‘All living things have a specific amount of mana that can be drawn from their inner body. This is called a mana pool, a storage of an individual’s mana capacity. If the mana supply is completely dry, symptoms of haggard breathing, difficulty seeing, and lightheadedness will occur. Under critical circumstances, wizards who are unable to draw from their mana pools will forfeit a bit of their life force as compensation.’

Wait a minute, that made no sense. Robin scratched her head.

Was mana not any way similar to the basic building blocks of all life? If there were no mana, it indicated death according to the first book she had read. Slowly using up their internal storage seemed like a death sentence especially if their capacity was very low.

‘However, this is only one way to draw mana. Mana can also be drawn from the natural environment. Every skilled mage is able to successfully draw in mana from their surroundings; the more mana is drawn if the environment’s affinity corresponds to the individual’s affinity. In order to draw mana from external forces, magic veins present in every individual capable of harnessing mana is required to absorb and convert them back into a variety of spells.’

The second half brought allowed a clearer picture to be formed. Magicians had other outlets to absorb mana, so it was not always a threat to their health if their mana tank was not exhausted below fifty percent. Still...

How could she put it in plain words after reading the first few chapters? A lingering reminiscent of how a fan who was so deeply into a form of subculture; taking it and transforming it into a whole blown theory. However, it was still part of a fantasy, and a pastime for many until it was not.

The more she read, the more it reminded her as though she was reading through a long Wikia page revolving around how a specific world a novel was set in worked. It seems weird and foreign to assimilate such an interesting knowledge and perspective and to accept it as a known fact, but Robin had no choice. The faster she learned this type of unusual material, the faster she would be able to find a way to go home. In some way, mana and magic were anomalies sorted under Robin's own miraculous group she created in her head because they couldn't really fit anywhere else, scientifically normal. According to the books, mana followed a few sets of law that the residents of this world discovered, yet at the same time, it hovered near the threshold of an unexplained phenomenon capable of distorting space and breaking down fundamental laws of gravity.

She heaved a loud sigh before continuing. She even decided to record decent notes like any other student because her contemporary and realists knowledge often clashed with the phenomenon explained in each book. At least the subject held a compelling uniqueness that allowed the reader to read it as more of an entertaining novel rather than a textbook like material. It was beginning to feel more like an English class, intensive reading, rigorous annotating, and convoluting analysis.

She turned to the next page, scribbling down another piece of the vague topic yet to be fully developed, as the moonlight spilled in through the large glass windows. The amber light from the lamps did nothing to hinder the amazing view of the night sky, yet Robin faced away from the beautiful view re-reading the second paragraph again.

“It’s as if our goddess is staring down at us. Do you think Mother is watching from above?” Ena quietly asked. A few clear droplets formed at the corner of her warm eyes. When she raised her hand to brush them aside, she was pulled into a warm hug by her brother. Overwhelmed by the sudden embrace, the bottled emotions came pouring in. Her heavy sobs carried all of her clan’s pain, anger, and sadness echoed in the long endless hallways.

The young elf turned to look into her brother's golden colored eyes. “Why us? Why did it have to be us?” she asked between broken sobs, hiding her face into his bosom. Her delicate hands fisted and twisted the cotton shirt, while Eladis gently rubbed her head. The fire, shouts, screams, her mother bathed in red flashed in her mind, the event still heavily soaked in her mind. It would stay there forever like a permanent tattoo, like yesterday's memory. 

“I will protect you,” he softly replied, running his hand through her silver hair. The once dark dull hair was clean of any grime, making it pale in comparison to the moon and shimmered more brilliantly than any stars in the sky. The image of his mother flashed behind his closed eyes, her tender smiles, long pale hair, and the calming voice especially when she sang her lullabies. He missed all of those small nostalgic moments and their mother the most. Ena was the last memory of her, and he vowed he would protect her at any cost.

As she walked down the halls, Robin overheard faint muffled sobs, enough to make her pause in place. She adjusted the pile of books in her arms, her brows furrowed in confusion.

Who’s crying at this hour?

Curious, she headed closer to the source of the muffled sob only to find it was the same siblings she had met earlier. It pained her that she had gotten herself in an awkward situation, especially when the brother cracked opened his eyes and gave her a threatening glare. However, this hallway was the fastest travel to her destination: the kitchen.

She could retreat back and pretend she never witness such intimate scene, making a roundabout to the kitchen but it meant expending more time than she was willing to give up.

The best thing Robin could do was completely ignore them and head about her way, until she was stopped by the snarky elf, again.

“Yes, can I help you?” she gave him her best customer service smile at being stopped. Imposing, but effective against annoying people.

Ena had removed herself from her brother’s embrace and looked at the woman in front of them. Realizing it was the owner who bought them, she quickly shied away from her penetrating gaze; especially her smile.

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“Thank you for the food and clothing. That’s all.” he simply stated. Eladis was not the one to disregard his helpful benefactor and prided himself to retain a bit of his dignity if one were to ever provide help.

“Oh. You’re welcome,” replied Robin, taking a quick glance of the young girl behind him. She thought for a moment, noticing the slight cautious doe-like eyes observing her. They were puffy and the edges were visible red along with her small nose.

“Would you like to come to the kitchen with me? The chef can provide a few snacks if you’re hungry.” She offered, observing how the girl hesitated but pulled at her brother's sleeve as to urge him.

“Fine. We’ll have to trouble you," Eladis spoke at his younger sibling’s request. Food seemed to always cheer her up and gratefully took up the offer, especially the fuuko pancakes he made for her whenever she felt down. They would eat the pancakes together, sitting on the very tops of the trees while stargazing.

It wasn’t as if Robin had problems with shy people, but rather it would be hard for them to fit in the real world. The workplace needed charismatic and confident people that retained their humility making her wonder a bit.

Now that she thought of this, were all slaves this timid and anxious? She guessed being enslaved for so long had affected their mental health. If so, she would have to hold back educational classes and quickly create an effective counseling session first that included psychological care and rehabilitation for abuse and PTSD symptoms.

Upon entering the kitchen, Robin sat at a large counter while the kitchen staff greeted her. Eladis and his sister followed suit but remained a good distance away from Robin as if she had the flu.

“Master, how may I serve you,” a plump man adorned in a chef's attire greeted her. His cheeks were like two ripe apples, and his handlebar mustache gave off a classic French aesthetic. He held a heavy French accent for some unknown reason and recalled serving as the head chef for some dead queen according to his character biography.

“Could you serve some light snacks for the three of us and a glass of warm milk for the young girl,” she said, pointing her finger to where the siblings were.

“Of course, Mademoiselle,” and went off his merry way behind the back room.

The game made him more stereotypical than necessary.

She couldn’t help but state in her mind. Though Robin was a bit surprised at how an NPC that usually remained stationary displayed such interesting personality, it was nonetheless amusing to watch.

Chef Jacques was a provision when the player bought their first castle and would be grouped along the NPC who helped create potions, armors, and other miscellaneous when given the ingredients.

A loud clambering resounded deeper in the kitchen away from her view, but she paid no mind to it as she continued to skim through the second book.

Ena however curiously stretched her neck, curiously wondering what was going on behind closed doors. She winced upon hearing what seemed to be someone slipping followed by another loud clang of cooking utensils.

Robin however, turned to the next chapter with the topic composing of simple spells such as igniting a flame, creating a ball of water, forming a breeze, and molding a pile of dirt. Apparently, in order to activate spells, concentration and chanting were required. It meant memorizing a long list of nonsensical phrases, with even the most basic water spell requiring the length of a compound sentence.

In the meantime, the snacks were laid on the table a whiff of hot steam coming out from the freshly prepared macaron, cookies, tarts, eclairs, and other European sweets. A cup of hot milk was given to the young elf and fragrant tea was served for Robin.

Lavender probably.

Her nose twitched at the familiar scent.

I wonder if I can formulate my own spells.

The idea suddenly occurred to her, seemingly plausible. It was a shame she had no way of using magic in her current situation, but she had a hunch she may eventually be able to after the strange update completed. If it occurred in most novels she knew of, there was a high possibility it may be true. If not, at least she had capable comrades to support her, not leaving her totally handicapped.

Her hand reached for a macaron and turned to quickly glance at her fellow guests. They silently munched on their midnight snack, talking amongst themselves as if she didn’t exist.

Robin could feel her pride slightly dent, and envy crawl its way up. They reminded her of how she would talk closely with her own brother, playing games and traveling around the area to discover interesting cuisines. That was before he became ill but nonetheless, she had enjoyed the little time they were allowed to spend together. And she wanted to go back. She wanted to experience them again...

She hated to admit it, but Robin felt enclosed by her own surroundings. Having even a thousand servants to her every need, there was was a clear invisible divider between them. They were like soldiers, and it was hard to relieve herself from the thought that they were not NPCs but now people? It was hard to discern or even categorize them creating a visible gap as if trying to befriend someone far above their own level with a below average person.

She paused, staring at the bitten macaron.

It has no taste.

It was plain, a chewy texture with no flavor, sweetness, or pleasure. The bluntness of chewing out any sort of flavor remained unsolved, and eventually, Robin discarded the half-eaten macaron. Her taste buds must have gotten dull from the change in her mood.

Before she knew it, she had called for Jacques for a health potion. The chubby man quickly went back into the small inner room before returning with a potion in hand. His forehead gleaned in sweat even if there was no reason to, and his hands clasped together as if he was worried about something.

She wondered what there was to worry, before downing half of the potion.

Eladis watched her as she got up and made towards the exit, taking a peek at the antsy chef. Even his sister seemed to sense something was off but continued to snack on the treats.

It wasn’t until she stopped to rest in the spacious garden gazebo did she realize she had nearly finished the potion. Her habits had reverted back to when she had arrived here, and it made her feel pathetic and weak.

“What is wrong with me?” she weakly whispered, inspecting her trembling hands. Her back rested against the marble slab, the cool sensation created small bumps to form on her skin. She assured herself she would no longer linger in self-pity and be swallowed by such discomforting thoughts. Yet she unconsciously reverted back to the same old habits when she initially arrived here?

The weakness crawled back like an inescapable hidden layer of skin. A glance at the sibling’s happy conversation amongst themselves, their intimate bonds, and if that wasn’t enough ignoring her as if she was some sort of reject. Though they may be slaves, they had each other, something she lacked.

But they were slaves. I was better off than they were...

Crash!

The glass shattered upon the harsh impact. She found herself breathing heavily as though she ran a marathon. The unprecedented anger spontaneously erupted, surprising even Robin and retracted back realizing the burning jealousy lodged in her fickle heart. She cursed herself.

She considered herself to be self-disciplined, but what remained facts turned out to be lies. Robin was terribly weak to the emotions controlling her, much more than when she was back on Earth. The only way to constrain down her mind now was to meditate just like she often did before a big exam.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.

For a moment, the palpitating heartbeat seemed to steady; the anger present became yesterday’s story. She continued for a few more rounds, before she regained her composed posture and menial expression that smoothed out the frown on her face into a thin line. The bubbling jealousy was still there, milder than before. However, she had more self-control than that, bitting at her lower lip until blood trailed down her chin and her nails digging deep into the inner palm of her hands leaving visible crescent marks enough to be seen tomorrow.

Her books were left on the table, but felt no need to retrieve them rather she wanted to stargaze right now as a way to clear her clouded mind. She shifted her body where that she laid on the cushioned seat and tilted her neck to stare out into the sky.

Don't be jealous. I'll eventually go home. My situation is better off. Don't be jealous...

A cool breeze brushed across her body, causing a shiver to erupt. The sky in this world was beautiful, clear to be discerned by the human eye compared to the city lights back home.

Slowly Robin found herself washed over by a wave of tiredness and sleepiness continuing the silent mantra over in her head.