The Perfect Specimen

Michelle is brought back by the sudden interest in the techniques. Growing up, her family told her that no matter how one trained in body techniques it would hit a ceiling eventually. Magic on the other hand gets stronger with magic energy acc.u.mulation and experience.

She then remembers Alistair saying that he can't use magic and after casting him a pitiful glance she accepts the trade and gives him the techniques. After losing the two boys she thought were her friends, she desperately needs to strengthen as many relationsh.i.p.s as possible to gain freedom from her family.

Most of the children here hope to either be adopted into the top families or return to their own families with the glory of being an ascended. Michelle though, only hopes that she can be so outstanding that it allows her to break away from her families power struggle.

As she thinks of her need of more relationsh.i.p.s and the outstanding performance Alistair displayed in the face of blood l.u.s.t, her mind wanders back to before she left for the orphanage.

...

A man and woman stand in a lavish garden, they see a young girl standing in the center in a stance that makes her seem as if she were a piece of the scenery, barely distinguishable at first glance. She has a faint blue glow forming around her, almost as if a film enveloping her body.

Ordinary people would not be able to notice her without actively looking for her, except the man and woman were staring straight at her the entire time.

"She is able to attune herself to the magical energy in the area so soon after her baptism. She is a prodigy that has a chance to surpass even the protector of Utopia." This statement came from the woman standing next to the man.

She looks at the man with an expectant expression as she says, "Your daughter will be the leading figure of Utopia if she trains diligently with the best of instructors and resources."

Despite the praise that his child is receiving and the proof in front of him, he remains unmoved with a slightly disappointed expression.

"She is still far from her brother though, how unfortunate for her to be born with such an outstanding older brother. I can not invest in someone who is weak, send her to an orphanage after her training and we will see her progress after she ascends." He casually remarks before turning around and walking away.

Other than when his daughter was born, this was the second time he saw her in person and he decided that she was not worthy of his attention.

The woman became visibly upset at the outcome of the young girls performance not impressing the man. She bites her lip and while frustration builds inside of her, she slightly bows in acknowledgement, "Yes husband, it will be as you wish."

This woman is one of the mans many brides and their daughter is a young girl with strawberry blonde hair. "Michelle, that's enough come inside now and tend to your studies. You failed the test and will go to an orphanage after the instructions are finished so pack your things as well."

The woman did not disguise her disappointment with her daughter, she was already an outcast in the harem before and now her daughter had to be sent away for adoption. Her status will only drop from here.

Michelle is in the garden focusing on the magic power that is flowing through her body at this moment as it is her first time since the baptism, feeling the wonderful sensation of magic energy. She gets the feeling that it is a muscle in her body that she is able to move at will.

Just as she is about to try directing it outside of her body she feels a repulsive force which is blocking it from exiting. Almost as if a dam holding back a flood. She tries attacking it with her magic force and sees it beginning to show signs of breaking. Just as she is on the verge of letting her magic energy escape from her body, she hears her mothers call which snaps her out of her trance.

She completely forgot about the test that she was given while in the trance, she was excited to see her father for the first time and show him what she can do.

When she opened her eyes, she saw her mother standing there alone, with a sour look on her face. She then processed the words that her mother just said to her. "What? Where's father? Didn't he want to see my magic?" She asked her mother in disbelief of the situation.

"Your father doesn't associate with the weak. If you want to see him, become stronger than your brother. Don't be weak." Her mother looked at her with a dead look in her as if what she was saying was the norm. Michelle's legs give out from under her and she falls to her knees.

She is a child that was told her father doesn't even want to associate with her and she is to be given away until she can become stronger. All because her brother is stronger than her, a hatred takes root in her heart as she feels unjustly punished for something she has no control over.

She looks up at her mother with tears in her eyes and sees her face. She knows her mother isn't lying or joking. Her mother never spoke with her about anything other than results in training her mind before the baptism.

She goes in to get her final lessons from the instructors, as she has finished most of her private tutoring before this day. This day was supposed to be a grand graduation for her, instead she is re-instructed on the basics of her education before packing her things.

Each child's brain is m.a.t.u.r.ed from the moment they can walk to allow the magic to gather around them faster as magic energy favors the young and the dying. The stronger you become in magic, the longer you are able to live.

Adversely, magic energy gathering becomes more and more difficult as you age. Which is why most people in the world fight over resources gained from the Wilds. It's due to people who have luck on their side finding resources that increase their magic energy gathering speeds by astronomical amounts for a limited time.

The next day she set off with bodyguards as she is still part of an ill.u.s.trious family. Except no close family member was there, not even the instructors who she spent the majority of her early childhood with. Only one person saw her off, her brother. He stood waiving by the manor as she was leaving wearing a charismatic smile while telling her he wishes her the best of luck.

She later found out by asking a physician about this, that her magic energy was blocked by an outside force. The only things that could do this are really expensive items or really powerful individuals suppressing the weak.

Her mind turns to find anyone who would have a motive to suppress her magic energy and only one person comes to mind, her brother.