Golden sunlight streamed through the heavy floor-to-ceiling windows of the Duke of Lucas's study, casting rectangular patches of light onto the floor. Fine dust motes danced visibly in the air.
Bell Lucas stood before the oak desk, his back ramrod straight. At twenty-three, his frame had filled out, shedding the last of his childhood innocence as the sharp contours of a young man began to emerge.
This was a pivotal moment in his life.
“You have grown, Bell.” Duke Alisker’s voice was deep and commanding. He sat in his broad armchair, scrutinizing his eldest son. “According to family tradition, it is time to plan for your future.”
Bell’s heart began to race.
It was coming.
The opportunity he had awaited for twenty long years was finally here.
“The men of the House of Lucas cannot be flowers in a greenhouse,” Duke Alisker continued. “I have made arrangements for you. This autumn, you will enroll in the Royal Academy of Magic to systematically study knowledge and power. This is your responsibility, and your glory.”
The Royal Academy of Magic!
Bell could hardly suppress the upward curl of his lips.
It wasn't just some ordinary noble school; it was the top institution in the entire kingdom, where only the true elite could enter. More importantly, it was far from the ducal estate—thousands of miles away in the capital.
This meant… freedom.
It meant he could finally escape the shadow that had been suffocating him every single moment.
He could escape Cecilia.
“Yes, Father,” Bell replied respectfully, suppressing his internal ecstasy. “I will not fail your expectations.”
“Very well.” Duke Alisker nodded with satisfaction. “Go now. Share the news with your mother and sister.”
“Yes, sir.”
Bell turned and walked away. Each step was steady, but a massive wave of emotion was surging within him.
Freedom! He could almost breathe the liberated air of the capital already!
He hurried through the long corridors and practically jogged back to his room. The moment he closed the door, he couldn't help himself; he clenched his fist and gave a sharp pump in the air.
Fantastic!
Seven years. It had been seven whole years!
Since that day, Cecilia had never shown any signs of abnormality. She played the part of the perfect sister—innocent, adorable, and clinging to her brother.
But only Bell knew that it was all likely a facade.
The more perfect she became, the more terrified he felt. it was like the suffocating sensation of being slowly coiled by a giant python; you never knew which second it would suddenly tighten its grip.
Now, he could finally flee.
Just as Bell was immersed in the joy of his impending new life, there was a soft knock on the door.
“Brother?”
It was Cecilia.
Bell’s joy cooled by half instantly. He straightened his clothes and opened the door.
Standing at the threshold was a girl who looked as if she were carved from fine porcelain. At seven years old, Cecilia was taller than most children her age. Her honey-gold hair flowed smoothly over her shoulders, and her obsidian eyes were pure and innocent.
“Brother, did you just go to see Father?” she asked softly, tilting her small face upward.
“Mhm,” Bell grunted in response, stepping aside to let her in.
“What did Father say to you?” Cecilia entered the room and naturally sat on the edge of Bell’s bed, her skirt fluttering out around her.
Looking at her innocent and romantic appearance, Bell’s desire to escape grew even more urgent.
He decided to cut the knot quickly.
“Father has decided to send me to the Royal Academy of Magic in the capital this autumn.”
The smile on Cecilia’s face froze for a split second the moment she heard the words “the capital.”
It was a very brief moment.
So fast that if Bell hadn't been staring at her intently, he wouldn't have noticed it at all.
“To the capital?” she repeated, her tone dipping slightly at the end. “But… isn't that very far away?”
“Yes, very far,” Bell replied with a deliberately casual tone. “But don't worry. I’ll come back to see you during the holidays.”
He didn't even dare promise to write letters.
He just wanted a clean break.
“How long will you be gone?” Cecilia lowered her head, her small hands wringing the fabric of her skirt. Her voice sounded muffled and full of grievance.
“Probably… for several years.”
Years.
At that word, Cecilia’s body gave an almost imperceptible shudder.
A heavy, oppressive silence fell over the room.
Bell could feel it—that familiar, spine-chilling, viscous sensation in the air was beginning to seep out again in thin threads.
He didn't dare speak and could only stand there stiffly.
“Brother…”
After a long while, Cecilia spoke again. She lifted her head, her beautiful eyes now brimming with tears. They were misty and clouded, making her look incredibly pitiful.
“Is Brother… going to abandon Cecilia?”
Crystal tears rolled down her fair cheeks. One drop, then two, splashing onto the floor.
Bell’s heart gave a violent lurch.
It wasn't heartache.
It was terror.
“Of course not,” Bell said, his throat feeling dry as he forced a smile. “I’m just going to school. Only by learning proper skills can I better protect you, Cecilia.”
He didn't even believe his own excuse.
“No.”
Cecilia shook her head, her tears falling even harder.
“I don't want Brother’s protection.”
She stood up from the bed and walked toward Bell step by step. She reached out her small hand and gripped his sleeve tightly.
“I only want Brother.”
Her strength was shockingly immense; her fingertips nearly dug into the fabric.
“Cecilia, let go first. You’re hurting me…” Bell tried to pull away, only to find her hand was like an iron vice.
“I won't!” Cecilia tilted her head back stubbornly, her face smeared with tears. However, her gaze was no longer one of grievance; it was filled with a madness and obsession that chilled Bell to the bone. “Wherever Brother goes, I go!”
Bell’s heart sank completely.
She really was…
“Don't be ridiculous!” Bell barked, attempting to use his authority as an older brother to suppress her. “The Royal Academy of Magic isn't a place you can just go to whenever you want!”
“Why not?” Cecilia countered. Her tears had stopped at some point, leaving only a cold persistence on her face. “As long as I pass the entrance exam, I can go, right?”
“The entrance exam?” Bell almost laughed in frustration. “Do you even know what they test? High-tier magic! You haven't even started your basic magic initiation—”
His words cut off abruptly.
Because he saw Cecilia’s other hand—the one not gripping him—slowly rise.
A soft, white sphere of light emitting a holy aura appeared out of thin air in her small palm.
It was Healing Magic.
Furthermore, it was high-tier Healing Magic, something only a high priest could release instantly.
Bell’s brain buzzed, going completely blank.
This was impossible!
The House of Lucas had never taught her holy magic! How did she know this?!
However, that wasn't the end.
The white light dissipated, and a cluster of orange-red flames began to dance in her palm, sending a wave of scorching heat toward him.
It was a Fireball.
Immediately after, the flames vanished, and a wisp of wind coiled around her fingertips, turning into a miniature cyclone.
It was a Wind Blade.
Then, moisture seeped from the ground, condensing into a crystalline ice spike that hovered before her.
It was an Ice Spike.
Light, fire, wind, water…
In the span of a few dozen seconds, this girl had expressionlessly demonstrated high-tier magic of four different elements right in front of him.
She hadn't even chanted a single incantation.
Instant cast.
All-elemental.
A monster.
Bell felt cold all over. Looking at the girl who was emotionlessly performing miracles, he felt a chill rush from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head.
The years of self-delusion were shattered in this instant.
It wasn't his imagination.
She was exactly who he thought she was.
The demon who had followed him here from hell.
Cecilia dispersed the last bit of magical element in her hand. She looked up, her obsidian eyes watching him quietly.
There was no longer any feigned innocence or affection within them.
“Brother.”
“Now, I can go with you, right?”
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