9 Mark Blood

The morning came quicker than expected. A line of morning light broke through the thick curtains of Jien's room to land across his slumbering face. It felt only a moment since he had laid his head on the pillow to sleep that there was a series of light knocks on the door followed by Runa's usual morning greeting, asking permission to enter his room and assist him in getting ready for the day as was her duty. After a short pause he gave his permission in his usual uninterested tone. Mornings were never his favorite time of the day, but he still had responsibilities that abide by a typical schedule.

After receiving permission, the petite brunette entered the room in her usual navy-blue maid's dress with white apron, finished with a pair of simple black shoes that had been polished until they shown in any source of light. She assisted Jien in getting up, preparing a morning bath for him and preparing that day's outfit, a pair of darker dress pants, simple white button-down dress shirt, light grey waste coat and a pair of black leather loafers. She also spent the time that Jien was bathing to change his sheets and straighten his room, though making sure not to move any of the varying books that he had lying about on tables and his desk.

By the time that Jien had finished his morning cleaning Runa had finished straightening his space and he quickly and efficiently got dressed before starting on his way toward the manor's main dining room to have breakfast with his father as per usual. Runa walked a few steps behind him as per usual and his mind was still focused on the feelings that were provided by the lich passing along the first two spells of the God of Tomes. The first priority in his mind was to figure out how to cast those spells before moving onward to many others. While spells from the gods were the bread and butter of most of those throughout the world they were not and never would be the only spells out there. There were always inventive individuals out there and they would find new and innovative ways to use mana, limited as it was for the user.

Jien was so caught up in his own thoughts that he reached the dining hall in what felt to only be an instant and as he sat in his usual seat he did not even notice that beyond himself, his father, Runa and the usual staff that were starting to set food on the polished mahogany table, there was another presence standing behind and to the left of Lord Losler. It was only after he began to eat and turned his gaze toward his father to start a general conversation on the updates of their lands that he noticed the individual standing calmly on the other side of the room. Though this caused some small surprise, it did not show in his eyes or on his face. He merely glanced at the stranger calmly before moving on with his meal and looking at his father for an explanation. It was not unusual for Lord Losler to have others in their home. The lands that they managed while smaller than some of the larger territories of the Elitrix Empire, were not small and this often led to visits from those that managed subdivisions of their territory or required assistance from Lord Losler.

Earl Losler did not seem to mind the questioning gaze of his son and continued to eat for a few bites before finally striking up their usual morning conversation. However, that conversation did not start the way Jien expected. Lord Losler smiled lightly as he looked back at the stranger before speaking. "This will be your new instructor until the time that you begin attending the academy," Lord Losler stated matter-of-factly. Jien, after hearing this gave the man a closer look. He would not be Jien's first instructor in many different areas from etiquette to territory management and general studies. The man himself was on the younger side, looking to be in his early twenties, likely fairly newly graduated from the military academy. He was 5'10" with a toned but fairly average build, tan skin, sharp facial features and short wild black hair and auburn eyes. The man wore simple leather trousers, a white linen shirt and a pair of brown leather boots. On one hip was a simple black sheathe holding what looked to be a simple steel dagger, on the other was another sheathe, this time carrying a long-sword that appeared to be standard military grade steel. The man stood stoically with his hands behind his back in a typical military stance, but his focus appeared to be razor sharp as if at any moment he would be willing and able to act with his full strength regardless of the situation.

The man after being mentioned looked at Lord Losler who nodded in approval before stepping forward. In a firm, if not slightly stiff voice the man answered Jien's now questioning gaze. "Greetings young Lord Losler. My name is Mark Blood and I will be your instructor in the martial path and in the start of the magic path. I hope that we can get along." After saying this much he looked to Jien in hopes of finding some positive response, whether it be excitement, or at the very least some interest. What he found however was neither. Jien looked at him without a hint of interest or happiness. This man was not his first instructor, and he definitely would not be his last given that all youths of the age of fifteen were required to attend the military academy. However, as all of Jien's previous instructors would explain, while he was diligent in his studies and learned at an exceptionally high rate, he lacked interest in his studies. He was truly unmotivated when it came to just about anything but reading. Though magic definitely interested him he could tell at a glance that Mark was not a pure mage by any stretch of the imagination. He was likely being paid to teach Jien the martial path with hints of magic or even more likely, just mana manipulation like those who walked an almost entirely marital path.

Jien's lack of interest in his new instructor was picked up on almost immediately by Lord Losler and in seeing it he glanced back at Mark with a hint of apology in his gaze before turning back to Jien who had finished eating and was now sipping on his tea. Mark found this lack of attention interesting. When he had taken this job after Lord Losler reached out to several recent graduates of the military academy, he had perhaps expected a spoiled brat or even a youth looking to prove himself to his family. To see that Jien barely paid him any mind at all and had refocused entirely on his father without even responding was both rude from an etiquette perspective and a bit shocking. However, after several long, tense moments of silence Jien actually did speak, though his response was slightly disheartening for his new instructor. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. However, I have no interest in the martial path, nor do I have an interest in taking the path of a lord. I am interest in the path of the mage." Jien stated calmly and concisely.

This was what Lord Losler had expected, though it was still a bit of a bombshell to hear it straight like that. Jien, though studious and will abide by his instructors never showed an interest in ruling over lands, nor in just about any physical exertion. When it came to learning how to preside over a territory, he learned a great deal at a very fast pace and in his studies could often provide excellent solutions for many situations. In fact, he had even helped Lord Losler in the management of their territories and provided several creative solutions to varying issues. However, he had never shown much interest in doing so, unlike his father. He had only helped his Lord Losler because he knew it was what his father wanted and doing so sooner would allow him to return to what he actually wanted to do at a faster pace. Even trying to discuss the physical education was a moot point. Jien didn't want to bother with it. Though he was physically healthy due to his diet and was able to handle regular exercise just like any other average youth, he would always do the bare minimum before walking away from those courses.

Here once again he was showing his attitude in regard to these types of studies. While it was not outright rejection or even a tantrum, this time Lord Losler would not be able to let it sit as he had in the past. A slight sigh escaped his lips before he looked into his son's eyes and spoke firmly. "Unfortunately, in this instance you won't have an option and you won't be able to only do the bare minimum. Mark has been hired to get you ready for the academy and has my permission to do anything necessary to make that happen."