ã€ŠThe Villainess Changes Her Futureã€‹


 Chapter: 1 The villainess Awakens

    ¡°Raven¡­¡±

    ¡°Raven!¡±

    ¡°RAVEN!¡±

    ¡°You are a disappointment.¡±

    ¡°Are you even a Serth?¡±

    ¡°How low can your dignity be?¡±

    ¡°Crazy bit**!¡±

    ¡°Monster!¡±

    Broken fragments of memories seemed to pierce her mind and soul. Her small body trembled, but she didn¡¯t scream. Her lips pressed tightly together, fighting the urge to whimper. Her hands, usually so steady, shook uncontrollably, but she kept them pressed firmly to her sides, as though holding them still could stave off the panic rising inside her chest.

    ¡°You deserve to die!¡±

    The visions¡ªno, memories¡ªcame flooding in: people she recognized, others she didn¡¯t. Raven realized with dread that fate might be warning her.

    But no matter what these memories showed, she still had to focus on the present.

    Her mind was clearer than ever, but her body betrayed her fear. Her breath came in quick, shallow gasps. She knew she had to remain silent, stay hidden. Any sound would draw the attention of the beasts she had only heard about in stories.

    The ground was stained red with blood as monstrous beasts ravaged the playground, the place where they had been playing just moments before.

    ¡°Waah!¡± Cries of terror rang out, mingling with the beasts'' terrible roars.

    ¡°You are disgusting.¡±

    Raven¡¯s eyes snapped toward the voice in her mind before the figure appeared before her¡ªa man. He was striking, with flawless skin and golden hair that shimmered like liquid sunlight. His features were sharp, almost sculpted by an artist. But when his molten gold eyes met hers, they were cold, filled with disdain. There was no warmth, no recognition¡ªjust a palpable disgust, as though she were something beneath him, something he could barely stand to look at. The familiarity between them seemed to make his contempt sharper.

    In his hand, a bloodied sword gleamed, its crimson liquid dripping slowly¡ªa silent testament to whatever violence had preceded them. He held her gaze, his expression unmoving, as though she were no more than an unwanted interruption.

    ¡°Get out of my sight. Forever.¡± He said the words with icy finality.

    Then, as quickly as he had appeared, the scene blurred. She saw herself running¡ªfleeing from the chaos, struggling to survive in a world that seemed cold and indifferent, until she finally met her end.

    The memories weren¡¯t crystal clear, but one thing was certain: Raven was a villain. A useless, disgusting villain. Among the brilliant stars of this story, she was someone everyone despised.

    But that is the future, Raven thought with quiet determination. A future that won¡¯t repeat.

    Her focus snapped back to the present.

    They had been playing in the playground while the adults celebrated at the grand event, when the beasts attacked, trapping them in the chaos. Panic had swept through the children, and they had escaped, with the help of charms, at the cost of their nannies¡¯ lives.

    Raven¡¯s mind worked quickly¡ªfaster than usual¡ªand she realized this must be a beast wave. That meant what they were facing here was nothing compared to what was happening with the adults. The adults must be bearing the brunt of the attack, giving the children a chance to hide.

    She bit her lip to keep it from trembling. Only a few adults were still alive, trying to fight off the beasts, but they were hopelessly outnumbered¡ªone to twenty. No one had been prepared for this. Who could have predicted that a beast wave would strike the capital?

    The beasts, too, had proved cunning¡ªRaven¡¯s communication charm had failed, its magic somehow disrupted.

    ¡°Raven¡­¡± A familiar voice called her name, accompanied by the comforting weight of a hand on her shoulder.

    Raven turned to see the boy with golden hair and eyes¡ªAshcal. The boy she had admired in two lifetimes. The one she had covetously dreamed of¡ªapparently.

    This moment was eerily familiar. She had seen it as a vision not long ago.

    So this is where the first vision is playing out, Raven thought, feeling the weight of that realization in her chest. Ashcal and she had been close friends. She never expected that the future would twist so painfully, that she would drive him to the point of coldness toward her.

    ¡°Ashcal,¡± she whispered.

    ¡°It will be fine.¡± He flashed her a responsible smile, as though trying to reassure her. ¡°Trust me.¡±

    At this moment, Ashcal was the only one who could tell her that. And in truth, it was what they all believed.

    Raven didn¡¯t speak, but she knew deep down that what he said was true. It will be fine¡­ but... She glanced around at the carnage unfolding before them. This is where it all started. After he saved me, I became obsessed with him and depended on him for everything.

    She still found it hard to believe.

    ¡°They all died to protect us,¡± she murmured softly. ¡°We have to live. Live well.¡±

    She made a promise, silently, to the souls of those who lost their lives to protect them. She would live. She would survive. Not relying on others, but depending on herself.

    ¡°Signals are down,¡± Ashcal said, his voice firm. ¡°And my stealth charm won¡¯t hold for long. We¡¯ll have to make our own way out.¡± He continued, ¡°Low-level beasts don¡¯t have intelligence. This is just a matter of hiding and escaping.¡±

    ¡°I have a protective shield. It¡¯s... strong and movable,¡± Raven said, after a moment of thought. She counted the children remaining¡ªfive, including her and Ashcal. Originally, there had been over thirty children, but some had managed to escape to nearby shelters with the help of older kids, while others had hidden themselves elsewhere.

    ¡°Let¡¯s wait until it calms down a bit,¡± Ashcal suggested. ¡°They¡¯ll probably think we¡¯ve already escaped.¡±

    ¡°Or they might try to lure us out.¡± Raven¡¯s voice was low as she looked at the others, children she didn¡¯t know. Their families were of a different class, not ones she typically interacted with. She turned away and addressed them matter-of-factly. ¡°You can follow us if you want.¡±

    ¡°We¡­ will,¡± they said, looking at each other before nodding in agreement. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ¡°Thank us after we¡¯re safe,¡± Raven replied softly. The details of the memories were too fuzzy, so while she was certain she would survive, she couldn¡¯t say the same for the others.

    Time passed, and the beast wave finally seemed to subside. Only a few scavenger beasts remained, picking through the aftermath.

    ¡°We should go now,¡± Ashcal said, his voice low.

    They ran from one hiding spot to another. These had been designated during their earlier games of "hide and escape," a children¡¯s game in which they attempted to outwit each other by hiding and avoiding capture. The low-level beasts, being mindless, weren¡¯t much of a threat to children who knew how to outmaneuver them. And Ashcal, as always, was the best at the game.

    Still, Raven couldn¡¯t shake her sense of unease.

    Even though they were experienced at the game, it was still just a game. It had been fun when there were no consequences, but now the stakes were life and death. If they were caught, there would be no sidelines to watch from. They had to be careful. But how could children, mere five-year-olds, manage this on their own? They were barely holding it together, barely managing to suppress the urge to cry for their parents.

    The only reason they hadn¡¯t been caught yet was because Ashcal was leading them. Raven didn¡¯t know how he did it, but he did. And he did it well.

    On their way, Ashcal had convinced the other children to join their group. Some were older, but none of them dared challenge him. None could disobey him, as his family commanded respect.

    There were now ten children in their group. That was the maximum number Ashcal¡¯s stealth charm could protect. Raven understood his reasoning¡ªhe wanted to save as many as possible.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Ashcal said as they ran, trying to reassure the others. ¡°We¡¯re not that far from the nearest shelter.¡±

    Raven knew, however, that the ¡°nearest¡± shelter he referred to wasn¡¯t the closest one geographically, but the safest. There was a shelter in the playground, but after the beasts had seen so many children escaping there, it was likely now guarded by mid-level beasts. The safest place to go was a shelter in the neighboring garden, which was hidden from view and hadn¡¯t been used much.

    But once they entered the garden, they would be in unfamiliar territory. Raven made a quick decision.  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

    ¡°I¡¯ll activate my shield now,¡± she said firmly, cutting off any objections. ¡°Huddle together, hold hands.¡±

    They sprinted from their last hiding place and into the garden. No one had the time to appreciate its beauty. They barely registered the sight of the purple flowers before they began scanning the area for the shelter gate, their eyes darting over the bloodstains and the mangled bodies of the maids and gardeners who had fallen in the chaos.

    This movement caught the attention of a few nearby beasts. With greater physical strength than the children¡ªwho hadn''t yet awakened¡ªthe monsters quickly closed the distance and launched an attack on the shield.

    "Hurry!" Raven shouted.

    ¡°There!¡± a boy pointed to the ground. ¡°There¡¯s a hatch!¡±

    They ran toward it, Raven adjusting the movable hemispherical shield with practiced precision. Ashcal wasted no time. He dug into the earth around the hatch, clearing the dirt away before inserting his guest identity card into the lock. With a swift motion, the trap door opened.

    ¡°Get in!¡± he urged.

    Raven stood by, waiting as the children scrambled down the ladder. A sharp sense of irritation flickered through her as she cursed inwardly at the poor quality of the underground shelter. Why use such fragile ladders? she thought, These look like they''d collapse with a gust of wind!

    Some of the children hesitated, unsure about descending into the dark or afraid of the unstable ladder. Raven understood their fears, but she steeled herself and said, ¡°My shield is going to break soon.¡± Her eyes flickered to the beasts, their growls growing louder as they closed in.

    The children shuddered, their minor fears now overshadowed by the immediate danger.

    Just as the sixth child started to climb down, Raven¡¯s instincts screamed at her. "Hurry!" she urged, her voice tight with urgency.

    Ashcal caught her tone. "Is the shield not going to hold up?"

    "Five more minutes," she replied. The time was enough but the bad feeling didn¡¯t go away.

    As the last child, besides Ashcal and herself, started to climb down, the ladder suddenly gave way. With a loud, metallic *clang* it broke, sending echoes of panic through the shelter.

    The sound of screams rose from inside the shelter.

    Ashcal and Raven both went pale.

    Raven was speechless at the poor maintenance of this shelter. Why was there even a ladder here? Why not a proper staircase? She swore silently to herself that she would never attend a party with such careless safety protocols again. Such places are not worth visiting, she thought. If enemies don¡¯t get me, poor safety measures will.

    ¡°We can jump down and figure it out later¡ª¡± Ashcal started, but was interrupted by a high-pitched screech that split the air.

    A mid-level beast had finally spotted them.

    The beast descended from the sky with terrifying speed. Its enormous wings cut through the air with bone-shaking force. It resembled an eagle in some ways, but its size and monstrous nature set it apart. Its wings stretched wide, each feather tipped with razor-sharp edges, while its talons, curved like daggers, reached down toward them. The creature¡¯s beak opened with a deafening screech, revealing rows of jagged teeth.

    ¡°The shield¡¯s not going to hold!¡± Raven hissed, eyes wide. "It¡¯s stronger than a usual mid-level beast!" Her mind raced as the barrier began to show signs of strain. Even though she knew she would survive, she didn¡¯t remember how¡ªher intuition screamed at her to take this threat seriously.

    This was the moment it all began.

    She might live now, but survival didn¡¯t necessarily mean a good life, did it?

    There was a reason why she had seen these visions. This was the moment that could change everything.

    Raven clenched her fists, her frustration mounting. How do I stop a high-level beast?

    As the beast swooped toward them, its presence seemed to crush the very air. The ground trembled beneath its descent, and the deafening roar of its wings pushed against the shield. The force of its arrival sent cracks spider-webbing across the barrier, threatening to shatter it at any moment.

    ¡°Raven! Stand behind me!¡± Ashcal shouted, grabbing her waist.

    So that¡¯s how it happened, she thought. She remembered now. Ashcal saved me in my past life... but I can¡¯t depend on him this time.

    She refused to let him push her into the shelter. She knew what would happen if he did. ¡°NO!¡± she shouted, holding onto him tightly. ¡°You don¡¯t have to save me!¡±

    Ashcal¡¯s expression shifted, confusion and pain flashing across his face as he looked at her. He seemed to understand something, but the moment was too fleeting.

    His golden eyes darkened, and a soft glow began to envelop him. He turned away from her, his attention fixed on the shrieking beast, and then he let go. But he remained in front of her, unwavering.

    Raven watched him, her thoughts swirling.

    Today was the day they both awakened.

    Awakening could happen naturally as one¡¯s body developed or through training by the age of fifteen. Some awakened through dangerous situations that triggered survival instincts, while others used an awakening stone¡ªa rare and precious resource.

    Ashcal¡¯s awakening came from his will to survive, from his desire to defeat the eagle beast. In her past life, Raven had awakened after Ashcal had pushed her into the shelter. The fear of falling had triggered her own awakening, and she had used her wind element to prevent her fall.

    Wind? The thought flickered in her mind, and something clicked. If wind is my element, though it is impossible to defeat it, I can perhaps stall the beast for a moment.

    Her father shared the same element as her due to which the element of wind in their house was especially concentrated. While the wind flow in their house wasn¡¯t liked by the servants Raven often enjoyed feeling the wind. Already, she was in a state of half awakening after her intelligence improved. To fully awaken, her father had told her a way. Her father was busy all the time and they had few conversations so she remembered his rare words exactly.

    During one rare dinner together, when she had luckily managed to catch her father, she had asked him about awakening.

    ¡°How can I awaken, Dad?¡± she had asked.

    He had looked at her, brief and distant. ¡°Just feel the wind.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡±

    ¡°When the right time comes, it would be that simple.¡±

    ¡°When will be the right time?¡±

    ¡°...You will know.¡±

    Now, feeling the wind begin to stir around her and thinking that it was now or never, Raven closed her eyes. At first, it was gentle¡ªalmost imperceptible¡ªbut then it picked up speed, swirling with purpose. She tilted her head back, letting the breeze wash over her face, feeling a connection to it. The air seemed to speak to her, and she felt something stir deep inside her. A spark of power began to awaken, like a dormant force inside her, just waiting to be unleashed.

    Her heartbeat synced with the rhythm of the wind, and she felt the pulsing of her own strength as the air wrapped around her. The more she focused on it, the more powerful it became. The wind was no longer just a passive force; it had become an extension of her will, responding to her commands.

    She opened her eyes as the wind responded to her, a quiet thrill rippling through her. The shield broke as the eagle beast¡¯s claws made contact, but just as the barrier shattered, the wind surged forward. It swirled around the beast, holding it at bay, pushing it back with an invisible force.

    The beast screeched in frustration as it was unable to move forward, its claws digging into the ground in an effort to resist the wind¡¯s power.

    The wind only grew stronger, pressing against the creature¡¯s wings, forcing it to halt. The eagle beast struggled, but the air around it seemed to fight back, refusing to let it approach.

    ***

    In a distant corner of the grand celebration grounds, where the echoes of festivity were quickly swallowed by the chaos of the beast wave, a fierce battle was unfolding. The clash of steel and the roar of savage creatures filled the air, creating a tempest of destruction that seemed to tear at the very fabric of the place. Yet, in the midst of this fury, there was a singular figure who stood apart from the rest, unaffected by the madness surrounding him, as if he were a shadow detached from the world.

    With a languid motion, a man with jet-black hair and eyes as dark as the midnight sky raised a hand, and a violent gust erupted. It was no mere wind, but a howling vortex that tore through the enemy ranks, sending scores of beasts flying, their bodies swept away by the unstoppable force. The carnage unfolded in moments, but the man¡¯s expression remained unchanged¡ªhis gaze, cold and unblinking, fixed on the destruction he¡¯d wrought, as if it were nothing more than a fleeting inconvenience in the grander scheme of things.

    His white robe fluttered in the winds of his own making, but it only served to emphasize the quiet majesty of his presence. The simplicity of his attire belied the terrifying power he commanded. His face¡ªpale, sharp, and unyielding¡ªseemed to be carved from stone. High cheekbones, a long, aristocratic nose, and thin lips framed an expression of serene authority. But it was his eyes, dark and piercing, that truly spoke to the nature of his being¡ªthere was an unsettling quiet within them, as if he could see through the very world around him. His features, though beautiful in their perfection, were overshadowed by an air of dominance, as though the very wind itself bowed to him. The subtle breeze he created was but a reflection of the tempest that brewed within, a reminder that he was the one who held the reins of nature¡¯s fury.

    Suddenly, the lord''s senses sharpened, and a faint frown tugged at the corners of his lips. His dark gaze flickered briefly to the battlefield, a change in the wind pulling at his attention. Through the chaos of the carnage, a figure in a sharp tuxedo approached with perfect composure, his every step measured and precise.

    The aide¡¯s posture was immaculate, his face a mask of professional courtesy, as though the world around him was nothing more than a passing distraction. He stopped just short of his lord and, with the slightest of bows, asked, "Is there something wrong, my lord?"

    "A new wind has emerged." The lord''s voice was calm, though there was a subtle edge to it.

    The aide blinked, his composed exterior faltering for a brief moment. A new wind? His brows furrowed in surprise, but he quickly regained his poise. "A new wind? Is it strong enough that you must mention it¡ª"

    "Strong?" The lord¡¯s voice turned slightly amused, but there was a depth to his words that made the air around them feel heavier. His gaze shifted toward the direction of the playground, now far from the melee of battle. "Well, obviously."

    He paused for a moment, the wind around him seeming to respond to his very words, a gentle caress that made the aide feel, for the first time, a little out of place. The lord¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly as he surveyed the distant scene. "They¡¯ve done a poor job at safety and broken our trust. Take care of this.¡±

    His words were decisive, as though they carried an unspoken command. The lord¡¯s tone was smooth, but the gravity in his voice made it clear: something had gone wrong. Without waiting for a reply, he continued, his expression becoming even more distant. "I¡¯m going to leave with my daughter."

    With a flick of his wrist, the lord vanished into the swirling winds, leaving behind only a lingering sense of his power. He disappeared in the blink of an eye, as if the very air had swallowed him whole.

    The aide was left standing, blinking in confusion. Take care of this? he thought, feeling the weight of his lord¡¯s words. Wasn¡¯t he talking about someone with a strong wind element? The aide frowned, trying to piece it together. How did it shift so quickly to safety and trust?

    The battle raged on, but his mind was preoccupied. The lord had been invited here as a guest¡ªan honored guest¡ªand yet now there was this sudden shift in priorities. Safety had been compromised. Trust had been broken. The aide could feel the subtle change in the atmosphere¡ªthe lord was no longer concerned with the beasts or the battle. He had his sights on something else entirely.

    The aide glanced around the battlefield once more, and his thoughts snapped back into focus. Of course¡­ taking care of this¡­ He knew exactly what his lord meant. Compensation. The host would have to make reparations for the mess they¡¯d caused. There was no way the lord would simply let this slip by.

    With a deep sigh, the aide adjusted his stance, mentally preparing for the diplomatic maneuvers ahead. As always, it was up to him to smooth over the edges and ensure no grievances went unresolved.

    ***

 Chapter: 2 Breaking the Ice

    Ashcal¡¯s Superpower was ¡®Dragon Knight¡¯¡ªa combination of summoner and tamer abilities, a variation unique only to the Forno¡¯s main family. He could summon a golden dragon, and when that thing appeared, it was the undisputed supreme of beasts.

    ¡®Such a ridiculously broken ability,¡¯ the Lord thought, casually watching the golden dragon effortlessly battle a mid-level eagle. The eagle, after a few minutes of flapping around in a desperate attempt to defend itself, finally fled in a panic.

    Unfazed, the Lord strolled over toward the two children.

    Raven wiped the sweat from her forehead, her eyes lifting to her father. He¡¯d been standing there, watching the whole spectacle like a lazy spectator at a parade, instead of offering any help. She wasn¡¯t sure what to feel.

    She felt a bit complicated in her heart. Over her five short years, the time they¡¯d spent together could probably be counted on one hand. At first, she¡¯d thought maybe it was something about her, that she was the reason he¡¯d barely looked her way. But now¡­ well, now she just realized he was a neglectful jerk.

    Maybe that¡¯s why her mother had taken her brother and left. No¡­ why didn¡¯t she take me too?

    Her mood dipped. Both my parents are scum.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you go to the shelter?¡± Her father¡¯s voice cut through her thoughts, as he gave her a side-eye like she was the one who had messed everything up. ¡°Do you like danger so much?¡±

    Raven gave him an unimpressed look, not in the mood for his nagging. She tugged at the hem of his white robe and pointed to the shelter hole.

    At that moment, a nervous voice called from inside the shelter: ¡°Ashcal... Raven... Are you two okay? Why is it so quiet? Are all the beasts gone?¡±

    The lower-tier beasts had run off when the mid-tier eagle showed up. And now that the golden dragon had scared it away, everything had settled.

    ¡°We¡¯re fine!¡± Ashcal¡¯s voice came back, hoarse and tired, as he slumped down onto the ground. ¡°The beasts ran off. It¡¯s safe here. Hang on, I¡¯ll go get help.¡±

    ¡°Ok!¡±

    Ashcal turned to her father, still hovering with an air of absolute indifference and explained the situation to him briefly, ¡°Sir Rayan Serth, we were trying to enter the shelter when the ladder fell. Some of them might be hurt. We should¡ª¡±

    And with that, he scooped Raven up in one arm like she was a kitten, effortlessly pulling her against his side as if she weighed nothing at all.

    Raven blinked, caught somewhere between confusion and resignation. Her father didn¡¯t even spare Ashcal a second glance. The whole situation felt... surreal. Ashcal stood there with the same dumbfounded expression, but Raven was already being lifted off the ground, the air around them whipping as they soared into the sky while she shot him a quick apologetic look.

    It took less than a minute to reach the portal gate in the city. The entire process was so swift that Raven barely had time to register the passing scenery before it was already over.

    ¡°Activate the portal,¡± Rayan ordered the person in charge, his voice clipped.

    ¡°Sir, there¡¯s a beast wave going on¡ª¡± the man began, but Rayan cut him off with a sharp wave.

    ¡°I won¡¯t repeat myself.¡±

    The person sighed in resignation. ¡°Yes... sir.¡±

    The portal took another fifteen minutes to activate and transport them to their territory, but during the entire duration, neither of them spoke a word. The silence hung heavily between them.

    Even after they arrived home, there was no conversation. Raven usually started their exchanges, but since awakening, she¡¯d decided it was best to maintain her distance from him.

    It wasn¡¯t long before Rayan broke the silence at the dinner table. His voice was low, yet sharp as he studied her intently.

    ¡°Is something wrong?¡±

    Raven shook her head, keeping her focus on her food as she ate quietly under his scrutinizing gaze.

    ¡°Are you mute?¡± He asked, his tone dripping with condescension.

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Then why aren¡¯t you answering properly?¡±

    Raven sighed inwardly but kept her voice even, not wanting to argue. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, father. I was just tired.¡±

    ¡°Is that an excuse?¡± he asked coldly.

    Raven gritted her teeth, realizing he wasn¡¯t going to let it slide easily. ¡°No. I¡¯m sorry, father.¡±

    ¡°You say sorry really well, but do you know what your mistake is?¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°Well?¡± He prodded, his eyes never leaving her.

    ¡°I did not speak clearly.¡±

    ¡°Yes. You did not. That is why I heard what I wanted to hear from that Forno boy.¡±

    His words stung, but Raven refused to let him see any reaction. He¡¯s really treating me lightly now, she thought.

    ¡°I awakened my element, father.¡±

    ¡°I know.¡±

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t hurt.¡±

    ¡°I can clearly see that.¡±

    ¡°And... you didn¡¯t bother yourself with helping others.¡±

    ¡°So?¡±

    ¡°Then, why did you want to know what happened, father?¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°I would have told you if something important had happened. If there¡¯s something you need to ask, please be specific next time. I won¡¯t hesitate to answer.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re very good at talking back now.¡±

    Raven almost rolled her eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll take my leave first, then.¡±

    ¡°Greet me properly.¡±

    ¡°Goodnight, father.¡± She turned and walked away quickly, not bothering to look back.

    Of all the things they could have talked about after today, it was one useless interrogation. Raven felt a pang of frustration¡ªher father truly was the most useless father ever.

    In her previous life, she had been incompetent, even after awakening years earlier than her peers. Until the day she died, she had blamed herself, thinking it was her fault that her father didn¡¯t like her. But now, she understood¡ªhe wasn¡¯t fit to be a father. He didn¡¯t care to be one.

    Thank God she had figured that out early. It meant she could stop expecting things from him and focus on herself. That, she believed, would save her from a lot of unnecessary suffering.

    After going to bed, Raven slept peacefully, but the moment she woke up, the memories of her past life seemed to slip away like sand through her fingers.

    She woke up earlier than usual, a clear sign that her mind was already focused on what she needed to do. She had something important to discuss with her father. Breakfast was the only time she¡¯d have a chance to catch him before he left for work. He usually had breakfast very early, and after yesterday¡¯s events, he would likely be busier than usual for a while. It might take her a few days to get a word in.

    While getting ready with the help of a caretaker, Raven considered her options.

    In her previous life, she¡¯d been lazy. She spent most of her time chasing after Ashcal, avoiding responsibility, and ignoring her true potential. Her talents were wasted because of her low self-discipline. She had never given enough effort, and her arrogance had only made it worse.

    But now, Raven was terrified of being that person again. She couldn¡¯t afford to be lazy anymore. This time, she would work hard, no matter how mentally exhausting it became.

    After finishing her morning routine, she made her way downstairs for breakfast. To her relief, her father was already seated at the table, his phone pressed to his ear, likely in the middle of a call.

    Butler Hans, standing dutifully by her father¡¯s side, greeted her with a warm smile, his posture as straight as ever. The elderly man radiated an aura of professionalism¡ªevery inch the elite butler who served the Serth family with distinction.

    Raven quietly took her seat, her eyes lingering on her father for a moment. The chef, a plump woman with a bright smile, served her a rich breakfast. The warm aroma of freshly baked bread and sizzling eggs filled the air, making her stomach growl in appreciation.

    ¡°Young miss, you¡¯re up early!¡± the chef said cheerfully.

    Raven nodded in acknowledgment but didn¡¯t respond directly. Instead, she kept her gaze fixed on her father, intently, waiting for him to finish his call.

    Her father raised an eyebrow at her, his sharp gaze narrowing. ¡°Yes, we will discuss the details in the meeting. Assistant Wang, make sure we¡¯re compensated nicely. Hang up now.¡±Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    When he finally hung up, his eyes locked onto hers, a subtle tension filling the air. ¡°What do you want?¡±

    Raven didn¡¯t waste time with pleasantries. ¡°I want to learn swordsmanship.¡±

    There was a beat of stunned silence before he spoke again. ¡°Why?¡±

    Raven took a moment to think, her fingers gently tapping the edge of her plate. ¡°...There are many reasons. Do you¡ª¡±

    ¡°Never mind,¡± he interrupted, waving a dismissive hand. ¡°I know why.¡±

    ¡°Then¡­¡± Raven hesitated, but then pressed forward, her voice steady.

    ¡°But,¡± he continued, his tone hardening, ¡°learning how to wield a sword isn¡¯t easy. It¡¯s tough and demanding. You will have to practice every day, through blood, sweat, and tears. As a Serth, I cannot tolerate seeing you cry. So through blood and sweat, you must persist, even if you want to give up. For that, you¡¯ll need determination and drive.¡± He met her eyes with an intense, almost piercing gaze. ¡°You might think of giving up easily, especially since you don¡¯t have to learn close combat¨C with your superpower. And you¡¯re only five, after all. Most likely, you¡¯ll learn swordsmanship as you grow older. But now? It might be too much for you. Choose wisely. Once you start, there¡¯s no going back. I don¡¯t want to see you quit.¡±

    Raven¡¯s voice was unwavering. ¡°I won¡¯t give up. And I won¡¯t disappoint you.¡±

    Raven thought about her previous life again, where she had started sword training at thirteen¨C when her father had insisted on it, but had been too stubborn to make any real progress. Her teacher had been strict, and Raven had never bothered to put in the effort. It was a waste¡ªher talent was immense. In just eight years, she had reached a high level in swordsmanship, something that usually took a decade or more to achieve through pure dedication.

    But it had been in name only. She hadn¡¯t put in the effort, and despite her potential, she was still weaker than others. Strong intermediate swordsmen could beat her easily.

    Now, she wanted to put in the effort. She wanted to finally unlock her true potential and be someone who wasn¡¯t weak¡ªsomeone who could stand strong in the face of danger, not run away or hide.

    Her father¡¯s gaze softened, but just slightly. ¡°You won¡¯t? But you didn¡¯t even greet me properly today.¡±

    Raven rolled her eyes, then deadpanned, ¡°...Good morning, father. I hope your day goes well and¡ª¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t speak so much so early in the morning,¡± he cut in, irritated.

    She stayed silent, thinking that her father would probably annoy her to death someday.

    ¡°You can rest today,¡± he said with a wave of his hand. ¡°Butler Hans will arrange your new classes. Now that you¡¯ve awakened, things will be different. And more difficult.¡±

    Raven was prepared and unbothered, ¡°Yes, father. I understand.¡±

    He paused, then said with cold finality, ¡°and stay away from that Ashcal boy.¡±

    Raven blinked, confused. ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s too kind. We have an ideology mismatch. You can¡¯t marry him.¡±

    Raven felt her face flush with embarrassment and anger. She had to take a deep breath to keep herself in check.

    ¡°And his family is too far away. We live in the northernmost part of the country, they live in the center. There¡¯s a regional disparity.¡± He continued, in a tone that bordered on indifference. ¡°We¡¯re elementalists, they¡¯re summoners and tamers. There are many more problems.¡±

    Raven¡¯s patience wore thin. ¡°I get it, father.¡± She rolled her eyes. ¡°You don¡¯t like him. I wasn¡¯t thinking that way either.¡±

    ¡°I know you like him,¡± he shot back calmly, sipping his tea. ¡°Where did you learn to lie so blatantly? To your own father, no less.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t like him that way!¡±

    ¡°You cling to him all the time,¡± he retorted with a smirk. ¡°You didn¡¯t even climb into the underground shelter with everyone else. You stayed behind, waiting for him, all kind-hearted.¡±

    ¡°That was because of the shield charm¡ª¡±

    ¡°You stopped calling me ¡®dad¡¯ after I was rude to him. You even gave me the cold shoulder.¡±

    Raven¡¯s cheeks flared red, and she clenched her fists. ¡°Is that why... you don¡¯t like him?¡± Because in her past life, he supported her engagement with Ashcal.

    ¡°Do you think I care what you call me?¡± He snorted. ¡°As long as it¡¯s respectful.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Serth.¡± Raven¡¯s voice was cold, sharp.

    ¡°...What was that?¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that respectful enough? Or should I call you ¡®my lord¡¯?¡±

    He pursed his lips, looking at her disdainfully. ¡°Just because of a boy.¡±

    ¡°You said you didn¡¯t care. Why are you sour now?¡±

    ¡°I really don¡¯t care. Don¡¯t misunderstand. No matter what you call me, I will always be your father.¡±

    Raven fumed inside. ¡°Mr. Serth, have a nice day. I¡¯ll leave first.¡± She humphed and walked away, feeling a sense of quiet satisfaction as she left the room.

    ¡°My lord, young miss didn¡¯t mean it, she¡¯s just a child,¡± Butler Hans said, his voice tense as he tried to smooth over the tension between the father and daughter.

    Usually, Raven was very polite and respectful toward her father. She craved his attention and approval, but it was painful to see that he barely noticed her. She had no mother, and the only people who showed her any affection were the nannies and maids. It was clear to Butler Hans that Raven was lonely.

    He had always known that one day, when she understood more, she might start resenting her parents, but he hadn¡¯t expected that day to arrive so soon. Despite everything, Raven had kept her composure. She was growing up faster than most children her age. Her awakening had sharpened her mind, and though it brought him some pride, it also saddened him. She was maturing into a person who would eventually have to face harsh truths.

    ¡°Young miss just wants your care, master,¡± Butler Hans continued, his voice softer now. ¡°There was a beast wave in the capital, and she was caught in the middle of it. Such events can be traumatic, especially if she saw Ms. Samul¡¯s sacrifice. Even we adults feel shaken... imagine what it must have been like for her. Please, be patient with her.¡±

    The lord grunted, barely looking up. ¡°She can call me whatever she wants. But I will not let her marry just anyone.¡±

    Butler Hans, sensing the lord¡¯s indifference, nodded reassuringly. ¡°Young miss is only five. She doesn¡¯t even understand what love is, let alone marriage. She¡¯s too young for that. Don¡¯t worry, my lord, she won¡¯t even think about someone you don¡¯t approve of.¡±

    The lord¡¯s frown softened ever so slightly. He nodded again, though it was more out of habit than agreement. With a dismissive wave, he went back to his duties.

    Ashcal and Raven were both born into Tier-1 supernatural families, each holding enormous power. Raven¡¯s family, the Serths, ruled over a vast number of elementalist families. The wind element was versatile and deadly, both supportive and offensive. They had alliances with other elementalists and were often the backbone of battle strategies. The Serths were known as the rulers of the sky, a family steeped in history and legend. Their patriarch, Rayan Serth, was the strongest wind elemental in history¡ªand he ruled over the Serth¡¯s floating city in the sky.

    Ashcal, on the other hand, was from the Forno family¡ªa lineage of powerful summoners and tamers. The Fornos were unrivalled in their community. Their unique superpowers often bent the laws of reality, making them seem almost like walking cheats in the eyes of others.

    While the Fornos were undeniably strong, the Serths were no slouches either.

    Raven and Ashcal had met at a grand celebration for the most prestigious Tier-1 and -2 families. Among all the children their age, Ashcal had stood out like a full moon in a sea of stars. He wasn¡¯t arrogant or aloof, but instead, he was well-mannered and genuinely caring. He was sharp, capable, and had a natural aura of leadership. Raven had seen that in him, and for the first time, she had felt what it was like to genuinely consider someone a friend¡ªsomeone worthy of respect.

    She¡¯d laugh now at her naive self. Who was she to decide who was worthy? Was she even worthy to be his friend, with her immature and bratty attitude? Raven couldn¡¯t help but snicker at her past self¡¯s arrogance.

    With a sigh, Raven pushed aside her thoughts and handed a bottle of dye remover to her new nanny, Margaret¡ªwho had replaced the old one after... a rather messy situation.

    Margaret hesitated. ¡°Are¡ªare you sure, young miss?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sure,¡± Raven replied with calm determination.

    ¡°But¡­ won¡¯t people talk? Badly, I mean?¡±

    Raven gave a faint, almost dismissive smile. ¡°Let them talk. Let¡¯s see who dares.¡±

    Margaret smiled, clearly reassured by her words. ¡°Very well, young miss.¡±

    Black hair and eyes were a taboo¨C they weren¡¯t unseen but very rare and Raven had inherited her father¡¯s hair and eye colour. Black was the colour of destruction and death; it was also considered unlucky. No one would dare to say anything to her father. But Raven was just a powerless kid and her father wouldn¡¯t care about such minor things, they could say whatever they wanted about her. At a young age, this could harm a child¡¯s fragile mind¨C making her lose confidence. So the previous nanny had thought that it was better to dye it until she grew up.

    But now, Raven felt that it was necessary that she stopped hiding herself for such useless things. They could say whatever they wanted about her. Wouldn¡¯t they politely shut up after she gained power eventually? She didn¡¯t have to be considerate towards people who didn¡¯t matter.

    ¡°Young Miss''s hair is truly beautiful,¡± Margaret said, her voice filled with quiet admiration.

    Raven nodded, a slight warmth in her chest. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    After a bit of idle chatter, Butler Hans arrived to escort Raven to the supernatural government building for her registration. Raven asked if this would draw attention.

    Butler Hans denied it, ¡°No young miss, everything has been taken care of. No one will know.¡±

    Raven sensed that something was off from his words. Why would no one know? Isn¡¯t this a big deal?

    But she understood what he meant after thinking about it for a while.

    The registration process took several hours, with Raven undergoing a series of tests. By the time she returned to her room, she was exhausted. Complaining to the nearest maid, she flopped onto the bed.

    ¡°Even though my father is the most important person in the kingdom, it still took this long? Is this some kind of joke?¡±

    The maid chuckled softly. ¡°Young miss, it usually takes a week for others.¡±

    Raven blinked, momentarily stunned. ¡°...Well, never mind then. Just give me my phone.¡±

    ¡°Young miss can only use it for one hour.¡±

    ¡°...Yes, I understand.¡±

    Raven quickly called Ashcal to check on him. She had wanted to wait before contacting him, thinking he¡¯d be busy dealing with the aftermath of the beast wave, but after two days, things should be quieter.

    ¡°Is everything sorted there?¡± Raven asked, her voice laced with concern.

    ¡°It¡¯s... chaotic,¡± Ashcal admitted, sounding drained.

    Raven could sympathize. ¡°Take care of yourself.¡±

    ¡°Are you alright?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she replied, then added casually, ¡°By the way, congratulations on your awakening.¡±

    ¡°Thank you. You¡¯ll awaken soon too.¡±

    ¡°...¡± Her guess was right. Her father had hidden the fact that she had awakened to gain more compensation! Awakening was a very profitable event to her father. If they knew that she had awakened during this incident, it could be used as an excuse to reduce the compensation.

    Raven decisively changed the topic, ¡°I hope so. Was anyone hurt in the shelter?¡±

    There was a long pause before Ashcal spoke again, his voice a bit strained. ¡°Quite badly. Someone almost died.¡±

    She understood why he had hesitated before. ¡°...That¡¯s awful,¡± she said quietly, feeling guilty.

    After a brief silence, Ashcal continued, ¡°Mr. Rayan restrained the beast for me to kill it.¡±

    Raven winced, realizing the frustration behind his words. ¡°...Thank him for that, will you?¡± he added dryly.

    Raven bit her lip. She understood. ¡°Yes¡­ of course.¡±

    She would feel resentful too if someone just stood there, restraining the beast to watch the show instead of killing it. Especially if they could just kill it without even flicking a finger.

    But her father hadn¡¯t restrained it to watch the show, even though he did watch the show. She had restrained it so that Ashcal could kill it. So her father shouldn¡¯t be blamed for that at least.

    But the truth couldn''t be told and lies had to be maintained. So, with an awkward cough, she ended the call.

    Anyway, it had little to do with her. She would never be his fianc¨¦ in this life too. It didn¡¯t matter if her father and Ashcal disliked each other.

    In her past life, she had foolishly obsessed over Ashcal, throwing tantrums whenever a girl looked at him. In the end she couldn¡¯t even have him.

    Raven realised it wasn¡¯t worth it.

    With her status, talent or beauty alone, others would have to be lucky to be able to chase after her. Not the other way round. In this life, if she ever chased after someone, she would be a dog.

    With a satisfied sigh, she turned her attention back to her phone and settled in for some games. There were better things in life than love, after all.

    ***

 Chapter: 3 Training (1)

    Shion Randers was the kind of man who made an impression, whether he wanted to or not. He had that sharp, rugged look of someone who spent more time training than grooming¡ªhis brown hair tousled, falling just enough over his forehead to give him that ¡°I¡¯m too busy to care about my appearance¡± vibe. It gave him an almost wild, barely-tamed look. His grey eyes, cold and calculating, betrayed an unnerving depth of experience that most people would be wise to steer clear of. Despite looking no older than his late twenties, there was something about the weight behind his gaze that suggested he''d seen more than his fair share of bloodshed.

    ¡°Is the young miss of this family spoiled?¡± Shion leaned casually on his sword, taking a drag from his cigarette, his smile more of a sneer than anything resembling friendliness.

    His assistant, ever so polite and diplomatic, smiled right back. ¡°Sir, I don¡¯t think she¡¯s spoiled. Arrogant, though? Possibly.¡±

    Shion exhaled a plume of smoke, glancing over at his assistant. ¡°Arrogance is fine, as long as it''s backed up with capability.¡±

    The assistant gave him a sidelong glance, rubbing the back of his neck with an exasperated sigh. ¡°What do you expect? She¡¯s the one who survived the Beast Wave in the capital¡ªat such a young age too. Didn¡¯t they make us sign that confidentiality agreement?¡±

    Shion nodded thoughtfully, tapping the ash off his cigarette. ¡°Yeah, they paid me handsomely for keeping my mouth shut. Must be nice when everything is handed to you on a silver platter.¡±

    A dark chuckle passed his lips, his scarred face cracking into something between amusement and cynicism.

    Far off in the distance, Raven, who had sharp senses due to her recent awakening, could hear every word with perfect clarity, despite being several yards away.

    Meanwhile, Butler Hans, who was well-acquainted with Shion¡¯s particular brand of humor, also overheard and kept his thoughts to himself.

    Though initially irritated, Raven had come to terms with her father. After all, once she¡¯d gotten past the resentment, she realized he wasn¡¯t as bad as other fathers might be. At least he had money, power, and influence¡ªthings that made life easier.

    As for Scylla, the cook¡¯s assistant, Raven couldn¡¯t help but think of her friend¡¯s father, who came home drunk every night and stole whatever little money Scylla managed to save. If Raven had a father like that, she probably would have ended up in prison by now. But her father was incapable of affection, and Raven had learned to accept whatever scraps of care he gave her. In return, she at least had the luxury of top-tier swordsmanship training and a life free from the worry of going hungry. So, in the end, Raven considered herself fortunate.

    ¡°Good morning, Instructor,¡± Raven said, her tone flat and businesslike as she made her way into the training yard, steering clear of the thick cloud of cigarette smoke that still clung to the air. ¡°I am Raven Serth.¡±

    Shion studied her for a moment, an eyebrow quirked. ¡°Morning. I¡¯m Shion Randers. I¡¯ll be training you to protect yourself.¡± He paused, casting a glance at her sword. ¡°And hopefully, I¡¯ll be doing it without too many broken bones.¡±

    ¡°Instructor Shion,¡± Butler Hans said with a respectful smile, ¡°please take care of the young miss. She¡¯ll be in your hands.¡±

    Shion shot a smirk in Hans¡¯ direction. ¡°She won¡¯t die¡ªat least not on my watch.¡±

    Hans gave a small bow and left the yard, and Shion turned back to Raven, eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and calculation. ¡°Do you have any idea how much your father¡¯s paying for me to teach you?¡±

    Raven blinked, caught off guard by the sudden question. She tilted her head, puzzled. ¡°Not exactly.¡±

    Shion''s lips curled into a smirk. ¡°It¡¯s not just money. It¡¯s an opportunity. Don¡¯t squander it.¡±

    Raven looked at him blankly for a moment before she spoke again. ¡°Your annual salary is... about the same as one month of our food.¡±

    Shion stared at her, momentarily speechless. ¡°How much can two people eat?¡±

    ¡°There are twenty-two helpers in the house.¡±

    He blinked. ¡°... This is a part-time job, you know. A part-time job where I get to enjoy the misery of kids. For their own good, of course.¡± He gave her a mock-serious look, then added, ¡°But don¡¯t get me wrong, I make a lot more than that.¡±

    Raven narrowed her eyes, deadpan. ¡°Then treat me to a lot of candies in the future, Teacher. I¡¯ll be sure to thank you properly.¡±

    Shion snorted and blew out a long stream of smoke, then fixed her with a glare. ¡°Candies over my dead body.¡±

    Raven simply raised an eyebrow and didn¡¯t say another word as the training began.

    The training yard was eerily quiet, the only sound the faint rustling of leaves in the light breeze. Raven stood in the center, clutching a wooden sword that felt more like a large stick than a weapon. Across from her stood Shion Randers, arms crossed, a gaze sharp enough to slice through stone.

    His face was unreadable, but the faint flicker of amusement in his eyes suggested he was about to enjoy himself.

    ¡°Well,¡± he said, his voice blunt. ¡°You don¡¯t have any trouble holding a sword. You are eligible to learn swordsmanship. I was worried I would have to restructure your skeletal structure slightly or completely give up.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s fortunate.¡± she replied evenly.

    Shion raised an eyebrow. ¡°You''d be surprised how many people can¡¯t naturally do that right. Restructuring is unbearably painful but most of the swordsmen go through it.¡± His eyes scanned her, narrowing slightly. ¡°But don¡¯t get too cocky. Let¡¯s see how you handle the rest.¡±

    Raven bit back a sigh. She knew what was coming. This was just the beginning of the misery.

    ¡°Before we swing around sticks, though," Shion said, "we warm up. You¡¯ve got to loosen up those muscles if you don¡¯t want to injure yourself on day one."

    Raven nodded groaning inwardly, standing still after keeping the sword away as she waited for his next instruction. She knew that physical conditioning was part of the process but that didn¡¯t make it any less annoying.

    ¡°Start with some stretches,¡± Shion said, gesturing toward the edge of the yard where the ground was clear. ¡°Touch your toes. Don¡¯t cheat.¡±

    Raven bent down, keeping her back straight, and touched her toes without any struggle. Shion watched her closely, correcting her movements from time to time, making them controlled and purposeful.

    ¡°Not bad,¡± Shion commented. ¡°Perhaps you used to exercise regularly, but if you didn¡¯t, which I am sure you didn¡¯t¨C with how unfamiliar you are with basic stretches, your awakening really improved your body a lot. Lucky for you, we can skip the usual regime of slowly getting used to it and get straight to the fun part.¡± He smirked, clearly enjoying the idea of putting her through his torture.

    Raven didn¡¯t respond, but she visibly paled at the word ¡®fun¡¯. She hardened her face and prepared herself for hell.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

    Shion gestured for her to move on to a set of lunges. ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like I¡¯m your enemy. These are necessary. If you can¡¯t even balance your body properly, holding a sword is going to be a joke.¡±

    Raven¡¯s small, steady steps matched Shion¡¯s demands without hesitation. She lunged, one leg forward, bending at the knee, the other leg extended behind her.

    ¡°Not bad,¡± Shion muttered again. He didn¡¯t need to say it, but he approved of her. He wasn¡¯t one for compliments, but as he tested the little girl¡¯s physique, he couldn¡¯t help but be slightly impressed.

    ¡°Alright, now for some arm swings,¡± Shion instructed. ¡°Start with circles, get the blood flowing to your shoulders. Big ones. You want your arms to be loose, not stiff.¡±

    Raven obeyed, extending her arms and making large, deliberate circles with them. There was a natural fluidity to her movements, and the way she controlled the swing of her arms seemed to come easily.

    Shion watched for a moment, then gave a snort. ¡°That¡¯s right. Get those shoulders loose. I¡¯ll be expecting you to swing harder than that, though. Ok, it¡¯s fine. Now run five laps around the ground. Faster!¡±

    After a few more stretches and light warm-ups, Shion clapped his hands together, signaling the end of the physical prep. ¡°Alright, that¡¯s enough. Time to pick up the sword.¡±

    Raven straightened and wiped the sweat from her forehead thinking, It wasn¡¯t as tough as I had thought. She picked up the sword and walked in front of a dummy.

    Shion gave a low chuckle, though it wasn¡¯t out of kindness. It was more like the laugh of a man who was about to enjoy watching someone struggle. ¡°Let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got.¡±

    Raven glanced at him briefly, ¡°I know nothing about swords, but I¡¯ll try.¡±

    He gave her a look that almost bordered on sympathy. "Try, huh? That¡¯s cute. Don¡¯t hurt yourself."

    He demonstrated a basic strike¡ªan overhead swing, sharp and decisive. "Start with this. You don¡¯t need to be fancy. Just focus on form, on the motion. Don¡¯t try to cut the air in half. Got it?¡±

    Raven adjusted her grip, watching his form carefully, and mimicked the swing with her wooden sword. It was clumsy, not nearly as clean as Shion¡¯s, but she didn¡¯t expect perfection.

    Shion observed, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "Hmm. Not awful. Again."

    Raven sighed inwardly. It wasn¡¯t as if she hadn¡¯t expected this. She adjusted, trying to smooth out the motion, making it a little more fluid.

    ¡°That¡¯s better," Shion said, his voice still gruff but tinged with approval. ¡°But stop thinking so much. You¡¯re trying to control it too much. Just feel it. Focus on the flow, not the outcome.¡±

    She nodded silently, swinging again. The motions grew smoother with every repetition, though her arms felt like they were made of lead.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got a decent foundation,¡± he commented gruffly, ¡°As I¡¯ve said before, your awakening has improved your physique. But that doesn¡¯t mean you can slack off.¡±

    Raven nodded once. ¡°I understand,¡± she said as she swung again.

    Shion tilted his head, giving her a long look. ¡°You¡¯ve got potential. ¡± he mused. ¡°But don¡¯t think that means it will be easy for you. In fact, I¡¯m going to make sure you regret every second of it. You¡¯ll be sore, you¡¯ll be tired, and you¡¯ll wonder why you¡¯re still standing by the end of this.¡±

    Raven didn¡¯t bother herself to reply. She simply continued to practice the swing. She had already known that it was going to be hell. And she had already decided she would not give up¨C no matter what.

    After an hour of non-stop swings, Shion called a halt.

    ¡°Alright, that¡¯s it for today. You¡¯ve got the basics down, but don¡¯t get too excited. Tomorrow, we hit the real thing. No slacking off.¡± He crossed his arms, eyeing Raven with a mix of approval and barely concealed amusement.

    Raven, sweat trickling down her brow, stood tall despite the burn in her muscles. She wiped her forehead with the back of her hand, trying not to show how exhausted she was. "I''ll do my best, thank you, Teacher," she said, her tone steady despite the ache in her body.

    Shion raised an eyebrow, a rare smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "It''ll be a lot more interesting if you do thank me every day."

    Raven didn¡¯t respond, instead shifting her grip on the sword.

    Shion chuckled darkly and flicked his wrist dismissively. "Alright, We¡¯ll do this every day and much more, so you¡¯ll get used to it."

    "Yes, Teacher," she replied, voice flat but with a small hint of sarcasm hidden beneath the exhaustion.

    ***

    In the following days, Raven fell into a strict routine. Her mornings started early, at six sharp, followed by a quick breakfast before heading to her classes. Swordsmanship was the first class of the day, and it quickly became the most grueling.

    On the second day of training, Raven immediately regretted her earlier assessment that the workout hadn¡¯t been that tough. It turned out, Shion had merely been testing her the previous day. The real physical training began on day two. She was instructed to repeat the ten sets from the previous day and then swing her sword a hundred times to warm up. Raven quickly learned that life for those who were truly dedicated was not easy¡ªespecially when Shion took it as his personal mission to double or even triple the training every time she made a mistake.

    On the second day of her swordsmanship class, Raven took back her words that the workout wasn¡¯t as tough as she had thought. Turns out, Shion was just testing her on the first day. The real physical training started on the second day. She was told to repeat ten sets of what she did yesterday and then swing her sword a hundred times to warm up. Raven felt that life was truly tough for dedicated people. Especially after Shion enjoyed doubling or tripling the training as a punishment whenever she made a mistake.

    But Raven understood the purpose behind his harshness. A strong foundation was crucial. Becoming a high-level or expert swordsman wasn¡¯t just about natural talent. You had to go about it the right way. Even if one could reach a high level, without a solid foundation, their power would be weak. A sword that was honed with precision would always outlast one that was hastily made.

    In her previous life, Raven had suffered because of her weak foundation. Even though she had reached a high level, an experienced intermediate-level swordsman could still defeat her. The truth was, raw talent could only take you so far. Without a solid foundation, there was no real strength.

    In this life, Raven was determined to be different. This time, she would master the sword completely. There would be no doubt¡ªshe would be the absolute best.

    So even though the training was tough, Raven thanked Shion at the end of every class while gritting her teeth. This seemed to amuse Shion and he took it as a challenge, making her suffer even more. But Raven was just as stubborn and prideful, she refused to give up. Even if she had to thank him while lying on the ground, without any energy to even grit her teeth, she still thanked him like a good student.

    Beyond the grueling physical training, Raven also devoted time to practicing her elemental abilities. In the early stages of elemental training, discovering one¡¯s powers through intuition was often more effective than rigid instruction. Raven wasn¡¯t assigned a mentor for this part of her development, but the Serth¡¯s library was an invaluable resource. The collection was vast, filled with ancient texts and rare books, some of which contained the diaries of famous wind elementalists. These writings gave Raven a deeper understanding of the element and allowed her to see it from others¡¯ perspectives.

    Her father, too, was the strongest wind elementalist alive. His very presence reinforced the element itself. Raven¡¯s affinity with the wind was undeniable¡ªit flowed through her veins as naturally as breathing. She was born with an extraordinarily pure and strong wind element. Even while simply walking or breathing, new gusts would form around her, almost as if the wind itself was drawn to her presence.

    And her father¡¯s influence suppressed her ability to fully manifest her powers. Whenever he was near, his command over the wind created a kind of pressure that muted her control over the element. To use her abilities under such pressure was an immense challenge. It was like running a mile with 100 kilograms strapped to her back¡ªdifficult, but ultimately strengthening. Every time she pushed through this barrier, her control over the wind grew stronger, and her powers became purer.

    This, however, wasn¡¯t always a good thing. Once Raven stepped out from under her father¡¯s influence and felt the true freedom of her elemental abilities, it would be much harder to control the winds, which would surge with overwhelming force.

    The moment Raven stepped into the garden, the stillness of the air shifted. The winds, as if responding to her presence, began to stir and take shape. Her white clothes fluttered as she felt the wind, no longer suppressed but free to move as it wished. It was exhilarating. The wind swirled around her, playful and curious, as if greeting its master.

    ¡°This is amazing,¡± Raven whispered, a smile forming on her lips. ¡°It feels¡­ it feels like I¡¯m free.¡±

    Butler Hans, standing quietly by, smiled gently. ¡°Young Miss can train here freely. I wish you the best.¡±

    Raven¡¯s face brightened as she extended her arms to beckon the wind closer. She could feel that the connection between herself and the element was much stronger than before. The wind that had once been suppressed now flowed willingly towards her, free and unrestrained.

    She spent most of her free time in the floating garden, pushing herself to hone her elemental power. She would call upon the wind and practice moving it with precision, her concentration was unwavering until she was mentally and physically exhausted.

    Raven would retreat to her quarters to meditate and restore her mental energy. She still had two evening classes to attend.

 Chapter: 4 Training (2)

    Due to her status as an awakener, Raven was homeschooled and couldn''t to attend elementary school otherwise she could easily outsmart and dominate kids her age. That was not something favourable so, the government had stipulated that such children be homeschooled. For ordinary children who had awakened early, this was quite troublesome for their parents. After all, it was difficult to provide the level of education of schools at home.

    However, it didn¡¯t matter to Raven. She had access to the best teachers at home. Her curriculum included everything a young lady of her status would need: etiquette, music, dance, history, and estate governance. Each day, except Sunday, she had five classes¡ªthree in the morning and two in the evening.

    This, however, came at the cost of her social life. Her interactions with peers were practically nonexistent. She wasn¡¯t even allowed to visit parks or attend the social gatherings with her father. Feeling trapped at home all day, and perhaps thinking she must be bored, the house helpers began to share their life experiences with her. Raven didn¡¯t understand how they arrived at this conclusion, but she didn¡¯t mind. She was a good listener, tight-lipped and receptive to gossip.

    You see, the servants at Serth Manor weren¡¯t exactly content to leave the young miss to her own devices. They were bored too, and soon enough, Raven became their sounding board. It all started one day when Raven had wandered into the kitchen to get some water, only to find the house manager, Mrs. Fawley, talking to Lila, the head maid, about the latest scandal.

    ¡°Oh, Miss Raven, you look a bit worn out. Sword training again?¡± Mrs. Fawley asked, glancing at her over the top of her tablet, as she swiped through some administrative updates.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Raven replied, feeling her energy levels dipping. ¡°Instructor Shion¡¯s a tyrant. But what else is new?¡±

    Mrs. Fawley didn¡¯t seem to notice the sarcasm, as she leaned in, whispering dramatically. ¡°Well, you wouldn¡¯t believe what happened in the laundry room last week.¡±

    Raven raised an eyebrow. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°You know Gregor, right? The gardener?¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­¡±

    ¡°Apparently, he was caught trying to iron his socks¡ªwith the wrong side up! And Lila found him in the laundry room, looking all flustered, trying to explain how it was some sort of ¡®new sock fashion¡¯.¡±

    Raven blinked, unsure whether she should laugh or be concerned. ¡°A sock fashion?¡±

    ¡°Yes! The man was convinced it was the next big thing, as if ironing socks inside-out was going to start some trend. Honestly, I think the laundry room is where the weirdest things happen around here,¡± Mrs. Fawley said with a conspiratorial look.

    Raven couldn¡¯t help it. She let out a soft laugh. ¡°Well, if anyone can make socks trendy, it¡¯s Gregor.¡±

    Lila, who had been standing nearby, shook her head. ¡°Don¡¯t even get me started on his cooking experiments,¡± she said, her voice low, as though she didn¡¯t want anyone to overhear. ¡°The other day, he tried to serve up chocolate and chili soup for dinner. I swear he¡¯s trying to get everyone in the mansion to stage a rebellion.¡±

    ¡°Chocolate and chili?¡± Raven asked, eyes wide, feeling rather incredulous. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ an unusual combination.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve no idea,¡± Lila replied, clearly still traumatized. ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure half the staff was on the verge of calling in sick just to avoid it.¡±

    As she listened, Raven realized that the mansion staff¡¯s lives were filled with more drama than she''d imagined. They weren¡¯t just workers; they were a soap opera, and she was accidentally cast as the main character.

    Over the next few weeks, Raven found herself increasingly drawn into the web of gossip that swirled around the mansion. From the moment she stepped out of her room in the morning to the moment she returned at night, there was always someone eager to share the latest scandal. It started with casual chit-chat, and before long, Raven had become a regular listener to everyone¡¯s secrets. And why not? She was interested, after all. It was better than nothing.

    One day, while browsing through the digital library (a high-tech archive of both magic and mundane texts), Raven overheard Marissa, one of the younger maids, talking to Lila by the coffee machine.

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe it!¡± Marissa said in a hushed voice, looking around as if making sure no one was eavesdropping. ¡°I texted Dylan, the delivery boy, and accidentally sent him that picture of my cat in a bacon costume.¡±

    ¡°A bacon costume?¡± Lila asked, trying to suppress a laugh.

    ¡°Yes, bacon! I thought it was hilarious at the time, but now I¡¯m worried he¡¯ll never look at me the same way again.¡±

    Raven, who had been pretending to skim through a book, couldn¡¯t resist joining the conversation. ¡°Honestly? If Dylan¡¯s the right guy, he¡¯ll love it. Who wouldn¡¯t think a cat in a bacon costume is funny?¡±

    Marissa turned to Raven, eyes wide with relief. ¡°You think so, young miss? Oh thank goodness. I was sure I ruined everything.¡±

    Raven shrugged casually, despite the fact that she was secretly loving this drama. ¡°I mean, you could always tell him it was a joke. Or, better yet, claim you¡¯re starting a new trend. Who wouldn¡¯t want to be known for a viral cat meme?¡±

    Marissa¡¯s face lit up with excitement. ¡°You¡¯re right! I¡¯ll just... I¡¯ll totally own it. I¡¯m going to text him now and say it was intentional.¡±

    From that moment on, Raven became the go-to person for all things personal and petty in the mansion. The staff would casually drop by her room during their breaks to fill her in on the latest gossip¡ªsometimes about trivial things, like whether or not the smart fridge was actually smart, or about the way Mr. Gregor¡¯s haircut had apparently started a new trend in town.

    Then, one evening, as Raven was flipping through a book on elemental theory in the lounge, Lila sat down next to her, looking unusually serious.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got a secret,¡± Lila said, her voice lowered to a whisper.

    Raven set her book aside, intrigued. ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m... pretty sure Gregor is two-timing me,¡± Lila said, her voice trembling slightly. ¡°He¡¯s been flirting with Jessica, one of the new maids, and I think he¡¯s trying to play both of us.¡±

    Raven blinked. This was getting serious. ¡°Do you want me to do something about it?¡±

    Lila shook her head quickly. ¡°No, no. I just needed someone to know. I don¡¯t know what to do.¡±

    Raven thought for a moment. ¡°Well, you could always confront him. Or, you could do what any reasonable person would do in this situation: start a rumor about him.¡±

    ¡°A rumor?¡± Lila looked at her in disbelief.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Raven said with a grin. ¡°Make it something ridiculous, like how he¡¯s allergic to pie but refuses to admit it.¡±

    Lila blinked, processing this. Then she broke into a smile. ¡°I love it. I¡¯m going to do it. Thanks, young miss. You¡¯re a genius.¡±

    And so, just like that, Raven became not just a listener of gossip but an active participant. Slowly, over the weeks, she learned more about the staff¡¯s quirks, secrets, and ridiculous issues¡ªuntil she was practically running the mansion¡¯s gossip mill. She wasn¡¯t actively trying to become a confidante¡ªit just happened. The staff had grown to trust her, and, in return, Raven had discovered that she was surprisingly good at being the center of all the drama.

    At the end of the day, Raven wasn¡¯t just becoming a master swordswoman. She was mastering the fine art of household espionage.

    One evening, as Raven entered the dining room for dinner, she was surprised to find her usually absent father seated at the table, reading through a document with his aide. Butler Hans stood silently beside him.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    Raven quietly took a seat at the chair farthest from her father, but as soon as she sat down, he turned to look at her, his expression unreadable. "Have you forgotten all your manners?" he asked, his tone flat. "Why aren¡¯t you greeting me before sitting?"

    "...Good evening, father." Raven responded after a brief pause, before sinking into her seat. Butler Hans and Assistant Wang quietly excused themselves to give them some privacy.

    Rayan raised an eyebrow at the way she addressed him, a hint of amusement tugging at the corner of his lips. ¡°Have you realized your mistake? Calling me father, I see.¡±

    Raven blinked, then opened her mouth slightly in realization, recalling their previous argument. She pursed her lips, keeping her voice even as she replied, ¡°I see Mr. Serth finished work early today. Are you bored now?¡± Why else would he annoy her?

    Rayan paused, his gaze lingering on her as regret flickered across his face. He had thought that she wanted to reconcile, but clearly she had actually forgotten the argument, and he had made her remember. His voice was laced with a faint edge when he spoke again. ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about my entertainment.¡±

    Raven narrowed her eyes and met his gaze head-on. ¡°Sorry for stepping out of line.¡±

    His lips tightened into a thin line. ¡°Your polite words are too incisive for comfort.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t realize you¡¯d care, Mr. Serth,¡± Raven countered, referencing his earlier dismissal.

    The tension between them hung in the air as they finished their meal in silence. Once the plates were cleared, Rayan finally broke it, his tone more serious now. ¡°Raven.¡± It was the first time he¡¯d used her name, and the weight of it made her pause. ¡°Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s unreasonable to be angry with your father because of a boy?¡±

    At his outrageous comment, Raven¡¯s teeth clenched. "I¡¯m not angry with you because of Ashcal!" she snapped, eyes flashing with irritation.

    ¡°Of course you¡¯re angry with me because of him,¡± he said flatly. ¡°Why else would you stop calling me ''Dad''?¡±

    Raven¡¯s expression shifted. "I felt it was too childish."

    ¡°Your feeling is wrong,¡± Rayan said, his voice unexpectedly soft. ¡°It¡¯s not childish. I still call my father ''Dad.'' Personally, at least. And you¡¯re five, not five years old.¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you didn¡¯t care about what I called you?¡±

    ¡°Are you still stuck on that?¡± He raised an eyebrow.

    ¡°I¡¯m five,¡± Raven replied, her tone deadpan. ¡°I take whatever few words my father says to me seriously.¡±

    Rayan paused, his irritation flickering. "Then I¡¯m telling you¡ªcall me ¡®Dad¡¯ from now on."

    ¡°I just changed my mind.¡±

    ¡°...Why?¡±

    ¡°I felt it was too childish.¡±

    Rayan almost spurted out blood. ¡°I¡¯m not asking you to call me ¡®Dad¡¯ because I want to hear it. It¡¯s just bad for our reputation if you keep calling me Mr. Serth in public!¡±

    Raven was quiet for a moment, weighing her options, before deciding to end the argument. With a dramatic huff, she stomped her foot and stood. "Fine!" she snapped, heading for the door.

    Rayan watched her leave, shaking his head. He knew better than to call her out for not saying goodnight. Instead, he exhaled sharply and went to his study.

    ***

    After the argument with her father, Raven''s life didn''t change much. She continued with her training and attended her classes as usual. During this time, she showed remarkable progress.

    In her swordsmanship class, Shion finally moved on from the basic strikes, thrusts, parries, and sheathing to more advanced techniques and footwork.

    He didn¡¯t say anything beyond the usual brief instructions, but inwardly, he was pleased. This student of his was proving to be exceptionally talented. While her abilities hadn''t been as obvious during the basics, the moment they moved into techniques and footwork, it became glaringly clear.

    It was as if she was born to hold a sword. Shion thought to himself, watching her easily master each technique. After only a few months of training, her improvement was remarkable.

    This level of talent was an unexpected surprise for Shion. Above all, Raven was dedicated and mature beyond her years. It wasn¡¯t that he hadn¡¯t seen talent like this before¡ªhe¡¯d trained many promising students over the years. But what set Raven apart was how effortless she made training her look, especially considering her young age. Even when she grumbled, she always completed her training without fail. Never slacking off.

    Shion found himself considering a reward for his little student.

    After two whole days without any punishments, Raven began to wonder if perhaps her instructor was ill. After much deliberation, on the third day of not getting any punishment, she finally made a bold move.

    After class, she asked indirectly, "Teacher, can expert-level spectres get sick?"

    Shion, a little confused, responded, "Yes, but they¡¯re not affected by regular illnesses. High-level poisons or curses can affect them, though."

    Raven was instantly alarmed. After all, It was possible that someone might be targeting her teacher. ¡°Teacher, why would you offend someone like that?¡±

    Shion raised an eyebrow, looking at her with suspicion. ¡°What are you thinking?¡±

    ¡°Nothing,¡± Raven quickly replied, brushing it off. She didn¡¯t want to directly voice her suspicion. If her guess was right, her teacher wouldn¡¯t say anything, but if she was wrong, she¡¯d be in for a world of trouble. It was better to keep her thoughts to herself. Anyway, Shion was a capable man. Even if someone poisoned or cursed him, he¡¯d likely handle it on his own. What could a little girl like her do to help?

    But she was still curious. ¡°I just want to know¡­ can there be poisons that affect someone¡¯s mind? Making them change their usual behaviour¡±

    Shion paused, understanding her thought process after a brief moment of consideration. He sighed and waved his hand. ¡°Go run ten laps around the yard for annoying me with all these questions.¡± Thinking that he was a really caring teacher to properly reassure his students about his good health, Shion smirked smugly.

    If Raven knew what he was thinking, she would want to hit herself a few times¨C why did she have to think so much?

    But she couldn¡¯t read minds and just thought that her teacher was fine after all, she was uselessly overthinking.

    ***

    After months of practice, Raven finally gained control over her winds. However, she didn¡¯t stop there¡ªshe continued to perfect her basic control. According to the books she had read, control over the wind was divided into three distinct levels.

    The first level was movement control, where she could move the winds in whatever direction she wished with precision. This level allowed for things like running at high speeds while negating wind resistance, jumping with a burst of wind, and even flying by letting the winds carry her. Mastery of this level was essential for many wind-based movement arts.

    The second level was sense control. Just manipulating the winds wasn¡¯t enough; Raven needed to be able to feel them. Winds carried a wealth of information about the world around them. The local winds of a place were essentially imprinted with the environment, and by studying them, one could learn much about their surroundings. Winds could also enhance hearing, after all, sound travels through air¨C by focusing on specific currents, one could eavesdrop on conversations or detect faint sounds. Furthermore, winds could be used to track someone''s presence, or even identify a person through the scent they carried.

    The third level, finer control, was something Raven wasn¡¯t concerned with for now. She needed to master the first two levels before moving on. Besides control, she also had to master the basic abilities like summoning winds and generating them. While others had to learn how to do them, Raven could involuntarily do them so she had to learn how to not do them involuntarily.

    When she was calm or happy, her winds were gentle, so it was fine, but when she was angry or upset, she could summon a storm. This had happened a few times, especially when her father was away. Without his presence to suppress her winds, the entire house would be thrown into turmoil¡ªuntil she could regain control, which usually happened after a few moments of panic. One such incident occurred after she saw a mouse, and ordered the entire estate to be scoured for vermin before she slept to recover. Her mental strength had been exhausted after summoning a storm. Afterward, she decided it was time to tackle her emotional wind control.

    Raven was a relatively calm and composed individual, but sometimes it couldn¡¯t be helped. And so, she entered the floating garden once more to practice.

    Butler Hans, who had been assisting her with her training, had a specific task for her that day: to provoke her emotions, so that she could learn to control her powers in the heat of the moment.

    The thing that Butler Hans chose to rile her up was not surprising. It was obvious that he would choose a mouse.

    Raven immediately screamed indignantly, ¡°No! Mice are hereby declared a dark past and must never be brought up ever again!¡±

    Butler Hans conceded then chose a spider.

    Raven gritted her teeth with teary eyes, ¡°When have I ever wronged you, Uncle Hans?¡±

    Butler Hans sighed, ¡°Young miss, what can a spider do to you? Don¡¯t be so afraid.¡±

    Raven controlled her winds then said aggrievedly, ¡°It¡¯s not scary. It¡¯s dirty.¡±

    ¡°Young Miss should then quickly learn how to control her winds.¡± He said, ¡°I will have all the pests removed later.¡±

    With that powerful motivation, she learned to restrain her winds in a few days.

    Meanwhile, Raven¡¯s academic progress continued steadily. Despite not attending a traditional school, she couldn¡¯t avoid tests. Some subjects had weekly exams, others monthly, and her homework was always carefully graded. Raven wasn¡¯t concerned¡ªshe was a diligent student and always managed to score well, but tests were still stressful. She always wanted to perform well in every subject, and her previous life had given her the foundation to excel.

    In her past life, Raven had been a gifted but lazy student. She rarely did her homework, but she always passed well. Her teachers had often lamented that she could have been one of the top students if only she put in more effort. But in this life, she was much more disciplined. She completed all of her assignments on time and was praised for her diligence.

    However, there was one area that proved difficult for Raven: her mental strength. Despite her best efforts, she couldn¡¯t seem to increase it. Mental strength was the lifeblood of spectres; the stronger it was, the better the control over their superpowers. After all, this was the fuel that superpowers worked on.

    This was also a reason why awakening early was a benefit. The earlier you awaken, the more you can develop your mental strength. Raven¡¯s awakening had been early, which gave her a distinct advantage. Even though the difference wasn¡¯t much if compared to other geniuses, compared to the rest, it was a huge deal.

    Actually, the real growth of mental power starts from when you are in your teenage years. The growth is especially high at twelve and sixteen years, like a growth spurt. Mental power can take a quantitative as well as qualitative leap during this time.

    So Raven¡¯s stump wasn¡¯t something unusual but rather something very normal. After she awakened, her mental power originally had great quality and quantity for someone her age, directly improving her intelligence and emotions.

    After trying for sometime, Raven decisively gave up on improving her mental power. There was no need to force it, she should take her time to refine her mental power and learn how to use it efficiently.

    With the last problematic item checked out, Raven peacefully continued to build up strength. Setting into a healthy routine. But as Raven looked at the setting sun outside her window, she had a distinct feeling that this peace would not last forever.

 Chapter: 5 A Banquet in the Making (1)

    Three years had passed, and things had... changed, mostly in the predictable ways. Spring bloomed into summer, which melted into autumn¡¯s crispness, and before you knew it, winter came along with its usual chill. The seasons had their own little routine, just like Raven did.

    Raven, however, had changed a lot. Gone was the five-year-old girl who stumbled with her sword. In her place stood an eight-year-old girl with a more controlled grip, though still with that fiery determination in her eyes. The soft, smooth skin of her hands had hardened from hours of practice, the callouses a small but proud reminder of her dedication.

    She swung the sword in the cold morning air, her movements swift and precise. It was fluid now, not the wild flailing of a beginner but the practiced technique of someone who had put in the work. Her raven-black hair was pulled into a high ponytail, and as she spun, it bounced and whipped through the air, catching the sunlight in streaks of glossy dark strands.

    Her face had lost some of the roundness of childhood. High cheekbones now framed her face, giving it an almost ethereal, delicate look. Yet, the sharpness of her features¡ªher straight nose, the firm line of her lips¡ªgave her an air of unapproachable elegance. Her expression was calm, but there was an intensity in her dark eyes, now large and almond-shaped, that made it clear she was focused¡ªher concentration unwavering, her mind sharp. Despite the calmness in her demeanor, there was fire beneath it, a quiet resolve burning in the depths of her obsidian gaze.

    Every movement she made was calculated, her eyes narrowing with quiet fury as the sword sliced through the air. She was no longer just a girl playing at being a warrior. She was one, and it showed.

    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s enough for today,¡± Shion said, stretching lazily from his seat. ¡°You¡¯re doing well. Now tell me, what¡¯s got you so angry?¡±

    ¡°...How do you know?¡± Raven raised an eyebrow, suspicious.

    ¡°An expert-level specter can sense emotions. Plus, the way you¡¯re swinging that sword? It¡¯s not exactly hard to figure out.¡±

    Raven paused, processing that. ¡°Isn¡¯t that a bad thing? Especially in a fight?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about that yet. This kind of thing only comes with experience. Not many people get to this level of swordsmanship.¡± Shion shrugged. ¡°If you ever end up fighting a real master, though, your best bet is to either bow¡­ or run.¡±

    Raven nodded sagely, then gave a dramatic bow. ¡°Then, thank you for teaching me today, Master.¡±

    ¡°Do you think you can fool me? I¡¯m not letting you go that easily.¡±

    ¡°...You misunderstood, teacher.¡±

    ¡°Go on, run ten laps around the field for making me ¡®misunderstand.¡¯¡±

    Raven groaned inwardly but kept her complaints to herself. She knew all too well that if she showed any sign of resistance, Shion would just double the punishment.

    As she jogged, her mind wandered back to the morning.

    Her father had summoned her to his study early that day. Raven had expected some earth-shattering, life-changing announcement. After all, her father rarely bothered with breakfast, let alone called her to his study. If he did, it was definitely something important.

    And, well, it was important. Just... not the way she expected.

    ¡°I have some good news to share with you.¡± he said, still reading a document.

    ¡°Good morning to you too, dad.¡± Raven said with a sarcastic smile, ¡°may I seat myself?¡±

    ¡°...Yes, you may.¡± He replied without any embarrassment.

    ¡°How¡¯s your day going, Dad?¡±

    ¡°Cut it. The day¡¯s just begun.¡± He put away his documents and looked at her seriously. ¡°I have some good news to share.¡±

    ¡°I heard. So, when are you leaving?¡±

    ¡°¡­What?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m just breaking the ice. Never mind, it¡¯s too thick with you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve decided that you¡¯ll be in charge of arranging my birthday banquet.¡±

    ¡°¡­That was not funny.¡±

    ¡°Haha, I¡¯m serious.¡± A smug smile stretched across his face. ¡°Now, who¡¯s laughing last?¡±

    ¡°¡­You¡¯re really poisonous with your words.¡±

    ¡°Many important dignitaries will be arriving. Everyone will be curious about you. But no pressure. Just do everything perfectly.¡± Raven¡¯s soul sank to the bottom of the abyss.

    ¡°You are so petty. Do you know that?¡±

    His smile widened. ¡°How can you talk to your father like that? Did I teach you to be so rude?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m only eight! What if something goes wrong? And it¡¯s not just your birthday¡ªit¡¯s mine too!¡± Raven and her father shared the same birthday. Even though he was often negligent, he couldn¡¯t possibly forget it. ¡°Could it be that you forgot?¡±

    ¡°Of course not. I¡¯ve even prepared an early gift for you.¡±

    ¡°¡­No need. I don¡¯t want it.¡±

    ¡°As the only lady in this house, you¡¯re now responsible for managing it. All events and banquets will be presided over by you. All the best.¡±

    Raven almost screamed. She nearly lost control of her element¡ªthe wind in the room, though not hers, responded to her irritation, scattering the papers on the table.

    ¡°I¡¯ll let this one go.¡± Raven¡¯s father almost laughed out loud.

    ***

    It was a huge headache that her father had handed her.

    Everyone in Ether City knew that their lord had a daughter¡ªone he had kept hidden after the tragic incident with the unannounced beast wave in the capital. There were countless rumors circulating in elite circles. Some said she had been disfigured by the attack and was still recuperating, others hinted that the injury was mental rather than physical. A few had speculated that she might have awakened, but these rumors were swiftly suppressed by lies and misinformation.

    Everyone was curious about her: Why had she been kept in hiding? Did she possess any abilities? Was she cherished like a princess, or coldly neglected?

    But Raven wasn¡¯t bothered by any of it. In her previous life she had been a trash. But this life was obviously different. People wouldn¡¯t dare to judge her casually. Even if they did, she didn¡¯t care. After all, words were just that, words.

    What Raven was worried about was the banquet. Her father had just handed her the responsibility of organizing it, and with only fifteen days to do so, nothing had been prepared. Absolutely nothing.

    Raven had been to many banquets when she was younger. So even though she had never arranged one, she knew some of the basics. Like the fact that preparation for such banquets started months prior.

    Raven suddenly had an epiphany.

    If it had been anyone else in her place, they might have thought her father was setting up some kind of challenge for her, testing her skills or her competence. But Raven knew better. Her father wasn¡¯t being clever or strategic. No, he was simply passing the ¡°hot potato¡± to her. He¡¯d probably forgotten his own birthday was coming up until the family elders started asking him about it. Butler Hans had most likely reminded him, but he had been too busy with a business trip to deal with it, and only after the elders made a fuss did he realize he couldn¡¯t avoid it.

    In the Serth family, birthdays of the patriarch were celebrated with much fanfare, especially when they were multiples of five. Her father¡¯s thirtieth birthday had been a grand affair. It was an old tradition¡ªsomething the Serths had always adhered to. But now? He hadn¡¯t even thought to make any plans.

    Raven sighed, her expression darkening for a moment. But she quickly shook it off. There was no use sulking about it. This was an opportunity to gain some experience. She had to take it in stride.

    She thought through the logistics. To organize the banquet, everything had to be done with care. Luckily, the Serths were wealthy and had plenty of resources. Money wouldn¡¯t be an issue. Materials wouldn¡¯t be an issue either.

    After her classes for the day were over, she sat down with Butler Hans to begin making preparations. ¡°We need to get this banquet organized as soon as possible,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯ll be giving the teachers two weeks off to help me prepare. They don¡¯t need to worry about anything during this time.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Young Miss. We can hire an event planner company, ¡®Your Majesty,¡¯ they¡¯re well-known for their precision and have a zero-error rate,¡± Butler Hans suggested, clearly trying to alleviate her stress.

    Raven narrowed her eyes as a sense of caution instilled in her naturally the moment he mentioned the company. ¡°No outsiders on the estate. Absolutely not.¡±

    ¡°Young miss, is something¡ª¡±

    Raven cut him off, her voice firm. ¡°They¡¯ve only recently become popular, haven¡¯t they?¡±

    It wasn¡¯t a question; it was a statement, and Butler Hans immediately caught on. His face grew serious as his voice deepened. ¡°Yes, Young Miss. They are a newer company.¡±

    ¡°Investigate them thoroughly,¡± Raven ordered, her tone leaving no room for argument.

    Raven was certain that the company was up to something. Tier-1 families were tier-1 for a reason¡ªthey had unique abilities that set them apart. For example, the Fornos family had a combination of abilities, and the Serths were no different. They had two abilities, one supportive, auxiliary ability and the other elemental, mostly wind.

    Raven¡¯s auxiliary ability was intuition. It was like a sixth sense, giving her the ability to feel danger before it arrived and even predict things with surprising accuracy. It worked like logic, but skipped all the complex steps it would normally take to reach the right conclusion. For example, if she was given a math problem, she could almost immediately grasp the answer without running through all the calculations. If she didn¡¯t know the question, though, her intuition wouldn¡¯t work. There was a limit to this ability and it had to be slowly developed over time with  experience.

    But in situations like multiple-choice tests, where the answer options were presented clearly, Raven could increase her chances of choosing the right answer¡ªeven if the question was in a language she didn¡¯t understand.

    ¡°That aside,¡± Raven continued, her voice regaining focus, ¡°please prepare the guest list. You know better than I do who to invite and who to exclude. Father¡¯s a petty man. Anyone who¡¯s wronged him in the last five years should be left off the list. If they¡¯ve wronged him and he hasn¡¯t yet settled accounts with them, just send them a dead rat.¡±

    ¡°But that¡ª¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m joking,¡± Raven said dryly. ¡°Our estate doesn¡¯t have rats. I had them removed.¡±

    ¡°...I mean; it¡¯s not right to exclude people based on past grievances, Young Miss.¡±

    ¡°I know,¡± Raven said. ¡°I know. But if you invite them and father finds a way to take rev¡­ I mean return the favour like in the last party? He especially arranged for people he didn¡¯t like to sit at the worst places with the person they hated the most and above that served them wine too hot or too cold with food especially prepared to their disliking.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°He even complimented someone on their "incredible resilience" in dealing with "minor setbacks" with a completely innocent tone, but the entire room knew exactly what he meant. When he toasted at the end of the banquet he said, ¡®Here¡¯s to those who have seen the heights of success... and those who are still trying to reach it.¡¯ I think Mr Shen lost a lot of blood after the party.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s for their own safety,¡± Raven added with a small smile, convincing butler Hans.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°Young Miss is very wise,¡± Butler Hans said, his voice filled with admiration. ¡°But how do you know all this? You weren¡¯t allowed to attend the banquet.¡±

    ¡°...I heard it from Sister Liu,¡± Raven said guiltily.

    ¡°Which child were you disguised as?¡±

    ¡°The one with the blonde hair and orange eyes. Please don¡¯t tell Father, Uncle Hans,¡± she added with a little pleading smile.

    ¡°...He probably already knows.¡±

    ¡°But he forgot.¡±

    ¡°...Young Miss certainly understands her father well.¡±

    Raven cleared her throat. ¡°Now, about the invitations. I¡¯ll select a few designs, but we¡¯ll handle the food ourselves. The kitchen will take care of it, but we¡¯ll need two rounds of testing¡ªbefore the banquet, and during it. We can¡¯t afford any mistakes or tampering.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Young Miss,¡± Butler Hans agreed.

    ¡°About decorations,¡± Raven continued, ¡°we can¡¯t just follow any popular themes. We need to set a trend, one that fits Father¡¯s tastes.¡±

    ¡°I understand. I will arrange it.¡±

    ¡°We also need a lot of help for the preparations. The estate should be fully decorated, and we¡¯ll need to hire extra staff. As for media and photographers, we need to be on high alert. The last thing we want is for the press to write something like, ¡®The Serths are Holding a Lavish Banquet¡ªLet¡¯s See How Much It Hurts the Environment,¡¯ or ¡®Why Was XYZ Not Invited?¡¯ No one should be able to question our choices, especially since Father can easily settle any of his grievances without anyone saying a word about it.¡±

    ¡°Understood, Young Miss.¡±

    ¡°Safety is crucial too,¡± Raven said with a thoughtful frown. ¡°I¡¯ll need the safety management plan. Our underground shelters don¡¯t have ladders, right? They have proper stairs? Even if there are ladders, they should be checked thoroughly.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Young Miss,¡± Butler Hans assured her.

    ¡°Also, entertainment. We need to invite top-tier performers. Get a ballad band for the dance, and make sure the sound system is perfect. I don¡¯t want the kind of ear-splitting speakers like the ones at Lorenz¡¯s annual celebration¡ªhalf the guests had hearing loss by the end of that one.¡±

    ¡°Got it, Young Miss.¡±

    ¡°We can give guests a return gift from one of our businesses, like last time. It¡¯ll make a nice gesture.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve thought of everything, Young Miss. Very meticulous,¡± Butler Hans praised.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Raven said with a small smile. ¡°Please send me the estimated costs. If we¡¯re on a budget, I¡¯ll try to cut costs. If we¡¯re not... well, I won¡¯t try as hard.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re not on a tight budget. You can go ahead with whatever you need.¡±

    ¡°Ha, perks of being rich.¡±

    ***

    After the initial planning was done, Raven delved into the details. To avoid missing anything, she wrote everything down in a small, neat notebook. Everyone was familiar with Raven by now, and they had no reservations when speaking to her. Despite the formal employer-employee dynamic, it never felt cold or distant. Over the years, they had built a deep bond. Raven knew everything about them, and they, in turn, knew everything about her. It made working together feel effortless.

    Raven was patient when listening, and her clear, concise speech often made it difficult for anyone to remember she was only eight years old. She had a sharp mind, able to think on her feet and come up with solutions in an instant. Even when faced with a large problem, she could always ease the tension with a well-timed joke. What she lacked was experience, and that was where Butler Hans stepped in to guide her.

    Once the guest list was finalized, she sent it to her father for approval. That was when he called her into his office for the second time that day. His face was as aloof as usual, but Raven could feel the tension in the air¡ªlike the wind carrying an unspoken irritation.

    ¡°Why are some of the guests missing from this list?¡± he asked, his tone light but his words cutting.

    Raven¡¯s lips twitched with the smallest hint of amusement. ¡°So, you noticed. Well, I didn¡¯t want to treat them poorly, but you wouldn''t let them enjoy a second of it anyway.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t offend me in favor of not offending them.¡±

    ¡°But, Father,¡± Raven said calmly, her voice even. ¡°I think I¡¯ve already offended you. Why else would you dump this responsibility on me at the last minute?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a learning opportunity for you,¡± he replied, his tone almost dismissive.

    ¡°Do you think I lack a brain?¡± Raven raised an eyebrow, her tone playful but pointed.

    ¡°Don¡¯t cut me off, and don¡¯t cut off my fun either. It¡¯s very rude. Why are you protecting them?¡±

    ¡°Protecting them?¡± Raven asked innocently, feeling satisfied inwardly. ¡°I just removed them from the list so they don¡¯t bring you any displeasure. Don¡¯t you like this little early gift I¡¯ve arranged for you?¡±

    ¡°No. I don¡¯t like it at all.¡±

    Raven smiled sweetly, undeterred and gloating. ¡°Oh, really? You¡¯re welcome, Father. I¡¯ve got a lot of work to do, so I¡¯ll take my leave.¡±

    ¡°Wait. There¡¯s another matter.¡±

    Raven paused, already halfway to the door. ¡°What now?¡±

    ¡°Why is there an invitation for that boy?¡±

    Raven knew exactly who he was referring to, but she feigned ignorance. ¡°Who?¡±

    Her father¡¯s frown deepened, his eyes narrowing. ¡°Don¡¯t test my patience.¡±

    Raven tilted her head with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s not just your birthday, is it? I get to invite my friends and acquaintances too.¡±

    He didn¡¯t respond immediately, his displeasure evident, but after a long pause, he allowed her to leave without another word.

    ***

    The results of the investigation arrived just as Raven was finalizing the menu in the study.

    ¡°This Zephyrfin Manta was caught by the finest of sailors,¡± the head cook was explaining. ¡°A mystical manta ray that rides the currents of the wind, with fins that seem to glide through the air itself. It is very difficult to catch, and the preparation can take months. It needs to be cooked and eaten in a special way.¡±

    Raven nodded, taking it all in. ¡°I trust the head cook. You¡¯re more experienced than I am. Since Ms. Yari suggests that this should be added to the special menu, I will not deny it. The manta ray should be brought out in the middle of the meal. I¡¯ll count on you to introduce it at the right moment.¡±

    ¡°Ha ha, thank you, young miss. With that, we¡¯re done with the menu. I¡¯ll begin preparing immediately.¡±

    Raven excused the cook and saw Butler Hans standing outside the room, his expression solemn. She waved toward him casually. ¡°Come in, Butler Hans.¡±

    He placed a leather-bound folder on the sleek wooden table as he greeted her.

    Raven nodded at him. ¡°Report. I take it you¡¯ve found something?¡±

    Butler Hans gave a slight nod, his tone measured. ¡°Indeed, Young Miss. I conducted a thorough investigation into the event company ¡®Your Majesty,¡¯ the one you were concerned about. The results were... unexpected.¡±

    Raven opened the folder, her fingers quickly skimming through the documents. She paused at the first page, her brow furrowing slightly at the details.

    In a calm but edged tone, she asked, ¡°I know this company has a spotless reputation. Zero errors, zero complaints... Everything is perfect. Too perfect, actually. What did you find?¡±

    Butler Hans clasped his hands behind his back and spoke matter-of-factly. ¡°The company¡¯s background checks out on paper, Miss. The owners¡ªIliana and Solene Drayce¡ªhave impeccable records. No criminal charges, no scandals, no financial irregularities. Their history is spotless. And the company itself, of course, boasts an unblemished track record for hosting high-profile events. No errors, no late deliveries, no accidents.¡±

    Raven murmured as she continued scanning the documents, clearly not convinced. ¡°I know. That¡¯s what¡¯s bothering me. Who¡¯s that flawless?¡±

    Butler Hans glanced at her carefully. ¡°Indeed. So, I dug a little deeper. Tracked their origins. ¡®Your Majesty¡¯ was founded only two years ago, and they managed to rise from obscurity to the top of the industry with remarkable speed. Their financials don¡¯t raise alarms, but it¡¯s their growth trajectory that seems... too accelerated.¡±

    He stepped forward slightly, lowering his voice as if to ensure no one overheard. ¡°One thing I found odd¡ªespecially given their sudden rise¡ªis that they¡¯ve never held a public event under their own banner before. They only started hosting their own events recently. In the earlier days, they were sub-contractors for larger, more well-established event companies. They provided ¡®specialized services¡¯¡ªdecor, catering, staff management. But during that period, their records were suspiciously clean. Too clean, Miss Raven. No errors, no complaints, no history of any conflicts.¡±

    Raven leaned back in her chair, absorbing the information. ¡°Subcontractors...¡±

    Butler Hans nodded. ¡°Correct. But it¡¯s more than just a clean history. There¡¯s a strange gap in their early operations¡ªno concrete details about the services they offered during that time. It¡¯s almost as if they didn¡¯t exist until a certain... event. And that¡¯s where things get... curious.¡±

    Raven¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. ¡°Go on.¡±

    ¡°They were heavily involved in organizing a high-profile wedding for one of the most influential families in the region¡ªthe Vorelli family. The event was an extravagant affair, the kind where everything must go flawlessly.¡±

    He paused for a moment before continuing, ¡°Now, this is where the records get strange. Everyone remembers the Vorelli wedding, but no one remembers ¡®Your Majesty¡¯ being mentioned in the press or even being credited for the event. Their involvement is buried¡ªcompletely unacknowledged publicly until their first independent contract six months later.¡±

    Raven smiled faintly. ¡°That¡¯s odd.¡±

    ¡°Yes, young miss. And I found something even more troubling. The staff at ¡®Your Majesty¡¯¡ªtheir employees¡ªare always reported as ¡®highly skilled,¡¯ yet none of them have any personal history or public background. None of their team members appear in any previous employment records or professional databases. It¡¯s as if they only exist now, and their pasts are... clean. Too clean.¡±

    Raven raised an eyebrow, her expression sharpening, though her eyes remained full of amusement. She leaned forward slightly. ¡°And what else? There has to be more.¡±

    Butler Hans hesitated for a moment before continuing. ¡°Well, there¡¯s also a troubling pattern. Several individuals connected to the company... have disappeared. Three former employees¡ªeach from a different department¡ªjust vanished in the last six months. No one has been able to track them down. No trace, no evidence of foul play, but they¡¯ve simply... disappeared. No one seems to care, and no one at the company is willing to speak about them.¡±

    Raven¡¯s eyes glinted dangerously. ¡°Disappearances... You think they¡¯re involved?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t say for sure, Miss,¡± Butler Hans replied cautiously. ¡°But the patterns are troubling. The fact that these employees had no personal history, no families, and no one seems to care that they¡¯ve gone missing is... unsettling. What¡¯s more, it seems that none of their coworkers were close to them. It¡¯s as if they were never allowed to form any connections.¡±

    Raven¡¯s eyes gleamed with interest, her expression cold but calculating. ¡°I want to know more. Dig into their backgrounds. Find out who these people were before they ¡®joined¡¯ ¡®Your Majesty.¡¯ And I want to know if the Vorellis had anything to do with this. Someone¡¯s clearly trying to mess with us. I want to know who¡¯s daring enough to do so.¡±

    Butler Hans bowed slightly. ¡°As you wish, Miss Raven. I¡¯ll have our contacts look deeper into their records. I¡¯ll leave no stone unturned.¡±

    Raven waved her hand dismissively but her tone was cold and dangerous. ¡°Good. Keep me informed. Whatever this company is hiding, I¡¯ll uncover it. They¡¯ve met the wrong kind of opponent.¡±

    Butler Hans nodded, his expression stoic, and took a step back. Raven stood still for a moment, her mind already working, her gaze far away and calculating.

    Before leaving, Butler Hans paused, bowing again. ¡°And... Young Miss, I deeply apologize for my negligence earlier. I shouldn¡¯t have carelessly chosen a company just based on their reputation. The Serths are different from others, after all.¡±

    Raven smiled faintly, her gaze unwavering. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Butler Hans. Isn¡¯t that why I¡¯m here? We can¡¯t expect everything to be taken care of by you. Like you said, the Serth family is different. And I happen to be a Serth.¡±

    ***

    When Butler Hans was far away from the room, he could no longer hold back the emotions that had been building inside him. He finally burst into tears.

    For years, he had been the one to look after the family, watching over Raven since she was an infant. But now, standing silently in the shadows of the corridor, he felt the weight of time settling upon him.

    His gaze rested on the study door, beyond which Raven was engaged in yet another conversation, discussing important matters with one of her father¡¯s associates. Even from here, he could hear her voice¡ªsteady, calm, and surprisingly firm for someone her age. It was a voice that commanded attention, just like her father¡¯s.

    She¡¯s growing up, he thought, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. I should have known it would happen this way.

    But the smile faded slightly as he placed his hand against the cool glass. Butler Hans had always known this moment would come¡ªthe day when Raven would stop being the innocent, sweet child and start becoming the capable woman who would one day stand by her father¡¯s side. The strength she was showing now was undeniable. The same precision and decisiveness that her father carried, Raven had begun to inherit in her own way.

    He wasn¡¯t worried that Raven would turn cold or unfeeling. No, that wasn¡¯t what troubled him. People only turned cold when life threw them into hell and they were emotionally weak, incapable of processing their emotions, so they chose to bury them instead, acting as if they had never existed.

    And he had never met anyone as young and steadfast as Raven. She was someone who would deal with everything life threw at her in the best way possible, for herself.

    But this¡­ ability to command, to stand tall and speak with such assuredness¡ªthat was new. And it made him feel an overwhelming mix of pride and tenderness.

    As he stood there, lost in thought, Raven¡¯s nanny happened to pass by. She was taken aback at the sight of the usually stoic Butler Hans so emotional, but she quickly understood. It must be because he was moved by the young miss, who was growing up beautifully.

    He was interrupted from his thoughts by the soft, familiar sound of footsteps behind him. He didn¡¯t need to turn to know who it was.

    "Master Hans," came Margaret''s warm voice. "You''re standing by the window again."

    Hans didn¡¯t respond immediately. Instead, he gave a small, almost imperceptible sigh. His eyes were still fixed on the study door, his thoughts racing.

    Margaret, sensing his mood, stepped closer and joined him. She looked out over the manor¡¯s expansive garden before her gaze shifted toward the study as well. A moment of quiet passed between them.

    "She¡¯s becoming like the lord," Hans murmured, his voice soft but filled with emotion.

    Margaret¡¯s eyes narrowed as she looked at him, then smiled gently, her voice knowing. "You mean, she¡¯s becoming strong, capable, and able to handle whatever comes her way?"

    "Exactly," Hans replied, finally turning to face her. "I see it now. The same confidence. The same decisiveness. I remember when she could hardly hold a sword, and now she stands like that." He shook his head, a soft chuckle escaping his lips, but his eyes betrayed the deep respect he felt. "She¡¯s growing into someone who could run this estate by herself one day. Maybe even run the entire family business. It¡¯s... it¡¯s impressive, Margaret. But there¡¯s this part of me that misses when she used to run to me for protection, when she would look to me for comfort. I feel at a loss."

    Margaret placed a hand gently on his arm, her touch warm and understanding. "That¡¯s the way of the world, isn¡¯t it, Master Hans? Children grow up, and they become who they¡¯re meant to be. It¡¯s not easy, but it¡¯s what we always hoped for."

    Hans gave a soft laugh, his chest swelling with pride. "I know. I know... I just never expected to feel it so strongly." He stared at the study door again, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "She¡¯s got his precision, his sharpness. But it¡¯s not the same."

    Margaret looked at him knowingly. "You see it too, don¡¯t you? She¡¯s not like her father in everything. She has her own way."

    She paused for a moment before adding with a wry smile, "But don¡¯t worry, Master Hans. She¡¯s strong. And she¡¯s ready."

    Hans nodded, his eyes shining with tears. "I don¡¯t doubt it. I don¡¯t doubt it at all. She¡¯s capable, Margaret. She¡¯s our Raven, after all."

    "Exactly," Margaret said softly, her voice full of reassurance. "And you¡ªwe¡ªshould be proud of her."

    Hans took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his emotions lift just a little. He¡¯d always known Raven had the potential to be great, but seeing it now¡ªwatching her transform into someone strong, someone who could one day carry the mantle of responsibility with grace¡ªit made his heart swell.

    "Yes," he said quietly, a soft but firm smile playing on his lips. "I am proud."

    Margaret chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling. "Ha ha¡­ I suddenly remembered when she flailed around in the sky trying to fly for the first time."

    ¡°Pftt¡­ don¡¯t mention that in front of Young Miss. She¡¯s marked that as one of her ¡®dark histories.¡¯¡±

    Margaret burst out laughing.

    ***

 Chapter: 6 Banquet (1)

    Raven meticulously checked and rechecked every detail. If anything went wrong because of her carelessness, she doubted her father would ever let her hear the end of it¡ªespecially after she had already disrupted his plans out of spite.

    Though it was a little late, the invitations were finally sent out a week before the party. It didn¡¯t leave much time for the guests to prepare, but it certainly stirred the wealthy circles of Ether City. Raven, however, had her hands tied. There wasn¡¯t much she could do except contact all the top brands and boutiques, urging them to prioritize the invited guests.

    After much contemplation (and a fair amount of stress), the theme was settled: Ebon Zephyr: Winds of Power. The concept blended elegance with mystery, strength, and dominance, with the wind element subtly woven into every detail. Raven and her father would wear black¡ªbold, refined, and entirely unique in a world where such dark colors were practically taboo. Their attire would symbolize their mastery over the wind and their defiance of conventional expectations. Raven¡¯s dress was designed to flow like a breeze, its delicate fabric embodying both grace and strength. Her father¡¯s outfit was also black, evoking the steady, unshakable presence of a storm¡ªcalm yet intense, a reflection of the wind¡¯s power.

    On the day of the banquet, Raven stood before the large full-length mirror, the soft hum of the air purifier in the background. The room was spacious, minimalist in design, with sleek furniture and warm ambient lighting¡ªquietly elegant, just as it should be for the occasion.

    A servant entered quietly, holding a black dress in her hands. It was simple, with clean lines and a high collar, the fabric smooth to the touch. Raven nodded for her to help her put it on. The servant gently pulled the dress over Raven¡¯s head, smoothing out any wrinkles as it settled on her small frame.

    Another servant stepped forward, brush in hand, and began to gather Raven¡¯s long black hair, sweeping it into a high ponytail. The dark strands shimmered under the light as the servant worked with swift precision, pulling the hair back and securing it with a silver clasp. Raven¡¯s thick hair held its shape easily, requiring little more than a few quick adjustments.

    Once her hair was neatly arranged, the servants applied a light dusting of powder to her face, ensuring she looked fresh and polished. The makeup was minimal¡ªjust enough to highlight her features, with a touch of subtle pink on her lips. Raven barely glanced at her reflection, her attention focused on the fabric of her dress.

    When everything was in place, the final touches were made¡ªher silver bracelet slipped onto her wrist and a few tiny clasps on her shoes adjusted. Raven turned in front of the mirror, checking herself over to make sure everything was perfect. The dress hung elegantly around her small frame¡ªsimple yet refined. Her reflection looked poised and composed, the quiet confidence she carried with her beginning to settle in.

    One of the servants stepped back, allowing Raven to take in the final result. She gave a small nod, pleased with how everything had come together.

    ¡°Everything is ready, young miss,¡± the servant said softly.

    Raven nodded calmly before turning to leave the room. As she exited, the servants quietly closed the door behind her.

    ¡°Young miss, all the guests have arrived,¡± Butler Hans said, leading her toward the banquet hall. ¡°The Lord is waiting for you.¡±

    ¡°Why is he waiting for me?¡± Raven asked, her lips pursed, suspicion in her eyes.

    ¡°...The Lord doesn¡¯t have anyone else to accompany him today. He would like you to accompany him.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t feel good about this.¡±

    ¡°Well, this is what he asked.¡±

    ¡°I certainly don¡¯t feel good about this,¡± Raven muttered under her breath as she walked gracefully into the reception room.

    Her father was lounging in a chair, his head propped up on his palm in a relaxed manner. When he turned to her, his cold eyes flickered, and he rose to meet her with long strides.

    ¡°You really dared to keep me waiting,¡± he said with a cold smile, then offered her his arm. But as he did, he quickly withdrew it, realizing she was just a bit too short to hold it comfortably. ¡°Ha, I feed you so well, why are you still so short?¡±

    Raven¡¯s face turned red with both embarrassment and frustration. ¡°If you are a giraffe, is it still my fault?¡± she shot back. She was tall for her age and certainly not short by any standard.

    He rubbed her head calmly, emphasizing her height¡ªor lack thereof. ¡°Don¡¯t be so sour. You¡¯ll grow taller. Hold my finger like a good child.¡±

    Raven sighed inwardly as she took his hand, a quiet certainty settling over her. It¡¯s going to be a long evening, she thought, sensing that the challenges she¡¯d have to manage at the banquet would go far beyond the arrangements.

    As they were about to enter the hall, her father observed her expression and leaned in, his voice low. ¡°Are you nervous?¡±

    She turned toward him, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. ¡°Father, you joke well. But if anyone should be nervous, it¡¯s them, not me.¡±

    Raven didn¡¯t notice the amusement in Rayan¡¯s eyes as he nodded to the bodyguard to open the door.

    The doors to the banquet hall swung open, and the chatter inside faltered to an immediate halt. Heads turned. Conversations dropped to hushed whispers. Every eye in the room followed the pair as they stepped through.

    Raven walked in first, her hand firmly held by her father¡¯s larger one. Together, they exuded an effortless authority that commanded the room. Her black dress caught the light, and her dark hair swayed in a neat ponytail with each confident step. Though young, her presence carried the weight of someone who had inherited power effortlessly.

    Her father, a figure of quiet dominance, ruled the room. His suit was sharp, his presence even sharper, and his dark eyes swept the hall with detached authority, unaffected by the gazes that followed him.

    As they made their way down the grand hall, the room seemed to hold its breath. There was an unmistakable tension in the air, not from intimidation, but from the recognition that they were in the presence of someone untouchable. The kind of tension that arises when someone walks in, and their mere presence makes it clear that there''s no need for them to announce themselves¡ªeveryone already knows who they are.

    The guests were clearly surprised. Whispers rippled through the crowd like an awkward wave of unease.

    ¡°Is that really her?¡± one guest murmured, eyes widening as they sized up Raven. ¡°Wasn¡¯t she supposed to be...¡±

    "To be what?" someone else responded, frowning. "I heard she was... disfigured during the beast wave in the capital, right?"

    A third guest nodded solemnly, their voice wavering between curiosity and relief. ¡°I heard she might have lost her mind three years ago¡ª"

    But then they all paused, eyes flicking back to Raven as she walked by¡ªcalm, composed, head held high¡ªradiating nothing but quiet confidence. There were no scars, no signs of distress, and certainly no visible traces of the tragic event that had caused so much speculation.

    Another guest, nervously smoothing their dress, muttered under their breath, "I guess rumors can be exaggerated after all."

    "Then why was she hidden? Do you think she was..." someone else speculated, their eyes wide with awe as Raven passed them, clearly having underestimated her. The girl radiated strength, even at such a young age, and it was impossible not to feel small in her presence.

    A collective exhale rippled through the room as Raven¡¯s father strolled past, his eyes scanning the crowd like a hawk. Some of the more perceptive guests lowered their heads in reverence. The Serth family¡ªrespected, feared, and undeniably at the top of the food chain.

    ¡°Is it true that she awakened, after all?¡± one whispered. ¡°But isn¡¯t that... too early?¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be surprised,¡± another murmured. ¡°She is a Serth, after all. Just like her father. Awakening early would be the least of the surprises she¡¯d give us.¡±

    Raven, who had heard the whispers but hadn¡¯t bothered to acknowledge them, turned slightly to meet her father''s gaze. He gave her the briefest of nods, barely noticeable to anyone else in the room.

    As they reached the front of the hall, Raven gracefully detached her hand from her father''s. The subtle shift in the room was undeniable, as though she herself had commanded it. With a small, almost imperceptible smile, she surveyed the guests, her presence exuding quiet authority.

    ¡°Ah, yes,¡± one guest whispered, his voice tinged with reluctant admiration. ¡°I suppose she can be the heir after all... I thought the son would be naturally selected as the successor due to her injury. Not a scratch on her, though. Now the question is, did she awaken the wind element? And how strong is it?¡±

    Her father, standing behind her, allowed the faintest glint of approval to flash in his eyes. No words were needed; Raven¡¯s presence alone was enough to silence the rumors.

    But the guests attending the banquet couldn''t rest easy.

    Just like three years ago, when Raven¡¯s isolation had stirred up speculation, the major families now had to rethink their plans. The representatives of each family rushed to inform their leaders. The Serth patriarch had brought his daughter out of hiding today. This was huge.

    For the elementalists, this was huge news. The Serths maintained cooperative relationships with nearly every elemental family. Any potential heir was worth paying close attention to, as their future could hinge on it.

    The Serth family¡¯s elders and branch heads were in turmoil too. This move was completely unexpected. Though they weren¡¯t sure whether Raven had been truly injured, their patriarch had received a considerable compensation package from the capital¡¯s government three years ago. The children who had been with Raven had all been severely injured, and they had assumed she must have suffered the worst. Rayan had kept the details under wraps, and so the assumption lingered.

    As time passed, with Raven¡¯s absence from social gatherings and her exclusion from the Serth¡¯s awakening and training center, they had become increasingly sure of their guess. Many had quietly begun to support the son instead. He was older, a boy, and had awakened a strong wind element just last year¡ªtalented and promising. It seemed the logical choice for the heir.

    But now, seeing Raven like this, they realized they might have judged too quickly. She didn¡¯t appear mentally or physically injured. It was clear that the reason she had been hidden was because she had awakened.

    Awakening at the age of five was a rare event. It meant she was years ahead of her peers, and she was undeniably talented. If someone couldn¡¯t awaken during a dangerous situation, they might fail or only partially awaken, but Raven had done it. She was clearly a gem¡ªsomeone who wouldn¡¯t be hindered by mere things like gender or timing.

    Of course, there was a way to confirm if she had awakened. But to do that, someone would have to probe her¡ªand no one dared touch Rayan Serth¡¯s daughter.

    After a moment of clamour, Rayan Serth stood up to address the guests. The guests, now relatively calm, turned their attention to Raven¡¯s father in quiet anticipation.

    Rayan didn¡¯t waste time with pleasantries. He began directly, his voice low yet commanding: "To those gathered here tonight, I¡¯ll keep this brief."

    He paused, allowing the silence to deepen before continuing.

    "Events like this are, after all, merely a formality. A way to remind the world of where we stand. The Serth family has never sought approval. We don¡¯t need to explain ourselves. Our status is earned through action, not words. It does not bend to the will of others. It is the world that bends to us."

    His cold, unflinching gaze swept across the room.

    "It is not a name given, nor one earned through kindness. It is earned through power, will, and the refusal to be moved."The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

    His tone sharpened. "So, enjoy the evening. You won¡¯t find a more worthy host than the Serths."

    With that, the banquet officially began.

    For the first half-hour, Raven stayed beside her father, watching him engage in small talk with a few prominent guests. She felt bored. These guests were from major elemental families or tier-1 families¡ªanyone below that level wasn¡¯t worth her attention. Raven recognized each one, having studied the guest list in detail.

    Once the initial greetings were done and the guests were distracted, Raven decided to excuse herself. She wanted to find Ashcal and her other friends, keep a low profile, and stay out of the way until something important came up.

    "Where are you going?" Her father¡¯s voice was quiet but sharp. His narrowed eyes studied her every movement, and the hint of suspicion flickered beneath his otherwise composed expression.

    Raven smiled casually. "I¡¯m going to find the others, Father. It¡¯s been a while, and we have much to discuss."

    His gaze remained cold. "You¡¯re going to meet that boy, aren¡¯t you? Leaving your father to his own devices."

    Raven¡¯s smile twitched. "Father, really. You make me sound so heartless," she replied, her tone laced with mock sympathy. "I invited them here. I can¡¯t very well leave them. You understand the importance of maintaining connections, don¡¯t you?"

    A brief silence stretched between them, his gaze unyielding. His voice, low and controlled, came next: "You¡¯d better be back soon."

    Raven nodded noncommittally. "Sure." She slipped away, knowing he would forget about it in a few minutes.

    She understood her father well. Aloof and prideful, he had never chased after people. People ran after him. He was negligent when it came to affection. He would give her everything¡ªpower, wealth, and whatever she deserved as his child and potential heir¡ªbut he could never offer the warmth she yearned for. In important moments, she could easily be forgotten.

    Raven went to find Ashcal first, asking Butler Hans about his whereabouts. Hans informed her that most of the kids were gathered in the designated children¡¯s area¡ªthe Orchid Garden outside. The garden was filled with children of various ages, all accompanied by their nannies. Snacks and drinks suitable for their age were arranged there.

    After the incident in the capital, Raven had refused to let Margaret accompany her. Margaret had tried to change her mind, but Raven had remained firm. Margaret had been helpless but also touched by Raven¡¯s decision.

    Raven hadn¡¯t shown any outward reaction to her nanny¡¯s death¡ªno signs of grief. But when one of the staff mentioned her nanny in passing, Raven had gone completely silent for the rest of the day. Over the next few days, she had become more determined in everything she did. That was when Margaret realized something had changed.

    Raven cared deeply. She hadn¡¯t been unaffected by the loss, but she knew it was grief she could never truly overcome. She quietly found ways to cope. Her nanny had been someone dear to her, and she had died protecting her. Raven wanted her to remain an unforgettable, happy memory. All her belongings¡ªfrom birthday presents to lullabies¡ªwere carefully kept and preserved. No one was allowed to touch them. Raven had even recorded the lullabies her nanny had sung to her.

    The nanny had become an untouchable subject. No one dared speak of her. Margaret understood this better than anyone. Raven¡¯s refusal to let the same mistakes happen again was her way of coping.

    Back to the present, Raven saw Ashcal talking to a girl. Ashcal had grown taller, and Raven could sense he was no longer the helpless child he had once been. He had become strong.

    Well, of course, Raven thought. He is one of the main characters, after all. He is talented. But Raven didn¡¯t think she was lacking compared to him. He was strong, but she wasn¡¯t weak either.

    Her gaze shifted to the girl with green hair and dark blue eyes. Suddenly, a memory flashed. In her past life, Ashcal had been close to a girl who had made her deeply jealous. A girl who had outshone Raven in every way. Raven couldn¡¯t recall the girl¡¯s name, but she was certain this was the same person.

    But that wasn¡¯t all. Raven remembered the second turning point of her life. At this very banquet in her past life, Raven had made a scene. She didn¡¯t remember how exactly, but that had been the moment Ashcal and the girl grew closer, and Raven¡¯s reputation began to crumble.

    Frowning, Raven waited nearby for their conversation to end, feeling uneasy.

    Children and their nannies looked at Raven frowning at the pair. Some of the children began imagining things but did not dare approach.

    Three years ago, Raven¡¯s hair had been dyed brown. She had been arrogant, yet approachable¡ªjust another naive child. The children of prominent families mature quickly. They understood the significance of black hair and eyes. It was a taboo, a sign of disaster. But now, they also understood her background¡ªRaven wasn¡¯t someone they could casually approach or offend.

    A girl found the courage to greet Raven. They had been playmates three years ago, though Raven had kept her distance since. "Raven, how wonderful to see you! A very happy birthday¡ªit feels like it¡¯s been forever since we last met!"

    Raven snapped out of her daze and smiled at the familiar girl. "Cassier, thank you so much. It really has been too long." Cassier was from the Chase family, a tier-2 lightning elemental family. They chatted for a while, and soon, more children joined in. Seeing the commotion, Ashcal came over to wish Raven as well.

    After a brief exchange, Raven and Ashcal walked off together. Ashcal already knew Raven had awakened the day of the incident¡ªshe had told him after the compensation deal was settled. In fact, he had figured it out on his own. Ashcal was sharp. He had noticed Raven¡¯s improved intelligence and the coincidental house arrest. He hadn¡¯t said anything, understanding that her father might have prohibited her from revealing it. He simply congratulated her.

    "The decor is amazing," Ashcal remarked. "Did you choose the theme?"

    "...You¡¯re very observant. Yes, I did."

    Ashcal chuckled. "It¡¯s not just observation. It¡¯s that you¡¯ve been busy, and... your father wouldn¡¯t need black in the theme."

    Raven hadn¡¯t thought of it that way and understood what he meant. Her father wouldn¡¯t use black to showcase power¡ªhe was power itself. Only Raven would need such a theme. She realized her father had given her enough importance for the banquet to carry a subtle personal touch.

    She laughed softly. "I guess I was too excited."

    Ashcal nodded. "That¡¯s fine."

    Raven changed the topic. "By the way, who were you talking to earlier? She looked familiar."

    Ashcal hesitated briefly before answering, "Freya Urnel."

    Raven¡¯s eyes widened slightly, giving him a subtle look that asked, Is what I¡¯m thinking right?

    Ashcal nodded. "She needed help with something."

    Raven didn¡¯t pry further, contemplating.

    Freya Urnal. The Urnal family¡¯s illegitimate child. Awakened just a few months back, her superpower Catastrophe¨C an ability which directly allowed an illegitimate child like her to be accepted as an heir.

    Urnal family was a tier - 1 family in the western region. They had made their name with their strong wide range abilities and were an absolute menace to the beasts. They were responsible for forcefully controlling the beast population by giving them disasters year after year.

    But that wasn¡¯t what made them a tier¨C 1 family. It was the catastrophe ability which is passed down to only one child of the generation, who would then be automatically chosen as the heir, that made them truly fearful.

    ¡®Catastrophe¡¯ had a lot of potential as it wasn¡¯t specified like the other superpowers of the Urnal family. Simply said, superpowers like ¡®Earthquake¡¯, ¡®tsunami¡¯ or ¡®drought¡¯ were terrifying. But catastrophe, which included all of them and much more, was just on another level.

    But it wasn¡¯t without limits. It wasn¡¯t very effective against a single person or a focussed area. It also needed a lot of mental energy. So they had to rely a lot on martial arts to keep their lives. Another weakness were water, earth and fire elementalists, who had a firm control over their element would be almost unaffected by their attacks after isolating themselves. Like Raven, who was a wind elementalist, would directly fly in the air and firmly grip the winds so they wouldn''t respond to Freya¡¯s command. Anything else wouldn¡¯t affect her much.

    Raven processed everything in a split second before hearing Ashcal¡¯s voice: ¡°Freya, do you need something?¡±

    Freya smiled sweetly, her eyes wide and innocent. ¡°No, I just thought I heard my name,¡± she said as she stepped closer, her tone gentle and calm. Raven studied her carefully, and immediately, her intuition flared. This girl was pretending to be innocent, but Raven could see through it effortlessly.

    Freya was the picture of grace. Her green hair fell in soft waves, catching the light, as though it were kissed by spring itself. Her dark blue eyes, clear and shimmering, exuded purity, framed by lashes that fluttered with every blink. She wore a pale lavender gown of silk, embroidered with silver thread that glimmered with every subtle movement. A satin ribbon tied neatly at her waist, adding a touch of elegance. She appeared like an angel¡ªunblemished and untouched, with a soft, innocent demeanor.

    ¡°Did you call me?¡± Freya asked, her voice light and melodic, as though she genuinely didn¡¯t understand why they were discussing her.

    ¡°No, we didn¡¯t,¡± Ashcal replied with a casual tone. ¡°We just happened to mention you in the conversation.¡±

    ¡°Oh, is that so?¡± Freya tilted her head, a look of confusion crossing her face. ¡°Then¡­ what were you talking about?¡± Her voice was gentle, with just the slightest hint of curiosity.

    Raven didn¡¯t need to think twice. Her intuition immediately flagged something off about Freya¡¯s words.

    Raven frowned slightly, feeling that she was too direct and impolite. "Sorry, it was personal," she said, keeping her tone polite but firm.

    ¡°Ah, I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Freya¡¯s voice trembled, eyes dropping to the ground. Anyone who looked at her pitiful appearance would want to console her. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to pry. I just thought maybe¡­ maybe you were saying something bad about me¡­¡± Her voice faltered, as though she were caught off guard by her own emotions, but Raven saw through it. This wasn''t a surprise; it was the act of someone trying to elicit a specific response.

    The surrounding children started to whisper, their curiosity piqued by the sudden tension.

    ¡°I¡¯m not that kind of person,¡± Raven replied firmly, meeting Freya¡¯s gaze directly. ¡°Please don¡¯t think so badly of me. I haven¡¯t done anything to warrant it.¡± Honestly, Raven didn¡¯t care what she thought. She was just curious about Freya¡¯s intentions and thus thought it was fine to humour her for a while.

    Ashcal, sensing the discomfort, gave a reassuring smile to Freya. ¡°Yes, Freya. Raven isn¡¯t swayed by rumors. You don¡¯t need to worry.¡±

    But Freya¡¯s expression faltered, a flash of uncertainty in her eyes before she dropped her gaze again. ¡°No, I didn¡¯t¡­ I just¡­ You were frowning when I was talking to Ashcal. And¡­ and some girls have bullied me before when I spoke to a boy. I thought¡­ maybe you were upset with me¡­¡± Her voice quivered, as though she were about to break down.

    Raven had heard enough to gauge out her intentions. Her mind was sharp, and her analysis was quick. She quickly saw through Freya''s manipulations, recognizing that the girl''s sweet, innocent demeanor was a calculated act. Freya, new to the social circle, was using her fresh, untainted image to her advantage, playing on the biases of those around her¡ªespecially the fact that Raven, with her dark hair and eyes, was already seen as an outsider. Freya''s ploy was simple: portray herself as the victim, casting Raven as jealous and bullying. The act was convincing to others because of how easily people in this society believed in her purity, something Raven was all too aware of.

    ¡­Or that¡¯s what she wants me to think, Raven¡¯s eyes flashed at this sudden thought. Would a tier - 1 family¡¯s heir be so simple? It was possible, but Raven was sure that her intuition wouldn¡¯t act on someone with such easy tricks. So she understood that Freya was actually probing, to find out the nature of the Serth¡¯s family¡¯s young miss¡ª after all, what is a better method to bring out someone¡¯s nature than putting them in a tough place?

    Raven¡¯s gaze turned colder as she further analyzed the situation. Freya knew exactly what she was doing. She wasn¡¯t just playing the victim, she was trying to find a weakness to exploit, to get a sense of how Raven would respond.

    Probably noticing her frowning face earlier, Freya had interpreted it as jealousy. But she was smart enough to not act on a guess, instead trying to directly question her about the gaze. Anyone would be uneasy and upset if they were questioned like that, much less Raven. If she responded with defensiveness or anger, she would look like a fool. If she stayed calm, she might be seen as indifferent. Either way, Freya would learn something valuable.

    Raven narrowed her eyes, her irritation simmering beneath her composed exterior. This girl dared to mess with her like this. Did she look like an easy target?

    Ashcal gave her a helpless look, sensing that things were spiraling.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you thinking too much?¡± Raven asked with a smile that didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes. ¡°Well, I can¡¯t stop you from thinking so highly of yourself.¡±

    Freya¡¯s eyes widened at the words, but she didn¡¯t back down. Instead, she looked up, red-eyed and seemingly on the verge of tears. ¡°But, then¡­ Why were you frowning?¡± she asked, her voice quivering with innocence.

    Raven didn¡¯t miss a beat. ¡°Please mind your own business. You are being far too meddlesome.¡±

    ¡°No¡­ I wasn¡¯t trying to be meddlesome,¡± Freya insisted, her voice taking on that soft, broken tone, the one designed to make people doubt their own perceptions.

    ¡°Then, why must I explain my mild actions to you?¡± Raven¡¯s voice was cold, cutting.

    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Freya¡¯s voice broke, and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she collapsed onto her knees. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to upset anyone¡­¡±

    Raven¡¯s expression hardened as Freya¡¯s sobs became more dramatic. Raven saw it all¡ªthe carefully constructed victimhood, the way Freya sought to evoke pity, to gain allies in this room. She was good at this. Good enough to fool the children around here. And Raven was really disgusted.

    ¡°Are you sorry?¡± Raven asked, her voice icy. ¡°Do you even understand what you¡¯ve done wrong?¡±

    Freya, still kneeling, looked up at Raven with tear-filled eyes. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­¡± she whispered, her voice soft and trembling.

    ¡°Don¡¯t stammer. Speak properly.¡± Raven¡¯s voice was icy cold.

    Freya¡¯s tears flowed freely now, her face a mask of innocence and sorrow, but Raven could see right through it. She wasn¡¯t a victim here. She was the one pulling the strings, trying to manipulate everyone around her.

    Ashcal, seeing Raven''s cold demeanor and Freya''s breakdown, finally intervened. ¡°Raven, that¡¯s enough,¡± he said, gently nudging her.

    ¡°Raven, that¡¯s enough.¡± Ashcal nudged her slightly.

    ...I don¡¯t think it is. Raven glanced at him, her expression unreadable, but she didn¡¯t say anything before turning away, leaving Ashcal to deal with the aftermath. As she walked off, she could hear the murmurs and whispers from the children around them, but she didn¡¯t care. It was a shame they were so easily swayed.

    ¡°Oh my god! Young miss, why are you crying!¡± someone who appeared to be Freya¡¯s nanny exclaimed loudly as she rushed toward her.

    ¡°No¡­ I didn¡¯t mean to,¡± Freya sniffled as she said, ¡°Did¡­ did I upset Raven too much? I didn¡¯t mean to¨C¡±

    ¡°Young miss! What did you say?! Did the Serth family¡¯s young miss bully you?!¡±

    Freya just sniffled, neither agreeing nor denying. ¡°I¨C I¡­¡± she stammered, but it was enough for her nanny to understand.

    After Ashcal handed Freya to her frantic nanny, he sighed. ¡°Please don¡¯t misunderstand. Raven is not someone who would bully people.¡±

    The nanny was clearly displeased. ¡°Our young miss is new to the circle and looks like an easy target. But her prestige is, after all, not any less than the Serth family¡¯s young miss¡¯. I hope young master Ashcal will take care of our young miss and be fair to her.¡±

    Ashcal sighed and turned away, the frustration creeping into his features. They won¡¯t listen to me anyway.

 Chapter 7: Banquet (2)

    Ashcal caught up to Raven just as she sat in the resting lounge near the banquet hall. Raven didn¡¯t want to talk to him right now, so she positioned herself in a spot where the noise from the banquet hall and the blaring music made it nearly impossible to have a decent conversation. The banquet hall and the music made it difficult to have a conversation. She was angry and unsatisfied¡ªher need for revenge had gone unmet.

    Everyone was curious about her, the lord¡¯s daughter, who had been hidden away. Raven understood the curiosity. She would¡¯ve been curious too. But what Raven truly hated was how someone had tried to target her and then act like the victim. Freya had tried to test her personality by putting her in an uncomfortable position. Raven hated the girl¡¯s guts. She was vile and cheap. Perhaps they were fated to be enemies not because of her past life with Ashcal, but because Freya was simply a nasty person.

    Though no one dared say anything to her face, and Raven didn¡¯t care. Still, they probably thought she¡¯d made a poor girl cry. And Ashcal¡ªhe probably thought that she liked him. In fact, wouldn¡¯t everyone think that now? That was something she didn¡¯t want at all. Wasn¡¯t that how things had gone in her past life? It was uncomfortably close.

    Raven gritted her teeth silently. She knew she couldn¡¯t let this go. It would only make things worse in the future if she let Freya get away with it.

    Wait¡­ Raven recalled something. This didn¡¯t happen in her previous life. Everyone knew Ashcal was her fianc¨¦, and Freya knew that too. Though she had said some provocative things, it wasn¡¯t enough to cause a huge scene. So what had happened here to cause her reputation to suffer and Freya and Ashcal to grow closer? Raven thought for a while then realised.

    She might never know. After all, things were much different this time. In her previous life, after she¡¯d used her wind powers to stop her fall, everyone in the shelter saw it. Her awakening wasn¡¯t a secret, and people treated her differently because of it.

    If Raven guessed correctly, she doubted things would play out the same way. She had more control over herself, and even if someone tried to provoke her, she wouldn¡¯t react like the emotional wreck she had been in her past life.

    While she was deep in thought, Ashcal finally mustered the courage to approach his fuming friend. ¡°Raven, about earlier¡­¡±

    Raven sneered, thinking about that girl, and said darkly, ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about it.¡±

    ¡°But¡­ as a friend, it¡¯s my responsibility to make sure you know when you¡¯re wrong. Raven, you made someone cry. I know you were irritated by her behavior, but Freya is new to high society. She doesn¡¯t know how to behave with people like us¡ªpeople who¡¯ve been trained since we could walk and talk.¡± Ashcal looked at her worriedly. ¡°She must have been nervous. You could have been a little gentler and understanding.¡±

    ¡°Ashcal, maybe you haven¡¯t noticed, but ¡®gentle¡¯ is not my thing.¡± Raven glanced at him with a level gaze. ¡°But for your information, we only talked about her once. And you were the one who mentioned her name. But I was the one¡­ who got scolded. Why? Because I frowned in her direction? I didn¡¯t even realize I was frowning. I just thought she looked familiar. But maybe she thought that because she¡¯s very¡­ discriminating?¡±

    ¡°Raven¡­¡± Ashcal bit his lips, understanding where this was going. ¡°That¡¯s not¡ª¡±

    ¡°Because of my black hair and eyes, she decided I was a bully. But tell me, Ashcal, am I a bully?¡± Raven looked away and spoke calmly. ¡°She¡¯s the one who misunderstood, and even after I explained, she wouldn¡¯t listen. Why? Because she already thought I was a bad person. Why else would she break down into tears? Am I such a monster that she can¡¯t even talk to me without crying?¡±

    Ashcal fell silent for a moment before he spoke softly. ¡°Raven¡­ you¡¯re not a mon¡ª¡±

    Raven cut him off. ¡°And no one would blame her for being weak and crying, but instead, imagine the terrible thing Raven Serth must have done for her to cry. Did I do anything terrible? I should¡¯ve been gentle? Well, I don¡¯t think so. I just feel that someone has wronged me. And they really deserve to suffer.¡±

    ¡°Raven¡­¡± Ashcal looked guilty as he looked at her. Raven was the one who had suffered here. What right did he have to interpret things from his own perspective?

    ¡°Actually, I don¡¯t care about what others think. Or what you think, for that matter. I just wanted to make it clear that just because someone stands up straight like nothing happened after an argument, doesn¡¯t mean they¡¯re at fault. Like you said, as a friend, it¡¯s your responsibility to make sure you know when you¡¯re wrong.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry.¡± Ashcal sighed deeply, guilt flashing across his face. If he had made a mistake, he needed to apologize properly. ¡°I misunderstood and shouldn¡¯t have said that. I should¡¯ve supported you more instead of just trying to diffuse the situation. I didn¡¯t think about how it might have affected you.¡±

    Raven smiled slightly, not wanting to be angry with him further. ¡°See, that¡¯s how you apologize¡ªclearly stating what you did wrong. Unlike her, who apologized just to get out of the argument, even though it wasn¡¯t really her fault.¡±

    ¡°I think we¡¯re trash-talking her now,¡± Ashcal said, though he didn¡¯t mind. If it helped improve her mood, he was all for it.

    ¡°Well, she totally deserves it. Anyway, how can someone from a tier-one family be such a¡­¡± Raven¡¯s education stopped her from saying anything more.

    ¡°I think she must have always felt inferior? I mean, she¡¯s an illegitimate child, right? She probably faced a lot of bullying.¡± Ashcal said with some uncertainty.

    Raven looked at him with pity. He didn¡¯t realize that Freya wasn¡¯t as innocent as she appeared. She was far too cunning. But Raven didn¡¯t intend to correct his misunderstanding. After all, it wouldn¡¯t be wise to make accusations without proof. He¡¯d learn soon enough not to underestimate people.

    ¡°Why are you looking at me like that?¡±

    Raven smiled sweetly and looked away. ¡°Nothing. I just want one favor. If Freya ever asks you to help her apologize to me, tell her I¡¯ll accept it only if she asks her family to apologize to me. Officially. I hope she understands what I mean, or else¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure she gets the message,¡± Ashcal said with a slight pause, then added, ¡°¡­ You are really ruthless.¡±

    ¡°Well, since she can¡¯t apologize properly, I¡¯ll let her family handle it.¡± Raven said. ¡°They¡¯ll figure out the compensation.¡±

    Raven had entrusted Ashcal with this job. She knew he would persuade Freya to apologize even if she didn¡¯t want to. The Serths were not to be messed with, and the Urnal family would be forced to send a proper apology along with compensation, eventually hurting their pride. And when Freya told her family that she wanted them to apologize to the Serths, she would not come out unscathed.  After this, Freya wouldn¡¯t dare to mess with me again, Raven thought.

    As she was thinking, the noise from the banquet hall suddenly fell to a hush, and Raven had a bad premonition. She and Ashcal exchanged a look before rushing into the hall. There, they saw everyone looking toward the entrance. Raven stretched her neck, trying to see what had caught everyone¡¯s attention.

    At the entrance of the banquet hall stood a mother and her young son, both commanding attention with their striking features. The woman had long silver hair that fell smoothly around her shoulders, shining in the light as she moved. Her purple eyes, bright and observant, gave her a calm but confident air. She wore a deep blue velvet gown¡ªsimple yet elegant¡ªits delicate beadwork shimmering as she shifted. Her outfit was refined but not overdone, giving her a quiet sense of grace.

    Beside her, her son was the picture of youthful charm. His silver hair was a little messier than his mother¡¯s, slightly tousled but still neat, and his violet eyes were calm and composed, almost indifferent. His suit was tailored to perfection, with sharp, crisp lines and silver accents that matched his mother''s. The boy¡¯s vest even bore a faint pattern of tiny, swirling designs. His posture was straight, his small hand resting lightly in his mother¡¯s as he looked around the banquet hall with composure, as though this was another world he was born to observe.

    Raven only needed a moment to guess who they were. Only they would demand such attention. Raven closed her eyes briefly to calm herself, then made her way toward her father. Ashcal didn¡¯t follow her, knowing it wasn¡¯t his place to interfere.

    Her movement caught a few eyes, but Raven ignored them.

    Her father was sitting in a chair with a wine glass in his hand. He was expressionless, his eyes cold and detached, but Raven could feel the storm brewing in them, even if it wasn¡¯t visible. She noticed his hand slightly clutching the wine glass tighter than usual¡ªhe would normally grip it carelessly. She stood behind him quietly, resting her hands on the back of his chair, trying to calm him down.

    The mother and son pair gracefully walked toward the head table, and the woman gave them a faint smile, her eyes cold. ¡°Long time no see, Rayan. Happy birthday.¡± Then she added, almost as an afterthought, ¡°Raven too.¡±Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    As the winds inside her stirred fiercely, Raven kept her face with a similar faint smile. She almost lost control of her powers and released her winds at her dismissive words, as if she meant nothing.

    No one¡ªnot even her father¡ªhad ever treated her like the lady in front of her had dared to treat her, ever since she was born. Her mother had cared about her even less than she cared about her furniture. At least her furniture, she had considered taking with her when she left her father. But her mother¡ªshe never even looked at her properly.

    But Raven still controlled herself, realizing her mother¡¯s intentions were to unhinge her.

    ¡°Yes.¡± Her father nodded perfunctorily, then focused on the wine glass in his hands. ¡°It¡¯s time for the food to be served. Everyone, please be seated.¡±

    The awkward and silent atmosphere lightened slightly, and everyone settled down.

    Raven pulled the chair beside her father but was stopped by a hand in front of her. The hand was pale and smooth like porcelain, the fingers long and beautiful. But Raven wanted to break them. ¡°Excuse me?¡±

    ¡°Raven,¡± her mother smiled sweetly, her voice commanding, ¡°Let your brother sit beside your father. It¡¯s been so long¡ª¡±

    Raven cut her off dismissively. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, do I know you?¡± Everyone at the long table fell silent at her remark. Not all guests had heard her, as she wasn¡¯t loud, but those who did could almost smell the gunpowder in the air. They silently prepared themselves for drama.

    As her mother froze in place, Raven gracefully sat down on the right side of her father. Her twin brother looked coldly at her, and she stared right back, amusement in her eyes.

    After he became the heir, he made sure her mother¡¯s family was supported by the Serths, prioritizing the Casels over the Serths. But that fact could remain hidden because Raven went ahead and disgraced herself, attracting all the attention. Her mother would say her father shouldn¡¯t try to raise the son, or else he would be spoiled too whenever he tried to discipline him.

    After becoming the patriarch, no one could stop him, so Raven was kicked out of the family, and her brother quietly raised the Casels from a middle-tier¡ª2 family to the highest, almost tier-1 family, even though this action caused the Serths to lose a lot of money and prestige. Obviously, no one was satisfied with him, but he was the strongest, so they had to put up with it.

    As she remembered the unclear past, her brother sat on the left side of her father, and her mother glared at her before deciding not to bother with her and sat down beside her son.

    Her mother then said sweetly, in a low voice, but it came out more sarcastically, ¡°Rayan, why don¡¯t you wish your son a happy birthday? Jareth, wish your father, too. You two share the same birthday. After all, you are a gift to each other.¡± Her voice sounded rather awkward, as if deciding whether she was sincere or perfunctory.

    Raven almost cringed at her words and looked at her father. Sure enough, he moved his jaw a bit, biting his tongue before he replied, ¡°Happy birthday, Jareth. I hope you read good literature this year.¡±

    Raven almost laughed out loud at his response.

    The guests at the table: It¡¯s good that we can listen to the drama, but it isn¡¯t good that we can¡¯t show our expressions.

    Everyone understood what he meant, so obviously, her mother did too. Her expression became stiff as she nudged her son.

    ¡°Happy birthday to you too, dad.¡± Her brother said smoothly, then added, ¡°Nice to see you, finally.¡±

    Rayan Serth glanced at his son, and the corners of his lips turned slightly, as if accepting a challenge. ¡°Me too. I guess someone finally got around to letting you visit.¡±

    ¡°It took some time, but she had to make sure I didn¡¯t have anything important to do, after all, she knows how to look after her child.¡± Her brother shot her a glance.

    Raven¡¯s eyebrow twitched. ¡°May you come out of your delusions... eventually.¡±

    He looked at her coldly, then replied, ¡°May you face people who are warm this year.¡±

    Raven waved her hand with a small smile. ¡°Oh no, you have a twisted idea of warmth. Please don¡¯t wish me bad luck.¡± She shot her mother a casual look.

    ¡°I see that Rayan took good care of you while I was away.¡± Her mother said with a dark face.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I think I missed it when you introduced yourself. I often miss people who are not important. Can you do it again? Actually, never mind. I would lose interest halfway.¡± Raven replied without missing a beat, before her father could say anything.

    Jareth sneered at her remark. ¡°Sister sure thinks highly of herself. Not considering anyone important.¡±

    ¡°Well, you can¡¯t consider just about anyone important.¡± Her father added nonchalantly.

    ¡°Perhaps if you were a bit more modest, your daughter would know what a warm person is.¡± Her mother said in a mocking tone.

    Raven smirked sarcastically, ¡°But mother sure is very modest. Most of the time, it feels like you don¡¯t exist.¡±

    ¡°And maybe if you stepped off your high stone, your face would come out of paralysis.¡± Her brother looked at her with cold eyes.

    ¡°I can¡¯t stand on the ground before I crush some bugs.¡± She replied.

    Though none of the guests dared to speak up, there was an undeniable sense of amusement in the air. The whole family was really mean to each other¡ªand that was putting it mildly.

    Everyone knew that their lord¡¯s wife had left him with the son just a few months after the twins were born, leaving the daughter behind. Rumor had it that she left him and returned to her family so she could raise the son with their help, as their lord was busy most of the time. They knew their marriage had been loveless, more political than personal. When they parted, it was on bad terms, and they never contacted each other¡ªor their other child¡ªagain. They had guessed she would return once the son grew up, after all, he had to try to become the heir.

    When Rayan Serth was selected, it was an obvious choice¡ªhe had no competition. But this time, there were competitors for the seat. After all, the daughter that had been left behind was also eligible to be the heir. They weren¡¯t sure about her talent, but she had to have some. For now, while the children were young, things would remain calm, but once they grew up, it would be turbulent.

    Just then, the food arrived, and an elder quickly intervened, ¡°Before we get too carried away, may I suggest we focus on the feast? It would be a shame to let it go to waste.¡±

    Rayan, a bit disappointed that the bickering didn¡¯t continue, quickly waved his hand, signaling for the servants to serve the food. The guests ate, each thinking that now was the time for things to become unsettling.

    Once the three-course meal ended, it was time for the entertainment. The performances started and ended to applause, but few people were focused on them. Her father left with some guests to speak privately. The rest of the guests were busy gossiping.

    Raven overheard a few ladies behind her discussing Person A¡¯s husband cheating with Person B¡¯s husband¡ªtalking about a sham marriage.

    She cleared her thoughts slowly. Would her brother and mother stay at the estate? If they did, it would be troublesome. But it was good she had prepared for this day.

    As Raven pondered, someone quietly approached and sat beside her. Looking up, she saw Shion, dressed in a suit, casually holding a cigarette.

    ¡°If you want to smoke, there¡¯s a designated room.¡± She said plainly.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to.¡±

    ¡°Then why are you holding a cigarette?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m trying to figure out how to comfort you.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the second person today I¡¯ve said this to, teacher. Thank you, but I don¡¯t need comforting.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t? Then why are you so listless?¡±

    ¡°...I was actually listening to the ladies behind me. But you interrupted them, and now they¡¯re gone.¡±

    ¡°I think you really do need some comforting. You just admitted you were invading their privacy.¡±

    ¡°...No, not exactly their privacy. I think I was invading the privacy of the person they were talking about, with them.¡±

    ¡°Invading privacy is still invading privacy.¡±

    ¡°...Fine. Just say your comforting words, which I don¡¯t really want to hear.¡±

    ¡°Why are you so expressionless all the time? Even when you¡¯re angry.¡±

    ¡°...¡± Raven pursed her lips silently, trying not to curse.

    ¡°Pfft¡ªI just remembered your brother¡¯s ¡®facial paralysis¡¯ remark. Ha ha. It really is true. People who know you well don¡¯t notice it because they understand what you mean just by your silence. But now I really see it... ha ha.¡±

    ¡°No... how did you hear...?¡±

    ¡°Not just me, everyone did. Adult Specters can hear it easily, even in noisy banquets, if they want to.¡± Shion glanced at her face and laughed again.

    ¡°...When my brother said, ¡®Maybe if you stepped down from your high stone, your face would come out of paralysis,¡¯ he meant that when I look at my mother and realize my father doesn¡¯t love me, my facial expressions wouldn¡¯t be the same as his anymore.¡± Raven said slowly. ¡°You just insulted the lord of the city. In front of his daughter.¡±

    ¡°That high level of insults?¡±

    ¡°I think it just came out in the heat of the moment.¡±

    Shion clicked his tongue. ¡°Just accept that he¡¯s good.¡±

    ¡°Is this supposed to comfort me, teacher?¡±

    ¡°Well, I thought the ¡®face paralysis¡¯ comment would hurt you more, but you don¡¯t look hurt.¡±

    ¡°I have the mental resilience of a Shion¡¯s student.¡± Raven rolled her eyes. ¡°I won¡¯t be offended just because a mama¡¯s boy is jealous of my emotional maturity.¡±

    ¡°Then are you hurt because of your mother?¡±

    ¡°...I kind of feel sad. As if something that everyone else can easily get can¡¯t be mine.¡± Her tone grew a bit emotional, but she quickly adjusted. ¡°But it¡¯s been eight years. I¡¯m used to it.¡±

    ¡°No matter how long it is, you can¡¯t get used to it.¡±

    ¡°I sometimes think it would have been better if she were dead. At least then I¡¯d have a normal reason to not have a mother.¡± Raven said, almost viciously.

    ¡°Do you hate your brother because of this?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s good you don¡¯t hate him.¡±

    ¡°No, I hate him. But not because of my mother. I hate him because he insulted me; as if I¡¯d just take that lying down.¡± She scoffed.

    ¡°No way. I thought you started it first!¡±

    ¡°...No! He first said that his mother knows how to look after a child. Which was a jab at my father, meaning he didn¡¯t look after me. Sure, he didn¡¯t. But the thing is, he dragged me into this. And what do you mean by ¡®she knows how to look after a child¡¯? Was I not her child? She never took care of me!¡±

    ¡°Oh, I get it now.¡±

    ¡°...¡±

    ¡°...I¡¯m not here to understand the insults your family threw at each other during the banquet, which is, by the way, the major gossip topic now. I¡¯m here to comfort you. Really.¡±

    If she had doubted it before, now she was a hundred percent sure. Her teacher was heartless. Raven looked at him with dead eyes before quickly walking away to find her father. Otherwise, she was afraid she might die trying to fight him to the death.

    ***

 Chapter 8: Under the Surface

    Atrina Cassel, a woman deeply devoted to the Cassel family headed by her brother, was someone who would do anything for her lineage¨C as such were the Cassel family¡¯s teachings. The sons were prized above daughters, while the daughters were treated as tools, useful only when they served a purpose.

    But Atrina, true to her own nature, was not entirely what her family expected her to be. And ironically, no one in the family even had an inkling. She was devoted to the family, but wasn¡¯t one to be with poor ambitions. She had her sights set high¡ªon becoming the head of the family. And for that, she was willing to do whatever it took. Even something as extreme as leaving her husband and dragging her son into the Cassel household while ignoring her daughter entirely.

    Her neglect of Raven wasn¡¯t due to hatred or bitterness. It was simple pragmatism. To her, Raven was nothing more than dead weight. The Cassels valued sons, and bringing her daughter back would only tarnish Atrina¡¯s own standing.

    When Atrina first heard the rumor about Raven being injured, she was delighted. It meant her son¡¯s competition might be out of the picture. She had even fueled those rumors herself, spreading negativity about Raven to sway the Serth elders in favor of her son.

    But tonight, her plans unraveled. Raven had emerged unscathed, and everyone knew what that likely meant¡ªshe had awakened her powers.

    Atrina had anticipated the possibility, of course. She wasn¡¯t reckless enough to rely solely on the rumors she had sown. Everyone who had heard the rumour didn¡¯t know, but she was the one who spread the rumour, how would she not know that it was really possible that Raven might have awakened? To her, Raven¡¯s awakening was simply another obstacle, one more challenge to navigate.

    As she watched her daughter standing confidently by her father¡¯s side, something stirred in her heart¡ªa faint pang she quickly suppressed. Even though she regarded Raven as a burden, she couldn¡¯t deny feeling a flicker of pride. Had circumstances been different, had it not been so inconvenient to bring Raven back, she might have raised her as a reflection of her own strength and ambition and not leave her child to that indifferent man. But Atrina had long since buried such thoughts. As someone who wanted to climb to the top from a hell hole, emotions were luxuries she couldn¡¯t afford.

    The banquet ended at eleven¡ª without any incident and Raven confirmed, much to her relief, that the future had really changed. The second turning point of her life didn¡¯t come to pass. This caused her to be optimistic about the future¨C it could be changed. Raven was the most scared about this. If whatever she did didn¡¯t matter and her future couldn¡¯t be changed, wouldn¡¯t that be despairing? So she was really relieved that this event did not happen.

    As the guests departed and her father concluded his speech, Atrina approached Raven privately. The moment her mother came near, Raven¡¯s instincts flared in warning. Narrowing her eyes, she asked, ¡°What do you want?¡±

    ¡°Raven,¡± Atrina greeted her with a sweet smile. ¡°Why do you speak to your mother like that? I only came to give you a gift.¡±

    She didn¡¯t plan to play with her and directly said, ¡°I don¡¯t think I want your gift. I¡¯ll definitely throw it away.¡±

    ¡°Then mustn¡¯t I give you a gift you can¡¯t throw away?¡± Atrina''s smile widened, her tone deceptively light, ¡°We are coming back, Raven. Are you happy?¡±

    ¡°Then, I must really throw away your gift.¡± Raven replied calmly, coming to the conclusion that her mother had troubled her enough today and if she let her go peacefully today, wouldn¡¯t that be a waste of her father¡¯s teachings?

    Her cold smile made Atrina¡¯s spine tingle, but she kept her composure. ¡°Mother has given me a gift¡ªor at least, tried to,¡± Raven said with a mock-politeness that was almost gleeful. ¡°And of course, it would be rude of me not to return the favor.¡±

    Raven cast a subtle glance toward her father, who had been observing the exchange with an air of relaxed detachment. When their eyes met, he smiled¡ªa gesture that startled the remaining guests, sending a wave of unease through them. Everyone knew what happened when the Lord of the Ether city smiled like that¡ª it meant that someone was going to have a really bad time. But much to their disappointment, he did nothing, simply watching from his seat.

    But that means that he has already done something.  Forcing herself to maintain a polite demeanor, Atrina asked, ¡°So, what gift do you plan to give me?¡±

    ¡°How can a mother be as eager as a child?¡± Raven retorted smoothly. ¡°You¡¯ll receive your gift on your birthday.¡±

    Atrina¡¯s jaw tightened, though she managed to keep her smile intact. ¡°Ha ha¡­ of course. Mother won¡¯t push you.¡±

    Raven felt satisfied as she looked at her mother¡¯s tense face. It was clear that Atrina had bought her bluff. She strolled over to her father and whispered with a smile, ¡°Father, you¡¯re really lucky. Even though your favorite guests couldn¡¯t make it, you didn¡¯t suffer a loss.¡±

    Raven hadn¡¯t invited the guests her father had a grudge against so as to prevent him from being petty and troubling the guests for fun; though she didn¡¯t really care about the guests, her intention was to trouble her father. But unexpectedly her mother showed up. Raven felt that her father must have really enjoyed this banquet.

    ¡°Are you upset that your gift didn¡¯t get delivered properly?¡± her father teased, a smug tone in his voice as he stood to leave with her.

    Raven frowned slightly but chose not to answer directly. Instead, she remarked lightly, ¡°Some people are not going to have a good time.¡±

    Raven wasn¡¯t like her father, who delighted in taking revenge for fun. However, she wasn¡¯t one to let things slide, either. Letting people go without consequences would only encourage them to try again. It was better to be decisive towards such people or else they would only bring more trouble in the future.

    ¡°I will say that I am impressed.¡± her father said as they walked out together.

    Raven¡¯s curiosity piqued. Her father rarely praised anyone. ¡°Oh? Why?¡±

    He glanced at her but didn¡¯t answer the question. He said after a while. ¡°You are still inexperienced so you don¡¯t understand. But your mother has done a lot of things which could be used against her¨C quite sneakily too. Your bluff wasn¡¯t just making her nervous for a moment.¡±

    Raven¡¯s initial surprise gave way to understanding. Her eyes curved into a sly smile. ¡°Is that why you helped me?¡± she asked, referring to the subtle look he¡¯d given during the banquet. She had only glanced at him to deepen her mother¡¯s anxiety. His smile had been an unexpected bonus. At that moment, due to the waves it created, Raven could only think that her father was so powerful that even a smile could make everyone else cautious.

    Her father didn¡¯t reply but his silence already said everything. Raven took a deep breath.

    This was really a pleasant turn of events. She didn¡¯t know much about her mother, so it was normal for her to be mistaken. When she had been bluffing, she didn¡¯t know that Atrina had done some suspicious things. She just wanted to unsettle her with the possibility that Rayan was trying to mess with her and she would anxiously wait for it to pass.

    But if she was guilty instead, things would be different¨C Atrina would think that Rayan had caught some of her deeds. Wouldn¡¯t then she be very anxious, make mistakes while trying to safeguard herself and reveal her trail?

    Even though Raven didn¡¯t know her mother, she was sure that she was at least not stupid. Considering Atrina¡¯s intelligence, Raven deduced the likely progression of her mother¡¯s thoughts.

    And as any smart person, Atrina would first doubt why they had hit the bush to alert the snake when they could have struck quietly¡ª she wouldn¡¯t stupidly accept her bluff. She would probably think it through carefully.

    First, Atrina would discard the idea that it was a bluff almost immediately. After all, Raven¡¯s father had indirectly confirmed the fact. He was a cold person, he wouldn¡¯t casually support his daughter¡¯s bluff. And even if it was a bluff, she couldn¡¯t afford to take that chance.

    As for the possibility of it being a trap? That was unlikely. Atrina herself had initiated the conversation, and Raven hadn¡¯t even known she would show up at the banquet. There was no time to plan such a scheme. Even if she did know, Raven would have to take the initiative to approach her at some point during the banquet to trap her. But Raven acted as if she didn¡¯t exist at all. So her mother wouldn¡¯t consider this possibility for long.

    Left with these considerations, Atrina would likely conclude two possibilities

    Either they had already done something that it didn¡¯t even matter if she were alerted. And if alerting her wouldn¡¯t change anything, then Atrina could only admit defeat and try to cut her losses. And if she was smart, she would have done that anyway.

    Or most probably, Atrina would think that it was simply her young daughter¡¯s inexperience which led her to act on her emotions and reveal it. After all, Atrina had approached Raven so that she could stimulate her¨C she wanted her to slip up; and the other possibilities were low.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    It was possible that Atrina wouldn¡¯t fall into their trap, though. If she did, however, it would be really¡­ amusing. Even if she doesn''t, she¡¯ll surely be troubled mentally. At that point, Raven¡¯s goal would already be attained.

    Raven mused over her father¡¯s reaction. Was this why her father was impressed? Raven didn¡¯t think so. She hadn¡¯t done it intentionally. Wasn¡¯t it like a blind cat running into a dead mouse? There was no need to be impressed with luck.

    Then what had impressed him?

    Raven contemplated while her father patiently waited for her to think it through. After a while, she finally understood. If it was not for her mother, then it must be connected to someone else. Her intuition ruled out her brother¡ªanything she¡¯d done today was only the beginning of their rivalry. It was too soon to be impressed.

    That left Freya.

    So, Ashcal probably convinced Freya to apologise. It was easy for Raven to come to that conclusion by looking at things from her father¡¯s perspective.

    Her father could easily hear whatever happened at the banquet from just about anywhere. He must have noticed the commotion in the kids area.

    Then it was logical to think that he would have heard her conversation with Ashcal too. Raven could guess what went on in her father¡¯s mind while he heard their conversation. And he certainly wouldn¡¯t be impressed by the end of it.

    Especially since she had entrusted Ashcal with the most important and difficult step of her plan¨C convincing Freya to apologise to her officially. Her father hated Ashcal and didn¡¯t have any positive impression about him.

    Raven knew that Ashcal could convince Freya because she had seen him in action many times before. But her father hadn¡¯t. At that time, her plan probably looked like it was just wishful thinking of someone who underestimates others.

    Her father would only be impressed after Ashcal succeeded. After all, it would mean that Raven¡¯s plan was actually realistic and well thought out.

    So, I will soon have to deal with the Urnal family. After sorting her thoughts about her future plans, Raven turned towards her father, and said with a smile, ¡°Dad, I didn¡¯t expect you to pay attention to us.¡±

    ¡°Are you so happy that you started calling me dad?¡±

    Raven narrowed her eyes, ¡°Should I not?¡±

    He kept a hand on her head, decisively changed the subject, and said slowly, ¡°That boy is stupid, or maybe he is too young, he doesn¡¯t understand. The Urnals wouldn¡¯t let their heir roam freely if she were truly that naive. Freya is as cunning as she is lucky. Illegitimate children aren¡¯t merely bullied¡ªthey¡¯re eliminated if they¡¯re a threat. It was her cunning when she appeared as someone harmless so that they ignored her, but it was her luck that she had such a superpower.¡± He gave her a serious look, ¡°Raven, be careful of such people. You can easily beat her cunning. But luck?¡±

    Raven froze for a moment, processing his words. After all, wasn¡¯t her father right? Freya was part of the protagonist group, protagonists were both unlucky and incredibly fortunate. Raven wasn¡¯t clueless about the usual routine of protagonists after reading a few novels. Even though the protagonists were bound to suffer, weren¡¯t they always supposed to make it to the end and improve, no matter what?

    Her thoughts drifted to the recent turn of events. Just as she planned to make the Urnals formally apologize to her, her brother¡ªa fellow protagonist¡ªhad appeared, ready to undermine her power.

    Her brother¡¯s appearance meant that she¡¯ll have to be careful enough to not offend any prestigious family casually, or else they would simply support her brother. So, eventually, Raven will have to take a step back when dealing with the Urnals¨C so as to not offend them.

    If this wasn¡¯t luck, then what was?

    It was outrageous, but Raven wasn¡¯t worried too much about this. She believed in herself. Her eyes sharpened as she said, ¡°Dad, can something like luck matter in front of someone like me?¡±

    Rayan¡¯s eyes glinted with approval at her confident words. Anyone who thought he didn¡¯t know how to raise a child was a fool. His daughter was clearly growing up just fine.

    They reached the entrance of their house when Raven heard her father say, ¡°Happy birthday, Raven.¡±

    ¡°You too, Dad,¡± she replied lightly.

    ¡°I think I never gave you a proper gift,¡± he added, an unusual hint of thoughtfulness in his tone.

    Raven narrowed her eyes suspiciously. ¡°...What are you planning?¡±

    He flicked her forehead lightly, eliciting a small cry of protest. ¡°You¡¯re getting the chance to be an apprentice under the world¡¯s strongest wind elementalist. Do you know how many people would kill for that?¡±

    For a moment, Raven stood stunned. Then, snapping out of her daze, she quickly replied, ¡°Dad, I¡¯m grateful! Really, I am! Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t disappoint you!¡±

    Her father scoffed, amused. ¡°You¡¯d better not. Be in my study at 5 AM sharp tomorrow.¡±

    Raven nodded enthusiastically. ¡°Goodnight, Dad!¡±

    She was still reeling from the surprise as she hurried inside. This opportunity was priceless. Her father was such a busy man that he rarely even shared a meal with her, let alone devoted time to teaching. For him to personally train her was nothing short of a miracle.

    Raven had never been formally trained in her element, as it was common to encourage young spectres to discover their abilities independently at first. But now, having her father as her teacher was the best possible outcome.

    After a quick wash, she prepared for bed. While spectres required less sleep than ordinary people, her nanny was strict about ensuring Raven got at least six hours a night.

    ¡°Young Miss, did you enjoy the banquet today?¡± Margaret asked, helping her change out of her elaborate dress.

    ¡°Enjoy?¡± Raven tilted her head thoughtfully. ¡°Not really. But it was¡­ interesting.¡±

    Margaret¡¯s curiosity was piqued. ¡°Interesting? How so?¡±

    ¡°For the first time, I was the center of gossip at a banquet,¡± Raven admitted with a faint smile. ¡°It was¡­ a new learning experience.¡±

    Margaret hesitated before consoling her. ¡°Young Miss, you¡¯ll grow used to it. As a Serth, it¡¯s normal to be at the center of attention¡ªespecially at your own family¡¯s event.¡±

    Raven nodded and mused aloud, ¡°You don¡¯t mind it much while you¡¯re there. You might even enjoy it. But afterward¡­ you realize you don¡¯t want it to happen again anytime soon. Hosting a banquet is exhausting.¡±

    ***

    In a quiet town below Ether City, an inconspicuous, abandoned warehouse began showing subtle signs of activity. Then, as if a mirage, the disturbances vanished, leaving the area eerily silent.

    Inside, a sharp voice broke the stillness. ¡°You! Have you lost your mind?! How could you damage the charm?! Do you want to die?¡±

    The trembling subordinate stammered, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, A12! It won¡¯t happen again!¡±

    ¡°It better not,¡± the supervisor snapped. ¡°Do you know what will happen if anything goes wrong? None of us will keep our heads!¡±

    ¡°Yes, A12!¡±

    ¡°Then get back to work!¡± the supervisor barked, wiping sweat from his brow. The brief malfunction of the charm had terrified him. If the authorities discovered them, the organization would rescue its prized scientists first, leaving disposable bodyguards like him to face the consequences.

    Cursing his luck, the supervisor made his way into one of the underground labs.

    The lab reeked of antiseptic and despair. Glass chambers lined the walls, filled with restrained figures whose hollow eyes silently pleaded for mercy. The cold gleam of sharp instruments reflected the flickering fluorescent lights, and the low hum of machinery drowned out faint cries of agony. Bloodstains marred the sterile floors, and the air felt oppressive, saturated with suffering and cruelty.

    Unbothered by the grim scene, the supervisor approached a figure in a white coat. ¡°How¡¯s the progress?¡± he asked gruffly.

    Without turning, the scientist replied coldly, ¡°Final tests are underway. If all goes well, we¡¯ll be done in a few weeks.¡±

    The supervisor nodded and left, unwilling to disturb the scientist further fearing any delay.

    ***

    A strange, melodic sound pierced the stillness of the night. It was soft yet clear, a lilting tune carried by the wind, like a flute playing an otherworldly melody.

    Raven stirred in her sleep, the sound rousing her. Slowly, she opened her eyes and frowned. ¡°Again?¡± she murmured, sitting up. ¡°What is it?¡±

    For a year now, she had been hearing these strange melodies¡ªnear yet far, intangible yet hauntingly real. She had searched through countless texts but found no answers. The only certainty was that no one else seemed to hear them.

    Each melody was unique, and they came sporadically, just as she was beginning to forget the last. Though she had initially suspected something was wrong with her ears, her intuition told her otherwise. She¡¯d even stopped Margaret from calling a doctor.

    Sighing, Raven resolved to ask her father about it tomorrow. For now, she lay back down and drifted into a peaceful sleep.

    But Rayan Serth was far from at ease. Insomnia had once again driven him to his desk, where he worked under the soft glow of a lamp. The quiet of his bedroom, usually a sanctuary for concentration, felt oppressive tonight.

    The winds began to stir unexpectedly, faint at first, then growing insistent. This wasn¡¯t the usual breeze slipping through cracks¡ªit carried a peculiar energy, whispering melodies that seemed to shift the atmosphere itself.

    He froze mid-motion, his pen hovering over a sheet of paper. Instincts, honed by years of confronting calamities, roared to life. Slowly, he leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening as the winds swirled chaotically around him. Papers rustled and lifted as if trying to escape, and a chill seeped into the room, cutting through the warmth of the hearth.

    The haunting notes were familiar yet unsettling, brushing against his senses like a warning. Unlike the ethereal sounds Raven occasionally felt, these melodies carried weight¡ªa resonance that only someone of his mastery could discern.

    Rayan set his pen down, his sharp gaze narrowing as he let the sounds wash over him. The winds, though not wild, were restless, carrying a faint edge of urgency. What troubled him wasn¡¯t the sound itself but what it signified. Something was brewing¡ªnot a disaster, but a disruption significant enough to leave ripples.

    Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the sapphire wristwatch Raven had slyly slipped into his pocket earlier during the banquet as a birthday present. He thumbed the smooth surface of the watch, his mind turning over possibilities.

    As thoughts of Raven crossed his mind, a shadow of worry passed over him. ¡°Settle,¡± he murmured to the winds, exerting his will to calm them. The air grew still once more, but his unease did not fade. These warnings weren¡¯t about immediate chaos¡ªthey were glimpses of an approaching challenge.

    He clenched his fists, his knuckles pale against the dark wood of his desk. The timing couldn¡¯t be ignored. This stirring came just as his daughter was beginning to re-enter society¡ªa coincidence too precise to dismiss.

    The night grew deeper, and though the winds had stilled, Rayan¡¯s thoughts churned restlessly. He could only begin to prepare, despite being unsure of what awaited.

    Across the northern region, the winds carried faint whispers, too soft for most to hear. A few sensitive spectres stirred in response, unease rippling quietly through the air.

    That night, the whole north was subtly alerted, and forces quietly stood on standby.

    When the sound of the wind is heard, everyone must hold their breath and brace for what may come.

    ***