Chapter 4: The Baptism Ceremony
The warm candlelight and gentle murmurs of the nearby priestess could not soften the rough stone floor biting into her knees, and Hinata shifted uncomfortably before settling her now seven year old body into the praying position. She glanced around to make sure nobody noticed, then turned her attention back to the ornate baptismal altar, repeating the required prayers in a dutiful monotone. She felt the presence of the gathered priestesses as they hovered in a circle, watching like curious spectres. Her hands, tiny and fragile as a bird's, clutched a glowing citizen card that seemed too big for her. In the dim room, shadows danced like gossiping courtiers, keeping pace with her flickering thoughts. She had spent so many years rigorously training her abilities, preparing for this moment. Concealing her true skills would ensure that nobody noticed how exceptional she really was. At least, that was the plan. Show status.
[Hinata Hikari (Human, Female, Age: 7)]
Health: 100/100; Mana: 91/100; Stamina: 99/100;
Condition: Normal;
{C} Vitality: 100; {C} Strength: 100; {C} Agility: 100; {C} Intellect: 100; {C} Wisdom: 100; {C} Charisma: 17; {C} Luck: 1;
Titles: Daughter of Akari Hikari, Daughter of Naomi Hikari, {C} Reincarnator;
Affinities: {C} Fire (Flame [Lv. 6], Fireball [Lv. 4], Fire Arrow [Lv. 5], Explosion [Lv. 2]), {C} Water (Water Ball [Lv. 6], Water Wall [Lv. 3], Freeze [Lv. 7], Ice Arrow [Lv. 5]), {C} Wind (Wind Blade [Lv. 5], Vortex Blast [Lv. 3], Lightning Arrow [Lv. 5], Chain Lightning [Lv. 3]), {C} Earth (Pitfall [Lv. 8], Earthen Wall [Lv. 9], Earthen Spears [Lv. 4]), {C} Light (Light Orb [Lv. 9], Laser [Lv. 9], Purification [Lv. MAX], Judgement [Lv. 2]), {C} Shadow (Hide [Lv. MAX], Shadow Needle [Lv. 4], Phase Shift [Lv. 6], Curse [Lv. 2]), {C} Healing (Heal [Lv. 6], High Heal [Lv. 2], Cure [Lv. 7], Regeneration [Lv. 4]), {C} Null (Telekinesis [Lv. MAX], Barrier [Lv. 7], Physical Strengthening [Lv. 7], Gravity Manipulation [Lv. 1]);
Skills: {C} Appraisal [Lv. 8], {C} Item Box [Lv. 4], {C} Universal Language Comprehension [Lv. MAX], {C} Rapid Recovery [Lv. 6], {C} Alchemy [Lv. 3], {C} Stealth [Lv. 7], {C} Magic Control [Lv. 5], {C} Magic Detection [Lv. 6], Swordsmanship [Lv. 7];
It is at least a little ridiculous, Hinata thought to herself. Charisma has been a very challenging attribute to increase, and I still have not figured out how to increase my luck attribute.
Looking around the room, with its ancient stone walls, the church seemed as old as time itself. Every so often, a draft snuffed out a candle, and the priestesses would scamper to relight it, their shuffling footsteps echoing like whispers. Hinata could not help but smirk at their obvious interest as they lingered in the chapel, even as she resumed her solemn prayer pose. Her eyes wandered to the glowing card again. It was the size of a cell phone from her previous life and seemed large when compared to her tiny hands, its pulsating light like a heartbeat against her fingers. The ceremony felt grand and ominous, far too important for someone who wanted to remain unnoticed.
The citizen card was more than just a formality. It was the key to her new life in this world, the ticket to everything she had planned. Her excitement was tempered by a twinge of fear. What if they noticed something odd? What if her plan did not work? What if I fail to escape? She had thought through every possibility, but the uncertainty gnawed at her. The priestesses continued to murmur, a low, soothing chant that blended with the flicker of flames. It was almost enough to lull her into a trance, if not for the anxiety that simmered beneath her calm exterior.
Hinata had spent seven long years preparing for this day. Her magical training was meticulous and secretive. Most kids would be barely learning to read at her age, and here she was, a seasoned practitioner with more skills than many full-grown mages. That was the problem, though, was it not? Too much too soon. She was careful, very careful, to hide most of it. She could not risk drawing too much attention or inciting suspicion that would prevent her eventual escape. That meant keeping her impressive status under wraps, at least until she was strong enough to deal with the consequences. She tucked away her thoughts, focusing instead on the ceremony, determined to make it go off without a hitch.
Her lips moved automatically, reciting the age-old prayers without really hearing them. Her mind wandered again to her skills, an inventory of hidden potential she had so meticulously crafted. Fire, water, earth, air, light, shadow, null—all elemental affinities, not to mention the skill of alchemy, considered trash in this world but was powerful for those with the right knowledge. Her talents were unheard of based on Hinata’s research, exceptional in ways she hardly dared to acknowledge in her day-to-day life. And that was exactly why she had to keep them secret. She needed time, needed to grow stronger without interference. Most importantly, she needed to be free.
What would she show, then? A touch of magic, a hint of physical prowess, just enough to avoid suspicion but not enough to draw overt interest. Her plan was set, clear as a summer sky, or so she thought. The irony of her overthinking amused her. Here she was, plotting like a conspirator, while the real trick was to act as normal as possible. Act her age. Hinata almost chuckled at the thought. It was a challenge, playing the part of an ordinary seven-year-old, but she'd rehearsed it well enough. The thought of being treated like a regular kid, free from scrutiny, made her smile with mischievous satisfaction.
The ceremony seemed to stretch on forever, each moment a slow eternity of ritual and reverence. Hinata's resolve stayed firm. She would make this work. She knew she could. Her skills, hidden like precious gems beneath a pile of common rocks, would stay that way until she chose to reveal them. A touch of mana, a flash of swordsmanship—that's all they would see. All they'd ever know until she decided otherwise. Her mind raced with excitement at the prospects. She imagined the freedom she'd have, the ability to move and act without constraint. That was the real prize.
The citizen card glowed warmly, reflecting the sincerity of her prayers and the depth of her conviction. In that dimly lit room, surrounded by watching eyes, Hinata was alone with her thoughts and her hopes. She felt the certainty of her path, even as she overlooked the one small detail that would soon come to light: her unusually high health, mana, and stamina values, left untouched in her eagerness to hide everything else. For now, she remained blissfully unaware, her focus sharp and unwavering. The irony of the situation, lurking just beyond her notice, was almost palpable. Her intentions were clear, her plans laid out like a master strategist, even if her execution left a little to be desired. As her status card dimmed, it showed her public information.
[Hinata Hikari (Human, Female, Age: 7)]
Health: 100/100; Mana: 91/100; Stamina: 99/100;
Condition: Normal;
Titles: Daughter of Akari Hikari, Daughter of Naomi Hikari;
Affinities: N/A;
Skills: Swordsmanship [Lv. 7];
With a sigh, she steeled herself to be escorted from the chapel as the final prayer fell from her lips like the practiced notes of a familiar tune, and she waited for the conclusion, confident that she'd outsmarted them all. At least for now. Until a bright white light consumed everything.
At first, she thought it was a mistake. Maybe someone had let too much light in, or she had accidentally discovered another skill, because one moment, the altar's stone was still jabbing her knees, and the next, everything was bright white, as if the sun itself had joined the ceremony. She squinted and wondered if the draft had finally extinguished all the candles. But no—this was something else. She was standing, floating? It felt like both and neither at once. The space was blank and infinite, and then, as if a great cosmic door had swung open, there they were, all around her, in front of her, and somehow inside her mind at the same time. Gods.
They materialized like impossibly detailed thoughts, each distinct yet somehow all the same: towering figures with eyes that saw too much, shifting robes that defied logic, presences that crackled with impossible power. Hinata blinked and tried to understand what was happening. She half expected to wake up and find she had fallen asleep at the altar, drooling on her citizen card, but this was no dream. It was real. The strangest reality she could imagine, but real all the same.
Her small voice felt swallowed by the vastness. "Um, hello?" she ventured, trying not to sound as awestruck as she felt. The figures around her seemed to pulse with a light of their own, and she had the strange sensation that they were looking at her, looking through her, like she was the curious specimen under their divine microscope. Time felt like it had stretched, like an eternity had passed in an instant, and in that timeless moment, the gods spoke.
"We are the gods of Zirstrak," Lysander said, voice resonating like an infinite choir. "You may know us as the administrators of this world."
The others nodded, a united sea of unfathomable power and wisdom in a sea of white.
"I am Athena, Goddess of Research and Magic," said a tall, elegant figure whose robes writhed with arcane formulae.
"Bellona," announced another, shifting in battle-ready armor. "I guide you in the art of war."
Others introduced themselves in quick succession: Demeter, Mercurius, names that felt both foreign and familiar.
Hinata's head spun as she tried to remember everything at once. It was all so much, so fast, and the space around her seemed to swirl with their declarations. Her curiosity, insatiable and uncontainable, surged forward even as her knees went weak with awe.
"So this is what happens at a baptism," she thought, wondering if anyone would believe her.
“Uh, no this is not what typically happens,” Athena commented. “We summoned you here since you are a cursed reincarnator.”
“Cursed?” Hinata thought.
The air vibrated as Lysander stepped forward. It was somehow even more encompassing than the others, a being who seemed to fill every corner of the infinite space.
"I am the primary administrator," Lysander announced. "You may know me as the creator god or the god of life."
His eyes—planets, galaxies, universes—focused on her with an intensity that should have left her a smoldering heap, but instead filled her with a sense of mischievous wonder.
"We are surprised at your dedication to training. Such effort from one so young." Lysander said.
Was that a hint of amusement? Hinata could not tell.
Hinata's heart pounded like it was trying to start a drum circle, and her mouth worked faster than her brain.
"I want to live freely!" she exclaimed, the words slipping out with a spark of defiance and a touch of joy. She felt something shift, an acknowledgment, a cosmic nod to her impossible ambition. The figures seemed to shimmer and pulse, and a wave of divine laughter, rich and warm, swept over her like a celestial hug. “So, working hard is the least I needed to do to secure my future!”
“You will do well, cursed one,” Lysander said.
Then the all encompassing white light was gone. Just like that. And time seemed to resume as the room snapped back into focus with all the subtlety of a dropped piano. The shadows of the altar, the muttering of the priestesses, the flicker of candles—it all crashed in on her as if nothing had happened. Had it? Hinata's mind reeled as she tried to fit the surreal experience into the small, mundane box of reality.
The priestess, oblivious to the universe-altering moment that had just transpired, stepped forward with the serene calm of someone who had done this a thousand times.
"Child," she said, voice soft and motherly, "the gods are with you. Let us proceed to the waiting room."
Her hands gently guided Hinata, helping her rise from the prayer position that felt both fresh and ancient. Everything was back to normal. Or as normal as it could be when you had just been summoned the pantheon of gods. Hinata's legs wobbled, not from the long kneel but from the heady rush of what she had seen, what she had heard. As she returned to the center of the ceremony, the echo of divine laughter still tickled her thoughts, leaving her both bewildered and strangely exhilarated.
The flickering candlelight and watchful eyes took on new significance. She felt the gaze of the gods still upon her, as if waiting to see what she would do next. I am cursed? In the wake of the encounter, the chapel room seemed almost comically small, yet brimming with an importance that now felt incredibly personal. The universe had tipped its hat to her, acknowledged her plans in ways she could not quite fathom.
She clutched the citizen card with renewed determination, ready to finish the ritual with more questions than answers, more certainty than ever. The path ahead glowed brightly, and she smiled a secret smile, knowing the gods were probably watching and maybe even whispering to one another, "Did you see what she did there?"
As the priestess led her to the next room, the world felt vast and full of promise.
In the waiting room, the atmosphere was thick with tension, so thick you could spread it on toast. Hinata's parents were on her the moment she walked in, two imposing figures that loomed like particularly disappointed thunderclouds. They hovered close, examining the citizen card in her hands with such intensity that it might have burst into flames if not already glowing.
[Hinata Hikari (Human, Female, Age: 7)]
Health: 100/100; Mana: 91/100; Stamina: 99/100;
Condition: Normal;
Titles: Daughter of Akari Hikari, Daughter of Naomi Hikari;
Affinities: N/A;
Skills: Swordsmanship [Lv. 7];
Her mother leaned in, her eyes darting over the numbers like a hawk spotting its prey. The father stood just behind, arms folded and face set in an expression that suggested this was not how he had expected the day to go. It was clear from their knitted brows and furrowed lips that something had thrown them off balance. Likely the fact that none of her attributes were displayed, indicating that she had concealed them already.
Hinata felt the weight of their scrutiny, a pressure as tangible as the stone altar had been under her knees. She tried to hold the card casually, as if it did not matter, as if their reaction was not the most interesting thing she'd seen all day—even after meeting the gods.
"So," Akira began, his voice calm but without its usual warmth, "care to explain?"
Naomi was quicker to speak, her tone a mix of worry and incredulity. "These numbers, Hinata. They're—how did this happen?"
Naomi gestured at the card as if the glowing figures were stray cats she hadn't invited into the house. Health, mana, stamina—all so high they practically screamed, "Look at me!" It was enough to draw attention, enough to raise questions. The very things Hinata had tried to avoid.
Hinata hesitated, calculating her response like she was defusing a bomb. It was not supposed to go like this. Her careful concealment of other skills had been perfect. But somehow, she had slipped. She could feel their suspicion rising like the tide, threatening to drown her in expectations. Her father, Akira, was now looking directly at her, eyes sharp and searching.
"Did you hide your skills too?" Akira asked, each word punctuated by the unspoken question: Why? Why hide your attributes? Where did you learn that you can conceal your information? The tension in the room felt like an over-wound clock, ticking away toward an inevitable confrontation. Hinata met their gaze with a defiance that belied her small stature. This was not a conversation she wanted to have, but there it was, unavoidable and looming.
"Does that matter?" Hinata said, the words deliberately vague and thoroughly unhelpful. A slow, playful smile crept onto her face, one that she hoped would lighten the mood. Or at least confuse them enough to change the subject. Akira's frown deepened, and Naomi shook her head in a mix of disbelief and frustration. It was not the response they had expected. Not from their daughter, the one they thought they knew so well.
"A secret, then?" Akira's voice held a challenge, as if daring her to keep hiding.
"Yes," Hinata said with the casual air of someone commenting on the weather. Hinata's smile widened, her resolve firm even as the room buzzed with unspoken tension. "It is a secret!"
Like a knife cutting into a wound, the gap between them felt like a chasm, a wide and growing divide between what was expected and what was real. For years, they had nurtured their daughter, thought they understood her, that she knew her place in this world, and now, within a single moment, everything seemed up in the air. Their uncertainty was palpable, almost a living thing that twisted and turned in the confined space. Naomi and Akira exchanged looks, a silent conversation laden with disbelief and something that looked very much like betrayal. They wanted answers, but Hinata was clearly not going to give them any. At least, not the ones they were looking for.
Hinata watched them with a mixture of amusement and determination. She had not meant for it to go this way, had not planned for them to realize more than they should. But now that it had happened, she was determined to stick to her secrets, to keep her true intentions hidden until she was ready.
The silence stretched, a taut and fragile string that could snap at any moment. Her parents' eyes were full of questions, questions they did not know how to ask, or maybe did not want to. In the face of her secrecy, their confusion and disappointment deepened.
For Hinata, it was both liberating and isolating. She had her plan, her freedom, her future. But now she also had the weight of their suspicion, a heavy shadow that threatened to follow her everywhere.
"I am just a kid, right?" she said finally, her tone light but with an edge of irony. "Maybe it is not as big a deal as you think. A girl has to have her secrets! Its all about how many sweets I can sneak from the kitchens after all!"
The words hung in the air, suspended between them like a precarious bridge. Her parents remained silent, caught between the shock of discovery and the ache of misunderstanding. They did not know what to do with her. Maybe they never would. Hinata turned the card in her hands, its glow a constant reminder of what she had left exposed, unconsidered. Her smile lingered, but it was tinged with something new, something almost sad.
As the room remained silent, she knew this was only the beginning.
Their conversation hung in the air like a puff of breath on a cold morning, fragile and ready to vanish at any moment. Akira and Naomi exchanged disbelieving looks, their eyes filled with the hollow ache of hopes turned sour. Clearly they could no longer trust their daughter. There it was, stark and undeniable, the gap between what was expected and what was real. It yawned before them like an endless chasm, one they had not seen until it was too late.
Their expressions were maps of shock and hurt, showing the contours of every dashed expectation. Where once had been certainty now lay confusion and doubt, and in the silent space between, they searched for something that might explain, might bridge the distance, but found only more questions.
Naomi turned to Akira, her voice barely a whisper, fragile and laden with disbelief.
"Did you know her health, mana, and stamina were so high?" Naomi asked, a tremor of desperation in her words. The unspoken answer was clear in his eyes. He shook his head, more an admission of uncertainty than denial.
"She never seemed to get tired, but I was not aware of how far it went. Not like this," Akira murmured, the words so quiet they barely made it into the world before dissolving.
The air grew cold with unspoken accusations, with the things they dared not say aloud. Betrayal. Secrets. Was this girl really their daughter? Or someone they had never truly known? They glanced at Hinata, eyes wide with a mixture of anger and sadness, unsure how to reach her or if they even could.
Hinata felt their suspicion like a heavy cloak, weighing on her small shoulders. She was used to being alone in her plans, her thoughts, but this was different. This was an isolation that pressed in on her, not from her choosing, but from theirs. Her parents, once so warm, now seemed distant and unfamiliar, strangers who spoke a language she had forgotten. Silence wrapped around them, thick and suffocating. Every second stretched and pulled until it was almost too much to bear. Hinata's playful confidence remained, a stubborn flame flickering in the cold room, but now it had a shadow of sadness trailing behind. She had not wanted this. She had wanted freedom, yes, but not like this. Not with them so far away. But she could not give in.
Hinata glanced at the citizen card, its glow the only thing still bright and alive in the dim room. Her parents had not spoken to her in what felt like hours, days, an eternity of unspoken hurt and distant looks. She wanted to break the silence, but how? What could she say that would not widen the chasm between them? Naomi turned away first, her small frame trembling as if with the weight of unshed tears.
"I thought..." Naomi's voice trailed off, leaving the thought hanging in the air, incomplete and abandoned.
Akira put a hand on Naomi's shoulder, a gesture meant to comfort but that felt empty in the face of so much uncertainty. His gaze flicked to Hinata one last time, searching for something—an explanation, an apology, a child who was not a stranger concealing things from them. All he found was silence and the fierce glint of Hinata’s resolve.
They left her without another word, the quiet echo of their footsteps the only sound to fill the space they had once filled with love and understanding. Hinata watched them go, her heart a confused tangle of triumph and loneliness. She had her secret. She had her plan. But what else had she lost along the way?
She sat alone with her thoughts, a small figure in the vastness of the room, clutching a glowing card that now seemed to flicker in time with her doubts. The tension lingered, heavy and oppressive, a constant reminder of the rift between them. But beneath it, beneath the cold and the silence, was a single, unwavering certainty: she would not change a thing. Not for anyone, not even for them.
The world felt bigger than ever, full of possibilities and the crushing weight of unfulfilled expectations. She smiled a brave, lonely smile, knowing she would have to carry it all by herself. And that, perhaps, was what she wanted most.
***
“With your baptism complete, it is time for you to begin your work as a maid to Julia while here in the mansion,” Lord Cedric declared.
"A maid?" Hinata said, her surprise cracking through the mask of dutiful calm she had spent years perfecting.
Lord Cedric Stormsong gazed down at her, his towering frame and steady eyes not leaving room for disagreement. The decision was made, final as a stroke of lightning, and the fates had conspired to make her the personal servant of Lady Julia Stormsong.
She was to be more than a mere maid. A bodyguard as well. It was an assignment heavy with trust and expectation, but Hinata could not shake the feeling that it was also a cleverly disguised prison. It meant constant scrutiny, constant company, the exact opposite of the freedom she had been chasing.
"Of course, my lord," she said, dipping her head in a gesture of submission that she did not feel. Her mind was already spinning with plans and counter-plans, ways to train without drawing attention, to be both the dutiful servant and the secret prodigy. It would be a challenge, but then, she had never been one to back away from those.
Lord Cedric nodded, satisfied.
"You will begin immediately," Cedric declared, his words as solid and unyielding as the fortress he commanded. He moved with the assurance of someone whose plans never went astray, leaving Hinata alone with her thoughts and a future that seemed to have a will of its own. The grandeur of the Stormsong manor loomed around her, a labyrinth of status and expectation. She had grown up within its walls, but now they felt closer, more confining. Her parents' distance still stung, an ache that was dull but persistent, like an old wound that refused to heal. This new role, this new life—it was a lot to take in. Before she could dwell on it, a flash of orange hair and boundless enthusiasm tackled her.
"Hinata! My dearest Hinata!" Julia Stormsong squealed, her eyes sparkling with unrestrained joy. "We're going to have so much fun! I knew Father would finally see reason! Now we can be together, always!"
The excitement was infectious, like a sugar rush that went straight to Hinata's head, but it was also overwhelming. She struggled to keep up with the whirlwind that was Julia, whose determination matched Hinata's own but aimed in a completely different direction.
"You will be my maid, my little sister, my everything!" Julia proclaimed, clapping her hands together in delight. "It is wonderful!"
Hinata forced a smile, doing her best to match Julia's fervor without collapsing under it.
"I am glad you are happy, my lady," Hinata said, using the formal address out of habit and perhaps as a way to keep some distance. "I shall serve you to the best of my ability."
Julia pouted playfully. "It's Julia, Hinata. Always Julia."
Julia’s tone left no room for argument, and Hinata nodded, resigned to her fate as both a servant and a treasured companion. The days that followed were a blur of duties and drills, Julia's exuberance leaving little room for anything else. But Hinata was determined. She would not let this new life derail her plans. Even as she tended to Julia's whims, she found ways to train. Secret practice sessions, late at night or in hidden corners, where no one would catch her casting spells or honing her skills.
It was exhausting work, living a double life under the ever-watchful eye of the Stormsong household, but Hinata thrived on the challenge. If nothing else, it trained her stealth skill and distracted her from the growing distance with her parents, who seemed content to let her find her own way, alone and unmoored.
Julia's presence was both a comfort and a complication. The young noblewoman was fierce in her devotion, a constant reminder that someone still cared deeply for her. But that same devotion threatened to unravel Hinata's carefully laid plans. Every time she thought she had a moment to herself, Julia would appear, bubbling over with ideas and demands and unconditional affection.
Despite the difficulties, Hinata found herself strangely attached to her new role. Serving Julia was both a burden and a joy, a responsibility that tied her down but also gave her purpose. She learned to navigate the complexities of her new life with grace and a hint of rebellion, never letting go of the dream that had brought her to this world in the first place.
"Are you ready for another day of adventure, Hinata?" Julia called, her voice echoing through the halls with bright determination.
Hinata smiled, a genuine smile that felt lighter than the ones she had worn before.
"Always," Hinata replied, her heart steady with resolve. No matter how closely she was watched, she would find a way. She would be both maid and mage, both sister and shadow. It was not what she had planned, but it was hers for now, and that was enough.
***
Hinata was not always at Julia’s side. There were plenty of training exercises that Lord Cedric did not want his daughter to see, and these were often conducted by Akira and Naomi without Julia present. This was one of those sessions, with the hissing smoke filling her nose, and a dagger lodged in the wall next to her.
"Too slow!" Akira barked, his voice carrying the authority of a thousand military drills. "Again!"
Akira had not wanted to train her, not at first. The feelings of betrayal from her concealed status were still present on his heart. But here they were, going through the rigorous motions that marked her new role as bodyguard, as warrior.
The training ground was an open space at the edge of the Stormsong estate, where the wind swept down from the mountains, carrying the crisp scent of pine and the sharp tang of challenge. Hinata stood in the center, surrounded by the detritus of her father's meticulous lessons: practice weapons, empty flasks, smoke pellets that sputtered and hissed on the cold ground.
"Scouting," Akira said, circling her like a hawk with an eye on its prey. "How do you spot a threat?"
He launched another attack, quick and precise, testing her reactions. Hinata moved, her body responding faster than her thoughts.
"Look for the unexpected!" she called, ducking a second dagger that whizzed past her ear. She spun to face him, determination etched into every line of her small form.
Akira did not pause, did not let up. "And prevent it?"
"By never letting my guard down!" Hinata snatched a knife from the air, a flicker of pride in her eyes as she met his gaze. It was hard, brutal work, but she loved it. The challenge. The discipline. The feeling that every muscle, every synapse was alive and focused.
Her father was a hard taskmaster, pushing her to the edge and then beyond. She knew he had his doubts, knew he worried about what her abilities might mean, but he didn't hold back. If she wanted to be a bodyguard, he would train her like one.
"Poisons," Akira said, tossing her a small vial that she caught and examined. "What do you do?"
Hinata sniffed the contents, cautious and calculating.
"Detect them before they reach my target." Hinata’s voice was steady, confident. "And use them if I must."
Akira watched her with eyes that saw too much, that questioned even as they instructed.
"Is that what you want?" Akira asked, throwing another test, another challenge. It wasn't just about skills; it was about understanding. About knowing how far she was willing to go.
Hinata didn't hesitate.
"Yes," Hinata replied, firm and unyielding. "I want it all."
Her words hung in the air, a declaration of intent and ambition.
He nodded, the slightest movement, a gesture that spoke of both acceptance and concern.
"Then prove it," Akira said, launching into another round of relentless drills.
She moved with growing confidence, weaving through his attacks with a fluid grace that belied her young age. Her training had begun with secrecy, in stolen moments and hidden corners. Now it was out in the open, exposed and raw, a testament to the determination that drove her. Despite being unable to level, with her attributes nearly all maxed out she could fight as an equal to many adventurers. Leveling up typically granted between three and five forced attribute points. That meant that if an adventurer had neglected their training but had reached level fifty, they still might not have as high of attributes as Hinata did.
Akira watched with a mixture of pride and unease. He'd thought he knew her, thought he understood what she was capable of. But she continued to surprise him, to challenge his expectations with every breath she took, every skill she mastered. He was proud of her, yes, but he was also afraid. Afraid of what she might become, and what it meant for their fractured family.
Hinata quietly used her appraisal skill on Akira, curious as to his level.
[Akira Hikari [Lv. 62] (Human, Male, Age: 38)]
Health: 803/820; Mana: 330/330; Stamina: 220/400;
Condition: Normal;
Titles: Father of Hinata Hikari, Head Butler of the Stormsong House, Former B-Rank Adventurer, Slave of Cedric Stormsong;
Moderately strong then, Hinata thought to herself. And, as expected. He is a slave to Lord Cedric. The expectation of a child of a slave is for the parent to offer the child to their master once the child reaches ten years old. I have no choice but to escape from them.
They paused for breath, the air sharp with exertion and the distant scent of winter. Hinata met his gaze, her eyes full of unspoken requests.
"What is it? If you are keeping pace with our training I do not mind adding more to it." Akira asked, knowing there was more, there always was with her.
Hinata’s answer came swift and sure.
"I want to learn how to use whips in battle," Hinata said. "And techniques for intelligence gathering."
Akira raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by the directness of her demands.
"Whips?" Akira repeated, a hint of incredulity in his voice. "Why?"
"To fight and capture my opponents," Hinata said, her voice tinged with impatience. "I need to know everything and that begins with capturing my enemies, then how to gather information, how to use it. I need to be the best there ever was and ever will be."
The sincerity and ambition in her words left him momentarily speechless. She was relentless, unstoppable, a force of nature wrapped in the guise of a young girl. He could refuse her nothing, not when she looked at him like that, not when he saw so much of himself in her.
"Very well," Akira said, resignation mingling with pride. "We will start tomorrow."
Hinata's smile was small but genuine, a brief flash of warmth in the chill of their relationship. She knew he did not approve of everything she was doing, knew he struggled with the choices she made, but he was still there. He had not abandoned her.
They resumed training, the day's light beginning to fade but neither willing to stop. Hinata felt her father's gaze on her, felt the weight of his expectations and the shadow of his doubts. It did not matter. She would show him. Show them all.
The tension between them mirrored the tension of the drills, sharp and unrelenting, but with an understanding that ran deep. They were connected in ways neither could quite explain, both determined to see it through to the end.
The session finally ended, leaving them breathless and tired but full of something that felt like hope. Hinata's resolve was as fierce as ever, burning bright in the gathering dusk. She would be more than just a servant, more than just a child with a secret. She would be everything she had set out to be.
And her father, for all his doubts, would help her get there.
***
It was a typical day of training with Hinata’s mother, Naomi. Naomi's smile was as warm as fresh-baked bread, but it could not mask the sharpness of her lessons.
"Posture, Hinata," Naomi gently corrected, adjusting Hinata's form with the care of a jeweler polishing a rare gem. "A young lady worthy serving of this house must stand with grace, even when she is busy throwing knives."
They were in a bright room filled with sunlight and the scent of lavender. The contrast between Naomi's nurturing presence and the precision of her teaching was as striking as the contrast between the delicate lace doilies and the array of weapons that lay incongruously on the same table. This was the Stormsong household, after all, where manners were as important as martial skills.
"Balance is everything," Naomi continued, guiding Hinata through the intricate dance of etiquette. Her voice was soft, almost musical, but the commands within it were as firm as steel. Hinata responded with careful movements, her young frame adjusting to the demands of the lessons with both elegance and determination. The switch from posture to combat was seamless, as if throwing knives was just another part of being a well-rounded lady.
"Like this, Mother?" Hinata asked, her tone respectful but with a hint of playful challenge.
Naomi nodded, her expression one of gentle approval. "Exactly like that, dear. Now, again."
Her encouragement was constant, a soothing river that ran through all their interactions. But beneath the warmth, there was an unspoken undercurrent. A tension that never quite left them, a shadow of past misunderstandings and current hopes. Hinata quietly used her appraisal skill on her mother, curious how she compared to her father.
[Naomi Hikari [Lv. 59] (Human, Feale, Age: 35)]
Health: 400/400; Mana: 870/870; Stamina: 130/200;
Condition: Normal;
Titles: Mother of Hinata Hikari, Head Maid of the Stormsong House, Former C-Rank Adventurer, Slave of Cedric Stormsong;
Slightly lower level than father, Hinata thought to herself. But younger and with a lot more mana.
Hinata took to the training with her usual fervor, wanting to master everything put before her. She threw herself into the lessons with the same passion she had shown with Akira, though the atmosphere was completely different. Here, she was not just proving her strength; she was proving she could be the daughter they expected. It was as much a challenge as any other, and she relished it.
The next session hosted by her mother was to cooking, a task that seemed mundane compared to the high stakes of combat but was no less demanding in Naomi's meticulous hands.
"Measure carefully," she instructed, guiding Hinata through the complexities of recipes and ratios. "Precision is the difference between success and disaster. As a maid, you are always dancing on the knifes’ edge of disaster."
Hinata followed with keen interest, her mind a whirl of ingredients and techniques. Her life had become a series of lessons, each one as crucial as the next. Whether on the battlefield or in the kitchen, she was determined to excel. The unresolved tension between them lingered, a ghost of Hinata's playful secrecy and Naomi's perceived betrayal. But with every passing day, the bond between them strengthened, a gradual mending that was as slow and deliberate as Naomi's careful stitching.
Hinata watched her mother's face as they worked, searching for signs of the disappointment she had seen before. But Naomi's expression was serene, content. It gave Hinata hope, a fragile thing that she held close to her heart.
"Mother," she said, her voice full of unspoken promises, "I want to learn more. Will you teach me to dual wield? And to dance?"
The request caught Naomi by surprise, a slight widening of her eyes the only sign of her inner thoughts. But she recovered quickly, a tender smile blooming across her face.
"Of course," Naomi said, her tone a mixture of pride and melancholy. "Anything for my daughter."
The words were simple, but they carried a weight that pressed gently on Hinata's heart. It was more than a promise to teach; it was a promise to understand, to accept. A promise that things could be as they once were, or perhaps better, if only Hinata would give up her secrets.
The lessons continued, a mix of domesticity and discipline, tradition and rebellion. Naomi guided Hinata through each one with unwavering patience, a rock in the turbulent sea of Hinata's ambition.
And Hinata flourished under her care. She took on every challenge with the same relentless drive that marked everything she did, pushing herself to be the best, to be worthy of her mother's renewed trust. Hinata practiced her new skills, her movements graceful and assured. Naomi watched with eyes full of complex emotions, her support as constant and gentle as the lessons she imparted. Together, they wove a new understanding, one that encompassed both their hopes and their fears, both the past and the future. It was fragile and strong, an impossible balance that they managed to hold.
***
Every other day, Lord Cedric would train Hinata and Julia without fail. He needed Julia to be able to do the bare minimum as a female adventurer and as the Lady who would inherit his domain. Their swords clashed with a sound that rang through the training yard like a relentless chorus of steel. Lord Cedric watched the two girls with a critical eye, his posture as commanding as the mountain under which his house was built.
"Again!" Cedric ordered, the single word filled with expectation and unyielding confidence.
The training yard was a testament to the discipline and rigor that marked everything Lord Cedric touched. Weapons lined the walls with military precision, and practice dummies stood like silent sentinels in the crisp morning air. Hinata and Julia moved in a fluid dance of attack and defense, their swords gleaming in the pale light. Cedric's gaze never left them, measuring every swing, every parry. His presence was like a gravitational force, pulling them into a perfect orbit of skill and precision.
"Faster, Julia!" Cedric called, his voice a mix of challenge and encouragement. "Think of the sword as an extension of yourself. Right here, right now, Hinata is an enemy you must defeat!"
Julia's determination was fierce and unyielding. She threw herself into the practice with all the passion she was known for, her strikes wild and powerful, her enthusiasm boundless.
"Yes, Father!" Julia shouted, adjusting her stance with a youthful exuberance that defied the formality of the training.
Hinata was more measured, more calculated. Her movements were deliberate and efficient, a testament to both her natural talent and her relentless drive to excel. She met Julia's attacks with cool precision, her eyes never leaving the target, her focus unshakeable.
"Good, Hinata," Cedric said, his tone approving but demanding. "Now, change positions!"
Cedric knew what Hinata was capable of, saw the vast potential in her that matched her ambition. It was why he pushed her so hard, why he entrusted her with responsibilities beyond her years. The session continued, an unending cycle of effort and expectation. Cedric moved among them like a general on the battlefield, correcting forms, adjusting grips, instilling discipline. His training was as much about the mind as the body, and he never missed an opportunity to teach both.
"Battle is more than strength," Cedric said, watching them spar with unrelenting intensity. "It is strategy. Tactics. Knowing your opponent."
His eyes flicked to Hinata, and she caught the subtle hint in his gaze. She understood immediately, nodding with determination.
"Like a negotiation between nobles," Hinata said, her voice steady despite the exertion.
Cedric's approval was a silent nod, a quick flicker of something like pride in his commanding eyes. He saw the way she absorbed everything, the way her mind worked in perfect sync with her body. It was a rare gift, one he intended to hone to its fullest to serve his daughter.
Julia, never one to be outdone, grinned with competitive fire. "Or a game of chance?" she quipped, lunging forward with renewed vigor.
Hinata deflected, laughing despite herself. "I never gamble," she replied, though she knew Julia was the ultimate wager. The dynamic between them was complex and evolving, a mix of rivalry and camaraderie that grew with each passing day. How much will my betrayal hurt her?
Lord Cedric added new layers to Hinata's training every session, focusing on aspects that extended beyond swordplay. Camp preparation, monster tactics, strategies that required more than mere strength—they were challenges that she welcomed, challenges that set her apart from Julia’s basic training.
"You will learn to lead a party and protect my daughter," Cedric told Hinata, the words both a command and a promise. He saw in her a kindred spirit, a strategist in the making, someone who could match his vision and extend it beyond what he ever imagined. Curious as to his status, Hinata used her appraisal skill.
[Cedric Stormsong [Lv. 72] (Human, Male, Age: 42)]
Health: 1250/1250; Mana: 50/50; Stamina: 220/300;
Condition: Normal;
Titles: Father of Julia Stormsong, Husband of Zala Stormsong (Deceased), Former B-Rank Adventurer, Slave Master, Lord of Stormsong, Viscount of the Kingdom of Lumaria;
Must have been the party vanguard, Hinata thought to herself. I wonder if my parents were his slaves when he started adventuring or if he enslaved them later on?
"Teach me everything," Hinata said with a smile, concealing her thoughts and filling her voice with ambition and resolve.
The days in the training yard were grueling, but they were also rewarding. Hinata and Julia supported each other through the intense regimen, their bond growing stronger with each new skill, each new bruise. Where Julia was passionate, Hinata was calm. Where Julia was frustrated and wild, Hinata was calculating and controlled. Together, they formed a balanced team that neither could achieve alone. Hinata would ensure Julia’s safety, and Julia would be the teams’ precious mood maker.
Cedric watched the transformation with a satisfaction that was both personal and strategic. He knew the value of what he was creating, knew that both girls would play pivotal roles in the grand design he envisioned. The clock was ticking towards Hinata’s tenth birthday, when everything could start. The clash of swords rang loudly and echoed through the courtyard. Hinata stood with sweat on her brow and determination in her heart, ready for whatever came next. Under Cedric's mentorship, she saw the path unfolding before her, a path that led to mastery, but not to freedom. To achieve everything she had ever wanted, Hinata would need to tread with care, even as she accomplished the goals that were set before her. Her future path was clear to her, bright and beautiful, and she would not let it slip away.
***
After training, Julia draped herself across Hinata's lap with all the regal entitlement of a pampered cat, her orange eyes wide and expectant. "Brush my hair?" she asked, her voice dripping with playful demand. It wasn't a request. It never was, not from Julia. Hinata took the brush with the dutiful precision of a maid but with the warmth of someone who knew Julia's whims all too well.
"Of course, my lady," she said, starting to smooth the luxurious orange waves. Each stroke was a practiced art, the rhythm familiar and soothing.
"Your hands are like magic," Julia sighed, stretching like a queen enjoying her royal treatment. Her presence filled the room, as bright and overwhelming as sunlight in summer. She had a way of taking up all the space, all the air in an area, leaving nothing untouched by her charisma.
Hinata kept her movements steady, her touch gentle. She knew how to manage Julia's moods, how to be both close and distant, a friend and a servant. It was a careful balance, one she had learned through trial and error, through the unexpected twists of their lives. Hinata kept a steady flow of telekinesis magic going, separating tangles before the brush could catch them. A careful application of purification magic, imbued through the bristles of the brush, cleansed Julia’s hair and made it sparkle with a gemstone-like lustre.
"Do not stop," Julia purred, eyes half-closed in delight. "It has been far too long since you pampered me properly."
Hinata smiled, a small, knowing smile. "We trained together all day, my lady," she replied, injecting a note of respectful teasing into her voice. "I hardly think you are neglected."
Julia huffed, an exaggerated pout forming on her lips. "I want you all to myself, Hinata. You know that. When we train, my father bosses both of us around, so it does not count!"
The words were both playful and serious, a reflection of Julia's unique way of viewing the world. Everything was a declaration with her, an unfiltered expression of what she wanted, what she felt. Hinata admired that about her, even as she struggled to keep up. The banter flowed like water, a constant stream of affection and subtle challenge. Julia's demands were endless but never heavy. Hinata met each one with the precision of an artist and the distance of a maid who understood her place but refused to be defined by it.
"More brushing, less talking," Julia commanded, wriggling on Hinata’s lap to emphasize her point. Her hair shimmered like molten gold under Hinata's careful touch, each strand falling perfectly into place. Hinata complied with mock solemnity, but her eyes held a spark of amusement. It was easy to be swept up in Julia's world, in her exuberance and unashamed attachment. But Hinata knew she had to maintain some distance, had to be more than just what Julia wanted her to be.
Her thoughts drifted as she worked, a silent undercurrent beneath the playful surface. Was this enough? Could she be both the friend and the bodyguard, the sister and the servant? How long can I keep up this facade? The questions were as constant as Julia's requests, as insistent as the orange-haired whirlwind herself.
Julia's possessiveness was a comforting weight, one that Hinata bore with more love than she liked to admit. But it was also a reminder of how different they were, how far Hinata still had to go to achieve her dreams, her independence. A comfort truly out of reach. She balanced those dreams with the expectations placed on her, a juggling act that left her both invigorated and exhausted.
"Stay with me tonight," Julia said, a soft urgency in her voice. "I want to hear all about your training. You always have the best stories, Hinata."
Hinata hesitated, just for a fraction of a second, before responding with gentle warmth. "Of course, my lady. Anything for you."
She knew it was not just the stories Julia wanted. It was the closeness, the certainty that Hinata was hers and no one else's. Julia nestled contentedly against Hinata, their bond a vivid tapestry of affection, ambition, and the unspoken challenges that lay between them. It was a relationship as complex and beautiful as the world they inhabited, and Hinata would not have it any other way. She knew that one day soon, she would shatter this bond, possibly beyond repair.
