‘Magic is a form of a connection and communication between an entity and the world. A conjure is like an instrument used to contact the world and each conjure contains different, unique messages that ask permission and assistance from the world to gain dominance over and manipulate certain things to your desire. But to contact the world comes with a cost, a form of energy, this is where mana comes into action. Mana is infused into everything in existence. It helps in building and maintaining that object into the creators desired shape.’

‘But there is a difference in mana capacity for different objects. For inanimate creations such as rocks, crystals and minerals have a set and irrevocable mana capacity. Different rules apply to creations bestowed with the ability to grow, their mana capacity vary and change as they age and grow. They have a delicate characteristic that separates them from inanimate objects, the mana pool. Inanimate objects have a container inside them and this container is already set, a living thing's mana pool is different. It is somewhat a container but it can expand with growth and carry more mana.’

There was Gab studying late in the night. She was so absorbed into the book she was reading. Each time creating conflicts in her mind and slowly reasoning her way to the answer. She comes across a story about the first Devil and Hero.

‘Satan, the first Devil. He was once a divine being and the leader of the archangels at that. Before becoming the devil, he was called Lucifer. He was the best at nearly all aspects, this made his pride swell. He demanded to be announced as a God as well and be worshipped. The Gods cast him out of the heavens and was sent deep inside the earth in a molten prison where he is to repent for his actions. It was to show the difference between what an angel is compared to a God. This, instead of enlightening Lucifer, sent him unto a rampage. He destroyed the prison and turned it into his base, Hell. He gathered forces who were willing to worship him and go against the Gods, and that incited the war of Heaven and Hell.’

‘There was worldwide devastation and catastrophe, all of Matrona held its breath. Lucifer's four pairs of white, shining wings were turned black that then emits evil and disgusting aura. So unpure that everything around it were to shrivel, wilt and die. After so, they will be reborn to be an object that complements evil. This affected various things, including Lucifer himself. His heart full of pride was used against him. Influencing him with a destructive force and power, he was now convinced that he was more powerful than any and all of the Gods. The war came to end by Satan's defeat, slain by the first hero blessed by the Gods. His whole body was full of injury and his right arm was torn off along with his legs. He fell back into the deep chasms of Hell which was then sealed shut and can never be opened. Peace came, there was celebration and rejoicing all over Matrona.’

She remembered Astaroth, about him suddenly overtaking the four empires military force all at once. Death plagued those lands on which he set foot.

‘This kind of power must be a common trait among the Devils. Thinking back, all of them were described as poisoning the lands where they walked, rendering them infertile. The only forces on par with this Devil's [Corrupt Magic] is the blessing of the Gods, [Divine Magic]. He was able to kill four of the hailed Gods. No Devil in history was able to do that, not even Satan.’

Realizing how she never managed to scratch him even with the blessing, chills crawled up her spine. The first and only attack to ever have an effect on him was when he allowed Gabrielle to stab him. Just thinking about it makes her see how big the gap is between him and her.

‘Damn, what's the deal with that monster? How much power do I even need to force some damage in?!’

She thought. Then after a while of thought, she closed off the book.

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

‘I better think about this tomorrow, its already morning...I swear I'll find a way, just you wait.’

‘Swordsmanship has many divisions, but what I should focus on is a technique which would help me force my way in. A technique to pierce through that devil's defenses...that's it!’

She thought and went to sleep.

For the next three years, Gab would continue to practice her conjures. She took her eyes toward swordsmanship afterwards.

- 3 years later -

While they were eating breakfast, Gab decided to ask permission from her father. But there was one problem regarding this.

"NO! Enough of this! I expect of you grow up as a maiden, not for you to be sent to the front lines and die!"

Though being a well-known swordsman himself, George was strict on allowing his children hold the sword.

"I do not intend to go anywhere near the battlefields father, I merely see it as an art that I want to learn! I never had any thoughts about using it against other people. (Lies!) "

{Gabrielle Xylmuitte - 5 years of age}

She reasoned.

"Look here Gabrielle, I- *flinch*"

Mr. Xylmuitte looked at his four year old child talking about learning the ways of the sword with such determination in her eyes. It was an unbelievably ridiculous sight.

"...alright. I believe you. I don't think you'll last long doing rigorous training anyways."

He reluctantly agreed.

"Really!? "

"Yes, really."

Gab was overjoyed, throwing herself to her father and giving him a hug. Mr. Xylmuitte fell over from his chair. Gab then stood up and ran around.

"Thank you father, your the best. I love you so much."

"T-that's right! Ahahaha I am the best, aren't I? Hahahaha!"

"(Chance!) Yes, that's true. Gab sees father work very hard every night and Gab wants to grow strong so Gab would be able to help father."

She says while doing puppy eyes and cutely snuggling in her father's shirt. It was super effective. (*pokemon reference*)

"guuhhh *sniff*... Gab... Father will work his hardest for our family, and from now on *sniff sniff* I will be the one teaching you swordsmanship! Father will try his best, okay?"

He said with teary eyes while raising Gab up the air. Gab knew about how good her father was at swordsmanship, rather than saying how good, it would be how famous he is for his skill. He is very versatile on his techniques. There was hardly a match for him in the whole continent.

Early in the morning, there a five-year old Gab was running around the mansion's perimeter. She wasn't on a fast pace but considering her age, she was possibly at the fastest a five-year old could go. Alisa was standing in front of the mansion's doors awaiting Gab's return, she was carrying with her a towel and three glasses of water on a silver tray. Gab was on her fifteenth lap, of course she was tired.

"*GASP GASP* Damn it...*GASP* W-water!..."

"M-miss?!"

Shouted Alisa out of concern. Gab was barely standing, but she had to follow her father's given regimen. Thinking back.

"Listen Gab! If you want to start real sword training, then you must follow this training diet I've set out personally. Okay?"

Said an excited George who was showing Gab a set of schedules for her. They were inside his office with Alisa.

"First things first, when you wake up. Do about thirty minutes of full-body stretches. After so, eat breakfast. Don't eat too much because you're going to be moving a lot later on. After eating, walk around the house to let the food sink in. Just about ten minutes or so will do. Then comes the morning jog, you will need to do fifteen laps the whole area outside the mansion. After tha-"

"F-fifteen?! Sir, isn't this a bit to rough for the young miss? I mean, she still is a child. Would you not consider some leeway?"

Demanded Alisa, concerned.

"Yes, I did see to it that the regimen was safe even for Gabrielle. Normally, she would have run forty-five laps non-stop. But since she is a child, fifteen is a suitable amount. Ahahaha!"

"Forty-five..."

Repeated Alisa who was left on a daze on what might Gab turn into after this.

"Moving on...now where was I?"

"After the laps."

"Oh, thank you Gab. Yes, as I was saying. After fifteen laps, you will only be allowed to take three glasses of water that's all. After so, you are to do sword swings till lunch. Of course there are breaks. For every twenty minutes of practice, you get a five minute break. Counting the hours, you wake up at eight right? So then you get approximately two breaks. Before and after the exercises be sure to remember to stretch. Afterwards you are free to do what you will. Questions?"

Continued Mr. Xylmuitte, Gab and Alisa were left speechless after the discussion. Gab could hardly imagine the difficulty of what she was to face, yet there was excitement.

"None, father. When do we begin?"

"Tomorrow, of course."

"Eh?"

"Oh and I will be adding into your schedule a weekly assessment. During this day, the two of us will have mock battles for me to see how much you have grown. Dismissed."

And so began Gabs primary training to ready herself for the dark days to come. A year had passed since then, another one and she will begin going to the school. Before, she refused the idea of going to school, she preferred less of contact with outsiders and instead learned about subjects on her own volition. But this time, this life, its different, she has no idea what's waiting for her there.