" Listen, Flora. You need to stop calling me 'Young Master'. "
" B-But that's your revered title! "
" No, I'm not saying you should completely stop calling me master. I suggest a simple name change here. "
I turned in my chair at my desk, feeling almost no pain at all now from moving. Training this body comes with exponential gains due to the enhancements from Vitality. Getting from a zero state to at least one was extremely hard, taking nearly two days just for me to walk normally. However, just 3 days after meeting with Draesil in Void Space, I am capable of doing strenuous physical tasks with little pain.
" What exactly do you mean? "
Flora was a beautiful woman. She had soft, doll-like skin with a sweet complexion that resonated greatly with my ideal for a woman. She had pleasant blonde hair that had been neatly tied up into a ponytail that perfectly framed her green eyes. Her peaking Elf ears were cute, sometimes moving when she expressed genuine happiness or drooping whenever she was worried. However, there was something more to her that I took note of more than anything.
Her Mana capacity.
All Arcane creatures, creatures of this world that host an Arcane core within their bodies that make up nearly fifty percent of their entire composition, are capable of taking in Mana from the world. The rate at which one can, as well as the amount and density, all play into what is called "Mana capacity". Mana capacity can be trained, as can any part of the body; typically, however, it is difficult and largely relies on genetics to determine the limitations on one's rate of growth. For me, as I've been training and studying, I've been gathering Mana within myself and have managed to regain Draesil's lost abilities.
Draesil had been telling the truth. He truly was a genius. From the memories I had sifted through, as well as what Flora herself told me, Draesil had devised a way to look at one's inner Mana capacity and tell their strengths with Magic.
It was an ability known as "Mana Sight". I recently have been able to tap into that power. I didn't feel the need to tell Flora, especially since she's the one who helped me piece together what Mana Sight is. However, I'd been using it ever since I first obtained it along with my enhanced vision from the coursing Vitality inside me.
" Flora, I want you to swear unyielding loyalty to me. "
" Young Master, I've already done so! I serve the Royal Family unflinchingly! "
" You aren't understanding. I did not say to the 'Royal Family'. I said to myself. I want you to refer to me and me only, permanently from now on, as 'Lord Draesil'. "
I wasn't sure what sort of ramifications this may hold in the future. However, after what the Advisor did to Draesil, I couldn't trust anyone here but Flora. And if I could only trust her—the things I am going to teach her must not be shared with anyone.
Flora stood before me. At first, she was composed; however, soon she gripped her maid's dress and tightened her hands around it, probably unsure what to say. She looked to her feet and turned her head away from me, blushing to the point where she seemed to look like some sort of round cherry.
" D-Do you remember when we first met? "
Obviously, I didn't. However, actually hearing I didn't would probably hurt her feelings either way. So I stayed silent and waited for her to continue as I knew she would.
" I was just a little girl, and you found me—deep in mud on my knees, sobbing. I was wandering for so long after an attack by Humans on my home...And you found me in the forest behind the palace. I was going to starve, nearly naked, barefoot, and dirty. "
Flora brought her hands up and clutched where her heart would be before tears started to well up in her eyes.
" But you demanded I be assisted! Y-You saved my life! So... "
I stood up and walked toward her. Usually, I didn't care if someone cried. It was a simple biological reaction to external or even internal stimuli, sometimes provoking the release of tears to calm our bodies. But seeing Flora cry...
* WIPE *
" Enough crying. I don't like seeing your face stained with tears. "
" Right...Lord Draesil...Of course, I'll swear fealty to only you! You are my one true King! "
Flora held her composure together for only a moment. But it seems like she couldn't hold it in for very long, as after declaring her loyalty, she threw herself into me, forcing me into a hug. She'd clung onto me many times before; however, this was the first time I held her back.
After Flora calmed down, I sat back down at my desk, grabbed a few of the papers I had been working on, and handed them to her. They were formulas, made for the layman, so that she could learn my efficient way of manipulating Mana. The method I crafted for this damaged body. For someone like me, it helped me exert Mana with no pain involved. But for Flora?
" What's this, my Lord? "
" These are my findings to perfect Mana efficiency. If you study and train using these methods, you will be able to use First Circle spells that mimic the power of two circles higher. "
" This means... "
" If you use a First Circle spell, the power and output exerted will be similar to that of a Third Circle. Alternatively, using higher circle spells will drain you less, using only what's necessary in your Mana reserves. "
That last part was the true goal in creating this optimization method. The first effect is simply a side effect.
" I call it the 'Mana Optimization Formula'. "
" ...'MOF'? "
" The acronym isn't important! "
I felt a bit flustered hearing my perfectly apt name be reduced to such a silly-sounding acronym. I crossed my arms and shut my eyes. If I didn't know any better, I would say I was pouting about it. I opened my eyes not too long after and looked at Flora, Mana density in my eyes increasing and my vision nearly zooming in.
Thanks, Vitality.
" Your Mana capacity is incredible. Most, if not all, Elves are capable of conjuring Magic. However, the casting methods we use vary depending on our training and talent. A fair number of Elves require rigorous and extreme training to perform self-casting. "
From Draesil's notes, despite being a race made to use Magic, as Elves are not entirely composed of just an Arcane core, they are incapable of using self-casting easily. Most Elves use a catalyst. An item that harnesses Arcane Magic to facilitate and use external Mana inserted within it by its user. Catalysts are produced by Elven factories and are one of the only ways Humans are capable of using Magic.
That means my ability as a Self-Caster is amazing. And with my Mana Optimization Formula, creating Scripture is as easy as breathing.
" As long as you follow my lead and master the Formulas I create...You'll be a proficient Self-Caster without much effort at all. "
Flora looked to my face, serious as it was, and then to the papers in her hand. There was scripture on some of the pages; however, a lot of others had simple notes and probably some words she didn't understand. It truly was just my findings, created with my primary benefit in mind.
* CLUTCH *
She held them tight to her chest and bowed to me, deeply.
" I'll cherish them forever! I promise to work very hard and live up to your grand expectations, my Lord! "
Flora's voice was resolute and steadfast. I had been glad she was taking what I said seriously already.
" Now, Flora. It's time I leave this room. I've had enough of confinement. "
" A-Ah...I-If that's what you want, my Lord... "
" What's the matter? "
" It's...It's nothing too serious! It's just that... "
" Out with it already! "
Sometimes my temper was a bit quick. I didn't exactly yell at her, but I was snappy. Just like before, Flora yipped as she straightened herself out and spoke quickly.
" Many servants and officials have been talking badly about you! They said you've run away from the Human that...that...Stole your sister's heart. "
" Stole my sister's heart? "
What the hell is that supposed to mean to me? I raised an eyebrow and thought about it for a moment. I understood quickly enough. The higher Elven society probably thrived on gossip. Most likely because they aren't a barbaric race that takes pleasure in violence, and would much rather sophisticated displays of material power and influence shifts.
" They believe because of this Human and my sister's connection, I've holed up in my room like a scared rat... "
Flora gulped.
" Hah! "
I stood and walked toward the closet in my room. Most royalty would have someone else wash and dress them; however, I never had Flora do such a thing once I was capable of doing it myself.
" Flora, you are to spearhead my return to society. Wait for me to finish bathing and dressing. I will see you momentarily. "
Walking away from Flora after having grabbed my clothes, I headed into my large bathroom, pristine and gilded in ways I wouldn't really care for. However, just for now, I'll take on a role that doesn't really suit me. For now I'll become...
Lord Draesil, the man who will have his revenge.
. . .
Normally, Flora would be on call by my side. However, as I sent her away, I was flying a bit blind. Not entirely, as I still had bits of Draesil's memories unlocked to me. However, I had no idea about anything that may have occurred over the almost two weeks I'd been cooped up in that room.
The halls were easy to navigate using remnants of Draesil's memories and simple clues. And considering both my senses were enhanced, I was capable of navigating easily to where the most dense crowd of people was. And as I passed by servants of the palace, I could hear unsavory whispers.
"The disgraced Prince is back..." And things like "Look at him, so self-absorbed while that Human runs amok."
It would've made me laugh if I were the sort of person to laugh easily. But I hadn't been. It didn't matter to me what anyone said—other people's opinions are always fleeting. In a few short days, if I keep at it, they'll quickly change their tone and start praising me. Their reckless words did not bother me one bit.
" Here we have it. "
I knew it. It was easy to tell where I needed to go. Considering the wafting of delicious aromas, the footsteps gathering and collecting in one area, and even seeing the bareness of the halls, devoid of too many servants that weren't acting as cleaning staff...
" The banquet hall. Yes, of course. "
* BREATHE—PUSH *
" It's time for my reintroduction. "
I pushed open the grand doors that were before me. They were tall, almost as if they were meant to be pushed by two people. Though it was clear it actually needed three people. The doors were heavy, extremely so. And so when I put strength into my arms, tightening my muscles and pushing with nearly seventy percent of my full effort, I was surprised to see I could open it with little physical strain showing in my face.
Was I getting to be that strong?
I heard the words of every person in the hall halt before I even finished opening the hall's doors. Their gazes were all transfixed on the door opening by a single, solitary man. And after finishing, I stepped forward. Adjusting them slightly, the cuffs of my tailcoat I looked at all the faces of everyone present. And then straight to the center.
There had been one man sitting there.
" Hello, Father. "
" P-Prince Draesil... "
He stammered. In front of everyone, he stammered. Just by my appearance, my new father was flustered.
" Miss me? "
Standing proudly at 189 centimeters, with hair that flowed down my back and bangs that framed my pale green eyes, I had made my new debut as Draesil Archwood, prince of the Elven Kingdom.
CHAPTER 33 END