Mia woke up in the middle of the night, her eyes adjusting to the dimly lit room. To her surprise, she found her entire family gathered around her bed, their faces filled with concern. They were all half-awake with a mix of expressions of worry and relief.

Startled, Mia tried to quietly slip past them, hoping to avoid any further attention. However, her family's senses were keen, and they became wide awake at her slightest movement. For a brief moment, their gazes fell upon Mia, and in that moment, she felt as if they were judging her, ready to scold her harshly for the incident with Dimitri.

Tears began to form in Mia's eyes as the weight of guilt and fear overwhelmed her. But before her emotions could consume her completely, her family rushed toward her, enveloping her in their arms. "I'm sorry, Papa. I didn't mean for things to go wrong."

As carefully as he could, Huang began to talk with his daughter. “I love you my little girl. I'm just glad you are safe.”

Marry joined the conversation, her voice gentle and soothing. "It's not your fault, sweetheart. Dimitri assured us that he should have taken more responsibility as the adult. We're just glad you're safe."

Lin chimed in, her tone warm and caring. "You're part of our family, Mia. We love you, no matter what. We'll always be here for you."

Kai stepped forward, his voice filled with determination. "Yeah, sis, we've got your back."

Choi nodded in agreement. "That's right, Mia. We're here to protect you, no matter what."

Liza approached with a bowl of hot soup in her hands, a gentle smile on her face. "Here, Mia. This will warm you up. You're safe now."

Mia accepted the bowl gratefully and took a sip, feeling the warmth spread through her body. She leaned back onto her pillow, surrounded by the loving presence of her family. Their words of love and reassurance washed away the guilt and fear that had plagued her.

In the following days, Mia stayed within the confines of her home, contemplating the events that had unfolded. She felt conflicted, torn between her love for magic and the fear of the potential harm it could cause. Mia grappled with the realization that she was overlooking or outright unable to perceive certain things, sensing that something was wrong. She pondered her own appearance, realizing that she had never truly paid attention to her own face. Though she knew her hair was blonde like her mother's and her eyes a radiant shade of purple, she couldn't truly grasp the entirety of her own identity. It was a nagging feeling, a puzzle piece missing from her understanding.

Despite her inner turmoil, Mia found solace in her family's continued words of encouragement. They reminded her not to abandon her dreams and aspirations, but to approach them with caution and mindfulness. With their unwavering support, Mia resolved to continue her journey, but with a newfound sense of responsibility.

If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

One day, Dimitri returned as promised, ready to discuss Mia's path forward. Mia, her voice filled with sincerity, addressed him, "Dimitri, I'm really sorry for what happened. I didn't mean to hurt you."

Dimitri placed a hand on her shoulder, and with a kind and understanding tone he said. "Mia, it was my fault. I should have taken your powers more seriously and guided you better. I apologize for underestimating you."

Mia nodded, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Dimitri. But what now? What should I do?"

Dimitri reached into his bag and pulled out two cultivation manuals, handing them to Mia. "These manuals will guide you, Mia. One for mind cultivation and one for soul cultivation. They'll help you understand and develop your abilities."

Mia's eyes widened in curiosity. "What about body cultivation?"

Dimitri smiled, his eyes filled with reassurance. "Your father and brothers have already trained in that aspect, and their techniques are more than enough. Just focus on mind and soul cultivation for now. They will lay a strong foundation for you."

Mia began to ask more questions, but Dimitri interrupted her gently. "All the answers you seek are in these manuals, Mia. Study them carefully, but remember, cultivating can be dangerous if done without guidance. Don't practice alone, and never teach what you learn without permission from your parents."

Mia nodded, holding the manuals close to her chest. She watched as Dimitri bid her family farewell and left. A thought crossed her mind, and she wondered if she would ever see him again.

Soon after, Mia's father, Huang, approached her, holding a cultivation manual of their family's lineage. He spoke with pride and confidence, "Mia, my smart girl, I trust you to read this manual on your own. You have the intellect to comprehend its teachings. However, remember that practicing alone can be risky. Seek guidance and supervision."

Mia nodded, her eyes filled with determination. She understood the responsibility entrusted to her.

As Mia returned to her room, eager to dive into the manuals, the rest of her family went their ways, each contemplating their roles and concerns.

Lin and Marry engaged in a conversation about finding a suitable husband for Mia. They acknowledged her future strength and pondered how to ensure her happiness and compatibility. Rarely women want to be with a man weaker than them so they would probably need to look beyond this town to find someone for their daughter. The prospect that Mia might become interested in other women also comes up in their talk but if this happens to be true, the strength of any women interested in becoming life partners with Mia is irrelevant.

In her room, Liza held a treasured letter in her hand. She contemplated its significance, knowing that it was a lifeline to a powerful warrior friend. She hoped that it would never have to be used, but the darkness that lurked in the world made her question the safety of Mia and the protection their current allies could provide.

Huang, Kai, and Choi trained together in the courtyard, their determination burning brightly. Huang imparted his wisdom to his sons, preparing Kai to be his successor as the boy is growing to be a copy of him and teaching Choi how to better make use of his gifts of movement and vision without ignoring his body strength.

In a distant land, two shadowy figures conversed inside a dilapidated shack amidst the depths of a forest. The first figure inquired about their plans and progress, but the second figure revealed that their target had vanished, leaving them clueless. After a tense moment of silence, the first figure dropped a bag of gold coins, offering a stark warning and demanding that the target be found at any cost.

Meanwhile, Mia's anticipation grew, eager to embark on her cultivation journey. Her family's love and encouragement bolstered her resolve as she prepared to unlock the knowledge and potential within her.