Chapter 2

As Professor Randol and I continued our lesson. Nia walks up to us and says that it is now time for lunch. I ask Professor Randol if he would like to join us, he kindly declines saying that he has another appointment to attend to. I nod in understanding and I curtsied to him before I say my goodbye. As I am led to the dining room. I noticed that the heat in my body seems to have increased again slightly. I chant “Vital-System-Check”.Nia who heard my chant, stops and looks back at me. Her smile still plastered on her face and says

“Milady, I guess your mana pool grew again? Or is it another stomach ache from all the pudding that you have been eating?” *Tsk* I gnashed my teeth in frustration, and I can feel my face heat up

“Hmph, maybe you should check yourself as well. It seems your stomach is swelling up a bit. It may even turn comparable to your chest.” Her face darkens, but the smile never left her face. That is when I knew that I, Lilith Blanc Dimir, stepped on a bomb. My flustered expression seems to have now shown on my face. As Nia’s smile turns even more cruel.

“Milady, it seems that after your meal I should help you train your sword skills. This will also help with my growing stomach that you have noticed. *Hehehe*”

Before I could retort, she turns around and continues to lead me to the dining room. My stomach started hurting and I knew that my complexion turned pale. Today's training will be another brutal beating. I reluctantly continue to follow Nia as I know that my family is waiting for me in the dining room.

“Milady we have arrived.” Nia opens the giant double door, roughly 10 feet high by 10 feet wide. Her monstrous strength always amazes me. The wood that was used to make the door came from the fairies. They left enchantments on the wood they sell, because it is far too heavy to move without it. she did not even activate the enchantment on the door. That door weights A TON. I should know since I tried pushing it myself once. And in the end, I was forced to use the enchantment. I proceed to enter the room and see that my parents are already seated I walk to my usual spot. I give a smile and a slight bow to my parents and say.

“Greetings Duke and Duchess Dimir” My father nods in approval, Mother smiles at me and says.

“My sweet Lilith is now becoming more and more ladylike.” As she clasps her hands together.

“Good, it seems like your debut to society will be at least passable.” I frown slightly at my father’s remark.

“Father, how can you be so rude to your daughter, even earlier you hit me really hard.” I puff my cheeks to show my frustration. However, it seems that my father does not understand me and instead smiles.

“That was training young lady, and also, because I am your father that I can act this way towards you.” *hmph* I swing my head to face the other direction.

“You should stop teasing her so much darling. And Lilith since your birthday party will be held in 5 days. What would you like as your present?” Hearing my mother berate my father and hearing the word present. My expression brightens and as I was about to blurt out what I wanted. I remembered Professor Randol talk about the magic stone.

“Mother, Father I would like to get a magic stone and a weapon suitable for myself.” My parents shocked expression appeared on their faces. I tilt my head and ask.

“Is it not possible for me to obtain a weapon with a magic stone?” Fathers expression turns serious

“We are able to provide you the weapon. But are you alright with us providing you the magic stone as well?” I can feel the weight of his words. My expression also turns serious.

“Father what do you mean by being alright if you and Mother pick the stone.” Father’s eyes seem to glint for a second and a smile emerges from his face.

“Being one of the great Dukes means that we must also show power representing that status. And one of the ways to show status and power is obtaining some sort of achievement. Things such as slaying some high-ranking beasts, or slaying Judgement soldiers.” I nod in affirmation

“But Father that does not explain why you could not just gift me a weapon imbued with a magic stone?”

“Lilith do you know where the magic stones come from?” I shake my head sideways

“Lilith, there are three known ways of procuring magic stones. One way of obtaining it is through mining this is one of the safer options and ones usually peddled by merchants. The purity of the stones is random, but they usually end up being of the lower tier. The second option is through hunting monsters. Again, the purity is random, but it has been proven that killing higher level monsters results in finding a higher purity magic stone.” I nod at his explanation

“Father that second one means that killing a high tier monster does not always yield a higher purity magic stone, is that correct?” He nods

“Correct there is no guarantee that killing a higher-ranking monster will yield great results. The chances of finding one just becomes higher. For example, last month Count Gizzel hunted a Horned Lion with 20 of his men. It costs him 5 of his men’s lives to take down the beast. And yet the result was a low purity magic stone.” Hearing that the count lost 5 of his men hunting one beast gave me an idea of how strong said beast was.

“And the last way is the most treacherous.” Father takes in a deep breath before he continues.

“Hunting down Judgement. Judgment is almost always fought with at least 100 people, because they always came in groups of at least 50 or more. There may be rare occurrences that there will be fewer of them. But that usually means that they are high ranking judgment. Fighting the lower ranking judgment out of 50, 15 of them is the average yield of high purity magic stones. In the same numbers, if high tier judgments were hunted down 25 of them will yield a high purity magic stone.” My eyes shiver for a second and I end up standing up on my seat.

“This means that the chances of getting such high purity magic stone is 50%” Father’s gaze on me sharpens and he gestures me with his eyes to sit down. I hurriedly sit down and decided that I will hunt high ranking judgment. Father’s expression, however, becomes sullen.

“The lives lost for hunting the lower ranking judgment was 50%-60%. And the hunt for the high-ranking Judgement led to the deaths of over 90%-100%.” My excitement and resolve shattered. All those lives lost. Was it all worth it? My mind becomes clouded with such emotion. And as I continue to ponder it seems that my feelings surfaced and is shown on my face. I felt two arms surround me and grab me into a hug. It seems that Mother unbeknownst to me has stood up from her seat and approached me. I hear father continue

“The lives lost were necessary. Humanity as a whole is strong, but individually we are weak. To try and balance our power, to be able to fight back Judgement. We must arm ourselves with better weapons and tools. And the only thing that can accelerate our power is the magic stones. The higher the Purity the more power the wielder will receive. This will also mean lower deaths on the battlefield.” I try and put those words to heart as I try and calm down within my Mother’s embrace. Mother starts to speak in a calm voice.

“Lilith honey. Remember that you have a choice to not participate in such dangerous acts. If you would prefer to just obtain a regular magic stone that can be done. And you would not need any renown till you reach 18 years of age, so 2 years from now.” She starts petting my head. Father speaks up again.

“Do remember Lilith, that renown will get you the respect of the people making it easier for them to follow your orders. As one of the great Dukes, our family is needed to stand in the frontline of battle. We have soldiers that we ask to risk their lives for the betterment of humanity. Our job as their leader is to make sure most of if not all of them come back alive. Our decision will change the fate of these people.” As I close my eyes I finally regain some of my calm. I open it again and in a serious expression I say

“And having renown means that the soldiers become more willing to die if they need to. Is that what you are trying to teach me Father?” He nods but no hint of a smile shows on his face. Instead a cruel and self-mocking expression appears on his face.

“Renown gives you authority, it also turns you into a beacon that your soldiers can believe. It makes it easier to give orders to them because they believe that following your orders is the only scenario for saving their comrades and loved ones.” Father clenches his hand into a fist. I can see the veins popping up from how hard he is clenching. “But remember this Lilith, those soldiers are not puppets. Every time I went into battle and had to order my soldiers to die I try and remember their names and faces.” He closes his eyes as if reminiscing of those people he just talked about. “I will carry the burden of ordering these people to die. Because this is what I deem as a leader the correct path.” He loosens his grip and I can see faint traces of blood oozing out from his hand. Father orders one of the servants to hand him an embroidery and a wash bin. He washes his hand of the blood and dries his hand with the embroidery.

“Now let us remove ourselves from this talk and enjoy our lunch.” Mother stops hugging me and returns to her seat. And I nod at father. It seems my appetite has once again lowered. But I seem to have found motivation in training with Nia.

As lunch is being served. I tried focusing my mind on the meal. However, my thoughts seem to ponder about what was just said. It seems like obtaining your first magic stone may be tied to one's renown. That is probably why Father asked me if I would choose to let it be gifted rather than obtain it myself. If I choose to have it gifted. Will society look down on me? That may be a possibility. This may turn into a problem once I become a leader on the battlefield. Just like father said having renown increases morale and loyalty of those that serve you. But, the opposite is also true. Having a low or no renown will not only demoralize the troops. But they may act independently instead of following my orders. It seems like there is still a lot to learn. Also there is something about magic stones that is bothering me. I guess I will have to ask Professor Randol about it in our next lesson. As I finish my train of thought I noticed that I finished my serving of pudding. I cannot even remember its taste even though I was just eating it.

I excuse myself from the table and head outside the dining room. As I touch the handle of the wooden door, I hear Father call out to me.

“Lilith know your limitations. If you would still prefer for us to buy you a magic stone that is still an option.” He smiles.

“It is fine father, I would like to ponder more about what my plan should be from now on.” Mother speaks up as well and says.

“Lilith honey just do not forget to tell us what you would like as your birthday present you have 4 days to decide.” I nod my head and head outside. As I leave the room I notice that Nia is leaning by the window sill. She sees me step outside of the room and greets me.

“Milady would you like to rest in your room first before we head out for training?” I was about to decline her offer, but I noticed that I am still unable to use mana.

“I would like to rest for a bit and my mana has not yet returned.” She nods her head and started escorting me to my room. Nia seems to have noticed my mood, but she does not say anything about it. As we silently walk through the halls my eyes wander to the view outside the giant windows. A beautiful garden covered with different types of flowers, and the giant tree that is nestled in the middle of it. A simple table and chairs positioned beside the tree. I find that spot soothing and calming. As we reach my room, Nia opens the door and I go in.*Ding* I heard the sound inside my head and I can feel the heat flowing back into every crevice in my body.

{Vital System Check: Current mana currently at 600/1000. Growth detected extra 200 mana has been attained}.

As per usual the words flow through my mind. Knowing that my mana has once again grown I let out a grin. Still feeling tired I decide to take a nap first, afterwards, I am off to training with Nia.