In the few days after the meeting with the gods, we stayed in the inn as Azoth taught me the basics for using mana magic. We started with getting me the basic mana manipulation and mana perception skills, which didn’t take long to learn. Apparently, that was due to [Draconic Sorcery].

What was a pain to learn was learning to shape mana into magic circles. Apparently, not only do I have to be able to weave them with near perfect precision, but I also have to do that quickly and in the heat of combat.

“How on earth do people use magic like that with a monster’s claws rushing at their faces?! I can’t even shape it right without any distractions!”

A drop of sweat was running down my temple as I tried to fit the mana into the circle, which Azoth seared into my memory through hours of practice drawing on sheets of paper.

“Stop complaining and concentrate, dear. There are no shortcuts to learning magic the right way. Not if you want to be casting custom spells instead of being at the mercy of whatever the system grants you through a class. Besides,” she used a stick of ice to raise my mana-weaving wrist, “it’ll get easier as you get used to it and improve your mana manipulation skill. Truly advanced casters can cast spells thousands of times more complex than that without conscious thought.”

Seconds later, the spell circle began to shake wildly, then shattered like a glass pane. The mana I’d thrown into it dissipated in the air.

“Urgh!” I yelled in frustration, throwing myself on the bed.

“Keep at it, dear; if you manage to cast a mana bolt, the rest of magic will open up for you. In fact, if you learn to cast a few slightly more advanced arcane spells after that, I’ll make you a dedicated magic focus myself.”

“What’s that supposed to be?”

“Things like a wand, orb, or staff, which acts as a tool to aid you in casting magic. Depending on the kind of enchantments placed on them, of course.”

I whined in irritation.

“Sure, but that’s all far away from now! I signed up to throw fireballs, not some stupid mana ball. This is so annoying!”

“There, there. It’s not as distant a goal as you may think.” Azoth soothed, then a knock on the door grabbed our attention.

“Looks like our guests are finally here. We’ll continue your magic lessons later.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Who’s at the door to see us?”

Azoth sighed and smiled weakly.

“See for yourself.”

She walked to the door and opened it, and a woman that looked similar to Azoth with fiery red hair, an elegant dress, and a wide smile greeted her.

“Sister! It’s so good to see you again!” she grabbed Azoth in a tight hug.

“It’s been a while since I’ve spoken to you! How have you been?”

“My apologies, Ighir. I’ve been busy with a few minor affairs lately. More importantly, allow me to introduce you to my adopted child.”

The woman gasped; eyes widened as she took me in. A few seconds later, she rushed at me and grabbed me in an uncomfortably tight hug.

“Oh, you adorable little thing! My name is Ighir, but you can call me ‘Auntie!’” she showered my cheeks with kisses as I struggled to breathe in her embrace.

“Ease up on the kid, mom. It’s hard enough for me to breathe through your hugs.” A third, gruff voice appeared from the entrance to the room.

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“My greetings to you, Aunt Azoth.”

“I am glad to see you in good health, Durreg.” Azoth said as she closed the door behind him.

Did this kid call me a kid?! I don’t need his pity or his condescen-

“OOF!”

‘Auntie’ Ighir was now rubbing my cheek with her own as she patted my head and ruffled my hair. Her other arm, of course, still held me in a steel grip. All struggle was futile.

…

HP: 992/1000

…

I survived the horrors of the Unfathomable Abyss and cheated death enough times to earn a title for it. And yet, it seems that my fate is to be crushed to death by the embrace of an overly enthusiastic relative.

Oh well. It was a good, if short, life.

…On second thought, not really.

The woman released me shortly thereafter then turned to Azoth.

“Azoth, how can you be so cruel?! Why did you hide such a cute kid from me until now?! Also, Durreg, come and introduce yourself to your cousin!”

The tall boy with a longsword strapped to his back approached us and greeted me.

“Greetings, cousin. My name is Durreg. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

He raised an outstretched hand towards me. Instead of taking it, I simply frowned and looked the other way.

“Hmph!”

Through the corner of my eyes, I saw his eyebrows rise slightly in surprise.

“…Is something the matter?”

“I don’t know, maybe a mature man like you ought not to waste his time with a kid like me. Kids are a pain to babysit after all, aren’t they? Go and spend your time with the adults.”

‘Aunt’ Ighir began to giggle behind me, while Azoth sighed as she covered her face with the palm of her hand.

“I… see. I think we may have started off on the wrong foot, but I’d like to start anew, if you don’t mind. It would be helpful if I did get your name.”

I started to get nervous. Azoth said it reflects poorly on dragons who didn’t name their kids, but we just never got around to it.

To protect Azoth’s reputation, and more importantly, not to show weakness to the rude boy, it was time to improvise!

As I kept frowning and looking away, I looked desperately for anything that could give me an idea. At the edge of my eyes was my mana manipulation textbook.

“I am sorry, but I never got to-” Azoth tried to say something, though it was interrupted by my answer.

“…My name’s Kiara. Kiara Azoth.”

The other three blinked at me as if I sprouted a second head.

You have been granted the name ‘Kiara Azoth’!

‘Auntie’ Ighir suddenly began to howl in laughter, as Azoth sighed and put her other hand on her face.

Durreg’s brow was twitching as he pointed to the book on the bed.

“Kiara, as in, Kiara’s Guide to the Fundamentals of Magic?”

My cheeks were on fire, but at this point I was committed.

“Yeah. I happen to share the same name. Do you have a problem with that?!”

“No. No, I don’t. But do you mind telling me why you have Aunt Azoth’s name in yours like humans do?”

“I like the way humans do things. I think its neat. What’s it to you anyways?!”

Ighir’s laughter grew even louder.

“I see. Then, if I may, have you decided on a gender for yourself yet? Or are you still too young to decide that?”

“Durreg wai-” Azoth tried to intervene again, though it was to no avail.

“Of course, I do! I am a girl. Is that a problem for you too?!”

The boy raised an eyebrow.

“Mhm. And that has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I am a boy?”

“Yes, of course. Why would you suggest otherwise?”

Ighir’s laughter calmed into giggles by this point. She put a hand on the boy’s shoulder to grab his attention.

“Durreg, please spare your aunt and your cousin any further ‘inquiries.’ Any more of them and I suspect that we’re not getting invited for a visit again if you keep this up!” her giggles erupted into laughter once again.

***

“So, sister, I believe there was a matter you wanted me to discuss with me in person?” Ighir asked Azoth.

“Yes, there is. But it’s not a matter to speak of with the kids around. Durreg, be a dear and take your cousin to a nearby, beginner dungeon. It’ll be a good opportunity for the two of you to get to know each other. It’ll also give Kiara a chance to learn to fight alongside others.”

“But Azoth-!” I protested.

“No buts, young lady. When you’re back, we’ll continue our magic lessons. In fact, the two of you are going to be repeating this routine for a few months until you learn to work together and cast basic magic. I also know that your skill with magic isn’t all that polished because you spend all your time swinging that sword, Durreg, so you’re joining her in magic class. Are we clear?”

Durreg winced but nodded anyway.

I grumbled and stomped to the door, slamming it wide open as I left the room. Shortly after, the boy caught up to me.

“You seem to be rather impulsive, cousin. I suggest that you keep that in mind lest you do something you’ll come to regret.”

“You’re certainly not helping with that!” I quipped back at him.

He raised his arms in surrender.

“Hey now. You might not believe it, but I am not trying to antagonize you at all. I am sincerely trying to get to know you, but you’re being a little too defensive. Giving me a chance wouldn’t hurt, would it?”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” I said, increasing my walking pace a notch in irritation.

“Kiara, wait-”

“What now?!”

“The nearest beginner dungeon is that way.” He said, pointing to the direction opposite of where I was going.