Aurelia entered a meditative state as easily as I did. There are many who aspire to do such a thing so easily, and her experience in combat definitely plays a role here.
But some may call it an epiphany, while others might call it enlightenment, depending on which region you hail from.
Deep down inside her own thoughts, Aurelia could hear chains snapping apart, one by one. It started off small, then the chains grew louder and louder. It was as if she was breaking free from restraints that she never thought she still had.
However, that wasn't the only thing Aurelia was currently feeling. It started with a tingling sensation on her back the moment Roselia directed her Mana onto it. That tingling grew larger. The larger it grew, it spread. Before long, all the hairs on her back stood upward, and it didn't stop there. In the next moment or two, that sensation turned to one of having fiery ants bite into her skin. It was then Aurelia began to grit her teeth. But that didn't stop Roselia.
Once Roselia was around halfway through etching the Hexen Clan's crest on Aurelia's back, the intensity grew, but the external pain ended. Perhaps ended was the wrong word there. It switched. She felt as if her entire soul was being bombarded with missiles. She wanted to scream, but she knew she couldn't. Thick drops of sweat appeared on her forehead in response, making this moment seem to last an eternity.
And yet, despite all of that pain, Aurelia felt her heart serene, which only increased her curiosity. It was to the point that allowed herself to think through this entire process.
'How strange...I will admit Master Vander was never easy on me and whatever pain was sent my way has been bearable to far, but why do I feel such serenity?', Aurelia wondered, keeping her eyes shut.
Little did Aurelia know that the pure Mana that was being released by Roselia's crimson staff began to change. It wasn't the normal blue hue anymore. Not only that, it began to cover her entire body. The blue aura started to flicker, and congeal into a rather vibrant violet. The first change had occurred. Skreeee!
A loud screech suddenly resounded around the room, only to have a small bolt of lightning shoot out diagonally to the left side of the room, straight out of Aurelia's body. Roselia's pupils constricted slightly, but she continued her ongoing spell. As for Prince Olivert though...
'To think Miss Aurelia could conjure up this so-called Magic, to which the spell isn't even complete yet. It looks like her natural affinity is with lightning...', Prince Olivert mused seeing this while being shocked at the scene before him. He didn't think he would get to see a visible change in the room. Like none at all. He assumed it would just be a session of meditation. He shifted toward his left, and saw the lightning bolt quickly reach the end of its path. It shattered a nearby flower vase on a table in the corner.
And well as for me, I too heard the loud boom. It was hard not to, even though I'm continuing to hear my Gamer Notifications sound off inside my mind. To my surprise, I heard Roselia speak directly into my mind. It looks like she formed a connection while I was unaware. As she spoke, she began the second half of her Hexen Clan crest.
"I did not choose wrong. Aurelia is indeed a monster. She might even be a freak of nature at this point. She will become unparalleled if she learns how to wield Magic. I doubt I even need to teach her anything. All of it will come from her efforts. Such a scary talent I've picked up.", Roselia mused, speaking to me.
"I've been in this session long enough that I can divert some attention. Was that a lightning bolt just now, Rose?", I asked.
"It was. I've just begun the second half of my insignia, but on her own, her Mana Core is being formed as we speak. You just heard its first resonance. Normally during this process, one's natural affinity is determined.", Roselia said, explaining it to me.
"A resonance with the elements, eh? Even before her Mana Core finished forming?", I replied, gaining interest.
"Umu. Yours will go similarly, but I will give you my personal insignia on top of it. Your Mana will be even more wild, I'd imagine. Perhaps even reaching multiple affinities."
"Still, to resonate with lightning of all elements. That isn't even classified as one of the Basic Elements. Aurelia's a monster, alright. It should prove well to aid her in her upcoming battle. Her strength will be much more explosive.", I replied. "It will be a time to look forward to, that's for sure."
"Indeed we shall. Your affinities aside, I will continue the spell. It will be your turn before long.", Roselia concluded. I felt her connection ceased, so I focused on my meditation again. At this point, Roselia was now around two-thirds done. And yet, Aurelia stopped gritting her teeth. She seemed...relaxed?
Roselia mused seeing Aurelia's expression turned lax.
'Hoh? To think this girly has this much mental energy to spare. Not only did she suppress the pain, she fought it and won. I only see that in battle junkies.', Roselia thought.
Aurelia, on the other hand, felt extremely calm now. It was as if someone was cradling her to sleep, but she knew she couldn't sleep now. Before she realized it, Roselia finished engraving the crest of the Hexen Clan on her back. That only lasted for a brief moment before the symbol vanished entirely, acting like nothing happened. Roselia's incantation finished.
Aurelia felt this, and slowly opened her eyes, ending her meditation. She found herself wrapped in a vibrant violet aura that was currently surrounding her entire body. Lights would flicker, crackle like lightning, but at the same time, it felt tranquil.
"So this is Magic...", Aurelia murmured. "I did not think it would feel so pleasant. It is very different from battle qi.", Aurelia continued. Standing up, she moved her limbs around to see how this aura behaved. It would stick around her, just like battle qi. The feeling was extremely different.
After that, Aurelia continued her motions. She attempted to pull this aura back inside her. And sure enough, it listened! The violet aura quickly vanished from sight, making the atmosphere around us return to normal. Just as it finished, a few zaps struck Aurelia's hair, making it puffy. She now looked just like a hedgehog.
Seeing Aurelia's hair like this, a chuckle escaped from Prince Olivert's mouth, which made her turn around. Seeing Aurelia do this, Prince Olivert quickly turned around again.
"Is something funny?"
"M-Miss Aurelia, if you are going to look this way, at least put your clothes back on. It's easy to see the spell is done.", Prince Olivert quickly suggested, which only made Aurelia laugh.
"Haha! I suppose that is true. Your spell is done, Master.", Aurelia replied, looking at Roselia this time. Just like what she had initially said that she would do, she called Roselia "Master". It was clear that what she was feeling was the flow of Mana, meaning it worked!
I kept my eyes closed during this. Aurelia quickly retrieved her clothes, and she placed them back on. I knew I couldn't be distracted with such thoughts, especially since I've reincarnated again. Matters pertaining to romance won't come down the road for a long time. Seeing Aurelia do this, Roselia laughed, establishing her connection with me once again.
"Hoho. So you do have an interest in this girly.", Roselia mused.
"...I will refrain from speaking about that.", I simply answered, ending it there. Well, if Aurelia and I do somehow become connected in the future, only Aidios knows the answer to that, haha!
"I digress. You've only just become my apprentice, but I still have many things to teach you. I hope you are ready.", Roselia retorted back at me.
"So you say. How about I tell you about one of my dreams? Something I couldn't even hope to achieve in my previous life. But seeing as I crossed into this place, especially with the background I was given with, I think it is achievable.", I suddenly said, which drew Roselia's interest.
"'Tis always good to have a dream to aspire. What is it?", Roselia asked.
"I intend to seek out a harem!", I happily exclaimed, inwardly of course considering the two of us were still inside my mindscape.