Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening/Night(whichever one it is in your part of the world),
Hi! I'm here to leave a quick review!!
First Impression: Okay...so we take a bit of a different path in this chapter to see Ilami's mother and it appears we're going to be getting an answer the slight touch of mystery introduced in the previous one about Gael's past. This is starting out pretty interesting here.
Anyway let's get right to it,
Ilami went through the hallway by herself. Ilami wanted to meet Gael yesterday when her Combat class ended early, but she knew he was given the pass to rest at his dorm. She thought giving him more comfort would rejuvenate him more for her lesson. Aleveri had only gave her a non-committal ‘okay’ when Ilami told her Ilami wanted to meet Gael. Ilami could sense the still-flaming rivalry Aleveri had with him, but she was assured with the fact that it was a healthy competition. She didn’t mind meeting him alone; her reputation as the one who stood up against Baris served as a reminder to those who wanted to hurt her.
Almost like a summary of sorts there to start off I see. We're sort of seeing this part connect to the grand scheme of things in the previous part...and well, it appears that maybe Ilami is going to know meet Gael for the first time since he has managed to fully heal from his injuries.
As she reached the stair leading down to the first floor of the castle, she caught a glimpse of a bright red hair at the corner of her eye. As she turned to her left, she saw Felaris rushing toward her and wearing a frown.
By Xesar’s fire, Ilami thought, irritation seeping into her. I don’t have time to deal with her. Not to mention, Felaris wasn’t alone; at her sides were a blond boy and a girl with a ponytail whom Ilami had come to know as Veris and Seya. Veris she didn’t mind - that boy wasn’t suited to be a fighter despite taking the classes for one. From her experience, it was Felaris’s raw strength and Seya’s agility that would prove to be a problem. Wait. Did I just think I would have a fight with them? In the castle, that might not happen. But anything could happen when it was about Felaris.
Okay..well here goes a potential first confrontation about the issue here...although this seems bit early and a little rash for Felaris to do. Maybe this isn't quite meant to be a fight, but rather a random conversation, well, I suppose we will see soon enough, but hmm, at least Ilami seems to think that a fight is going to break out.
A tall figure wearing a deep purple robe dominated her view. She looked up and let out a sigh of relief. Jaxin stared at Felaris and her group before he turned to her, his eyebrows raised. His presence stopped them from approaching her.
‘Have you made troubles already, Young Mistress? Are those your opponents I see?’
Ilami pulled up her face. Jaxin could annoy her on purpose if he wanted to. ‘I don’t know and I don’t care. Thank the gods you’re here.’ She paused. ‘Why are you here?’
Oooh, saved by our man Jaxin there, well I did not see that coming at all, but well, it really is nice to see him, although I do have to wonder what possessed him to appear in the castle at this moment. Its some rather convenient timing.
‘I’m supposed to take care of the house,’ he said, motioning to Ilami to follow him. Instead of going down the stairs, they went up. Felaris and her gang continued to stare at Ilami before they went out of view. ‘However, Her Ladyship had summoned me to assist her here, and while I’m here, I take her order to pick you. She wanted to meet you.’
Ilami glanced at Jaxin. He gave her a vague explanation as to why he was here, and she wondered about the exact assistance her mother required of him. There was no point in pestering him if he didn’t want to tell her though.’ Why would Mother want to meet me?’
Okay...well, that's reason that maybe I can believe. I don't think Jaxin would lie about something like that, so perhaps Ilami just got a lucky break here from having to fight Felaris and the rest of them there. At any rate, this should perhaps be an interesting meeting between the two here.
'Should there be a reason for a mother to meet her daughter?’ Jaxin asked. ‘She told me about the test you are going to have next week and wanted to give you some advice about it. She clearly wants you to pass.’
‘Of course she does. That’s what people expect of her daughter.’
Jaxin sighed as the arrived at the third floor. ‘Her Ladyship might not seem to be genuine, Young Mistress, but I have served her long enough to know there is a strong maternal instinct in her. You just have to believe it.’
This is a very interesting little conversation. Of course its impossible for us to judge her mother's motives without seeing the actual conversation take place, but this is a really fun exchange. We see how Ilami believes in her mother not being the most caring of people and doesn't think she's check on her just as a mother, but Jaxin tries to tell her that despite what she puts Ilami through, she is still very much a mother.
She wanted to believe Jaxin. She wanted to believe Mother cared for her because she was her daughter, not because Ilami was destined to surpass her. She wanted to believe all Mother had done was for her own sake instead of Mother’s. But how? Mother’s actions spoke otherwise. Ilami wasn’t perceptive enough to know when Mother’s actions didn’t reflect her true feelings.
‘I’ll think about it,’ Ilami said. ‘I have something to ask her, anyway.’
Jaxin nodded. ‘That is better. You will learn to think first before you make your decision.’
Hmm, well I don't know if Jaxin is simply covering for his mistress or if he truly believes what he says, cause it looks like Ilami's own observation are going very much against his view, but arguably he should know better than Ilami having been around her mother for what I assume is a much longer time. Well, some interesting points of view being tossed about here.
Ilami shot him a flat stare. Sometimes, he acted more like her father. In fact, he was always there for her more than Father, a businessman whose occupation required constant traveling. Her brother followed Father’s trait, accompanying Father as soon as he graduated from the academy. Alyosha ignored Ilami whenever she spoke to him. She felt like they were only siblings by blood.
‘Is there something bothering you, Young Mistress?’
Hmm...well Jaxin is definitely remarkably perceptive. Also hmm...these thoughts about her brother and father, while sounding a little tangential to what's happening here cause this is all about her mother after all, do manage to give us some important sounding information especially with regards Felaris and what she believes.
I
lami rolled her eyes mentally. It was easy for Jaxin to read her expression, though she didn’t try to conceal it. It was useless, after all; as long as she was Mother’s daughter - Naturals forbid Mother abandoning her - she didn’t have to worry about his loyalty to her. Maybe it wasn’t as strong as to Mother, but enough that she knew he would sacrifice his life for her. She couldn’t imagine what his life was like, following orders of someone else as a servant.
They arrived at the office. Jaxin knocked the door.
Okay....well that's an interesting observation to make at a time like that one, but well, it is an important. Well, at any rate it looks like we're about to get into that conversation finally, so that should be pretty interesting to see.
‘Come in,’ Mother said, loud but still retaining the smooth edge of her voice.
They entered it. A huge room greeted them, the furniture there placed in a way that made the space seem wider than it was. Wooden shelves lined one side of the wall; a high table was positioned in front of them. Mother sat in her chair, wearing spectacles, a document laying in front of her. Several files piled up at the edge of the table. A small swan carving was the sole decorator of it.
‘Thank you for the assistance, Jaxin. You may go,’ she said, nodding.
Okay...I like how the scene is set here. We have a nice little description to show what sort of place this is and the mother just kind of dismisses Jaxin and is sort of entering a silent staring contest there almost, maybe trying to gather her thoughts to speak.
Jaxin bowed and left the room.
Ilami stared at Mother. Without being asked, she took the seat in front of Mother. ‘So what are the tips?’
Mother took off her spectacles. Eyes that were slight larger hazel became sharper. She smiled, sitting in a straight posture. ‘I’ve heard from Mr. Haifei you learn fast in his Combat class. You’re not only capable of using a dagger, but also of wielding a sword. While your archery skill is average, you have a knack of using your shield as a form of offense. Throwing it to the enemy so that she won’t expecting your blade strike is an unconventional fighting skill.’
Soo...okay it looks like she's starting out by just maybe reading out the report card or something there, cause that was just a bit of a mechanical deconstruction of Ilami's performance in class so far. I do wonder where this one is going, cause that doesn't look like tips of any kind.
Ilami rolled her eyes. She had heard about this from Mother days after her first training with Jaxin. Mother would praise her for feats she had performed, but nonetheless, the challenges would get harder and harder - killing the man was the last test Mother had given her, and it was definitely the most difficult. She had the impression Mother wanted to see more from her, never satisfied with each feat she had achieved.
‘What’s the point of complimenting me?’
OKay...well, she clearly seems to be questioning those "tips", although I guess we haven't really gotten to the tips quite yet. Well anyway, Ilami is going a little bit on the offensive with her mother here even though it is carefully made to appear somewhat neutral on the surface of things.
‘Knowing what you’re good at is important. You put emphasis in each attack you make, but your focus in raw strength diverts you from other aspects. Your speed is below average. While you react sufficiently, pit with several enemies, you cannot intercept all their attacks. You have to focus on agility. You tend to stick to a weapon at one time, and this can be a disadvantage. Blessed fighters don’t fight like non-blessed fighters. We strive on diversity, always changing our weapons when the one we use is analyzed by the opponents. We don’t just use our spell to enhance our sword, we also use it to attack on its own. Have you learned long-distance offensive spells?’
Okay so that actually does sound like some pretty good tips there. She definitely knows more than a thing or two about what's she's saying there and it certainly shows. I don't think Ilami can dismiss any of that information there.
Ilami bit her lip. She didn’t want to admit her lack of attention to spell-attack fighting style out loud, so she shook her head instead. She had been spending her time perfecting her mastery on blade; Mr. Haifei insisted her to do so. She could use that to justify her narrow focus, but Mother would see it as an excuse.
Mother hummed. ‘There’s still time. I wanted to ask Jaxin to teach you offensive Natural spells, but I have heard from Gael he would be teaching you. I wouldn’t trust the students to teach someone something they are learning about, but knowing Gael, he would be the perfect teacher for you.’
Well, it looks Mother knows everything, predictably...but hmm, I almost wonder if Ilami is not going to go through with that arrangement now that she knows that her mother also knows and actively wants her to do it. Her attitude so far seems to suggest that it could happen that way.
Ilami frowned. ‘How do you know that?’ She was sure she didn’t tell anyone about the deal she made with Gael.
Mother raised her eyebrows. ‘He told me himself. I visited him yesterday in his dorm. I’m glad he’s recovered from the horrendous beating he received. I would want to visit him earlier, but I had important things to do with members of the Brother Gods Church.’
Ilami could hear the hint of a sigh in Mother’s last word. What did a church want with an academy? Religious people were absurd lot for sure. She remembered what she wanted to ask to Mother and gritted her teeth. ‘Why did you let him in?’
Okay...well this all seems to suggest that while Ilami's mother is maybe not the kindest when it comes to seeing her children succeed in places, she does have a soft spot or two and is maybe just trying to do her best to run this place here. And now Ilami is popping that question we had earlier. It is a valid one at least, although I still don't really like her attitude in that direction. Its logically sound, but you know....
Mother tilted her head. ‘Pardon?’
Ilami clenched her hands. ‘Gael. Why did you let him in? He has no blessing! Even if he knows so much about Natural magic, he can’t wield it. He’s vulnerable in this academy. It’s the reason why he had to be in the ward for being beaten. Even if he can fight well, he’s still in severe disadvantage against people who can easily use spells on him!’
Wow, Ilami really doesn't seem to like that idea. Also the very casual way that this academy is just supposed to be this violent and crazy place where people will get hurt and are expected to hurt is still something I haven't fully wrapped my head around.
Mother kept her silence. Her unwavering scrutiny on Ilami unnerved Ilami. ‘He is not useless,’ she said. ‘Before the Naturals arrived, the Twin Deities were the ones who taught Estagrians magic. Blood magic is an old form of magic that only the learned are able to perform it. I’m sure given the time, Gael would be able to use it. And don’t you think his knowledge about the Natural magic gives him the advantage of anticipating what his opponents might have for him?’
Ilami shook her head. ‘That’s not enough. If there’s a difference between you and Father, you are the one who doesn’t like the risk of failure. There’s another reason why you allowed him to learn here.
Okay well Ilami clearly wants to know more there and she sees that there's something more, and if Gael's near slip earlier is any indication, there is in fact something more. This could be a defining moment of the story here.
Mother turned to the documents at the edge of the table, perhaps wanting to attend to them instead of Ilami. Then, she turned to Ilami. ‘I was the one who told his parents to continue keeping the event as a secret. I also entrust him to you. I think you have the right to know this.’
Ilami frowned. ‘Know what?’ she said.
Mother took a deep breath. ‘Once, Gael was blessed by Serra.’
Ooooh yes indeed. So there is more to Gael than what first meets the eye and know maybe instead of a random half said thing in the earlier chapter, we can actually see the full reasoning behind this whole situation.
Aaaaand that's it for this one.
Overall: Overall, I think we've got ourselves a very nice start to this chapter nine and I am looking forward to see where you end up taking this. It looks just maybe we'll learn some of Gael's history. I also loved the points you present in this piece about whether Ilami's mother actually cares for her daughter or not? It makes for an interesting conversation at any rate.
As always remember to take what you think was helpful and forget the rest.
Stay Safe
Harry
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