Cain eyes blinked as he awakened from from sleep. When he looked next to him Meressa was no where to be found. He got out of bed and looked outside, it was still night time probably morning in a few hour.
Cain reflected on the time he spent with Meressa. "Haven't had a night like that in years, Well since my past life anyway." Cain then grabbed his pants off the dresser and decided to spend the time meditating.
He then sat down next to the bed and began to drift into a meditative state. Cain began to slowly expand his consciousness outwardly to feel the mana in and around him. Then instinctively he activated his minds eye.
This cause tiny specks of white lights to start appearing around him and in him...Is this mana?
Cain then tried to move a mana particle to his center. He found the process to be hard, but loved the challenge. He then felt his blood begin to pump as lustful obsession started to activate.
...Cain didn't know how much time passed, he just new that he felt the warm sunlight start to shine on his back from the window.
He got a small orb of mana to form by joining of the mana particles in one area of his body. Then as the last small particle join the small orb, a rush of power surged through Cains body. Then in succession a number of notifications pinged from the system.
[System Notification]:
Mana Core (Dark Red): A core of mana has been formed in the body. This will serve as an internal reservoir that stores and generates magical energy. The higher the purity the stronger the magic.
[Skill level update Meditation Level 3→ 6(Intermediate)]
Effect: Enter a trance-like state to rest body and mind. Body recovers 5% more for every 10 minutes of meditation.
Bonus: Status ailments are healed quicker during meditation.
[Skill update Mana Burst Level 1]
Effect:Your body can explode with the power of mana. All attacks, physical and magical will be increased by 12% for 3 minutes. Afterward you will be exhausted. Cool down recommended after use is 24 hours.
[Skill update Mind's Eye]
Effect:(Passive – Rare): You gain bonus Codex Insight and reaction time when spotting enemy weaknesses in real-time. +5% chance to exploit enemy vulnerability during battle.
Bonus: Mana and magical residue can now be seen.
[Stat Update – Physical Growth Detected]: +5 Mana]
My eyes widen greatly as I stood up feeling and seeing the mana around my body. Dense mana radiated off me like steam. This is amazing, I managed to make a mana core, but I wonder. With my Elder Blood will I be able to make a Aether Core?
Or maybe I should focus on making my core stronger. I technically don't need it to use magic, but it does help to greatly increase my power in a pinch from Mana burst to any other spells I use. Speaking of which.
Cain then concentrated as he felt the mana flow around in his body. He then transferred it to his hand. He felt a small glow come from his hand and then he shouted.
"Magic Missile..."
.... But to his surprise nothing happened only a tiny orb of translucent mana appeared.
.... I figured it wouldn't be that easy, but it's good to know I'm making some progress. I should definitely take Calanthe up on her offer to learn a thing or two from her.
Well it doesn't hurt to keep practicing. Cain then spent the next hour practicing magic missile, and for the whole hour no progress was made.
Cain narrowed his eyes in frustration. I'm gonna stop here... clearly something I'm doing isn't working.... Well time to go see how the others are doing
The door creaked open to the pale gray hush of dawn. Cain stepped into the chill, fixing his clothes. The scent of Meressa clung faintly to his skin. Shit I should wash up, Callum will smell this on me for sure.
As he walked up the path toward the castle, he spotted Callum leaning against the wall near the fountain, arms folded, his face unreadable. Calanthe stood a few paces away, her arms crossed, her posture more stiff.
Both twins looked at him.
Callum's face remained neutral...blank, and observant, but Cain could tell something was boiling under the surface.
Calanthe, though...for a flicker of a second, her expression twisted. Anger? Jealousy? Disappointment? It vanished in a breath.
Then she smiled. But her smile looked so fake Cain noticed it instantly.
"Morning. Did you sleep well" she said sweetly. Too sweetly.
Cain gave a nod. Yup she definitely knows, they both probably do. "Morning. Lets go eat I will cook us up something good."
The kitchen was quiet at first, just the rustle of Cain's sleeves and the soft thud of ingredients hitting the chopping board. He moved efficiently, hands guided by memory and instinct. Eggs, smoked sausage, wild greens, and root vegetables he'd gathered himself the day prior. A pan of roasted mushrooms and garlic sizzled at his side, seasoned with mountain thyme.
The staff began to trickle in, drawn by the smells. Calanthe and Callum seated themselves nearby, watching carefully. Even the lord Holic arrived, looking faintly confused by the wonderful smell of the food, but too hungry to complain.
Cain flipped a skillet, plated a dozen servings, and handed them out without ceremony.
The dining room filled with chatter, chewing, and satisfied sighs, and a few hidden moans
Meressa appeared last, hair tied back elegantly, a fresh dress hugging her waist. She moved with the same grace as always, but this time when she sat, she made sure to tug her collar slightly to the side, exposing the faint shadow of hickies just beneath her neck and her chest.
Cain nearly dropped a fork. This crazy woman isn't even hiding it.
Calanthe saw it too. Her smirk was quiet but the silver cup in her hand cracked somewhat.
Callum, for his part, said nothing, and simply ate, eyes focused on the plate. The crazier part he wasn't stuffing his face. He normally inhales his food.
Meressa took a bite and smiled across the table. "Your cooking is simply divine Cain... Are you sure you don't want to just work for the Lord?
"...No." Me and lord Holic said in unison.
Cain shook his head slowly. " Sorry my lady, its a necessary skill, but not my calling."
Lord Holic just drank from his goblet quietly, his eyes trained firmly on it. We both just wanted to move past the awkward moment.
Meressa gave a knowing smile, brushing her hair past her ear again. And return to her meal.
After breakfast, Callum leaned back in his chair. "So... Cintra is our next stop.. right Cain?"
Cain set his fork down and leaned on the table. He needed to think.
He closed his eyes and began to mentally retrace the events of the Witcher world. He'd memorized the chronology years ago back in his old life, books, and games.
Geralt's tale was still two years from starting.
Which meant...
The rise of tensions between Nilfgaard and Cintra was beginning.
The School of the Cat had gone rogue years ago and might still be active.
The Brotherhood of Sorcerers had not yet become the Lodge, but magical politics were slowly shifting in the north. Fractures in Aretuza's teachings would eventually give way to something darker.
Cain then opened his eyes.
"We continue towards Cintra, and make coin while doing so" he said slowly. "
Callum stood. "Sounds good to me. I think we've outstayed our welcome here anyway."
Later that day Cain noticed the twins were avoiding him. As they went to retrieve supplies. Then Cain glanced toward Meressa, who was quietly watching him from across the castles open archway from the garden.
High noon came swiftly. The twins were at the town's edge, horses already saddled, packs secured. Cain moved through the manor one last time, collecting basic supplies, rations, and spare oils. Most of it he stored in his Inventory, grateful for the enchanted space it offered.
He was just heading to the entrance when Meressa caught him near the front door.
"Cain," she said, voice soft but urgent.
She handed him a sealed bundle. letters of introduction "These people owe me favors. Use them if you need to. From Temeria, Redania, Kaedwen, and Cintra. I have many friends in a lot of places. Here is a letter for a sorceress who can teach you magic. It will glow when your near her."
This is amazing. Not only does she have a lot of contacts, but she knows a sorceress that can help me.
Then the system pinged with a notification:
[Epic Quest Received: "Mysterious Sorceress"]
Objective: Use the enchanted letter to find Meressa's mysterious sorceress friend and give her the letter.
Rewards: +2 Random stat points. 1 Epic Equipment Chest.
Cain tucked the bundle letters away. "I don't know what to say besides thank you. I hope I can live up to your expectations."
She smiled. Then grabbed Cain and brought him to a powder room. Then turned and locked the nearby door behind them.
Her dress fell to the floor. "Good. This is how you can thank me."
My god I don't know if I should be happy or scared at this woman's libido. Probably both.
An hour passed. Meressa's Loud moans could be heard outside the door the whole time.
The staff that walked past the locked room said nothing, but many maids blushed and avoided eye contact with the door. Meressa's voice and her language was not subtle or lady like.
Cain emerged eventually, straightening his tunic, hair damp and cheeks flushed. He ran briskly toward the town entrance
Callum and Calanthe were already mounted. Cain's horse was waiting.
"You're late," Calanthe said, eyebrow raised.
"Sorry about that. Your mother gave me some possible contacts and passed me a lot of information."
As Cain was about to climb up, Calanthe used magic to spook the flank of his horse. The beast reared slightly and bolted several paces.
Cain landed hard in the dirt.
Callum struggled not to laugh.
"You better run fast, Cain," Calanthe teased with a smirk. "Or you'll lose track of us."
Cain muttered under his breath "I guess I deserve that", brushing dirt from his coat as he ran after the horse.