Chapter 8 - Where they stand

The weather was pleasant, and the sky was clear. Mila let the wind ruffle her long black hair as it rushed past her, carrying Andrew’s curses.

After another night of excessively working out in her dreams, Mila felt sleepy in the warm sun. It was only the third time, but she felt confident it would continue for more.

It felt nice to wake up and remember where you were. Sure, Mila woke up much more tired, but she also felt herself grow in strength. These dreams had tangible effects on her besides leaving her disoriented and disassociated.

Isabel ran past her while avoiding obstacles in her way. Andrew soon followed with Tiff and Kefo in tow. Mila had seen the older boy trip the younger duo while rushing past a pole.

While it was satisfying to watch others work hard, this was not what she wanted. Mila wished to run with them. She massaged her stiff legs, trying to return them to a serviceable degree.

Last evening, Mila had failed to socialise with these people again. After their lessons finally ended, they spent more time talking. There wasn’t much else to do.

And when Mila had brought up her extensive time in the hospital, the mood got ruined for the remainder of the evening. Andrew and Isabel had tried their best not to step on her toes.

It was highly unpleasant to Mila. Despite her insistence, they kept treating her as a child. And still, they were the closest thing she has had to friends in years.

While thinking, the group had made another lap through the obstacle course. They still had a few more to go, so Mila turned to Silinth. “When are you going to start teaching magic?” She gave him a simple question.

However, Silinth's frown showed his mixed feelings. “It’s too soon.” He finally answered.

“Not for a test.” Mila disagreed. She still had trouble telling where they stood with each other. He certainly tried to answer her every question and need. But it felt somewhat forced. As if he guided them towards his goals. “And not for teaching us basics.”

Silinth looked down at her. “Us?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Us.” Mila nodded.

“It’s strange, you know.” Silinth started. “Normally, I would just force the answers out of someone with so many secrets.” He rubbed his temples.

“Is that a threat?” Mila’s gaze grew cold.

“You are too quick to jump to such conclusions.” Silinth took a step back and raised his hands in a placating gesture. “I am saying I don’t know how to deal with you.” He explained. “Also, you are scaring kids, so please try to be gentler with how you act. Tiff has trouble sleeping because of you.”

Mila pursed her lips. She couldn’t recall doing anything to make the girl so terrified of her. Of course, she was aware Tiff was scared of her, but she had thought Tiff just had to grow used to her presence. “I’ll try.” She gave an unconvincing answer.

“You should.” Silinth paused as the group of disciples passed them. “But returning to the previous topic, I don’t have the testing stones here. I would have to make a trip to the nearest town to get them.”

“And the basics?” Mila did not relent.

After a tired sigh, Silinth relented. “Fine, I’ll do it. I still think it may be a mistake.” He watched Andrew and Isabel like a hawk.

“Your reservations are noted.” Mila absentmindedly added, while joining him in his quest to burn holes into her almost friends by looking at them.

“I am older than you,” Silinth mentioned.

“You are.” Mila did not see why he was mentioning his age now. “Although I don’t know by how much exactly.” She wondered.

“And I am not-” Silinth stopped before continuing. “Well, not your subordinate, am I?” He sounded unsure.

The question was confusing for her. Most of Mila’s attention was still on the obstacle course. “I believe not. While you have stated you owe your life, it did not include any agreement about your responsibilities towards me.”

“Pah!” Silinth spat on the ground. “This is too complicated.” He plopped down next to her and huffed. “This is why I am out here and not running any operations requiring subtlety. I am seventy-eight, by the way.”

Mila nodded. He was younger than she had assumed. Her eyes followed Isabel, who was currently in the process of tripping Andrew. While the boy tumbled to the ground spectacularly, Isabel noticed Mila’s and Silinth’s gaze and blushed from her mischief being caught.

“What I am trying to say,” Silinth resumed. “There was never a concrete plan of what to do if we ever succeeded in summoning what the pendant pointed to. My ancestors speculated it to be a person, with how personal of an item the ‘trinket’ was. Well, they were right. You are now here.”

Wild laughter resounded through the field as Andrew managed to return the favour and make Isabel fall. Mila watched Isabel spring on her feet and chase after the perpetrator. They were acting too wild and likely will regret it later when Silinth would make them spar.

“But we never decided what to do next.” Silinth face was now adorned with a malicious smile as he watched the teens tire themselves out. He soon realised what expression he was showing and returned his attention to Mila. “We assumed that if it was a person, they would know more than us.” He left the last part hanging, waiting for Mila to say something.

When she didn’t, Silinth continued. “And from how you are acting, it’s likely you do know something.” He revealed his thoughts. “I am not asking to tell me, or to anyone, but my people had spent so many years on this. It would be nice to have some sort of conclusion to our efforts.”

It strung a chord within Mila. She stayed silent for a moment longer, pondering what to do. It wasn’t a simple request.

Every try thus far, Mila had made had run into the same problem. It involved that unmentionable entity. She already had trouble avoiding thinking of it. Any information regarding it had to be considered carefully. She could reveal some of her skills but not where they had come from.

That said, pretending Mila knew nothing would be counterproductive in the long run. There would come a time when she would have to speak with Andrew and Isabel.

Today was not the day. Mila looked at the running balls of mana with apprehension. But that would have to wait until she knew what was happening with them.

Finally, she sighed and spoke. “There is something.” She was purposefully vague. “But it cannot be revealed.”

Silinth’s expression turned grim. “So it’s as I suspected. It always comes down to the same shit.” He bitterly complained. “Fucking gods. So what now?”

“You ask me?” Mila was surprised.

“Of course.” Silinth let out a self-deprecating laugh. “We finally got what we wanted and- And now I don’t know what to do. This summoning was our goal for so long, and instead of some kind of grand reveal, all I got was three brats. It was my plan to follow you at first, you know.”

That was a responsibility Mila was not sure she wanted to carry.

“Not that happy about it, are you?” Silinth made a good guess. “When I asked you three about your plans, I hoped you would have something. Anything, but-” He shook his head. “All you care about is those two walking future calamities.”

“I do have a goal.” Mila calmly replied.

“Oh?” Silinth perked up.

“It is to grow stronger.”

“Well, I guess it could be worse.” Silinth gave an evaluation. “At least with that, I can help you with. But is that it?”

“It is essential. That spell-” Mila looked into his eyes. “The one you use before speaking of secret matters. What does it do?”

“It tries to hide the surroundings from the attention of higher powers.” Silinth thoughtfully explained. “It was built upon a secrecy ward from what I can tell. It’s not mine. Generations ago, we got it from someone, and since then, it has been passed down. As you have seen, it’s not very efficient, but still better than nothing.”

“I saw,” Mila affirmed. “If I grow strong enough to use it, I might give you something more.”

“That is-” Silinth hesitated. “Quite far off. I was in my forties when I finally managed to learn it, and it took me a few more years to use it properly.” He suddenly got up. “But, well, it’s not like we are lacking time.” His eyes found the group of tired teens. “It’s time for sparring!” He shouted.

The four dusty figures slowed down and trotted towards them. Mila could tell they were out of breath. Well, Isabel and Andrew were. Kefo and Tiff had been pacing themselves properly.

When the group reached Mila and Silinth, they all continued back to the building complex. Or, to be more precise, to training grounds behind one of the buildings.

Once there, Mila quickly found out where all the wooden weapons had come from. While the training grounds had a roof above them, there was only a single wall, and it was covered with various forms of wooden weaponry.

Andrew and Isabel immediately regretted their earlier recklessness. They were pitted against Kefo and Tiff and got decimated in seconds.

At points, Mila joined in as well. Mostly when either Andrew or Isabel were forced to rest, and she had to switch in to make a pair.

Once more, Mila was reminded how slow and weak she was. She managed only to land a couple of blows against Kefo and Tiff. Her movements were too sluggish to forcefully overcome their defences, so she had to rely on tricks.

When they finished, it was time for a bath. It had been a couple of days since Mila had cleaned herself properly, so she could not wait.

Silinth guided them to a building a bit to the side, which housed a couple of baths separated by a brick wall. He used a spell to warm the water, making a show of it for Isabel and Andrew, who seemed awfully entertained by the display.

Mila knew for sure there was no need for flames to heat the bathwater, but they were there nevertheless.

After it was done, they split into two groups and entered the changing rooms. Mila slowly undressed while Tiff hurried ahead of her to avoid staying in the same room as her for too long.

Isabel was stripping out of her sweaty garments on the side. Mila glanced at the girl, who happened to do the same.

“Kind of awkward, right?” Isabel let out a nervous laugh.

Mila tilted her head. “Now it is.” She noted while stepping out of her underwear.

“I- Ah, I am not used to this.” Isabel continued. “Getting naked, I mean.” She covered herself with a towel and furiously blushed when she noticed Mila’s nakedness.

“Didn’t you have showers with your classmates at school?” Mila did not see what the big deal was. While her real-life experience was lacking, she still had seen plenty of naked bodies. Well, those were in her dreams mostly, but it had to count, right?

The question seemed to cool the girl down. “No,” Isabel answered. “There were,” She hesitated. “Circumstances.” Her voice broke.

Whatever these circumstances were, Mila could see it was something unpleasant. She looked at the distraught girl. Deciding it was her fault, she tried to lift her spirits. “As it is, you should be proud. Your body is marvellous and nothing to be ashamed of. Instead of feeling awkward, be proud of what you have.”

And it was true. Mila spoke her mind freely, hoping it would help Isabel with her inhibitions. Isabel did have a nice body, with curves in the right places. The long brown hair also matched her eyes nicely.

“Wh- I-” Isabel’s mood swung from downcast to flustered. “I mean, thank you.” She seemed to gain some semblance of courage. “You also-” Her voice cracked.

But Mila was not listening. She began heading towards the large bath, deciding to lead by example. She grabbed one of the buckets filled with water and rinsed off the dirt before jumping inside the hot water, making Tiff scoot towards the furthest side of the pool.

It was relaxing and soothed Mila’s muscle aches. She noted Isabel was following soon after, still shily covering herself with the towel and avoiding looking at them.

Mila’s mind drifted along the slight movements of the water. Isabel took her time to get inside the bath, while Tiff left soon after.

After this, they had more lessons planned. This time, it would be geography and introductions to the local animal life. A sign of how much they had yet to grasp about their new lives.

There would be more such days as this. Mila sunk deeper into the water, looking up at the ceiling. It certainly was more than what she had back on earth.

Next to her, Isabel fidgeted and kept glancing at her while opening and closing her mouth. Mila felt too lazy to make a dialogue and was content in soaking up the warmth in silence.

This was nice. Mila did not know for how long days such as this would last, but she was content for now. All she could do was prepare for the troubles that would surely come.