Soon after our encounter with Count Stein and his daughter, my father and I entered the mansion, at Margareth's invitation.
She asked me to wait in the antechamber while she and my father discussed matters that, honestly, I couldn't imagine what they would be.
— Would it be something related to Count Stein's visit? — I reflected in silence.
— What would be the purpose of that young girl accompanying her father? Was she also an awakened one in the arcane arts? There's no point in speculating about that now.
Shortly after, a distinguished-looking servant — appearing to be around thirty years old — entered the room carrying a tray.
— Sir Elian, I brought some sweets and milk for your enjoyment, while Sir Lucius talks with Lady Margareth — she said with a cordial smile.
Her name was Julia. She had serene brown eyes, black hair meticulously tied in a discreet bun, and a naturally refined posture. She must have been approximately one meter and fifty-nine centimeters tall.
— If I still possessed my original adult form... I would probably be attracted to her. Perhaps I would even consider courting her. — I thought, amusing myself internally with such an absurd notion in my current condition.
I gave her a discreet smile and expressed my gratitude. She executed a slight bow and left the room in respectful silence.
I had already had breakfast with my family, however... refusing such an offer would be almost impolite. Besides, the biscuits proved to be surprisingly delicious — possibly the most refined I've tasted since my arrival in this world. They weren't identical to those my mother prepared on Earth... but they evoked her memory in a bittersweet way.
Despite being relatively adapted to this new existence, I still occasionally find myself immersed in memories of my previous parents... and especially of her... my sister.
Her face, her last look, the trials we faced together...
— I sincerely hope she is in a place of peace — I murmured, looking up with a heavy heart.
I deliberately pushed such feelings into the depths of my consciousness, as I have grown accustomed to doing, and sought to distract myself by observing my surroundings.
I have frequented this mansion for approximately ten months, and even having walked through several rooms, I have rarely paid attention to the architectural and decorative details...
During the morning hours, the mansion's main hall was bathed in a golden light that penetrated through the high windows, enhancing the soft glow of the light marble and highlighting every element of the elegantly arranged furniture. Blue velvet curtains, carefully drawn back, allowed a delicate and fragrant breeze to enter from the external gardens. On the central table, a freshly picked floral arrangement exuded a subtle fragrance, as if intending only to establish its presence without imposing itself on the environment.
The crystal chandelier hung majestically from the ceiling and reflected the sun's rays with a delicate gleam, while the fireplace, even inactive, displayed its meticulously polished white marble with silent imposingness. The atmosphere conveyed an aristocratic serenity, simultaneously welcoming and refined — the kind of environment where even silence seems to have been deliberately conceived.
— Margareth is, undoubtedly, an authentic representative of the nobility... — I reflected, examining every detail with renewed attention after finishing my small meal.
★★★
Approximately thirty minutes passed since I was left alone in that room. Shortly after I finished my snack, my father and my mentor returned to the hall.
He said goodbye calmly, informing me that he would return to pick me up before dusk. I stood up and hugged him briefly. Despite my apparent childish age, gestures of this nature still affected me with an intensity that I tried not to show externally. He smiled, stroked my hair with paternal affection, and left.
Only Margareth and I remained. She gave me her characteristic look, simultaneously calm and authoritative, and simply said:
— Come with me, Elian.
I followed her in respectful silence.
We walked down a side corridor until we stopped before a door made of dark wood, adorned with finely carved inscriptions. Upon opening it, I found myself in an environment incomparable to any other I had ever witnessed — both in this world and in my previous existence.
Complex runes covered the floor, the walls, and even portions of the ceiling, subtly pulsating as if they possessed a life of their own. The room emanated a dense and vibrant type of energy — not hostile, but undeniably powerful. It was a space designed to transcend mere academic study: it constituted an authentic sanctuary of arcane forces.
— This... transcends the common concept of arcane arts — I reflected, almost verbalizing the thought.
It was mystical, sacred... almost primordial in its essence.
Margareth observed me and, noticing my expression of genuine admiration, allowed herself a discreet smile. It was one of those rare, beautiful expressions in its subtlety — a smile that seemed to communicate: "I perfectly understand the enchantment this causes." I couldn't help but reflect: In her youth, she certainly possessed extraordinary beauty...
— Had she deliberately chosen celibacy? And, if so, why? — I silently wondered. Perhaps, eventually, I will gather enough courage to ask such a question.
She began her explanation, interrupting my musings. By the way, today my thoughts seem excessively focused on aesthetic matters... or more specifically, on female appreciation. Not that such reflections are uncommon in my mind, but today they present themselves with unusual intensity. It must be... some circumstantial factor. Anyway.
— Do you remember when I mentioned that I would instruct you in the silent arcane arts? — she inquired, in a serene yet assertive voice.
I nodded in confirmation.
— However, before you learn to use them without resorting to chants or seals, you need to start with the essential foundation. And the fundamental principle... lies in the use of seals and the intonation of the invocatory chant.
She paused deliberately, as if giving me time to properly assimilate her words, and then continued:
— You have certainly observed that, until now, I have never effectively taught you any practical arcane art, correct?
— Yes — I replied promptly.
It was undeniable. During the last ten months, since the beginning of this "training," she had never demonstrated even a single enchantment. No fiery projections, glacial formations, protective barriers, or any other characteristic arcane phenomenon. Occasionally, I wondered if she didn't consider me capable enough and only continued my instruction due to my parents' insistence.
— That's because your organism was not yet adequately prepared — she explained.
— What do you mean? — I inquired, genuinely confused.
Margareth assumed a thoughtful expression, her amber eyes fixing on mine with that characteristic intensity peculiar to her.
— Consider the following, Elian... — she said, in a serene voice. — Do you remember when I began your instruction by addressing the fundamental origin of the arcane arts?
— Yes — I replied, recalling the initial lessons about the nature of the world, primordial energies, and ancestral mysteries.
— And then I taught you the meditative practice to understand and accumulate energy in the core of your Rune?
I nodded again in confirmation.
Indeed, during these months, I dedicated most of my time to deep meditation, seeking to perceive and understand the surrounding energies. Initially, the sensation was almost imperceptible — a subtlety comparable to the morning breeze caressing the skin. However, with the passage of time... a significant transformation occurred. I began to perceive as if a silent current of power was gradually being incorporated into my being. Something internal, progressive... inexorable in its nature.
Margareth continued her explanation:
— After the initial awakening as Mist, the natural process consists of the gradual development of mana veins in the organism, the internal channels through which arcane energy flows. Only when these veins reach adequate development does it become possible to assess an individual's true potential for the arcane arts.
She paused significantly, keeping her gaze firmly connected to mine.
— You awakened directly as Spark. You did not experience the gradual process of vein formation, consequently, despite already possessing the Spark Rune, you could not effectively use it. There was no mechanism to extract mana from your core and manifest it as arcane phenomena.
— So that was why I dedicated all these months exclusively to meditative practice?
— Precisely! — she replied with evident conviction. — But not exclusively for that reason. You also needed to deeply understand this energy called mana. It was imperative to properly form your veins... and prepare your gates.
Gates? I frowned, showing clear perplexity. She noticed my confusion and responded with an unexpected question:
— What is your understanding of the nature of seals?
I had never deeply reflected on such a question. In my previous existence, as a ritualistic mage, seals were used to invoke entities or divine forces during specific ceremonies. Perhaps... there was some analogy? I ventured an answer based on that prior knowledge:
— I presume that seals function as instruments to invoke environmental energies, shaping them into a specific phenomenon. However... I still don't clearly understand the concept of "gates" you mentioned.
Margareth observed me with a contemplative expression, and a discreet smile formed on her lips — that kind of expression that communicates "you're on the right track, only the conclusive element is missing."
— Your understanding is considerably close to reality. The fundamental distinction lies in the fact that you do not directly manipulate environmental energy. What you effectively use is the energy you have accumulated in your own arcane core. To contextualize: during these months, you managed to fill approximately a quarter of your Rune's capacity. It should be noted... such a feat is exceptionally rare. Only individuals with authentic arcane talent can achieve this.
She paused briefly before continuing, adopting a more serious expression:
— The gates exist precisely to prevent you from dissipating this accumulated energy in an uncontrolled and inefficient manner. Theoretically, it appears that only environmental energy is used, however, in practice, a fusion occurs between the energy of your core — which is purer and more refined — and the surrounding raw energy.
— Environmental energy alone is incapable of generating arcane phenomena. It is unstable, impure in its essence. The gates, when properly activated through the corresponding seals, function as essential catalysts. They allow the energy of your core to combine with the external energy, purifying it and, consequently, manifesting the desired phenomenon.
Reflective silence.
I inhaled deeply. The concept proved to be considerably more complex than I had initially imagined, however... it presented undeniable coherence. It possessed internal logic, a defined purpose, and even a certain conceptual elegance.
— In summary... do seals function as keys that activate and deactivate these energetic gates? — I inquired, seeking to confirm my understanding of the concept.
— Precisely. — she confirmed with a discreet affirmative nod. — The seals have a relatively simple structure. Honestly, I believe that when the entities we call "gods" transmitted this knowledge to us, they presumed that our cognitive capacity would be insufficient to assimilate more elaborate systems. — she added with a slightly disdainful expression and a subtly sarcastic tone.
That observation provoked a discreet smile from me, but she quickly softened her expression and added, adopting a more pragmatic approach:
— However, from a certain perspective, such simplicity proved beneficial. Imagine the difficulty of transmitting complex concepts to a five or seven-year-old child? The simplicity of the seals ensures that even beginners can manipulate the arcane arts without causing harm to themselves.
The observation makes undeniable sense. For a common individual — not for someone with my previous experience, evidently — it would be practically impossible to understand the functioning of energetic gates and the fusion of energies without an accessible mechanism to channel such processes. Seals, therefore, functioned analogously to training wheels on a bicycle: a fundamental support during the initial stages of learning.
— From today — she continued — I will begin your instruction in the Four Fundamental Seals. They are not excessively complex. In reality, they will be relatively simple for someone with your ability. However, pay attention: despite their apparent simplicity, they are absolutely mandatory. Whenever you intend to use any arcane art, you will need to employ one of them.
Four seals. Four keys to activate the gates of the soul.
Finally, the true beginning of my arcane journey.