had gained a form of affection she had always wanted.

She couldn't help but think back to her parting words.

"She's your child now. Take care of her."

"You'll understand later. Trust me, even the baby'll agree." She said with a smile.

Even now, she could still hear their voices in her mind.

"Take care of her well, Ashwaal. I won't spare you again if you make her cry."

Unbeknownst to him, another person had, yet again, laid their hopes on the boy.

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Is this a dream? Maybe it was. Because here, he couldn't feel pain.

But that didn't mean he wanted to wake up. Because it was only here that he could see her.

It was here that he could remember her, see her face, even if she was currently grabbing his heart.

It was the only thing he could remember. And this was the only place he could ever think of her.

Was it strange he didn't hate her? Didn't want to choke her to death while he could? Instead, what he wanted to do was lift his hands to wipe her tears. But he was too weak to even move them.

He wanted to smile at her, saying everything would be alright. Saying that he didn't mind, that he would always forgive her. But the words wouldn't come out of his throat. He was too weak to even speak them out.

He wanted to place his hands to her cheek and widen her mouth to make her smile. But he was too weak, too damn weak.

The only thing he hated about this dream was the fact that this was the only place where he could even remember this dream.

And that he was too damn weak.

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The room was bleak and lifeless. Any evidence that it was once a bright place had faded, being covered with the faded pale-grey colour of the world.

Here, there were no windows. The faint vibrations coming from upper floors were a fact that the room was underground. Maybe deep below where not even the air was scarce.

Here, there was a man sitting both of his legs atop a table. His hands behind his back as he leaned against his chair.

"Sir, here's all the information we have on the new recruits." A soldier in full armour stood in front of the table. His armour made clanks as he moved.

"Oh... There was that..." Seemingly uninterested, he extended his hand and the files flew over.

"Hm? Only two this year. Why so less this time?" He asked, without any interest nor aim.

"Reporting Sir! Though there were a lot of people who made the mark this year, many didn't make the cut due to their affiliations. So only two were accepted." The soldier replied. Standing upright. His voice rang around in the room. Troubling no one as they were the only ones there.

"Have they been informed."

"No, Sir."

"Good. Just let them take the test directly. You don't need to worry about them refusing. After all, no one has ever refused our invitations."

"I shall fulfil your orders, Sir." The soldier gave a salute and then vanished. The dust blowing away was the only thing that made sure he was there before.

"I guess I can sleep a little more. Sleeping is the only way I can feel pleasure these days." The man casually threw the files on the desk and drifted off.

The two files landed with a thud on the desk. On one of the papers in one file, was written Ashwaal Murkveil and sealed ACCEPTED. On the file cover, was written in red, Magus Sphere covered by a CONFIDENTIAL.

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