Chapter 4: Status
The last few weeks, my mother has been really busy. Maybe it's because she feels that I am old enough and don't require as much surveillance as before, or maybe it's because we're really broke - blame it on the dyes - but she's been working much more nowadays.
Randy, the owner of the inn we're staying in, seemed to have offered her a job. At first, he was really suspicious of my mother. Can't blame him, I mean, if you saw a woman who almost never left her room, always wore a hood, and categorically refused anyone entry, even to clean, of course you'd be suspicious. But since we've been living here for a few months now, I guess he felt he could trust her. He probably took pity on her, seeing that she was having trouble paying the rent as a single mother with two children, so he offered her a permanent job with a much higher income instead of occasional tasks. Besides, it seems he was really satisfied with her previous work.
My mother is a pretty silent person. Not that she is shy or anything, but since she has to be cautious all the time about not getting found out, she avoids getting herself involved with others, which gives the impression that she is asocial. Because of this, she often feels others' curious gazes on her and sometimes hears unwarranted comments. While she doesn't mind it, Randy started to take action by kicking out the rude customers. Wow, Randy, you're a really nice guy. Not only do you offer my mother a job, but you also take her side. I'm grateful to you.
Anyway, since my mother got her new job, she has been really busy, and today is her first day off. Actually, it's the birthday of the first Prince, so most businesses have closed their doors. Everyone is out on the street celebrating the Crown Prince's 10th birthday. The inn did not close, but Randy still gave my mother a day off for the occasion. My mother is not planning to go out. I am currently lying in her arms while she enjoys her free time, telling me stories. I can tell she is in a good mood; it's been a long time since we last spent time together like this.
"Mommy!" A small voice called out.
My mother and I turned our gaze towards the wooden door of the room, where Aoban just entered. He was wearing his best outfit for the occasion.
"Oh my, already back Aoban? Didn't you say you wanted to see the festival?" My mother immediately asked.
"That's not it," he answered, shaking his head. "Can I go to the plaza? There is a demonstration of magic."
W-what did he say? M-Magic? Like real magic? Oh gods, I want to see. I have to see. Six months of doing nothing but staring blankly at the ceiling. Now I finally have a chance to see magic! It's been six months since I reincarnated in a supposedly world of magic, but I have yet to actually witness it with my own eyes. For someone like me who grew up in a world without magic, can you imagine how exciting it is to have the chance to actually see real magic? I wanna see, I wanna see, I wanna see.
"Sure, why not?" My mother answered.
"Thanks!"
As Aoban was about to leave, I tried calling him, letting small sounds come out with my cute voice and desperately tried to reach him with my tiny hands. The trick worked. Aoban turned around, looking at me with his confused eyes.
"Hum, could it be that Lyni wants to watch too?" He asked unsure.
As I was about to rejoice, my mother suddenly crushed my expectations. "Don't talk nonsense, Aoban. There will be too many people and it will be way too noisy. It's not a good environment for a baby."
Hum, mother? You're kidding, right? No, no, no, you can't do this to me. I have waited six months, six months! You don't get to crush the dreams of a young baby like that!
"Hum, okay, I'll be back soon then."
He is leaving! Without me! No wait, dear brother! I kept protesting and whimpering desperately in my mother's arms, while Aoban looked at me, full of sympathy. He then directed his gaze to my mother, as if expecting something. Finally giving in, my mother sighed loudly. "Fine, I'll bring her. Give us a moment, okay?"
Yes! Victory!!
"Okay!" Aoban happily replied.
My mother put me down on the bed to prepare herself. She untied her hair and arranged it in order to hide her elven ears as much as possible. Then she put on a cheap robe that fell down to her knees and drew the hood over her head, completely covering her ears. Once she was done, she wrapped me in a warm sheet, hiding all my inhuman features except for my eyes.
As we were leaving, we ran into the owner. "Oh my, Miss Maedis, are you going to enjoy the festivities with your family?" He asked.
"Yes."
"Well, well, isn't this the little Lyni?" He approached, but then suddenly flinched when he saw my face through the gap in the sheet. "Heh?! Sh-she is a very beautiful child!"
Randy, your voice is wavering. Thinking about it, it may actually be the first time that he sees me, thus his reaction. My mother politely bowed to him, and before he started asking questions, she hurriedly exited the inn. Aoban happily led us to the plaza. On the way, my mother was more careful, burying my face in her chest. Her weird outfit still attracted some curious gazes though.
Finally arriving at the plaza, the display of magic had already begun. The place was filled with people, mostly children, cheering and watching the show in awe. My mother had to force her way through the crowd. As soon as we arrived, Aoban quickly disappeared among the children, but my mother didn't seem to be worried. Instead, she just lifted her arms a little, in order for me to have a better view of the spectacle.
A mage was muttering some kind of incantation that I couldn't understand. A few moments later, mana filled his body as fiery spheres materialized, hovering above him, before starting to levitate around him. A second mage suddenly threw a couple of knives at him and, as if alive, the flames protected the first mage, immediately incinerating the projectiles. The flames then gathered into one huge fireball directed at the assailant. But before it could reach him, the second mage shouted another incantation and an earth wall suddenly appeared in front of him, blowing the fireball away.
Wow, I want to cry. This is beautiful. That's right, that's real magic, not one of those fake tricks where you make a bird suddenly appear under a hat.
After the display of magic, the two mages bowed to the audience before leaving the area for the next performers. The crowd went into an uproar, cheering and applauding loudly as they left. Well, that was quite a good show.
After the demonstration, I started to wonder what kind of magic they had just performed. Was it considered high-level magic or just basic magic? I kept staring intensely at the two mages when suddenly, as if to satisfy my silent curiosity, a blue window popped out in front of me.
[Status]
Name: Peter York
Race: Human
Class: Mage
Gender: Male
Age: 23
Level: 16
Vitality: 543
Defense: 115
Strength: 97
Mana: 565
Intellect: 432
Agility: 109
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Ozen_Ice
Ozen_Ice How was your day?
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone