The tutelage program begin the day after welcome ceremony.

It seems Rupherd and Volwyn have discussed about the schedule while I was out with Sylv'air.

I will train with Rupherd from morning to noon , then Volywin will take over after lunch.

They both agreed a young child is in need of physical exercise, although I guess Volwyn have an ulterior motives of not having to wake up in the morning, it seems he's not a morning person.

At least that is my impression when I visit his room after noon, he doesn't show up for both breakfast and lunch so I'm currently accompanied by a maid carrying lunch for him.

He open the door after a few knocks, letting us in while he reach nearby basin to refresh his face. The maid put the lunch on nearby table and left both of us alone in the room.

The room have different aura now that it is occupied. The bookshelves are filled to the brim with books and a giant map is hanged on the wall beside it. I recognize the map similarity to the one drawn in Silver Edge of the World, that is the map of the world known to humans.

The map have more detail than the book, although there's less information as it get closer to demon territory. The easternmost end of the map is the Anomaly Great Forest. If I have time maybe I can make another map combining known locations of human and demon territory.

Volwyn recognize my affection towards the map, he move closer to me while pointing at an empty position close to the Great Forest.

"That's where we are, Ronia village. This map was made before fourteen counties was founded. The only settlement near great forest recorded in this map is Redwall Castle, said to be dyed with blood of invading demons since years long past."

Redwall castle, the main holding of Duke Qvist, de jure liege of Rupherd. The original owner and protector of the land bordering Great Forest.

After the war of unification between eastern and western kingdom, the newly crowned king attempted to divert the hostilities between two kingdom towards common enemy, the demons.

He create fourteen new counties in empty lands around Redwall Castle. Promoting numerous people to flock from their devastated home into the new region, creating villages and buffer zone against possible demon invasion.

Volwyin explanation didn't stop there, he is spirited to explain all important spots on the map, to the point of forgetting his late lunch.

"Tutor Volwyn, I think it is better that you have your lunch before we begin the lesson."

"Oh right, one should not forget to feed the body before the mind. Feel free to read any book you want while waiting for me."

I have been waiting for the permission to touch his books.

The amount itself are nowhere close to the mansion collections, there must be at least a hundred books here. The thickness varying from a few pages of personal notes to a brick thick tome of history.

I take a book titled Conflict of Magic out from the bookshelves and skim through it.

The content tell about the emergence of magic within humans.

Survivors from early war with the demons two hundred years ago return from the Great Forest with a disease which soon spread across human settlement and become a plague. The disease itself is non-lethal despite high infection rate.

Several patients develop strange ability as the disease subside, said ability range from enhanced five senses to teleportation. This newfound ability cause an uproar to general populace. Demons were shunned because they have physical ability above human and the ability to do unimaginable things. But now several humans have gained a power similar to demon, and the church are not especially happy about it.

Not all magic user are capable of controlling their new ability. Some of them went mad and incite catastrophic incidents. The Kingdoms respond by issuing commandment to all magic user. Register your power, arbitrary use of magic shall be punished. Those who aren't capable of controlling their power will be put under quarantine to prevent any possible incident.

The hunt against several notorious magic user are noted in the book. Most of them are criminal who've used their power for personal gain. The kingdom often request registered fellow mage to hunt those rogue. Those mage are later promoted as royal bodyguard and similar important position within the kingdom.

The book end with a note of how the number of mage have dwindled over the years. Either because the power is not hereditary, or most of them have learned to hide their abilities. The plague itself is never recorded again in human history, yet forever left it marks.

Reading the book remind me of something important.

Domain. Even though she's the one who informed me about it, Sylv'air herself doesn't completely understand what it is. All she know is that the domain have something to do with strange power her former master bodyguard possess, and I'm supposed to have a domain incomparable to it.

I turn my head to Volwyn, he just finished his meal and is currently pouring water from the kettle to his glass.

This is as good as any time to ask him.

"Tutor, what is a domain?"

My question seems to have caught him off guard. The water spill everywhere on the table. He try to hide it by answering as fast as he could with monologue-like tone.

"...Domain is the territory governed by a single ruler or government, how could you not know that."

"Not that one. I'm asking about the domain within our body."

My answer have shaken Volwyn even more, his eyes shift to the book I'm currently holding.

"I'm sure Conflict of Magic doesn't have anything about domain, how do you know about it?."

"Um.. Is domain really dangerous?."

"It's something general populace better not knowing."

Volwyn took a big sigh before continuing his explanation, it seems this topic is best not discussed in the open.

"Magic is not the only after effect of the plague. While magic only affect a few select person, domain have affected the entire human race. It grants you the power to control elements within immediate vicinity of your body. Think of it as an expansion to your normal body"

"Everyone have a domain?."

"Yes, although the power vary for each person. You would need great concentration to use it. Hence why most people doesn't notice this power."

Volwyn raise both of his hands above the spilled water atop the table, almost touching it. His eyes focus on it as if he's currently in a staring contest.

"Water Ripple!!."

That surprises me, both his sudden yell and the water strange movement. There's a weak ripple as if the water is sucked to his hand. It only last for a few seconds before my tutor breath become heavy and pull his hands away. It seems this is the limit of his power.

After taking a break to catch his breath, he turn towards me with a proud expression on his face.

"Most people wouldn't be able to use it over a second. The ability exist in everyone, yet the usability is almost negligible. But that doesn't change the fact entire human race have something similar to demon. You can see how dangerous this would be against the church doctrine."

True, even the mages are close to being excommunicated by the church under false charge of impurity. What would happen if common people learn about this?, there would be an uproar for sure.

"Now that I've told you about it, you shall share the burden of keeping this secret. Go and try your domain on that water, that way both of us will be captured when the church decide to raid this place.

Everyone have their own way to use their domain, it is best that you don't mimic me."

"...Is there any trick to it? Should I yell as well?"

"The yelling act as a command to start the domain control. It become a self-suggestion to invoke specific domain control you want. I myself only notice the increased effect after several years of practice, there's no use yelling if your brain don't know how to react to that yell.

For now just concentrate on what you want to do and how it will be done. Although it is heavily depend on your talent, just don't be disappointed if there's no reaction at all."

Talent huh?, Sylv'air told me I have a gigantic domain around me, does that count as talent?.

If my domain is bigger than normal I should be able to control elements far away from me, but how should I control it?.

When there's a water spilled atop the table the first thing you would do is to wipe it off. Should I push the water off from the table?. How would I move it?, with my hands?.

I concentrate on the water with clear intention of brushing it off. Ignoring Volwyn advice to get a little bit closer to the table.

After a few second of full focus -at least that's what I think I'm currently doing- I swipe my hand in the air as if wiping the water from an arm reach away.

Somehow the water is brushed off the table, together with Volwyn lunch plate. The projectiles fly across the room and landed on the map, tearing western part of it.

..........

Volwyn are left dumbfounded with the result, he just stare at the torn map with unbelief.

He pick up dining tools from the floor and slowly put them back on his table while mumbling.

"..This much power..could it be telekinesis magic?..but then he should be able to use it before now.."

Volwyin seems to have created a theory in his head, trying to figure out how a child like me have this much power.

As for me, there's a familiar feeling I felt when I use the domain control. The same sensation as when I control my [Berserker's Blood].

The plate and the water didn't just suddenly fly off the table, I saw my old demon arm brush it off. How long have it been since I last saw it?.

I try to turn my head around to search it, but there's nothing behind me but me wind.

"Young master Glenard!  try it once again!, move the water out from my hands!."

Volwyn yell snap me out from my daydream. He merge both of his hands in a form of rock while leaving enough gap for me to see water inside it. It seems he want me to suck the water out from his hands.

"Tutor?, are you okay?."

"Dont mind me!, just do it before all the water leak off!."

He certainly isn't in the mood for chatting.

Once again I tried to concentrate on the water, imagining the water to flow out from his hands.

And it work once more, the water flow out from his hand like a fountain before falling down. I repeat it a few times, this can be a good pastime recreation.

"I FELT IT!...THIS IS NOT TELEKINESIS!!."

Volywin scream broke me off my concentration as the water fountain break and fall to the floor.

" What is wrong tuto-"

"Don't you understand!?, If your power is telekinesis magic then the water should simply fly out of my hands!. But I felt something else! Your domain touch mine as it try to move the water! This is truly the work of your domain!."

I want to ask how much different does it make between moving the water using the telekinesis or my domain, but I know it's best not to open my mouth right now.

"This is brilliant!, to think someone with this much power over their domain exist!. I have to talk about this with your father!"

Tutor Volwyn just left like a storm, leaving me alone in his room.

I guess I should bring Volwyn plate back to the kitchen. That's the least I could do for damaging his map.

Our first tutor session end with more questions than answers.

*******_______*******_______*******

The echo of my footsteps can be hear throughout the hallway. My feet stomp the floor as I force my legs to run as fast as I can.

How can I be this careless?. It's obvious Volwyn have to ask a maid for Rupherd location.

The surefire place to find the maids is the kitchen, as they are still busy cleaning dining tools from lunch. Yet Gaby is not there.

When I visited the kitchen to return the plate, the other maids said she went looking for me after talking with Volwyn.

Of all the maids he can talk to, why it is Gaby?. She must have went to my room right after Volwyn told her the tutor session is finished for the day.

This is really not good, I haven't found a good excuse yet.

Sylv'air doesn't have even a tiny bit of money on her. Apparently she have been using her [Mind Control] to live from day to day. Controlling innkeeper to provide her lodging, and merchants for food and clothes, even the transport to this village. She is willing to use them for free access, yet refuse to steal their money.

There's no way she can keep using [Mind Control] if she want to stay in this village for long-term. One or two times is fine, but use it too often and there will be suspicion of demons activity. Rupherd doesn't gave me any pocket money, so I can't pay her living expenses. There's an option to ask the innkeeper to keep the tab for later with me as guarantor, but it will just attract unnecessary attention to her.  

The main problem come to two things. Hide the fact that she's an elf, and find a way to earn living upkeep.

The sun have set before we find a good answer to it, so yesterday I let her stay in my room. I meant to use it as temporary hideout, but it seems someone have find out about it on the very first day.

My grip is on the door handle, I can hear loud noise from inside the room. It seems I was too late to stop her.

What should I do?, have Sylv'air use her [Mind Control] on Gaby?. I feel hesitation to use it on people close to me, perhaps that just show how I value my human acquaintances more than fellow demon Sylv'air. Or maybe I'm just a coward when the time really matters.

I open the door slowly as to not alert those inside, it seems they haven't notice me yet.

"Let me go!, get off me right now!."

"I really can't!, please stay here until Glen come back!."

"Stop.. Calling him...Gleeen!!."

Both of them are rolling around in my bed, with Sylv'air pinning Gaby down using all her might. It looks almost like a catfight, or I should say Gaby usual fighting style. She can be quite a pain with hand to hand combat.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

I just stood there watching the spectacle lay upon me. Gaby's maid uniform is all wrinkled while her short skirt give a pleasing view, white today huh. Sylv'air long robe prevent the same view from happening, but watching her long hair flying everywhere gave a strange sensation of cuteness.

Hold on! I can't let myself get carried away, I have to stop them before they hurt each other!.

"You damn thief! how dare you call Glen so casually!"

"I am not a thief!!"

"Stop both of you!!"

My yell seems to be enough to stop their quarrel. They untangle themselves from each other and sit on different ends of the bed. There's still a little bit of spark between them, I can only hope my explanation can stop Gaby from leaking information about Sylv'air.

"Look at her Glenard!, I found her sneaking in your room when you're not inside. If that's not thief then what?"

"I already told you I am not!, he allow me to stay in his room."

"She is saying the truth Gaby. She's a friend of mine, I let her stay in my room for time being."

"Your friend?, since when you have a friend other than me?."

Okay, that hurts, a lot.

It's true I didn't leave the mansion often, the books take too much of my time. And when I do visit the village the kids are not getting along with me, perhaps because I call their games to be a waste of time.

"...I met her yesterday after welcoming the tutor, she's in the same carriage as him. Why are both of you wrestling in my bed anyway?"

"This girl just panic as soon as she enter the room. Screaming thief and stuff, I had to hold her down to keep her quiet."

"I was going to ask for help to catch this thief. But now I think I should have went to your mother and tell her you brought a grown woman to stay in your room, she would be proud of you."

Please don't, the reaction might add a few more years to her recovery.

Hm?, did she just say grown woman?, not an elf?

"Gaby, how is she look like for you? just a normal woman?."

"Yeah? although her ear is a little bit weird. Why won't she just cover it with that crazy long hair of hers?."

"Hey that's rude!, eh Glen what are you doing?"

I grab Sylv'air long silver hair and began to cover her ear with it. Spinning for god only know how many times until there's a big lump of hairball on where her ears was. I pin the hair with a twig from nearby pot plant, locking it in place.

"How is it now Gaby?, is she really look normal for you? what about her eyes and skin?"

"....Her ear is fixed, but I can't say I approve of that hairstyle. Her complexion is really pale, did she eat properly?, as for her eyes I guess some people just have suspicious eyes."

"...Please stop making fun of me..."

Now that I look carefully at Sylv'air she really does look like normal human. Elf are one of the demon sub-race with similar physical appearance to humans, but to think she could have this much likeness. It seems living with human for a few decades have effect on her.

If it's like this maybe she could blend properly into human society. Now the only problem is to earn money for her upkeep. Just what is she good at?.

"Sylv'air, do you have other skill except that?. Something you can use as a work reference."

"Work?, I was a healer back in my tribe. I specialize in herb medicine, but I'm not sure all of it will work on humans."

Stop saying humans like that, do you really want Gaby to become suspicious again?. But at least now I see a way out of our problems. The village doctor is quite old as well so it's a perfect time for someone to replace him.

The only problem left is to make sure Gaby doesn't tell anyone about Sylv'air ears.

"Gaby, Sylv'air is quite shy about her ears. Can you not tell anyone about it?"

"Only if she ask nicely."

"Little child, can you stop acting all mighty?. This lady here don't want to order you to do it."

"Please Gaby, it will cause problem for me as well."

"...If you say so..."

Both of them still doesn't get along it seems. I think proper introduction is in order.

"Now that everything is clear let's get to know each other. Sylv, this is Gabriel, nickname Gaby. Gaby, this is Sylv'air , just call her Sylv if your tongue got tangled."

"What a weird name. Can I call her silver instead?, it match her hair color."

"Complementing my hair doesn't give you the right to make new name for me."

"Hold on Sylv, I think Gaby words have truth in it. Silver is easier to pronounce for common people, why don't you give this new name a try?."

"Sylv is not simple enough for them?... I guess that's fine, It's true silver do sound quite similar to my name."

"Are you sure you want to be call that?. I was just joking you know."

"......"

It seems their relationships will not get better in a day. This may cause a few problems in the future. Gaby's job is to watch over me, and in turn I have to watch over Sylv to make sure she doesn't make any trouble. The three of us will get around often whether we like it or not.

All this feud almost make me forget something important, I meant to ask Sylv additional question about my domain

"Sylv, when you see my domain, how is its shape?. Is it different from the former master's guard?"

"...The guard's domain is engulfing him like a fire. I can't see yours clearly, but I think it resemble a golem. Most human I met doesn't have domain big enough to show specific form, so I can't say if everyone have different shape"

Golem? ..She must have mistaken my old body as a golem. My old demonic body are quite big since I have a little bit of mixed Troll and Ogre ancestry. The shape of the arm I saw was quite blur and ragged, but I won't fail to recognize my old arm. Why is my domain in the shape of my old demon body?, is it because I carry over my mind from it?. Maybe all the effort I spent to control [Berserker's Blood] was transferred to this body alongside my consciousness and made my domain control better than average human?.

The room fell into silence as I delve myself into tinkering session. Gaby look flustered with a conversation topic outside of her knowledge.

"What is this domain stuff?. Are both of you hiding something from me?"

"It doesn't concern you little girl, please just sit nice and quiet.

"Stop calling me little girl or I will start calling you old hag."

There goes both of them again, I guess since all misunderstanding have been solved there's no harm in a little feisty fight. Although I'm sure Sylv'air will hold back, right?

"...Uhm.. Young master Glenard?, your father is calling you to his workroom."

The voice of a maid outside the door put a halt to our ruckus. It seems we are noisy enough to the point of not hearing her knocking.

I open the door and step outside, Ignoring the maid expression when she saw Gaby and Sylv in my bed with wrinkled clothes.

Please stop making that face, there's no way an almost seven year old kid can do it.

Now, how should I go to face Rupherd?. I'm sure Volwyn have told him about my domain, it's only fair for him to be suspicious of me.

*******_______*******_______*******

Rupherd workroom is full with letters and reports. This is where the man spent most of his time apart from the training field. Tending with various duties as the governor of the village and its surrounding lands.

Ronia village act as a gateway for the southern part of the kingdom to reach Redwall castle. The recently built road allow faster movement for merchant caravans, hence the increasing number of traffic passing through the village. Some of them are normal merchants, while others are new residents or someone skilled with sword looking for a job in conflict areas.

The King have announce a commandment for all lord across the kingdom to reduce their standing army in attempt to prevent internal dispute resulting in war. The only place allowed to recruit new army is the region bordering the Great Forest. As the village began to expanse in size and Goblin sighting are more common. Rupherd have to recruit some of those swordsman to help guard the village.

Report to the Kingdom officials have to be made every time he recruit new guards as well as explaining the current situation about the demons, forcing him to stay awake until late at night. Yet he still spare his time to teach me swordsmanship in the morning, although he tend to complaint a lot about it while training with me. It seems he's more of a field person rather than work behind the desk. All evidences point to one thing in the end, there will be another major conflict between humans and demons in near future.

But it seems there's already another conflict happening in Rupherd workroom, at least that's what the atmosphere felt like when I entered it.

"..Glenard, do you know why I call you here?."

I recognize that tone, Rupherd always use it whenever he heard something bad about me. I shift my gaze to fidgeting Volwyn beside him, it seems he have cool down a little bit.

"I believe tutor Volwyn have informed father of the results of our first tutor session?."

"Yes, although he is a little bit over enthuasthic about it. The only thing I could make out of it is that you are in possession of a great power. Your tutor and I have talked a little bit about what could be the source of it, and there's one conclusion we came to"

"...What is it?."

"I'm sure you already know about the kidnapping of your mother when you were born. I lead the village guards to follow the goblins trail into the Great Forest, we found you and your mother in grave condition a few hours later, while the swordsman who have fought the goblin to freed your mother are already slain-"

Cold sweat start to appears in my face. I don't know what I'm supposed to do if Rupherd were to say the source of my power is because I'm not human. I'm sure he have suspicions since I didn't act much like a human child would. Will Rupherd kick me out of the mansion? if he know the truth?.

"-When we brought you back, you were struck with a heavy fever for a few days. There's a doubt whether you will survive it or not, but in the end you manage to last through it."

"The fever is one of the most common symptoms of the old plague. For a newborn baby to enter the source of the plague, there's no doubt young master Glenard was affected by it. The aftereffect must be especially strong on you because of that, hence the reason why your domain power is in exceptional level. This is the first time someone was infected by the plague after its first spread to all human two hundred years ago!. This discovery should be spread to the rest of the world!- "

Wait, the plague disease? not my demonic origin?. It seems I'm worrying about it too much. There's no way they would believe something in the forest is possessing this body... I hope..

I wipe the sweat off my forehead and watch as Volwyn was halted midway of his explanation by Rupherd. He doesn't look particulary pleased when Volwyn mention spreading the fact about my illness to the world.

"Tutor Volwyn, I'm sure this information will be useful when the kingdom decide to invade the Great Forest in the future. But won't it be dangerous to let everyone know about Glenard domain power?."

"...Well, we can just fake it as a powerful magic instead. The magic to control elements within a certain vicinity around him. There will be people who recognize the similarity to domain control, but they know better than to tell the truth."

"That's not what I meant..."

Rupherd turn his face towards me with a worry expression on it, as if sending one of his troops to an impossible mission.

"Glenard, you can choose to forget everything about this ever happened. Volwyn may publish the discovery on his own volition, but without you as proof no one will believe him.

Do you want to live peacefully as normal human in this village without ever using your domain again. Or do you wish to train and further enhance your power?. A heavy burden follow those with great power, there may come a time when your power will bring grieve instead."

Grieve, a perfect word to describe my opinion of [Berserker's Blood]. What would I do back then If I have the choice to not acquire it?. Accepting it in order to be recognized by my father, or refuse and become a step stone for my siblings.

There's no guarantee the same incident won't happen with this new power, I don't want to hurt those close to me again...

It seems my doubt are clearly shown on my face, as Rupherd walk out from his desk and put his hands on my shoulder

"Glen.., know that whichever path you choose it will not change my opinion of you. Some might have called you a strange child, but I always believe it is a sign of your talent and maturity.

I'm not one of those proud noble who force their child to abide their will. This is your life, I believe you are the one who should choose your own future. This domain thing aren't the only path in your life. "

Rupherd... if only my demon father is like him, perhaps I won't be blinded in my pursuit of power. I'm grateful he have so much faith on me, I really am ashamed for when I doubt him earlier. His advice just strengthen my absolution, I'm ready to give my answer now.

"I want to learn to control my power."

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Somehow this chapter grow to ~5000 words. Is it better to split it into 2 parts like chapter 2/3 or keep it as one like this?.