Raiden rose early, a mischievous spark already dancing in his eyes. Instead of heading straight for the training grounds as he usually did, he padded lightly toward Miss Hilda's quarters. The healer was already awake, bent over a tray of herbs and powders, her brow furrowed in concentration.
Raiden cleared his throat softly, wearing his most innocent expression. "Miss Hilda, I was wondering if I could… take a break today. Just for today. I want to spend some time with my mother."
Her head lifted, surprise flickering across her face. For a moment she looked at him as though expecting the usual trick, some outrageous excuse meant to buy time for mischief. But then she caught the earnestness in his eyes—or at least, what appeared to be earnestness.
"You want to spend the day with Lady Selene?" she asked, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Well… that is sweet of you, Raiden. I suppose I can allow it. Just don't cause trouble."
"Of course not!" Raiden beamed, bowing his head politely before scurrying away. As soon as he turned the corner, his grin shifted into something far more devious. 'Perfect. Now, let's see how much chaos I can stir up today… starting with dear big brother Kent.'
Lady Selene was seated in the veranda overlooking the garden when Raiden approached. Her long hair shimmered faintly in the morning light, her presence as serene as always. The moment he announced his wish to spend the day with her, her eyes softened with warmth.
"My sweet boy," she said, opening her arms to him. "You truly want to spend your day with your mother?"
Raiden hugged her tightly, feigning the innocence of a devoted son. "Of course, Mother. I hardly get enough time with you. Today I want to change that."
Selene's heart melted instantly. Without hesitation, she agreed, and soon the two were strolling leisurely through the vast family estate.
The garden paths wound between sculpted hedges, sparkling fountains, and blooming flowers of every hue. Birds flitted overhead, filling the air with cheerful notes.
Of course, Raiden hadn't forgotten the other piece of his scheme. He made sure Kent was dragged along, ignoring his elder brother's protests.
"Why do I have to come?" Kent groaned, walking stiffly behind them with his arms folded. "I had work to do today, important things Father entrusted to me."
"That's exactly why you're here," Raiden said with a sly grin. "So Mother can keep you from stressing too much. You need to relax."
Kent shot him a murderous look, but Lady Selene only chuckled, covering her mouth gracefully.
"Now, now," she said gently. "It's good for brothers to spend time together. Kent, don't sulk. It spoils the atmosphere."
Still, Raiden couldn't resist poking at Kent. As they walked past the rose bushes, Raiden tilted his head back and muttered just loud enough for both of them to hear:
"Look at him trailing behind us. Doesn't he look like Mother's shadow? Or perhaps our very own bodyguard."
Kent clenched his fists but said nothing.
A few steps later, Raiden added with mock seriousness, "No, wait—I've found the perfect title. He's the unwanted chaperone. Always here, never needed."
Selene pressed her fingers to her lips, struggling not to laugh, though she did cast Raiden a light scolding glance. Kent, meanwhile, looked ready to strangle his younger brother then and there.
For a while, the family trio walked on like this—Selene enjoying the morning calm, Raiden buzzing with cheeky energy, and Kent simmering with suppressed frustration.
Finally, Kent could take no more. He stopped walking, turned to his mother, and bowed slightly. "Mother, please. I really must return to my duties. I beg your permission to be dismissed."
Selene shook her head. "Oh Kent, just a little longer. It's rare for Raiden to want such a stroll."
Kent sighed heavily, but trudged along another ten minutes, enduring more of Raiden's whispers and mockery. At last, he tried again.
"Mother," he said, voice firmer this time. "With respect, I cannot delay further. Father expects me to handle certain tasks today, and if I fail, it will reflect poorly on me."
Raiden smirked, enjoying every moment. 'Dance, big brother, dance. The more desperate you get, the better this looks for me.'
Lady Selene hesitated, then finally relented with a sigh. "Very well, Kent. You may go. But you must promise to join us for supper this evening."
Kent bowed gratefully. "Thank you, Mother. I will." He shot Raiden one last glare before turning away, his footsteps quick with relief.
Raiden raised a hand in farewell, his smirk wide and satisfied. The instant Kent was out of sight, he let out a soft laugh of triumph.
Selene turned her eyes on him, her gaze knowing but gentle. "Raiden," she said softly, "you enjoy tormenting your brother far too much."
"Not tormenting, Mother," Raiden corrected with mock seriousness. "Training. Someday he'll thank me for building his tolerance. He looks like the type to end up with a troublesome woman."
She shook her head, half amused, half exasperated. "You're incorrigible."
Raiden only shrugged, hands folded behind his head as he strolled happily at her side. His little victory over Kent had set the perfect tone for the rest of his day.
The sun was climbing higher in the sky, its golden rays spilling over the estate as the morning slowly gave way to noon. Raiden walked beside his mother, a mischievous glint still lingering in his eyes, but for once his voice was softer, more thoughtful.
"Mother…" he began, tugging gently at the edge of her sleeve.
Selene turned her gaze to him, her violet eyes curious. "Yes, my son?"
Raiden bit his lip, schooling his expression into something hopeful and almost vulnerable. "Will you… teach me a spell?"
For a moment, Selene simply blinked at him, as if she had misheard. Then, without the slightest hesitation, she shook her head firmly. "Absolutely not. You're far too young for that, Raiden. Even Kent wasn't allowed to begin studying real magic until he was nearly eight years old."
Her tone was kind, but resolute—the sort that left no room for bargaining.
Raiden's shoulders slumped, though inwardly he was more irritated than disappointed. 'Too young? If only you knew how many skills I've already mastered. If only you knew how much stronger I am than Kent was at this age.'
Selene placed a gentle hand atop his head, brushing her fingers through his soft hair. "Your healing abilities are already remarkable enough, Raiden. No child your age should have them, and yet you do. That is a blessing, but also a responsibility. Don't try to push further before you're ready."
Raiden looked up at her, forcing a small pout to stay on his face. "But I just want to help. Don't you trust me?"
Her hand lingered, and her lips curved into a sad smile. "I trust you, my little one. That is not the problem. It's the world I do not trust."
Her words struck him deeper than he expected, and for a moment, Raiden found himself silent. Still, his mind buzzed with his own conviction.
'No one's going to hold me back. Not Kent, not Father, not even you, Mother. I'll grow stronger on my own terms. Strong enough to protect everything—and strong enough to bend the rules if I have to.'
The rest of the afternoon dragged. With Kent gone and Selene gently refusing to indulge his request, Raiden quickly grew restless. By the time two hours had passed since noon, he had slipped away, his small feet carrying him swiftly back toward Miss Hilda's lab.
The healer was grinding herbs when he arrived, her sleeves rolled up and her face dotted with faint traces of powder. She looked up, surprised. "Raiden? I thought you were with your mother today."
Raiden put on his best sorrowful expression, slumping against the doorframe. "I was. But she… she refused to teach me anything. Said I was too young." His voice trembled just enough to sound convincing. "I wanted to make her proud, but…"
Hilda's expression softened immediately, and she set her work aside. "Oh, Raiden." She came over and crouched slightly so their eyes met. "You shouldn't take her words as rejection. Lady Selene only wants to protect you. Any mother would."
Raiden sniffled for effect, though inwardly he smirked. Hook, line, and sinker.
To comfort him, Hilda brushed his hair back with a sisterly touch. "Tell you what. Since you're so eager, I'll show you something small. Nothing dangerous—just a way to refine what you already know. How does that sound?"
His eyes lit up instantly, his earlier gloom vanishing. "Really? You'll teach me?"
Hilda chuckled. "Only because you look like your heart's breaking. But you must promise me: no mischief, no showing off. This is for practice, not play."
"I promise," Raiden said, though inwardly he was already thinking of ways to twist the lesson to his advantage.
The training began anew. Hilda guided his hands, showing him how to channel his mana with more precision. Instead of letting the energy pool loosely in his palms, she taught him to thread it carefully, like weaving strands of silk.
"Gentle, Raiden," she reminded. "Healing isn't about force. It's about balance. Too much mana, and you harm instead of help. Too little, and it's useless."
Raiden focused, weaving the mana through his fingers, adjusting the flow just as she demonstrated. Within minutes, his [Healing Touch] shone brighter, smoother, the glow steadier than ever before.
Hilda's brows shot up. "Already? Raiden, you—" She stopped herself, shaking her head in disbelief. "You're adapting too quickly. At this rate, you'll surpass even some apprentices twice your age."
Raiden tilted his head innocently, though his grin threatened to break free. "I just followed what you showed me."
She sighed, both impressed and faintly worried. "Just don't rush too far ahead of yourself. Promise me that much."
"Of course," he replied, but his mind was elsewhere. Two birds with one stone. I frustrated Kent in the morning, and now I've pushed my healing skill even further. Not bad for one day's work.
By evening, Raiden stretched his arms, the air of "troubled child" long gone. Hilda patted his shoulder. "Go rest, Raiden. Tomorrow, we'll continue at a normal pace. No more shortcuts."
He nodded sweetly, though inside he was buzzing with excitement. As he stepped out of her lab, the familiar screen of his system shimmered before his eyes.
[New Mission Available]
Raiden froze for half a heartbeat before reading further.
[Mission: Bond With Lady Selene]
A slow grin spread across his face as he whispered under his breath. "So Mother's next, huh? Looks like tomorrow's going to be even more interesting."
"Also, didn't I have a pending mission?" For the first time, Raiden had two simultaneously ongoing missions. "Well… the more, the merrier, right?"