Ocular to the Dying Sun

Distracted Night Light’s; part 3

Being stone souled and hard-hearted for her family, as the head, brings her so much on the plate to think about that sometimes, other factors of one path begin to be missed. Considering that she’s always wanted what was best for Yphemu as of current, right now, if her daughter doesn’t want to be with someone then all she could do is help her introduce her to someone.

“Alright,” Lady Tethea said, her eagerness lesser but her eyes showed concern out of fondness. “You’ve managed to avoid the potential of marriage once again.” She sighed but looked at her, eyes slightly glinting at the light of the sun. “But, no matter, whether you will be married by choice or not. I know you will. I have faith that your soul is healed and strong, once more.”

Noticing the last piece of biscuit on the plate, Yphemu picked the piece and placed it on one other plate filled with cupcakes. She nodded and smiled at her mother before their next conversation turned to a one-sided gossip about the new aristocrats and nobles from the different cities. All staying for the coming festivities of the Ocular Departure.

The moment the tension about Yphemu’s potential marriage has passed, she sensed the magical signature of Mitt within the area of the mansion and realized that he’s come back from his training for the day. Another prodding would have her knowledge of how his session would have been because of Mitt’s inability to hide his emotions from his magic whenever he is exhausted.

She may see the large pool of potential for her son, but he still has much to learn. Given that his Light magic is immense, she hopes that he would give much time exploring his abilities. Other spells in his wake have all been quite skillfully practiced by him, in his spare time as she monitored, but all of them are trivial and practical.

Just in time, Hyles arrived with a new chair, fit for a child; followed by a maid with a tray of spare utensils. Each one greeted Lady Tethea and Yphemu as they organized the table for Mitt. Though undeclared, he automatically comes to tea when he comes home, and his grandmother is present.

Not long Mitt arrived followed by Epiro who walked behind the boy looking like his usual boyish eagerness but tinged with a level of control either from being tired or giving off the impression of professionalism. He wasn’t exactly walking as distracted even though they were on the premise with a level of safety, but rather a show of concern fleeting on his actions and expression.

Squinting her eyes over her son, Yphemu watched Mitt approach them waving a hand at his grandmother, his speed increasing to approach them faster. He isn’t adorably running at them, but he still looked considerably cute to their eyes.

“Good afternoon grandma,” Mitt greeted as he stopped in front of Lady Tethea and bowed before approaching to hug her. “Today you are prettier than you are the last we met.” He said before old soft fingers pinched his cheeks.

“While I see you every time growing ever so handsome,” Lady Tethea answered. “Visiting time is over, for now, I’m happy to see you earlier than your intended visiting day. Come by my mansion with your mother, Aprilina is eager to have a nice chat.”

“Does she stay with you now more than before?” Yphemu asked as he greeted her son, noting that he hid his palm from her vision. “Tell her I said ‘hi,’ hopefully the treat’s I’ve sent to her fits aunt’s taste.”

Suddenly showing a sharp look at Yphemu, Lady Tethea knew that Aprilina’s mother was not on good terms with Yphemu or her because of the mishap she did about dealing with a business that did not pass any legal matters. Though it was done for goodwill, as the business was a trade and export carrier; the people she partnered with were abusing the money and doing illegal trafficking of shard dust within the city and out to different ones.

“I’ll send word, well, let me leave the two of you.” Lady Tethea leans down to kiss Mitt on his cheek. “Forgive grandmother for leaving early, let’s play next time.”

Mitt nods with the best good boy smile before he watched Lady Tethea leave with her maid in tow. Something akin to excitement settled from his face and he sat on his chair as the food was prepared.

“Indulge me,” Yphemu said as she handed him the last biscuit she placed on the cupcake platter. “Do I want to know what happened with the scratches on your hand?”

Pausing as Mitt reached for the biscuit, his hand slowly reaching the delectable piece but sorely wants to retreat onto his lap in a form of safety. He looked at his mother sheepishly before saying, “forgive mother, but it’s not that hopeless. Uncle Verbasi says that I’ve been doing better these days, I can finally see the shard veins you’ve pointed out before.”

Her eyes looked down as she scanned his face, head slowly bowing to hide his nervousness, though there was nothing to feel nervous about. Concealing the entirety of his face worked as though Yphemu could sense his magical distress, his inner thoughts or hints of any expression are masked by his feigned bashfulness.

“Truth be, it was the first time I’ve ever encountered such small detail in tiny rock. I couldn’t tell at first if it was there, but I did what you said and the more I did so, the more I saw results. How I should, use my senses in a way that helps me detect the shard’s veins?” Breathing in to continue his story, “to think all I needed to do was to close my eyes—”

Droning on about how he started making progress with his focus on cutting a shard, Yphemu could only listen, smiling. He abandoned hiding his face as he continued to recount his feelings as he felt the magic flow “as it should,” according to Lord Verbasi.

Fully distracted from what Mitt perceived as his mother assessing him without directly asking any questions, he internally sighed. His previous nervousness abated in a blink while they enjoyed their impromptu afternoon snack time.

Soon enough the light of Slitark begins to dim enough that the garden’s atmosphere became blue and grim but hides nothing of the glorious dewy lights reflecting from the cooling light. Corners left and right of the garden showed the lights of the lamps as they started flickering and they bask in a yellow tinge that casts layers of triangular shadows diminishing.

The atmosphere is comforting and light that Hyles had to remind Yphemu that she was past her break time since she was completely engrossed as Mitt giggled.

“Okay, thank you for reminding me Hyles,” Yphemu said, as she looked at Hyles as the tinged of relaxation shown on her face affects even the old man. He breaks into a small smile as he nodded.

“I would like to remind you that the request for the documents transferring the shipment for new equipment will arrive soon and your succeeding paperwork needs to be done before hour ten tonight.” He stated as he looked at the young master. “And, young master, you should change your clothes before you eat dinner. Master, we’ve prepared an enjoyable bath for this night. Warm and pepper-minty.”

Mitt nodded but a small blush could be seen on his cheeks since he knew that Hyles follows his preference even if he tried hiding the best he can whenever he uses certain bath oils and soaps.

Laughing languidly as she agreed to go back to work, she kissed her son’s forehead before saying, “I almost forgot, your grandmother wants us to attend the coming Pamula of your cousin Coni. She wants you to escort her even if you’re underage.”

“Woah, I get to see the Pamula earlier? I’m fine with that, but will I be entertaining her the whole night?” Mitt asked as his face shifted from surprise to worry. “Should I be worrying about extra lessons on etiquette and the likes?”

Yphemu could only smile as she watched Hyles nod, noting that he would be fitting a schedule for the young boy.

“Get an early rest for now,” she kissed Mitt’s forehead. “We’ll get to discuss the details about the Pamula once we’ve received our invite as escorts. Mother is the one currently handling Coni’s affairs within the house, and since the Ocular’s afoot, I won’t be able to entertain any mansion matters.”

“Alright mother, I hope I can survive the lessons when I take them. I hear Pamula learning is harder than a new spell about different stages of fire types.” Mitt’s face crumpled into a frown.

Giggling at Mitt’s comment, she reminded him of dinner then left Mitt with Epiro and a maid to finish up after the small meal.

Once she was far from the two of them, Epiro looked down at Mitt as he nibbled his cupcake. “Aren’t you tired enough to sleep early? You told me you needed to get home and just close your eyes before going out to buy a few items.”

“I saw grandmother’s carriage; I can’t just skip greeting her,” Mitt said as he looked at Epiro. “Besides, mother wouldn’t like it if I dismissed her to sleep, besides I like being around grandmother. Buttering up to her makes for good cookie points, plus a chance to relax her from thinking about me being the Prime Magician.”

Epiro watched the young boy with an expression that casually depicts “alright if you say so” even though in his mind he doubted Mitt’s words. Since they left the Academy, though Epiro was not there all the time even if he was the young boys’ bodyguard, Mitt’s been sporting a face that looked cool and calm, but he walked limping before recovering a type of bearing to look normal.

Something must have happened during the training, which Mitt couldn’t exactly say, and though it was not the first time he’s left his session slightly off with his physique or expression, it was not uncommon to realize that the young boy could tolerate the pain. This time though,  it was not of physical pain that he was enduring.

Mitt had to snoop around, farther than his mind’s ears could reach as he figured out how to see the world through veiled eyes but also listen without restrictions. As if he could go pass thru solid matter and let the walls of the world become air in a matter of minutes.

He confirmed that it was natural to become akin to omniscient in senses while at the state of detecting the spire’s entity due to the nature of magic between magic identity, plus how Yphemu explained to easily detect magic around is akin to opening your truth as a Prime Magician.

Complicated things like these are something Mitt could listen to with eagerness but have difficulty doing in practice. The idea of limitations and restrictions doesn’t seem to enter his mind until he realizes the consequences later. His one accident is the one reminder that vaguely stayed in his mind as a caution.

Yet the aim of testing out this certain phase of his practice wasn’t something he did out of pure educational progress, but rather the innate curiosity he found himself deep in as he heard the adult’s rumor mill. Regarding his supposed father or a person that looks like him.

╪