Age: 15
Level 2: 5/50
Health: 50/50
Mana: 0/0 (Core not formed yet)
Bloodline: None
Talent: Low
Strength: 7
Agility: 6
INT: 9
Charisma: 3
Wisdom: 5
Abilities: Appraisal
Description: Ability to analyze any person or thing within 2 levels of your power band.
Thomas was taken aback by the attendant helping him, despite it only having been a few months since they last saw each other. The slave from the market had been taken to the servant quarters to be clothed and educated in ways to support the house. Months of consistent meals had transformed the small, malnourished young waif almost unrecognizable. Thomas smiled at the kid, "I'm happy that you're settling in well, um..."
"It's David, Lord Thomas."
"Just Thomas is fine."
"Of course, Lord Thomas." David replied. He respected Thomas but knew their stations separated their interactions.
"When this party is over, come see me. I want to discuss how your lessons have gone to verify you can handle a task I have for you. Now, let's set off for the party."
**************************************************************************************************
Stepping into the ballroom, Thomas felt every head turn in his direction as he was announced. Alright, just keep your back straight and keep moving forward. Passing by various attendees of the party and accepting multiple well wishes, the birthday boy made it to where his father was holding court. A band played soft music creating a warm ambiance but not quiet to a tune that would invite dancing. The ballroom, much like the rest of the house, was of a stone granite. Polished to a sheen with tasteful art decorating the walls, the topics varying from frame to frame.
"Ah, Thomas. Happy Birthday, my boy! Come here, there's some people I'd like for you to meet."
Surrounding the Duke were several finely dressed nobles ranging between Thomas' age and his fathers. Pointing to the first group of nobles he wanted to introduce, the Duke started introduction. "Son, this is her Excellence Seraphina von Kaizer. Her uncle is our Emperor and--"
"That's quite enough, Duke Geoffrey. Thank you for the...eh glowing introduction." Seraphina cut him off politely but firmly. Curtsying while she spoke, "I came here to meet my husband, not talk about my uncle. Lord Thomas, I hope that you will make time for us to have a conversation one-on-one soon. I should like to get to know my betrothed better."
Who decided this already?
"Your Royal Highness, it would be my pleasure to talk to you at greater length though I fear there are much better conversationalists. I too want to get to know you better." Thomas responded with a slight bow. Despite the months since his arrival to this family he had yet to shake the feelings of hurt and betrayal from his previous life. Thomas did his best to school his face with a calm smile to keep the unbidden sadness from surfacing.
A soft smile etched its way onto her face as she waived away his concerns with a well manicured hand. "Oh be more confident dear. As my husband, you'll be rubbing elbows with the most powerful people in the empire. It's not matter, we can work on that as we get to know each other doing our betrothal period."
"Betrothal? Surely I misheard," an icy voice spoke up from the circle. "I hope you don't mind me intruding, Lord Thomas, but I must insist on an introduction before... your time is wasted. Oh, sincerest apologies Your Royal Highness." Barely concealed condescension rolled off her in ways towards the end of her interruption. "My name is Lorilei, daughter of Duke Magnus. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"Oh? The young prodigy of House Magnus shows up. Thomas, we'll talk later when the flies aren't buzzing about so noisily." Seraphina replied, removing herself and her entourage from the group and making their way closer to the refreshments.
Whew, dodge a bullet I think. At least for now anyway.
"The pleasure is all mine, Lady Lorilei. I have heard of you accomplishments in magic and I must say that I am incredibly impressed. If you would care to share some time with me, I do have some questions I would like to run by you if that's alright?" Thomas stated, unsure if he should address Seraphina's exit or not. He opted for what he thought should be the safer route.
"Of course, Lord Thomas and thank you for your kind words. Just let me know when you have spare time and I will talk until you grow weary of me." Lorilei smiled, clearly enjoying the one area that she had over her rival.
"Um, excuse me." a timid voice barely reached Thomas' ear. He turned to look at a young woman whose height barely reached his shoulders. "Since we're all making introductions, Lord Thomas; please accept my humblest appreciations for you inviting me to your birthday party. My name is Alice. I'm from the Aragorn family and right now I mostly deal with the books but I want to make my own money in the future." Though she started off quite, when money was involved she came alive and forgot about the crowd around the group subtly eavesdropping in on their conversation. "Perhaps you could also spare some time to talk to me, if it's not a bother," she added, going quieter again as the topic shifted from money.
"Any time I get to spend with you would be a gift, Lady Alice. Just let me know when you're free and we'll make a day of it." Thomas smiled brightly, finding her slightly less intense than the royal or the girl who clearly loved magic. "If you'll excuse me, I should mingle with some of the other guests. I hope we'll find each other later in the evening."
"It would be my pleasure, Lord Thomas." Alice replied, her face growing warm having one of the few conversations in her life with a boy outside of her family.
Thomas proceeded to go and grab a goblet of wine before making his way outside to the veranda. It had been at most 15 minutes but he still felt stifled by the atmosphere of a noble party. Exhaling deeply, he looked up at the stars. Vibrant and mesmerizing little lights, looking so familiar and foreign at the same time. Soft footfalls echoing off the stone behind him his only notice of a guest in his moment of silence.
"I saw you walk out here and hoped we might be able to discuss magic as you had mentioned." Lorilei walked closer, holding her own goblet of wine.
Thomas' eyes lit up remembering his current ongoing quest regarding his core. "That's great!" he exclaimed, Lorilei slightly caught off guard by the sudden jump in enthusiasm paused in her steps but resumed when seeing his smile. Thomas continued, "Do you think you could tell me about mana cores and how they are formed? I know I may not have the talent for it but I sure would like to hear from you on how it's made."
Lorilei's eyes caught the moonlight, finding someone enjoying the topic of mana cores as much as she did. "First, you want to take a relaxing sitting position. You're not going to want to move much as the steps that follow are more meditative than anything. Breathe in slowly and steadily. Mana tends to follow a give and take method not unlike breathing and being at ease allows for better absorption, thought that is also affected by your talent."
Thomas was glued to her every word, excited to explore the first bit of fantasy that he himself might be able to use rather than watching the staff use. He closed his eyes sitting in a crisscross style with both hands resting on his knees. Breathing in deeply and then exhaling. Lorilei smiled softly at his peaceful expression, feeling like they were sharing something she found intriguing and fun. "Now as you breathe, feel that extra something in the air. As you exhale, mentally direct that extra bit to your center. That's mana you're feeling on the air. It's all around us and especially dense in the forests. As you breathe and direct it to your center, start to spin what mana you have gathered in your center. The sphere will start small but as you add more, you'll see the sphere take a larger shape."
***Host, based on the lesson so far continue gathering mana for a few minutes beyond what she says. Based on what she said and what I've gathered from her core, the larger the core means the more mana you can wield at once.***
As he continued to breathe in and out, he followed Lorilei's instructions. Lorilei for her part was shocked. She had heard from her father that the 4th son of House Plantagenet had relatively low talent but the mana around them ebbed to his breathing. Specks of visible blue light flew toward Thomas in an increasing quantity as sweat began to form on his brow, maintaining the multi-task of spinning his mana while keeping his breathing steady.
"Ok, now stop pulling in mana. If you are reckless with your core; you'll ruin your shot at being a mage for good."
Thomas continued pulling in mana for a little bit longer, heeding the systems advice. It didn't speak often but when it did good things happened. The sphere located just behind his navel he could feel getting bigger and bigger until it was relative the size of an orange. Cutting off the pull of mana, Lorilei visibly relaxed. She had personally seen too many mages ruin their futures over the rush that absorbing mana caused. "Remember that feeling, Thomas. After casting spells, you'll need to restore the mana you expended."
Thomas heard but was distracted to comment on her teachings. Currently his core was forming as the mana slowly stopped spinning and gained a more crystalline shape within him, the mana brimming from within it.
***Ding: Mission accomplished***