24.2
“What you basically need to do is to trust me.”
“Is that it?”
“I think so….” John muttered. “Wait, I’ll check the tome again.”
“Not again, Johnnnn,” Serene let out a complain, but the smile on her face still remained.
“I remember it was in page 50, or was it page 71?” John’s fingers flipped through the magic tome as though he was the one who wrote it. “No, this part is about aura manifestation types, I’m looking for magic transfer section…”
Not long after the incident in Chang Zhen, John and the tigerkin girl delved into reading the magic tome together. As it was their semester break, when the two were not horsing around—with Kahnira whenever she had time to join them—they made use of the time going through the pages like the curious children they were.
The concepts laid out by Miss Elisabeth’s magic tome clicked instantly with young John. Everything that was written he could easily understand, Serene on the other hand had to rely on John explain the concepts behind certain entries.
Things such as ‘aura manifestation’, ‘mana debt’, ‘assisted casting’, and ‘continuous depletion’ were all foreign to Serene Perxin whose family had almost zero history with magic.
While John’s family, the Sarvods were not potent magic users, there had been various instances that Sarvods were able to use magic.
His father for example, could use simple magic like [Wind’s Gale] for a brief moment before having to recharge his mana reserves. Coincidentally, it was the exact spell infused into the belt lashes that he would often receive.
Being the recipient of such magic spells, it was no wonder why John could easily understand the various concepts Miss Elisabeth illustrated in the magic tome.
John himself was also special case.
Magic came easily to him at a young age, enhanced his abilities to whatever he set his mind onto.
Still, he had to be careful, should he drop his guard at the wrong time and wrong place, the whole world would suspect him as a child of taboo.
Had it not for Serene, he would have kept his magic abilities a secret for the rest of his life.
“It’s not on page 71 either…” he clenched his teeth. “I swear, I’ve seen it somewhere—”
“Have you tried page 11?”
“Page 11? Are you kidding me, Serene?” John raised a brow to her. “I specifically remember it is in the intermediate section, there is no way…” his voice trailed when he found the exact passage he was looking for at page 11.
“And?”
“…”
“It is there isn’t? Read it John, don’t goof around now. You said you are going to help me today!”
“Haaah…” breathing a sigh of defeat John read from the book.
“Mana is deemed as the strength and resource for magic casting. The most vital connection between the magic caster and their mana pool is their access to it. While all living beings have mana in them, not all mindfully taps into their mana pool and use it, much like people and their minds.
“Some individuals have natural ability to sense the flowing mana in their bodies, while others need to be guided. If one wishes to help another to tap into their mana pool, a complete unadulterated trust between each other is vital. Trust acts as a bridge from one individual to another, the mana potent user will then have to gentle surge their own mana source to the individual they desire to help.”
“Yup! That’s exactly as you said, let’s start now, John!”
“Wait, there’s more…”
“DO NOT, under any circumstances, instigate this process freely. Should there be even the slightest doubt between the two individuals, mana pools WILL be intertwined and cause complications that lead to permanent suffering from both parties. Check twice, thrice, however many times needed to ensure this process does not go awry. Refer to page 184 for elaboration of various side effects and further detailing of complications that would arise.”
Having finished reading, John laid the tome on the marble table.
He turned his head towards the grassy meadows that surrounded the gazebo that they were in.
This was a dangerous and delicate endeavor, if he messed this up, who knows what trouble he would cause to the Perxins and himself.
“Do you still want me to give it a go?” John looked at her with a raised brow again. “The slightest doubt you have regarding me—”
“Nope! Let’s start, let’s start!” Serene perked up, as she moved closer to John.
“Are you sure? You have to completely trust me. Even something like what happened a few days ago would mean distrust, you know?”
Serene placed her arms around her waist, crumpling her sundress even further.
“Did you forget we hugged and made up? Y-you even promised me that y-you would…m-marry…me.”
“Ey, ai, ep…” his mouth made a few funny sounds from the mere mentioning of the marriage.
Though those words came from him easily back then, now that Serene reminded John of it, he could barely believe it.
“No, no, no, I believe you.”
“Good. Let’s begin then, goofball!”
“Let’s s-see, how would I get my mana flowing through you…” John looked at his hands where he could faintly see hint of black wisps flowing.
If they are the most concentrated here, I should be able send it through her in a completely loop like what the tome said.
“Serene, give me your hands.”
“I-I…” her emerald eyes darted about before she looked down. “I-if you insist.”
Reluctantly, the tigerkin placed her two hands on top of John’s palm.
“On second thought…” John who was still engrossed on where his mana was flowing the most spoke. “Try holding my hand instead, Serene.”
“What do you mean?”
“The palm is where most magic users let out their mana, so…”
Without hesitating, he flipped Serene’s small hands and placed his palm against hers, interlocking all ten of his fingers with hers as he looked into her eye.
“J-John…”
“What?”
“D-do we have to be in this position?”
Serene who had become red drew her gaze away from him, he could feel the rising heat in her palm along with the growing tremor in her hands.
“Having second thoughts about the warnings in the tome now, are we?”
“N-no… It’s just that, you holding my hand is…a bit t-too much…”
“I’m sorry, Lady Perxin.” John said in the upmost serious tone, as a knight would to a noble. “This is the best way to help you to unlock your mana access.”
“N-no, that’s not what I mean. T-this holding hands thing, i-it’s like kissing isn’t it?”
“Ah?”
“F-forgetAboutWhatISaid!!!”
“I don’t see the big deal, I thought you wanted me to maryy— Mmmpgh!”
Before John could finish, Serene pushed their combined hands into his mouth, silencing him before he could finish.
“Mrgh…mmph!” John pivoted his head in large angles, dodging Serene’s assault. “Alright, alright! No more talking, I’ll start now!”
Serene calmed at those words, but her head still hung low as they clutched each other’s hands, holding on as if there was no tomorrow.
She’s the one that is holding me so tightly! What is she all embarrassed about!?
Casting the thought aside, John closed his eyes, dedicating his full focus towards the warmth that emanated from Serene’s palm.
He slowed his breath, inhaled with the upmost capacity in his lungs, allowed the fresh intake of air to instill focus in him.
Haaahhh…
Along with his exhalation, a small and steady stream of his mana left his left palm and entered Serene.
The stream of mana spread through Serene’s body, infusing her blood and bones with the magic essence, enlightening her entire being to the innate pool of aura that was within her.
Each passing second his mana flowed into the tigerkin’s body, a pressure began to congregate at his temples.
With each passing second, the pressure that gathered around his head increased, first it felt a small tap on his mind, then it increased to the point where he felt every blood vessel in him pounded against his skull.
Cold streaks of sweat ran down his back as his head pounded against his cranium.
John’s steady stream of mana began to accumulate within Serene, it was though she had reached her capacity and the excess sought to block any more of his own mana from transferring into her.
Agk…
Perhaps it was his lack of experience and his skill, but the longer he aided Serene to tap into her mana pool, the worse the pressure became. His mind expanded and strained the more his mana converged into Serene, his body started to burn, his arms strained—
!!!
He felt it.
Whatever unease that accumulated up in him disappeared.
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A stream of mana circulated back into his right palm. Along with it, a gentle peace washed over him, taking away the tension that were on his shoulders, alleviated all the pressure that sought to pop his brain.
For once mana has successfully entered and left Serene’s body, completing John’s mana loop.
The full circulation of his mana into Serene’s body was complete.
Wait…
He halted his thoughts before he closed the stream of mana he was infusing into Serene.
Why does my own mana feel different on my right side…
He opened his eyes, only to notice a pale orange glow on his right palm.
A smile appeared on his face, John ceased his mana into Serene as he spoke with a smile.
“We are successful, Serene.”
“A-are we? I don’t feel too different,” Serene investigated her arm. “I did feel a bit funny in my chest just now, but that’s all.”
“Are you sure it’s not caused by holding my hands too long?”
“Gah!”
Without warning, Serene released her grasp on John, leaned back with a highly embarrassed flush on her.
“YouAreTheOneWhoHeldMyHand!”
John lifted his two hands in the air, “Whatever you say. But I did see your aura for a moment earlier. I am quite certain you’ll be able to use magic soon.”
“Really!?” Serene leaped from where she sat, clasped his hands once more, focusing her emerald eyes on him. “You saw me using magic?!”
“Y-yeah,” his stuttered, unable to figure out how she could get so embarrassed one moment to clutching onto him again. “It’s not exactly magic, but your body now knows how to dispel mana. Up next would be controlling it, I guess? I am not too sure of that myself though…”
“Why is that? I though you could use— Oh right…”
“Yeah…”
“That means we will have to learn together!” her face shone as brightly as the fireworks during new year celebration.
“I guess? I am not sure why you are happy about that, considering I don’t any magic—”
“Stupid!” Serene stuck out her tongue, mocked John, all the while revealing her tiny tiger fang on her upper left teeth.
“You’re the stupid one!”
“No you! You stupid goofball!!! HowDoYouStillNotGetIt!?”
Heh.
John huffed in amusement, shrugged his shoulders as he returned to reading the magic tome. “Yeah, yeah I don’t get anything at all, I am sure you had all the magic spells figured out.”
“ThisIsn’tEvenAboutMagicCasting!” Serene’s tailed stood up straight indicating that she was annoyed at John’s comment.
Her face however, was a mix between frustration and blissful joy, making her attempt of throwing a temper tantrum at John the less believable.
“Then what is it?” John pulled away from the pages and looked back at her. This time, with his dark eyes staring deep into her feline eyes with the intensity of the sun.
“I…I…” Serene stammered. “I thought it would be fun if we could learn everything together…” her body gave the slightest of wiggle while she admitted.
“And?”
“Well… It’s like what you like to say sometimes, we are partners in crime. But it’s more on learning magic than crime when it comes to us…”
Young John’s expression softened, “Even if we don’t learn magic together, we are still partners in crime…in magic.”
“I know…” Serene drew her lips into a horizontal line. “But I feel better if you are learning with me, instead of teaching me.”
“I am going to learn with you, that was the plan all along, you silly cat!” John assured her with his smug smile. “You are getting upset over a situation that doesn’t exist. I was trying to say, if I knew how to use magic, I could help you to master it quicker. Of course, it will be fun to learn together. Hahaha, you are the one who isn’t paying attention and don’t get it—”
Slap, slap, slap!!!
“Ow! Hey— Ow, stop that!!!”
John scrunched his body as repeated hits from Serene landed to his forearm.
“Ahhhh, you goodball! You stupid, stupid goofball!!!” Serene continued on her playful assault on John—like always—with her eyes squeezed shut. “YouAlwaysTeaseMe!!!”
“In my defense— Ow! You make it too easy.”
“John!”
“Ahahahaha!!! You are a gulliable cat!!!”
Serene had her two hands by his shoulders, shaking young John who laughed at her every word.
“I’m serious!”
“Yes, Miss Serious, who used to be Miss Angry.”
“Ahhhh!!! You goofball!! Stoooop ittttt!!!”
Serene now had her hands cupped John’s face, mushing him as she kneaded his face like a soft bolster, all the while John smiled like an idiot, knowing he had successfully teased her yet again.
The whole ordeal of Serene mushing—massaging—John’s face lasted for a whole five minutes. Through it all, he simply sat there as he watched her enjoying taking vengeance on him in this unusually adoring way.
“Miss Angry— I mean, Miss Serious…” John finally opened his mouth. “Are you having fun?”
“You bet I am!”
“Then you won’t mind me…” Instantly, John brought his two hands to her cheeks, proceeding to knead her face as she did to him, “…doing this!!!”
“Grrrahahaha!!!” Serene purred while she laughed, instead of succumbing to John’s counterattack, she continued to play with his cheeks. “I’ll wipe that cocky smile off of you, goofball!!!”
“You can try my silly cat!” John got up, overpowered her as he changed from mushing her cheeks to ruffling her hair. “But you’ll never be able to stop me!!!”
“Sheesh! One of these days, John, I’ll make sure I am the one who teases you—”
“Lady Serene!”
A servant came running from the distance shouting the tigerkin’s name, “The Mistress is calling for you!”
“Mama?!” Serene immediately broke contact with John, stood to her feet.
“Quickly!” the servant grab hold of the tigerkin’s hand, escorting Serene in the upmost urgency.
John got up, “Do I need to—”
“P-please s-stay here…” the servant stuttered as she proceeded to bow profusely. “M-misteress w-would like to see Lady S-Serene… S-she will call f-for you later!”
“I… Sure…”
John retracted his outstretched hand as he watched Serene’s emerald eyes broke contact with him in the distance.
It was not uncommon for the Perxins to have emergencies to deal with—which often required Serene to partake in—things such as family gatherings, social events exclusive to the Perxins were all a common occurrence for as long John lived with them.
But Serene abruptly parting ways with him had never been the case.
Aunt Dalene herself was a well accomplished organizer, being the head of the Perxin family who was responsible for all Perxin family branches.
That meant, John was also treated with respect and would be duly informed each and everytime Serene or the rest of the Perxins had an excursion that he could not attend.
If Aunt Dalene herself could not be around to relay him a message, she would leave it up to the servants.
Today…
Something felt different.
The Perxins’ house servant ushered Serene away with an urgency that John had not seen before. Something must have happened, but he could not place a finger on it.
Something has changed.
A familiar void in his gut churned, all John could do was wait until Aunt Dalene calls for him.
Shortly after, he was summoned by Aunt Dalene and Uncle Edgar. Instead of the other servants, Kahnira was sent to fetch him, brought him to wait before the Perxin’s study.
He could only stand still as he waited behind the large door.
Young John’s vision was without image, perfectly capable were his eyes and senses. But at that very moment, nothing registered in him. It was though he looked into the ocean but the waves were absent.
Everything around him stood still.
Null.
The tune that sung in his chest halted.
White.
Such was the door that he patiently waited behind.
Voices bickering beyond the room, sentence after argument, shouts followed by whispers.
No doubt, they belonged to Aunt Dalene and Uncle Edgar.
Usually, he would barge into any room that the Perxins had summoned him to—not in the rude manner, rather because of how close he were with Aunt Dalene and Uncle Edgar, such trivial matters hardly held significance.
But, when he was in the presence of a frowning Kahnira, John decided behaving himself was the optimal choice.
His maid had informed him about brief fight between Serene and Aunt Dalene not long after Dalene called for her daugther.
Kahnira only heard shouting from mother and daughter followed by Serene slamming her door shut.
“Go to rest for now…” John said to Kahnira, trying to ease her before she dragged into whatever that awaited him. “I’ll call for you if I need anything.”
“But, Master…”
“Aunt Dalene wants to see me alone, Kahnira,” he looked into the white haired girl’s scarlet eyes. “Please?”
Kahnira stood still, her eyes wavered, almost unsure if she would heed his request or stay here against John’s will.
Maybe she’s hesitant because I haven’t been talking to her too much these few days? I mean…I had to deal with Serene right? But… Kahnira too just started living with me, she must be worried…
John brought his small hands to her face, ran his finger against her cheek before quickly withdrawing his finger, “I… We’ll read something together, later, okay?”
With a energetic bop of her head, Kahnira lifted her thick dress and bowed, leaving John to be without so much as speaking another word.
She doesn’t voice out what she thinks, unlike Serene. I need to be more attentive to her.
John made a mental note to have more quality time with Kahnira. Aside from the nightly reading and the chats they have before falling asleep, these few days, John rarely had the chance to ask more about Kahnira. About where she came from, what were her parents like—
“John? What are you doing here? Why didn’t you come in?”
“U-uncle Edgar,” his eyes widened when the man with emerald eyes looked down to him. The door to the Perxin’s home study had opened before John noticed it. “I thought it was locked…”
“…”
Edgar stared at John in silence.
“Y-you’re right though, I should have just entered.”
John’s voice prompted a smile on Edgar’s face, as the man placed a hand on his back, nudging him into the room.
“Good lad, but you are right to be polite.”
“What is this about Uncle Edgar?”
“Sit, John, your father has sent you a letter,” Aunt Dalene who was by the bookshelf organizing the office spoke. “Edgar…”
A cream envelop was placed in John’s hands, and stamped upon it, was the seal of the Sarvod family. Without waiting, John snapped the wax seal open, retrieved the letter within, unfolded it and read silently.
John Sarvod,
My eldest child, this coming weekend the Sarvod family shall be organizing a family gathering that also serves as a bridge to promote friendly relations with the other influential families in Shi Jou. As the head of the Sarvod family, I am hosting this event and will duly require you to be within the Sarvod Estate the moment you read this.
You are requested to leave the Perxin’s immediately and return to my abode until this event is over. For your presence as my firstborn is an upmost importance and I have also prepared you a script to perform on the opening ceremony of that day.
I have sent separate instructions to the Perxins inviting them to this event and informing them of your temporary leave. Return to me by the evening.
Your Father.
John stared blankly at the contents, his eyes blinked in astonishment, for his father had never sent him letters with the Sarvod family insignia.
The letters that he exchanged with his father would be replied in the letters sent along with Aunt Dalane and Uncle Edgar’s.
For as long John had been in the Perxins’ Mansion, not once had Dai’Ne Sarvod specifically sent a letter addressed to him personally.
And now, he was needed back at the Sarvod household. Albeit for a few days and until the event was over.
After eleven long months separating from his family, John is needed back home.
Perhaps they finally miss me after so long!?
He could not hide the excitement in his eyes.
“Aunt Dalene, when will I…?”
“The carriage your father sent is outside waiting for you.”
“O-oh…it’s here already?” John stammered, “I wasn’t expecting to leave so soon.”
But I was supposed to be teaching Serene magic… Just when I helped her tap into her mana pool…
“It’s alright John, duty calls.” Edgar placed a hand on young John’s shoulder. “Your father is an important man, it makes sense that you are required to return.”
“I am returning today, but…I told Serene…”
“The return trip would take at least 4 hours, John.” Dalane interrupted. “Serene can wait.”
“I…” his voice trailed when Aunt Dalene insisted in a heavy tone, one that was usually reserved when she scolded either him or Serene.
John knew she was right, but to ask him leave this very moment was too sudden.
His father could have informed him a few days earlier so he could plan things better with Serene.
“Now, now, it’s not like we won’t see each other again,” Edgar spoke as he guided John out. “We’ll see each other at the party. I’ll also bring Serene so the three of us we’ll fetch you back after all of that.”
“You’ll bring her too?!” John’s face lit up with excitement.
“I promise I will bring my stubborn daughter.”
“If that’s the case, I’ll get going.”
“John!”
“Yes, Aunt Dalene?” he replied to the Perxin of the house while he ran towards his room.
“Bring Kahnira with you. She will want to be by your side.”
“Understood!”
John left to his room where his maid had been waiting for him.
“Master?” the white haired girl immediately stood up upon his arrival.
“Grab a few sets of clothes, Kahnira. Mine and yours, we’ll be going back to my place for a few days. We are leaving now.”
“Yes.”
“Oh, and remember to pack that book that we will be reading tonight,” with that comment, John left his room and hurried to the one beside his.
Knock, knock, knock!!!
“Serene!”
Knock, knock, knock!!!
“Serene, Serene! Are you in there?”
“…”
John moved to open the door, but the knob would not budge. Serene must have locked it from the inside.
“Serene, I…uhh… I’m going back for a few days. I’ll come back around Sunday. About the magic thing…let’s do that when I get back, yeah?”
“…”
Sensing there was no reply or even much so a reaction from the person behind the door John banged the door.
Knock, knock, knock!
“Serene? Are you in there? I am not joking, I am seriously going back—”
“Master, I’ve prepared everything.” Kahnira with a small suitcase spoke behind John.
“Oh, thanks. There’s a carriage outside, wait for me there. I’ll have to talk to this silly cat.”
The maid bowed, promptly heeding John’s commands as she went downstairs.
“Serene, come on, I am not fooling around. I really have to get going.”
John slumped against the door as he realized that the young tigerkin would not give him a reply.
“What have I done to make you mad, again? I swear, I didn’t plan for this, I helped you with your mana pool haven’t I? So trust me if I say I’ll teach you magic when I get back…”
“…”
Sigh.
John shook his head.
He was just waiting time here, he had no idea what happened to Serene that made her mute.
Maybe she’s in the shower? If that’s the case, Aunt Dalene will tell her everything.
Dropping his shoulders, he regrettably placed a hand against Serene’s door.
“Yeah… I’ll… see you soon,” eyes gazing to the bottom, wishing that Serene could see him off. Alas, he had no choice if she was in the bathroom and had not heard him. “Love ya, my silly cat.”
…
…
…
“Hyaaaa!!!”
At the sound of a coachman shouting and the galloping of hooves, the Sarvod carriage departed the Perxin household. Leaving only the three Perxins in a quiet mansion filled with a tinge of bitterness.
Edgar, who overheard everything wore a frown on his face as he shook his head to himself.
“I’ll go check on Serene.”
To his words, Dalene shook her head, “Give it a few more minutes. She must endure it. A Perxin’s soft heart must be tamed, I remember my father did the same to me when we were both kids.”
“He did it when we were fifteen, Dalene!” Edgar insisted. “Serene is barely nine!!! What do you think she feels about the things we told her?”
Dalene’s eyes drew to the study table, her striped tailed was wrapped tightly around her waist.
“What we told her might as well be untrue, sure it is to prepare her should the worse scenario is reality. But it’s John we are talking about, the boy is nothing like his father.”
“That… I…” Dalene could barely speak.
“I understand this is potentially Perxin family matter, my dear.” Edgar spoke. “Have you not heard what the boy admitted to moment ago? He helped Serene with her mana pool and intends to teach her magic. Our daughter could at the very least, bid him goodbye.”
“I see your point, Edgar. But…the Sarvods have been making a lot of moves lately, I can’t rule out the possibility that John was their ploy.”
“Sigh… You’re right…” Edgar threw his hands up and dropped them to his sides. “I just… I sometimes, pity the boy.”
“Knowing John, he would have no idea what is going on. The possibility no matter how slim, exists.” Dalene added. “But should I be wrong about his involvement or participation, I am willing to redeem my wrongdoings, Edgar.”
“Our… Our wrongs. The burden is also mine to bear.”
The expression on Dalene’s face soften.
Edgar looked at the clock, seeing that a whole fifteen minutes have passed since John’s departure, he stood to his feet, “I will go check on—”
“No, I will go comfort our daughter. I am the one who told her to stay silent no matter what happens.”