HI! This chapter is dedicated to LullabyDust for being my first reviewer and inspiring me to write, edit and post this instead of being lazy. ^^
When the sun finally began its lazy arc through the sky, Fai found himself rushing his breakfast. He couldn't remember the last time he had looked forward to talking to someone.
As he entered the chamber he'd found Mangetsu in last time, he was greeted by a spoonful of tiramisu shoved in his mouth and a thorough grilling over everything he'd done since he last saw her. For Fai, the retelling was nothing special, but Mangetsu was entranced.
"He lets you practice magic? You're so lucky! I miss magic; real magic, not just doing my hair and changing my clothes." For the first time since he'd met her, Mangetsu seemed sad.
Fai had begun to notice that Mang-mang only did extremes. Her mood swung violently from unimaginable boredom to impulsive excitement, from cold fury to bubbly, energetic happiness and from good natured (if still cutting) taunts to the catty, malicious mental torture he was sure she could inflict on someone. He really didn't want to see her sad; he had enough depressing things in his life.
Playing to her obviously egotistical nature, Fai asked what level she was. (There are thirteen levels of magical proficiency. A zero, or vide, is someone with no magical knowledge or power. A one, or null, is someone with magical knowledge but no powers. Two through thirteen are a mix of power and knowledge, two being low, three and four average, five good, six extraordinary and anything over seven extremely rare. Thirteen is a full on witch, wizard, sorcerer, sorceress, mage, enchantress, etcetera. All worlds with individuals capable of magic understand and use the levels.)
"Thirteen. I'm a fully realized ice witch (most magic users have a specific element that they identify with. They are divided into two categories, Hot and Cold, which are each broken down further into Hard and Soft. Cold, Hard elements: Ice {Mangetsu}, Frost {Ashura}, Blue Fire, White lightning. Cold, Soft elements: Snow {Fai}, Water. Hot, Hard elements: Lightning, Purple Fire. Hot, Soft elements: Embers, Sparks.)
Fai gaped.
"You're only nine! There's no way you could have studied long enough to be level thirteen!"
Mangetsu looked like a child who'd been caught with their hand in a cookie jar but had already shoved one in their mouth; guilty, but in a proud, untouchable sort of way.
"Well, it's mostly due to my power and status as a goddess."
"You mean you don't have any skill?"
"No!" She snapped, "I'm very good at Matter Manipulation. I can morph, but only into a white cat or tiger. I can levitate stuff without even thinking about it. It's the same way with Speed and Strength enhancement; I don't think I just do it when I need to. I've practiced mind manipulation, but people tend to do what I say anyway. I'm excellent at Attack Magic, but I don't like Charge Attacks. I do like Elemental Magic, but since I'm of the moon I can only use ice, water, lightning and Blue Fire and I'd still rather fight with my swords."
Fai had noticed something during Mangetsu's tirade: Every variety of magic she'd listed was physical, meaning it relied on strength, timing, precisian and force of will as apposed to mental which relied on memorization, recitation and knowledge of magical theory. In essence, he felt like she was cheating.
"If you think doing what works to get ahead is cheating, than you're kind of missing the point of magic."
"Did you just read my-"
"-your face. You think it's unfair that I'm level thirteen but I'm only really good with physical magic and I avoid the tedious things. But, here you are, level…nine, right?" Fai nodded "level nine and you might be okay with attack magic, but I don't think you could morph if your life depended on it. You don't strike me as a Manipulator either. Also, you don't carry yourself like a fighter so I'd be amazed if you could enhance your movements at all."
Fai blinked, surprised at how accurate she'd been. He hadn't thought she was that observant but, looking at her now, he could see the quiet calculations going on behind her eyes.
Well, he thought, I can be observant too.
"Do you know any runes? Can you do any lettering at all?"
"No, and I'll tell you why-"
"Please do."
"Shut your face, I just said I would! I don't know it because I don't need it and will never use it!"
"You have to know it if you're level thirteen."
"So, you're saying, in order to be level thirteen I have to know something I will never use?"
"Yes."
Fai was doing his best to keep his voice level and face straight. Intentionally bothering someone was something he'd never done before. He was really enjoying getting under her skin, though; he had a feeling it was something not everyone could do.
"That," She said, slowly shaking her head, "is the stupidest thing I have ever heard."
Fai watched her for a moment, thinking. Despite the fact that he was teasing her about it, someone knowing everything they were given credit for knowing was still important.
"Stay put, I'll be right back"
He walked quickly out the door, but not quickly enough to avoid hearing a muttered "Where do you think I'm going to go?"
It didn't matter though, because Fai was going to see King Ashura.
Fai found Ashura in the throne room, entered, and gave a quick bow.
"Your Majesty?"
"Yes Fai, what's the matter?"
"Um…Mangetsu…She's level thirteen, a fully realized witch?"
He nodded.
"Yes, she is. The remarkable thing is her power is still maturing. It won't stop growing until she turns sixteen."
For a split second King Ashura looked distant, staring off into nothing before returning his attention to Fai.
"Why do you ask?"
"Well," He started, "She doesn't know everything that she should. She's obviously good at what she does know, but she doesn't know any lettering. I don't think she knows any alchemy-"
"Fai," Ashura held up a hand, "Why would she need to know any of that? Her power will continue to grow whether her skill in using it does or not."
"Yes, but, to be level thirteen her power and knowledge have to match. I was thinking I could teach her all the stuff she doesn't know and then-"
"Fai." Ashura cut him off sharply. His normally kind expression slipped for a moment. He controlled it almost instantly though, and continued, softer.
"Fai, it's very important that you do not teach her anymore magic than she already knows. As you've probably seen, her behavior can be …volatile. We can't be sure what she'd do with a better ability to channel her power."
"But," Fai asked, confused, "if you don't want her to use magic, what's the point of letting her power grow?"
He didn't ask in a rude way, but the question obviously upset King Ashura. He looked surprised before settling back into his calm expression. His eyes, however, where narrowed and they seemed darker somehow. His normally kind smile looked dangerously cruel and his voice, when he finally spoke, was quiet, with just the slightest hint of malice.
"Fai, you are worrying yourself over things that do not affect you. Concern yourself with improving your own magic and allow me to deal with Maitresse Seether. Do you understand?"
Fai forced himself to nod, truly frightened. King Ashura had never gotten angry with him before and Fai wasn't even sure what he had done to upset him. Then, just as quickly as it had come, the anger passed. It was replaced by the calm, kind expression Fai had grown so accustomed to.
"Speaking of which, the weather has improved considerably. I trust you and her are getting along well?"
"Yes, Your Highness." Fai was studying the floor, still uneasy.
"That's good," Ashura nodded. "Just remember to stick to more light-hearted topics than magic. She is already confused as to why she is here, going so far as to doubt my sincerity in helping her. Continued reminders of the precautions I've taken to protect her and others will only concern her more, is that clear?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Excellent." He smiled, "You may go."
Fai was still shaken, but he had the presence of mind to recognize this as an order, not an offer. He slowly backed out the double doors before turning to sprint down the hall and up the stairs to Mangetsu's rooms.
Alright, remember to tell me what you think. I've discovered that I love answering questions about this, so if anything is confusing gimme a shout^^
Also, keep checking for story art. My username is ShingetsuXMangetsu so if you search that, find my page and click "view gallery" you can see drawings of our darling Mang-mang. ONLY THE PICTURES OF MANGETSU OR PICTURES THAT HAVE FANFIC OR OC IN THE TITLE ARE STORY ART! THE PICTURES OF FAI THAT ARE CURRENTLY POSTED ARE NOT CONNECTED TO THIS! I'm almost done with another drawing Mang that I'll have up before the end of the weekend.
ありがとう
ShingetsuXMangetsu