Gina could never hope to reach the same level of mastery as the elves since they had been learning and doing this right from the moment they could walk. But by spending time with the children and adults, Gina could already feel her technique and mastery growing faster than ever before. It’s only been one week, but Gina has learnt so much that it was insane!
Hop! Hop! Hop!
Gina glanced to the side, and she smiled as she saw a fluffy white rabbit coming up to her. The rabbit had a long horn on its forehead like a unicorn, and Gina had learnt from the locals that this was called the Horned Rabbit and they were treated as pets in Arandelle. The rabbit came over to Gina and sniffed her feet before using its tiny tongue to lick her toe. Gina laughed at the rabbit’s attention, and she reached forward and gently stroked it while releasing a small breeze from her palm to soothe the rabbit’s fur.
Hop! Hop! Hop!
Hop! Hop!
More rabbits began to approach Gina after the first one lay down and began to rest at her feet, and Gina gave all of them attention as she enjoyed their company. Gina felt a pair of eyes looking at her from somewhere to the side, and she glanced over to see a large deer with huge horns, as well as some other animals watching her closely. Gina smiled at the animals and stretched her hand out to them invitingly, but the deer in front only let out a huff before it made a sound to the other animals around and began to lead them away. Gina’s face fell slightly after she saw this, and she tucked her long hair behind her ear with a small sigh. This was how things had been for the past three days. For some reason, the horned rabbits were the only ones that accepted Gina, and the other creatures seemed to dislike her for some reason. Was it because she wasn’t an elf? The other animals didn’t seem to mind going over to Farlow whenever he came to the garden, so maybe it was a race thing?
What Gina didn’t know was that, unlike the horned rabbits, all the other animals here were spirit animals who could sense nature energy, and they could all sense the turmoil inside Gina from the unresolved questions in her head. Gina had not gotten to the mental level where nature energy would reveal itself to her, and as a result, the spirit animals ignored her. Basically, the horned rabbits were just like golden retrievers that were friendly to anyone who gave them back rubs, but the other animals were like cats that only went towards people that they liked.
Gina closed her eyes again as she dived back into her thoughts, and she began to really think about what Farlow had told her. What did it mean to truly become a Sage? To Farlow, Sagehood was a discovery of self. It meant letting go of all worldly connections and becoming a being that embodies the true nature of the world inside yourself. But Gina didn’t know why this just didn’t sit well with her. Gina didn’t mind letting go of many things in her life, but anytime she thought about letting go of everything, she began to lose the very things that made her who she was. Did she really have to abandon herself in order to achieve this power?
"Your highness! I’ve come to get you!"
A voice echoed from somewhere behind Gina, and Gina’s eyes fluttered open gently as she turned around to see Stella walking beside a female Elf from the royal palace. Stella had been brought to Arandelle by Jason’s Vympir subordinates after she had gotten enough rest and healed from her injuries. It had been a difficult healing process for Stella since her injury was something that should have taken her life immediately. But thankfully, Stella had a healing skill that automatically activated after she got injured. That skill was what kept Stella alive long enough for Gina to heal her, and that was the only reason why Stella survived. After coming to Arandelle, Stella had been pissed when she heard what Hesabeth did, and Stella had already been prepared to go and fight Hesabeth just to get Jason back, but Farlow managed to explain the situation to Stella properly, and that was how Stella ended up waiting in Arandelle with Gina until Jason was done with his isolation.
Honestly, Gina was shocked that Stella still had so much reverence and loyalty to Jason. Jason had literally stabbed Stella through the stomach, and even though they now knew that Jason had been under Gillian’s control, that wasn’t something that you could just forget. An injury like that would have traumatized any normal person! But Stella hadn’t even spoken about what Jason did once, and she had shown her undying loyalty by pledging to protect Gina while they waited for Jason to come back! Gina’s love for Jason had also not changed at all, even after everything that happened, but seeing someone else who was willing to stand beside Jason regardless of what happens made a feeling of pure gratitude pour out from Gina’s heart, and Gina was finally able to fully accept Stella as one of the family.
Right now, Stella was wearing a long maid’s gown that she had gotten from some of the maids in the Arandelle castle, and Gina let out a small sigh as she remembered the conversation she had with Stella about the gown. Apparently, Stella had been looking for a uniform just like this for a while now because, according to Stella, ’it helped people to know that Stella was only a maid to the Marc household’. Gina wouldn’t deny that the maid’s outfit looked very good on Stella, and it made her look like a professional maid, but Gina knew that it would take some time to get used to it.
Gina smiled as Stella came forward, and the horned rabbits around Gina’s feet quickly ran away in fear! Gina sent some wind towards them to thank them for keeping her company before Gina stood up and let out a small sigh while looking up at the darkening sky. Gina had been meditating for hours already, and she had lost track of time.
"How did your training go today, your highness? Did you make any progress?"
Stella spoke with a small smile and her hands held in front of her professionally, and Gina shrugged before smiling sheepishly.
"I don’t really know what you mean by progress, but I suppose I’m getting closer to an answer. This sort of magic isn’t really something I’m used to."
Stella hummed calmly, and Gina could tell that Stella was already using the training she had gotten from the other maids in the castle. Apparently, while Gina was working on her Sagehood, Stella was working on trying to become the perfect maid, and she was taking classes from the head maid and butler to the King. And from what Gina could see, the training was working. Stella was already showing a lot more control over her words and expressions.
Stella spoke with a disappointed look on her face.
"It’s a shame that my race isn’t capable of using this type of magic. I don’t understand it either, so I can’t even help you. Forgive me, your highness. I’ll do better to make sure I can support you next time."
Gina just laughed at Stella’s passionate declaration, and she told her that it was fine. If Gina got help from someone, then that would defeat the whole purpose of her training anyway.