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S2: BLOODY SEASON
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The Next Morning…
The morning sun bled through the windows of a private chamber in the Utility Department, but the warmth did little to soften the atmosphere in the room of a lioness.
"Reise, I acknowledge you are an exceptional human. But how can you comport yourself so casually after hearing the darkest history of this world?" Daunt asked, pacing the sunlit floor of G6's chamber.
G6 was perched on her windowsill, eyes closed, face tilted to embrace the morning sun. She looked less like a noble and more like a predator basking.
"What do you want me to do? Cry? Get over it," G6 replied without opening her eyes.
"How cold. You fell asleep immediately after our conversation."
"All that interests me is the term 'All-Seers.' I've seen it before."
"Where?" Daunt's ears pricked forward. "No mortal knows them as a collective, only as individual gods and goddesses."
"In a book. Belonging to Witherby."
"L-Lord Witherby?!" Daunt's composed demeanor cracked. "Well… I suppose I should not be surprised, given the circumstances."
G6 opened one eye, a sliver of grey frost. "You know that creepy bastard?"
"Human, that 'creepy bastard' is the Messenger of the All-Seers. Not merely a messenger—he is their eyes, their ears, their hands, and feet in the mortal world. Their living instrument." Daunt leaned in, his voice dropping. "You have not… heard his voice yet, have you?"
"Why are you so agitated? No. All that creepy jerk does is give me a headache whenever a new message appears in that book."
"Then we still have time." Daunt visibly relaxed, the tension leaving his powerful shoulders. "Reise, I will teach you something not passed down in any human grimoire."
"What?"
"Mana Form."
"How does it differ from standard magic?"
"Listen. What fuels a spell? Mana. So how potent would an attack be if the weapon is the mana itself?"
A slow, genuine smile touched G6's lips. "That is lit. How do I do it?"
"You concentrate your mana at your core—the wellspring within your body. Visualize it coalescing, then being drawn out of your physical form. Then, command it to take the shape you desire."
"What? I'm lost."
"Do not feign ignorance simply because you grew bored of listening," Daunt grumbled, a puff of blue-tinged smoke escaping his nostrils.
»»---------❈---------««
"Stop pushing!" G6 yelped, nearly stumbling as Daunt nudged her out of her bedroom and into the small living area of their shared chambers.
"Good morning, My Lady," Edmund said, standing by the door. He offered a flawless bow, as if he hadn't spent the night scaling palace walls.
Daunt peeked from behind G6's legs, his blue flames flickering with amusement. "Ha! What a two-faced butler," he remarked.
"Master Daunt, a good morning to you as well," Edmund replied smoothly.
"Oh, dear," Daunt said, his voice sounding purred and pleased. "Let us keep matters casual. You may address me simply as Daunt."
"You are far too pleased with yourself," G6 retorted, rolling her eyes.
"I would not dare to address a divine being such as yourself so informally, Master Daunt," Edmund insisted with a polite smile.
"Will you be taking breakfast, My Lady?"
"No. Just tea," G6 replied.
"Meat for me. Lots of meat," Daunt interjected, his tail thumping against the floor.
"What do you mean 'meat'?" G6 asked, looking down at him. "Aren't you supposed to be a divine beast?"
"Nice jest, Reise. Mind you, I can die—which means I can certainly starve. My divinity does not excuse me from the joys of the hunt," Daunt countered.
"Give this animal whatever you have," G6 said dismissively, flopping onto the couch.
"How disrespectful to address me as a mere animal... even if it is technically accurate," Daunt grumbled, padding over to the rug and stretching out in front of G6.
"Then, I shall leave you both to your devices," Edmund said.
"Wait—where is Zen?" G6 asked.
"Oh, Lord Zen has departed for the main palace library to attend to his 'sugar-coated' duties," Edmund said with a slight bow before exiting the room.
"Reise. After I have consumed my breakfast, we shall begin your training in Mana Form," Daunt reminded her.
"Yeah, sure," G6 replied distractedly.
Hmm... come to think of it, I haven't checked my status since that one time.
"Status Window."
A shimmering blue hologram flickered into existence before her eyes.
"Sweet. Nothing new..." G6 muttered, her eyes scanning the familiar lines until they landed on her forbidden affinity. "Cryomancy: C-Rank (83/100)?"
"Hey, Daunt. Isn't an affinity supposed to require active use to rank up?" G6 asked.
"Of course. It is a matter of mastery and spiritual resonance," Daunt answered without looking up.
"Interesting," G6 murmured. I haven't cast a single spell, yet the rank is climbing. I better check that ancient book the Queen gave me.
—-❈-—
After Daunt finished chugging a large basin of raw meat—a sight that made G6's stomach churn—the two of them retreated to the secluded area behind the utility department building.
"Do not worry. I can sense anyone approaching within a wide radius," Daunt said, his ears twitching as he monitored the palace grounds.
"Alright. Walk me through it again," G6 said, shaking off the lingering disgust from breakfast.
"The first time is the hardest, but once you find the rhythm, it becomes second nature," Daunt explained. "First, close your eyes. Locate your mana core in the center of your chest. As you feel the pressure building, do not let it dissipate; project it outward through your palms."
G6 nodded and closed her eyes. She focused inward, feeling for that spark. Red?... Pull it out...
When she snapped her eyes open, a faint, wispy smoke was rising from her palms. It wasn't the translucent blue of standard mana—it was a deep, vibrant crimson.
"The color of mana reflects the nature of the soul. Thank the heavens it is not pitch black, HAHAHAHA!" Daunt jested, though he quickly silenced himself when G6 leveled a sharp, icy glare at him.
"It's... tingling," G6 noted, fascinated by the mist.
"How do you feel otherwise?" Daunt asked, his tone becoming more clinical.
"Nothing special. So, can I just create any spell I want with this?"
"Spells are not merely conjured out of thin air, Reise. They are crafted and refined," Daunt clarified.
"Is that so? I've already developed several," G6 countered. "Bullets, Ascend, the classic F5."
"Do not compare your 'feathers' to those of ordinary humans, Reise. An ordinary person would have fainted or felt their chest cavity ignite just from manifesting raw mana form once. You are... an anomaly."
"Should I try a spell?" G6 asked, a competitive edge in her voice.
"Go for it."
G6 repeated the procedure, this time with much more ease. She held out her hand, and a blade-like edge of red mana began swirling around her palm. With a sharp flick of her wrist, she swung the energy at a nearby tree. The thick bark wasn't just scorched; it was sliced deep into the wood.
"Whoa. That's... amazing," G6 whispered.
In her other hand, she conjured a standard Wind Blade and swung it at the same tree. It bit into the bark, but the depth was significantly shallower than the mana-enhanced strike. She walked over to the trunk, tracing the two cuts with her finger. A dark smirk played on her lips.
"Sweet. I wonder what happens if I mix the two?" she murmured.
"Wait—" Daunt started, but it was too late.
G6 condensed a mana blade in her palm and simultaneously infused it with her Wind affinity. She swung her arm in a wide arc. A localized gale erupted, and the tree in front of her was cleanly sliced in half, the upper portion sliding off the stump with a heavy crash.
"...It is not a good idea, is what I was going to say," Daunt finished, staring at the fallen timber.
"THIS IS AWESOME. You see that, pup? That is absolutely lit," G6 said, her eyes wide with genuine amusement.
"Yes, it is impressive. But try not to slaughter the entire forest; nature provides the very mana you're using," Daunt grumbled.
"Whatever, nerd."
G6 spent the next while experimenting: Bullet of Death, Wind Spear, Wind Sword. Then, she stumbled upon something extraordinary entirely.
She halted, lost in a sudden memory. It would be perfect if I had my favorite baby. The thought surfaced as a sphere of combined mana and wind churned in her palm. She began to visualize her weapon—the CheyTac M200 Intervention.
The sphere in her hands shimmered. A haze of wind and crimson smoke coalesced in the air before her, slowly, impossibly, resolving into the precise image in her mind.
Her eyes widened. Floating before her was a phantom rifle, a perfect spectral replica woven from wind and red-tinted mana.
"REISE, WHAT IS THAT?" Daunt bounded closer, his own curiosity ignited.
"Wait... can I actually hold it? It's practically just solidified air and mana," G6 whispered.
"I have no idea. Try grabbing it!" Daunt urged, his excitement matching hers.
She reached out, her hand trembling with anticipation as if she were greeting an old lover. Her fingers closed around the grip, and to her shock, it felt solid. Cold. Heavy.
"Holy crap! Is this even possible? Wind is supposed to be gas, not a solid," G6 muttered.
"By the heavens! Who cares about physics? You've manifested a physical construct! You truly are a monster!" Daunt barked, wagging his tail happily.
"What is this disgusting feeling in my heart? Is this what they call happiness?" G6 asked, adjusting her stance as she shouldered the rifle.
"What does it do? It looks strange but terrifyingly cool!" Daunt pleaded. "Show me! Show me!"
"Alright, alright. I'll give you the honor," G6 said.
She peered through the scope—which was perfectly clear, magnified by condensed wind—and targeted a bird on a distant high branch. She pulled the trigger.
Click. Nothing happened.
"Well? Reise, what are you waiting for?" Daunt asked.
G6 lowered the weapon, her face red with frustration. "Hush," she snapped. "No bullet came out. It's useless without ammunition."
"What is a 'bullet'? And how did you do that witchcraft in the first place?"
"I accidentally constructed it while thinking about my past. If I can manifest the gun... I should be able to manifest the ammo."
G6 took a deep breath. She repositioned herself, targeting a hummingbird hovering near a flower. She envisioned the magazine, the bolt, and a single, high-velocity projectile made of compressed mana.
Envision. Compress. Fire.
WHAP!
A sharp crack echoed through the yard. The bird fell instantly, hitting the ground with a soft thud.
"Wowza," G6 whispered, the "gun" still smoking slightly in her hands.
"Are you some kind of genius?!" Daunt shouted, sprinting toward the dead bird.
"I don't know if he's happy about the weapon or the snack," G6 murmured.
She willed the visualized weapon to dissipate. It vanished like smoke on the wind.
The next hour was a blur of intense experimentation. She tried different methods: forming the weapon from a sphere, summoning it from tendrils of smoke. Time lost meaning.
Finally, she isolated the perfect sequence: simultaneously concentrating her mana form and wind affinity while holding the desired image clear in her mind. The weapon assembled itself in her hands piece by spectral piece, a puzzle snapping into lethal completeness.
"Perfect." The word left her lips on a soft breath, accompanied by a true, unguarded smile.
Daunt watched her, his immense form still. His gaze held profound admiration for her terrifying intelligence, talent, and skill. Yet, woven through that pride was an undeniable thread of deep, primordial worry.
»»---------❈---------««
"Reise, the butler and the other one are approaching," Daunt announced, his nose twitching.
G6 didn't stop. She remained focused on the space between her palms, where swirling currents of wind were beginning to bind with wisps of her crimson mana.
"Lady Reise," Zen called out. He had reverted to his true appearance: dark seafoam green hair and scholarly eyeglasses.
"So, that is your actual visage," Daunt observed. "You three are truly the masters of the double life."
"What do you want, Zen?" G6 asked, her attention still on her work.
"Nothing of consequence. I simply made an appearance at the library to maintain my 'sugar-coated' cover," Zen replied. He trailed off, his eyes fixated on the bizarre, blood-red smoke dancing between G6's hands. "What... is that?"
"Oh, right. Daunt, teach them," G6 commanded.
"Are you certain, Reise?" Daunt asked, his voice low. "The only reason you are standing upright is because of your enormous mana pool—and the fact that I am actively absorbing the excess, keeping your body being strained."
"Listen, pup," G6 finally looked up, her gaze icy and determined. "These two are on par with my skills in physical enhancement and raw strength. They can handle it." She paused, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Besides, isn't it only right that they level up to match their Captain?"
Daunt let out a long-suffering sigh that ruffled his fur. "Very well. Listen, you two—Edmund and Zen, correct? What Reise is manipulating is her Mana Form."
"What?! You can see mana?" Zen's scholarly curiosity overrode his shock.
"The red essence… that is my lady's own mana?" Edmund asked, awe in his voice.
"Correct, and correct. The process involves drawing the mana from your core and forcibly giving it shape outside your body. It is a purposeful leak of your life's energy. For a human vessel, it is excruciating. Are you prepared for a horrendous trial?"
"What… is the benefit?" Edmund and Zen asked almost in unison.
"As I told Reise, mana fuels your affinity. Imagine wielding the fuel itself as the weapon."
"It's groundbreaking. Why is there no record of such a technique?" Zen pressed.
"Because, as stated, it is torturous for ordinary humans. And let us say the heavens are not inclined to share such secrets freely."
"I am willing to learn! Please, Master Daunt!" Zen's eyes burned with fervent curiosity.
"As am I! If this will better allow me to serve my lady, I will endure any trial," Edmund vowed, his expression steely.
"Then heed the steps. You will fail. You will hurt. Do not say I did not warn you." Daunt's voice took on a resonant, instructional tone. "Close your eyes. Find the wellspring of your power within your chest—your mana core. Do not merely sense it; grasp it. Then, with utmost concentration, you must will it to flow down your arms and out through your palms. You are not casting a spell. You are making your life's energy tangible."
The two men stood apart, closed their eyes, and concentrated.
The atmosphere shifted from curiosity to grim determination. Daunt led them to a clear space and began the instructions. Unlike the ease with which G6 had manifested her crimson mist, the process for Zen and Edmund was a descent into physical agony.
"Focus on your core. Do not let the mana flow into a spell—stop it at the skin and force it to harden!" Daunt barked.
Edmund was the first to falter. He successfully pushed his mana toward his palms, but he lacked the "overflow" that G6 possessed. Instead of a mist, his mana came out in a sudden, violent surge. Within seconds, his face went deathly pale. He slumped to one knee, gasping for air as his very life force seemed to drain into the dirt.
"Control the flow, you fool! You're emptying the glass!" Daunt yelled.
Zen fared no better. He managed to keep the mana contained, but the pressure within his chest became unbearable. He clutched his shirt, his teeth gritted so hard they threatened to crack. To him, it felt as though a hot iron was being pressed against his lungs. The "burn" of the mana core was not a metaphor; it was a searing, internal fire.
G6 watched them from the sidelines, leaning against the stone wall. She saw Edmund's hands shaking and the sweat pouring down Zen's face.
"They're struggling," she murmured.
"Of course they are," Daunt replied, his eyes never leaving the two men. "They are trying to do something rare and new. They aren't monsters like you, Reise. They're just men trying to reach for the sun."
Despite the pain, neither Zen nor Edmund backed down. Edmund forced himself back to his feet, his hands glowing with a faint, flickering green light, while Zen's eyes burned with a scholarly obsession that overrode the agony in his chest.
"Again," G6 said, her voice cold but lacking its usual bite. "Do it again."
–To be continued…–