Chapter 6 - “Bitter Lessons and Sweet Triumphs I ”
Elara’s eyes narrowed, her voice trembling. “How... how is this possible? This can’t be true, I—” She stopped herself, swallowing down her complaints as jealousy and frustration simmered within her. Her mind raced, trying to convince herself it was all some mistake, but the truth was undeniable.
Sylvia noticed her turmoil but said nothing, instead glancing at Elara with a sly smile. She’s not the cute little girl she once was, Sylvia thought, studying her younger sister’s reaction with an amused spark in her eye. But for now, she stayed silent, her gaze shifting back to Eira as though planning something.
Meanwhile, Eira could feel a slight chill tingling across her skin, despite her resistance to cold thanks to her bloodline and physique. She didn’t understand why, but something about the monument left her feeling unsettled.
“Is it done?” Eira asked the elder, her voice betraying her impatience as the cold started to seep deeper, leaving her eager to escape.
“Yes, Lady Eira, you may retract your hand now,” the elder replied, still dazed by the grand spectacle of Eira’s awakening, the light still fading from the icy monument.
Without wasting a second, Eira withdrew her hand and quickly stepped away, heading toward her sisters.
A slow clap echoed through the hall.
“Clap... clap... clap...” Sylvia grinned. “Yay! My lovely sister has awakened! Kya, do you want a congratulatory kiss, Eira? I think you’ve earned it as a reward!” Her eyes remained closed due to her unique constitution, yet her voice held a teasing warmth.
“No, I don’t need it,” Eira replied, blushing. Though her past life had been dull, she wasn’t entirely inexperienced with affection and relationships; she had a girlfriend in her past memories. Yet, Sylvia’s offer stirred a surprising temptation within her. No, focus, she reminded herself, mentally distancing from Sylvia’s teasing.
“Aw, you’re so cold, Eira,” Sylvia pouted, feigning hurt as she studied Eira for any reaction.
Eira flinched slightly but quickly composed herself, walking away without a word, eager to meet Lindy at the entrance and escape from her sisters’ intense presence. Finally, some peace and maybe... a sweet treat, she thought longingly, the thought of dessert cheering her up.
“Tch, this child is testing my patience,” Sylvia murmured, her eyes opening as she watched Eira leave. “Don’t ignore me next time, little sister. I’ll make sure you learn not to stir up my obsession… with that innocent body of yours.”
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A shiver ran down Eira’s spine, and she glanced back. “Ugh, why do I feel so uneasy?” she mumbled, still unsettled, but she shrugged it off as nerves.
Elara simply stared, unable to speak. She felt the gap widening between her and Eira, and jealousy twisted inside her. “Just you wait, Eira. When it’s time for the magic lesson, I’ll teach you a thing or two,” she muttered, though deep down, she knew she wouldn’t truly harm her younger sister. Elara was more bark than bite, especially when it came to Eira’s fragile innocence.
A short while later, Eira finally met Lindy at the entrance. “Lindy, could you get one of those sweet jellies?” she asked, her eyes lighting up with anticipation.
“Of course, my lady. You go on back to your room, and I’ll bring it there,” Lindy replied warmly. Eira nodded and headed back to her room, eager to relax after the intense experience.
Minutes later, Lindy arrived with the dessert, setting it before Eira, who took a bite and sighed with delight, holding her cheek as the sweetness melted on her tongue. “So delicious!” she murmured, savoring each bite. Unbeknownst to her, Lindy was watching her with a soft, almost doting smile, captivated by her young mistress’s innocent joy.
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Hours passed, and soon it was time for the magic lesson. Lindy helped Eira change into her lesson attire, adjusting each piece with careful precision.
Once dressed, Eira looked up, her big eyes full of a gentle plea. “Lindy, would you carry me? I feel a bit tired today.”
Lindy’s face softened, and she nodded. “Of course, Lady Eira. Leave it to me.” She gently lifted Eira, carrying her to the classroom, her steps quiet and respectful.
When they arrived, Lindy set Eira down in a chair, then took her place by the door, standing vigil. Two figures already occupied the room—Elara and Therana Windwhisper, the instructor.
“Today’s lesson will be different,” Therana announced, her tone serious as she turned to the sisters. “First, gather your mana into a small ball. The smaller and denser, the better.” She demonstrated, forming a concentrated sphere of glowing energy in her hand. “This will improve your control over mana, which is essential in all advanced spells.”
Both Eira and Elara nodded, their expressions determined as they followed Therana’s example. They closed their eyes and began focusing on the mana within themselves, attempting to create a stable, condensed ball.
Elara struggled with each attempt, her concentration wavering. She had already failed six times, and each failure brought a frown of frustration to her face. Her troubles caught the attention of both Therana and Eira, though Eira quickly refocused, determined to succeed.
Recalling Therana’s demonstration, Eira took a slow breath and centered herself. She allowed the mana to flow freely, forming a small, bright ball in her hands, carefully compressing it until it pulsed gently in her palm.
Therana’s eyes widened. “Lady Eira, you... you did it!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with awe. She had never seen Eira master a technique so swiftly, especially one that required such delicate control.
Eira opened her eyes, a spark of pride lighting up her face as she gazed at the glowing ball in her hands. Across the room, Elara looked up, alarmed by Therana’s exclamation. She watched in stunned silence as Eira held the perfect sphere of mana.
“This... I...” Elara’s focus shattered, and her own mana dissipated, leaving her hands empty. Her heart sank, and without a word, she pushed herself away from the table, tears welling up in her eyes. Unable to bear the thought of being surpassed by her little sister, she turned and stormed out of the room, her shoulders shaking with suppressed sobs.
“Sniffle… hic… sob…” Her quiet cries echoed down the corridor, punctuated by the sharp slam of the classroom door. “BAM! … THUD! … CRASH!”
“Sister…” Eira whispered, her voice tinged with regret. She knew how gentle Elara could be, despite her competitive nature. The truth was, Elara only feared being left behind, and Eira’s sudden skill had hit her harder than intended.
“I’ll apologize to her later,” Eira murmured, a look of guilt settling over her small face as she stared at the door where her sister had disappeared.
Therana and Lindy exchanged glances, both recognizing the unspoken tension between the sisters but unsure of how to address it.
“Lady Eira,” Therana said gently, regaining her composure. “Shall we continue?”
Eira nodded, though her thoughts lingered on Elara. She knew her sister's pride had been wounded, casting a bittersweet shadow over her own accomplishment. Tonight, she resolved, I’ll make things right.