Chapter 56: A Test of Mana
The next day, they left for the magician.
Lirian sat across from Gabriel, fidgeting with her fingers the edge of her cloak.
She glanced at him briefly, as Gabriel was gazing out of the window.
"Why this woman?" Lirian finally asked, breaking the silence.
Gabriel turned his head.
"Because she knows more about mana than anyone else I’ve ever met. And... she was the one who helped save you before."
Lirian blinked, surprised. "She was?"
He nodded.
"She treated your wounds after the first time you were kidnapped. Without her, you wouldn’t have made it."
Lirian looked down at her hands, unsure how to feel. "Why didn’t you tell me?"
"There’s a lot I didn’t tell you," Gabriel admitted.
"But you need her help now. She’ll be honest with you about what you’re dealing with."
The carriage stopped, and Gabriel stepped out first, offering his hand to Lirian.
She hesitated but took it, letting him help her down.
The old woman’s second cottage sat on the edge of a dense forest, surrounded by wildflowers and vines that seemed to grow in perfect harmony.
Smoke curled lazily from the chimney, and the scent of herbs stayed in the air.
"Come on," Gabriel led her to the door.
He knocked twice, and after a moment, the door opened.
A hunched woman was standing there, her green eyes peering out from beneath a hood.
"Well, well," the woman said, in a raspy but warm voice. "The Duke returns, and he’s brought the girl again. Come in, come in."
Gabriel stepped aside to let Lirian enter first.
The inside of the cottage was cluttered but cozy, filled with shelves of jars, dried herbs, and glowing crystals.
"Sit," the woman said, gesturing to a wooden chair by the fire. "Let me get a good look at you."
Lirian obeyed, her moves were stiff.
The woman approached, her hands surprisingly steady as she tilted Lirian’s chin to examine her face.
"Hmm," the woman murmured, stepping back and narrowing her eyes. "You’ve grown stronger since I last saw you, but there’s something... volatile about your energy."
"My energy?" Lirian asked, frowning.
"Your mana," the woman corrected, pulling a glowing orb from a shelf.
"It’s powerful—more powerful than most—but it’s tied to your emotions. It only surfaces when you’re in danger or consumed by anger."
"That sounds... inconvenient," Lirian said dryly.
The woman chuckled.
"It’s more than inconvenient, child. It’s dangerous. Mana like yours is unique, but it’s also hungry. If you don’t learn to control it, it could consume you."
Lirian stiffened. "Consume me? You mean... it could kill me?"
The woman nodded solemnly.
"Yes. Your body wasn’t meant to handle this kind of power without discipline. It’s like a fire—it can warm you or burn you alive."
Gabriel stepped forward. "Then teach her. Show her how to control it."
The woman turned her gaze to him.
"That’s not something I can do in a day, Duke. It’ll take time, patience, and willingness on her part."
"I’m willing," Lirian said quickly, though her voice trembled. "I don’t want this to kill me."
The woman studied her for a long moment before nodding.
"Good. That’s the first step—acknowledging the danger. Now, let’s see what you’re working with."
She placed the glowing orb in Lirian’s hands. It pulsed faintly, then flared brightly as if it recognised her.
"Just as I thought," the woman said, her tone grave.
"It’s tied to your life force. The stronger your emotions, the stronger your mana becomes. But without control, it’s chaotic. Unpredictable."
Lirian stared at the orb, her stomach twisting with unease. "How do I control it?"
"Discipline," the woman said simply.
"Meditation, practice, and understanding your limits. But there’s something else..." She trailed off, her eyes narrowed slightly as they fell on Lirian’s hand.
She reached out, gesturing to the ring on Lirian’s finger. "This... this wasn’t here before."
Gabriel stepped closer, cleared his throat. "I gave it to her. It’s a protective enchantment."
The woman picked up Lirian’s hand, turning it to inspect the ring.
"Hmm. Clever, Duke. It stabilizes her energy, keeping her mana from overwhelming her. But it’s a crutch, not a solution."
"What do you mean?" Lirian asked with concern.
"It will protect you for now," the woman said, releasing her hand.
"But if you rely on it too much, you’ll never learn to control your power. And your mana will only grow stronger as you do."
Gabriel frowned. "So, what are you saying? The ring isn’t enough?"
The woman shook her head.
"It’s a good start, but she needs to learn to stand on her own. Mana like hers is... rare. If she doesn’t master it, it could draw attention from others who would use it—or destroy her."
Lirian swallowed hard, her hands clenching around the orb. "What do I do?"
"For now, keep the ring," the woman said. "But start training immediately. Focus on calming your emotions, understanding the flow of your energy. And whatever you do, don’t let fear control you."
Lirian nodded, though the woman’s words pressed heavily on her.
Gabriel placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch grounding her.
"You’ll get through this," he said softly. "I’ll make sure of it."
The woman smirked faintly, her green eyes glinted a little. "You care for her more than I thought, Duke."
Gabriel straightened, his expression guarded. "She’s under my protection."
The woman laughed, a dry, knowing sound. "Of course she is."
As they prepared to leave, the woman handed Lirian a small pouch of herbs.
"For meditation," she explained. "It will help you focus."
"Thank you," Lirian said quietly.
The woman nodded, her eyes softened. "Remember, child—your power is a gift, not a curse. But like all gifts, it must be earned."
On the ride back, Lirian stared out of the window, thinking about everything the woman had said.
Gabriel watched her in silence.
Finally, she turned to him, a little hesitant. "Do you think I can do it? Control my mana?"
He met her eyes, and a small smile formed on his lips. "I know you can. You’ve already survived so much. This is just one more challenge."
A faint smile tugged at her lips. "You make it sound so easy."
"It won’t be," he admitted. "But you’re not alone in this, Lirian. Remember that."
"Gabriel, about last night..."
"Yes. I wanted to ask you the same...what do you mean, we’re going to die?"