Mana Spirits, mana flowed through all things including air. So instead of being lonely without any peer to relate to, Kayla was in fact never alone. The spirits talked to her gleefully, they seemed to naturally gravitate towards her, it was nice. They taught her magic and gave her company. Because of this Clawwood Manor and Ravenshire in general became a place of concentrated mana, even those with a low ability to sense mana could feel it in the air.
Kayla truly believed herself to be special, someone unique who would change the world. That all changed the day of her introduction to the noble masses. Her debut party was supposed to be perfect, all eyes on her. But the day that it came she noticed the mana spirits were... mostly absent. It unsettled her but she had to put on a brave face. She watched the party room secretly, watching each introduction with glee as she imagined how much more impressive hers would be.
And then she saw her, Lily Lightlash, she had some vague understanding that the girl was another genius but she didn't care she was already a [Flame Mage] after all, and she had [Eyes of the Moon] and the title Spirit Whisperer. There was no possible way- the moment the young girl entered the room Kayla understood religion. What walked through those doors was not a person, her golden eyes gazed through everything as if they weren't truly there, as if everything was just a facade and she could see the soul of all she saw. That she found them all wanting.
But it was more than how the girl who was two years Kayla's junior carried herself, more than how those eyes pierced through all illusion, Kayla had always assumed she was the most loved by the spirits. However the sheer amount that swirled around Lily was... blinding. Spirits she had never even seen before followed the girl around, ones that were incredibly high tier watched her with curiosity. It infuriated Kayla, this was supposed to be her day. But... this this... child! Was ruining everything!
She had always thought herself mature, far more than her peers. But the feelings of envy that welled up within her, and then when that stupid boy walked up to talk to her?? How dare he! If anyone should be talking to someone of that caliber it should be her! She learned both Envy and Jealousy that day, ugly twins yet so unique from each other. She wanted to hate Lily, she wanted to despise her.
But how could one hate the sun? So blinding yet warm, so distant and powerful yet to be within its light was to know joy. It was intoxicating to be a friend of Lily Lightlash. Intoxicating to be near her, to gaze upon her. It only got worse as the two grew up, Lily came over often to access the Clawwood library. Often complaining that her library was not nearly big enough, and she took to magic so quickly. Kayla resigned herself that she could have never competed with Lily, that some people were just born better, she had always thought that she had been but now she realized she was a fluke, an error within the System that had accidentally been granted extra boons. Nothing compared to what Lily was.
So when the time came for Lily's Advancement Ceremony she was excited, she couldn't wait to see what this genius, this monster would show her. She wasn't shocked when the stone exploded, in fact it took everything to not burst into laughter. Of course something like that measly [Grading Stone] could not judge divinity. Yes she was sure of that, Lily was some kind of divinity descended to walk among mortals. That was the only thing that could explain it, she ignored how bad her delusions were getting, ignored how obsessed she had become.
But what happened next was... incredible. Typically Mana Spirits had a hard time taking a proper form, they mostly moved around as globs of mana, manifestations of elements. Balls of fire, small tornados of wind, floating rocks, floating water and the like. But the stronger ones could take a more shaped form, add texture and color. She watched as a Spirit that had taken the shape of a deer with eight antlers actively used its energy to reinforce a stone that almost broke again.
She knew well that the [Grading Stone] that had been provided was enough to judge a Third Advancement, and it had nearly broken just like the first. She was annoyed when Lily requested to be alone, but she couldn't ignore her request, no her desire. So she left the room, waiting and waiting, until she felt the surge of Mana, she watched as more Mana Spirits began to flow into the building towards the room.
She peeked in and saw... the impossible. Mana Spirits in human form, all watching, no that's not right, all revering Lily, knelt before her despite the fact she didn't even recognize their existence. Of course Kayla knew Lily couldn't see them. She had asked her before. Typically the Mana spirits circled Lily like fire engulfing a house, but now all kept a reverent distance, simply watching her.
She couldn't hold back, she used her [Eyes of the Moon] to [Inspect] Lily to see what [Class] she had gotten. She had never been caught using the [Inspect] part of her skill, people were far less intune with their Mana so they never noticed her proding into their [Status]. So when she looked upon Lilys... the notification she got shocked her.
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The System itself was telling her she wasn't worthy to look upon Lily, and then Lily herself turned her gaze, snapping it onto Kayla full of anger and disgust. It made her feel terrible, like she was scum. She didn't feel like she was the daughter of a Marquess, she did not feel like Lily's friend. She felt like a beggar on the side of the road who had looked too long upon a queen.
"L-Lily?" Kayla managed to get out, before she slammed the door shut, breathing heavy. She became acutely aware that others were around her, she had to keep up appearances. But how could she? After all, what she had just witnessed? Not only did she feel even more inferior to her junior, she felt terrified of her. She focused, it was okay. Lily was her friend, even if she was far above her they were still friends.
She just had to calm down, she had to- the door opened, as Lily stood right there, Kayla cursed being older in that moment, she had been looking downward which now meant she was looking directly at Lily's face. She now wore a calm almost empty expression, before a slight smile formed.
"Kayla? I do need to get by." Her voice was soft, almost a whisper. Kayla slowly nodded, looking up she saw the room packed full of spirits, not a single one a simple mass of elements. All had actualized a body. She gave them a nod and moved to the side, as Lily walked out completely calm.
"It shall come as no surprise that I have elected to become a [Mage]. Thank you all for coming to my Advancement Ceremony, it is truly an honor." Lily's voice betrayed no lie, she gave a polite curtsey and then continued onward to leave the building, her mother walking with her. Kayla was unsure of what to do, she wanted to follow her as the Spirits were, but... deep down she was uncertain if she was worthy.
Lily internally was quite frankly, freaking out to the extreme, not only had she received such a unique class now Kayla had seen it? Who knows what else her [Inspect] had garnered. Luckily Kayla did not object to her claims of being a [Mage]. She wasn't sure how she would be able to talk her way out of it otherwise. Her "Mother" was silent at first, but once they were alone inside a carriage she smiled.
"A simple [Mage]? I do hope my sweet lilypad that you won't keep that lie up to your mommy." Her words were full of that parental love and warmth, but Lily didn't feel comfortable. She had never felt comfortable with these fake parents. They weren't her real parents, she was sure Alice would be happy with them, her family relationship was more than a little strained but Lily had always had a good relationship with her parents. Even if she sometimes resented her father for his work that caused them to move all over.
She paused, wondering how the funeral had gone. Her father probably didn't cry. He wasn't that sort of person, maybe her step-mother had, not that they ever were that close; she was just an emotional woman. Lily shook her head, there was no sense in thinking about that.
"If you must know mother, my [Class] is [Witch]." She said, she ensured to leave out the noble part, she didn't need to try and explain that and her "Mother" couldn't keep her trap shut when it came to talking her up. Sure people may discover she was a [Witch] now but she would have more time to address that than if she had announced it right then and there.
Heather clasped her hands together happily, "Oh my little lilypad, a [Witch]! I knew you wouldn't be some simple mage." Her voice was full of pride as she spoke.
Lily rolled her eyes, "Did not you and Kayla start as Simple [Mages]?" She asked, attempting to point out how ridiculous she was being.
But Heather simply shook her head, "My dear you are above Young Lady Clawwood by leagues and miles. Do not compare yourself to the upper percentile of a tier you were born above." her words were so certain so sure. It gave Lily pause, her mother had always assumed she would be amazing, and she could not use [Inspect] on her. She did not know where her ability to do so came from but she knew it was powerful. No one had ever shown a reaction to her doing so, and what she read about the actual [Inspect] and [Analysis] skills in the books were that the lower your level the easier your intrusion was to be noticed. However the action could be granted by a plethora of skills, she still did not know how Kayla did so either.
"Mother, if I wished to hide my status could that be done?" Lily prodded carefully, this was both for her own protection and to test to see if there was some kind of outside influence protecting her "mothers" status. The woman considered her for a moment before she nodded.
"We of course there is, there is all sorts of jewelry inlaid with [Cloaked Stones] that will block invasion of divination skills and such. Are you worried about your [Status] being viewed?" Her "mother" asked, Lily could have sworn she saw her eyes glow for a moment as she did but it vanished just as soon as she thought she saw it.
"Yes, I would prefer if my information could remain secret, it makes me uncomfortable than any [Adventurer] with a few levels can completely view my [Status]." Lily said which was all truthful, but she also wanted to hide the Noble part of her class and her Title.
Heather smiled, "Well they may only get a partial view depending on circumstances and their level in [Inspect] but anything for my Lilypad. We can stop at the Ravenshire Bazaar before we head home and pick you up a [Cloaked Stone] ring or something of the sort."
Lily smiled, it truly was useful being born into nobility, it did mean she lacked a true understanding of the value of things in this world. Anything she needed her parents bought for her, she was... overtly doted upon and if she was not mentally an adult she may become quite the spoiled brat. Luckily Lily was completely level headed and had no issues with greed or the desire to completely own things other than the things that should belong to her like Alice.
"That would be lovely." Lily stated ignoring the critical moral failing in her desire to completely own another person's body and soul, it was fine, they were lovers it only made sense.
What Lily did not see nor hear were the discussions of the various spirits around her, all spoke of their majesty and how they must ensure she receives proper tribute. Discussions began of how to physically affect the world they had long ago left behind when The Queen of Fairies had passed over twenty thousand years ago. Arguing began as they floated around the carriage discussing who should first make themselves known, and what was proper tribute. But all went silent as one who took the form of a six eyed raven spoke.
"Do you not see? With those many eyes? Has your time left you blind? Oh yes it has left you blind but not me, not Fersuye, the girl you fools! the girl she walked upon moonlight, sees us acknowledges us, we can use her. She shall be our tool to serve our queen! The one they... call Clawwood."