I find the [Head Attendant] in the kitchen.

  “Apologies, [Head Attendant], Miss Cecelia and I had a rather lengthy conversation. Allow me to thank you for negotiating my employment with the [Lady] on my behalf. May I eat before starting my next duty.”

  She notices the puffiness of my eyes, and my title, and simply states, “Of course Sara, take the time to collect yourself, when you are done eating, scrub the dishes, and place them into the cabinets here and here.” The cabinets she points to are too high up for me to reach. “Use this stool to reach them, as a Maxwell attendant you are not to make excessive noise, I will ignore your earlier outburst as you were with our [Lady] daughter, but do try to keep it down from now on. Be ready in half an hour for your next assignment.”

  I eat my cold breakfast and it was still delicious. Steady, steady, I have work to do, the first day is always the hardest. I scrub the plates as quietly as possible, turning off the water mana interface dries them, then I leave them on the counter. The stool is awkward to lift but I dare not drag it across the floor after the [Head Attendant] warning. The cabinets are still hard to reach and the plates are even higher. I balance on my toes on the stool with the plate in hand. It was a small clink on top but I did it. I repeat for the dishes and avoid both a cacophony and being fired for cause on my first day.

  I still had time and saw that the floor could use some effort. So I give effort and start to scrub the floor. The [Head Attendant] finds me at work.

  “I applaud your initiative Sara, but perhaps you should wait until I instruct you before using the dish towels on the floor.” She gave me a wry grin.

  “My apologies, [Head Attendant].” I am mortified.

  “Do not worry Sara, it just means you will have more laundry to clean this evening.”

  “Yes, ma'am.”

  “Now come here, and I will teach you how to use this kitchen so you are ready to provide our [Lady] her lunch.”

  You have gained the skill [Cooking] Basic 1

  Cooking - the ability to make food edible

  Basic - its barely edible

  Gain 1 exp

  You have gained [Resist Heat] Basic 9

  Gain 1 exp

  -----

  By the time lunch arrived, I had gained basic three cooking, but created nothing greater than some sandwiches. Eating the mistake as my snack really drove home the barely edible. The [Head Attendant] took some pity on me and prepared some soup. I wheel it out with a pitcher of water and the tea set.

  The [Lady] is in her seat already. The [Head Attendant] is taking their position to the left of our [Lady]

  “Good noontime to you, my [Lady].”

  I place the sandwiches in front of her. She waits patiently. I go to grab the soup, when the Head Attendant clears her throat, she is looking at the water. Damn, I was suppose to ask which entree the [Lady] wanted to start with. Then her selected drink. I turn to the [Lady].

  “Would you like tea or water for this meal, my [Lady].”

  “I think water will do, thank you Sara.”

  I placed the cup first at the distance I was told for tea cups. I pour to where I was taught, an hour of practice definitely helped. I only felt it was slightly off. When the lady was done with the sandwiches I remove the plate and then place the bowl of soup that was already cold. I brought her a spoon but my stomach was in knots at the foolish order I chose to present her meal. The [Head Attendant] steps next to our [Lady].

  “Allow me, my [Lady]”

  She nods, and the [Head Attendant]'s eyes glow red as she grips the bowl. The soup is brought back to a proper temperature. I need to learn that skill.

  We resume our positions behind the [Lady], I fill the water as she drinks it and it's a rather silent affair. The [Head Attendant] leans to the [Lady] ear and whispers something to her. She nods and then addresses me.

  “Sara, do go answer the door, if he has no business with me, turn him away.”

  I go to the door in the foyer just as there is a knock. I opened it to see the Guild Master standing there, relieved to see me. I know why he is here but I must perform my duty.

  “Guild Master Reginald, welcome to the Maxwell Estate, do you have business with my [Lady].”

  He is stunned by this but recovers quickly, I'm sure he sees my title and feels my soul.

  “I won't take you from your duties, I just need to confirm you are alright and retrieve the ring.”

  “Of course, Guild Master.” I slipped the ring off and hand it to him, he clasped my hand around both his before I could withdraw it.

  “Scratches.”

  I look up at him, keeping my face neutral, "It was by my choice Guild Master, the next time you hand me that ring I will have earned it.”

  “I see, still a fool then, you will need to pay for your new guild card when you re-register with the guild.” He releases my hand.

  “Of course, thank you Guild Master.” I bow as he leaves.

  -----

  “Ah Sara, I see you have been through many things, but I must ask, why did you choose attendant over blacksmith for your title.”

  I nod at my Mistress, “A Voiceless Attendant can be rather ideal, who would do business with a Voiceless Blacksmith, communication is crucial for commissions.” Could have been more curt.

  The Mistress smiles at that, then waves me off to get changed. What was usually carried by Marie is in my hands now. I walked into the Mistress living area to get changed. The [Head Attendant] remained out with the furnace and the Mistress. I did the work the Mistress asked of me and did my tea party practice with the [Head Attendant]. Through it all I never sat unless I was shaping metal. The Mistress felt my work was still passable, the [Head Attendant] had words as well.

  “You have gotten well enough at serving tea that I will start shifting your lessons toward matters that are not chores. While we wait for your mental core to ignite, I will teach you how to use knives, both in throwing and wielding.”

  The [Head Attendant] hands me a knife. It feels well balanced. The Mistress notices it too.

  “I remember crafting that, when you dull the blade Sara, I will show the proper way to sharpen it.”

  “Thank you, mistress.”

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  I turned back to the [Head Attendant].

  “Today, you will throw the knife until you gain the skill, Mistress Belna has graciously allowed you the use of her targets.”

  “Thank you, again mistress.”

  She waves me off and points to the chest with the target. I set up the target and move to where the [Head Attendant] indicated. It was twenty kings feet away. I throw, not sure if it even went fifteen kings feet, it certainly did not hit the target.

  “Do not fret Sara, for now you must earn the skill, accuracy and power will be worked on afterwards.”

  The worst part is that there is only one knife and since I never reach the target, I am bending my knees to lower myself to pick up the knife, it gets pretty exhausting as the [Head Attendant] expects me to jog to the knife every time. I gain a skill.

  You have gained the skill [Lesser Stanima] Basic 1

  Lesser Stanima - the ability of going a little bit longer

  Basic - hey you can be a guard now Sara

  Gain 1 exp

  That's definitely a constitution skill, the system has been getting overly familiar with me lately. I ask about it.

  “Ma'am and mistress, my system notification have been getting rather personal with me, this last skill I got listed my name in the description is that normal.”

  “When did it start?” [Head Attendant] asked.

  I throw the knife. “Well my constitution skills were always rather specific, but I felt my system spoke to me directly when I was in captivity, ma'am.”

  “What was the skill, Sara, there is no need to dance around the furnace.”

  I picked up the knife, “Mistress, it was [Pariah Aura Manipulation] its description was only that I was treading a dangerous path.”

  “That makes sense, pariah titles are not supposed to be to your benefit, your system is a reflection of your soul, you were in a rather high stress situation that your system has quirks is not surprising.”

  Great, I need therapy, that's not new. I throw the knife.

  You have gained the skill [Throw Knife] Basic 1

  Throw Knife - the ability to throw knives

  Basic - throwing knives can be therapeutic

  Gain 1 exp

  Hopefully so, I suspect I'll be doing a lot of it.

  -----

  I'm helping the [Head Attendant] with the dishes. I scrub, she puts them away. A message comes across my glasses

  “Sara bring some snacks and tea to my office in an hour.”

  I turn to the [Head Attendant], “Ma'am, Can I be excused so that I can practice my pouring, also what sort of snacks should I bring?”

  “Do not worry Sara, I will set up the tray, it is good that you wish to practice, go ahead.”

  The hour came too quickly but I carry the tray. I am not to rattle it but the [Head Attendant] had placed an extra cup and snacks for two. Perhaps mother will be there. Damnit, Miss Cecelia, I have to be careful, keep the lines drawn steady less I lose touch. My heart aches a little at my own reprimand.

  I reach the [Lady] office, not steady enough to hold the tray one handed yet, I place the tray on the ground. I knock, and get a come in. I open the door then retrieve my tray. Miss Cecelia is not here. I perform as taught, my pour was perfect. After presenting the snacks of which the [Lady] took two I backed up to the side of the door tray still balanced in both hands. The [Lady] speaks.

  “Will you not come sit with me and partake Sara?”

  A test then, I am still resolved.

  “My apologies, my [Lady] I will best serve you from here.”

  The [Lady]’s eyes flashes purple hourglasses studying me, then a quicker scan with her white hourglasses. She sighs.

  “Sara, come and sit with me”

  You have gained [Resist Mental Attack] Intermediate 4

  Gain 8 exp

  I am shaken but negate the skill, my ball of mental mana is gone and my arcane reserves are down to a third. I'm breathing hard but I haven't dropped the tray. Oh how dare she —

  “Good, I can feel your anger from here Sara, I was starting to worry my granddaughter was becoming a golem with no will of their own. As your [Lady] you are to consider yourself off duty for the next hour, now come sit and have tea and snacks.”

  “As you wish my —”

  “I will compel you if you continue with your rote responses.”

  “Sorry, grandmother” I brought the tray and pour myself a cup, still perfect.

  Grandmother looking at me cross about that. “Sara, I've spoken to both Marie and Cecelia. I understand your goal but seeing your rigidity I fear your soul will snap.”

  What can I do? I need to keep the rigidity to maintain my groundedness, but the rage I just felt, felt like I was going to unleash my aura on my [Lady]. I start to shudder.

  “Talk to me Sara, we have tea and snacks, it is only proper to provide conversation.”

  I snort at that, she smiles. “I fear that if I don't stay rigid, I'll slip away.”

  “Your goal was to work hard today so that you wouldn't feel like this was a dream, correct?”

  “Yes my—” she gives me a look, I stop my rote.

  “You are exhausted, correct.”

  “Very much so.”

  “Then do you need to create distance from those around you? Cecelia is still your mother, I, your grandma" she crinkles her nose at me, “while you do need to refer to Marie as [Head Attendant], you can still follow her title with her name every once in awhile. You best not be thinking the honorifics in your head.”

  I cringe, she saw, now she was pinching the bridge of her nose.

  “Sara, we are more than our titles, you speak of staying grounded but without people to keep you moored I fear you will fail in your goals.” She takes another sip from her cup.

  Is that true? Sam is surrounded by his friends and family and his childhood makes me yearn that mine was the same. If I were to dull out my teenage years as well am I just worsening the problem. Life must be hard so it's not a dream but it can't be painted in grey either.

  “You know, I think you might be right grandma.”

  I notice her cup is empty, and go to refill it. She tries to tell me that I am off duty.

  “Shush, I need my practice.”

  She has a bemused look, a perfect pour, I'll have to tell Marie later on my pour streak. Up to four.

  “I'm glad you can loosen up some. You're too young to be another Marie.”

  I think back to my earlier conversations and realize I was being Marie squared.

  “I have more to discuss with you though, first I expect you to be here with snacks and tea every evening, and you are to share them with me.”

  “My duty is to report to you for off duty time?”

  “Exactly.”

  “I'm still going to properly serve you tea before I let my hair down.”

  She scowls at that, but I remind her that practice makes better.

  “I will also be compelling you until your mana reserves hit below half.”

  It's my turn to scowl.

  “There is a reason granddaughter, I am not a powerful landed noble, it can lead fools to think I am a low risk target that can be robbed or worse. You, my dear, are a ten year old servant of this house and an easy attack vector. Your mother is teaching you swords, Marie knives, and I will teach you how to use your mental magic as both sword and shield.”

  I want to protest but she continues.

  “I understand your aversion, but right now your defense is shin kicking and hoping that turning your opponent into gibbering mass of worthlessness will result in them taking care of the problem for you. Your greatest asset is your growing core, it is what will protect you. Now come here, I took your mana from you, it's only fair I provide some back for that core to keep growing.”

  She leaves a decent size ball of mental mana in my chest.

  “I'll have you know, I am a very good shin kicker.”

  She smiles at that, “so I've heard” and then takes a sip of her tea.

  “I have to ask though, you didn't choose such a striking figure as a bid to make it harder on yourself, did you? I remember going down to my size was partially driven by my desire to make an impression on the other nobility, being the first daughter of a newly purchased nobility title and all.”

  I look down at my lovely waist, and thought about that, then I wave grandma off, “no, no some of my inherited memories had individuals with even more aggressive ratios then this, I mean they had such envious figures I couldn't possible go to their levels, I don't even know where my hips will place me.”

  “Ah generally the body will maintain the ratio as the hips come in.”

  “Really?”

  “O yes, I didn't come to my full hip size until a year after I had finished my refittings, but my ratio was still the same”

  I yelp, a familiar feeling pulls in my waist and ribs. I wished she hadn't said that. It stops a moment later but grandma eyes are already seeing the loosen of the fabric at my waist. She flips her arcane sight back on.

  “Your mana reserves are going down.”

  She uses a very serious tone. Bleeding vanity, my purple cat eye winks out. She is still watching.

  “There is still a slight lost.”

  I start to panic, I turn off the flow to my hidden arcanes, “am I going to be okay?”

  My voice is shakey. Grandmother is still staring, after a long tense moment, she sighs.

  “It stable but I don't see much of any gain, this will hold your training back if we can't reliably increase your flow.”

  There is an option, “Grandma, are you able to tell if my soul can take an increase yet? I fear ripping apart my old title was rather painful.”

  She is staring at me now, the look on her face unreadable, “How much?”

  “The new title gives four soul. I've done more before.”

  “But not after being so raw, it will hurt the same as earlier today.”

  “But I'll survive it?” She nods.

  I walk over to her pulling my right arm out of my sleeve. Marie said it won't do to be loud.

  “You'll need to hold me.”

  She nods again, I climb on to her lap, my back against her chest, she loops an arm around my torso, her hand resting on my waist, she gasps, and then her other arm is around with her hand resting on my shoulder, she rests her chin on my other shoulder. The embrace is strong, I place my wadded up sleeve into my mouth hoping I don't tear it. I will my two mental fortitude points to increase my level. My eternity from soul fire burns just as hot as before.

  You gained lvl 9

  Agi raised to 21

  Men raised to 43

  Soul raised to 79