PART 1
Mother, always a fan of flattery, took the bait effortlessly, a look of pride on her face. "Your mother comes from a clan of intelligent mages. The founder especially developed seals to be more than just simple techniques. Most outside the Ashborns only know how to use them for trapping a target, but we Ashborn," she said, loud and proud, "take it to greater heights."
This was exactly what I wanted to hear. It meant that seals weren't just for trapping but could perform much more complicated mana manipulation.
Just as I hoped she would continue, Mother said, "Like I said before, I won't be covering that aspect of our lesson, as that is too complicated and advanced for you currently."
Astraya then asked, "Mother, would seals be of any use to me as an aeromancer? Does white mana have sealing techniques?"
Mother sighed heavily. "I just literally said 'no more on anything seals or barriers.' That's enough for today," she said, cutting Astraya off.
I knew she would be stubborn about it. It was time to play my trump card. Just as mothers were specialists at using the "nine months in the womb" card, the one thing they didn't want was for their children to have favorites, and she was definitely not going to let us pick Dad over her, especially after all her efforts.
"Ohh, don't worry, Astraya," I said, seeing her look a little sad. "You too, Astraga, you're not curious today?" she asked, surprised by my reaction.
I replied, as Mother, who was also shocked, added, "Yes, Astraga, very unlike you. I expected you to ask more questions than your sister, to be honest."
This was my time to play it right. "Ohh, don't worry, Mother. Like you said, it's too much for us, you know? I don't think we would understand if you taught us."
This reply piqued her interest. "Huh? What do you mean exactly, son?" she asked.
"Nothing, Mother," I smiled. "It's okay. Dad told me he's already figuring out how seals work, you know, and he'll explain it to me."
"Really, Astraga?" Astraya asked, happily.
"Ohh, yes, sister," I replied. "You know how Dad is always willing to answer our questions."
Astraya, unconsciously fulfilling the final blow, said the words I knew Mother would not take lightly. "Dad's the best! I just can't wait."
It was a mission successfully accomplished. I could already see Mother's brows furrowed. I was sure she would be saying something about us being ungrateful children.
I needed to add this information gently to avoid creating a bomb. "Oh yes, Astraya, and that's why he went inside to make a book about it!"
Mother's head immediately whipped toward the house, her fists clenched. Sorry, Dad, we had to use you like this for the greater good.
She turned back to us, coughing repeatedly. "Well, well, well, looks like we still have a bit of time to spare. I could just teach you the basics," she said.
Astraya winked at me, and I knew she had been in on it all along. "Wow, Mother, really? You're the best!"
Mother blushed, a bit flustered. "Calm down, Astraya, haha."
PART 2
"Alright, listen up. Seals are spells as well, but for a seal to be considered strong, it needs to be inscribed. This is what Derrick Ashborn created himself: writing spells on materials to bind their targets, which made them incredibly stronger. 'That's why those rocks have inscriptions!" I asked.
"Yes," she replied. "Since you've seen them before, it would be easier for you to understand than your sister. But don't let that make you think you can't understand me, okay Astraya?" In simple terms, a seal was originally known for one thing alone: to bind something, like spirits, curses, or mana.
This was it. The way the barrier worked was quite unique. It didn't seem to bind anything, or did it? This also proved that seals could affect mana and even spirits. Interesting.
"The seal your brother keeps referring to is more or less a seal barrier," Mother explained. "Mages just prefer to separate the two, as all barriers are seals, but not all seals are barriers."
"Those inscriptions on those four rocks are primarily used only by the Ashborn. In fact, those who aren't Ashborns can't even use them for spells, as this is a bloodline-related ancestral authority."
Bingo! That was my conclusion, too. The Ashborns, in some way, got their language to cast spells or manipulate mana from an exclusive arrangement being able to have a unique, bloodline-related ancestral authority. But how did they make such powerful seals if this was a bloodline-related authority, a type of ancestral weight that shouldn't be that powerful?
"Mother, but then Father said the seal was created by you to conceal us from outsiders."
"Yes, it was," she said. "And it wasn't easy to make. To make a seal, you need to fulfill certain requirements to increase its power, but I can't tell you that, as it is one of the requirements I used to make this seal that veils us from outsiders."
Astraya, now intrigued, asked, "So no one can really see us, Mother?"
Mother replied that she could confirm without a doubt that it would take someone with incredible mana manipulation to even feel the barrier before they realized people were inside.
The Ashborns were capable of performing different types of seals, but in what she called the side branch family, they were the ones that used words to seal. Meanwhile, the main branch family used signs. She said it herself: there were Ashborn words and Ashborn signs. The main branch family could use both words and signs, while the side branch, where Mother came from, could only use words.Mother, now planning to wrap up the lesson, said that seals can be used by an Ashborn in a myriad of ways, and a seal made by an Ashborn is called a Khetemu.
She raised her hand, tracing an unseen pattern in the air. "A Khetemu may bind the body, locking away strength or movement until even titans fall still. It may ward the living, forming unseen walls that reject both spirit and curse."
Mother straightened, her eyes steady as she raised a finger. "First, the Khetemu of Binding. This is used to restrain beings, mana, curses, or even physical movement. It's comparable to shackles once etched, the target cannot escape unless broken by greater power."
She lifted her second finger. "The Khetemu of Warding. These are defensive seals that repel enemies, spirits, or hostile magic. They can be inscribed on doors, weapons, or even stones to guard the bearer."
A third finger went up. "The Khetemu of Containment. This is used to store mana, curses, or even living entities within a vessel."
The fourth followed. "The Khetemu of Channeling. This enhances the flow of mana, like opening pathways or amplifying spellwork. It allows an Ashborn to multiply their strength temporarily."
Her fifth finger rose. "The Khetemu of Exchange, also known as the Khetemu of Subjugation. These are domination seals used to enforce contracts, oaths, or obedience. They are often feared, as they bind not just flesh but will."
Her hand closed into a fist. "And finally, the Khetemu of Revelation. This is used to unveil hidden truths, detect lies, or reveal concealed things. It's considered rare and sacred."
Her voice settled into finality. "This is the nature of Khetemu."