Chapter 5: “A different Perspective”

NORALYN HEART'S POV

"Arisa, your mastery over the manipulation of the energies is now at the elementary level. You are steadily growing and that is a very good thing!" 

I patted the head of this small cute platinum blonde girl, who despite having a bored face excitement was visible in her bluish-purple eyes.

"Hn .. so will I get to train with my brawther and mom.."

Seeing the 'smol' girl asks innocently as her head sways left and right, excited.

"Ah,..about that… probably not your Mom though"

I got sudden chills imagining her bloodied and hurt during training.

NO, NO… I quickly shook my head pushing ominous thoughts out of my head.

'Huuu'

Looking at the time I sighed,

'Let's leave that for the future but Artoria is in her cold and stern mood and it's also Alexis training today'

Suddenly bad feelings started welling up in me, anxiously I glanced at the watch again and decided to end the lesson with Arisa today and check on them.

"Ahemm"

I coughed lightly to grab Arisa's attention.

 "Arisa that's all for today, practice and stay here I'll be back".

Seeing Arisa nod, I quickly got up and made my way towards the arena where Artoria and Alexis were sparring.

'Just a little further..'

'Please don't go overboard…Please don't go overboard..'

I crossed my fingers and prayed as I almost reached the arena, I felt Artoria's EXIRA fully unleashed just as I reached the place and…

'Slash'

'Thud'

'Splurt…splurt'

There I saw in a blink of an eye,

Artoria had perfectly severed Lexi's hands, both hands as they fell, blood sprayed. 

Yet Lexi stayed stunned,

' shit..She … Lexi is fully suppressed under her EXIRA… Is she mad… I have to….'

But before I could move in, Her EXIRA fully manifested locking me down. Out of instincts, my own EXIRA surged but under hers, it was snuffed out.

'Hufff'

'Grr'

I gritted my teeth, how long has it been since I was subjected to her EXIRA. Fully locked down as I tried to keep battling against it.

I roused more of my own EXIRA to combat hers.

"There will be unknown variables in a real battle, variables beyond your control but manipulating them would make you come out victorious. There will be pain, I guarantee much much more intense than what you are going through now, if this much makes you lose your reason, your will to stand then…"

Her cold voice resounded and I remembered who she is and right now she is not my friend, not Alexis and Arisa's mother but …

The person the world knows as THE ABSOLUTE.

'Splurt..'

Locked under her Will, I could hear Lexi's Grunts and blood pouring.

'Grr'

".Y….YES!...MoTHEr!"

Tears welled up in my eyes as I heard Lexi's muffled voice weak but still with firm will.

'Grit'

I clenched my teeth as my head almost felt like exploding, I overexerted my EXIRA against Artoria to break free.

"Artoria!" I screamed as I rushed in.

"Noralne" 

 I hear Altroia's voice, she took back her Aura. But before I could move to help Alexis she stopped me.

"What…"

"Nora, let him"

I heard her voice in my head, I stopped not because she told me but because I could feel pai and her emotions.

My EXIRA allows me to read a person. It never worked on her all the time but right now I could feel her pain and her reasons.

'Huuuf'

I took a deep breath and looked at Artoria, outside she was the Matriarch of HOUSE DRAKESIER, THE ABSOLUTE, yet deep down I could see, and feel her sadness, her pain.

I am not Alexis's mother but he is like a son to me. I couldn't even begin to see him in such conditions yet Artoria, my dear friend, suppressing all the pain and agony deep within.

'Huuu'

I sigh and nod at her, move toward her, and gently squeeze her shoulders.

"I'm here Artoria, always with you"

I send back telepathically and she nods at me.

I looked towards Alexis seeing him rousing up his broken EXIRA, yet as he continued even in a broken state his EXIRA has far surpassed mine in tenacity.

As I saw him kneeling down to hold his severed hands with his mouth and struggling to reattach them, tears welled up but I held them back.

'snap'

I heard a snapping sound and looked at the Source the white knuckles of Artoria's hand, her grip so tight around the hilt of her sword that the handle cracked under the pressure, yet it spoke volumes of her internal turmoil.

"Nora heal him now!"

I heard Artoria's command waking me up from my dazed state.

I instinctively looked towards Alexis, he had reattached his hands and fell unconscious but Artoria was already there holding him in her embrace.

I raced toward him and roused my EXIRA and cast [Miracle] without any hesitation, the world around us dyed white, his wounds and mind mended in an instant.

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ALEXIS POV

'Hmm…comfy'

I woke up to see myself in my mother's lap, her familiar scent and her hands calmly ruffling my hair.

"Looks like you are awake now Lexi",

I moved my head in response to her voice, there I saw her face filled with motherly love, a stark contrast to how she usually is when it comes to training.

I tried getting up but she held me down gently forcing my head back on her lap.

"Stay for now, your wounds may have healed but mental trauma and stress need time, Don't bottle them up. "

She massaging my head gently continued,

"Now Lexi promise me you will rest not engaging in any activity that may include stress and I'll promise after the WORLD GALA you can go visit at Melissa's place"

I rest as her hands gently caress my head, somehow I could feel it soothing my soul.

"OK, Mom"

Nestled in her lap I closed my eyes letting relief wash over me before knowing I fell asleep again.

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I shuddered as cold water fell upon me sending chills deep within.

' what a shit show, I should really be a healer and ditch combat…'

I looked down at my hands reattached and no one could say anything ever happened to my hand if not for a curvy stitch-like pattern on both my hands as a result of my crude methods.

'Grip, clench'

I clenched my fingers to form a fist and repeated the motion. There was no pain, it was just a little awkward.

"Uggh"

I grabbed my head as my head throbbed, memories of the recent session still fresh leaving a nasty scar.

Cold water pouring down helped relieve the stress.

'That's why I was reluctant to spar with Mom'

'At least I know she loves me for real…'

'Shiver'

A sudden shiver ran through my body imagining just how brutally Mom must have killed her enemies, not to mention those that she may have a grudge against.

'No wonder... She is the ABSOLUTE, I will reach that stage and far beyond that I promise as your son's mom…dad..'

'Drip...Drop'

I closed my eyes letting cold droplets fall onto my body as I recall the sparring session.

'So that's what being subjected to EXIRA feels like'

'I was proud to be able to conjure flames and control objects telekinetically but they are all but paltry tricks…'

'It was unnerving being under her EXIRA suppression, that feeling of not feeling anything, no thoughts, no emotions, hell almost lost myself… my memories'

'It was terrifying and also she toned down her EXIRA strength to the level that I could achieve had I not wasted my time looking cool making fireworks'

'Victor is a bad influence, with all those flashy spells of his…'

'Drip...Drop'

 The cold water pouring down helped me achieve a level of calm and focus.'

'I'm not a proper mage, my core origin is EXIRA … '

'My Will'

'My resolve'

'My path, Had never been any much clearer'

'Knock!...knock'

"Young Master, you have been showering for almost 2 hours now. Please come out it time for dinner"

Layla's voice brought me out of my stupor and I could tell she was annoyed, very annoyed.

She never likes me sulking around, like her mother is too very sensitive to emotions

"Yes, Layla I'll be out in sec", I spoke as I closed the tap and dried myself up with a towel, and exited the bathroom.

"Young Master, Everyone is calling for you…..wear something!"

I noticed Layla paused speaking only for a second and covered her eyes with her hands a deep blush and reddened ears, yet I could spot her peeking.

"Ah.., tell Mom I will go down in a moment", as I picked up my clothes and turned around to see Layla had disappeared.

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Making my way down to the dining room I saw Mom, Ari, and Aunt Nora already seated while Layla and Sebastian were preparing the table.

The rich aroma of the night's meal greeted me, enticing my senses as I settled myself.

Mom, Ari, and Aunt Nora are already seated at the polished dark oak table.

Layla and Sebastian were bustling around, meticulously setting the table with care and precision.

Taking my seat, I exchanged smiles with Ari, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of curiosity and familiarity. 

"How was your training, big brother?" she inquired, her voice gentle yet filled with genuine interest.

'Cough' 

I chuckled, ruffling her hair affectionately. 

"Same old, same old. Training, lessons, you know"

Aunt Nora, with her warm, motherly smile, chimed in,

 "Your dedication to your training is commendable, dear. It will serve you well in the future. Rose wll be happy seeing you are slacking off"

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As we started our meal, conversation flowed easily among us. 

Aunt Nora discussed her recent discoveries in medicinal plants, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.

Throughout the meal, Layla moved gracefully around the table, refilling our glasses and ensuring we lacked for nothing.

Her presence, though shy, brought a sense of harmony to our gatherings, reminding us that she was not just a maid but an integral part of our family.

Amidst the laughter and shared moments, talk of the upcoming WORLD GALA found its way into our conversation. 

"Make sure to do the necessary shopping for the WORLD GALA tomorrow," Mom said seriously.

"It's an important event"

Ari's eyes lit up with anticipation. "I can't wait to pick out my gown! Maybe something in emerald" she mused, her imagination already picturing the perfect dress.

Aunt Nora nodded in agreement. 

Sebastian added, "I'll make a list of everything we need and ensure that the preparations are in order. We must be ready for any last-minute arrangements."

'Ohh how nice it is to feel alive….'

"Wait, I should stop thinking such things, I'm pretty sure my luck is very bad…'

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