07. Small village but a big trouble

Mayorcs attack dealt a big damage to the main village and several surrounding areas governed by Kabanos family.

Once the battle was over, the people started assessing the losses and cleaning. While the aforementioned were in progress, Mattheia's father - Carrera, alongside his mother - Farah, called their son's teachers and his new companion - Kashia, to the main hall of the house to discuss the current state of affairs.

"Hello everyone" he welcomed the group that went in "Please, have a sit."

Everyone did, except for Kashia.

"Is anything wrong, my dear?" Farah asked her. Based on what Mattheia noticed, it seemed that his mother took a liking to the angel girl.

"Apologies, but we are not using chairs like this. It's inconvenient with wings" she explained "Please, don't worry, I can stand."

"No, no, that won't do. I will figure it out, one moment."

Farah went outside, and in a moment they could hear some violent sounds. Mattheia knew these - it meant mother used her transformation for some reason. Then, the sounds stopped and Farah returned with a weird-looking chair, not matching the set - everyone noticed that the lady of the house likely chopped parts of the original chair to fit it for Kashia.

"Now, that we have everyone here" Carrera continued "We've lost a number of people, and damage to the buildings and fields is quite big. We are still in the middle of checking, but I expect this season is going to be hard on us with what happened there. For now, I informed governors of neighboring counties about this event, waiting for replies, and requested military support from the capital. Hopefully, this may help us gather some intel."

Others looked at each other, nodding.

"So, what do you need from us here, father?" Mattheia asked. "Do you need our help with repairs?"

Carrera looked at Farah.

"This too, but once we are done with tidying things up, I would like to send you to the capital."

Mattheia looked at father, confused.

"But why? Am I supposed to take care of some business there?"

Carrera scratched his head.

"We want to send you there for safety reasons, at least until we get the things back in place here. And everyone here, we want to send them with you."

This turn of events was so unexpected for Mattheia that he remained speechless for a longer moment.

"We don't even know what happened, father. Isn't this decision a bit rush?"

"I get this may sound unfair, son" Farah joined the conversation "However, we were close to losing here. Owing to Nine, Junie and Galhardt, and of course you and Kashia, we managed somehow, but we were moments away from catastrophe. I was actually considering joining the fight myself, and would do that if not for Nine."

Farah looked disappointed, mentioning that she wanted to join a fight.

"You are strong, Farah, I won't deny it" Nine said "The thing is, you are lady of this house and we cannot take such a risk."

"I know, but still..."

"It's okay, honey" Carrera hugged her "The most important part is that we didn't lose and are still alive. That's why we need to take proper steps from now on. And assuring the safety of our son takes priority. Mattheia, we aren't young anymore so we are not worth as much as you. We need to make sure you grow up safely to take over the land. Remember, we are not only responsible for ourselves, but also about people of this land."

"I got this. Still, I don't get how having Nine, Junie and Galhardt go will ensure safety here. Father, mother, I doubt any of the soldiers you will get from the capital will compare to any of my teachers."

All three were smiling, hearing what their student said, and the first one of the three to talk was Galhardt.

"I agree with the boy, sir" he said "He will need an escort for sure, but we cannot leave you two on your own. You also need support here. I may not be a local living in Copebell Understick from birth as you, but I grew fond of this place, and don't want to abandon this place like that."

"I think we all share the sentiment" Junie supported Galhardt "Once in a while, even Gallie is able to say something wise."

Galhardt gave her a look saying "Seriously?" but did not start arguing as it was not a proper time for it. Then, Nine joined the discussion.

"I would like to stay with the kid, he needs my support more than you do. Besides, me staying in the area may attract danger." she had a really serious look when saying that "I heard those hooded horsemen mentioning my real name, and there should be only a limited number of people who know my whereabouts."

Mattheia looked at her, confused.

"Wait, Nine, you cannot possibly think this was about you? How can someone attack a village to get one person? Isn't that a bit of a stretch?"

Nine sighed, and put her hand on his head.

"You still know so little about real world, despite all of my teachings. I think it's about time I told you about my real name, Aukkleia of the Nine Magics."

"Yes, and he is not the only one who wants explanation" Junie added her opinion.

"I know, Junie, and you too, Gal. I apologize for keeping this a secret, but I had my reasons."

"I hope it's not about conflicts with the law" Galhardt's face looked stern "You know all these rumors about Aukkleia, right?"

She nodded.

"Yes, I believe I know most of them. However, no need to worry, these are mostly made up. I have no conflicts with the local low, or anything. Quite contrary, they wanted to make headmistress of the country's Mage Academy, but I declined."

The way Junie and Galhardt reacted could summed up in short words "are you crazy?"

"I don't get it, why would you do that?" Junie was shaking her head "Not taking such a prestigious position..."

Nine took a deep breath.

"Ok, wait with your scolding for now. This is much more complex story than you think. I might have spent years on mastering my skills, finally getting the title corresponding with this achievement, but the truth is, I was doing that for my own purposes. I never actually considered making it big. Rather than that, my plan was to get my strengths under control as these were an actual curse back in my childhood. It was because of my strange powers that I got kicked from home and had to wander the streets. Back then I was thinking whether it made sense to continue on living, if it was not better to just die. In the end, I got picked up by a mage who noticed my energy. I was grateful, and will be grateful for the rest of my life."

She took a sip of wine before continuing.

"So, I got a teacher, who showed me how to control the energy inside. I've managed to learn fast, and reached high level quite early in my life, and my teacher took a real pride in raising me. The problem was, my level was affecting my teacher's standing. Because of that, higher-ranking mages became scared of losing their own positions, causing machinations. Due to one of their schemes, my beloved teacher lost his life."

Others started exchanging looks.

"This caused some unexpected events. Apparently, with my master gone, they thought this will affect my own position, but quite contrary - the king, who trusted my teacher, came up with a crazy idea of giving me headmistress position. Not only the scheme did not lower my standing, it raised me in the ranks."

Nine emptied her glass completely and poured another one.

"I was angry with myself, because I got a wind of what was happening owing to my friends, and decided to underestimate the situation. Ultimately, I started feeling it was my fault that master died. I got so angry that I dropped my original name and left the capital. It was by no means about infhting with other mages, but my own pride. I felt I don't deserve all of this after failing my master."

No one was saying anything, aside from Mattheia.

"But you keep telling me that I shouldn't be too prideful, that being humble will teach me more, and now you are saying that you failed your master... Isn't that everyone decides for themselves, and lives their own lives? Maybe your master knew about everything, and still did..."

For a moment, a furious shadow appeared on Nine's face, as if she wanted to attack him, but she regained composure in a matter of seconds.

"You are really kind, and that's why I agree with Carrera about taking you to the capital" she said, looking at Mattheia's father "Don't get me wrong, though. I don't believe that capital is such a safe place to begin with. Of course, there is unlikely any enemy attack will happen there, but there are different dangers lurking in the shadows."

Carrera anxiously moved in his chair, and looked at his wife, Farah, who nodded while looking into his eyes.

"That's why we want to send him with an escort, and we feel that you are perfect fit for that, Nine" he said "And while we appreciate thought about having more help staying here, in Copebell Understick, I'd rather have at least one of you two coming alongside Nine and Kashia" he then looked at Junie and Galhardt.

In the end, Junie and Galhardt played a game to decide who is going, ending with Junie joining the party coming to the capital.

"Nine, are you really sure you are fine coming back to the capital?" Junie asked her after they went outside "Don't you think your past may prove to be problematic for everyone?"

"It may" Nine agreed "However, I need to face my past if I'm going to be helpful to Mattheia. You see, the reason why I'm here is the same as it was for my master with me. I know how it sounds, and you may judge me for that, but I want to be useful to someone."

"But c'mon, you had such a big chance, and went out into the sticks? I don't get it."

Nine sighed, hearing that.

"There is more to this story that I kept for myself. I'm known for my nine magics, but have you ever heard what these actually are?"

Junie stood there, thinking hard for a longer while.

"Now, that you said it, I don't" she replied in the end "You really are strong, but I don't know what are your skills exactly..."

Nine actually laughed after these words.

"You see? Everyone is like that, thinking I'm such a powerful being, just because of my title. But you know what? It's not about power. I mean, of course I'm stronger than majority of mages. Then again, the skills that granted me this fancy title are not that amazing as you may think. Well, in terms of offensive ability at least. No, Junie, that's the point here - they don't seek me for my combat prowess, but my seer powers."

Junie blinked fast, processing all the information she got just now.

"Wait, so you are saying you can see future?"

"Only portion, specific events in specific circumstances. It's not a clear image as many people think, but I can foresee things before they happen."

"Ok, so about today, did you...?"

"I've seen this scene, but had no idea when exactly this was going to happen. However, when Kashia appeared, I immediately knew what to do."

As they walked, a sudden scream echoed. They immediately knew it was Mattheia, and rushed to the place from which his voice came.

Upon their arrival, there was a scene of the boy shaking among clothes lying everywhere in the room, in front of Kashia, who was sitting on a chair without her top clothes on, holding a cat.

"I don't know what's happening, he went into the room, noticed me and started panicking" angel girl started explaining "I thought it was because he saw me half-naked so I used the cat to cover my breasts, but then Mattheia shouted..."

Both Nine and Junie let out a sigh of relief. Nine went to the boy and hugged him, while Junie took the cat outside and passed missing clothing to Kashia. In a matter of seconds, the boy calmed down.

"Now, all is fine" Nine let him go, and the boy stood up.

After that, Mattheia looked at Kashia, bowed with an apology and went outside.

"Can you explain to me what was this about?" angel girl was still confused "Was that about my body? Are we looking that weird to grounders?"

Nine quickly shook her head.

"No. I mean, maybe winds indeed throw people a bit off, but its definitely about your body. If I'm to be honest, you are really beautiful."

"Then, why...?"

Nine smiled.

"It was not related to your body. Rather than that, it was about your actions." Nine was looking at Kashia now "There are some things you need to know when handling Mattheia. First one is that he is really specific about clothing, and loves seeing ladies wearing dresses, especially the ones with laces and corsets. You took off your corset and switched bottom to straight skirt, losing laces, besides the colors, they didn't match so the view destroyed his sense of aesthetics. Still, the bigger problem was what you did later, and that was showing him a cat. I don't know the reason, but he has a nekophobia since he was born."

"Nekophobia? What's that?" angel girl apparently had no idea about the term "It's the first time I hear about it."

"It's a strong fear of cats" Nine explained "I invented this term for describing Mattheia's condition as ailurophobia is nothing compared to his reaction towards cats."

Kashia looked bewildered, but she nodded.

"Okay, I'll remember."

"Good, then let us help with tidying up the room" Nine offerred, and together with Junie helped Kashia.

They also assisted the angel girl with making clothing decisions. After all, she had nearly no sense of grounders' clothing choices.