A/N: Chapter 12 of Mystical Eye of a Savage Hound. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters except my own OC. Revenge of the Sword Clan's Hound belongs to the rightful owner.
Chapter 12: An Outburst of Mana
The next morning...
My internal clock woke me up way before Camus' alarm clock and thanks to the strict regiment that Hugo instilled in us since we were young, we can function even on a thirty minute power nap. Slowly and carefully unzipping the sleeping bag I slipped out and glanced towards the bed, the soft rise and fall of the blankets indicating that the occupant was still in a deep slumber; good, she won't be awake for awhile so I got time to do some practice. I glanced towards the balcony that the red-haired princess allowed me to see at some point yesterday, but my intuition warned me that there's something I wasn't seeing, perhaps a magic wire of sorts that would alert the princess if an intruder came in.
So standing tall in the middle of the room I began running through a couple of breathing exercises, keeping my breath precise on the inhale and exhale and silent. With my eyes closed I could focus on strengthening the other senses: taste, hearing, smelling, touch. Every nerve and hair were electrified as I felt my mana coarse through my body much like blood, controlling the circulation as I continued my exercises.
Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out.
Slowly, I put my arms into movement while keeping my stance firm, my torso like the trunk of a tree, unmovable and sturdy. Much like my breathing each movement was very accurate, everything placed where they're meant to be, there was no unnecessary movements. Everything had a purpose, no matter how small or insignificant. My feet then slid across the carpeted flooring, toes digging into the soft material as it bent under the pressure. My whole body got into the rhythm as the rest of my limbs till it looked as though I was dancing, not moving from one place. It was as important for me to practice keeping my body limber as it was for me to practice close combat techniques or swordsmanship.
The rhythm was slow and fluid, but soon I picked up the pace, interchanging between punches and kicking. The punches varied between open-palms, closed fists and curled fingers. The kicks also varied in types however because of the limited space I could only focus on a few of the basics: side kick, round-house kick, crescent kick, the reverse of the two. I made sure to hold my kicks out for a few minutes longer, my abdominal muscles tightening as I worked on balancing.
I lost track of time but once I was finished and had both feet placed on the ground, sweat rolled down my face and my breathing came out in shallow pants. A soft clearing of the throat caught my attention and I turned to see a sleepy Camus sitting up in her bed, watching me with interest. Her hair was in a slight mess and the nightgown slightly ruffled and hung a bit low off her shoulders, but she still looked as prim and proper.
"Did I wake you up, princess?" My voice was very soft as I asked her my question.
"Not in the slightest, I woke up before my alarm and noticed you doing...whatever it was that you were doing. I silenced my alarm so it wouldn't disturb you and continued to watch you until now." Camus raised a hand to run it through her hair before covering her mouth as a yawn came out. "Naturally I'd ask you to do your exercises outside this room, least your sweat got all over the carpet and your musk permeating the air,"
"But I figured you magic-trapped the door to your balcony so I ended up workout in the middle of your room." I finished for her as she raised her arms up to stretch, letting out a couple of soft moans when she heard a small crack from both elbows and shoulders.
"You'd be correct in that statement except you're not...well not technically." She threw the blanket to the side and shuffled towards the balcony door. Pushing down on the lever she pushed it open and glanced at me, indicating that nothing happened. "This door isn't wired because my room is quite high and the walls underneath aren't exactly easy to climb. Only an idiot would dare to try and scale the fortress walls, but they won't make it halfway. Now if you tried to open that door..."
"I see, so that one is the one that's rigged." I followed her gaze to the front door, then turned back to her with a question on the tip of my tongue. "How come you didn't tell me the balcony door wasn't wired?"
"Think of it as a test to see if you would escape without me noticing, I had a fifty-fifty chance of you triggering the door that was tapped. And you obviously passed with flying colors since you're still here." Camus sauntered to me with a playful smirk on her face. She reached out a hand and lightly tapped me under the chin with a finger. "Good doggy~ I'll think of a reward for you later!"
She disappeared into the bathroom and came back out with a towel, throwing it at my face before grabbing a clean uniform from her closet. Then she went back to the bathroom while I just stood in place wiping my face and shut the door. Soon I heard the shower water running and I went about gathering my own set of clean clothes. I zipped up the sleeping bag completely and rolled it up, leaving enough room for me to sit and go about doing maintenance on my weapon.
The bathroom door opened and I glanced up as Camus came out freshened and clean, dressed in her uniform. She gestured with her head that I was approved to use before making her way to the large mirror, sitting down and going about brushing her hair. Sheathing my sword I grabbed my clothes and hurried in the bathroom, the hot steam from her shower hitting me right in the face. Throwing the towel I used to wipe my sweat into the bin I noticed a fresh one hanging on the rack, and I smiled at my hostess' thoughtfulness.
I quickly washed and freshen up, donning my clean clothes and disposing the sweat-stained ones into the bin too. Stepping out with my hair slightly damped I noticed the princess putting on her leather boots and lacing it up, her hair carefully groomed and brushed and pulled up into her two pigtails. Strapping on my own shoes and adjusting the collar I was ready to accompany her.
"We'll grab breakfast and then we're off to our first class. Just so you know there's classes back to back with only a small window for lunch. Then it's self-study or you know, time to the young to practice what they learned. Now you must've worked up an appetite waking so early, and I worked up mine just by watching you." What a cheeky girl.
After last night I knew to restrain myself so for breakfast I only ate enough to get me till lunch, a couple of the jerky snacks were safely tucked away in my uniform pocket. There were a lot more people in the cafeteria so I was able to see kids ranging from eight years up to sixteen. Around the room where a couple of older looking individuals were on standby, perhaps elites much like our Guardian Knights, surveying and making sure everyone was acting civilized. Some of the magicians, especially the younger ones, who spotted Camus came over to say their greetings, and she returned with her own greeting in kind while I continued to act as though I was nonexistent.
"Ummm..." A soft voice reached my ears and thinking it was for the princess I promptly ignored it. It wasn't until I received a sharp kick to the shin, a hardened glare from my hostess that I turned to see a small girl looking at me with eyes of wonder. She was unlike the triplets from last night, this Morgue girl looked nearly similar to Camus with her red hair. Under my scrutinizing stare she looked at Camus for assistance.
"If you continue to stare like that I'd think that you wish eat her. Let me remind you that she'll definitely give you more than just a stomachache." The princess, ever the teaser, began her introductions. "Viktoria, meet my cousin Rose. She's only five years old but she's starting to show signs of pulling ahead of her class."
"Is it true you aren't from direct lineage? That you are an illegitimate from your Clan?" Rose's questions brought a sharp intake of air from Camus, but her innocent eyes continued to be trained on me. When I didn't say anything she added, "My mom told me the other day when I asked who the special guest was. She explained that your blood is filthy and it isn't pure as my cousin's...she said a bastard child will always be a bastard child and if it weren't for the betrothal then you wouldn't make it past the front door, much less a foot on Morgue territory. She said you don't deserve a place here, especially not a place next to Camus. "
"Rose." Camus' voice was sharp and full of warning, forcing the younger one to turn to her cousin and she flinched when she saw a flash of fury go through the eyes. The red-haired princess rose from her chair and knelt so she was eye-level with her cousin. "Don't ask those questions of anyone unless you are permitted to do so, and never repeat such vileness from your mother either. The Baskerville Clan operate and value things differently, but that doesn't mean we have any right to belittle them or deny them their way of life."
"But Mom and Uncle Adolf –"
"I know." Camus spoke gently, putting her hands on Rose's shoulders and softening her gaze, "I know. The Morgues are very interested in a person's lineage and background when it comes to future marriage and such. But I assure you, if you could witness up close and personal what the hound before you is capable of," She turned to look at me as I watched their interaction quietly, a half-eaten omelet left on my plate. "then you'll also agree with me that she is more than deserving."
"...and you believe with your whole heart that someone like her is worth it?"
"I do." There was no hesitation in Camus' voice, and she had such conviction in her eyes that it left no room for argument. Rose stared at her cousin before slowly nodding her head. Camus smiled and squeezed Rose's shoulders. "Now why don't you get ready for your class and I'll catch up with you later okay? You can show me that spell you learned in class that lets you make all sorts of ice sculptures."
With one last glance my way Rose disappeared from the cafeteria. Silence settle around us as Camus returned to her seat, letting out a sigh. My eyes were still fixated on where the younger girl disappeared, then I turned my attention to the one sitting before me, noticing that she was trying to figure out what to say. I waited patiently, allowing her to collect her thoughts before she speaks.
"Please don't hate her for what she said. I won't use her age as an excuse, but I dislike what she picks up from the adults around her. She can be very impressionable, and I can't do anything to stop it." I noted how the girl's fingers tightened around her napkin, the knuckles slowly turning white. "The adults are not even trying to keep things discrete, and I've heard the nasty things that were being said about you from the other members once they caught wind of things. It just makes me so...so mad because I know that saying anything back will not lessen the impact. It'll only make the harassment spread further, and you'd be labeled as something much worse...and... and..."
"Hey."
"Hmmm?" Camus paused in her rant as I gently placed a hand over hers, gazing at our hands for a minute.
"I bet those of the main house would indulge in gossiping just like yours had we taken a tour there, and if you decided to stay as long as I am. But that's all there is to it, empty words and false sense of superiority. They don't affect me in the slightest, and they shouldn't affect you either."
"But they..."
"They can say whatever they want, I couldn't care less. Deep down they know they could never come to hold a candle up to us." I squeezed her hand in comfort and continued, "If you're still going to be angry about this issue, princess, then show them who you really are in your Rite of Passage. Prove that you are more than those empty words, and once you've done that, perhaps you'll have more leeway and persuade that change." I grabbed my tray with some leftovers and then gestured for her to do the same. It was almost time for the first class anyway.
The class was one centered around the theory of spells and those in attendance was one filled with a mix of ages. The professor was going over how the magicians of ancient times came up with formulas that served as the bases for even the most basic spells. And then base on those findings how one would use them as optimally as possible on the battle field; from reducing the amount of time it takes to create a spell to how to rearrange or swap out some portions of the spell to go from a level 1 to a higher level – this is the substitution that Camus did in front of me during our match. From what I could see from my seat next to Camus near the front, and trust me there was a whole lot to see on the blackboard, there was a lot of thinking and staying a couple steps ahead of the opponent for a magician to consider.
A couple of times I found the red-haired princess side-eyeing me, but I chalked it up as her giving her mind something else look at other than a big circle filled with so many intricate things that was currently on screen; honestly my brain was starting to hurt not only from staring at the screen for so long but also trying to interpret and digest what I'm seeing and hearing. When the professor gave us about a ten to twenty minute break I wanted to jump out of my seat and high-tailed it out of there. However following orders had been ingrained in my bare bones so I had to stay until Camus was ready for a break.
We left the room and made our way to a couple of vending machines, there was one that's for beverage and another for a variety of snacks, waiting in the queue while some of the other kids were busy deciding what to drink or eat; Camus told me that the vending machines were designed such that the quality of the snacks and drinks were determined based on the magic level of the individual. So the higher the level the more extravagant the snacks and drinks are rewarded, the lower the level the crappier the rewards. It's a bit different in comparison to how Hugo rewards us with high quality foods from the food storage because that reward system is based on our achievements or if he was impressed by something else, he's not interested in the level of our skills.
"I don't really know what you want to eat or drink so I just took a gander so I hope you enjoy them." The red-haired girl turned with a couple of things in her arms just as I slipped a piece of jerky from my pocket and was just about to chew on it. She eyed the item in my hand for a second before asking, " Do I want to know what it is you're eating?"
"It's different than hagis, but I'll have you know that it's just dried meat from demonic creatures. Doesn't matter what creature it is that was hunted the day before, we don't like to waste food." We returned to the classroom and sat down together, my eyes roaming on the items she picked. There were some really fatty junk food items and the beverages were high in sugar. Is this what is considered "high quality"? Then I really don't want to see the lower crap quality. I gave her a pointed look and asked, "This is what you choose to fuel yourself with during breaks?"
"It's always what's being offered whenever I use the machines, and these were what I've always gotten."
"Mmmmm." Browsing over the choices, I determined what would be the best and pushed the items to her which ended up being none of them. She looked at me aghast as I walked over to the trash can and threw them out, every single one of them. Sitting back down I rummaged around my uniform and pulled out a couple of jerky sticks and placed them in front of her. A couple of other members saw the transaction and just snickered, loudly proclaiming that those were nothing more than scraps befitting a dog.
"You really want me to eat those?"
"You can also have these as well, very good source of nutrition." I pulled out a delicious looking peach and a bag of mix nuts and seeds: almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds all bundled together. I saw these items piled at the other end of the cafeteria in large bags and took one without her knowing. "And you probably want this to wash it all down while staying hydrated." A huge flask of water was placed next to the items, towering over them like some obelisk. "Filled with electrolytes if I remember correctly."
"How did you...I was beside you the whole time!" She looked at them in astonishment before looking at me. "There's no way you swiped these things without me knowing."
"Guess you need to work on being aware of your surroundings a bit more." I shrugged and began to chew on a piece of jerky, I had a whole lot more where they came from anyway. "Do you want me to cut that peach for you so you can chew it better, or do you want to eat it as is?"
"I-I can cut it myself...it's the least I could do." She mumbled haughtily, holding the fruit in the palm of her hand and with the other chanted a spell that cut the food into equal pieces minus the pit. Perfect and equal pieces, I merely smirked as the professor clapped her hands and demanded attention. During the second half of the presentation after the peach pieces have been eaten and a couple of the nuts and seeds have been taken, I noticed Camus looking at the jerky pieces wearily. She picked one up to investigate it, even lowered her nose a bit to take a careful sniff. She looked over and I made an over-dramatically exaggeration motion of chewing, gesturing that it's safe for her eat.
"It won't hurt you, princess. Last I checked it was dead and full of nutrients." I whispered and she rolled her eyes at my light teasing. Swallowing her nerves she slowly brought the piece to her lips, opened her mouth and took a bite. I watched as she chewed and chewed and chewed, watched as she swallowed and the small lump in her throat rise and fall. Then I asked, "How was it?"
"...you already know since you eat these all the time."
"I know. But I want to hear your opinion." She mulled about it, then raised the rest of her piece to her lips.
"It's delicious." I smiled as she continued to rip into and chew on the snack. Glad to say she ate the rest of the jerky I had provided, and then she whispered if I had any more. I just smiled wider but I reminded her in a teasing manner that these were meant to be snacks, not a full coarse meal.
That afternoon...
Ideology class followed soon after, I asked how it wasn't lumped together with the theory to which Camus assured me that they were so different and a lot of history revolved around both that there needed to be separate class to cover the subject, then magic training was the final class before lunch. What interested me other than watching the kids fire offensive spells at dummies or practice defensive spells was a large physical training course where members of the Morgue Clan were either running around or doing other laborious exercises that got their heart rates up and sweat down their faces and backs.
"You didn't actually think that magicians skip out on physical training, did you? How else do you think everyone keeps their flawless figures?" Camus said those questions so smugly that I just looked her straight in the eye to the point where she just laughed. We walked along the gardens after a light lunch, enjoying the sunshine on our skins and the sweet smell of the bushes of roses that line the perimeter. After lunch there was a large enough time for self-study that varies between each members to use as they so choose, then it's dinner time and then a curfew at eleven.
"I thought everyone here had very strong and very high metabolism, all the food just sheds off like oil on water." She pushes me slightly on the shoulder and I trotted to one of the smaller fountains and looked over into the water. The reflection of Camus appeared right next to me and we watched the small to mid-size fishes swimming freely in the clear blue liquid. I was told that the caretakers took care of everything, trimming the bushes when they overgrow and throwing food into the fountain for the fish to eat.
"Just as a thought but I wouldn't want to live as a fish, just carefree and swimming all day without a care in the world." She commented, watching as two of the animals decided to chase each other around in circles. "Waiting and watching when the next meal came, those tasteless round pallets."
"Mmmmm."
"We're lucky to have been born as humans. Living as anything else would be difficult."
"Living as humans come with its own difficulties depending on where you're born or who you were born to."
"True..." She let out an unladylike sigh, "Why is life so challenging?"
"What do you have planned for self-study?" I asked her after a while of observing the animals, ignoring her rhetorical question about life. I for one knew exactly how challenging life can be, but I also knew just how fair life can be as well. The unfairness of my past life due to one man is the reason why I had been given a second chance.
"Well I need to go see the triplets so they can start their private lessons, can't let you forget the favor you owe me for that. Then after that I'll go see Rose and we'll probably have dinner together. You hold down the fort until I return, be forewarned I'll be back late so it's okay if you fall asleep." She listed the chores off the tips of her fingers with a slight frown on her face. "I know I said that we'd stick like Velcro but I think you time would be well spent elsewhere instead of accompanying me."
"Glad we're in an agreement there. Ow!" I grunted as she elbowed me sharply in the ribs and scooted a bit further away to nurse the area a bit. Truth be told, her elbowing did no permanent damage. It felt more like a small tickle, well it actually didn't feel like anything, so I feigned getting hurt just to humor her. She of course didn't know I was faking so she currently sported a very big grin on her face.
"Then I'll get going first, those sisters of mine do have short fuses if I'm not on time. You stay within the fortress, there will be magicians to keep their eyes on you. Be good!" With that she left and I was alone. Or so I thought and I left the small garden myself to make my way to the empty training grounds. I chose a discrete spot far away from the training dummies, but close enough for anyone who looked over could tell it was me.
"You going to keep hiding and watch me from the shadows...or are you going to step out and face me?" First there was no movement, then a male stepped out dressed in one of the elite members, his red eyes meeting mine and walked up till he was face to face with me. I blinked as I remember seeing this guy against the far wall of the cafeteria.
"Young master. The clan head has already alerted us of your arrival and what you plan to do here while mingling with the Morgue Clan, especially the young daughter. Rest assure I and the others who have slipped in to keep our eyes on the Ruby mine situation will also keep our eyes and ears out for you." He spoke after greeting me with a salute. "You are the clan head's prized child, it would be unwise if something were to happen to you under our watch."
"I appreciate it. So far I plan on sticking close to the young lady of the Morgue, she's very nice and this fresh experience is something I'd never get back in Baskerville. I bet if I stay long enough I'll bear witness to something wonderful." I answered and the male nodded his head.
"Where is that young lady now?"
"She's giving a private lesson to three unannounced visitors the other night. She said I won't see her until tonight, so I figure I'll get some swordsmanship done in the meantime." Before Camus and I went to lunch I asked her if we could swing by her room so I could grab my sword, I planned ahead to make use of the training grounds and I intend to do so. "Now if you please."
"Very well, young master. Remember, you'll always be watched." He saluted once more and then disappeared. I made sure he had indeed left before moving to a shady area to avoid the brutality of the sun, my sword out of its sheath and held comfortably in my hands. A hundred thousand swings daily, keeping the arms taught and always moving. I continued to swing even when some of the members of the Morgue Clan came to train themselves, even when the explosions of training occurred around me, I continued swinging. I was very aware of my surroundings to know that I didn't want to showcase all my techniques in front of those present, so I stuck to the basics and did a lot more reps.
The sun soon sunk below the clouds, turning the skies orange and I glanced around to see that the training grounds was now deserted. The dummies that were once stood in a straight line now lay on the ground in various sized pieces. Putting my sword back in its sheath, I hurried back to Camus' room to put my things down and hopped into the shower for a quick wash. I dressed appropriately and made my way to the cafeteria for dinner. For a second I thought I spotted Camus and Rose sitting together among other members at a table chatting and laughing, but I didn't bother to take a second glance to make sure. Not feeling like eating in the same place if I wasn't with the princess, I asked one of the assistants if I could get my meal to go and he brought me a couple of to-go boxes.
I was very meticulous about how to fill the boxes as I walked around looking at what was available, making sure I'd get the most out of the food I chose, and left the canteen with my meal without looking back. My feet carried me to the stairwell that Camus showed me earlier and I climbed them until I knew the iron door was a level right above me. I looked to the side and noticed an opening in the side, a long rectangular shaped window with a jutting ledge large enough for a child to sit on without falling off.
Putting the boxes on one side of the ledge I hoisted myself up on the other side and settled in before digging in, devouring a large pheasant's leg within one or two bites before shoveling in spoonfuls of garlic fried rice. I knew I couldn't open the iron door without magic, and scaling the wall from the window was obviously out of the question, still as I sat by myself and gazed out towards the far reach of Morgue territory this was the best I could do; then I frowned as I remembered that I could've just taken my meal to the room and eat on the balcony, heard the view was even better. Perhaps next time when I'm alone or whenever it's just Camus and I, I'm sure the princess wouldn't mind spending some nights sharing a meal with me since she probably sits on the balcony alone most time.
Hmmmm...now that I think about it, while I was on the training grounds and the others were firing spells at the dummies nearby, my eye didn't make a fuss. I didn't feel even a pinch of pain... I paused in my chewing to ponder the strange behavior, absentmindedly twirling my fork around the spaghetti with meat sauce. Was it possible that much like how the vending machines determine the value of the products based off a magician's level, my eye responds to the level of my opponent? I frowned because I thought it was a possibility when facing Adolf when he raised his mana level, but then the idea of the eye responding to skill level is also something to consider. It's also possible that there were more variables that I have not considered or am not aware of. I released a small sigh, running a hand through my hair in mild frustration before finishing off a piece of garlic bread.
After I had eaten my fill I left the area and threw away the empty boxes in the nearest trashcan, making my way back to the room to prepare for sleep. It was getting close to curfew time when something forced me to pause, a sudden change in the air that I picked up instantly. It was coming from the opposite end and I debated whether or not to investigate or let the adults to handle, I didn't want to experience what would happen if I was caught not being where I was supposed to be.
"Kugh!" I winced as my eye flared up in response to the uptick level of unknown mana, leaning against the wall for support before I could crumble unceremoniously to the floor. Okay, now I cannot ignore what is going on. Turning on my heels I ran towards the source, keeping one hand covering the eye should I accidentally run into any of the patrolling guards. The stronger the source the more my eye throbbed and pulsed so it served as a very strong guide. By the time I got to the place I could barely put one foot in front of the other, the feeling of unbridled mana overflowing and pressing against me.
I lifted my head to the door where the feeling was coming from, my eye tracing the thick lines of unidentifiable mana whipping around in a frenzy, like wild tendrils. Then I picked up one strand of mana that was identifiable to me, one that belonged to one very specific Camus Morgue. Knowing that she was still here and not in her room tells me that the other more oppressing mana can only come from Rose Morgue. So this is the younger cousin's room. Suddenly there was another pulse and I gritted my teeth in pain. I quickly reached to the handle and pulled the door towards me, once there was a slight crack I stuck my foot in and my right shoulder against the heavy object as leverage; it was difficult to keep the door propped open because the mana energy felt like a vacuum void, threatening to slam the door shut on me. With one last shove I was able to throw the door open long enough to slip through.
The first thing I felt was a nauseous feeling followed by the intense pressure of mana energy shoving my body against the door as it closed behind me with a bang. I had my eyes squeezed shut as if I was facing the howling icy winds, and slowly forced them to open to try and locate either Camus, Rose, or possibly both. At first I thought I went blind from all the bright energies but then I made out the furniture and then I spotted what appeared to be two last lumps in the middle of the room.
"P-Princess!" I gasped loudly once my eyes adjusted to focus on the two occupants in the room, the pressure of the mana pressing hard against me and against the door. I grunted and peeled myself off, shuffling towards the two girls before me. "Camus!"
"Please, help me!" Camus was holding Rose's hand tightly as she hovered over the young Morgue girl lying very still on the floor in the middle of the room. The large waves of mana continued to thrash in the air and the princess' wide terrified eyes immediately trained on me, pleading for help. "Her magic...it suddenly gone out of control!"