A New Light

Chapter 30

"Are you sure you want to do this ..."

"Lilya, you have to realize this is the only choice we have-"

"But does this have to involve our daughter!"

"Lilya...as much as I wish to protect her pure heart, the situation we are in calls for different measures."

My hands rested behind my head while I listened to the soft-spoken argument between my parents. Years had gone by, yet they were still arguing. To be honest, the training they had "eased" me into had begun as a massive shock from the complete exhaustion that came with it. However, that's where progress comes from.

I felt that it didn't take too long for me to realize that I needed to take training myself more seriously. It felt like all those years before, where I could just mess around was a mere dream. That the strength I had held and was so proud of was just a figment of my imagination.

Starting from the third day on which I had arrived at this Manor, my training had begun. The cousins whom I had been so elated to meet were nearing their 20's or 30's, and they were also my instructors. 

As I had mentioned, the training brought great exhaustion as well as great progress. This, however, was not any kind of muscle fatigue or anything. Rather, it was mentally draining.

Recalling just a few years ago when breathing exercises drained my patience and energy, I let out a light laugh. 

The shuffling outside settled down, and my parent's whispers were no longer heard. Letting out a sigh, I wore a light smile while my chest tightened. 

For typical young ladies, around this age of 15 is when they get married, and settle down and such. For the young ladies who are intelligent, extraordinarily strong, or gifted in the Magic Arts, we follow the path of men. Seeking to bring glory to the family and reaching the highest position aquirable. It becomes a struggle to stay just and honest in a place where the power one holds allows for such a drastic difference in treatment. Everything in these upcoming years will become a competition.

I kept my smile on my face, but I could feel my brows furrowing as my hands trembled while grasping each other tightly.

Delicately pulling on the dress for my coming of age ceremony, I took a deep breath while glancing over myself in the mirror.

Since our family has a rather long history,  our position also reflected on that. Being rather high up in standing, that meant this ceremony was also a lot for important. No matter what said, the reputation you are given when your step foot into society independently depended greatly on this ceremony.

No specific thoughts ran through my head during the times I was being led to the hall. Just that thought of what if. What if this strength I had been working so hard at, was actually nothing compared to those many other people out there.

As I entered that room filled with aristocrats, and talent scouts, and academy masters, it felt as if my senses had been heightened once again. The murmurs and glances brought a cautious mind which analyzed much of the situation.

Sweeping my eyes across the room, there was a slight thread of confusion when I saw a young man. It was clear to me that I had never seen him before, but a sense of familiarity washed over me. 

As if he could feel my stare, he glanced up from swirling his wine and held my gaze. 

It wasn't until my father began to settle everyone down for the official start of the ceremony that our gazes were torn apart. Following my father up to the stage, it started off with my father speaking about the change he has seen while watching me grow up, the efforts made, and simply how proud he is. 

He made a motion for me to stand next to him, and the next part of the ceremony was commenced. A display of skills. 

Arching my back slightly, setting up my arms lightly to begin, the music began softly and lightly.  Matching the feeling of the music, the movement I made was very delicate and gave a sense of spring. As I made steps with the choreography grass and flowers would appear. The arms which did not have very heavy movements either had strings of the emerald green energy wrap around them and occasionally flared. 

As the music changed, the dance's tone changed giving the opportunity to show off all the attributes. By the time the music was gradually fading, the audience was all giving their applaud, and every affinity I had with magic was showcased- with the exception of the odd space and time manipulation. 

However strange it may be, right after the display of skills, there would be a reputable cultivator to measure the amount of talent you had. 

Normally the measurements that had been taken as a child would be reflected once again, but this test was more for the purpose of seeing the improvement.

Gently placing my hand o.nto the clear globe, the icy sensation filled my palm. Waiting for the instruction to begin, all eyes were on the examiner. 

The monotonous voice which said, "Begin," halted the audience's breath as expectation filled their minds.

The globe rather slowly grew in brightness. The gradual increase in light was disappointing until a strange fact was pointed out. The brightness kept increasing at the same pace.

While shocked expressions were being shown, the examiner was swiftly writing down the information that was transmitted through the globe.

Trying to sense how large the capacity of the globe was, a small crack in the globe beginning to form caught my attention. Swiftly taking my hand away. I glanced over at the examiner to see if he noticed it as well.

The globe was then stored, and in an organized manner, he packed up all his tools. 

Facing the audience below the stage, he once again used his monotonous voice and announced as if reading off a script," Aliria Charlante, affinities total to 8. She has reached the Late Stage of Core Formation." 

A large collection of voices all began discussing, causing a large commotion. The rest of what was being said was overrided by the sound, and by the time they had settled down, the examiner was halfway out the door.