Chương 4: Talent

Rosanna stomped furiously on her way back home. Only by distracting herself with thoughts of what to make for dinner did she manage to quell the unbridled anger in her chest. It had barely been a couple of months since Cliff returned to his duty on the northern plains, and they were already cutting resources from Rain, spouting nonsense about her daughter being untalented. As if she were going to believe that.

Cliff had told her many times that their daughter had greater talent in mana than him, and he was already on his way to reaching Level 100 in his Knight Class. Although her familiarity with House Blackstone was minimal despite being married for a decade, she was certain there were half a dozen individuals with subpar talent receiving more hours in the Mana Chamber than her daughter. It was all her fault, wasn't it? They were punishing Rain because Cliff had married a commoner, going against everyone's will.

Power moves everything in the world, and especially so in the high society of Seynhold. Her commoner status would not have mattered much if she had matched her husband in strength. But Rosanna was nothing more than a Level 24 Cook, with no personal strength to speak of. It was only through incessant pleading with her father-in-law that she could secure any opportunity for her daughter. The abyss curse him! If only the blasted man were half as affable as his son.

Half the time she went to meet him, she was not even allowed entry; the other half was spent dealing with her husband's half-siblings or cousins. It had practically become her daily task to head to the main house and request an audience. If things were this bad with Rain, Rosanna feared what they would do to Ember, who was born as talentless as her. On days like these, she could not help but remember her hometown, her life as the cook at Qutel's Restaurant.

Although life was much safer in Seynhold, it had been far simpler back there. At least she would not have to endure those disdainful glances. And if the contempt were not enough, there were the cruel words that sometimes made her regret marrying Cliff. She never truly felt that way when she was with him, however. Cliff was as honourable as they came, and a more loving husband than she probably deserved. It was his extensive family that caused her much of the worry.

Honestly, it had not been much of a problem when Cliff was low-levelled and worked within the city. After he gained renown, people began comparing how ill-fitting she was as his wife. She had heard worse things than being described as a pretty harlot who had seduced a principled man for her own benefit. Some days, she truly regretted choosing a lifestyle class. The disdain for such classes in the city was far greater than she had ever imagined. And yet, she had wanted a safe lifestyle class for her daughter.

Rain, now in her ninth year, clearly had no interest in cooking or any other lifestyle path. She wanted to follow in her father's footsteps and become a gallant Knight. The girl still had her head in the clouds and did not understand what that meant. Yes, the rewards in levels were greater, but they came with danger. The mortality rate of fighter classes was many times higher than that of lifestyle ones. She might be talented, but it took a different mindset and conviction to walk the path for years.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Cliff, however, was only amused by her antics, which infuriated Rosanna at times. He argued that there were still half a decade before Rain would attain her Class, and that they could curb her ambitions if she proved unfit for a fighter path. But a mother's duty was to worry. For better or worse, she would not have to worry about Ember. Rosanna had thought he would be born with at least a Tier 1 or Tier 2.

After all, despite her lack of talent, the other half of him came from Cliff, who had achieved Tier 7 years ago. Regrettably, it seemed Ember had inherited his father's hair, eyes, and looks, but not his talent. She had received more than her fair share of condemnation for failing to deliver a worthy heir. Since Cliff had achieved so much, the blame naturally fell upon her. She could only hope her child would not grow up to resent her as well.

Rossana had noticed a trace of disappointment in her husband's eyes when he first saw Ember. He had recognised it immediately, though his dismay was even less than her own. Unlike the others, he did not look down on those with lifestyle classes. Still, Rosanna could not deny her frustration at being unable to give him an heir even half as talented as he was. Her stomping subsided as she neared her home. She froze when the cry of her infant child echoed from within.

Casting aside all other thoughts, she rushed inside to find Rain using Minor Healing on Ember.

"Rain!" She shouted in anger. Perhaps it was her frustration, as Rosanna made sure never to raise her voice at the children.

"I had barely left for half an hour, and you cannot even take care of him for that long? What was it? It's already the third time you had to heal him today?"

"It's not my fault!" the girl whined, making a face.

"It's Ember. What can I do when he likes to beat his head into the floor so much?"

"He's a child," Rosanna sighed, rubbing her forehead.

"I told you to watch over him."

"I was watching."

"You watched him hurt himself?" she asked, a challenge in her tone. That stopped her daughter in her tracks.

"I just went to warm his milk for a moment, and he's like that." Rosanna shook her head. The baby had already stopped wailing and even let out a chuckle, watching them argue.

"Em, does it hurt?" She was about to take him into her arms for a stroll when his eyes suddenly rolled back, and a piercing cry tore from his throat, his body lurching in pain.

"My baby? What's happening?"

"I didn't do nothing, I promise," Rain quickly said, barely managing to hold the boy in her arms. Rosanna crouched and took him, immediately feeling the heat radiating from his body. Not just warm--he was burning. Ember had been a late bloomer. His first words came in his fifteenth month. Yet he was an intelligent and lively child. He rarely cried, and even when he did, it was never like this. On most days, he merely bumped himself against things in his restless wandering.

Even now, there were no visible wounds on his body. Yet in her arms, he screamed as if his life was on the line, sweat pouring from his skin as his head thrashed from side to side, his jaw clenched tight.

"Heal him," she cried, her heart tightening in panic. Rain did not hesitate, casting her Iron Ranked Minor Healing onto her brother's chest. It did little to ease his pain.

"What's happening?" she wailed, tears spilling freely.

"He was fine a moment ago when I left him."

"It's like… when I advanced," Rain muttered, her face tense with concentration.

"What nonsense are you spouting? He's just—" Rosanna froze, noticing the dark, sticky impurities seeping from her baby's skin.

"It's true," Rain said.

"But how is this possible?"

"Keep casting the healing spell. I will go look for a healer." Before she could even step outside, the wailing ceased. His body went completely still. Thankfully, he had only fallen unconscious.

"He seems to have reached Tier 1?" Rain said tentatively, uncertainty clear in her voice. Rosanna checked on him and hurried to fetch a healer.