Chapter 15: Decisions

Chapter 15

The next few days repeated in similar ways. He would train his Running and Swimming skills twice, once in the morning and once in the evening. Sometimes the low tide stole the sea away, but Elijah wouldnt let him skip a session, waking him up before dawn if necessary.

He had pushed himself like never before, without even complaining aloud. Only a few eye rolls at Elijah. He had never held his tongue this much.

The rest of the time Kai helped Theodora take care of the garden and the property. She drowned him with knowledge about botany. He did his best to understand and remember, asking appropriate questions and repeating to himself what he learned to fix it in his mind.

He had not spoken to Virya since the first day. Despite giving his all, he couldnt help but wonder if he had done well enough.

Am I going to get kicked out? Am I good enough?

Elijahs expressions ranged from cold to bored, it was impossible to tell what he was thinking. Dora had told him he was doing good and she seemed to genuinely be thinking it, but he might be wrong. Maybe she was trying to be nice.

These were the most exhausting and busy days Kai ever had in his life. He was completely spent both physically and mentally. His accommodations were the only highlight of his days. A nice bed and running water, plus the best food he ever had in this life.

He was not sure if this was what he wanted. They were yet to teach him something useful, but he wanted the ability to choose. Deciding to go home was one thing, getting kicked out was another.

As if summoned by his thoughts, Elijahs voice sounded behind him, Come. Lady Virya wants to see you.

Turning around and finding him standing there was not a surprise anymore. Kai followed him in silence with the look of a manor in this case a childwalking to his execution.

Entering the main building for the second time, Kai opened his eyes wide to look at the fascinating oddities adorning the house. The butler didnt give him any time. By now he was sure he wasnt a butler, but he liked to call him that anyway.

He was led beyond the main hall with the big wooden table, to a cozier roomwhich was still bigger than his house in Greenside.

Lady Virya sat in a comfortable armchair by the window. Resting on her knees, she had an old leather-bound tome he couldnt read the title of. It was in a different alphabet from the one he had been taught.

Kai sat on the sofa opposite her, a small coffee table standing between them. Elijah had already made himself scarce.

After a week, Kai mostly got used to the different mana density around the estate, but he still felt uneasy standing in front of Virya. His subconscious had stopped screaming at him to run away, but the nervousness didnt disappear.

After a couple more minutes, she closed her book with a clapping sound and put it aside.The debut release of this chapter happened at N?o?v€l-B1n.

So, child, what do you think of your first week here? Her orange eyes almost seemed to sparkle in the light, making him feel like she could see any thought he had.

What does she want me to say? That I didnt learn anything about magic? That it was a walk in the park? Is she trying to put me on the spot like last time to see how I react?

Virya didnt seem to mind that he took his time before answering, but her gaze was unnerving. After much debating, Kai decided getting straight to the point was the best course of action, Was it some kind of test?

I suppose you could say that, but it was also an important lesson you had to understand. Can you tell me which one?

That you have to work hard to achieve something? It was the most obvious answer and a bit banal, but he could not think of anything better.

Viryas face gave no hint if that was the right answer, That is exactly the point, but not the correct answer.

What does that even mean?

Luckily, she didnt stare at him, waiting for an answer he didnt have.

Virya adjusted in her seat and leaned forwards, attracting his attention to the coffee table between them. A pile of pebbles, each no bigger than his thumbnail, rested on the wooden surface. Kai was pretty sure they hadnt been there a moment ago and stared at them mystified.

Stop looking at them as if they are hiding the secrets of the arcane arts. They're common pebbles I picked up on the beach this morning.

Kai fell back in his seat. It wasnt his fault no one in this house could act normally. She was the one that kept casually making things appear and disappear.

I assume you know how to read and write, considering your fathers job and the way you eye each book you pass. Kai gave a small nod, waiting for her to continue.

Did your parents also teach you any math, child?

Rellan didnt teach him anything more than counting to a hundred, but Kai probably knew way more than he had, so he nodded.

Yes, I know basic calculus.

Good, it will make this next part easier. Tell me if there is something you dont understand.

Without further ado, the pebbles arranged themselves in straight lines on the left side of the table.

One lonely pebble moved to the right. This represents the Baquaire Archipelago, all the major and minor islands. Virya began explaining. Next 150 more pebbles moved forward in another group, This is the extension of the Merian Republic lands on the continent.

Kai knew the Archipelago was considered not much more than a few rocks in the sea, but it wasnt that small. The Veeryd Jungle alone covered a third of Yanlun and it was huge. He never thought the Republic was that big.

How big is the Talthen continent exactly? He couldnt help but ask.

I dont have a large enough table in this house to represent it correctly using pebbles. That will be a lesson for another day.

Kai stared dumbly at the hundreds of pebbles still on the side. The table in the hall was ten times this coffee table.

Remain focused child, if you dont even understand the Merian Republic, there is no point looking further.

She gestured to where one small pebble was facing 150. This is the difference in landmass, but it might be more useful to understand the difference in population.

An army of pebbles joined the Merian Republic ranks till they had almost doubled.

But could I become that?

Kai thought he had worked hard since he got reincarnated, Virya showed him it had been nothing. What if he tried his best and it still wasnt enough?

Am I good enough?

That was the question he always secretly wondered, lately more than usual. He liked to joke about being a genius, but was he really that brilliant?

On the other hand, he was offered enough money to help his family and still get a teacher. He might not become someone outside of this Archipelago, but was it that bad? He lived in a tropical paradise for the spirits sake.

Maybe not Greenside, but we can always move somewhere else.

He could help his family and enjoy life. He may never change the world, but he could still make a difference. It would give him the power and security he desired, even if only on the islands.

If he chose to risk it and he didnt match Viryas standards, she would send him away and he would be left with nothing.

Kai had not noticed someone calling his name until Alana touched his shoulder.

Have you already forgotten about your mother? Alana said with fake anger, before looking worriedly at him.

Is everything okay, sweetheart? If they have treated you badly, you can tell me. No one can mistreat my little boy, Ill go talk some sense into them!

Kai felt himself smiling and went to hug her tightly, forgetting his worries for a few precious seconds. Then he started explaining the situation.

They both walked on the beach under the midday sun, listening to the waves crashing to shore. Gathering his thoughts, Kai began to talk, slowly at first then so fast that Alana had to stop him to make sense of his speech.

He explained his current dilemma without leaving out a single detail. All the pros and cons he could think of all the scenarios he could imagine. His mother listened without interrupting.

What do you think I should do? Kai finally asked.

Alana stayed silent for a moment, staring at the ocean, the sun was now much lower behind them. Then she turned to look at him, appearing a bit sad.

Kai, I knew you were mature for your age, but I never realized how much. Maybe if I didnt let you go through so much, you wouldnt have been forced to grow up so fast.

He was about to argue, but she gently shushed him.

I know it wasnt my fault, but it was my duty to protect you and I should have done a better job.

Mom, I can take care of myself.

Kai.

This time he was the one to interrupt. Its not what you think, Mom.

Even if Virya didnt keep her word, they were so far from the mansion that no one else could hear them. Not that he thought she was lying, she had no need for that with someone like him.

He had not planned it, but at this moment Kai knew he had to come clean if he didnt want to build their relationship on a pile of lies. He hesitated for a second, trying to gather the courage to tell the truth. It was like the words were stuck in his throat.

I want to do this.

Kai took a deep breath and spoke without stopping, When I was born, I had memories of a previous life. A previous life in a very different world without mana or any kind of magic.

A heavy weight had been lifted off his shoulders and he could breathe easier.

Kai turned to look at Alana. She was pale, her face a mask of shock and confusion. It was all that he had feared to see. His mother's warm and gentle eyes now showed doubt, her doubt towards him, towards her own son. It lasted just moments, but she could not hide it, despite her best attempts.

Wha Do yo She tried to say something, but soon fell quiet, and so did everything around them. All sounds were drowned by his own heartbeat: Kai could feel the pulse in his ears and it deafened him. Cold sweat ran down Kais back despite the heat, a gut-wrenching fear taking over.

The silence stretched for interminable moments.

Did I make the biggest mistake of my life?

Mom, Im still m

Alana hugged him, a few tears running down her eyes. Of course you are, I always knew you were special. Im not sure I understand it all, but youll always be my son.

Kai felt his eyes turn moist. A few seconds later he was sobbing like a child in his mothers arms.

He would have liked to say he quickly managed to calm down, but by the time he left his moms embrace, the sun was a bit lower.

So, how was your other life was it happy? Alana asked him.

Thinking about it a bit, Kai didnt know where to start, but if he had to describe his life in a sentence

I was sick most of my life, then I died young.

Oh, sweetheart. Im so sorry, you

Its not as bad as it seems mom, I had a nice life. That world was very different from this one.

He tried to explain a few things, but each fact needed ten more facts to be understood. There was so much he wanted to say, he had waited so long to talk to someone about this. But the sun was inching closer to the horizon, and they still had not made a decision.

Now that she knew the truth, he would have time to say everything he wanted, just not now. Kai reluctantly switched the topic back to his current dilemma. He had a decision to make.