After feeling disappointed for a few minutes, Aurora stood up and placed the book back where it belonged. This time, she grabbed three other books to try her luck at, one for Fire, one for Earth, and one for Lightning. She took the books back to her table and repeated the same process, reading and then attempting each spell. However, she was met with the same result every time, slowly draining her motivation.
"Guess it's not worth it to waste more time with this." Aurora slowly maneuvered her way over to put the books back. Once she slid them back into the spots she had made, she made her way over to the display cases, looking at all the different pastries and other options.
She grabbed a random small one that turned out to be a bite-sized chocolate cookie. She tossed in it her mouth, the soft and gooey core just melting in her mouth.
She grabbed a few more cookies and pastries before she went back to her table and slowly ate away. Once she finished her food, she lay her head down and started to nod off; however, she was unaware of being watched from a distance.
Once she was fast asleep, the figure came to approach her. The cloaked figure circled around the table as they studied her carefully. They moved closer, and as they went to touch her, Aurora jolted awake, her senses having detected the strange feeling. However, when she looked around, there was still no one in sight.
Now finding herself unable to even rest in this place, she let out a sigh and rubbed her tired eyes. Slowly standing up, she made her way towards the staircase to explore what could be on the second level. As she made it to the first landing, she noticed doors spread evenly apart following the entirety of the indoor balcony. She opened the door closest to her to find a lavishly decorated room, much like one would find in a high-class inn.
She closed the door and continued down the balcony, checking every room, which was identical for the next seven doors. When she entered the next room, instead of the same bedroom she had come to expect, it was a giant open concept bath house complete with a connected outdoor garden.
She tilted her head in confusion. "How does one even use this place? I've never seen anything like this before."
She continued to ponder until a soothing yet powerful voice came from behind her. "Oh dear, it is quite simple, really. You just need to gra-"
The stranger's words were cut off by the sudden appearance of a fist swinging towards them, one they easily caught by the wrist before it could land. They let out a chuckle, which sounded like a melody to Aurora's ears. "Now, now, child. No need for violence. I bear you no ill will."
Aurora was taken aback for a moment as she could have sworn this person looked and sounded familiar. "M-mom? Is that you?"
She pulled her hand back in shock before forcing her lips into a small smile, "No, you are mistaken, my child. I am not your mother. My name is Aqua. I run this fine establishment you find yourself in."
The woman removed her cloak, revealing herself as a mature elven woman with immaculate features. The most striking part to Aurora was her crimson red hair and her bright blue eyes, followed by her fancy outfit. To Aurora, it resembled the ceremonial dress of an elven general.
Everything she wore was as red as her hair, from her military long overcoat and corset to her mini skirt and thigh-high socks. Her long, flowing hair was well taken care of, something even Aurora struggled with.
Aurora shifted a bit in embarrassment at her simple mistake, something Aqua took note of. Aqua closed her eyes and let out a sigh as her lips formed into a small smile.
"Perhaps we should go somewhere else to talk, unless you would prefer a chat in the bath?" Aqua said in a teasing manner.
Aurora's flushed a deep crimson red as the thought of them naked in the bath ran through her mind. "S-s-s-somewhere else sounds fine to me…."
Aqua nearly bent over as she covered her mouth, attempting in vain to stifle the laugh that escaped her. Aurora simply pouted for a moment before she stomped her foot once and stormed out of the room.
What an adorable young lady. Reminds me of someone else I know. So easy to tease.
Aqua soon followed after she collected herself, seamlessly following the intriguing girl downstairs to a table. Aurora was already seated, grumbling nonsense to herself, until she noticed Aqua approach the table and take a seat on the other side. Aurora took a deep breath to calm herself and gave the elven woman an annoyed look.
"So, Miss Aqua. What exactly do you want from me?" she raised her eyebrow as she observed Aqua's lips merely form a thin line as she said nothing. "I can't see why you would want to speak to someone like me, though."
Aqua tilted her head up slightly and placed her finger on her chin in thought. "I simply had a few questions for you."
Aurora felt her eyebrow twitch at her nonchalant attitude. What's with this woman? Why is she holed up in a confusing place like this? What's her motive for speaking to me?
Several more questions went through her mind before she was interrupted as the woman spoke.
"Are you interested in magic?"
Am I interested in magic? The simple question caught Aurora off guard, and she found herself unable to produce an answer. Is this question a trick? A test?
Aqua waited patiently as she watched the young girl struggle. A moment later, Aurora found her voice.
"Of course I am interested, but no matter how much I attempted the basic spells, they kept failing." She was close to tears as she felt her dreams of using magic shredded to nothingness.
Aqua's lips formed a thin line as she thought of what to say next. "What exactly does it feel like when you try to control the mana?"
"Nothing," Aurora said coldly as she crossed her arms and frowned.
"Nothing?" Aqua raised an eyebrow. "That can't be right. You should at least be able to feel something, even with the lowest talent possible." She placed her hand on her chin, deep in thought. "Do you mind if I do a little examination? I might be able to find out what your issue is."
Aurora frowned. "What kind of examination?"
"It's quite simple. I simply need to place my hand over your chest and let my mana test for the issue," Aqua explained calmly as she waited for approval.
Aurora was doubtful at first, but the prospect of actually being able to cast magic was too exciting for her to ignore. "Very well. If it means I can cast magic, it's worth a shot."
Aqua clasped her hands together. "A great choice. Just relax, it won't take long." She stretched her palm out and placed it on Aurora's chest.
Her senses were overwhelmed by the sensation of Aqua's mana invading her body; it coursed through her in the form of strange warmth, and her body shivered as the sensation grew colder.
Meanwhile, Aqua was focused in silence, her frown slowly grew as she continued her exam. What she found was what appeared to be a rather advanced mana seal. However, this one seemed to have suffered from poor casting.
What should have appeared as a perfect, intricate sigil was instead a mess of threads jumbled up like a ball of yarn.
How is this…thing still working? No, in the first place, it never should have succeeded. Aqua slowly pulled her hand away and placed it on top of her other hand in her lap. She was about to tell the girl about her discovery when Aqua realized something else.
"This might be a bit late, miss; but could I ask for your name?"
"It's Aurora," she answered after a brief moment of surprise.
A slight smile formed on Aqua's face. "Aurora, huh? What a great name. Your parents chose well."
Aurora blushed slightly at the compliment, as her mind struggled with conflicting emotions regarding her family's fate.
Aqua decided to change the topic, having sensed the young girl's inner turmoil. She clapped her hands together, which shook Aurora out of her thoughts.
"I found out why your magic keeps failing, if you would like to know." Aqua clasped her hands together and placed them on the table. "However, the process to fix it is a long one and could be very painful for you."
Aurora took a moment to contemplate this news, while not missing the concern on the woman's face. Would I really be able to use magic after this? I'm not just dreaming this? She took a moment and pinched her arm, which prompted a yelp to escape her lips.
"Are you sure this will work?"
The worry on her face caused Aqua's lips to form into a small smile. "I'm confident in being able to restore your usage of magic, to what degree, though, I cannot say."
Aurora thought for a brief moment. "Let us begin then." Her expression was full of anticipation.