"Great idea," Saori chimed in, her warm smile reflecting genuine enthusiasm.

Jenny, eager to keep the conversation flowing, posed a question. "So, what does everyone want to talk about?"

Curiosity getting the better of me, I directed my inquiry to Abby. "Abby, what magic spells do you already know?"

Chuckling at my interest, Abby obliged. "Hmm, it seems you're quite intrigued by magic, Giselle. Alright then, I'll share. I specialize in ice magic. I can conjure ice walls, ice lances, and even create ice prisons. Additionally, I dabble in plant magic, although I'm not as proficient in it."

Impressed by Abby's proficiency, I couldn't help but admire her talents. Her mastery of magic, despite not yet attending the academy, was truly remarkable. I found myself drawn to the idea of befriending someone with such remarkable skills.

Harry, eager to witness Abby's abilities firsthand, requested a demonstration. "Could you show us, Abby?"

Abby agreed without hesitation. "Sure, no problem," she responded confidently.

With a simple command, Abby summoned an ice wall, obscuring her from our view. The room chilled noticeably, confirming the reality of her magic. As she dispelled the ice, I couldn't help but marvel at the spectacle.

Saori, intrigued, raised a question. "I thought magicians needed a staff or wand to cast magic?"

Abby explained patiently, shedding light on the nuances of magical practice. "While some rely on staffs or wands for control and precision, others, like myself, can manipulate mana directly. It's a matter of personal preference and skill."

Anco then tried to insult Abby only to earn an eye roll from her, but I couldn't help but offer praise. "You're magnificent, Abby," I complimented sincerely.

Despite my admiration, a twinge of jealousy surfaced within me. Abby's talent, coupled with her striking appearance, left me feeling envious. However, I reminded myself that everything happens in its own time.

As the conversation progressed, James showcased his swordsmanship skills, captivating Anco's interest. Witnessing the array of talents within my family, I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride.

As bedtime approached, Casia entered the room, announcing, "Everyone, it's bedtime. Please turn off the lamps and sleep well. I'll wake everyone up in the morning."

We all acknowledged her instructions before settling into our beds for the night.

———————————————————

*Knock* *Knock*

"Come in," Dominca called out as she applied her makeup.

The door creaked open, revealing Abby's silhouette.

"Abby, sweetheart, what are you doing up so late? It's midnight; you should be getting some rest," Dominca chided gently.

"Says you. Why are you putting on makeup at this hour?" Abby retorted.

"It was a gift from your father, so I wanted to try it out. But anyway, what do you need?" Dominca inquired, curious about her daughter's late-night visit.

Abby sighed heavily before stepping closer to her mother. "Giselle Lynette," she muttered.

Dominca paused, a flicker of confusion crossing her features. "Why are you mentioning my brother's child?" she asked, puzzled.

Gritting her teeth, Abby clenched her fists and spat out, "That bitch has more mana than me."

Dominca's surprise was evident as she urged, "Abby, please explain properly."

"Ugh, fine. When I arrived, I could sense mana from everybody else, but she—she has more mana than I do. It's so annoying, like, how dare her? Plus, why is she so pretty? She and her sister Saori are so annoying," Abby complained bitterly.

"More mana than my baby Abby? Tch, this is truly annoying. Sigh," Dominca lamented, sharing her daughter's frustration.

"Momma, we should get rid of her, create a scenario, and end her," Abby suggested, her annoyance evident in her expression.

"No, that's impossible. We can't do it while Frisca is here. Have you realized her mana capacity? Frisca can read minds, so be careful what you're thinking around her," Dominca cautioned, shaking her head at Abby's impulsive idea.

"She can read minds!? Ugh, why is everyone so annoying, Mama? Then, if I can't get rid of Giselle, what should I do? If she's allowed to continue normally, she'll excel more than me when she attends the academy. I'm serious when I say her mana capacity is large," Abby fretted, feeling overwhelmed by the situation.

"Calm down, Abby. We'll figure out a way to deal with her. No one is allowed to become more successful than my babies," Dominca reassured, her maternal instinct kicking in.

"Her mana isn't the only thing that throws me off, Mama. She's just so pretty. I hate to admit it. Plus, her sisters also have quite large manas," Abby added, feeling insecure about her own abilities.

"Look at me, Abby. Concentrate on yourself. Repeat after me: 'No one is better than I am,'" Dominca urged gently.

Abby looked at her mother and smiled, then repeated the affirmation, "No one is better than I am."

"Good, you're the most perfect girl, along with your sister. So, don't mind those irrelevant people. You'll grow powerful, and when you do, you'll receive a noble title even higher than Frisca's," Dominca reassured, instilling confidence in her daughter.

A groan echoed through the room. "Ahh, baby, you're still up? Abby, you too?" Chad's tired voice sounded as he rubbed his eyes.

"Forgive me, Father. I couldn't sleep earlier, but I'll take my leave now. Have a pleasant sleep. See you both in the morning," Abby apologized before slipping out the door.

Dominca called out after her, "Love you!"

With the door closed behind her, Abby made her way through the hallways back to the room where everyone was sleeping. Thoughts raced through her mind. "There is no one better than me, after all. I'm the chosen one, the most important person in the entire family. Aunt Frisca's time is up; it's now my time to shine. Giselle Lynette, if you get in my way, I will not hesitate to cut you down," she whispered with a smirk and a sinister laugh.

.

.

.

*Ding Ding Ding*

The chiming sound stirred me from my slumber. Blinking away sleep, I turned my gaze towards the source of the noise: Casia, holding a bell and ringing it insistently.

"Ugh, shut up," Anco grumbled, using a pillow to muffle the noise.

Saori, still half-asleep, yawned, "Is it morning already?"

"I'm so tired," Abby voiced her fatigue.

Cion and James let out groans of protest.

In contrast, Harry was already awake, exuding an aura of energy as if he were surrounded by flowers.

"Please clean up, young misses and young lords. There are three baths in the bathroom and two dressing areas. You may use them to bathe and get dressed. Breakfast will be served in thirty minutes," Casia announced before bowing and exiting the room.

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Anco, Saori, and Jenny headed to the large bathroom, where they could bathe in separate sections.

Taking advantage of the quiet moment, I selected an outfit—a skirt and a beautiful blouse—and began to prepare for the day ahead.

As I was getting dressed, Abby approached me with a pleasant smile. "Good morning, cousin. How did you sleep last night?"

Returning her smile, I replied, "Good morning, Abby. I slept well, thank you."

"Great. What are your plans for today?" she inquired.

"I'm planning to go to the library and finish reading the book I started yesterday," I informed her.

"How splendid! May I tag along?" Abby asked eagerly.

I saw no reason to refuse her company. "Of course," I replied with a nod.

"After breakfast though," I said with a smile.

Abby smiled back, and soon we emerged from the room, heading to the dining room where breakfast awaited us.

As we entered the dining room, all the adults were already there. I greeted them with a cheerful "good morning" before taking a seat. To my surprise, Abby settled beside me and greeted everyone as well.

The breakfast spread consisted of soft bread and jam. The jam tasted different from the apple jam I had tried before; it had a tangy lemon flavor that was surprisingly sweet and delicious. I happily indulged in it, washing it down with a cup of mint tea that complemented the food perfectly.

Suddenly, Aunt Dominca spoke up, addressing me. "Giselle, right?" she asked between bites of her breakfast.

Setting down my teacup, I replied with a smile, "Yes, Auntie."

"You're so polite and beautiful, Giselle," Aunt Dominca complimented. "I'd love for you and Abby to spend more time together and become good cousins."

Suddenly, Richita chimed in, her voice carrying across the room. "Yes, indeed. It's crucial for the children to foster friendships. Giselle, you exude politeness, and Abby, you do too. Please do make an effort to connect with my boys, especially James; he tends to be on the introverted side."

Her words struck a chord, marking the first time I heard Richita speak. She was Uncle Kevin's wife and the mother of Cion and James. Richita's beauty rivaled Aunt Frisca's, with her cascading red hair and piercing green eyes. Cion bore a striking resemblance to her, and her voice held a delicate, almost melodic quality. I couldn't help but wonder how Uncle Kevin managed to win the heart of such a stunning woman. From an outsider's perspective, Uncle Kevin's appearance was rather average.

Before I could respond, Abby beat me to it. "Of course, Aunt Richita. Giselle and I are committed to ensuring our cousins feel welcomed and content."

I nodded in agreement, and Richita expressed her gratitude. "That's reassuring. Thank you both," she said with genuine warmth.

Richita's kindness resonated with me, and I caught my parents' proud smiles from across the table. Turning to Aunt Frisca, I couldn't help but voice my curiosity. "Aunt Frisca, I'm intrigued. What brought Swordmaster Crusade here yesterday?"

Aunt Frisca paused mid-bite, her expression shifting. "You're familiar with him?"

My parents' surprise was palpable as they echoed, "Swordmaster Crusade? Why was he here?"

My father's outburst caught everyone off guard as he exclaimed, "Is he some sort of pervert, preying on young girls? Was he stalking us and followed us here!? How dare he lay his eyes on my angels!"

I couldn't help but shake my head at my father's dramatic reaction. Aunt Frisca intervened calmly, explaining, "He's gained quite a bit of fame in the city after completing his quest. I reached out to him to discuss a potential deal. He'll be assisting your sister, Anco, with her swordsmanship once the family gathering concludes."

"Huh, Anco learning swordsmanship?" I queried with genuine curiosity.

"Yes, she mentioned her interest in it during our conversation on the day she arrived," Aunt Frisca replied.

Anco's newfound interest in swordsmanship wasn't entirely surprising, considering her fascination with James's skills. I realized I had misjudged her, assuming she was selfish and uninterested in academic pursuits. It was a humbling realization.

Smiling at the revelation, I noticed my parents exchanged reassuring glances, Richita added optimistically, "That's wonderful! If Anco excels in swordsmanship, I hope she ends up in the same department as James. They could become great friends."

The prospect of Anco and James forging a bond over their shared interest sparked a sense of excitement within me. It would be heartwarming to see them supporting each other and growing together.

As the conversation shifted, I glanced around the table, taking in the diverse expressions of my family members. Despite the initial tension caused by my father's outburst, there was now a palpable sense of anticipation and unity in the air. It was moments like these, surrounded by loved ones and filled with hope for the future, that reminded me of the importance of family bonds.

With a contented sigh, I returned my attention to the conversation, eager to hear more about Anco's upcoming endeavors.

"I hope so too," Uncle Kevin chimed in with a smile.

Soon, Anco, Saori, and the rest of the kids joined us at the table, and we all dug into our breakfast.

After the meal, I headed to the library, with Urie and Abby trailing behind me.

Stepping into the library, a sense of contentment washed over me. I made a beeline for the section where I had left the magic history book the day before, a grin spreading across my face when I found it.

"What's that book?" Abby inquired, peering over my shoulder.

"It's a book about the history of magic among humans," I replied.

"Ah, I see. Well, I'm going to find a magic book for myself," Abby declared, setting off to explore the shelves.

I settled into a nearby chair, delving back into the pages of the magic history book. It explained that in the world of Ivory, various elements served as the foundation of magic. These elements were the very building blocks of mystical energy, each imbued with its own unique characteristics and properties.

From the fiery intensity of fire to the fluid adaptability of water, from the ethereal currents of wind to the solid stability of earth, each element played a vital role in shaping the magical landscape. Furthermore, there were lesser-known elements such as plant, dark, light, blood, ice, lava/magma, time, love, lightning, shadow, poison, space/dimensional, healing, gravity, and sound/music, each with its own distinct influence and potential for manipulation.

As I immersed myself in the intricate details of each element, I couldn't help but marvel at the boundless possibilities that magic held within its grasp.

The concept of elemental talents fascinated me as I continued reading. It explained how some individuals were naturally gifted with talents for certain elements, while others lacked any innate affinity. However, not possessing a natural talent didn't hinder one's ability to wield magic; as long as a person possessed mana, they could learn to manipulate magic and master specific elements over time.

Turning to Abby, who sat beside me, I couldn't contain my curiosity. "Abby, were you born with a talent for ice magic?"

Abby met my gaze and nodded. "Yes, I was born with the talent for ice magic, but not for plant magic. I learned plant magic from my mentor, as she specialized in it."

It was remarkable that Abby already excelled in one element and was actively learning another. She truly was a prodigy, and I couldn't help but wonder if she could teach me as well.

"Abby, could you teach me magic?" I asked eagerly.

She hesitated slightly before responding with a smile, "I'm not sure how good of a teacher I'll be, but I'll certainly try."

Excitement bubbled within me as I seized her hand. "Follow me," I urged, leading her through the hallways at a brisk pace, descending the staircase to head outside. However, our impromptu departure was interrupted by Aunt Frisca, who appeared in front of us, questioning our hurried movements.

"Aunt Frisca, Abby plans to teach me magic," I explained with a smile, eager to embark on this new journey of discovery.

Aunt Frisca's initial reaction to Abby was somewhat chilly, but it quickly thawed into a warm smile as she spoke. "Ah, how wonderful. Get along well, and Abby, please come to my office once you're finished. Casia can guide you there."

Abby nodded in acknowledgment, and we made our way outside, with Urie trailing behind us. As we walked, I couldn't help but ask, "Abby, don't you have your own maid?"

"I was given the option to have one, but I declined," Abby replied casually.

"I didn't even get that option, but oh well," I shrugged, brushing it off.

Eventually, we arrived at the tranquil lake, where the familiar green turtle basked in the sunlight. Gesturing to the serene surroundings, I remarked, "This is my favorite place, aside from the library. And this is where I'd like you to teach me magic, Abby."

Abby nodded in agreement, and we settled on the bench. She began her instruction by explaining the importance of detecting one's mana, likening it to a hidden core within the body, akin to a second heart. "Once you locate your mana core, you'll be able to channel mana throughout your body and use magic," she elaborated.

"Alright, I'll give it a try. But how do I begin?" I inquired, eager to delve into this newfound realm of possibility.

"Close your eyes and meditate. Focus on your body and your mana. If you sense something flowing within you, that's your mana. Follow it to locate the core," Abby instructed patiently.

Meanwhile...

A soft knock echoed through the room, followed by Frisca's inviting voice, "Come in," as she sat behind her desk, pen poised in hand.

Dominca entered, a faint smile gracing her features. "Hello, Frisca," she greeted warmly.

"Please, take a seat," Frisca gestured.

As Dominca settled into the chair, she inquired, "So, sister, you mentioned you wanted to speak with me?"

"Yes, I did," Frisca replied, setting her pen aside and meeting Dominca's gaze. "Sister, what are your intentions?"

"I'm not quite sure what you're referring to," Dominca replied, feigning innocence.

"Don't play games with me, Dominca," Frisca retorted sternly. "You're scheming something regarding Giselle, aiming to prevent her from attending the academy next year."

"Sister, no! I would never harm Giselle. She's family," Dominca protested.

"Don't deny it! You've harbored resentment toward Brother Henry for ages and now seek to hinder his daughter's future. I'm aware of your conversation with Abby last night," Frisca asserted.

"Tch, so what? Abby is gifted she's destined for greatness, and I won't allow Giselle to interfere with her path," Dominca snapped, a hint of madness creeping into her laughter.

"Foolishness, Dominca! Abby's success won't be hindered by others' accomplishments. If you persist in such destructive thoughts, you'll lead Abby down a dark path and she may become a demon," Frisca admonished.

"How dare you call my daughter a demon! You fucking cunt!" Dominca spat back, her anger flaring.

"I only want what's best for Abby. I can't bear to see her outshone by others," Dominca continued.

"Stop this foolishness! Abby will surpass our expectations, and I won't allow you to harm any family member. Leave now, and keep your dark thoughts to yourself," Frisca commanded firmly.

With a resentful glare, Dominca rose from her seat and exited the room without a word. Frisca sighed heavily, placing both hands on her head in exasperation. "I expected better from you, Sister Dominca."