The Frenost estate is on a flat outcrop off Mount Gretalos. It was in this place where a young girl's meeting was taking place. The eldest of them could not be more than ten years of age.

There were twelve girls for today's classes; any other day, their instructor would teach more than thirty. When they came of age, would they go to learn in one of several academies for the education of witches?

However, their instructor, Litralia Frenost, was called away due to an unknown incident. The door she had left through was ajar, so the girls could hear from where they were all sitting.

"Are you sure of what Lanhou saw?" [Litralia]

Litralia asked, showing no real emotion on her face.

Standing before her was Milty, the caretaker for Lady Litralia's youngest child.

"Yes, my lady, all I have reported is true now. we will be unable to keep this a secret for much longer." [Milty]

Looking about her, Milty noticed the door still ajar and motioned a hand towards it, closing the door so no one would hear further.

"He grows so swiftly; never have I heard of such growth even among the races of the second order." [Milty]

Milty spoke first after closing the door.

"He acts not like a child, but more like a man bored of his youth, whose eyes point towards someplace we can not see." [Milty]

Litralia listened to every word Milty spoke, acknowledging that it was true, that Lanthim was far exceeding. What should a child be able to do in such a short amount of time? She had taken drastic steps to counter the possibility of someone outside discovering anything about his ability to manipulate mana. Lanthim was a prisoner of the estate's east wing, never interacting with children his age or any other house staff besides Milty, his caretaker and Felyma's assistant caretaker.

With her teaching schedule, his mother saw him—only four or five times daily, for less than an hour each visit. Lanthim would always act distant when they had a long time together as if a young child's joys were not as interesting. Then, there are the daily reports of his attempts to use mana. Would reach her ears, and her entire being would shudder.

"My lady, this news of a male capable of manipulating mana will eventually reach the capital, and then he will be in the greatest danger." [Milty]

What Milty spoke was true. The five great clans of the empire would not allow any test of their authority. To be left alone for too long. They were the leading family in developing advanced magic spells and the command sequences to use them. These six had a monopoly on magic and its users in the empire.

"Have you contacted my husband concerning this matter, Milty? I think it would be unwise at this time. You know he rarely sees any letter I send him without someone reading it beforehand." [Litralia]

Litralia spoke, turning towards a painting on the wall behind her. A family portrait some years before her third daughter, Mahyna, was born. Standing behind her was Nedral Frenost with his long black hair and strangely red eyes. Not impressively tall but not short, he looked powerful for a man.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

"You talk of lady Fienya, the master's first wife. Why would an elf care for such a child?" [Milty]

Milty asked, still standing where she had been when the conversation had started.

"The danger does not come from her being an elf." [Litralia]

Litralia explained, turning again, facing the door to the library with her hand on the door.

"Her attachment to Nedral's mother causes me the greatest concern."

Ending there, she opened the door and continued the lesson for the day she had prepared. Elsewhere in the east wing of the estate, Lanthim sat cross-legged. Meditating upon his bed, the calming sensation of mana flowing through him helped clear his mind and, through that clearness, find peace. How beautiful it felt. Never in his previous life had he known such serenity, such calm.

Today, he could manifest mana, as Felyma had called it. Into a physical form, something of substance and texture. It may have been only a tiny amount of water, but it was a step into more extraordinary things. The joy and satisfaction of actually being able to do it made him buzz with excitement even now.

"Well, you seem to be quite able to use Mana manipulation far better than was originally expected."

A voice came to Lanthim's mind. Calm and serene, he knew this voice. Opening his eyes, he looked to his immediate front. The world around him began to warp, and change colours seemed to blur. Then, as if She had always been there, a woman appeared before him. Standing at the foot of the bed, leaning forward with no adjustment to her dress, she meets Lanthim's gaze.

"Not even a year old, and you believe you can move the world."

Bringing herself upright, the woman continued.

"The others are so displeased by your inability to live out the early stages of your life as a child." [Yrera]

Confused by this strange person, Lanthim said nothing, just stared, wondering what was going on as both watched each other strangely; neither spoke, just silence for a time.

"Well, what an inconvenience. Do you remember my voice? You did not see my appearance back then, but that is no excuse ."

The woman was first to break the silence. Lanthim looked at this person more closely, the dress she wore. It did not look the same as what he had seen around these parts. Or what he had been informed about when he asked about the fashions of this area. He always seemed to make Felyma or Melty a little reserved whenever he asked questions. He was not ignorant about being locked up in the east wing. Litralia had tried for many months to stop Lanthim from continuing to manipulate mana. But he would continue to practice despite any restrictions.

Then he remembered something, a memory that he had allowed himself to forget even though it was not long ago his experience with the six true magi.

"Frera, one of the magi I met in that place before coming to this world." [Lanthim]

Lanthim spoke with a bit of surprise. All he had known back then was just their voices. Now, to see one of them in the flesh, he could not contain himself. Frera, on the other hand, did not seem so pleased with his long delay in remembering her. There was no smile nor frown, just a calm, displeased stare that made one's hair stand on end.

"Well, since you are ignorant about this world, I will forgive you for including beings of our power and presence with that of this plane of existence." [Frera]

Speaking, Frera had again met lanthim's gaze.

"I am one of the True Magi. Try not to include me with the little witches of this land. Who would think themselves so great." [Frera]

'Ah, crap, it seems I have said something I should not have.' {Lanthim}

Speaking to himself, Lanthim smiled weakly.

"A smile I see sadly for you. I am not here with happy tidings." [Frera]

Frera noticed and noted his smile; however, what did she mean by the last part?

"I am afraid that the six of us have decided what you are about to experience. You did not think we would leave you to do as you please." [Frera]