As we walked toward the mansion, the closer I got, the larger it appeared. From a distance, it had already seemed grand, but now, up close, it felt even more imposing. Its sheer size was impressive, but it wasn't just the scale that caught my attention. There was something about the architecture, the way it blended into the landscape while still standing out with an almost regal presence. frёeωebɳovel.com
I found myself observing the details more carefully, letting my eyes take in the craftsmanship. The stone walls were smooth, polished, and adorned with intricate carvings and symbols. There was a subtle elegance to the design—delicate embroideries and patterns that wove their way along the edges of the mansion, almost hidden unless you were looking closely. These details weren't ostentatious, but they carried meaning, something beyond mere decoration.
'The style is distinct,' I thought, my curiosity piqued. I wasn't particularly interested in art or architecture, but I was observant by nature. Having been to many different locations, I'd developed a habit of paying attention to the surroundings. And here, I could tell there was something unique about this place.
The design didn't follow the typical patterns I had seen in other estates. The angles, the lines—it all felt purposeful like it had been built with more than just aesthetics in mind. There was a subtle flow to the way the mansion was constructed, almost as if the building itself was part of the land's mana rather than something that had been forced upon it.
As we walked, I found myself tracing the lines of the carvings with my eyes. There were ancient symbols woven into the stone, not obvious, but present enough to catch the attention of someone who knew how to look. They weren't just decorative—they meant something, though I couldn't quite place what.
'This is relatively similar to how things were in the Organization's base, but not exactly the same.'
I thought as I continued to observe the mansion's intricate design. The carvings, the symbols, the subtle integration of mana into the structure—there was an air of something ancient here, something that ran deeper than the surface.
The organization had roots stretching back centuries, filled with ancient knowledge and mysteries. Their base had always carried that weight, a sense of history and hidden power lingering in every corner. But this place, while not identical, had a similar feeling—a connection to something older than what most people could perceive.
"Your home…..It is impressive."
I decided to test the waters. One way or another, I would learn about this more.
'And looking at her like that, I am sure if I just ask, she will reveal things.'
Senior Maya might be someone who knows how to carry herself, but at the same time, she relies on me a lot.
Though I do not want to take advantage of her like that, if there are things that are important to this world that I need to know about, it can't be helped.
Maya turned her head, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Her pink eyes, though still carrying that subtle tension, softened as she regarded me. "I expected you'd notice," she said, her voice warm but knowing. "It's part of why I wanted you to come here."
I raised an eyebrow, curious. "Oh? And what exactly did you expect me to see?"
Her smile deepened, and she paused for a moment before responding. "Why do you think it's impressive, Junior?"
I took a breath, knowing that this was my opportunity to explain what I had observed. "For one, the architecture," I began, gesturing to the carvings and symbols embedded in the stone walls. "It's not just decorative. The structure itself is deeply integrated with the land's mana. It feels as if the building is part of the environment rather than imposed upon it. That's rare."
Maya's eyes flickered with something—interest, perhaps, or recognition. She stayed quiet, allowing me to continue.
"The carvings," I went on, tracing the lines with my eyes again. "They're ancient not just in age, but in purpose. They serve a function beyond aesthetics, though I'm not entirely sure what yet. And the flow of mana… It's more refined here. It's not like the mana in most places, which is still in the process of integrating with the world. Here, it feels… complete."
Maya's smile didn't fade, but I noticed a shift in her posture. She was listening carefully now, her focus entirely on me.
"And then there's the connection to the land," I added. "It's subtle, but the entire estate seems to be in harmony with the natural world. It reminds me of the organization's base, though this is different in some ways. The patterns and the flow of mana all make it feel like it's been here for much longer than the world has had mana, to begin with."
Maya's smile deepened as she met my gaze, her pink eyes shimmering with an almost playful glint. "Just as I expected," she said softly, her voice carrying a warmth that felt almost too natural. "You're quite talented when it comes to sensing mana and understanding its flow. More so than most."
I wasn't surprised by her praise. After all, Maya had been the first person to teach me how to sense mana and control it. My awareness of its presence and how to navigate it in battle or the environment came directly from her. Still, there was something about the way she spoke now, a subtle pride in her tone, as if she had known I would notice these things.
She took a step closer, her smile never fading. "Go on, Junior. Aside from the mana flow, what else have you observed?"
I paused for a moment, gathering my thoughts before continuing. "The architecture," I began, gesturing toward the carvings and the overall design of the mansion. "It feels ancient, but it's not something I've seen widely among humans. The patterns, the symbols—this style belongs to something older, something outside the typical history books. It's as if this place is part of a different lineage entirely, one that hasn't been touched by modern human influence."
Maya's eyes didn't waver, but I could tell she was pleased with the direction of my thoughts. She didn't interrupt, letting me continue.
"Even the aesthetic," I added, "it's distinct. I've been to many cities and seen a variety of architectural styles, but nothing quite like this. Take Western Uxbridge, for example." I glanced at her, reminding her of the city we had visited together not long ago. "That city had a traditional human aesthetic, rigid and functional. The buildings were designed to serve a purpose, but there was little connection to the mana in the land. Here, it's the opposite. This estate isn't just built on the land; it's built with it."
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