My vision is shaking violently, everything is spinning around me.
I feel so dizzy, it's like I'm on a high-altitude flight.
I can feel my muscles tightening, my blood is rushing and circulating faster than before.
My mind is growing more and more... Lucid.
This scorching pain in my heart... It's terrible.
I twist and convulse on the ground, wincing and wriggling in pain.
I grit my teeth and stand up on my feet despite the mind-shattering pain.
"It'll be over soon."
I know it'll be over. The pain is reducing, albeit slowly.
I can feel it.
The flames of eternity!
It molded into a circle and consumed the other elemental mana threads that weaved to form my circle and now it's circling my heart.
It's tight and painful because it's small, but I can feel it slowly growing larger and larger.
The scorching heat is slowly disappearing too.
I sit back on the ground in a lotus position.
***
Finally, my circle is formed.
My circle is stronger than normal, this is because it was forged from the flames of eternity.
My mana pathway moved like it had a mind of its own and it connected with my formed circle.
I feel free and at peace.
I take all the mana from all over my body cells and push it through my mana pathway to my first circle.
It feels like I'm on cloud nine, the feeling I get as the mana rushes into my circle is so enjoyable.
I grin widely and I lick my lips, savoring this sweet feeling of euphoria.
All the mana in my body cells are gone and they've all been stored in my first circle.
I exhale loudly.
Now, if my first circle fills up and can't handle all the mana in my body anymore, It'll duplicate itself and form my second circle, but the second circle doesn't just form like that though, I need enlightenment and proper training, so my body and heart will be able to carry the two circles. That's why it's said that one shouldn't allow their circle to duplicate until they are sure that their body can handle it, and until their body can handle their next circle, they should stop gathering mana.
I feel refreshed like I just stepped out of the shower.
And then–
Clusters of light emerge from my body.
It's a perfect harmony and a blend of red, blue, green and yellow lights
I hover, my butt just a few inches from the ground. And then I fall back on the ground.
The light disappears.
"..."
What the hell is that smell?
"Ugh, it reeks!"
I pinch my nose, and then I look at my body.
"What the f–"
Black, gooey, tar-like substances are coming out from the sweatpores all over my body.
No one ever mentioned that stuff like this would come out of my body when I create my first circle!
My stomach churns with disgust, the smell, the way it's dripping down my body and wetting the floor, it's disgusting.
I retch, vomiting my stomach out.
Huff Huff
"I gotta go take a bath." I stand up, and I glance at my body and the floor where I vomited and where the goo dropped. "And find a way to clean here."
I head to the bathroom.
***
"Now this is what I'm talking about."
I clench and unclench my fist, feeling the surge of mana within me.
"I think my mana even increased a little bit."
I smile maniacally.
"Alright!" I walk toward the door. "Time to learn some spells and begin 'Operation: Leave the Flameworths.'!"
I walk out of my room.
__________
Recently, I've been feeling moody.
I don't want to admit it, but I've been acting like a bitch. I feel bad for Faleso, my assistant, he has been through a lot, and being around me when I start feeling like this is like a punishment.
But I can't help it. Kairo is still in the Palace with the Emperor, plotting who knows what. And I haven't been able to have a drink with him. My favorite cake shop changed locations and I can't send anyone to their new location to buy it, or else they'll figure out that I'm an addict, so I have to endure eating the bland cake the servants bake.
Although I don't see how that'll make everyone think I'm a cake addict. I think everyone knows that by now. I'm surprised that the Hetchtors haven't even sent assassins to poison my cakes.
I chuckle softly.
"But Kairo though, I have to warn him. The Emperor– the emperor is... He's pure evil. Not someone he should be associating with."
I turn to look at the heap of documents on my table and sigh, I'm resisting the urge to bang my head on the table and pass out.
"This is depressing."
I adjust my hand gloves and my golden rim glasses, balancing them well on my nose.
As the Patriarch, I have to be regal and show no weakness. Regal. Regal.
I sigh depressingly. It seems I've gone mad. But being mad and distracting myself with stupid thoughts is better than remembering those times...
I shake my head slowly.
"But why haven't I heard any good news from Charles yet? I think that'll do something to improve my mood."
Knock Knock
Ugh, who's that? Is it Faleso? He should be avoiding me. I'm just gonna ignore him.
Knock Knock
He knocks on the door again and I still ignore him.
Knock Knock
"What do you want Faleso?! I'm signing the documents already!"
My voice is loud and wrapped around with annoyance like a burrito.
"Your grace."
I raise my eyebrows as I recognize that voice.
Oh?
"Charles?"
"Yes, your grace. It's me, Charles, not the blue-haired assh– Faleso."
I hold back my laughter.
He almost called him an asshole, but he isn't wrong, Faleso is an asshole. I nod my head in agreement.
I don't even notice my lips curling up, this madness of mine is starting to disturb me. But I can't help it.
Anytime he comes to see me, I get to hear reports of his achievements. It's so exciting watching him grow, it's the most interesting thing that's ever happened to me. George was never like him. George is... I'm sure that boy will soon try to kill me so he'd become Patriarch. Pffft, Flameworths. Ah, that's it. Charles doesn't act like a Flameworth, he's a breath of fresh air.
"I've been standing outside here for a while now, aren't you gonna let me in?"
"Ah! You're right, come in."
Black-haired rat.
Creak!
He opens the door and walks in.
I open my eyes wide, my grin stretching farther and my body jolting with pure excitement as I feel the air around him.
He's beginning to have a strong presence. Wait. I recognize that!
My lips start to curl upward with intense speed.
"Amazing! A seven-year-old first circle Flame–no, I mean first circle mage!"
My heart is beating wildly like drums in my ear.
"Haha, surprise."
"Huh?" I wrinkle my forehead.
"Boy, sit down, let's talk."
Surprise my ass.
I point toward the chair in front of me.
"... Okay"
He sits down, just opposite me.
"Now. Do you want to go to the academy?"
I make my voice lower on purpose and I lean closer to my table, to show how serious I am.
We're looking eye to eye.
He blinked twice like he didn't expect my question.
I smirk. This kid... What he's chasing after, I don't know what it is... but it isn't my position. Interesting...