Wow. A month long whirlwind. Nobody's invited me to visit yet, or asked me, but these things take time, and I've got quite a few penpals, so... It's a win all round!

Am I praised by anybody? Well, not so much, but I'm accepted, the other girls seem to enjoy my company, and I enjoy theirs.

Well, mostly. Karen (ha) has been buttering up mother, so despite me having to verbally hogtie her whenever she comes to the parties, I am, for the moment, stuck with a girl who just can't accept (no, really, I think she's incapable of processing this idea) that maybe she shouldn't be putting on airs in front of people who, in later life, are going to be lording over her?

Let's face it, even I'm painfully aware, from a combination of common sense, history lessons, and gossip around the tea table, that social death is the least of Karen's upcoming worries. Below me or not, it's not just the fact that I like the girls in my circle that stops me from playing up. It's the fact that that has Consequences, capital intended.

I want a nice, calm life. And making big waves without a good reason is a bad idea.

Still, I have other concerns right now. Or rather, something to pay attention to.

Because the glorious month is over, and my demon tutor has returned, scads of books in her luggage. If anything, her smirk has gotten wider since her return, and my eyes have gotten blearier and blearier. She's even taking to headpatting me. Look, I know I'm currently in the shape of a blonde moppet who still huffs and puffs during exercise, and fits neatly in her mother's lap (disturbingly so), but... Dammit I want to bite your hand so damn hard, Elizabeth!

Again, a cup of tea, placed near my flopped down head. This is getting to be a pattern, and I'm nothing if not predictable, reaching slowly out for it, slowly leaning back, glaring as best as my tired eyes can manage. And she smiles.

Wait. Is that a... Genuine smile? No smirk, no snigger, no-

"Well, I think you're ready, Lettie. You've done well this past month, and your mother says you're old enough that your body can take it..."

Take... Wh-what do you mean? I- I'm not even seve-

"It's time for me to test your mana, and try to awaken it."

I breathe a sigh of relief. Why did my mind go there? Why?

I know why, it's because I'm a 46 year old trapped in a 6 year old's body, so my mind is way ahead of my body, and indeed hormones. But still...

"So... What does that involve, Miss Elizabeth?"

She raises an eyebrow. "Still 'Miss Elizabeth', after the time we've spent together? We know each other too well for that. I know you secretly hate all this formality, and you know I'm going to call you Lettie because it flusters you." That haughty smirk again... "And you also know you've completely failed to get a rise out of me with it, so you might as well stop trying."

She... I... That...

"Fine... Well, Liz, what does awakening and testing my mana entail?"

She smiles, brighter than I've seen her, and gestures for me to join her on the couch. "I'm so glad you asked! Essentially, I'll be circulating some of my own magic through you, and helping you with some visualisation, and, if all goes well, I'll be able to teach you magic from now on!"

I blink for a few seconds, cautiously making my way toward the couch. "Annnnd if all goes badly?"

Anyone with sense knows that "all goes well" has another side, after all. But she's unfazed by my nerves, and sits me down.

"Nothing bad will happen. At worst, you won't have enough mana to awaken, and that's what happens to the vast majority of people. So think of this as a potential gift to a talented student."

Talented, huh? Well, this is a fantasy world, and magic's a good part, and I'm planning to take sword lessons as soon as I humanly can, so... I hold out my hands, and close my eyes. "This a good start?"

I can hear her clapping her hands together. "Excellent! Now..." Her hands are soft, and warm, and they firmly grip mine from below. "Picture a light, in your stomach. And if you feel anything, picture that as light too."

Feel anythi- nggghhh?

Warmth pushes its way through my palms, down my arms... It's seeking that light in my stomach, but it's trying to spread everywhere, and-

"Nnnnhhhh... Ahhhnnnn... Hnnnn!~"

"That's it, stay with me, keep visualising... You're almost there..."

I can't stop moaning. This is warm, and fuzzy, and it feels good, and it's making my head go light, and...

"EEEHHHHHHHH!!!!~"

The light in my stomach flares, and I can see a web spread all through my body, lights in the air slowly pulling themselves toward me. And I flop back as my hands are released, eyes lidded, breathing heavily.

"Wh-wh-... Whurgh?"

Not the most dignified of words, but there's not really a whole lot of room for thinking. That was intense. That felt weird. And I feel another headpat, as Elizabeth looks fondly down at me, with only a hint of a smirk.

"There, that's quite the strong response, you've got potential! Not as much as mine, but-"

I weakly try to bat her head, but it's no good. My limbs aren't really responding so well. And I'm trying very hard to muster up indignation through this brain-fuzz.

You knew it would be like that, you bitch. And you didn't tell me.

Her smirk grows wider, and my suspicion is confirmed...