Aelira woke up slowly. The morning light filtered through the heavy curtains, painting stripes of gold on the navy carpet.

  ?“...It feels like déjà vu,” she mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

  ?She sat up. Everything was quiet.

  ?Just like yesterday, she closed her eyes and focused inward. But this time, she didn't search for the heavy void. She searched for the warmth.

  ?There.

  ?The pulse of mana ran through her body—steady, rhythmic, like a second heartbeat. It was weaker than the rush she felt yesterday, but it was hers.

  ?A rare, genuine smile crept onto her face. Pride swelled in her small chest.

  ?I did it. I really did it.

  ?Without hesitation, she leapt out of bed. She didn’t wait for Lassandra. She didn’t wait to change out of her nightgown.

  ?“I should tell Mother!”

  ?The memory of her parents rushing into her room after the sparring match flashed before her eyes. Maybe... maybe this time, they would look at her like that again. Maybe they would smile.

  ?She sprinted down the halls, her bare feet slapping against the cold marble.

  ?She stopped before a grand mahogany door.

  ?Thud.

  ?Without thinking, she pushed it open.

  ?“Mother!”

  ?The room was dim, draped in elegant shades of red and navy blue. The heavy curtains were drawn, blocking out the sun.

  ?Vivianne lounged in a red velvet chair, her feet propped up on a stool. She was sipping wine from a crystal glass while a maid massaged her shoulders.

  ?At the sudden noise, Vivianne straightened sharply. Her eyes narrowed, ready to scold an intruder.

  ?But when she saw it was only Aelira, she sighed and sank back into her seat. The annoyance on her face was palpable.

  ?“Aelira... how many times must I tell you? Knock before you enter.” She swirled the wine in her glass, not even looking at her daughter. “Is there something you want?”

  ?Aelira froze. Her excitement withered instantly.

  ?“I’m... sorry.” She tapped her index fingers together nervously. “You know... I—I did it! I managed to awaken my magic power!”

  ?Vivianne paused. She glanced at Aelira from the corner of her eye.

  ?“Good job,” she said flatly.

  ?Her voice was calm. Devoid of joy. Devoid of pride. It sounded like she was acknowledging a servant who had successfully dusted a vase.

  ?Aelira’s heart sank.

  ?That’s it?

  ?Vivianne lifted her glass again and took a sip. “Is there anything else?” she asked, her tone cold. “Or are you done interrupting my rest?”

  ?“Uh... n-no. Nothing else.”

  ?“Good. Don’t forget to close the door.”

  ?Aelira bowed her head. “Yes, Mother.”

  ?She quietly pulled the heavy door shut until the latch clicked.

  ?She stood in the hallway, staring at the wood grain.

  ?I thought... she would be happy... I thought after yesterday...

  ?She shook her head, trying to shake off the disappointment.

  ?Maybe Father.

  ?Clutching that small hope, Aelira hurried toward the East Wing, where her father usually spent his mornings.

  ?As she approached the door, loud, boisterous laughter echoed from inside.

  ?Knock. Knock.

  ?No answer.

  ?Knock. Knock.

  ?Still nothing. Just more laughter.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  ?Heart pounding, she pushed the door open.

  ?“Father—!”

  ?The room was bright, furnished in light browns and gold. Wilkram sat on the edge of the bed. Two maids were pressed close beside him, giggling. One had her arm draped around his neck.

  ?He held a wine glass in one hand, his face flushed.

  ?“Now then, where were we, sweet ladies—?”

  ?The door creaked. Wilkram jumped, nearly spilling his wine.

  ?“Aelira! You almost gave me a heart attack!”

  ?The two maids pulled away quickly, covering their mouths to hide their giggles.

  ?Wilkram waved them back and turned to his daughter with a sheepish, lopsided grin. He tried to block her view of the women, though it was far too late.

  ?“I did knock,” Aelira said quietly. “But you didn’t answer.”

  ?“I—I see... Ahem. Anyway, why did you come here? Shouldn’t you be training?”

  ?Aelira shifted her gaze from the maids back to him. “I... I awakened my magic!”

  ?“I see, I see,” he replied distractedly, fussing with his disheveled shirt. “As expected of my daughter. Very good. Excellent.”

  ?He walked over, gave her a quick, dismissive pat on the shoulder, and gently steered her toward the door.

  ?“Now, if you’ll excuse me—your father has important matters to attend to. Hero business, you know?”

  ?“But—”

  ?“Go on, now.”

  ?The door closed firmly in her face.

  ?Click.

  ?From inside, laughter erupted again.

  ?Aelira stood alone in the empty corridor.

  ?Maybe... Lassy is around somewhere...

  ?She wandered the halls aimlessly. The mansion felt too big. Too empty.

  ?Maybe Grandfather would be happy to hear it...

  ?The image of Sylas’s stern, stone-carved face appeared in her mind.

  ?No. That won’t do.

  ?She shook her head. Determined to find someone—anyone—who would care, she checked the kitchen. The library. The garden.

  ?Where is she? And where’s Sensei? I can’t find either of them...

  ?She turned a corner too quickly.

  ?Thump!

  ?She collided with someone.

  ?“Ouch!”

  ?“Hey! Watch where you’re going!”

  ?Aelira rubbed her forehead and looked up. Lysric stood there, his face twisted in fury.

  ?“You!” he barked, pointing a finger at her nose.

  ?“Me?” Aelira blinked, confused.

  ?“How did you do it on your first day?!”

  ?“?” She tilted her head.

  ?“Don’t play dumb! I know you awakened your magic! Even if it’s just the first step—how did a radish like you do it so fast?!”

  ?Before he could finish his rant, he stopped.

  ?Aelira’s eyes had lit up. They sparkled with genuine excitement.

  ?“W-What? What’s wrong with you? Did you hit your head?” Lysric stepped back, creeped out.

  ?“No,” Aelira beamed. “I’m just happy...”

  ?Someone knows. Someone acknowledges it.

  ?Lysric froze. His mouth hung open. “I—I... YOU MORON!”

  ?His face turned crimson. He stuck out his tongue, spun on his heel, and stormed off.

  ?His caretaker, Mr. Josef, lingered behind. He smiled kindly at Aelira.

  ?“It truly is a marvelous achievement, my Lady. It took Master Lysric almost a full week, and he is considered a prodigy.”

  ?Aelira flushed pink from head to toe.

  ?“Is that so? T-Thank you,” she stammered. “Do you know where Lassy or Master Zaek are?”

  ?“There’s no need to thank me—I only spoke the truth.” Josef stroked his chin thoughtfully. “As for Miss Lassandra and Master Zaek... I’m afraid I haven’t seen them.”

  ?“I see. Still, thank you, Mr. Josef!”

  ?He chuckled softly as he watched her run off.

  ?Near the main staircase, Aelira spotted Clara, one of the housemaids, glancing nervously around a corner.

  ?Lost in her excitement, Aelira ran toward her.

  ?Tap tap tap.

  ?Clara jumped at the sound and spun around, eyes wide with panic.

  ?“Lady Aelira! You shouldn’t sneak up on me like that!” she scolded, clutching her chest.

  ?“Sorry, Clara, I didn’t mean to,” Aelira said. “What are you doing here?”

  ?“I... well, I was just checking for dust, of course,” Clara replied hastily, gesturing toward an already spotless vase.

  ?“Oh. Have you seen Lass—I mean, Lassandra?”

  ?Clara’s face tightened for the briefest moment. A shadow crossed her eyes.

  ?“Lassandra? No. If she isn’t with you, then I don’t know.”

  ?“I see. Thank you,” Aelira said, turning away.

  ?She missed the way Clara exhaled in relief the moment she was gone.

  ?A few minutes later, she bumped into her Uncle Celdric.

  ?He looked irritated, muttering to himself as he walked. But the moment he saw her, his expression softened into a practiced, gentle smile.

  ?He knelt down, straightening the collar of her nightgown.

  ?“Aelira... You shouldn’t run in the corridors. It’s dangerous.”

  ?“Sorry, Uncle Celdric... I was looking for Lassy. Did you see her anywhere?”

  ?“Lassy? Ah, your nanny. Yes, I believe I saw her heading toward your room a moment ago.”

  ?“Really? Thanks, Uncle Celdric!”

  ?She tried to move past him, but his hand shot out, blocking her path.

  ?“Wait.”

  ?“?”

  ?“I heard a rumor... Is it true you awakened your magic yesterday?”

  ?Aelira’s face lit up with pure joy.

  ?“Yes! I just learned it from Master Zaek—”

  ?Celdric’s smile didn’t change, but his eyes went cold.

  ?“Is that so... You’ve done well.”

  ?He patted her head. His hand felt heavy.

  ?“You can go now. Surely your nanny is worried about you.”

  ?Aelira nodded and slipped past him, oblivious to the change in the air.

  ?Behind her, Celdric stood up. He watched her small figure disappear around the corner.

  ?He brought a thumb to his mouth, biting his nail nervously.

  ?“To think she learned it on her first day... She may be an even bigger problem than I thought...”

  ?A dark grin twisted his face.

  ?Without wasting another second, Aelira sprinted toward her room.

  ?She burst through the door.

  ?“Lassy!”

  ?Lassandra was sitting quietly on a chair by the window. She turned, startled.

  ?Aelira rushed forward and hugged her tightly, burying her face in the maid’s apron. The sweet scent of lavender enveloped her.

  ?It felt like all her tiredness, all the disappointment from her parents, was fading away.

  ?“My Lady? Is something wrong?” Lassandra’s voice was soft and gentle.

  ?“No... nothing at all.”

  ?“Is that so?”

  ?Lassandra smiled warmly, returning the hug. “I heard the news. You did an incredible job yesterday. Awakening on the first day... that is something to be proud of.”

  ?Aelira wasn't sure if she deserved such praise, but hearing it from Lassy made her heart swell.

  ?“It was all thanks to you,” Aelira murmured against her.

  ?“Don’t mention it,” Lassandra said softly, stroking her hair.

  ?After a moment, Aelira pulled back. “Where did Sensei go?”

  ?“I think he left early this morning, while you were still sleeping,” Lassandra replied. “But don’t worry. He should be back before tomorrow.”

  ?“I see...”

  ?She found herself a little disappointed. She wanted to show him that she could do it again without fainting.

  ?“More importantly, you must be hungry—you skipped dinner after all that hard work.”

  ?Growl.

  ?Before Aelira could deny it, her stomach betrayed her with a loud, protesting rumble.

  ?Lassandra chuckled.

  ?Aelira blushed furiously and buried her face against Lassandra’s chest again.

  ?“Lassy!”

  ?“Okay, okay. Let’s get you some breakfast.”