Volume 5 Chapter 2 Reminiscence 2️⃣
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
That morning.
Just like always, when I arrived at the dining hall, the other children were already gone.
Only two meals were set at the long table that could easily seat ten—one for me, and one for Mama.
”…I’m all alone,” I murmured softly.
Technically, talking during meals wasn’t allowed. But the silence felt heavy, and I couldn’t hold the words in.
Mama glanced at me, smiling with only half her face—the same mask covering the other half as always. Not angry, just… pleased in a strange way.
”Yes. The other children are doing very important work now,” she said, her voice smooth like syrup. “You’ll begin that work too… starting tonight.”
She licked her lips after speaking. Something about her expression made my spine feel cold. I didn’t show it, of course.
”Yes, Mama. I’ll do my best,” I answered, straightening my back with a serious tone.
Mama’s eyes narrowed with a sly, pleased look.
”You really are… a smart boy. Yes, very promising,” she muttered, then walked over to where I sat and patted my head gently.
”I have high hopes for you. Don’t disappoint me, boy.”
She pressed a soft kiss to my cheek before turning and walking away.
Left alone again, my appetite vanished. Even so, I forced a piece of bread into my mouth, chewing slowly.
That might have been the first time I ever thought eating could be painful.
* * *
I spent the rest of the day alone in my room.
I couldn’t concentrate on my studies at all—every time I tried to open a book, uneasy thoughts filled my head. But doing nothing was worse. I kept reading the same paragraph again and again, the words slipping through my mind like water.
Eventually, evening came.
Dinner was served just for me. Even Mama wasn’t present this time.
The food was extravagant—more than a slave like me should ever be allowed. But I couldn’t enjoy it.
Just as I finished the last bite, Mama stepped into the room.
”Boy. It’s time for your bath.”
I blinked. That was the first time I’d ever heard her say that.
”Yes, Mama,” I replied quickly.
”Be sure to wash thoroughly,” she added, smiling—too much. Her lips curled like she was savoring something sweet.
Still puzzled, I headed for the bathroom.
This mansion was strange. Almost everything seemed to run by magic. Even the bath was warmed and filled by unseen forces—Mama’s magic, most likely.
The bath was deep and full of warm water—luxurious beyond belief for someone like me. So nice, it was actually scary.
* * *
I carefully scrubbed every part of myself.
Just as I was soaking, steam rising gently around me, I heard a voice.
”Alright, it’s time to get out.”
Mama had appeared as if she’d been watching the whole time.
Her orders were absolute. I would’ve liked to stay a little longer, but I obeyed, splashing out of the tub and drying myself with a soft towel.
”You don’t need to put clothes on. Come with me.”
I blinked again, startled. But I didn’t argue. Mama took my hand.
It suddenly struck me—this was the first time Mama had seen me without clothes.
Slaves get used to being seen like this. Even so, the way her gaze touched my bare skin made me uncomfortable. I shrank under it without meaning to, like my body was curling in on itself.
Still, I walked with her, hand in hand.
Truth be told, I barely knew this mansion. My world had only included my room, the dining hall, and the toilet. Now, the bath too. That was it.
So as Mama led me through glowing corridors filled with floating lights, I kept looking around nervously. Maybe I was just trying to distract myself from the rising dread in my chest.
And then—we reached a staircase. It led down. Underground.
The chill that ran through me was instant.
My steps faltered. Mama noticed.
”Oh dear,” she said sweetly, crouching to meet my eyes. “What’s wrong? Are you scared?”
My voice caught, but I managed to paste on a smile.
”I-It’s nothing, Mama. I just… got a little cold.”
She laughed softly.
”Oh, that’s right. You’re still bare, poor thing. It really is cold.”
Then, with a teasing grin, she reached out and lightly pinched my side. Her fingers brushed lower for a second.
”Fyaaah!?”
A weird sound escaped my throat, and Mama giggled again, rising to her feet and taking my hand once more.
”The corridor is chilly, so let’s hurry to your room.”
I didn’t want to go. But the stairs were in front of me, and Mama was already descending.
I held back tears and followed.
* * *
At the bottom of the stairs was a door.
Mama opened it without hesitation, and I stepped inside with a pounding heart.
It was a large, dim room.
The air inside was strange—thick and humming with quiet energy.
On the floor, a massive magic circle glowed faint purple.
”What is this place…?” I whispered.
A magic circle this big, in a mage’s mansion… nothing good could come of it.
From behind me, Mama wrapped her arms gently around my bare back.
”This is Mama’s laboratory,” she said, her voice oddly warm. “It’s where I do my magic research.”
She traced small patterns across my skin with her fingers.
”I’m working on something amazing. A spell that will help lots of people.”
”Help… people?” I echoed.
”Yes. Magic to heal wounds, cure illness, even regrow lost limbs. Don’t you think that’s wonderful?”
I frowned slightly.
”But… you’re not a cleric. Only priests or holy users can use healing magic.”
That’s what all the books said, anyway.
Mama’s eyes lit up in genuine surprise.
”You know quite a lot about magic… Impressive. Truly impressive.”
I lowered my gaze. It wasn’t that big a deal.
I’d always liked books. In the slave quarters, I’d begged the adults to let me study, arguing that a literate slave was worth more. They were happy to let me read.
That’s all it was.
Still, Mama smiled brightly.
”But, little boy… most people can’t do all that. Reading, thinking… You’re special.”
Her hands kept moving gently across my skin.
”And that’s why… I believe you’ll succeed.”
Suddenly, her hand pressed lightly against my stomach.
In that instant—
”Ah—”
My entire body lost strength.
* * *
I collapsed instantly, but Mama caught me easily, lifting me under the arms like a doll.
”Why…” I managed weakly.
She smiled down at me.
”I’m sorry. The other children resisted too much. I had to use a little magic on you.”
She carried me like I weighed nothing, placing me gently at the center of the magic circle.
My body couldn’t move at all. I just lay there, breathing, watching.
Then Mama stepped back.
And took off her robe.
Underneath, she wore nothing.
Except for her half-mask, Mama was bare.
Her skin was pale, flawless. Almost like a statue’s. It scared me, but I couldn’t look away.
I’d seen women undress before, in the slave huts. But this was different. Mama was different.
She noticed my stare and laughed softly.
”Haha… So brave and scared at the same time. You’re really something, boy.”
Her eyes sparkled with amusement—and something deeper.
”That’s why… I like you.”
She paused, then raised both arms, chanting something in a strange tongue.
Words I couldn’t understand—flowing, musical, and ancient.
The magic circle responded. Its light flared, burning bright violet.
My skin tingled. My heart pounded. My body flushed hot from within.
Everything began to feel strange—like heat crawling through every pore.
My chest tightened. I couldn’t move, but I could feel everything.
Tears welled up in my eyes.
Mama looked down at me gently, almost lovingly.
”It’s alright… Let the magic in… Just let it flow…”
She kept chanting.
The heat doubled. My head felt ready to burst. My heart pounded so loudly it echoed in my ears.
Then—I started bleeding from the nose.
I felt like I was on fire.
And then—I heard voices.
Faint, but familiar.
They belonged to the nine other children brought here with me.
—Hot, hot
—It hurts
—Let it end
—Please
—Kill
Their voices echoed in my mind, tangled with pain, anger, confusion.
I wanted to block them out.
I wanted to scream.
But some part of me wondered—if I answered them… would it stop hurting?
Was that the way to make it end?
The thought whispered through me like a shadow.
But it felt wrong. Like giving up.
I clenched my jaw.
I shut my ears.
And then—
The world turned black.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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