"She lacks the blessings of magic. Admittedly, I was expecting her to be something more…special given her lineage."
"Lineage…" CK muttered, recalling the Lightmaster's blunt choice of words, "What a joke."
In Kelter, children from ages four to ten begin to display aptitude to wield Tales, a kind of magic that stems from dreams and a lower form of the [The Librarian]'s Muse. This was a branch of Syntaxis where people use their subconsciousness to manipulate magic.
Children were most susceptible to dreams and creativity, thus are at their strongest while still young. Nearly all the children in Rouge City could manifest a Tale of their own and were sent to the Academy of Dreams to practice.
Well, there were a few exceptions. CK was one of them. She could not tap into her dreams regardless of her attempts, and it was even harder to use it as a tool of magic. Eventually, CK decided it was not her thing to do and no longer put any effort into touching the essence of [The Librarian]'s Muse. She was labelled 'dreamless'—people who could not use magic in Kelter.
Unlike CK, Sasha Lochlainn could do more than just use dreams. Witnessing Sasha's progress as a junior at the Nonaphrontistery, CK saw how she skillfully bends her subconsciousness and even go as far as to give it form and sentience—becoming beings that act to Sasha's will. But well, that was far more complex than what Kelter's Talekeepers could do, and that is why Sasha was hailed as Kelter's prodigy.
CK wanted to chuckle. Had she not seen the worlds beyond Kelter, she'd take great offense to Lumiere's demeaning words. While they are capable of bending dreams, CK had the power to transmute anything and everything that she could touch. They were leagues apart, and CK could not fault the difference in their perspectives.
"Ah…" CK sighed and looked out the window, up at the pastel skies, "I can't wait to get back out there."
She just needs to do a little bit of research and get what she needs for the journey ahead. Still, her chest ached, yearning to have another taste of what lies beyond the skies.
She summoned the Manuscript and flipped to the pages where she wrote her notes. Reading over and adding a few things here and there, CK made a plan to make full use of her vacation in Kelter.
Knock, knock.
"Come in," CK spoke out. The door swung open, Flavio's head peeking through first before stepping inside, a sheepish look on his face while he carried a small stack of clothing.
"Hi, sweetie. I hope I'm not disturbing you," he said. "Not at all, papa. Do come in," CK said, sitting up on the window seat, "What's that you're holding?"
"It's the clothes inside your luggage bag. Lucila couldn't make heads or tails on how to fold them. They're quite unique. I decided to do her a favor and bring them up to you," Flavio chuckled, "Maybe you know how to fold these clothes."
"Hehe. I see," CK giggled and inspected the clothes that Flavio brought, "No wonder Lucila's having a hard time, haha."
Two hoodies, a jumper suit, and some string tops. They differed greatly when compared with Keltern fashion that even the mighty mayordoma herself couldn't figure out how to fold such clothes.
"Poor Lucila. I'll fold these myself, then," CK said, accepting the clothes from Flavio and placing them on her bedsheets. Flavio smiled, "You must be very fond of those clothes if you decided to bring them with you."
"I liked them. There were days the Nonaphrontistery uniforms weren't a requirement, and we get to wear what we like. Hoodies were the easiest choice. It's good protection against the rain, sun, and icedrops. They're easy to move around, too," CK grinned, then pouted as she picked up the said clothing, "The only problem is that it's tiring washing them. You can wear them for a few days straight at least."
"An ingenious creation," Flavio nodded, watching his daughter fold the clothes knowingly. It was a stark contrast to Lucila, who was flipping the thing upside down for fifteen minutes until deciding to call for help.
"It really is. It's a shame I can't wear them openly here. I'd be getting freak stares from the others," CK said. Flavio smiled softly at her.
"Sounds like you had a fun time there, at the very least," he said and sat next to CK, "Your mother sent me here to check on you. She's restless with what happened the other day."
"The Lightmaster tried to read my energy. It took me by surprise, but that's all that happened," CK shrugged. "And that's the part that worries me," Flavio's brows creased, "When I sensed nothing from you, I thought that it's just your body readjusting back to Kelter's environment. But hearing it directly from Lightmaster Lumiere, it's…baffling to say in the least."
Flavio closed his eyes, finding not a single ounce of energy inside CK's body with his senses. Even Isabella, who barely practiced using Tales, had slight traces of energy circulating her body. CK did, too, when she was a child. But since returning, it all disappeared.
"What must've happened out there that took away your energy?" Flavio muttered thoughtfully. CK sighed, "I'd feel bad for lying to you, papa. But I guess there's no other way of putting it."
CK placed a folded hoodie atop a stack. "I practiced plenty during these past years. I was good at it, too. But someone took them away. Or rather, I let them take it away," CK stated.
"Take away your power?" Flavio was surprised. "My expertise, too," CK smiled sheepishly, "It's funny, isn't it?"
"Well… Honestly, mi bambina, I can't see what's funny in the situation. Who could possibly have the ability to take away something so…innate?" Flavio asked in disbelief, "Was it a god of some sort?"
"Something like that," CK answered, "It was something beyond a god."
"Beyond a god…" Flavio muttered, his brows furrowed. Last time he checked, people are supposed to be learning at schools. Since when was meeting gods and other entities part of the curriculum?!
Flavio sniffed, making CK flinch in surprise. "What kinds of things has my baby seen out there…?" the Count mumbled, causing CK to sigh.
"Well, not everything was taken. I can always remaster what I learned," CK said, "That's why I have plans to leave. I have to 'earn some experience', or so my master tells me."
"You had a mentor, and he let a god take away your power?!" Flavio's eyes were blazing at the idea of a reckless teacher leaving his child to do dangerous things.
"As talented as master is, I don't think he has the power to stop it from happening," CK said. Besides, Dr. Erzem was asleep during the entire time. What could he do? Sleepwalk?
Flavio sighed. "Well, I guess it can't be helped. I'd be hesitant to let you go especially after what you told me, but I also realize you can't achieve your true potential here. Your inability to access dream magic is proof of that," he said.
"Right…" CK said wryly. Flavio smiled, "But you can't really expect fishes to climb trees. If letting you travel means you get to live a good life, then not even I, your father, should have the right to stop you."
"So…does that mean I have your permission?" CK asked hopefully. "Of course, mi bambina. But I hope you're not in a hurry to leave. Do try to spend more time with your mother and me. We haven't seen you in so long, after all," Flavio ruffled her hair, "Kelter may not be as big as the star seas, but it does have plenty of sceneries and places. You should have a look around them, too. Maybe we could go together sometime…if you want, that is."
"Hehe. Yes, papa," CK clasped his hand and smiled brightly at him, "You and mama are the reason why I came home, after all. Of course, I want to spend time with you."
Flavio began sniffling. "Wahh… So my precious baby does want to spend time with me, after all!" he sniffed. He quickly rubbed his eyes with his sleeves before putting back his glasses, a determined look on his face.
"I must clear my schedule as soon as possible and prepare for a vacation trip!" he declared and dashed out of CK's room, his voice echoing across the halls of the estate.
"Isabellaaaa! Make preparations, we are leaving!"
CK blinked as the echoes of her father's voice faded. She held her chin. Well, that works in her favor, too. If her parents will tag along on the trip, maybe she'll have access to places she normally can't get to.
Looks like she'll have to send that letter to Mel.