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Firstly, the votes are closed! As you can tell, Adult Kat won. It was only by a couple of votes, but still...
Now we have a cover!
Next, last week (Like two days ago...) we hit 200 some odd powerstones! Thank you all so much! I didn't think we would make it past 150, yet you all shattered that! As a little something special, I am going to try and give more chapters out this week. We shall see though...
Lastly, I started the Romance story last night. It only has two chapters as of now. 'Rekindling Our Flame' is the title, so go check it out!
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When we entered the room, we were met with laughter. Lorelei was covering her mouth as she chuckled, while the rest of the room wore smiles. Seeing us enter, they calmed down, reverting to their calm, composed selves.
Jahi stalked over towards the Marquess and Countess, taking a seat with a huff. Leone looked towards me, pursing her lips, before making her way to Lorelei. Lastly, Anput was unceremoniously tossed next to the Sultana, before Kio sat down with a slight growl.
Quickly making my way towards my Mother, my eyes flickered towards Jahi. Seeing her ignore me, I clenched my teeth slightly, trying to keep my face expressionless.
"So, I'm guessing you all had fun?"
Hearing the Marquess speak lightly, Jahi gave a small smile and a nod. Anput nodded furiously as well, a grin on her face. Leone gave a light "Mmn", making Lorelei pet her head.
I could see the Marquess look at me from the side, to which I just gave a small nod. Smiling, she turned back towards the guests.
"Well, the food should be here soon. After that, we will guide you to your rooms, allowing you to rest if you wish."
Anput pouted slightly, earning a flick to her forehead.
"What did you all do outside?"
Hearing Lorelei's melodious voice, Leone looked up at her, before turning her gaze towards everyone else. "Jahi and Anput sparred... I watched..."
Hearing that, the Empress smiled lightly, looking between the Marquess and Sultana. "If they grow to be even half of either of you, they will be fine warriors."
Nodding, the Sultana placed her hand on Anput's head, making her smile widely.
"Indeed. As long as she can learn some restraint, she may even be better than me..."
The Sultana's raspy voice made Anput giddy, as she smiled eve wider and started to sway side to side.
"True. She is much more open than you, Anubi. Maybe all she needs is a... rival. Someone who focuses her."
"Someone like Jahi?"
The Marquess looked towards the Empress with a small smile. Already it seemed like the Empress was playing matchmaker.
The doors opened, and a stream of servants flowed into the room. Placing tray after tray on the large table, they made sure everything was placed meticulously on the table. Bowing, they left the room.
Reaching forwards, they all revealed the meal.
Two slices of fresh bread, two sunny side up eggs, three long strips of bacon, a sausage link, and various slices of fruit.
The smell of the bread and meats made my stomach rumble lightly, but thankfully it was overshadowed by the loud grumbling coming from Anput. Grabbing her utensils, she quickly set about devouring her food, much to the dismay of Kio.
The Empress smiled, saying "I guess we should dig in, no?"
Giving a strained chuckled, Kio nodded.
Everyone picked up their utensils, slowly eating the meal.
"Chordeva, who do you have teaching Jahi?"
Hearing the Empress' question, she tried to finish chewing before speaking, but the Countess answered for her.
"Baroness Estra is teaching her dance and manners, Baron Jilk is teaching her history, and Arch Mage Kolia is teaching her magic."
Nodding, the Empress smiled. "Yes, Miss Estra is indeed a good dance teacher. I may have to get her to come teach Leone here when she leaves your estate."
"You managed to drag Kolia away from her research?" Lorelei looked at the Marquess and Countess in surprise.
Nodding, the Marquess said "We promised her that if she didn't believe Jahi was worth teaching that she could leave, paid in full. If I hadn't helped her a few years back I doubt she would have even listened to my request though..."
"Then are you yourself teaching Jahi about combat?"
Looking towards the Sultana, the Marquess nodded, grinning. "Indeed. She needs to learn from another demon. The only other person who could teach her would be Belian, but I would never trust him to teach her anything. Besides, even with her light magic, she still takes after me heavily; as such, she will learn everything my father beat into me, and everything his mother beat into him. I guess you could say its... tradition."
Nodding, the Sultana went back to her food, making sure the veil never revealed her face.
The room was silent for a few moments, before Kio asked "And what about Julie and her daughter? Katherine, was it? Is she learning anything?"
Her face was simply curious, yet I could feel my mother stiffen beside me. Turning, the Marquess looked between us, a small smile her lips as she saw my mother.
"Katherine is attending both Baroness Estra's class as well as Arch Mage Kolia's class. In fact, both of them have said that she is quite a good student."
Kio's small smile froze for a second, envy lingering in her eyes, before she nodded. Lorelei looked at me in surprise, before looking down at Leone, who spoke in a meek voice.
"Can I meet Arch Mage Kolia? I want to learn more about magic..."
She froze when everyone turned their gazes onto her. Looking down at the floor, she hugged her puppy tighter.
"I think Kolia wouldn't mind meeting up sometime during the week..."
Hearing the Marquess, Leone looked up, smiling. Placing her hand on Leone's head, Lorelei smiled as well.
Going back to eating, I could feel my stomach rumbling lightly again. Looking towards my mother, I saw her smile slightly at me before turning back to look over the table.
When everyone had finished, I followed my mother as she took all the trays, stacking them onto a cart. As we worked, everyone continued to talk, discussing small things and bragging slightly about their children.
Taking the last tray, I was about to follow my mother when the Marquess said "Katherine, why don't you join the others in the library? Kolia spends most of her time there."
Nodding, I stood to the side, waiting for Jahi, Anput, and Leone to exit the room.
Bowing, I followed them outside, walking towards the Library.
Upon entering, we saw Arch Mage Kolia sitting at the table, the same small book in her hands. Seeing us, she quickly put it into her robes, learning from last time. Smirking, Jahi said "Hey teach, still feeling a bit lonely?"
Narrowing her eyes at Jahi, Arch Mage Kolia scoffed before looking towards Anput and Leone.
"If I'm not mistaken, you are Anput Sera, and you are Leone Presa-Ash, yes?"
Nodding, Anput looked around the room in disinterest, while Leone was staring at Arch Mage Kolia with glowing eyes.
"So, what brings you to me?"
Leone looked between me and Arch Mage Kolia, before saying "I wish to learn how to create better ritual circles."
Nodding, Arch Mage Kolia grabbed a scroll, which I recognized as the finished earth spike trap that Jahi and I worked on.
Unfurling it, she gestured for us to move closer.
"This is something I had Jahi and Katherine work on. Now, Begum Sera, can you tell me what element this circle is?"
Looking at the scroll with disinterest, Anput pursed her lips before saying "It's of the earth element."
Nodding, Arch Mage Kolia turned towards Leone, asking "What do you think the purpose of the circle is, Lady Presa-Ash?"
Moving closer, Leone inspected the circle, her orange eyes flicking around the various sequences.
Moments passed, and I could hear Anput sigh, before slumping onto the table, bored.
"I believe it's a spear, or spike... additionally, the activation is weight based, with the requirement being... very little."
Smiling, Arch Mage Kolia nodded her head.
"Correct, it is an Earth Spike Trap, and it took Jahi and Katherine roughly three weeks to finish and polish it."
Leone looked between Jahi and I with gleaming eyes. Turning back to Arch Mage Kolia, Leone asked "How do you determine which runes to use in a ritual circle?"
Before Arch Mage Kolia could respond, Anput growled lightly.
"If you wish to spend your time burying your head in magic, do so on your own time. Jahi, can we go back outside? I want to continue the spar."
Sighing, Arch Mage Kolia shook her head, before looking at Jahi, who simply nodded to Anput. Leading her out of the library, she stopped, turning to look towards me. As I was about to follow her, Arch Mage Kolia spoke.
"Jahi, can I borrow Katherine for a bit? She grasped ritual circles quite quickly, and could help me teach Lady Presa-Ash..."
Jahi's gaze flickered between Leone and I, before stiffly nodding. Without another word, she turned and left, Anput following behind her.
Gritting my teeth, I turned back to Leone and Arch Mage Kolia, quickly smiling at them.
"What do you wish to do, Arch Mage Kolia?"
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