Ellie leaned back against the couch, her deep blue eyes alight with excitement. She tapped her chin thoughtfully, the hint of a smirk playing on her lips as she glanced between her younger siblings. “Alright, let’s play a game,” she began, her tone teasing but laced with authority. “How about… a game of magic?”

Emma and Ethan exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued. Ellie continued, her gaze settling on each of them. “Since both of you have awakened your Ki Core, I think it’s time to see what you’ve learned so far. We’ll take turns showcasing our magic, and whoever’s stands out the most wins.” Her smile widened, the playful glint in her eyes betraying how much she was looking forward to this.

Emma shifted uncomfortably, opening her mouth to protest. “Well, about that...” she started, but Ethan cut her off, his enthusiasm bubbling over.

“I’ll go first!” he declared, jumping to his feet.

Ellie nodded, folding her arms as she leaned forward slightly, clearly intrigued. “Alright, show us what you’ve got.”

Ethan closed his eyes, his expression growing serious as he began to focus. The room seemed to hold its breath, the lively energy of moments ago replaced by a stillness that pressed against Emma’s skin. Slowly, the faintest red glow began to emanate from Ethan’s midsection, centered around his Ki Core. The light pulsed rhythmically, its hue deepening as his concentration grew stronger.

Emma watched with a mix of pride and amazement. He’s already reached the Awakening Stage, she thought, her heart swelling with admiration for her twin.

The temperature in the living room began to drop, a biting chill seeping into the air. Emma shivered slightly, hugging herself as her breath became visible in the sudden cold. It was as if the room had been transported into the heart of winter. Then Ethan’s voice rang out, clear and commanding:

“Ice Technique — Snow.”

In an instant, snow began to fall. Delicate flakes drifted down, swirling softly in a mesmerizing dance. One landed on Emma’s nose, and she brushed it away with a laugh, her breath fogging the air.

The scene was breathtaking. The snow didn’t blanket the entire living room but fell within a defined area, as though Ethan’s magic had shaped its boundaries with clarity. It was both beautiful and surreal, a quiet reminder of the potential their magic held.

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“Wow,” Ellie said softly, her voice filled with genuine admiration.

Emma echoed the sentiment, her silver-white hair catching the faint glow of the snow. “That was incredible, Ethan.”

Ethan grinned, puffing out his chest and tapping it lightly with a fist. “Well, no big deal,” he said with exaggerated modesty, his deep blue eyes sparkling. “If you want, I could teach you.” His grin widened into a teasing smirk.

Emma rolled her eyes, unable to suppress a smile. “Haha, very funny.” She turned to Ellie, hoping to shift the focus. “Your turn,” she said quickly, avoiding Ethan’s gaze.

Ellie raised an eyebrow but didn’t press. “Alright,” she said, rising from her seat with a graceful ease. She stretched out a hand, her dark blonde hair catching the light as she began to gather mana.

Unlike Ethan, Ellie’s control was effortless, her movements precise and fluid. The air around her seemed to hum with energy, the subtle vibrations tickling Emma’s skin. Ellie grabbed a sheet of paper from the nearby table, her expression calm and focused.

“What I’m about to show you,” Ellie began, her voice steady but carrying an edge of excitement, “is something I created while wondering… what if time itself could be paused?”

Emma and Ethan leaned forward, their eyes locked on her.

Ellie crumpled the paper into a ball and tossed it lightly into the air. The moment it left her hand, the atmosphere changed. A gust of wind stirred, growing in intensity until it swirled around them in a controlled cyclone. Emma’s silver-white hair whipped around her face, and she caught a glimpse of Ethan squinting as he tried to keep his eyes open.

As the paper began to descend, Ellie’s voice cut through the rising wind.

“Wind Technique — Condense.”

Instantly, everything froze. The wind stopped mid-motion, strands of hair suspended in the air as if the world had been caught in a photograph. The crumpled paper hung mid-fall, defying gravity as it still between them.

Emma and Ethan stared, wide-eyed, their jaws slack. The silence was deafening, the stillness eerie and otherworldly.

“Wow,” they said in unison, their voices barely above whispers.

Ellie smiled faintly, releasing her hold. The wind dissipated, their hair falling back into place as the paper completed its descent, landing softly on the floor.

“How did you do that?” Emma and Ethan blurted out at the same time before bursting into laughter at their synchronization.

Ellie chuckled, her deep blue eyes sparkling with mischief. “That’s a secret,” she said, her tone teasing.

She turned to Emma, her expression expectant. “Alright, your turn.”

Emma’s smile faltered, her confidence wavering. Her mind raced, trying to think of something.. anything she could do to match what they had just displayed. She forced a nervous smile, her hands trembling slightly as she faced her siblings.

Oh gosh. she thought, panic setting in. What am I supposed to show them now?