"So this is goodbye huh... To think it would end like this, I never could have imagined..."
"Oh cut it Rowan!" Morgana exclaims, slapping him in the back of his head with her tail. "It's not like we are never going to meet again!"
"But one month is so long, what if something happens to mistress?" Rowan whines, sounding as if he is in pain. Bekkhildr had summoned three maid that were just about to lead them to their new teachers when Rowan said he wanted to say something to me. I kinda figured out what it was, but his reaction... It's like a spoiled child not wanting to part with his pet.
"Have you so little faith in me Rowan?" I ask, raising my eyebrow while glancing at him. Rowan immediately start to panic.
"That's not it mistress! I believe in your strength and ability to take care of yourself it's just that...". He goes silent, not knowing what to say. Sigh, guess I have to do something about this. I grab Rowans hand and force him to stare into my eyes.
"Hey, it's going to be alright" I say with a soft and calming voice, like a mother soothing her child. "I know you can to this. And in one month you can show me how much you have learned, ok?"
"... I understand mistress" Rowan respond, sounding a bit more cheerful. Sigh, he really acts like a child sometimes. It's so adorable. I can't help but smile at this. Besides, I can't be mad right now. Why? Because I have leveled up SO many skills! For example, Quake Stomp became Seismic Body, which allows you to generate shockwaves from your body, without having to stomp.
Minor Healing became Medium Healing, Mana Lance is now on level nine, Mana Manipulation level three and Mana blast on level five. Pain Immunity rose, so did Superior Stamina and Regeneration. My Minor Physical Buff became Medium Physical Buff and for some reason my Divine Aura became level 2. I wonder what happened that caused it to level up... Meh, I can't figure it out right now BUT ON THE OTHER HAND GUESS WHAT??? My HP rose by 6! Yeah, it finally happened. Soon I will be invincible! Not. I am still frail as a butterfly. Uhum, back to reality!
"Now I want you to respect your teachers, go to bed early and study hard!" I exclaim, giving them a stern look. Gosh, I feel like a parent.
After biding our farewells the maids take them away, leading them to the teachers that will help improve their skills. I had to wave goodbye to Rowan until I couldn't see him any longer. When they're gone I sigh once again and turn around to look at Bekkhildr.
"They are quite a handful, I hope the teachers can handle them" I mumble.
"Ah, I wouldn't worry about that, lady Ruth" Bekkhildr says jokingly." They are a odd bunch but my guys are way weirder". Seeing my concerned gaze she laughs. "Don't worry, they know that if they do something too weird I will punish them properly!"
"Hehe, I can imagine" I say, giggling. While I have yet to get to know them on a personal level, the few things I do know is quite the thing! "Anyway, thank you for assigning them personal tutors, I really appreciate it". I offer Bekkhildr a light bow in order to express my gratitude.
"Oh there's no need to thank me, it was my pleasure! Now then, if you take a seat then I will explain why our fight concluded the way it did..."
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*Half an hour later*
"-and therefore your attack lost both its momentum and element of surprise" Bekkhildr concludes, clapping her hands together. I look up to her from the notebook I borrowed from Charlotte, nodding enthusiastically.
Ever since the others left Bekkhildr have talked non-stop about the fights and why things happened the way they did. At first I was afraid that I would get bored, because lectures like this usually bore me but she surprised me. Bekkhildr just makes everything sound so interesting and the way she point things out send chills down my spine! When we fought the iron golems she made a bunch of observations that she later confirmed when we sparred.
Bekkhildr realized that my weaknesses were my frail body and low strength when she saw how I acted when she started to squeeze. Apparently my eyes told exactly what I was thinking. But what shocked me the most was what she told me about my mana. I waste about 20% of it when I cast spells! What a shock! I thought I did pretty good...
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"I will start teaching you how to control your mana properly next lesson" Bekkhildrs notes. "We will start with meditation and work up towards more complicated practices".
"When will the next lesson be?" I ask.
"The day after tomorrow so you will have enough time to prepare for it" she says while staring up into the ceiling. "Anyway, there's one more thing I wish to discuss with you... After out battle with each other, I sensed something. No, to be more accurate, I have felt it since I first met you but it was much weaker back then so I wasn't certain but now I am. Lady Ruth, you have a divine aura, right?"
"Yes, you're right!" I exclaim excitedly. Seeing how excited I got Bekkhildr smiles before continuing to talk.
"Having a divine aura is not as uncommon as one might think. There's plenty of creatures that are connected to different deities and gods or by achieving a holy status and gain this blessing, or skill as one might call it".
"You know about skills, Bekkhildr!?" I say, almost shouting. That is unexpected!
"Yes, I do know about skills since I have the Knowing".
"The Knowing?"
"Ah, of course you don't know, what was I thinking?" Bekkhildr says, smacking her forehead lightly. "The Knowing allows you to see information about your mana, health and-"
"Wait, are you talking about stats?" I exclaim.
"Yes, there was someone that called it that long ago... I assume you can see these "stats" as well?"
"Yep!"
"Well, I am not surprised" Bekkhildr says, chuckling slightly. "You are the one chosen by lord Hariam after all, he wouldn't send you to us unprepared. Anyway, what was I talking about again? Oh, that's right, divine aura was it! There's a lot of people with divine aura, a good example is the head priest of the church of light, Chreshnas religion. Because of her closeness to Chreshna her divine aura is very strong".
"I know that divine aura makes me seem more impressive and makes non-aggressive beings refrain from attacking me but what else does it do?" I ask, tilting my head slightly. "When it gets to a higher level I mean".
"It depends on what it's connected to. For example, the head priest I was talking about have incredible healing and exorcising abilities" Bekkhildr explains, sounding almost impressed. "Orethon had the bad luck to happen upon her a couple of years ago and got really hurt since all undead are weak towards light magic".
"I see..." I mutter. So even guys on his level can get beaten... I really need to get stronger, or else I will not survive for long. Noticing that I have become quite distressed Bekkhildr pats me on my head.
"Don't worry lady Ruth, I promise I will let nothing hurt you" she says, smiling gently. Oh, that feels goooood. My dad used to do this all the time... Unconsciously I rub my head against the palm of her hand. It really feels comfortable... Wait, I can't do that! I flinch, causing Bekkhildr to remove her hand.
"Ah, I'm sorry, I don't know why I did that!" I exclaim, my face turning more and more red for each second passing.
"Oh don't worry about that, it was I who put my hand on your head without asking" Bekkhildr says, giving me a small smile. Ah, Bekkhildr, you are so reliable. But why are your eyes shining like that?
"Excuse me but I believe it's time for lady Ruth to head for her next lesson" Charlotte suddenly says, stepping forward.
"That's right, it's with Tyrmiel, right?" Bekkhildr says. "Well , you better get going then. Tyrmiel can be quite impatient".
"Ok" I answer as I turn towards Charlotte. "See you soon!" I exclaim while we start to walk away before I suddenly remember something. I ask Charlotte to wait while I run back. I reach Bekkhildr and hug her tightly. "I almost forgot, thank you for the cupcakes yesterday!". Without waiting for a response I turn around and run back to Charlotte. We leave the arena in silence.
The moment we are out of turn around a corner Charlotte crouches down in a corner, covering her head with her arms. Concerned I crouch down beside her.
"Are you ok?" I ask.
"I-I-I... I am so happy!!!!!!!" Charlotte shouts while suddenly standing up, pumping her fists up into the air. "Not only did I get to meet lady Bekkhildr face to face I also talked to her! ME, talking to HER! I even met her eyes! I CAN DIE HAPPILY NOW! AHHHHHH!!!!"
"....."
"Uh, uhm, I mean, uh... I'm so sorry about my inappropriate behaviour..." she says while bowing deeply. "I just got so excited and I- I couldn't help myself..."
"Charlotte..." I say with a calm voice. Despite this she still flinches when I speak, expecting to get punished or perhaps humiliated.
"Y-yes, lady Ruth?"
"Are you perhaps in love with Bekkhildr?"
"Wha-wha-what!?!?!?!" Charlotte exclaims, taking a few staggering steps backwards, her face as red as a tomatoe. "M-m-me!? In l-l-love with lady B-B-B-Bekkhildr!?"
"Well, are you?" I ask. Charlotte immediately quiets down and stare down into the ground.
"Uhm, it's kinda like, I don't know, perhaps, yeah?" she mumble with a weak voice. She looks up at me with teary eyes. "Please don't tell anyone..."
"Charlotte, I just wanna say... I fully support your feelings for her!"
"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-?"
"There's nothing wrong with being in love! As long as your feelings are genuine I will always support you!" I exclaim with a serious face while making a thumbs up (https://uboachan.net/sugg/src/1454891737580.jpg (reference photo))
For a second Charlotte just stands there, staring at me with tears still in her eyes. Then, all of a sudden, she starts to laugh.
"Y-you really are a weird one, aren't you!" she says while desperately trying not to laugh. A tiny bit dissatisfied with being called weird I make a pouty face. Seeing this Charlotte laughs even more. " I'm sorry, but I have never met someone like you!" she exclaims, still laughing. Calming down she stares at me, giving me a doubting gaze. "But do you mean it? Will you support my feelings?"
"Of course" I say with a fake offended tone. "Why wouldn't I?"
"Hehe, no reason" Charlotte says, smiling gently. "Now then, let's take you to your next lesson, shall we?"
"Of course!" I say, returning her smile. "Lead the way!"
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*Third Person POV*
Known as the Fearless Warrior, Champion of the Mountain and lord of giants, Bekkhildr Berghsdottir had experienced many things in her life, both good and bad. Few things could surprise her. Yet at this moment she stood in the middle of the arena in which she had trained countless warriors, baffled.
Bekkhildr stared at her hand, her eyes widened in surprise. What is this feeling that she is currently experiencing for the first time. The moment our protagonist had responded with closeness warmth to Bekkhildrs touch, her heart trembled. And when she got embraced by those thin, frail arms, her mind went blank.
Was it some kind of spell? No, she would have seen it happen. Perhaps she was sick? But she had been perfectly healthy her entire life. What was this warm feeling inside that made her feel fuzzy?
Bekkhildr had been a warrior from the day she was born, devoting her life to become the strongest. Never had she had a romantic partner nor a child, for she did not have time for those kind of things. Therefore did she not recognize this warmth, the kind that only love can provide. But she still knew that she liked it, the feeling that is. So she decided to cherish it in order to see what could become of it.
At that day, the Wrathful Lord of Terror, fell for the charms of a young girl.