As I slowly rouse from sleep, a dull ache in my right leg draws my attention. With a groan, I shift my position, trying to ease the discomfort. The morning sky, once vibrant with the hues of dawn, has now turned dark, casting a shadow over the garden.
Gradually, the events of the previous moments filter back into my consciousness. Ignatius. The rock. His reckless display of endowment magic.
A surge of frustration wells up within me as I recall his foolish actions. Endowing a rock thrice your size with magic repeatedly? It was sheer madness. While the book had only mentioned solid materials as a condition for endowment magic, the practicality of such a feat was absurd. Even if he somehow repeatedly endowed the stone countless times, what good would it do? You couldn't just throw it like a projectile. It was akin to hugging a fireball — dangerous and utterly reckless.
All I desired was to gain some explosives graciously provided through his sacrifice. In fact, the instructions Aria conveyed to him should have been sufficiently accurate. Yet, here he was, going above and beyond, trying to orchestrate his death in advance.
Why can’t you be like the other endowment mages?
Stupid pureblood.
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Thomp! Thomp! Thomp!
The heavy thud of footsteps echoes through the corridor, signalling General Aldric's approach long before he appeared in the infirmary.
"Marine Blaze, I see you survived."
He examines my injuries and nods, satisfied with the rate of my recovery.
"Now tell me why you were in the garden this morning?"
I stay silent.
"Hmm, well I have already reprimanded Ignatius regarding his behaviour, so he shouldn't be trying anything funny soon. Can't believe he cried in front of me after I mocked the impracticality of his technique..."
A glimmer of satisfaction dances in his eyes as General Aldric recounts Ignatius' punishment and his resulting depressed state. It is comforting to know that he is so talkative around me, perhaps because he thinks I am the only person in this castle who cannot wield magic.
Though that is a lie.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
"However, I could have sworn I warned you against leaving your room two weeks ago after Ignatius burnt down that library with you in it," General Aldric continues, his frustration palpable. "Now look at the cut on your face. How do you think I am going to explain that to the head of the family?"
I run a finger across my cheek, feeling the slight sting beneath the bandage that is now tinged with blood.
"You already know you are engaged to the crown prince. So just sit in your room, study, and act pretty."
My mouth twitches slightly. He seems to have noticed.
"Hmm. If you are so unhappy, how about you train and qualify for the Succession Trials? Though competition with Ignatius would be unavoidable." As if probing for another response, he proposes a ridiculous idea.
I maintain my silence. Taking part in the Succession Trials? To take over and manage this family of psychotic freaks? I would rather die.
"Still silent, huh? Fine, but you will stay in this room for the whole of next week. Even if he seems docile now, Ignatius is a pureblood of House Blaze. And all of them disregard human life and inherently enjoy chaos. He might even be capable of endowing this whole castle and blowing it up."
Heh, destroying this castle on his own. Interesting.
"Remember, no leaving this room. I have already informed Aria about your wellbeing, so there is no need to worry. I will get the maids to bring you food and clothes daily."
General Aldric shuts the door behind him, the sound of the key turning in the lock echoing in his wake. However, confining me in this room will take far more than a rusty old lock on a flimsy wooden door. My movements were completely unrestrained, with none of my legs tied or senses cut. He should have just handed me the key himself and challenged me to flee.
Untying my hair to prepare for my escape, I contemplate my predicament as I jot down some instructions on a piece of paper. Looks like I need to rethink my plans a little. Well, it's not like there are any useful pawns left here. Perhaps it is time to leave.
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"Hmm, if big sis says so, I guess I will go comfort big bro Ignatius."
Aria reads the note that was slipped beneath her door, shaking her legs on the bed with a hint of reluctance, her pout visible. It was the dead of night and yet a frightening knock on her door jolted her awake.
“Mmm. She better give me a hug the next time I see her.”
Aria shifted restlessly on the vast bed, its emptiness magnified by the absence of big sister Marine. Mr. Aldric had already informed her of Marine’s injuries, assuring that her injuries would recover within a week of isolation. She had heard that statement a few times already.
“It will just be a week, Aria, before Marine can play with you again.”
Mr. Aldric always used the same words, as if taunting her. Clutching Marine's pillow tightly to her chest, Aria couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story. How could someone supposedly in need of rest slip a note under the door and disappear into the hallway? Clearly, he was lying.
Then, sometime this week, someone she was regularly talking to would disappear as well, just like in the past. The pattern became clearer with each disappearance that coincided with Marine’s isolation, so much so that she stopped making friends aside from Marine. Mr. Aldric’s indifference to these disappearances only fueled Aria’s suspicions. Clearly, they were lying.
But Aria's concerns have shifted. This was the first time Marine had fainted, which felt like a bad omen for what was to come.
Restless, she flips on her belly and sighs, looking at the last instruction written on the note: Run and hide in the forest.
“I guess I should say goodbye to big bro Ignatius”