RHEIN'S POINT OF VIEW
My jaw literally dropped when I saw the small green bird. It was staring right at me with what seemed like a smile. Honestly, I was a bit disappointed. I didn't expect a mnarillaza's pracien to be… this simple. It was nothing like the majestic creatures in Grandfather Lembo's books.
'Don't underestimate her. She will be your guide and help you along the way,' Grandfather Lembo's voice spoke inside my head, as if he had read my thoughts.
I just smiled and gently let Forelody perch on my palms. "You're so tiny, Pracien… but that's okay, you're cute." With my finger, I stroked the top of its head. "Let's take care of each other, okay? I promise—we'll have a great time together ahead."
I almost forgot to breathe when something clicked in my mind. "W-wait, you can talk?!" I asked, shocked.
"Of course! But only you, my pracien, can understand me because we're connected to each other," she explained in a high-pitched voice. He flew over to my right shoulder and looked at me. "Oh! And of course, ofris and rescemnarillazas can understand me too, and other praciens as well."
I narrowed my eyes at her, something popped up in my mind. "So… I can understand other animals too?"
She nodded, but his small eyes suddenly widened, like she remembered something. "W-wait a second… are you an ofrismnarillaza?"
I frowned. "Don't you know? You came from my blood. Shouldn't you already know that?"
"I do know what kind of mnarillaza you are, but—wait—you mean to tell me you don't know your own mnarillaza type?"
"I do! I literally just said I'm an ofris mnarillaza, didn't I?!"
"That's not your mnarillaza type!"
"Then what is it?!"
"Why are you yelling?!"
"You yelled first!"
"Enough, the both of you!" Grandfather Lembo's sharp voice made us whip our heads toward him. He was glaring, clearly irritated. Forelody and I looked at each other and just burst out laughing. We had only just met, and we were already yelling at each other.
"You won't be getting any more sleep now, Rhein. Come on, let's go to the dining hall for breakfast. I already set the table before coming to your room."
"So, what mnarillaza type do you think I am?" I asked Forelody, this time calmer. She didn't answer right away, so I turned to look at her. She was staring straight ahead, as if lost in thought. "Forelody?"
"Oh, sorry!" she chirped. "I was just admiring how beautiful this house is. What was your question again?"
"I'm asking what mnarillaza type do you think I am?"
"Based on your eyes, I'd say you're an ofrismnarillaza."
"You literally just said earlier that you don't think that's what I am."
She placed her right wing on top of her head and laughed. "That was just a little test. I wanted to see if you really knew what kind of mnarillaza you are." Then she turned his gaze forward again.
I furrowed my brows. Something about what she said didn't sit right with me. I shook my head to clear my thoughts. I think too much.
I stopped walking when I remembered something. I excused myself from Grandfather Lembo, telling him I just had to go back to my room for a moment. I had forgotten to wash my face.
Once I was in the bathroom, I splashed cold water over my skin and looked into the mirror. I had no idea how long I stood there just staring. It wasn't until Forelody spoke that I snapped out of it.
"Rhein, are you wondering why your eyes have gone back to normal?"
Still staring at my reflection, I couldn't believe I saw my eyes change back to brown.
"Don't be surprised. It's natural for the color to revert in the morning. But once night falls, they'll turn green again."
I turned toward her, a thought forming in my mind. "Forelody, you literally just formed from my blood earlier. How come you already know so much about mnarillazas?"
"We praciens are responsible for guiding and helping our mnarillazas. If there's anything you want to know about the real world where we truly belong, just ask me. Let's say I am your—what humans call—guardian angel. I've been watching you since you were born."
I frowned. "Okay… but how do you even know how to speak?"
"You can speak. Since I come from you, I can speak too."
"Eh?!" My eyes widened. "Are you saying you also have access to my memories?!"
"Yup!" She even shaped her wings into something that looked like a thumbs-up.
I could only sigh. My life is officially insane.
"Come on, let's go."
"Woooooooo! Yeah! Yeah!"
Our jaws nearly hit the floor when we opened the dining hall door. The entire place looked like a bar—decorations, lighting, tables, chairs, speakers… everything. The only normal-looking thing was the food. And there was Grandfather Lembo, in the middle of the room, dancing like a maniac—in a Hawaiian costume. This old man's weirdness was truly in next level.
"Oh! You're here. Let's eat," he invited with a smile. "Happy birthday!"
I laughed and smiled back. "Thank you!"
For that short, silly moment, I forgot—just for a while—about all the strange things happening in my life.
After eating and having a little mini-party, I stepped outside to get some fresh air. I would have helped clean up, but the old man stopped me. He said that at any moment today, my unusual abilities could emerge, so I needed to prepare myself.
I walked to the large garden at the back of the mansion. It was full of flowers and trees, making the air crisp and refreshing.
"Wow! This place is beautiful, Rhein!" Forelody praised, flying up to inspect some blossoms.
"I know, right? That's why I always hang out here whenever I come for my lessons."
"Oh—your martial arts training, right?"
"Yup!" I answered with a playful wink.
I ran and jumped to the tallest tree in the garden, settling onto a branch near the top where I could see the entire place.
"Cool!"
"I know, I'm amazing," I teased with a big grin. Forelody gave me a look, so I laughed. "Kidding! I don't even know what my powers are yet."
"You will soon." She perched beside me.
"I hope so."
I closed my eyes and let the wind brush against my skin. Memories of everything that had happened so far flashed through my mind—the headaches, meeting the deore mnarillaza, the revelations yesterday, and everything that happened today… everything's overwhelming. I thought about Sister Rona. I wondered if she felt this way too.
"Rhein."
I opened my eyes and looked at Forelody. "What is it?"
"Look at this." She pointed her yellow beak to an orchid beside her. It was completely wilted.
"Why? Should I remove it?"
She frowned. "No! Use your power. Bring it back to life."
I blinked in surprise. "H-how?"
"Whatever you think of, just will it. Your mnarill will obey anything you command."
I stared intently at the orchid, then gently cupped it in my hands. The moment my palms touched it, it was slowly regaining its vitality, leaves turning lush and vibrant. It even glowed faintly before I let go.
"What the… h-how—"
"Don't ask how. The simple answer is—it's your power," Forelody said. "So, how does it feel? Now that you've finally seen your own magic? This is only the beginning, but… you look like you just saw a ghost."
I simply smiled. I honestly didn't know what to say.