In the dining room, the Luceran family of four was gathered to eat breakfast together. At the long rectangular table, Nylian sat on one end with Talindra and Agis next to him. Sitting next to his wife was his daughter, Saria, who was ten years old. She was quietly nibbling on her bread that just came out of the oven like a squirrel. Normally, seeing this adorable sight would make her mother smile with joy, but this time, worry clouded her face.

“Saria, is something wrong?” [Talindra]

She asked, having noticed that her daughter was deep in thought and seemed to be concerned over something. Moreover, lately, she seemed tired. It was a mother’s instincts that told her so.

“… No, it’s nothing, mother.” [Saria]

The elven child said hesitantly which only served to spur her mother on.

“If you’re troubled by something, it’s fine to tell me. You can always rely on me, sweetie.” [Talindra]

Talindra said in a gentle voice and patted her head. Nylian and Agis stopped eating and stared at them as they were also concerned about Saria.

The youngest child of their family, their miracle, opened her mouth, but then closed it. It repeated a few times as everyone patiently waited for her to speak. Finally, having made up her mind, she shared her concerns with them.

“… I’ve been having dreams.” [Saria]

“Dreams? Were they scary dreams, sweetie?” [Talindra]

Saria shook her head.

“They weren’t scary, but… For many days now, they were often about the same thing. I saw… Her.” [Saria]

“You often saw a girl in your dream?” [Talindra]

“Yes. She, she was in a room. She always spends her time in her room. Even when she ate, it was in her room, alone, by herself. But, people would come. There were maids who came to clean it up, but they were really cold to her. Sometimes, they would insult her. A woman was there too. She taught her many things every day, but she wasn’t nice either. The girl never seemed to care about how they treated her, but when she slept, she would cry, or wake up screaming.” [Saria]

As she spoke, her mother’s gentle expression gradually changed to puzzlement. She looked at her husband, who now sported a serious expression like their son, Agis.

“Last night, I saw that there were men in armor blocking the door. That was why she never left the room. It was because she couldn’t. Also, there was one more person I saw in my dream.” [Saria]

Saria looked at her mother, her brother and finally, her father.

“Orist was there. I don’t know why, but he said that she shouldn’t bring shame to our clan and that she should always follow father’s orders.” [Saria]

Her family was quiet. Her mother’s eyes were wide open and she put a hand to her mouth. Nylian got up and went to his wife. He stood behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders.

“Mother?” [Saria]

Saria asked worriedly when she saw her mother’s odd behavior.

“… Saria… Who is that girl?” [Talindra]

Talindra asked as she squeezed out those words.

“I am asking you too. Can you tell me who you see in your dreams?” [Nylian]

Faced with both her parents’ questions and her brother’s heavy stare, Saria looked down at her hands that were clenched tightly on top of her lap and answered gingerly.

“It… It was… The half-elf I saw in that school when I went with mother and Agis…” [Saria]

“… I see.” [Nylian]

Nylian muttered out and narrowed his eyes. Agis stood up from his seat reflexively and gazed at his mother who gasped in surprise.

“Nylian… Is this…?” [Talindra]

“Not now, Talindra.” [Nylian]

Leaving her on the side, her parents began talking to each other. Saria stared at them while tilting her head, puzzled. They didn’t get mad over the fact that she was bringing up that half-elf which they didn’t seem to like.

“Father? Mother?” [Saria]

Seeing the anxious look in her eyes, Nylian tried to reassure her.

“It’s alright. Those dreams are probably just your ability manifesting. It’s your power.” [Nylian]

“Power? But, I thought it was in two more years.” [Saria]

“Normally, yes. But, in some cases, it manifests sooner like with you. Do you feel tired?” [Nylian]

“A little.” [Saria]

“That’s because you unconsciously used it in your sleep. It seems to be a type of power that gives you visions in your dreams. For now, you should rest a little more just to be safe. I’ll delay your studies and explain to your tutors. Agis, take your sister to her room.” [Nylian]

“Of course, father.” [Agis]

Agis, understanding his intention, went over to his little sister.

“Let’s go, Saria.” [Agis]

He said while smiling gently at her. Saria nodded and stood up. As she followed him out of the dining room, she suddenly remembered and looked back.

“Father, why, why am I seeing that girl?” [Saria]

“We’ll talk about it after you’ve rested.” [Nylian]

In the end, her father didn’t answer her question and her mother looked distressed. Once their children were gone and there was no one around, Talindra spoke up.

“Nylian… This is…” [Talindra]

“This is her power and it has manifested at an early age. Of course, we might be jumping to conclusions, but her dreams clearly show her the half-breed’s situation. Does her power give her visions of a person and their surroundings, regardless of their location?” [Nylian]

“But, why does that half-breed appear in Saria’s dreams?” [Talindra]

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“I don’t know. We don’t know what her powers really are right now.” [Nylian]

“She, she wasn’t cursed by her, was she?” [Talindra]

“Don’t worry. I’ve already confirmed what her power is. Remember, no elves or half-elves can have more than one ability.” [Nylian]

“… You’re right. I’m imagining things. It’s just, Saria met her at Sanctuary Academy and I’m afraid that she did something to her then. If my child was attacked…” [Talindra]

Nylian hugged the distressed Talindra who was wildly imagining the worst and gently spoke to her.

“It’s ok. You, Agis and Saria, I will definitely protect you all. Definitely. Definitely.” [Nylian]

He repeated with a note of bitterness in his voice. It was more to remind himself than to reassure his wife. Talindra pressed her head against his chest and closed her eyes as a small smile formed upon her lips.

“… Yes, my love.” [Talindra]

She whispered softly, feeling the comfort of his gentle embrace.

A few days passed since Saria’s family suspected that her powers were awakened early and her father had her try to invoke it willingly. Unfortunately, no matter how hard she focused, she couldn’t do it. Instead, the dreams involving the half-breed kept appearing from time to time. As such, Nylian asked her to describe to him what she saw in as much detail as possible. Thanks to that, he learned quite a few interesting things.

“Orist, how was it today?” [Nylian]

“Yes. It happened.” [Orist]

Sitting at his desk in his office, Nylian spoke to Orist who reported to him as he stood in front of his desk.

“Today, a maid with green hair and blue eyes who went to clean her room dropped her basket of clothes when she accidentally hit her foot on the table’s leg.” [Orist]

“Just like how Saria described it. Then, it confirms our suspicions. Her dreams are about the future.” [Nylian]

Nylian said as he propped his elbows on his desk and held his hands in front of his mouth. He wrote down every dream that Saria saw and had Orist report to him on any key events that happened in Ava’s room. In this case, it would be that a green-haired maid dropped her laundry basket because she bumped into the table by accident.

“She saw that scene two days ago. I don’t know how far into the future she can see yet, but this is too big a coincidence. She perfectly described the room’s layout and the appearance of those who enter. There is no doubt. These aren’t random dreams. Saria’s powers manifested early and it allows her to see the future.” [Nylian]

He declared while sounding rather proud.

“The young miss possesses the rare ability to have visions of the future that has not been seen for four hundred years. You must be proud, my lord.” [Orist]

“Indeed I am. My two children have been blessed with wonderful gifts, though it is surely thanks to my wife’s bloodline and not my own.” [Nylian]

A small smile appeared on his face.

“The young miss’s power will definitely prove invaluable to the clan.” [Orist]

“Yes, and it already has. Thanks to my daughter, we’ve learned what the half-breed was keeping from us.” [Nylian]

He took a piece of paper that was on his desk which had the contents of one of his daughter’s dream written on it.

“I don’t know why she always sees that half-breed, but we have a way to observe her without stepping into her room now.” [Nylian]

“If that half-breed were to do something… Eye-catching, the young miss may dream of it and we would be ready ahead of time. Is that correct?” [Orist]

“Yes.” [Nylian]

Nylian put the paper down and leaned his back on his chair.

“Although I doubt some exercises in that small room will do much good. Still, despite being so quiet, she’s training every day.” [Nylian]

Because Saria could see snippets of what Ava was doing in her room at random, she saw how the half-elf was training as she did push-ups, set-ups, squats, bunny hops and other exercises. As such, her father was informed of this fact that he never knew before. Although he might be thinking too much into it, but there was a chance that the half-breed was training in order to escape one day. Then again, the chances of her succeeding were quite low.

“Should we give her some kind of warning?” [Orist]

“… No need for now. That half-breed may simply be doing so to keep in shape since we don’t let her out of her room.” [Nylian]

After thinking for a while, that was what Nylian decided.

“For now, since we’ve confirmed that my daughter can see the future, we’ll try to confirm just how far she can see. It might be days, months or years.” [Nylian]

His daughter had the power to see the future. This news was what truly concerned him the most.

----------------------------------------

“(Quietly. Quietly.)” [Saria]

In the middle of the night, Saria, who was pretending to be asleep in her room, carefully got out of her bed. While repeatedly telling herself to not make a sound, she slowly made her way to the door of her dark room. Normally, she would be followed by a personal maid, but no one was around right now. This was the perfect opportunity to sneak away and head towards her destination. As such, she opened the door as silently as she could and exited the room.

“(I’m sorry, big brother.)” [Saria]

Ever since she told her family about her dreams, Saria had been describing them to her father. In them, she would see the half-elf that she met two years ago. She saw how the maids would clean her room with annoyed expressions and how her tutor often abated her with insults. Despite the cold treatment, she didn’t seem to mind. She expressionlessly endured it all. When the black-haired elf was alone, she would train her body and power as much as she could.

“(I’m sorry, father.)” [Saria]

Saria had told her father about how the half-elf trained in her room, but only the physical part. She didn’t reveal the fact that she also practiced using her ability by summoning elven soldiers with her shadowy smoke. When she saw the sharp glint in his eyes, she felt like she shouldn’t tell him anymore. Otherwise, that girl might go through even more sad things. That was the feeling she got.

“(I’m sorry, mother.)” [Saria]

Every time Saria dreamed of her, her interest grew. Although her mother repeatedly told her to not get involved with half-elves, she wanted to meet her. That was why she was heading for the half-elf’s room right now. In the dream that she had last night, she saw the outside of the room and kept it a secret. Different from usual, her vision followed the maids who left through the door and walked down the hallway. She didn’t recognize the place at first, but soon realized that it was her own house as the maids headed for other parts that were familiar to her.

It was how Saria realized that that girl was actually living in her house all along.

“(This is why I couldn’t go there.)” [Saria]

Saria thought as she used her memory to follow the path the maids took to reach the half-elf’s room. For as long as she could remember, her family and the servants had kept her away from a section of the mansion. They said that it was forbidden, so they always took a detour and avoided it. She always wondered why and now she knew. They were keeping the half-elf there, locked up like a prisoner.

“(Umm, it should be around here…? It’s dark, so it’s a bit scary.)” [Saria]

“*Yawn*” [Guard]

“…!” [Saria]

“Focus.” [Guard]

“Sorry. You’re right. I’m just feeling a bit tired.” [Guard]

Saria stopped walking down the dim hallway and crouched down when she heard voices from up ahead. Two men in armor were standing in front of a door.

“Endure for a bit longer. The other team will be here soon.” [Guard]

“I know. I’m simply not too motivated to do this. Being assigned to guard the half-breed.” [Guard]

When Saria heard one of the guard’s complaints, she knew that she had found the place. Joy and relief bubbled up inside her, but she stayed still to not be noticed. There wasn’t any place to hide in the hallway, so she squatted down near the wall. Although she found the place, she didn’t know how to get past the guards.

“I understand your dissatisfaction, but orders are orders. Besides, we’re not so much guarding her as we are making sure that she won’t escape.” [Guard]

“That’s impossible. Even more of us were placed on this assignment to make sure it doesn’t happen.” [Guard]

“Perhaps, but it almost happened once.” [Guard]

“True. We were careless back then.” [Guard]

While Saria was wondering how to get through that door without being noticed, one of the guards let slip a careless comment.

“… I wonder when Lord Nylian will tell his daughter about the half-breed’s existence.” [Guard]

“Quiet. We’re not supposed to talk about it.” [Guard]

“Maybe so, but don’t you feel a bit sad for the young miss? She’s already ten years old. Who knows how big the shock will be when she learns that this half-breed is her half-sister.” [Guard]

“Well, that’s true. Knowing that she’s related to a half-breed will most likely leave her quite shaken up.” [Guard]

“… Eh…?” [Saria]

When she heard that, her thoughts froze and her voice leaked out by accident. The half-breed they kept imprisoned was related to her. The half-elf her family seemed to hate was her half-sister. The sudden revelation was reverberating inside her mind, echoing the guards’ words over and over again.

“(Two years ago, in that school… I met… That girl with black hair… My… Big sister…?)” [Saria]

While she was lost in thought, two other guards went to their comrades from the opposite direction.

“We’re here to take over.” [Guard]

“Oh, thanks.” [Guard]

“You two can go sleep… Hey, is there someone over there?” [Guard]

“There?” [Guard]

Because of her vulnerable state, she was discovered by the guards that came to relieve the other two of their shift. They saw a small shadow squatting down next to the wall and approached it cautiously.

“Who goes there!? Wait! The young miss?!” [Guard]

What they found was Saria who had her eyes wide open and her mouth agape. When they saw her, the four guards looked at each other with their faces turning pale.