Lady Roxanne's aura was indeed overwhelming, and she gave off a vibe that Hal could only describe as boss lady.
She sighed for a brief moment before turning her attention to Hal and giving him a simple smile, which always symbolised to him that danger was coming, but this time it made him feel safe instead.
"First, I would like to thank you for helping out our little Tai; he told us all that you did to help him escape the cave"
Hal felt joy overtake him as the warmth of being appreciated took over. He smiled back at Lady Roxanne and spoke with confidence, saying.
"Thank you, I wanted to make it out of the cave too, so our goals just happen to align" Lady Roxanne chuckled for a bit as she rested her head on her now interlocked fingers.
Her voice came soon after this time, carrying a hint of curiosity within it "So, according to Tai, you don't know how you came to be in that cave"
Hal waited a moment before he shook his head, causing Lady Roxanne to sigh as she continued to ask, "I also learned that you may have made a contract with a strange entity. Can you please tell me what you agreed upon?"
This time, though Hal actually seemed unable to answer, as if the words could not form in his mouth even if he wanted them to
He stared up at Lady Roxanne, whose eyes seemed to gain more interest in him than they had earlier, as she then called out, "Joset, please step into the room"
And just a few moments later, Joset entered the room and bowed graciously before Lady Roxanne, saying, "My dear lady, you need me for something"
Lady Roxanne nodded as she continued to say, "Yes, it seems our little recruit managed to get himself a contract with a higher being. I should give Tai a reward for this"
Hal found himself confused once again as he humbly asked, "What are higher beings, and why would I not be able to remember how I came to be in a cave, or not be able to answer your question just now?"
Lady Roxanne stood up from her seat and proceeded to get a book from the shelf that Hal struggled to read and understand the words written on it.
'The mysteries of higher beings, ' she sat back down and quickly said in a humble tone ", I won't explain them to you now, they are a broad topic and we don't have that time right now"
She handed the book over to Hal and said, "But this book should tell you all you need to know about higher beings, but all I can say is that they have the ability to restrict their contractors from remembering or saying anything connected to the contract"
Hal took in her words carefully and managed to piece together what she meant, if higher beings are believed to be able to restrict their contractors from remembering or saying anything related to the contract.
Then maybe he hadn't arrived in this world at the time he thought, maybe just maybe the entity didn't happen to find him, but he had gone looking for it and just couldn't remember.
Hal knew his memories to be true and did not mistrust them one bit, but this could also act as a good alibi for why he couldn't remember, so he would take it for now.
"Thank you, Mrs Roxanne, but can I know why you called Mrs Joset?" Lady Roxanne crossed her legs once again as she said, "Well, it's because she will train you on how to use your gift"
Hal's poor heart filled with fear as he turned to face Joset, who simply nodded, saying, "I'll ensure he is to your liking by the end of this month"
Lady Roxanne nodded at her before continuing to say, "We already talked to Tai about this, so he will be teaching you how to handle a weapon properly. So, with that said, welcome to the silver sword, Hal"
After his meeting with Lady Roxanne, Hal felt his exhaustion hit him like a rock as he made his way to his designated room.
He threw the book he had received from Lady Roxanne on the table by the window in his room and leapt forward, collapsing as soon as he fell on his bed.
(Bang…Bang…Bang) Those were the sounds that awakened Hal from his slumber as he turned to look at Joset, who was standing in front of him, wearing a bored expression
"You are a sound sleeper" Hal looked out the window and realised that the sun had not yet risen. His mood sank as he stared up at Joset with a worried expression.
"Uumm, it's still dark outside", Joset sighed for a bit before Hal found himself being pulled out of bed. Joset was too far to do it, so who was
He struggled against the force only to see that the strings of his own bed sheet had betrayed him; he felt like he could cry, but he had his thoughts for that purpose.
'Ohh, the betrayal, the bitter betrayal' Joset, on the other hand, only had to move around her fingers to soon have Hal standing in front of her.
Today, she had worn a pink dress, but once again had left no bear skin in sight as she spoke to him in a stern voice.
"Don't waste too much time, unlike normal gift users, you acquired yours in more peculiar ways, so your ability is not innate to you; hence, we have a lot to learn and only a month to learn it"
Joset did not give Hal any way of retorting to her command, as the only choice left for him was to follow the beautiful but terrifying young lady.
She soon led him to her own room, which Hal had taken a back for a bit, basing on her behaviour so far, he had thought her to have a more dark or serious looking room at least.
But instead, the room was filled with teddy bears, several upon several of stylish dresses, and pillows shaped like hearts.
The room's walls were all filled with pink and red wallpaper, making Hal feel sorry for the poor walls that lay underneath.
Joset turned around and gave Hal a terrifying look that sent his heart racing, but not in a good way 'Is this the end? The absolute price for looking at a girl's room is she going to string me up or something?
"Sit down and give me your hand" Hal fell out of his delusions so fast that he was left stunned for a few moments "What did you say?"
Joset's frown deepened for a bit as she repeated, "I said, Sit down and give me your hand" The tone of her voice rose for a bit, making Hal sit down at the nearest cushion lying around
Joset shook her head and sighed once more as she spoke this time in a much calmer voice, "Sit on the bed, it will be more comfortable for both of us that way"
Hal hesitated just for a second as he finally sat down comfortably on the bed. Joset held out her hand as the cushion stretched and unravelled, only to reassemble itself right next to the bed.
Joset took a seat as Hal placed his hand in hers, and once again, the strings tied wrapped their hands, joining them together as she said
"Most people born with gifts already know how to wield; it's something that comes inbuilt in their minds, but you, since you got yours in a contract, I'll have to teach you beginning with how to shatter your mind"