The sound of an axe splitting the firewood in half resounded at the break of dawn. Lucy was up as usual as she began to split the firewood in two so early in the morning. The cold wind blew gently across the world as Lucy cuts through another wood in half.
Sweat formed like bullets on her forehead as she raised the axe once more. Cutting firewood was much more possible after a month's worth of constant physical labor, her muscles growing stronger as each day passed on. Although it paled in comparison when she was an active soldier on the front lines.
Unlike the nobles who could afford high-quality wool and fireless stones that could keep the room warm, peasants could not afford such luxury as food was their main primary concern. Thankfully, there is an abundant amount of firewood thanks to the nearby forest.
Lucy reckoned she could hunt for an extra coin or two during winter but scrapped the idea midway as Emma and the others protested vehemently. She was confused as to why they would refuse such an obvious option, but their glares were more than enough to keep her mouth shut.
Lucy continues to match the rhythm of breathing with the axe as it falls down in a very specific pattern. Power was slowly coursing through her veins, albeit small as she tried to familiarize and adapt once more to her untapped potential.
Although it is hard to control and monotonous at first, it soon becomes very addictive once one masters it properly. Power enhances the overall activity within the body in its active state. Everything from as simple as breathing the faintest smell to memorizing things at a glance.
Which made it particularly unbearable for Lucy as she lived most of her life with power. Without it, everything felt so sluggish and dull that it made Lucy wonder how she managed to tolerate her first few days without its grace.
It was simply too unbearable. So unbearable, in fact, that Lucy quickly tries to regain her former control with power in small simple things. From carrying buckets of water to cutting through firewood, Lucy made sure to use every bit of opportunity to its fullest. It was small, but Lucy could feel her control and capacity over power growing bit by bit with every passing day.
After cutting the last firewood, Lucy bundled them up together and split them evenly into two groups. One was for their own use during the winter while selling the other. It's not much, but earning an extra coin or so would prove useful should the need ever arise.
A soft rustle perked Lucy's immediate attention as she sharply turned behind her. She soon calmed down, however, when she saw it was only just a rabbit. "...I really need to settle down..." Lucy mumbled to herself as she halfheartedly cursed her old instinct.
It took her another minute or so before finally bundling up the last of the firewood. By the time Lucy was done, Emma and the others were already awake as they prepared for the day. "Good morning sister Lucy." Rose yawned as Lucy entered the backroom of the kitchen.
"...Firewood again? Don't we already have enough?" Rose asked as she eyed the firewood stacking on top of one another.
"...It's better to have more than having less..." Lucy quietly explained as Rose's brow perked up.
"But isn't this too much?" Rose asked as she pointed to the piled-up firewood right beside the already tall pile Lucy had made.
"We could always sell them." Lucy shrugged as Rose perked her brow further. "...Anyway, isn't it about time we prepare breakfast?" Lucy said, eager to escape answering further questions.
"Oh yeah..." Rose mumbled as she quickly began preparing the meal before several others soon joined with her. Five minutes later, the entire kitchen was already busy as different types of meat and vegetables were being prepared.
"Isn't it almost time for the First Snow festival?" Lucy's ears perked up as she continued to cut through the vegetables.
"Yeah, I think we're only four weeks away?" One of the sisters replied as the other sighed. "But we don't have enough coins for this year as well." A sad smile etched across their lips.
"A loud tantrum is better than an empty belly." The sisters sigh in regret as they continue preparing the ingredients.
The smell and aroma of the food were beginning to fill the air as the children were slowly waking up one after the other. Soon, breakfast was being served as eggs mixed with tomato and bread was on today's menu. The children excitedly lined up in the dining room as they waited eagerly.
"...I'll be heading first then." Lucy said, taking some eggs that had been sandwiched with the bread before taking the back door outside. At the corner of her eyes, Lucy could see the others giving her a sad smile. A look of sadness that she could not get used to as she quicken her pace.
Lucy breathed in the fresh air deeply the moment she stood outside. The heavy scent of smoke and spice was finally beginning to dissipate from her nose. After savoring the cold air for a moment, she began to walk.
Lucy walked to the backyard of the orphanage where her usual spot was located. The scene of the waking town never gets older for her. Paired with the occasional gentle breeze, it was by far the best spot she could ever hope for.
If there was one thing missing from the spot, however, it would be the companions. It would be a lie if Lucy did not admit how lonely it was. Emma or the others would usually join Lucy from time to time, but most times, Lucy had to enjoy her meal alone.
She bit off a piece of the bread as she chewed it thoroughly. The sweet and warm taste it gave filled Lucy with satisfaction as it satiated her apatite. Though it had been a month, Lucy had never forgotten what it was like to live on an empty stomach. Never again will she complain of week old rations.
"...You’re here." Lucy stiffened as she slowly turned to the source of the voice. Iva was standing there with a glare in her eyes as she watched Lucy eat.
"...I am." Lucy replied as she bit off another piece.
A brief silence intertwined the two as Lucy swallowed the piece. "...I mean, why are you eating here?" Iva finally asked as Lucy simply tapped her face.
"Scares the children." Lucy replied as Iva let out a small smirk.
"Really? That's all?" Iva replied as Lucy nodded back.
"...Though I guess not every children." Iva's expression darkens for a moment as Lucy takes another bite. “Why don't you eat here? This view is hard to come by you know?” Lucy offered as Iva snorted.
"Why would I-." Iva was cut off as her stomach growled. A flush of embarrassment washed over Iva as Lucy chuckled.
"Just take a seat… it’s not as if I am going to run." Lucy replied with a smirk as Iva frowned and ate her share several paces away from Lucy.
The two ate their meals in silence as the world below them continued on. The town was beginning to spring back to life as shouts between merchants and the laughter of children filled the world. Lucy ate her meal in silence until a question suddenly popped into her head.
"Hey." Lucy called out to Iva, but Iva ignored her and continued eating her share. Lucy did not stop, however, as she pressed forward. "...Are you doing well here?" Lucy asked, as Iva paused for a moment before taking another bite.
"What does have to do with you?" Iva coldly replied as Lucy nodded back in silence.
"Fair enough..." Lucy replied as she took another bite. "I just… I thought you would be having a hard time with the others." Lucy said as she swallowed.
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"…I don’t have time for them." Iva replied, before taking another bite.
"Hey hey, you are still young. No need to think like that," A scoff was all that Iva replied. The little continued to scarf down on her meal as Lucy did the same. Peace seemed to have finally arrived when Iva broke it once more.
"Had to make sure." Iva mumbled so softly that Lucy barely heard it.
"Make sure of what?" Lucy asked. The little girl pauses, seemingly surprise.
"You’ve heard that?" Iva inquired, turning toward the scarred maiden who nodded back in reply.
"So? What are you making sure of?" Lucy continued as the cold breeze blew over.
"...Had to make sure you won't run away." Iva finally replied as Lucy blinked in surprise before letting out a low chuckle.
"I'm not going anywhere, Iva. I have nowhere else to hide." Lucy smiled as she went back to eating.
"... It does not matter. Wherever you go, wherever you hide, I will find you. I will get even with you." Iva whispered in hostility as Lucy turned her gaze into the sky.
"...You... you still hate me right?" Iva glared sharply at Lucy's inquiry.
"Is that even a question?" Iva harshly replied.
"...No... it's just that... what will you do after?" Lucy whispered, causing Iva to blink in confusion.
“What?” Iva said, the complete innocence of her tone made Lucy hesitate for a moment before replying.
“When I am dead at your feet, what will you do then?” Iva blinked several times, as if she did not consider such a future. Her reply was slow, almost uncertain.
“Everything will be better. You’re gone and dad is avenged.” The little girl finally replied as Lucy sadly shook her head.
“I wish that were true lass… I wish it was,” Lucy whispered in melancholy. The pain was still there. Even after all she had done, after taking him down, it was still there. The betrayal, the massacre, the pain were still there. What Lucy would have given to cure from such a curse.
The scarred maiden turned to face the enraged lass without a hint of hesitation as she spoke. “It is a false promise. It will never heal you here,” Lucy said as she tapped gently into her chest.
“I don’t want to hear that from you,” Iva said, her voice suddenly hardened akin to stone.
Lucy could only sigh in regret before nodding back in reply. “Aye, you don’t. But I will do so anyway. I will not stop you if you truly do wish for revenge, however, I will warn you nonetheless.” Lucy calmly replied, trying to appeal reason to the vengeful girl.
“It will never heal you. It will eat you until you have nothing. And when you finally have it, it will reward you for a fleeting moment, before it will rob you of everything… I can only pray you will find an escape. It’s… too late for me.” Lucy said, as Iva simply glared.
The little girl held her intense gaze for a solid minute before quickly retreating back to the orphanage. The scarred maiden stared at the skies a moment longer before she took one last bite out of her meal. Lucy savored the meal slowly as she was alone in the world once more.
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"Hmm..." The merchant hummed silently as he inspected the firewood brought before him. It took all of his focus to ignore the one who was selling the firewood to him. The other merchants beside him actively looked elsewhere or checked their inventories as Lucy simply waited.
The people around her actively avoided her, making her the only one standing before the merchant. "Hmm... these are in a bad condition, lil miss. You cut them unevenly, see here? I could still buy them, however, for four coppers." The merchant offered as Lucy simply stood there in silence.
"...How about 5 coppers?" The merchant re-offered. Despite that, Lucy still stood in silence. "...6 coppers, that is the best I could give..." "..." To the merchant's relief, Lucy finally nodded as he hurriedly gave six shiny copper coins to Lucy.
Lucy tested the coin first before leaving. Six lousy coppers for all of that firewood? It should have been at least 15! Lucy irritably thought but said nothing. At least someone bought them. Lucy thought as she tried to dismiss her frustration.
"I can't believe you fell for those prices," Lucy sharply turned to see the grain merchant from before. His ever casual smile ticked her to no bounds.
"You..." Lucy growled at the redheaded man as he casually smiled.
"It's me." The merchant replied, but Lucy turned back sharply, her mood plummeting even further. "Hey hey, no need to be so cold." The young man said as he tries to catch up with her.
"Why did you sell those firewood at a dirt-cheap price? It could sell as high as 20 coppers you know?"
It can go to 20?? Lucy thought in disbelief. She felt cheated for selling at such a cheap price.
"So? Why did you sell it?" The merchant asked again as Lucy simply scoffed.
"That is none of your business..." Lucy replied as she continued walking.
"Hey! Is that how you talk to someone who sold you grain at an affordable price?" The merchant complained, but Lucy did not reply as she simply continued walking.
The two walk through the different districts of the town. Merchants shouting luxury products that Lucy did not even want to hear as to their outrageous prices. 2 silver for a wooden toy? That's daylight robbery! Lucy despaired as she continued walking.
She looked every bit and cranny she could find within the stalls but found only higher and higher prices that she could not be able to afford. She thought she had brought enough money, but Lucy severely underestimated the market price, as the cheapest toy went from 20 coppers to 10 silvers. Only now did Lucy understand why the sisters could not afford it.
"Where are you even going, anyway? It's not like 6 coppers could get you anywhere here." The merchant continued to pester Lucy. Her patience was getting thin.
"Alright, what is it that you want?" Lucy asked as the merchant smiled.
"Hey, you don't have to frown so much. Smile more! I think it suits you." The young man replied.
"I don't know if you notice, but I barely have anything on me." Lucy replied dryly as the merchant shrugged.
"I'm not after your coin, sister." The merchant replied as Lucy let out a sigh.
"Just what exactly are you after?" Lucy caught the young man off before he could continue. "Hey, I'm just trying to help you here. Can’t it be that I just wanted to help?" The merchant asked as Lucy replied coldly.
"I doubt it. There is no such thing as free in this world, especially for merchants like you, so let me ask you again and this will be the last time I will ask. What. Do. You. Want?" Lucy spat out each word as clear as daylight.
The young man scratched his neck awkwardly when he noticed how serious her gaze was. He let out a cough before finally replying. "Those woods. I was kind of hoping you would tell me where did you find those firewoods." Lucy tilts her head in confusion.
"That's what you want to know? Isn't the answer already obvious?" Lucy asked as the young man's face turned serious.
"Those firewoods you just sold are extremely high-quality sister. I don't know if you know this, but some of those that you just sold are worth one silver." The man said.
What?! Lucy screamed internally as a rising anger began to take form. Wait, no, he might be lying. Surely it won't cause that much. It's just firewood, it can't be that much... or can it? Lucy thought to herself in doubt as she replied.
"How can it be worth one silver? Surely you must be jesting. It's just a piece of wood." Lucy replied as the man shook his head.
"Wood? It is anything but just wood, sister. Some of that 'wood' you just sold is enough to keep a small house warm for the whole winter." The man said.
"Impossible, those are klem woods. Only those with coin can afford it and it only appears in..." Lucy exclaimed before suddenly slowing down. Her heart skipping a beat.
"Where have you lived most of your life, sister? Those trees are clearly rich in mana. What else can it be but klem woods?" Lucy felt her blood froze in an instant as the world slowly grew distant.
The merchant was saying something, explaining how valuable those firewoods were or something, but it barely mattered to Lucy right now. Her mind clings on to one key information. Klem woods. Mana infused trees. T-that means… Memories of her dark past slowly crept back.
"What did you just say now?" Lucy whispered sharply. Her heart was beginning to beat harder.
"I said those trees are rich in mana. Why is that such a..." The man trailed off when he noticed Lucy's eyes darken even further.
Rich in mana? How could a forest be riched with mana and no one noticed till now? It should have been farmed almost immediately if one was to be discovered, but why not here?... no... that can't be. "This can't be happening." Lucy whispered in horror as her heart fell beneath her stomach.
A million triads of possibility work within her mind. During training, soldiers undergo drills to react to orders as fast as humanly possible. They are trained and pressured within that field as information that could tip the balance would be vital depending on how fast they can react.
An average adult would take 1 second or even longer in the presence of such dire information, a soldier or a knight would take 0.25 and champions as close as 0.7 seconds, even shorter if power aided them. Even if she neglected training, Lucy was still faster than any average adult in piecing the information together as the dawning horror slowly crept out.
Oblivious, the merchant was beginning to grow wary as Lucy was beginning to pale by the second. "Hey, sister? Are you alright-"
"Thank you so much for this information, but I have to go now." Lucy quickly replied before taking off.
"Hey! You-"
"I'll repay you later, but I have to go now! See you soon!" The merchant did not even have the chance to reply, as Lucy was already sprinting. Lucy weaved through the crowd as her breathing slowly became ragged.
There were some who tried to shout after her when she bumped into them roughly, but quickly stopped when they saw who it was. Lucy could not afford to spare them a glance too as she passed through the gate.
When the traffic significantly dropped outside the town, Lucy tapped into power as the muscles in her legs burst forth with energy. "Vekra" With a new sense of vigor and power, Lucy ran as fast as her legs could carry her towards the hill where the orphanage lay unprotected.