"Enough! I can't tolerate your insults any longer! Leave my house right now, or I'll call the guards to drag you out!" my father shouted at the guests.

"Ha! We can't stand staying in this pigsty any longer! Darling, let's go!" the man snapped, urging his wife and children to leave. They immediately stormed out to their carriage, and I couldn't help but feel relieved as I watched them go.

Four days was all we could take. My parents and the head maid had discussed it last night, deciding to make them leave today. But I had never seen my father so angry before. Usually, he only scolded the maids and staff.

After breakfast, I decided to visit Felis. With the address my father had given me, I asked the carriage driver to take me there. When we arrived at the manor—far grander than our home—a maid greeted me and escorted me to Felis's room.

His once chocolate-colored hair had turned ash grey, and his skin was now pale as snow. I sat beside him in silence, my thoughts swirling. I had so much to say, but none of the words felt right. Since my past life, I've never been good at speaking sincerely from the heart.

"Don't die," I whispered softly.

I then cast six magic cycles, conjuring a fire flower. I shaped it into a hydrangea, my favorite flower, especially the blue ones. I placed it on the table, ensuring the fire wouldn't burn it by keeping the temperature at room level.

I stood up to leave, and as I opened the door, I saw a couple standing outside, their faces all too familiar.

"Hello, Countess Mernes, Count Mernes," I greeted them.

"Are you done with your visit?" Countess Mernes asked.

"Yes, I am."

"Tell your father to stop blaming himself," Count Mernes said with a sigh. "Our boy always gets into trouble wherever he goes. We're more than capable of treating him ourselves. If he'd used dragon-repelling magic or a crystal, he could've escaped. But no, he had to try looking cool in front of his only disciple."

"Honey, I heard it was a royal dragon," Countess Mernes added gently, trying to calm her husband.

"Is that what Reynold said?"

"Yes."

Reynold is my grandfather.

"Was that flower on the table your creation?" the Countess asked.

"Yes," I nodded.

"How many cycles are you at now?"

"Six."

"Six?!" The Countess seemed momentarily surprised, but she quickly composed herself. "Well done, keep practicing."

"Thank you. I'll be heading home now."

But instead of going home, I decided to stroll through the village. With a bit of pocket money, I bought a meat skewer, juice, and something that looked like a kebab—though I forgot to ask its name. As I enjoyed my snack in the park, I noticed something strange. Someone was running, followed by figures dressed in black.

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Déjà vu?

I quickly downed my juice and followed them. At a dead end, I saw the Nortis kid and a girl my age surrounded by the black-clad figures.

"How can you run so fast?" one of them growled.

"Go away, bad people!" the girl screamed, defiant.

"Maria, leave! This isn't your fight," Alex begged.

"I won't! I've healed you once—I'm not letting them hurt you again!"

"Just go! They'll kill you too!"

"We'll survive this together!"

I couldn't help but think, Why does this feel so dramatic?

"Ooh, what a tragic little scene," one of the black-clad men sneered. "So sad he must die today."

It seemed I wasn't the only one who found the scene overly dramatic.

"Four of you, watch the perimeter. Last group was taken out by a mage. We won't make the same mistake," their leader ordered.

"Aye, sir!" they responded in unison.

"Move, girl."

The leader advanced on Alex, drawing his sword.

"I won't let you hurt him!"

"Hurt him? I'm going to kill him. Now get out of the way!" he snarled, kicking Maria against the wall. She crumpled in pain, unable to scream.

"Maria!" Alex cried.

"Now, it's your turn," the leader hissed, raising his blade.

Alex swung his own sword, but the man effortlessly parried, sending Alex's weapon flying.

"Hahahaha! No power, no weapon. No hope."

The man moved in for the kill, but Maria—still struggling—threw herself at him, headbutting him with a desperate cry. She managed to avoid the worst of his next strike but still suffered a deep cut on her arm.

"Argh! It hurts!" she screamed.

"You little brat! I'll kill you!" He raised his sword to finish her.

Is this when Alex's hidden power awakens? I wondered.

But instead, Alex threw himself into the path of the sword.

That's it. I can't watch anymore.

"Cloth Dryer Wind," I muttered, casting a large magic cycle. A warm but forceful gust blew through the alley, knocking everyone down except the leader. I walked towards them, the wind whipping around me.

"The mage is here!" someone shouted in alarm.

"A kid?" another asked.

"She's no kid! What child can cast 5-cycle magic?"

The leader turned his attention toward me. "You. Are you the one who took out our last group?"

"Yes, and what of it?"

"Who are you with? Why defend this boy?"

"I'm with Mernes. And as for you, I smelled criminal filth and decided to clean up."

"We'll finish our job and pay you. How does 10 gold sound?"

"Do you think a mage like me would work for mere pocket change?"

Before they could react, I cast a magic cycle underfoot. An assassin leaped at me, but a burst of fire incinerated him instantly.

"Negotiations are over."

"Wait! I'll pay you 100 gold now and an extra 100 after the job's done."

"I don't believe you."

I replicated a magic cycle five times.

"Fire Bullet."

In an instant, the remaining thugs fell, holes in their heads. I dispelled the wind and walked toward Alex.

"Hello again," I said.

Alex stared, silent.

"What the hell are you doing? Are you trying to make your ancestors roll in their graves? They trusted you with this sword, and you can't even wield it properly."

"They... didn't tell me to use it myself," he sobbed. "This sword was meant for my brother! I only obey my ancestors so they won't haunt my dreams!"

"What…?"

"I just want to read books and study herbology in peace! I don't want this life!" Tears streamed down his face.

"Alex, are you okay?" Maria asked weakly.

"No, Maria! You should worry about yourself first."

I turned to Alex. "You know herbology, right? Tell me what herbs you need to treat her wound."

"Azure Leaf, Red Leaf, and a clean cloth," he replied, calming slightly.

"I'll get them," I said, walking away, guilt heavy in my chest. I should've known better after the dragon attack. This... this isn't the shoujo world I thought I was in.