Due to her status as an awakener, Raven was homeschooled and couldn't to attend elementary school otherwise she could easily outsmart and dominate kids her age. That was not something favourable so, the government had stipulated that such children be homeschooled. For ordinary children who had awakened early, this was quite troublesome for their parents. After all, it was difficult to provide the level of education of schools at home.

However, it didn’t matter to Raven. She had access to the best teachers at home. Her curriculum included everything a young lady of her status would need: etiquette, music, dance, history, and estate governance. Each day, except Sunday, she had five classes—three in the morning and two in the evening.

This, however, came at the cost of her social life. Her interactions with peers were practically nonexistent. She wasn’t even allowed to visit parks or attend the social gatherings with her father. Feeling trapped at home all day, and perhaps thinking she must be bored, the house helpers began to share their life experiences with her. Raven didn’t understand how they arrived at this conclusion, but she didn’t mind. She was a good listener, tight-lipped and receptive to gossip.

You see, the servants at Serth Manor weren’t exactly content to leave the young miss to her own devices. They were bored too, and soon enough, Raven became their sounding board. It all started one day when Raven had wandered into the kitchen to get some water, only to find the house manager, Mrs. Fawley, talking to Lila, the head maid, about the latest scandal.

“Oh, Miss Raven, you look a bit worn out. Sword training again?” Mrs. Fawley asked, glancing at her over the top of her tablet, as she swiped through some administrative updates.

“Yeah,” Raven replied, feeling her energy levels dipping. “Instructor Shion’s a tyrant. But what else is new?”

Mrs. Fawley didn’t seem to notice the sarcasm, as she leaned in, whispering dramatically. “Well, you wouldn’t believe what happened in the laundry room last week.”

Raven raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“You know Gregor, right? The gardener?”

“Yeah…”

“Apparently, he was caught trying to iron his socks—with the wrong side up! And Lila found him in the laundry room, looking all flustered, trying to explain how it was some sort of ‘new sock fashion’.”

Raven blinked, unsure whether she should laugh or be concerned. “A sock fashion?”

“Yes! The man was convinced it was the next big thing, as if ironing socks inside-out was going to start some trend. Honestly, I think the laundry room is where the weirdest things happen around here,” Mrs. Fawley said with a conspiratorial look.

Raven couldn’t help it. She let out a soft laugh. “Well, if anyone can make socks trendy, it’s Gregor.”

Lila, who had been standing nearby, shook her head. “Don’t even get me started on his cooking experiments,” she said, her voice low, as though she didn’t want anyone to overhear. “The other day, he tried to serve up chocolate and chili soup for dinner. I swear he’s trying to get everyone in the mansion to stage a rebellion.”

“Chocolate and chili?” Raven asked, eyes wide, feeling rather incredulous. “That’s… an unusual combination.”

“You’ve no idea,” Lila replied, clearly still traumatized. “I’m pretty sure half the staff was on the verge of calling in sick just to avoid it.”

As she listened, Raven realized that the mansion staff’s lives were filled with more drama than she'd imagined. They weren’t just workers; they were a soap opera, and she was accidentally cast as the main character.

Over the next few weeks, Raven found herself increasingly drawn into the web of gossip that swirled around the mansion. From the moment she stepped out of her room in the morning to the moment she returned at night, there was always someone eager to share the latest scandal. It started with casual chit-chat, and before long, Raven had become a regular listener to everyone’s secrets. And why not? She was interested, after all. It was better than nothing.

One day, while browsing through the digital library (a high-tech archive of both magic and mundane texts), Raven overheard Marissa, one of the younger maids, talking to Lila by the coffee machine.

“I can’t believe it!” Marissa said in a hushed voice, looking around as if making sure no one was eavesdropping. “I texted Dylan, the delivery boy, and accidentally sent him that picture of my cat in a bacon costume.”

“A bacon costume?” Lila asked, trying to suppress a laugh.

“Yes, bacon! I thought it was hilarious at the time, but now I’m worried he’ll never look at me the same way again.”

Raven, who had been pretending to skim through a book, couldn’t resist joining the conversation. “Honestly? If Dylan’s the right guy, he’ll love it. Who wouldn’t think a cat in a bacon costume is funny?”

Marissa turned to Raven, eyes wide with relief. “You think so, young miss? Oh thank goodness. I was sure I ruined everything.”

Raven shrugged casually, despite the fact that she was secretly loving this drama. “I mean, you could always tell him it was a joke. Or, better yet, claim you’re starting a new trend. Who wouldn’t want to be known for a viral cat meme?”

Marissa’s face lit up with excitement. “You’re right! I’ll just... I’ll totally own it. I’m going to text him now and say it was intentional.”

From that moment on, Raven became the go-to person for all things personal and petty in the mansion. The staff would casually drop by her room during their breaks to fill her in on the latest gossip—sometimes about trivial things, like whether or not the smart fridge was actually smart, or about the way Mr. Gregor’s haircut had apparently started a new trend in town.

Then, one evening, as Raven was flipping through a book on elemental theory in the lounge, Lila sat down next to her, looking unusually serious.

“I’ve got a secret,” Lila said, her voice lowered to a whisper.

Raven set her book aside, intrigued. “What is it?”

“I’m... pretty sure Gregor is two-timing me,” Lila said, her voice trembling slightly. “He’s been flirting with Jessica, one of the new maids, and I think he’s trying to play both of us.”

Raven blinked. This was getting serious. “Do you want me to do something about it?”

Lila shook her head quickly. “No, no. I just needed someone to know. I don’t know what to do.”

Raven thought for a moment. “Well, you could always confront him. Or, you could do what any reasonable person would do in this situation: start a rumor about him.”

“A rumor?” Lila looked at her in disbelief.

“Yeah,” Raven said with a grin. “Make it something ridiculous, like how he’s allergic to pie but refuses to admit it.”

Lila blinked, processing this. Then she broke into a smile. “I love it. I’m going to do it. Thanks, young miss. You’re a genius.”

And so, just like that, Raven became not just a listener of gossip but an active participant. Slowly, over the weeks, she learned more about the staff’s quirks, secrets, and ridiculous issues—until she was practically running the mansion’s gossip mill. She wasn’t actively trying to become a confidante—it just happened. The staff had grown to trust her, and, in return, Raven had discovered that she was surprisingly good at being the center of all the drama.

At the end of the day, Raven wasn’t just becoming a master swordswoman. She was mastering the fine art of household espionage.

One evening, as Raven entered the dining room for dinner, she was surprised to find her usually absent father seated at the table, reading through a document with his aide. Butler Hans stood silently beside him.

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Raven quietly took a seat at the chair farthest from her father, but as soon as she sat down, he turned to look at her, his expression unreadable. "Have you forgotten all your manners?" he asked, his tone flat. "Why aren’t you greeting me before sitting?"

"...Good evening, father." Raven responded after a brief pause, before sinking into her seat. Butler Hans and Assistant Wang quietly excused themselves to give them some privacy.

Rayan raised an eyebrow at the way she addressed him, a hint of amusement tugging at the corner of his lips. “Have you realized your mistake? Calling me father, I see.”

Raven blinked, then opened her mouth slightly in realization, recalling their previous argument. She pursed her lips, keeping her voice even as she replied, “I see Mr. Serth finished work early today. Are you bored now?” Why else would he annoy her?

Rayan paused, his gaze lingering on her as regret flickered across his face. He had thought that she wanted to reconcile, but clearly she had actually forgotten the argument, and he had made her remember. His voice was laced with a faint edge when he spoke again. “You don’t have to worry about my entertainment.”

Raven narrowed her eyes and met his gaze head-on. “Sorry for stepping out of line.”

His lips tightened into a thin line. “Your polite words are too incisive for comfort.”

“I didn’t realize you’d care, Mr. Serth,” Raven countered, referencing his earlier dismissal.

The tension between them hung in the air as they finished their meal in silence. Once the plates were cleared, Rayan finally broke it, his tone more serious now. “Raven.” It was the first time he’d used her name, and the weight of it made her pause. “Don’t you think it’s unreasonable to be angry with your father because of a boy?”

At his outrageous comment, Raven’s teeth clenched. "I’m not angry with you because of Ashcal!" she snapped, eyes flashing with irritation.

“Of course you’re angry with me because of him,” he said flatly. “Why else would you stop calling me 'Dad'?”

Raven’s expression shifted. "I felt it was too childish."

“Your feeling is wrong,” Rayan said, his voice unexpectedly soft. “It’s not childish. I still call my father 'Dad.' Personally, at least. And you’re five, not five years old.”

“Didn’t you say you didn’t care about what I called you?”

“Are you still stuck on that?” He raised an eyebrow.

“I’m five,” Raven replied, her tone deadpan. “I take whatever few words my father says to me seriously.”

Rayan paused, his irritation flickering. "Then I’m telling you—call me ‘Dad’ from now on."

“I just changed my mind.”

“...Why?”

“I felt it was too childish.”

Rayan almost spurted out blood. “I’m not asking you to call me ‘Dad’ because I want to hear it. It’s just bad for our reputation if you keep calling me Mr. Serth in public!”

Raven was quiet for a moment, weighing her options, before deciding to end the argument. With a dramatic huff, she stomped her foot and stood. "Fine!" she snapped, heading for the door.

Rayan watched her leave, shaking his head. He knew better than to call her out for not saying goodnight. Instead, he exhaled sharply and went to his study.

***

After the argument with her father, Raven's life didn't change much. She continued with her training and attended her classes as usual. During this time, she showed remarkable progress.

In her swordsmanship class, Shion finally moved on from the basic strikes, thrusts, parries, and sheathing to more advanced techniques and footwork.

He didn’t say anything beyond the usual brief instructions, but inwardly, he was pleased. This student of his was proving to be exceptionally talented. While her abilities hadn't been as obvious during the basics, the moment they moved into techniques and footwork, it became glaringly clear.

It was as if she was born to hold a sword. Shion thought to himself, watching her easily master each technique. After only a few months of training, her improvement was remarkable.

This level of talent was an unexpected surprise for Shion. Above all, Raven was dedicated and mature beyond her years. It wasn’t that he hadn’t seen talent like this before—he’d trained many promising students over the years. But what set Raven apart was how effortless she made training her look, especially considering her young age. Even when she grumbled, she always completed her training without fail. Never slacking off.

Shion found himself considering a reward for his little student.

After two whole days without any punishments, Raven began to wonder if perhaps her instructor was ill. After much deliberation, on the third day of not getting any punishment, she finally made a bold move.

After class, she asked indirectly, "Teacher, can expert-level spectres get sick?"

Shion, a little confused, responded, "Yes, but they’re not affected by regular illnesses. High-level poisons or curses can affect them, though."

Raven was instantly alarmed. After all, It was possible that someone might be targeting her teacher. “Teacher, why would you offend someone like that?”

Shion raised an eyebrow, looking at her with suspicion. “What are you thinking?”

“Nothing,” Raven quickly replied, brushing it off. She didn’t want to directly voice her suspicion. If her guess was right, her teacher wouldn’t say anything, but if she was wrong, she’d be in for a world of trouble. It was better to keep her thoughts to herself. Anyway, Shion was a capable man. Even if someone poisoned or cursed him, he’d likely handle it on his own. What could a little girl like her do to help?

But she was still curious. “I just want to know… can there be poisons that affect someone’s mind? Making them change their usual behaviour”

Shion paused, understanding her thought process after a brief moment of consideration. He sighed and waved his hand. “Go run ten laps around the yard for annoying me with all these questions.” Thinking that he was a really caring teacher to properly reassure his students about his good health, Shion smirked smugly.

If Raven knew what he was thinking, she would want to hit herself a few times– why did she have to think so much?

But she couldn’t read minds and just thought that her teacher was fine after all, she was uselessly overthinking.

***

After months of practice, Raven finally gained control over her winds. However, she didn’t stop there—she continued to perfect her basic control. According to the books she had read, control over the wind was divided into three distinct levels.

The first level was movement control, where she could move the winds in whatever direction she wished with precision. This level allowed for things like running at high speeds while negating wind resistance, jumping with a burst of wind, and even flying by letting the winds carry her. Mastery of this level was essential for many wind-based movement arts.

The second level was sense control. Just manipulating the winds wasn’t enough; Raven needed to be able to feel them. Winds carried a wealth of information about the world around them. The local winds of a place were essentially imprinted with the environment, and by studying them, one could learn much about their surroundings. Winds could also enhance hearing, after all, sound travels through air– by focusing on specific currents, one could eavesdrop on conversations or detect faint sounds. Furthermore, winds could be used to track someone's presence, or even identify a person through the scent they carried.

The third level, finer control, was something Raven wasn’t concerned with for now. She needed to master the first two levels before moving on. Besides control, she also had to master the basic abilities like summoning winds and generating them. While others had to learn how to do them, Raven could involuntarily do them so she had to learn how to not do them involuntarily.

When she was calm or happy, her winds were gentle, so it was fine, but when she was angry or upset, she could summon a storm. This had happened a few times, especially when her father was away. Without his presence to suppress her winds, the entire house would be thrown into turmoil—until she could regain control, which usually happened after a few moments of panic. One such incident occurred after she saw a mouse, and ordered the entire estate to be scoured for vermin before she slept to recover. Her mental strength had been exhausted after summoning a storm. Afterward, she decided it was time to tackle her emotional wind control.

Raven was a relatively calm and composed individual, but sometimes it couldn’t be helped. And so, she entered the floating garden once more to practice.

Butler Hans, who had been assisting her with her training, had a specific task for her that day: to provoke her emotions, so that she could learn to control her powers in the heat of the moment.

The thing that Butler Hans chose to rile her up was not surprising. It was obvious that he would choose a mouse.

Raven immediately screamed indignantly, “No! Mice are hereby declared a dark past and must never be brought up ever again!”

Butler Hans conceded then chose a spider.

Raven gritted her teeth with teary eyes, “When have I ever wronged you, Uncle Hans?”

Butler Hans sighed, “Young miss, what can a spider do to you? Don’t be so afraid.”

Raven controlled her winds then said aggrievedly, “It’s not scary. It’s dirty.”

“Young Miss should then quickly learn how to control her winds.” He said, “I will have all the pests removed later.”

With that powerful motivation, she learned to restrain her winds in a few days.

Meanwhile, Raven’s academic progress continued steadily. Despite not attending a traditional school, she couldn’t avoid tests. Some subjects had weekly exams, others monthly, and her homework was always carefully graded. Raven wasn’t concerned—she was a diligent student and always managed to score well, but tests were still stressful. She always wanted to perform well in every subject, and her previous life had given her the foundation to excel.

In her past life, Raven had been a gifted but lazy student. She rarely did her homework, but she always passed well. Her teachers had often lamented that she could have been one of the top students if only she put in more effort. But in this life, she was much more disciplined. She completed all of her assignments on time and was praised for her diligence.

However, there was one area that proved difficult for Raven: her mental strength. Despite her best efforts, she couldn’t seem to increase it. Mental strength was the lifeblood of spectres; the stronger it was, the better the control over their superpowers. After all, this was the fuel that superpowers worked on.

This was also a reason why awakening early was a benefit. The earlier you awaken, the more you can develop your mental strength. Raven’s awakening had been early, which gave her a distinct advantage. Even though the difference wasn’t much if compared to other geniuses, compared to the rest, it was a huge deal.

Actually, the real growth of mental power starts from when you are in your teenage years. The growth is especially high at twelve and sixteen years, like a growth spurt. Mental power can take a quantitative as well as qualitative leap during this time.

So Raven’s stump wasn’t something unusual but rather something very normal. After she awakened, her mental power originally had great quality and quantity for someone her age, directly improving her intelligence and emotions.

After trying for sometime, Raven decisively gave up on improving her mental power. There was no need to force it, she should take her time to refine her mental power and learn how to use it efficiently.

With the last problematic item checked out, Raven peacefully continued to build up strength. Setting into a healthy routine. But as Raven looked at the setting sun outside her window, she had a distinct feeling that this peace would not last forever.