After sweeping a pile of fallen leaves into a small mound, Adrian's hands were roughened from the day’s work, and the broom’s wooden handle felt heavy in his grip. The ground was littered with discarded plates, crumpled napkins, and scraps of food: an expected outcome of the festival’s feast.

He glanced over to see Seven crouched beside a bench, picking up stray bits of bread with meticulous focus. Around them, the nuns and other children worked diligently, clearing the tables and stacking benches.

Adrian’s legs ached from the hours of moving around, and his back was sore from hauling heavy crates earlier. He exhaled a tired sigh, wiping a smudge of dirt off his cheek with the back of his hand.

By the time the sun was sinking slowly behind the distant hills, the yard was mostly cleared, and Adrian leaned on his broom, his body grateful for the brief moment of rest. Seven dusted off her hands and walked over to him, eyes bright with anticipation.

“Are you going to teach me magic now?” She leaned in closer, as if trying to force a positive answer out of him with sheer willpower.

Adrian sighed heavily, feeling a weight settle in his chest. She’s not going to let this go, is she? he thought, running a hand through his hair. “Fine, but only if you ask for permission. We need to go outside the convent.”

Seven’s face lit up instantly. "I will!” she promised, her voice bubbling with excitement. She turned on her heel and rushed toward Sister Selena, who was wiping down a nearby table.

Adrian watched her go, feeling a strange mix of apprehension and resolve. I really hope I’m not making a mistake.

Adrian watched as Seven approached one of the nuns, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes and an apron still smudged from the day’s cooking. Seven spoke earnestly, hands gesturing excitedly as she explained their request.

The nun listened before giving a slow nod of approval. She pointed toward the outer edges of the yard, cautioning Seven with a few stern words before patting her gently on the shoulder.

Seven’s face lit up, and she turned, rushing back toward Adrian. “We can go! But we can’t go too far. Just near the trees, okay?”

Adrian shrugged. “That’s fine."

They made their way toward a quiet spot near a large oak tree, off to the right of the convent’s entrance. The area was slightly hidden by the tree’s wide branches, providing a sense of privacy. Adrian glanced around once to make sure they were out of sight before turning back to Seven.

“Okay, the first thing you need to do is channel your mana core properly. We have to make sure it’s under control this time.” Adrian explained.

Seven’s brow furrowed slightly. “But I already did that before."

Adrian paused, choosing his words carefully. I have to be honest with her, at least a little. “Your mana core is… different. Last time, it wasn’t stable. I want to see if you can channel it in a more controlled manner now. ”

"Okay, I'll try."

Seven closed her eyes, hands pressing against her chest. Adrian watched closely, his senses heightened. “Focus, feel the energy inside, but don’t let it overwhelm you. You have to be the one in control. It’s like… holding onto a rope. You decide how tight to grip.”

Seven’s face tightened with concentration, her breathing slow and steady. Adrian could feel the air shift slightly as her energy began to manifest. There was a pulsing aura radiating from her, but it was no longer wild or chaotic. It was steadier, as if she was finally grasping the reins of her power.

He closed his eyes, reaching out with his senses. The feeling of her magic washed over him, carrying a mix of raw strength and something darker, but far less aggressive than before. It’s still there, but much less volatile and menacing. There's definitely progress in this regard.

Adrian opened his eyes slowly and saw that the girl's eyes were still closed. “Seven, you can open your eyes now."

Seven opened her eyes cautiously, her gaze searching Adrian’s face. “Did I do it right?”

Adrian nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Yeah, you did it. That was the first step to learning magic.”

Seven’s face broke into a wide grin, and she let out a small cheer, her fists pumping in the air. “I did it! I really did it!”

Adrian watched her celebrate, a strange sense of pride mingling with lingering worry. She’s already awakened her core at such an early age, just like me.

He knew what it was like to possess that kind of power, raw, frightening, and almost too much for a child to handle. But what does it mean for her?

Just as Adrian prepared to guide Seven further, Sister Selena’s voice cut through the air. “Adrian! Seven! Come back, it’s time for storytime!”

Adrian’s shoulders slumped slightly, his initial instinct to protest held back by a quick glance at Seven, who was already bouncing with excitement. Figures she’d love that, he thought, feeling a pang of reluctance. Storytime had always felt too childish for him, but he kept his complaints to himself.

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Seven tugged on his sleeve, her red eyes shining. “Come on! Let’s go before we miss the good part!”

***

Adrian sat cross-legged on the floor beside Seven and a cluster of other kids, his back leaning against the wall of the small, cozy room. The walls were covered with colorful drawings, each one depicting scenes of nature, animals, and the occasional image of Goddess Isha surrounded by beams of golden light.

Seven nudged Adrian lightly as she nestled closer to listen. Adrian settled in, folding his arms over his chest. Here we go.

Sister Selena clapped her hands gently, signaling for quiet. “All right, everyone, settle down." The children fell silent, their eyes wide with anticipation.

One of the younger boys raised his hand. “What’s today’s story about?”

Sister Selena’s smile broadened, her gaze sweeping over the eager faces before her. “Today, we’ll hear the story of how Goddess Isha shaped the world.”

Adrian bit back a chuckle, his lips twitching slightly. This is just a sneaky way to teach scripture to kids. Still, there was a spark of interest within him that he couldn’t deny.

Sister Selena’s voice shifted into a more solemn tone as she recounted the myth. “In the beginning, there was nothing but the clash of two primordial forces: Light and Darkness. The chaos was endless, until the gods emerged from the very heart of this struggle. The most powerful among them was Isha, the Goddess of Light, who brought order to the chaos.”

While the other children listened intently, Adrian's expression remained composed. Light and Darkness forming gods, common in many mythologies during my time.

Sister Selena continued, her voice filled with reverence. “It was Isha who shaped the world, forming mountains, rivers, and forests with her divine hands. She then created the four mortal races: humans, elves, dwarves, and beastkin, each bestowed with unique traits. Humans, with their adaptability; elves, with their grace and affinity for magic; dwarves, known for their craftsmanship and strength; and beastkin, blessed with keen senses and agility.”

Adrian’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. How curious, elves, dwarves, and beastkin don't sound unfamiliar to me. Perhaps they weren't uncommon in my previous life as well.

Sister Selena’s voice dropped to a dramatic hush. “When demons first tore through the veil of the nether realm, threatening the world, it was Isha who bestowed magic upon the mortal races. She gifted this power to protect the world from darkness, granting it especially to those with the potential to awaken it from an early age.”

As she said this, her gaze landed directly on Adrian. He felt the heat rise to his cheeks, caught off guard by her focused stare. The other children turned to look at him, eyes wide with curiosity.

Adrian’s face flushed deeper, and he shifted uncomfortably, trying to avoid their gazes. Great, just what I needed.

“Settle down, children,” Sister Selena said gently, bringing the focus back to the story. But as she closed the book, her eyes lingered on Adrian. “I’d like you to stay after storytime for a quick word.”

Adrian swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the request. What now?

As the other children trickled out of the small room, chattering excitedly about the story they had just heard, Sister Selena motioned for Adrian to stay behind. Adrian’s heart sank a little, but he kept his face neutral, standing up slowly and stepping toward her.

Seven hovered nearby, her curiosity evident. “Can I listen too?”

Sister Selena shook her head gently but firmly. “Not this time, Seven. I need to speak with Adrian alone.”

Seven pouted, her lips forming a small frown. But after a moment’s hesitation, she nodded and shuffled out of the room, casting a curious glance over her shoulder before disappearing around the corner.

Sister Selena guided Adrian to a quiet corner of the room. She paused, choosing her words carefully. “Adrian, we’re very aware of your magical abilities, you know.”

Adrian’s eyes widened slightly. “How did you find out?” he asked, unable to keep the surprise out of his voice. Have I really been that careless?

Sister Selena chuckled, her tone gentle but knowing. “Some of the nuns are sensitive to magical auras. But also, I did catch you juggling fireballs once. You weren’t as sneaky as you thought.”

Adrian’s cheeks flushed slightly. I knew I should’ve been more careful.

He braced himself, expecting Sister Selena to mention Seven next, likely to scold him for teaching her anything about magic. But her next words caught him off guard.

“We’re also aware that Seven is… special. We’ve sensed it for a while now, and it’s clear that her mana core isn’t like others. It’s unstable, dangerous even.”

Adrian’s relief was immediate, though he masked it with a cautious expression. So they already know. "I did feel that something was a bit off with her."

"Right, which is why I was hoping you could help Seven manage her mana core."

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

"But why not let the nuns teach her?” Adrian asked. It's good that they aren't aware of me training seven as of now, but it is odd that they'd ask a child to help control a mana core.

Sister Selena’s gaze shifted slightly, as if recalling something unpleasant. “We tried, but her core rejected our methods. We had to forcefully seal it more than once to prevent a catastrophic surge. It wasn’t easy, and it was… painful for her.”

Adrian frowned, piecing together what she meant. That must’ve been what I sensed a few times, the sudden spikes in her energy, followed by a weird feeling of suppression.

Sister Selena continued, her voice more earnest now. “But we noticed something else, Adrian. Seven has taken a liking to you, more than to anyone else here. She listens to you, follows your instructions. We think you might be able to help her in a way we can’t.”

Adrian feigned a thoughtful expression, masking his inner conflict. She’s right, he acknowledged silently. Seven’s trust in him was evident, and despite his own doubts, he had managed to teach her some basic control.

Still, the request felt daunting. He wondered what would happen if he failed, or worse, if he unintentionally unleashed the very power they were trying to control.

“You think I could do what you couldn’t?” Adrian asked.

Sister Selena nodded. “We do. But I also want you to know that this is a choice, Adrian. We won’t force you into this. But if you’re willing, we’d be grateful.”

Adrian hesitated for a moment longer, then gave a small, deliberate nod. “I’d be happy to help,” he said, trying to sound as casual as possible. Better to just follow along.

Sister Selena’s face softened, her relief evident. “Thank you, Adrian. Just be careful, we don’t want either your or Seven getting hurt.”

Adrian nodded again. "Don't worry, I'll be fine."