Chapter 31: Manifestation
"Manifestation is only possible from the Second Step."
The Commander sat us down side-by-side on the bench. Holding a stick in one hand, and keeping a grip on Hilda's hyperactive body with the other, he plunged the stick into the ground and drew.
"Manifestation splits depending on a multitude of factors, but that's not what's important for you guys. What's important is learning the different Forms of Manifestation."
First things first, he drew the symbol of a spear and sword crossing over one another on top of a shield:
"The first possible Form of Manifestation is Close-Quarters Armament. Or, as most people call them, Warriors. This type receives the most common weaponry you can imagine, sword, spear, mace, shield, polearm, hammer, axe, flails, etc."
"Eh~?! That sounds boring!" Hilda puffed her cheeks-
Squish.
-and the Commander squished them down, releasing the stuffed air.
"There's no such thing as a boring Manifestation. Remember, it only takes the 'Form' of that type; there may still be variables. For example, you might receive a hammer but the hammer, instead of dealing damage, heals; in that case, it becomes the next Form of Manifestation-"
This time, he drew a wonky wooden staff into the ground on the right-hand side of the first drawing.
"You suck at drawing Papa."
"Thank you for the compliment."
"No problem."
Before explaining the next form, he asked, "Are you keeping up, Lady?"
"Yes."
"Good. The next Form is the Pillar Armaments, also known as Enchanters, Healers, and general Utility users. These are the Armaments that hold a more supportive impact in battle or outside of battle, it can range from wide-scale enhancements to something as basic as an Armament that can clean things well."
Taking a deep breath, he then aimed his stick downwards, right below the two drawings, forming a-
"A triangle, yes. This is a triangle."
A simple ball was drawn this time around.
"The third and final Form of Manifestation, the Arcana. They may also be called Wizards, Magicians, Shamans, Arcanists, Sorcerors or Warlocks."
This time, he pointed upwards to a distant young lady standing in the corner of the training grounds.
"Those with an Arcana Form of Manifestation can either be the trickiest enemies or the simplest enemies; they may pull your mind into a series of endless illusions, reveal your Curses at times which would be detrimental; or..."
He looked down at us with a cheeky grin.
"Or they can blow up everything with a grand explosion."
This time around, he pointed the stick back at himself.
"That's me! Awesome, right?!"
His chuckles immediately reminded me of Hilda's smile, they truly are father and daughter. And, almost instantly after I thought of that, Hilda raised her elbow and smacked it into his side, "Stop showing off!"
"Oof! Okay, okay!"
"I'll tell Mommy next time you were showing off to other girls."
"...Please don't." Cold sweats instantly ran down his face.
"Why not?!"
"...You might not have a Papa from then on if you do that."
Hilda paused, clutched her chin, and began thinking.
Then, she released her judgment:
"Okay, but get me another ice cream at home today."
Grinning, the Commander patted her head, "Deal!"
While the two were messing around...
I understand that this is the method by which those who have taken the Second Step consolidated their powers-
But how do they do it?
It must be a mixture of both Blessings and Curses, but in my case, with only Curses, how does that function?
And in Esme's case, how would that work, considering she only has Blessings?
Plus, the Steps themselves differ.
My Step is different from the average person's Step.
Esme's Step, which consists of pure Blessings, would also be different.
So how?
Without thinking, my hand reached for his arm. "Commander, how do you do this Manifestation? How do you create this Form?" I lightly tugged his sleeve to attract his attention.
Squeezing Hilda's nose, he momentarily switched his attention to me:
"I can't tell you."
Just as I was about to speak up again, he patiently raised a finger. "It's not that I don't want to tell you, or I don't have the time, or it might take too long-"
His eyes honed in on mine.
Shimmering in red:
"But I can't."
"...I see."
It'll have to wait then, not to mention, it will take a long time to reach the Second Step. According to my calculations, including what mother has taught me regarding Steps, it will be at least another few years.
"No need to look so downcast, you're still young, no? You have all the time in the world to develop your potential~" The Commander's tone switched to his father mode for a moment.
I appreciate the encouragement...
But I don't have all the time in the world.
I'm running out of time.
And maybe by the time I reach the Second Step-
It may already be too late.
I strongly resisted the urge to toss the mask aside and rub the frustrations away, instead:
"Give me a moment, I need the bathroom."
I followed the Commander's instructions to the training ground's bathroom.
-----
Crash!
Metallic clanging echoed as I tossed aside the stuffy mask. My nails shot up and-
Squelch.
-they plunged into the flesh of my neck, carving tiny holes straight into the skin. Blood oozed out from within, slipping beneath my nails, down my neck and wrist.
"You said I had to figure it out."
...
"You said Esme was in danger."
...
"But even if she is."
...
Squelch!
I dug deeply and firmly into the hot blood rushing beneath my pale skin—I made it colder.
"Even if she is, what can I do?"
My clammy fingers ooze with filthy sweat.
"What can this perfect little puppet do?"
This creature?
How?
...
Over and over again, over these past 2 days; in the damning nights, it has pondered.
If Yulei can't give it answers.
If it runs out of time searching the Domain of Light before receiving answers.
If Esme dies.
Then what purpose did this creature have?
...
Mother, what is your plan?
...
The Second Step is years away.
Arriving at an answer may also be years away.
And Esme's demise may be less than years away.
...
If Esme dies, it will have all been meaningless.
My eyes trickled upwards, towards the mirror—towards the creature staring back in the mirror.
If so...
I'll dig for an answer through Yulei.
I'll search all crevices of the Domain of Light;
I won't spend a single second idling.
Figuring out how Blessings and Curses work?
Useless.
Even if I did, there'd be nothing I could do with that information for many years to come.
"...Esme."
I held onto the sink.
"...Esme."
My throat gurgled with boiling liquid.
"...I'll save you."
And I released another heap of sticky, tar-esque crimson into the sink.
I smothered it in a layer of vile red.
-----
It's been 3 days since.
Today, we're travelling to Yulei's favourite scenic spot within palace grounds.
According to Hilda, she'd come here often to bathe in the light of the Aurora and rest her mind away from the ordeals of the Duchy.
Rattle-
Relaxing my burning brain to the noise of turning wheels and whistling winds prancing about the carriage, I pressed my hand on Hilda's leaning head and shoved it off my shoulder. She's too heavy for my shoulder to handle.
Her gentle snoring also eased my mind.
I'd always appreciate a moment of silence-
Notthatieverexperiencesilence-
-and the past few days have also helped with that.
Travelling around the vast palace grounds, I've gotten a good layout of the area and have filtered out the locations with the lowest odds of giving me an answer to all the questions I have.
So, Yulei, I hope you have something useful for me.
"Hnng~" Stretching, Hilda's arms smothered my scalp as she awakened from her slumber.
With a soft, high-pitched voice laced with lethargy:
"Why did you wake me up... Little dummy..."
Moving aside her arms, "I didn't wake you up."
"...Ehh~ Stop lying..." Rubbing her eyes, she scratched her face and scooted over closer to my side.
Snuggling into my left arm, "You always do that..." Hilda drifted back into sleep. After just a few days, she was already comfortable enough to sleep on me.
If the Commander, or her dreaded Mother, saw this, she'd most likely receive the spanking of her life. Alas, besides Hilda, only the carriage driver accompanied us to Yulei's secret spot.
I should get Esme to give Lily to me; that maid can deal with Hilda for me.
...Not that I've seen Esme since that one breakfast on the terrace. Not to mention, I can't ask her even if I wanted to.
I've received a couple of complaints in the form of letters passed on from Lily to Hilda, but they've all been gathering dust on the floor.
I'm sorry, Esme, but I need to figure this out.
It's for your sake.
---
The door swung open to the warm, aurora-lit breeze.
Tucking my uselessly long hair back, I clasped Hilda's hand and stepped off the carriage onto the grass.
We stood at the bottom of a series of small hills overlooking the palace grounds, a few tall trees were sprinkled about whilst the ground itself was filled to the brim with a kaleidoscope of flowers.
What drew my attention, however, was the three other carriages sitting at the bottom of this hill.
Not one, but three.
The crest of the Parsimen Duchy hung proudly on one carriage. On the other hand, the other two were decorated with unrecognisable crests.
"Oh? They're also here today."
Hilda's comment drew my attention, "Who is?"
Pointing at the crests, Hilda said, "Jill and Vanessa. You should know them, Yulei told me that all of Lady Esme's friends were there that day. Not sure what 'that day' means though..."
She shrugged her shoulder and grabbed my hand, "But who cares! Let's go!"
Ugh.
That complicates things.