I had spent time looking over my soul. I wanted to see the etchings. They're not there, my soul has embodied it. Is that what acceptance is?

  Sleep was brief. I woke up energized. I tried to do my thousand swings. I found that I wasn't tired until it was ten thousand. Mothers stats are still in me. I felt like I was cheating.

  You have gained [Sword Arm] Intermediate 5

  Gain 8 exp

  Getting six levels was pretty bullshit. Best not get used to it. I make it into the dining room and I see mother with Phenolp there. Her dress is familiar.

  19 Human Attendant

  “Okay, this is getting weird, I thought you didn't have an attendant mother, has this all been a ruse.”

  “I don't have an attendant Sara, you do. Phenolp Krakner speak your geas.”

  Shit, no no no no. Mother places a hand Phenolp back, mental mana flowing into her.

  “I, Phenolp Krakner, She who Titters, swear to absolve the harm I have done to Sara Maxwell Magdeline by entering her service until I have forgiven myself.”

  I watched it all through my mental cat eyes. They flared the moment I saw the mana go into Phenolp. The geas settled into her core, there was no struggle, it was as much a part of her as vampire is me. And damnit she worded it that I have no way to release her. I just slouch into my chair. It creaks.

  “How exactly is this going to work with my plan to become an attendant to slip through mage college and then claim nobility.”

  “Depending on how your diet is changed, you may have to bring her as a personal attendant”

  I narrowed my eyes at mother.

  “Sara, in college you're not going to have as easy of a time meeting your dietary needs. Certainly not as an attendant. You will take Miss Krakner with you. She won't be on the grounds with you, but at a private residence that you will keep for when you are off duty.”

  I'm pinching the bridge of my nose.

  “Would I not be staying with my mistress?”

  “As long as your residence is near your mistress you will be fine, you just will need enough personal wealth to have a separate residence.”

  I'm not sure I can grip my nose harder. She wants me to both serve and yet be served. Am I becoming Marie?

  “So why Phenolp?”

  “You are her mistress now, ask her.”

  Mother is enjoying this, after all the decorum I put her through she has thrown it back at me. I turn around and see Phenolp behind and to my right.

  “Phenolp…”

  “Yes, mistress?”

  Damn it.

  “Why did you agree to this?”

  “Ma'am, it was my actions that encouraged you to level your skill. When you broke down after the rabbit I knew I had gone too far. I had watched you eat your dinner with none of the passion you normally do. I knew I had gravely wronged you. When I had come here to inquire about your state, the [Countess] explained your situation. That I had so gravely injured your soul. I deserve more punishment than I have already received. I am glad the [Countess] was able to facilitate my vow.”

  Oh system, she is serious. Well obviously she is serious but now I know that she'll never forgive herself. Damn it.

  “You do not need to refer to me by my title, Phenolp.”

  “She is my attendant mother, and she will respect decorum.”

  Mother grouses at that and I smile. There is an unusual absence though. I need to fix that.

  “Phenolp, I give you leave to laugh and smile as you always do when I am with friends and family. Decorum should be respected otherwise. I am going to live for a very long time and frankly I am going to need you to try to tier up as well. In that thought, how well do you pour tea.”

  “Tea, ma'am?”

  I just smile.

  “Phenolp do go make us breakfast dear, and bring a full loaf of bread when you come back. We have things we need to test.”

  Phenolp looks to me for confirmation. Right, she is my attendant. I nod and she goes off towards where the kitchen hopefully is. I wasn't really given a tour.

  “Things to test?”

  “Yes dear, we need to see if you can still physically eat. Also we should check if we can still grow your hair with food. It is not exactly a normal process and so it may not be affected by your skill.”

  Oh system, if I have to drink blood to restore my hair that is going to be a problem. I smell something burning in the kitchen. I raise an eyebrow to mother but she just laughs. Phenolp returns looking frazzled. The eggs she carries are burnt. She places my plate in front of me and then mother. I take water for now when she asks.

  The eggs were awful, I start to cry.

  “I'm sorry, mistress.”

  She looks miserable. Tears in my eyes, I smile at her.

  “Phenolp, I can taste it, thank you for showing me I can still taste things.”

  I eat it all. Mother looks over my body with her green eyes.

  “It seems to be working as expected. The body seems to be processing it but none of the nutrients are being absorbed.”

  I look with my own life eye. It's not clear but I do get a feel for what mother said. Mother takes a strand of my hair and severs it. I didn't have a sight for what she had used. My scalp itches and my stomach feels less full.

  “Ah excellent, it would appear you can still grow hair from food.”

  That is a relief. She channels more magic and now there is a pile of dirty blonde on the floor. I can feel more hair grow but my stomach is empty before it finishes. Mother just smiles and hands me the loaf.

  I just stare at her while I nibble the hair back. She seems to be deep in thought.

  “I think I will have you slay a hydra dear, I am hoping to change your blood so that your body will begin producing it when you eat.”

  I just have to convince myself two heads aren't better than one.

  -----

  “Why is Phen standing behind you, Scratches?”

  “Phenolp, when we are with our party you may consider yourself off duty, please sit and stop trying to make this awkward.”

  She titters at me and sits down next to me.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “That's, like, really weird, Cat, also your hair is different.”

  My regrown hair was all mothers. All of it except for two strands of dirty blonde. It annoyed mother when I pointed it out. It annoyed me that it was all curly. I can blame that on my previous lark.

  The maxwell blue was only my left ear and tail. Marie black was the right ear. My tail was still striped black and blue but the flecks of gold had increased. Weird to have fur on my ears and tail. Is it because they came after my prohibition?

  “Mother infused me last night. Explain yourself please, Phenolp.”

  “I have entered my mistress' service as a way of penance for the grave harm I did to her.”

  “What harm was that, Cat?”

  “I broke the ability for my body to produce blood. I can only survive by drinking it now.”

  Alicia starts hugging me.

  “I'll enter your service too. It's partly my fault, Cat.”

  “Nope nope nope nope nope, ones enough.”

  Will it be? Shut up, brain. Alicia looks so sad.

  “So how that work for your hair plans?” Xerc speaks between chewing.

  “Well it seems food still grows my hair, I just can't store energy from it for my body.”

  “Your body is weird.”

  Tell me about it.

  -----

  Phenolp hands me my cup.

  All stats increased by one temporarily.

  You have gained [Vampire] Basic 2

  Gain 5 exp

  I quirk an eyebrow to mother. She was studying me with her green mana eyes.

  “It seems enough for now but we won't really know until the curse on myself fades. I suspect another day. Phenolp, I suggest learning life magic as your first aspect. Do you know what stat you would like to focus on?”

  I watch the process myself, I really need to increase my life sight.

  “[Countess], I would endeavor to emulate my mistress and try to gain the soul boons.”

  Mother looks deeply in thought on this.

  “I do not know if the third boon is possible to achieve. The title you will need from the first must be strong enough to provide the soul to keep pace with your other gains.”

  “I will strive to achieve such, ma'am.”

  “You do realize that [Attention to Detail] is tier five right.”

  My mentioning of the skill I tried to drill into her this morning has given her hollow eyes. We haven't gained it just yet but I am hopeful.

  “So then perception will be your next major boon.”

  She looks so sad, then her resolve firms, “Nevertheless I will achieve a hundred soul first, ma'am.”

  “Whats your perception at currently.”

  “Sixty-three…”

  “And you need sixty-five more soul?”

  She puts her head down in defeat.

  “You should focus on what you were doing before Phenolp, if there is anything I understand it's that fighting your system leads to terrible things."

  She nods, sullen.

  “Great your off duty while I'm at the clinic, I won't be needing your services till lunch time.”

  “A moment before you go, Phenolp.”

  “Yes, [Countess]?”

  Mother scowls, but motions her closer.

  “I am going to push some life mana into you. You are to study it and learn how to make it. Do not take any mana from Sara, she is not capable of making intentless mana yet.”

  Wouldn't want to saddle her with cat ears and iron bones.

  “I would relish the opportunity to be more like my mistress.”

  I just want to find a small hole and disappear. She is tittering now, she is doing it on purpose. Mother pushes the mana into her. She squirms a bit, but then settles shortly enough. Mother waves her off.

  -----

  Only two adventurers needed healing today. I was able to handle both. It was lunch time but I wasn't hungry. It's weird.

  “Do you want me to stay for the afternoon, mother? I feel awful for the curse you have.”

  “You're hilarious, my stats may be halved but I still will out class any issues that may arise. Go play in your workshop. Your new toys should have arrived.”

  I smile and head out of the clinic. I meet Phenolp outside. It appears she had been waiting.

  “I really hope you weren't standing there the entire time.”

  “No mistress, I went and trained with our party.”

  “She left an hour ago, Cat.”

  I see Phenolp eyes narrow for a moment before she regains her composure. I find it funny that I am happy for the slips. They are the sort of things I would admonish in myself. I head to the receptionist counter.

  “Could do with two small silvers.”

  “Of course, hun.”

  I hand the silvers to Phenolp.

  “Go buy as much bread from the bakery as you can, I'll meet you at the estate.”

  “As you wish, mistress.” She leaves immediately.

  “Oh can I come with, Cat?”

  I shrug, “Sure.”

  -----

  Everything I requested is here and ready, except the basin, it's empty.

  “Is this a blacksmith or a textile shop Cat? And where is the Forge?”

  “I'm the forge, Alicia.”

  My single red dot glows red.

  “You can't be serious.”

  I just smile as Phenolp arrives with my bread. I'm so happy it still has taste. I cut my braid off and start nibbling.

  “O, wow, it really is just growing back immediately.”

  Phenolp notices me trying to braid my hair again.

  “Mistress, allow me.”

  I smile. I have a better idea.

  “Actually, could you start filling the basin for me?”

  “Right away, ma'am.”

  By the time she has the basin a quarter filled, I have six braids and no bread. I judged the water enough to start working. I look at my bent sword. Maybe a test run first. I create some fire mana.

  You have gained [Convert Arcane to Fire Mana] Basic 8

  Gain 2 exp

  I took thirty percent of my core to create a flame hot enough on my hand. It hurts but I then place my hand at the bent portion of the sword.

  You have gained [Resist Fire] Basic 7

  Gain 1 exp

  You have gained [Resist Fire] Basic 8

  Gain 1 exp

  You have gained [Resist Heat] Competent 1

  Competent - That cooking smell is you, you take longer to cook

  Gain 4 exp

  I roll my eyes at my notifications. I leave it to my [Health Regen] to fix. The more levels the better. The blade softens during my musing. When I judge it ready, I take it to the anvil and correct the bend. It does not take many strikes. I use the basin to cool the blade.

  You have gained [Shape Metal] Apprentice 1

  Apprentice - you can use imbue through your hammer

  Gain 4 exp

  Alicia is standing over the basin looking at my cooling sword.

  “Didn't know you could work metal, Cat.”

  “I did say I wanted a forge, we can't talk to others about this work by the way.”

  She nods. I look at my braids. I put two on my anvil and put my hand towards them. Phenolp grabs my wrist and I look at her in question.

  “Mistress, I do not think it wise to directly touch the braid if you plan to shape it. I saw the damage you did just by softening the sword.”

  I smile, it's a fair point. I sigh and take the hair to the wheel. I imbue my braid through my mental core. It bottoms out making two spools of clear thread. I create more fire mana, mostly to practice convert. If I can get the convert high enough I can use my aura to melt the braids without touching it. Another four spools of fire are ready. That still leaves the four and a half braids. I shrug, and imbue some life thread with the half braid.

  You have gained [Life Core] Apprentice 3

  Gain 6 exp

  The thread is brimming with life mana. When grabbing it with my burnt hand the wounds felt warm. Is it healing? I wonder what it's based off of. I shrug and made a batch of arcane thread. Still three braids left. I decided to leave my mana alone and just made twelve mundane spools. Phenolp collected my spools and placed them in the wooden chest that mom had carried out two days prior. Likely another two small gold, maybe three?

  I grab the sword in the basin. I never used the grinder at Belna's, but Sencea's memories guide me in sharpening the sword. I put my hand out towards Alicia and she understood and handed me her sword. I make the edge keen and hand it back with a smile. She returns it.

  “Are you not going to sharpen Phen's sword Cat?”

  “She has a foil right? You don't need to sharpen those.”

  “Actually mistress, it's a rapier.”

  She presents the blade to me. It is indeed a rapier. Guess a foil would be rather impractical in combat. I start to sharpen its edge as well. I hand back the blade to Phenolp.

  Temporary buff has ended

  You have gained [Resist Curse] Basic 5

  Gain 1 exp

  I sigh, Phenolp is already preparing my meal. Alicia wishes to assist.

  “Not until we better understand my needs, Alicia. We wanted to find out my minimums.”

  She is disappointed but what can I do?

  “My blood, my mistress.”

  I give her a withering stare as I take the cup.

  “Do not gain that habit, Phenolp.”

  She has a smile on, “My apologies, ma'am”

  I drink and smile.

  All stats increased by one temporarily.

  You have gained [Vampire] Basic 3

  Gain 5 exp

  -----

  Mom had come to retrieve the chest. I tipped her with hugs. She left me three small golds. Mother arrived before she left.

  “Cecelia, how do the threads sell?”

  “Francis stock was bought out by a Drakenoid merchant."

  “Ren?”

  “I didn't catch the name sweetie.”

  He is likely the only one who knew about it so far. Mom left after that. Mother looks deep in thought.

  “Other than Ren, no one else knows about the threads. Were you not able to make ingots yet, Sara?”

  “Phenolp pointed out that my resists weren't yet high enough to endure the heat.”

  “Ah, that would be an issue. Do you have plans to mitigate the issue dear, or should I get a forge after all.”

  “I plan to expand my aura and raise fire convert. With those I should be able to handle it.”

  She considers, “Even so, I will be getting you some tongs as well.”

  I scowl, “I was thinking of holding it in place with mental constructs.”

  She raises an eyebrow, then laughs.

  “Your notions are quite comical, but if there are tongs, then Phenolp can assist you as well.”

  I pout at her logic. I have nothing I can say to rebut her. My debt grows.

  “Come come, let us see how Phenolp has improved.”

  The burnt eggs from this morning makes me think of my own trails at cooking.

  “I'm not hungry.” I give mother a toothy grin.

  “Nevertheless you need to maintain the habit dear, wouldn't want people to notice.”

  Awwww. The moment Phenolp gets [Attention to Detail] she learning how to make pancakes.