"Safi, what kind of animal is that?" Sofra pointed her daughter to a picture in the book.

"It's a dog." The girl said confidently.

"Very good! It is a dog. The word 'dog' is spelled like this. Can you name each letter?" The mate paid attention to the symbols under the picture.

" ... "

"There are four symbols and the word is d-o-g-g. What will be the first one?"

"'Do?'" Safia guessed.

"Right! So smart!" Sofra patted her daughter's head.

"All right, so what will the second letter be?" She continued after a moment.

" ... "

"D-o-g-g... What's the second sound?"

"I don't know..."

"Think a little, repeat the word."

"I don't know! Ask Tao!" Safia suddenly turned attention to her younger brother, who had been sitting quietly by her side.

Why me? The boy felt his forehead begin to sweat.

Tao had become more careful with his words and actions around older sister as she grew older and better able to communicate with adults. Nevertheless, Safia regularly expressed belief that her little brother was much more capable than others were expecting.

"Tao? Do you want to participate too?" The mother also patted son's head and smiled.

For an answer he put his finger in mouth and made an 'I don't understand' face. Even though Tao was considered gifted, being able to read books not even three years old seemed too crazy.

"Tao is still a little baby. He'll learn when he's your age." Sofra turned to her daughter again.

"When are we going to the feast? It will be soon!" The girl tried to change the subject for an answer.

"The feast will only be in the evening, we still have plenty of time, sweetie. Let's learn some more, yes?"

"I'm tired..." Safia started to complain.

"Really? Then you'll go to bed instead of running out?"

" ...Yes, I'll go to sleep!" The girl announced and got out of bed and rushed to the children's bedroom.

Sofra remained sitting on the bed with a book in her lap and Tao by her other side.

"The Eternal is my witness; I have no idea why she is so..." the woman sighed deeply and shook her head.

Tao instinctively stroked mother's back to comfort her. He wanted to smile, seeing mother's efforts to educate eldest daughter.

Don't worry, Mom! When it's time for me, you'll have a super-easy time! He promised in his thoughts.

The Tao had no problem sitting still for hours, carving symbols, words, dates and other knowledges into his head. The mother will be proud of him...

Eighty-eight points? Is that acceptable to you?

It's a normal, standard test that you should be able to pass perfectly. Didn't I tell you that 90 points is the minimum? Don't you feel ashamed? Answer!

No more time wasting! Go to your room and let me see only books in your hands, understand?

Long-forgotten memories of another, darker life flashed through the boy's mind.

No, Sofra is not like that, he reminded himself.

Tao's palm felt how warm his mother's back was.

Perhaps noticing that her son was in an odd mood, Sofra decided to show him the pictures in the book, naming the animals and objects that were depicted. Even though Tao already knew the pronunciation and spelling of these words, it was nice to listen to mother's soft voice and feel her attention on him. Being an obedient, clear-headed middle child meant that Sofra spent most of her time taking care of needy infant and stubborn eldest daughter.

Suspicious noises came from the children's bedroom, as if someone had opened the window.

"Oh, is this how we sleep?" Sofra muttered and got to her feet.

As could be expected... Tao could only sigh.

He didn't even have to concentrate the spirit power on his ears to understand what had happened. Safia didn't want to lie quietly in bed, but watch what was going on outside, or maybe even jump out the window. It wouldn't be the first time.

Tao had learned to use his enhanced hearing more skillfully, though the most important lesson was still to make sure there wasn't another loud human nearby before using the ability. The boy was even able to focus his attention on specific people, though it took effort to ignore background noises.

Not only his hearing, Tao was also able to sharpen sight and sense of smell. So far, these improvements were small, with no particular practical benefit, but the boy was able to see the potential for the future.

True, against an invisible spirit, it would probably be of no use...

This thought spoiled his mood.

Before Inya was born, every new skill or ability learned would bring Tao joy and satisfaction. Lately, the thought that all achievements were in vain, a waste of time, came more and more often to mind.

At least against this enemy.

But I must continue training, if only to gain more time... Tao tried to convince himself.

"I thought you were tired? Why aren't you sleeping then?" Tao heard her mother's amplified voice from the other room.

Safia didn't answer anything.

"If you have nothing to say, get down! Help me prepare the vegetables for the evening." Sofra said firmly.

"No, I don't want to..."

"Then you will stay home tonight! No feast for you!"

It looked like this had finally convinced Safia to submit to her mother's will, because there were no more objections.

After moving the cradle with the baby to the kitchen, Sofra put her eldest daughter to work. Tao was left alone in his parents' bedroom, although mother put a book in the cupboard to prevent the boy from accidentally damaging it. He also felt the urge to go to the kitchen, if only to watch his mother and older sister working. While in the past Tao often found that time with family interfered with his training, now these moments were the only time when he managed to forget his worries.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Ironic how things can change... the boy chuckled to himself.

Tao, however, remained sitting up in bed, concentrating his spirit power to expand the meridians and use up reserves. He still believed that spirit power was a useful weapon against an invisible spirit. There was no harm in increasing its amount and control. Besides, the boy was indebted to Eleya, who had kept her word and protected Indres in his encounter with the monsters at the tower.

the window of the room was half open, allowing Tao to hear the cheerful voices and laughter of the villagers as they prepared for the autumn celebration, bigger than before. The smell of freshly baked bread, the songs of the little birds and the warm autumn sun helped to lighten boy’s gloomy mood.

He also knew that a special guest would be coming to the festival, and Tao was eager to meet him.

As evening approached, the lively noises were only gaining strength. The smell of the food also became more pronounced, especially the aroma of meat roasting on a skewer, which made Tao's mouth water. Like his older sister, he felt the urge to go more quickly to the village square, where music and laughter were coming from. Both children, however, had to be patient and wait for their father, who returned rather late. Tao, however, learned that the important guest had arrived as planned, so he cheered up.

When the family finally made their way to the square, the sheer number of people made it seem as if the population of the village had already doubled. Apart from the usual bonfires, the square was also lit by several colored paper lanterns, hung on the corners of the roofs of the buildings. Tao also noticed several tables set up with various items for sale instead of food - the village had several traveling traders visiting for the feast. No doubt, having heard the stories of the tower with the treasure that had fallen into the hands of this village, they had come in the hope of finding wealthy buyers.

Indeed, rumors and gossips have great power.

From the conversations of those around him, the boy had learnt that the reputation of Ueki village had risen considerably throughout the region. The new wall was almost complete and the deorgs had agreed to build two watchtowers on either side of the gate for an extra fee. Thanks to successful treasure hunts, the village could afford it.

Rumors of an old mage's tower with a curse and treasure attracted not only traders but also curious people from other villages and even nearby towns. Some just wanted to know more, while others even went into the forest to see it for themselves and try to find more treasure. So far, however, it seemed that all the curious ones found were bare stone walls and ashes.

The snoopers were not the only ones who had come to Ueki village. Eight families, more than 40 people in all, had come to settle here. Some would join the loggers, while others would serve as carpenters. No doubt, more new houses and furniture would soon be needed. Talk of safe walls, victories over monsters and treasures found convinced many that this was a place with a bright future.

As in the previous year, Tao's parents soon engaged in conversations with their friends. The children stayed close to mother and started snacking at the tables. The boy did not hesitate to sink his teeth into a juicy piece of soft meat that came from a wild boar-like beast. Although her husband was a hunter who often brought home fresh meat, Sofra usually cooked the children softer food, soups and porridge, with vegetables as the main ingredients and meat as a side dish. Tao had noticed that lately it was freshly roasted, succulent meat that he liked eat the most, not too lean or fatty and reminiscent of pork. Perhaps memories of food flavors in his past life were fading, or his taste buds now were more sensitive, or the local cooks knew how to add the right spices to meat that was slowly roasted on fire. Whatever the reason, Tao enjoyed the soft meat in his mouth and forgot all worries for a time.

Later, when his stomach was full and needed a rest, Tao turned his attention to other things. Safia, who had also eaten, started playing with other children her age. The mother held her youngest daughter in arms while she talked with Reyte and the other women. But Indre... the man's face did not reflect the joy of those around him. The father seemed lost in thought and engaged little in conversation with others.

I guess there's nothing to be done... Tao could only sigh.

He also listened to what Indres told his wife about what had happened at the tower. Then he questioned Eleya later. The two unusual encounters with the spawns had convinced the man that there was a dangerous and intelligent evil force in the forest. Unfortunately, for reasons of his own, the noble Lights guard was reluctant to pay any more attention to it. The other soldiers and village elders also wanted to think positively, that this group of spawns was led by a monster just a little bit smarter than the others and that the village would be able to deal with them if the monsters attacked. After all, didn't they win twice already?

Tao's fingers clutched the round, coin-sized amulet that father had hung around boy’s neck soon after returning from the expedition to the tower. The metal disc was engraved with an eight-pointed star of a religious nature with a tiny crystal in the middle. When his wife asked about it, Indres said it was meant to ward off evil spirits and bad dreams. Tao noticed that his father had started wearing a similar amulet himself.

Although Indres had not mentioned anything about suspicious dreams to his wife, Eleya claimed that they had been mentioned in conversation between the hunter and the senior Temple guard. The knowledge that the enemy was capable of influencing other people, including his family, in such a way was disturbing, all the more so because for some reason his father did not want to talk about it.

Like a cunningly spun spider's web... how to untangle it? Tao's thoughts returned to the same question.

A question that had no answer yet.

Maybe tonight something would change.

Several village elders asked the music to stop and turned their attention to the blesser, who was sitting in the place of honor. It was not Neter from the nearest town, but a prominent selesti from the provincial capital, Keser. Baern, the Lights guard, had used his influence to persuade this blesser to come to the Ueki village and renew the blessing of protection.

For most of the villagers, this was further proof of heaven's favor towards the village. Few who knew a little more about recent events realized that this was a to protect against the cunning leader of spawns.

Ignorance is bliss, it seems... Tao thought, comparing the happy faces of those around him with Indres' serious expression.

The Elders extended several pleasantries to selesti, a woman named Avelin, until she announced that it was time. The masses of people then moved closer to the shrine at the edge of the square. The Tao parents, taking their children under arms, did the same. Perhaps because Indres had played an important role in recent events, he and his family stood quite close to the shrine, alongside the elders, allowing them to see everything clearly.

The shrine was made up of a stone altar carved with several Holy ones on its sides. On altar was a large eight-pointed star made of silver-like metal. Above this shrine was a roof supported by four wooden poles, which were also covered with symbolic carvings. Tao also knew that the women of the village, including his mother, regularly placed wreaths of flowers on the altar in spring and summer, of golden leaves in autumn and of conifer branches in winter. Even now, there were many wreaths of golden and reddish leaves and late autumn flowers around the metal star.

Two young women in long robes and headdresses, were the first to approach the altar. They held small metal bowls from which came light smoke and a pleasant smell. After walking around the shrine several times, they placed the bowls on the altar, bowed deeply in front of it and stepped back. Then the selesti herself came forward.

Avelin was younger than Neter, but with a more serious face that expressed pride and honor, like the three noble Temple guards who had come to help remove the curse from the tower. Her face was slender, her cheekbones high, skin clear and flawless, her dark hair tied in a tight knot at the nape of her neck, adorned with several brooches from which dangled multiple ornaments, like earrings, in chains. Her robes were also long and airy, but slightly more revealing of her slender figure. This surprised Tao a little. He had the impression that in this world, as on Earth, religious figures did not like to show off their body shapes.

The woman approached the shrine in a slow, dignified walk with a straight back. In her hand was a staff similar to the Lights guard, but instead of one crystal, a metal frame held several together. Like Neter, the woman also had a metal star on her chest with many colored crystals.

Fortunately, there was silence in the square as the selesti began to call out blessings. The amplified voice of the spirit power also allowed Tao to hear every word in the strange language clearly. He used all his concentration to memories what was being said and repeated each word in his mind, even though he did not know meaning.

"Aneru il-nai! Aneru il-delo! Fila pracelus! Volem meam ae! As'sere vilium mae!"

Avelin's voice vibrated across the square, bringing awe to the faces of those around. Her skin and clothes momentarily became more radiant, making her look almost like a supernatural being rather than a human. With her free hand, she touched the metal star on the altar, which also seemed to grow brighter. The light moved from the woman's body to the star, which for a moment looked as if it were burning in white flames. A moment later light was sucked into the metal star, regaining its normal appearance. Tao, however, thought that the crystal in the center of the star continued to glow brighter, as if there was an LED light inside it.

The woman turned to the crowd.

"It's done! Praise the Eternal and his Holy ones. His blessing will protect the faithful!" she announced in a loud voice, but without the superhuman overtones.

Many nearby bowed deeply before the woman, but Tao paid little attention; he had stopped making a barrier around his body, allowing the power of the spirit to flow freely. Placing his hands around his mouth to muffle the sounds, the boy silently repeated the words of the selesti blessing invocation to himself, concentrating the power of the spirit in his vocal cords.

"A-ne-ru il-nai! A-ne-ru il-de-lo! Fi-la pra-ce-lus! Vo-lem me-am a-e! As-se-re vi-li-um ma-e!" Tao tried to pronounce each syllable precisely.

He tried to reproduce as accurately as possible the same circumstances when the spirit of light spoke to him in the past.

Now, feel my spirit power, hear this call and show your curiosity... the boy mentally addressed the invisible spirit who had just contacted selesti to allow her to restore the shrine's defenses against evil spirits.

Tao unfortunately did not hear the unnatural voice in his mind, the spirit had decided to ignore the boy. Instead, someone else showed interest in the boy. Selesti Avelin turned her face towards Tao. Her eyes met the boy's gaze and began to glow brighter, with a supernatural light.

Shit... A shiver ran down Tao's back.

***