Cassian stared at Katherine, his expression a mix of confusion and disbelief. "I apologize, my lady, but I'm afraid I didn't quite catch that. What would you like me to do now?"
Katherine's lips curled into a mischievous grin as she spoke, "Oh, you heard me correctly. I want you to take off your shirt while you're massaging my feet."
Cassian looked up, puzzled. He couldn't quite see how removing his shirt would make a difference in the massage or what purpose it might serve, so he asked, "May I ask why?"
Katherine shrugged lightly, her eyes sparkling with a playful glint. "Just because I want to. Besides, if you do it, there might be a reward in it for you."
Cassian initially didn't mind taking off his shirt; he was simply puzzled by the request. However, with the promise of a reward, he had no qualms about complying. As he unbuttoned his shirt and removed it, Katherine's smile grew wider, her eyes glinting with amusement.
Katherine's feet, soft and delicate, made contact with his stomach. Despite his rigorous workouts over the past month, Cassian's muscles still held a hint of softness, which Katherine's toes explored with a playful touch. The sensation sent a shiver through him, prompting him to ask, "You really don't have any scars?"
Katherine's tone held a hint of surprise, but her smile remained as wide as ever. "No scars at all?" she repeated, her curiosity piqued.
Cassian couldn't shake the feeling that Katherine was still somewhat suspicious about how he came here. As her toes brushed against his skin, the tingling sensation intensified. Katherine was channeling mana through her feet, scanning for any hidden traces of mana within his body. Finding none, her excitement remained unabated.
Katherine's actions were driven by more than just curiosity. Her fondness for male servants often veered into the sadistic, and this penchant was part of why few stayed with her for long. She derived a certain pleasure from the power dynamic, enjoying the way her touch, even through something as simple as her feet, reinforced her dominance over them.
Katherine was particularly concerned about Cassian potentially leaving, which was why she offered him a reward. She wanted to ensure that he felt valued despite the intimate and somewhat demeaning nature of their interaction. The experience, which left him feeling like he was of lower status, was meant to solidify her control while also keeping him engaged and willing to stay.
As she slipped her feet back into her shoes, Katherine said with a playful tone, "Now it's time for your reward. Come out from under there." Cassian emerged, his shirt clutched in his hand, a bright, excited smile on his face as he eagerly awaited his reward.
Katherine looked at Cassian with a playful yet authoritative smile, the kind that made it clear she was both amused and in control. "Put your shirt back on," she said, her tone gentle but firm. "I have something for you."
Cassian quickly slipped his shirt back on, his excitement palpable. Katherine reached over to a neatly organized bookshelf and picked out a book titled Introduction to Mana and Its Uses. She held it out to him, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "I heard you've been searching for information on first-circle warriors. This book has a section that might interest you."
Cassian took the book with eager hands, his eyes already scanning the cover. Katherine's smile widened as she watched his reaction. "The section on mana and warriors will explain what first-circle warriors are and how they operate."
"Will this help me become a First Circle Mage?" Cassian asked eagerly as he held the book, which was large—about four inches thick and arm-length tall.
"Sort of," Katherine replied, turning back to her work. "But you'll need mana-gathering techniques to become one. Everything you need to know is written in there, so read it yourself. Come back tonight to give another massage."
"I'll be here my lady," Cassian said with a bow before leaving her chamber. Finding no one else outside, he hurried to his room, eager to dive into the book about mana. He had heard a lot about it but had never been given a clear explanation. Master Russell had kept him in the dark, likely to prevent him from getting into trouble with incomplete knowledge.
Now, with the chance to gain proper insight into mana, Cassian couldn't wait. As soon as he entered his room, he wasted no time and eagerly opened the book to explore its contents.
The initial pages of the book introduced Cassian to the concept of mana. As he read aloud, he came across a passage that explained, "Mana is the fundamental force of the world, an energy that flows freely through the universe.
It permeates all living things, from the smallest plants to the most complex humans, and even entities made entirely of mana." Though the explanation was dense, Cassian was determined to understand, so he pressed on.
The text continued, "Throughout history, mana has been known by many names. Some cultures refer to it as ether, while others call it qi. In certain traditions, it is even considered a divine blessing." The book went on to describe the various forms mana can take. "Mana is not a single entity but comes in different forms.
The most common form is mana particles, which are scattered throughout the environment. However, some places may lack these particles, making them scarce. Another notable form is mana crystals, which form in locations where mana particles are densely concentrated. In addition to these, there are rarer types of mana, such as pure mana and mana cores.
Mana cores are typically found within mana beasts, which are creatures imbued with mana. Pure mana, on the other hand, is incredibly elusive and difficult to acquire."
The more Cassian delved into the text, the more he felt a blend of awe and curiosity. "Before we go further," he read, "there's another crucial aspect of mana to understand. Mana is incredibly sensitive and responsive to other forces, effortlessly connecting with them. This brings us to another topic: the different types of mana.
It's important to remember that mana types and mana forms are distinct concepts..."