A Blossoming Flower (Falling Petals)

Hearing his advice she squints even more in frustration and focus on the energy.

'Easier said than done! If I cut a source of energy out then another one grows stronger or a new source of energy appears! I can't get rid of this things at all! And it's annoying how I can feel it through my skin and how it flows around me while looking for a way in- wait. I can feel the mana around me even more obviously than before.'

Taking notice of it, she quickly sensed that the feeling of it lessened when she calmed down.

'I see. This is why Uncle Gabriel told me to calm down. When I get overwhelmed then I leave openings that causes it to just flow in while the rest that can't would just move around me. A waste of energy that my body can't collect.'

Calming her mind. She began to think how to stop this flow.

'... why not just form a barrier in my mind, a type over this spheres '

She quickly took to action her thoughts and did a mental barrier around the spheres. The energy that was flowing around it quickly took notice of it and spread around to search, but as if sensing nothing, it dissipated out and return to nature mana with no issue.

'Really!? It worked!'

Not a second she thought that and let her guard down, the barrier she formed cracked. Before it was noticed she quickly fixed it and sighed in relief.

"You did it. Excellent work."

"But it's hard to keep it like this. If I lose focus, then it would repeat that cycle of subconsciously absorbing the mana that seems to flow quite readily to me."

"Haha."

"What's funny?"

"No, nothing really. Just that normally a person would kill to be able to subconsciously collect mana like breathing and wouldn't dare cut the magic energy from entering their body."

"But I have to because I'll be dangerous if I was found out."

"That's true, but in a few months from now we won't have to worry about it and you can display your talent with no issue."

"You don't have to lie to me uncle Gabriel."

"Huh?"

"I know even after my 8th birthday. Even if I was allowed to learn and form my magic, it's still better not to have others learn this strange body constitution of mind where mana willingly flows in me without me trying to collect it."

"... that's true, but that doesn't mean we can't lie if someone notices it."

"Huh?"

It was now her turn to sound confused when he spoke.

"If anyone witnessed your ability to collect mana without trying and confronts you about it. Just tell them this 'oh, I learn how to subconsciously collect mana from my surrounding. It's as easy as breathing like papa said.' And that would cut off any questions."

"Why? Does papa have a problem were mana just surrounds him too?"

"Haha no, it's that even now, while your papa is working, his body and mind was trained to take as much mana it can from its surrounding. So he would be able to collect magic energy as easy as breathing and strengthen his magic abilities till hi limit for the day."

"Is it amazing to be able to do that?"

"Very amazing. Because it is a strain to the body when one focuses on collecting magic energy to strengthen their abilities. So your father who can do such without batting an eyelid is a protege."

"Cool~ can you do that too?"

"Me?"

"Yeah."

"Well.... I was only recently able to do it. Maybe a year or two ago."

"That's amazing! How old was papa when he did so."

"... old."

"Huh?"

"... years old."

"Your mumbling uncle. I can't hear you."

"He was... 10 years old."

"..."

"That... freak of nature."

"Heh... hahaha!"

Looking at his begrudging attitude she ended up laughing in amusement at his pouting expression.

"But because of your fathers monstrous talent. People would not question you after you tell them your father taught you it. They would just thing it is because the DNA of such a monster flows through your blood that you are able to do such a feat."

"I see. Because papa is such a monster. I can be able to do it just after learning magic."

"Yup."

"..."

"..."

"I'm gonna tell papa you called him a freak of nature!"

"!! Wait Saku- how are you so fast!?"

"Hahaha!!"

Before he knew it she was already out of the door running to look for her father in his study.

"Oh no! He'll bother me about this for days if he hears it!"

Gabriel knew how much Mihkael likes to mess with him. If he heard that he called him a freak of nature of a monster, then mostly likely he'll tease him about it as much as he can.

Gabriel went running after Sakura but surprisingly his long legs can't catch up to her.

It was already a while in the run that she already reached to the main palace and was already inside heading to the location of his office.

"Damn... I.. need to... hah ha.. exercise.. more."

"I think so too."

"!? Ariel!?!"

"Come on. Isn't it just sad you can't reach Sakura who is just a kid with short legs."

Ariel was keeping pace beside Gabriel and was having full laughing at his struggling friend.

"Too bad you can't do strengthening magic. If you were able to, then you would have strengthen you body and ran quicker. Catching up to her."

"I... hah hah.. can't."

Before they knew it. He staggers and kneels to the floor. His hair wet from sweat and his panting filling the hallway.

"How can.. she run... so.. fast"

Taking deep breaths he looks perplexed at her ability to outrun a grown man.

"I'm training her."

"Huh!?"

He quickly turns to Azrael who just showed up as mysteriously as Ariel did.

"You've been training her?"

He nods to Ariels question and just remains standing while watching Gabriel's struggling to breath.

"You need training too."

"Thanks... I haven’t... hah.. noticed."

"I can train you while training the princess. I only do five percent of what I train my men to do. So you won't get hurt."

"Hahahah!! Your gonna train at the same level as the young princess. Aren't you happy to have such a considerate friend Gabriel."

Ariel was laughing while holding on to Azrael, but he quickly fell to the floor in hysterical laughter when Azrael spoke again.

"No, the princess is doing around 10 percent of the training drills. She has talent to even reach my level when she reaches the age of 15 or so. She is amazing."

"Stop... my self esteem is just breaking more and more."

"I'm dying! Hahahaha"

"What's so funny here?"

The voice Gabriel dreaded to hear just reached his ears.

"Oh no."

"What's 'oh no'? You hearing my voice. Well, it must be. Having a monster so close must be frightening."

"Ugh! I knew he'll annoy me about this."

Gabriel looks up and sees a smirking Mihkael holding a smiling Sakura in his arm.

"I was too late."

"Huh? What is it? Why you look like it is the end of the world?"

"Must be because his inner thoughts were finally revealed. Isn't that right Gabriel."

"Leave me be."

"Oh how it wounded me so to hear my brother in arms. My sworn brother! Has been calling me a freak of nature, a monster!"

Mihkael exaggerated his expressions and held his free hand in his chest as if he was in pain.

Sakura giggled in his other arm and watched Gabriel crumble to the ground in embarrassment while Ariel had another fit of laughter.

"Well where was Gabriel wrong? You are a freak of nature."

A soothing and cold voice sounded behind Mihkael and Sakura quickly turn in joy.

"Papa Raph!"

"Hello my dear. I see you are having an amusing time."

"Your words wound me even more so Raph-"

"Shut it. Don't expect me not to berate you for leaving your work half finished just because you felt like messing with Gabriel."

"Your no fun Raph. Right Sakura?"

"Yeah! No fun."

"Oh now you decided to bring the princess into this? You have no shame."

"Yes. He doesn't have any."

Gabriel holds onto his only help and agreed with anything Raphael said.

"Must be because I'm just a monster with freakish talent."

"That-!"

"Yup. I'm glad you finally noticed it Mihk."

Before Gabriel came say anything against Mihkael's teasing, Raphael readily agreed and looked like he was praising Mihkael for noticing that about himself.

"... you really are no fun Raph."

He pouts and hands Sakura to Raphael since he was already reaching out for her. Sakura giggled and hugged Raphael.

"Its time for lunch, so how about we all head to the dining area. I already informed the servants we would be eating here rather than the princess's palace. And Uriel would be there as well."

"That's fine."

"Get up Gabriel. You look quite sad on the ground there haha!"

"Oh shut up Ariel."

"We can discuss your training while eating."

"Azrael. Your not making me feel any better while saying that in an excited tone."

Even when Gabriel said that and those around them can see Azrael was a bit excited. If anyone else saw it they would just give Gabriel a perplexed expression.

Azrael voice sounded neutral and he didn't smile or showed any hint of excitement. However those who new him for years noticed the small hint of emotion in his voice and how eager he appeared to train his friend.

"What's for lunch?"

"A grilled chicken with a side of vegetable dishes and a pea soup and a few loafs of sourdough bread. A light healthy lunch with a surprise for dessert."

"Oh. The pea soup that the palace chief makes are actually really good, can't wait to have it."

Azrael nods to Ariel's comment and Gabriel can only sigh, knowing this would not be able to distract Mihkael for long.

But he watched them and their small chattering between once another and he can't do anything but smile. Seeing them so harmonious together made his worries go away. He just hoped it would always stay this way.

"Uncle Gabriel, why so far back?"

"Huh?"

Hearing her tiny voice call to him he focuses his eyes on her and watches her smile happily to him. Beckoning him to follow closer.

"Come on. We quickly have to go eat and continue practice."

Smiling at her eager expression, he chuckles and walks closer to the group.

"That's better. If your tired, just tell us ok."

"Haha. Ok."

"Hehe~"

Seeing her laugh happily in Raphael's arms, Gabriel held warmth in his eyes.

'Yes. I truly hope it will always stay like this.'