Not long after, Scarlet passed out from overworking herself. I had to go home after my parents heard, so I had to stay home by my father's command, and my mother was adamant on making all my favourites, mostly so I'd stay home willingly. I wasn't complaining, I got my favorite foods and sweets at home, dad was constantly checking my pulse for stress and what my power levels were, and mom was always getting things done for me, food, clothes, even new gloves to practice my punches on a new punching bag.
Dad isn't so glad I am going to fight like Scarlet. But he was alright with me learning how to protect myself and others. He's even set up magic studies to keep control of my magic and how to keep myself from overworking myself with my magic. I'm grateful, but Dad has been adamant on learning all he can with Mano, and will not let me be alone with her, home or school, he's as protective as the first life. I didn't complain, especially when mom and dad both talked with me again. I promised them I'd be careful.
The night before, there was this winter demon. Weeks before, she showed herself to me, the demon that blessed me with my powers. She was named Crystal. Last night, she explained how she was cursed, and her partner was cursed as well; both are in a demonic form rather than what she actually looks like. She didn't say who her partner was, but what she told me was very useful. My power can be used to change the weather, put living beings of all kinds into a deep slumber, and freeze fluid in someone's body.
Once she let me wake up, I had breakfast with my parents, and went through with father's lecture on being safe with everything and how I need to focus on my studies to keep ahead. He even encouraged me to outdo Scarlet in my scores. Once I finished, I headed up to my room to get to studying.
No matter what, I'd make mom and dad proud. And work my ass off to do it. While in my room, I studied as if there was no tomorrow. Doing all I can to study for everything. Maybe even outdo Scarlet by a fraction. I loved it when Scarlet and I would make a competition for who could get a higher score, but Scarlet always beat me. Still, it was fun. I'd get disappointed I didn't get close, but I'd be happy it was close to hers, even by a fraction. Scarlet would always encourage me to keep trying. I didn't give up on it, though. Then my mom knocked on my door.
"Gia, honey, that Mano is here to see you." She said, stepping in.
"Coming, Mom," I called, getting up from my studies and making my way to my door, where Mom was standing.
"Your father is keeping her busy." Mother said as she walked me out to the main room. My dad was staring Mano down.
"Oh dear," I said aloud to no one in particular. Then I walked to the table where they both were sitting. "Dad, please don't give her that look."
Father's expression changed as he looked at me, then he stood up.
"Gia, you should be studying." He spoke in what most believe to be a cold tone, but I know the look in his eyes, a need to keep me safe.
"Mother called me down, she said Mano came here," I said to my father.
"Of course she did," Father's eyes flickered with agitation towards Mother.
"Dad, Mom told me because there's company." I told him, "Besides, Mom wouldn't mention the company by name unless they came to see me."
Father sighed and shook his head.
"Your mother is adamant about introducing you to people." He said, and petted my head. "She believes you need to have more friends. "
"She's just working to keep me surrounded by people I can trust." I looked up at my father with a grin.
"Speaking of trust, did you hear from the blessed spirit?" Father asked,
"I did, she mentioned a few abilities I need to practice," I told him.
"Good, you hadn't heard from her in days since you found out." Father glanced at Mano. "She does something, you tell me."
"I know, Dad," I told him as he left. I made my way to the table Mano was sitting at.
"Your father is abrasive," Mano said.
"He's just protective," I said to her as I took my seat. Mano was surprised.
"Protective? I'd say possessive of his only child." Mano said. I just shook my head.
"That's just his face and how he acts," I told her. "He doesn't show it on his face; he just looks scary. His eyes, however, show emotion more often than not."
"No wonder, " Mano said while taking a sip of tea.
"Dad's been like that for years," I told her, "it takes time to figure that out."
"Something like that would take a while." Mano watched me for a while, like she was trying to figure something out about me.
"What?" I asked.
"Just trying to figure out a young lady like you," she explained, "you have a blessing unlike many I've seen. They all use the same motion and incantations to cast spells. While you conjure entire beings made of snow and ice, as if there's no issue with it or complications. "
"Well, my blessing didn't come from a god," I told her.
"Neither did mine." I froze in place for a moment. Crystal mentioned her partner wasn't a god either. She said two others besides her were demons and blessed someone. One poses as a god, and he blessed Scarlet with her powers. The other is Crystal's partner, named Phoenix.
"Could you tell me about the spirit?" I asked her carefully.
"She hasn't told me much about her as a spirit." Mano began to explain. "She's only mentioned her ability to see things that could happen, and what causes it."
"Did she mention her name?" I asked.
"She's mentioned her name is Phoenix," Mano said. "She's been very silent about everything, even her own abilities at full power."
"Really?" I was surprised to hear this. I didn't think any of the beings would hide what they could do. Maybe she has enemies. But it's enough to know that this could be the same Phoenix Crystal talked about.
"So you don't know much about her?" I asked,
"Not much," she said,
"Then things must be confusing for understanding what you can do," I observed the situation.
"Sort of," she started, "she told me abilities I have to know, absolutely. The most necessary spells and abilities."
"Ah," I nodded, "so what exactly were the abilities Phoenix gave you?"
"I can see things that can happen, and will, based on choices made." She explained, "And I can change how things go with what I can see, I can also manipulate reality around me. Something else that makes this better is Phoenix's blessing protects me from being hexed."
"Well, that's awfully handy," I said, folding my arms. "How many have you told?"
"Not many in this kingdom, just Julius and you," Mano said.
"And you don't say anything to anyone because...?" I began.
"Phoenix is avoiding her lover," Mano said. That made things feel... not right. Why would Phoenix avoid Crystal?