Chapter 4 (Done but may change some parts)

The rest of the night passes uneventfully, my mind is occupied of the things that just happened today. As I try and sleep, I try and recall the questions I have for Professor Randol. Tomorrow for sure I will get my answers and I fall asleep.

Morning comes and I wake up to the flash of light that hits my eyelids and the sound of birds chirping. As I try and shield my eyes with my right hand, I hear Nia’s voice.

“Good morning Milady. Breakfast will be ready soon so I will help you change now.” I grumble.

“Good morning Nia.” As I say those words I sit up from my bed and do some light stretches.

“Milady today you will be having your lessons with Professor Randol at 10 am this morning and will have training with me again this afternoon.”

As I stand up from the bed, Nia holds up a wash bin Infront of me. I wash my face, careful not to splash the clothes I am currently wearing. I grab the towel that is hanging on Nia’s arm and use it to wipe my face. Nia then puts down the wash bin and grabs another similar wash bin for me to brush my teeth. After that, I let Nia take over and change my clothes. When the morning routine is done, I head to the dining room to eat some breakfast.

I enter the dining room and see that mother is the only one there. I give a mischievous smile and say,

“Good morning Mother” She flinches

“*sigh*, Good morning Lilith, you little rascal.” I sit myself on the table and start eating the food that is being placed before me. I finish my meal which is delicious as always and say goodbye to my mother. She stops me and says

“Have fun with your lesson Lilith and do think of what you would like for your birthday present?” I reply with.

“I will Mother, I just need to contemplate it some more.”

She nods her head and smiles at me, and I head out to the study room. As I enter the room, I see that Professor Randol is already in the room waiting for my arrival like yesterday. I curtsy towards him and like yesterday greet him.

“Good day Professor Randol, you are as early as usual.” Just like clockwork he follows the same lines and actions.

“Good day to you to Milady Lilith, it would sadden me if I was late for our lessons.”

His wrinkled face showing a bright smile. While he returns with a bow of his own. As we sit down, I immediately make a serious expression and say

“Professor Randol, I would like to ask you some questions before we continue our lesson.”

He raises an eyebrow and gives a small smile, like how an amused and curious grandfather would look at their child.

“Of course, Milady Lilith, what would you like to know?”

I raise a finger signifying one and say, “Firstly, I would like to know how to obtain renown and its effects.” I raise another finger

“Secondly I want to know the difference use of the magic stones and how it elevates people’s abilities.” And I raise another finger

“Lastly, yesterday I tried using a spell that just came up to my mind. It partially worked however it drained a lot of my mana and it only made the partial image I had in my head.”

Professor Randol’s eyes grow wide like saucers while his mouth gapes big enough to fit his fists in it. His shock expression was funny to me and I can’t help but laugh a little. His face returns to normal after a minute or two passes. And a serious expression also appears on his face.

“Milady Lilith is it true that you succeeded in casting your new spell?” I do not flinch at his gaze and reply.

“It is true Professor Randol. I have succeeded, though only partially in casting the spell.”

“I see, you may have talent, or luck by your side. Only time will tell which one it is.” I grin

“For now, Professor Randol, please educate this student about the questions she has.” He nods his head as his expression returns to a grandfatherly smile.

“Alright Milady Lilith let me answer your questions in order then. First of all, how much do you understand about renown?” I contemplate about it for a second and answer.

“I understand that renown is a good indicator of how well people are willing to follow your orders in battle. And how it seems to be tied to obtaining achievements such as obtaining your magic stone from battle or other means.” Professor Randol nods his head.

“I see, you are correct in understanding that renown is useful in controlling people in battle. Having a good renown will let your soldiers understand how strong you are and will make them more easily controllable.”

I could not help but show some displeasure in hearing the words that people are easily controllable. It seems that Professor Randol noticed the change in my mood.

“Milady Lilith please understand, that you are a noble meant to lead in the war. Your choices on the battlefield will decide the lives of everyone in it. Just like your father, you must make appropriate decisions. The inability to manage your troops may lead to total annihilation.” I contemplate the words Professor Randol has just said, and I calm myself down. I nod my head in understanding and urge him to continue.

“Now the levels of renown is based on one's achievement, be it in battle or some other way. A steady approach is through research and development. Finding new weapons and intelligence against Judgement will earn you renown at a steady pace. The next option is by hunting monsters and obtaining magic stones. This is a test of one’s leadership abilities. Deciding whether or not to retreat or keep fighting will show one’s prowess on the battlefield. Another route is by hunting down Judgement. This option is dangerous and usually involves losing a lot of lives. Therefore only people with high renown attempt such excursions.” I tilt my head to the side.

“Does that mean that we do not actively pursue Judgement?” Professor Randol shakes his head sideways and says.

“ We have tried to assault the calamity known as Judgement. However, all our attempts have been futile. We have not made any progress in that front. Therefore most of the kingdoms resource has been used in defending our borders.”

So even with the use of magic stones, we are still not strong enough to take on Judgement. With Resolve, I look straight at Professor Randol and say.

“Professor Randol, the kingdom and its people accept people with renown because they can obtain strength to fight Judgement?” He nods his head

“Yes, and the reason why people accept that nobles as leaders is because they believe in the strength of these nobles. Noblesse Oblige is what they say. The people in-kind return the favor by becoming soldiers of these nobles, even if it means death.”

*Bathump, Bathump* I can feel my heart racing. Not from excitement, but sadness instead. The pressure and belief that the people have in their leader is immense. Is that why father never smiles when he heads out to battle. As my anxiety appears on my face, I hear Professor Randol’s voice.

“Milady Lilith, do not be mistaken that the people will follow every noble. To earn the trust of the people, a noble must prove their worth. That is why gathering a large amount of renown is necessary.”

“Meaning that without renown, the people who follow us reluctantly will most likely desert us when trouble occurs.” He smiles sheepishly and nods.

“Correct, as they say, dead people cannot talk. Therefore if the leader of the army falls, its subordinates cannot be all trialed for insubordination. And a fallen leader will have their family looked down upon as well.” I furrow my brows in understanding this knowledge.

“So a failure of one family member in the noble lineage will put into question the whole families abilities. Though I guess it does not affect the members who already had great renown.”

“Correct, the people will only follow those that show great results. Such is the truth about renown and what is its effects are.”

He keeps his sheepish smile on his face. The words he said confirms what father explained yesterday at dinner. But I can sense that there is some different meaning behind having more renown. As my thoughts wander, I hear Professor Randol continue to answer my questions.

“Now Milady Lilith, magic stones are used by everyone in the kingdom whether they know it or not.” As he says those words, he raises his left hand and points at the lamp on the wall.

“The lamp can be lit, because it obtains power from the power stations in the kingdom.”

I hear a click sound from my head, and now it is my turn for my eyes to grow wide.

“The magic stones are the source of the power of the kingdom!?” I could not help but raise my voice in finding out such a simple thing.

“Correct again Milady Lilith, however, the lower purity magic stones are the only ones used for making power for the human kingdom. The higher purity magic stones, are used for self-enhancement and weapon enhancement.” I glance at Professor Randol’s cane and ask him.

“ Is the magic stone inlaid in your cane mostly for self-enhancement?” He glances at his cane and smiles.

“Perceptive aren’t you Milady, yes the cane is mostly for self-enhancement. I am more of a caster type rather than a close combat fighter.” He grabs his cane and places it on the table.

“The cane enhances my ability to cast spells. I opted more for it to function as my mana source rather than increased firepower. As I said yesterday, being able to cast more spells was more useful for my style of fighting.”

I nod in understanding. And remembered yesterdays training with Nia. I cannot help but look at Nia, who is standing by the door of the room. She notices my gaze, and with a smile, she starts to speak

.

“Milady, I use magic stones for both self-enhancement and weapon enhancement. I have one that enhances my speed in exchange for mana. My long sword, on the other hand, is enchanted to be sharper.” I could not help but ask.

“Nia, did you use your speed enhancement in yesterdays training?” Her smile continues as she pulls out a pair of gloves from her maid uniform. The gloves themselves do not look like anything special.

“No Milady, If I have used any of my enchanted items, it would not have been training, but more of a massacre.”I nod to Nia, but shudder in the inside thinking of how strong Nia truly is. She may really be a she-devil in disguise. I put the idea at the back of my head for now and fix my gaze towards Professor Randol. I open my mouth and say.

“Professor Randol, I would just like to confirm. Is it possible for people to use the low purity magic stones? Or is its effects negligible, and that is why we mostly use only higher purity ones?”

“We can use lower rarity magic stones, but the effects are not as prominent. Using lower rarity magic stones only increase one's mana pool or any physical ability by 3% - 10%. While the higher purity magic stones can have a 20% - 40% increase and can be used to enhance a weapon. Though there are some talks in which finding a perfect purity magic stone and being compatible with it can have an increase of 50% – 110%. The current King seems to have a magic stone of perfect purity and has increased his strength by 60%.”

“Hmm, I understand that. However, how do you know you are compatible with the magic stone? And are you able to choose what enhancements you can get from the magic stone?” Professor Randol looks amused with my question.

“The magic stones and its abilities are mostly based on where you obtained it. If you slay a lightning bull, and are lucky enough, to obtain a magic stone. There is a 95% chance that the magic stone has the attribute of speed. The other 5% is a random attribute. Chanting {Type: Target Object – 00 – Analysis – Compatibility} will invoke the spell for checking both the attribute and its compatibility.” I nod in understanding.

“I expect that there are some side effects for doing such an analysis?”

“The known side effects are not being able to use magic for 30 minutes, and you will have to be within 10 feet of the object at all times during this analysis.”

“So it has the same effect as chanting {Vital-System-Check}, but with just another restriction.”

“Yes, however, it is crucial to know that if you leave the range of 10 feet from the object. The analysis will pause, and you will have to return within 10 feet for it to continue. During the pause, you will still be unable to use your magic. You have a total of 5 minutes to come back within range of the magic stone, or else the analysis will cancel itself, but you will be able to use magic right after.”

“Professor Randol does this mean that 35 minutes would be the maximum waiting time for the analysis to complete. And is it possible to cancel the analysis, and not have to wait 5 minutes to use magic?” He smiles at me and answers.

“Yes Milady Lilith, the maximum analysis time is 35 minutes, and it is possible to cancel the analysis at any point. You would just have to chant {Target: Analysis - Compatibility - Cancel}, and that should cancel your spell.” As I start pondering his answer, I notice that there are contradictories in what he has told me and what he just stated.

“Professor Randol, I am just confused about what you just said. How are we able to chant to dispel the analysis when we are unable to use magic during that state?” His smile grows wider.

“I knew that you would notice that contradiction. That is what I wanted to understand myself, and from what I found out during my research. It is not that the users magic is sealed but more like the flow of mana has been diverted. The mana that should be flowing through your body is now flowing through the magic stone instead.” He leans back slightly on his chair and says.

“And that is the reason why we are able to chant a disruption spell on the analysis. And that is also the reason why we are unable to use other types of magic during this time.”

Like a lightbulb, everything seems to have cleared up a bit now. Professor Randol is deserving of his title of a great scholar. His smile disappears, and his expression turns serious.

“Milady Lilith, please explain to me the process of your magic, and its ending effect was.” It seems that this is now a serious matter, and I also make a serious expression.

“Yesterday, the target of my spell was my whole body. I wanted to encompass my body with armor that I have seen in the hallways of this mansion. I casted the spell at the 2nd level, but I noticed that it drained more mana than my other 2nd level spells. The result was that armor like fragments started forming around my hands and arms becoming gauntlets. I also noticed that there were holes in the field afterward as well. ” Professor Randol ponders the things I just told him.

“The thing you were imagining was at least at the 5th level. The reason why it drained so much more than your other spells is because of the target and your image. If I recall, you have been practicing magic that only enhances your own body. Those type of spells only uses a small amount of mana to be activated. The spell you casted needed external materials to be able to create your image. Therefore requiring a larger amount of mana.” His expression turns into a smile again.

“That would explain a lot, thank you for answering my questions, Professor Randol.” I smile in kind to this old man.

“I am glad to be able to teach, such a studious student such as yourself, Milady Lilith.” We continue our lesson till noon, and just like yesterday I asked Professor Randol if he would join us for lunch. He declined again, saying that he had other matters to attend too. I curtsy towards him and thank him for the lesson. I leave the room with Nia, 0we are heading to the dining room.

When I enter the dining room, I noticed that nobody is inside. It seems that Mother and Father are running a bit late. I sit myself down and gesture to the servants to wait. They noticed it and is now waiting at either side of the room. I scan the room and the faces of the servants. I can not help but remember the words of Professor Randol. The weight of being a noble, shouldering the lives and expectations of your people. And the quickest way to achieve renown is through hunting, but I am currently not strong enough. I need to get stronger in order to earn the trust of my people. I want to be strong enough that I will not have to order my soldiers to die because of my incompetence. I decided the first step on becoming strong is to face my first hurdle. I have to beat Nia, I have to force her to use her enhancements against me. As I finish my thoughts my parents enter the room.