POV Nielphie
Today was my big day, with the presentation ceremony I will show my talent in front of everyone and get the freedom from this hateful prison, although I know that it is a long-standing obligatory tradition that the heiress lives in the sacred temple until she is 6 years old and go through the presentation ceremony.
I couldn't help jealous thoughts about being able to go out and learn beyond the walls of this mansion, even though they gave me everything I wanted and treated me with care all the time I always wanted a little more...
Mother always told stories about adventures and creatures that existed beyond the forest, about magical legends and uncharted places, or tales of knights rescuing princesses or powerful magicians conquering dungeons and becoming famous overnight, so my dream was always become a powerful mage and travel the continent in search of adventure.
But on the good side, I was always accompanied by my mother who guided me at all times and taught me many things about magic, although she was always strict when we practiced or taught me history and manners, she had never failed me once... well just once And because of that guy.
Although I never left the mansion, I knew many things about our territory from what my mother and the other teachers told me, I have 3 older brothers, two of whom are half brothers and the oldest is my brother from both mother and father, he is also my blood father and mother's third husband who would be something like my stepfather.
I was very interested in my family and asked a lot about them, Wilhelm the eldest and my pure brother is a very talented knight, from an early age he has shown his talent and gained relatively great fame in the kingdom, my second brother Thyred is also talented as Gentleman, but compared to Wilhelm he lagged behind a bit, and that's why he hasn't stood out much in this generation.
As for my third brother Beori, he is the most special among my three brothers, he is not particularly talented in magic even though his father, my mother's third husband, is a powerful magician and has quite a weak physique for a wizard. gentleman, in addition to the fact that before he was born he was a historical exception in the noble house, and for three years he lived in the sacred temple, so after my birth he was always a sensitive issue in the mansion, and he was quite spoiled.
Everything pointed to the fact that I would be a troublemaker for the mansion and when I took over it I would have to take care of its disasters, but there was no other way since it is my family and it would only be one more test to show myself as a worthy successor.
But two years ago he ended up getting into big trouble in the middle of his antics, leaving him severely injured and unconscious for several days, worst of all he couldn't have picked any other time than just the day before my birthday.
Mother worried about his veiled state with him for almost the entire time he was unconscious and for that reason, I end up missing my birthday, for the first time I felt locked up in this mansion-like prison as I spent my birthday all alone with the maids indifferent to everything, and I began to feel a strong distaste for this troublemaker brother.
And today being the most important day for me, that troublemaker broke all the rules and traditions and came to meet my mother inside the holy temple before my introduction ceremony, she was so angry that she wanted to stick her head in a bucket and throw it down the drain. a lake.
But unexpectedly mother agreed to meet him and she didn't seem very angry about his disrespect, seeing as how she was planning to leave the room to meet him I felt angry once again, again that troublemaker was planning to steal mother's attention in one of them. my important moments
- Wait, mother! – I shouted on impulse at the moment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sylke paused for a moment and turned to look at her with a bit of doubt on her face, waiting to know the reason why her beloved daughter screamed so suddenly, while Nielphie panicked a bit thinking about what to say before continuing.
- Ehh, I just thought that since my brother is visiting and my presentation ceremony will also soon be, I might as well meet him a little earlier, honestly, I was always curious about him… – Nielphie commented in a low and indecisive tone.
Sylke was lost in thought for a moment before giving a slight nod.
- Well, since he is technically part of the sacred temple and no rule prohibits him from knowing you since he is here you can come - Sylke answered.
At this point, it doesn't make any difference whether they meet before or after the ceremony, and technically it wouldn't break any rules since he was once the "protected" of the temple, plus there was no rule forbidding the "protected" from knowing each other. before the ceremony.
Then they both went to the visiting room to meet Beori, when they arrived at the room Nielphie was able to see her troublesome third brother for the first time, despite being three years older than her, he did not appear to be very different from her age, He had black hair because of his father Elwen, unlike me or my brothers who were born with hair colors similar to their mother's.
He was reading a book even before we arrived while he kept an unpleasant and monotonous expression on his face with a small smile pasted on his lips, in addition to his light green eyes like mother's, but strangely dilated at all times, he kept his eyelids open to the maximum at all times as if he were looking for something or was constantly aware of something.
In a nutshell, he was an irritating boy at first glance, with his hair pulled back in a short ponytail behind his head he had quite a few characteristics of "feminine beauty", from the first impression I felt that I definitely couldn't get along with him, more so when I noticed his expression a little surprised to see me arrive with mother and then he clicked his tongue loud enough for me to notice, without a doubt the worst kind of brother.
Mother must have noticed it too, but she brushed it off as she took a seat on the piece of furniture across from him.
- Tell me Beori, what brings you here when you should be attending to the guests in the event room? - I ask with a clear tone of threat in his voice.
Beori swallowed very loudly at their mother's threat and spoke in a disingenuous tone like that of a swindler.
- This is because I had something very important to talk about with mother, besides the first brother and Aman are doing a great job receiving the guests, without a doubt they are hardworking enough to praise them - I answer trying to divert the subject of the scolding.
Mother knew what he was trying to do, but let it slide before continuing.
- Well before you tell me what you wanted to tell me let me introduce you, this is your younger sister and the heiress Nielphie, and Nielphie this is your third older Beori brother - Sylke continued while introducing them - I hope you can give each other due respect.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POV: Nielphie
When mother introduced us I gave a small bow to greet him properly, but suddenly I felt a hand resting heavily on my head and ruffling my carefully combed hair.
- So you're little Nielphie, it's the first time we've seen each other in 6 years, without a doubt you've grown a lot... - He spoke to me with a condescending tone like that of an adult congratulating a child.
I was so angry that I wanted to slap him and throw a water bullet in his face, but I had to restrain myself to keep my composure, mother didn't say anything or intervene in our greeting as if she was testing how much patience I had.
Shortly after, he took his hand off my head and completely ignored me before continuing to talk to my mother.
- Mother, as I said before... I have finally decided what to dedicate myself to, after thinking about it a lot and deliberating deeply (I'm sure while I was sleeping) every night during these 2 years I decided that the path I must follow is... that of a paladin - Beori said in a seemingly honest tone that couldn't have been more irritating to my ears.
But I was also surprised by what he said, what he had heard from his mother, in the last two years Beori, as well as Thyred, had been training a lot, but Beori unlike Thyred had not decided what to dedicate himself to training, although he had a Very average talent in both, the most reasonable thing would be for him to dedicate himself to magic due to his slender and weak physique, but since they always spoiled him, they gave him the freedom to decide what to choose.
But the one thing you wouldn't expect him to choose would be training as a paladin, paladins are a powerful but difficult profession that mixes the perks of being a knight and being a wizard, they're good at both close combat and close combat. distance, though no better than wizards and knights in their respective specializations.
But it is still the most flexible and practical of jobs, as well as the most respected, but at the same time the most difficult to train, to be a paladin you have to train equally as both a knight and an extremely difficult mage, it would take a lot of time and dedication to bring the training of both together, but above all a lot of talent, which Beori lacked.
Even Sylke was visibly confused hearing Beori's decision as she asked.
- Are you sure that's what you want to do? – I ask very seriously trying to overwhelm Beori to speak honestly.
- Yes, mother, although it is a difficult and impossible road, I do not plan to give up on this - answered Beori with resolution.
Sylke only thought for a moment before sighing with resignation without objecting, seeing that Beori was so determined and that it is not that he had a very promising future in any other profession, he decided to let him do what he wanted when he proves the difficulty and defeat later no it would be too late to change his mind since paladin trains both magic and aura.
I was really happy with his choice, with the foolish choice he made sooner or later he would regret it and crawl back to train in another profession, most likely as a magician so that I, as a future heiress and a prodigy magician could take him under the tutelage and show him how hard the world of magic is.
- As for the other thing, I would like my mother to give me her permission to move to the small cabin to the west of the mansion, I want to dedicate myself entirely to training and research before entering the Ta'miel academy, and I believe that living in a quiet and section would be perfect for me - I continue speaking Beori.
Mother after having agreed to let him train as a paladin did not seem to be very surprised by the whims of her son so I agree to let him move, in the same way, it is very likely that he will not adapt to life away from the luxuries of the mansion and will return to it in just a few days.
After talking some more with his mother Beori was about to leave when she suddenly got up from her seat first.
- Well forget that I have something urgent to do, it won't be long, so why don't you keep Nielphie company until Beori returns? – He said before leaving the room without waiting for an answer with confirmation from his son.
Both Beori and Nielphie were surprised at the sudden change, not having time to react until Sylke was already through the door, leaving Beori and Nielphie alone with the expressionless maid standing next to Beori.
The first to react was Nielphie taking it as an opportunity to say a few of her thoughts to her obnoxious third brother.
- You are someone cheeky to enter the sacred temple of the family without an invitation, in addition to doing it when you are supposed to be attending to the guests of the ceremony… - Nielphie said with a clear childish tone of sarcasm.
Nielphie had a provocative smile on her face as she waited to see Beori's reaction, but in the meantime... he had taken out the book titled "Rune Language" again and continued reading without paying the slightest attention to it. Angered by this, Nielphie puffs out her cheeks and was about to throw a furious tantrum in the room, when Beori suddenly looks up from the book and onto Nielphie as he asks her with a very fake puzzled expression.
- Excuse me, but who did you say you were?
His expression could not be more false but the seriousness with which he did it only caused more bubbling anger at his act.
- Are you going to play ignorant?! But I guess that's to be expected from a silly troublemaker who only knows how to ruin other people's spirits.
Nielphie was about to throw a tantrum again due to her anger, but seeing an opportunity she was able to properly strike back at Beori, while he finally closes the book and sighs exaggeratedly before speaking.
- *sigh* that's true... it's so terrible to be so FREE and problematic, accusing problems EVERYWHERE OUTSIDE HERE, how bad it feels not to be LOCKED UP HERE ALL DAY so as not to be able to cause problems...
She responded with a very false tone of regret as she gazed out the window at the forest outside, conveniently intoning the right parts to make Nielphie as angry as possible. As she blushed to her ears from anger unable to take it anymore.
- But how daring you are to speak with that tone to the future heiress of the family! Aren't you afraid that I will teach you a lesson? Besides, from today I will be free from this place and be able to go WHERE I WANT, at that moment I want to see if you dare say that to me again.
She answered annoyed, while Beori puts on a completely fake shock face again before putting on an equally terrified face before answering her with a coincidentally fake fear tone.
- Oh but what did I say?!, I beg your pardon miss successor, but I must have been out of my mind before, I forgot that today was the big day of your ceremony and you would have the BIG ritual of presentation, without It will be your big day unless… for some reason you get nervous and FAIL to cast the most IMPORTANT spell…
Ruthlessly and mercilessly Beori continued to have fun bothering her little sister and looking for the most effective way to make her angry, but contrary to her expectations this time Nielphie did not explode but remained completely silent somewhat lost in her thoughts as if she was worried about something, noticing this, Beori was also silent for a moment while he thought.
- Well since my heiress's younger sister is so impressive, how about we have a little friendly competition? – Beori said out of nowhere again, they sound a bit mocking, but not false or trying to annoy her this time.
- Hemp, why would I be afraid of a competition with a complete failure of a noble like you? Go ahead, tell me what you want to compete in, magical marksmanship or a modern magical lore test?
The originally silent and lost in thought Nielphie couldn't stand Beori's provocation by challenging her so she answered reflexively, snapping out of her previous worries for a moment. While Beori, seeing that she accepted, burst into an evil smile as he rolled up the sleeve on his right arm and showed off his slender, but well-formed muscle.
- How about an arm-wrestling match? - Beori said with a provocative smile.
- Are you stupid?! How can you challenge your sister 3 years younger to an arm-wrestling contest when you are a man? are you not ashamed? – shouted hysterically and angry Nielphie.
- Well, since you don't want us to do something that we are more or less even... how about a magical concentration contest, we will both cast the same spell and whoever casts the most powerful spell wins, regarding which spell to cast... - he said pausing for a moment Beori, before putting on his mischievous smile again.
- I heard that the main spell in the presentation ceremony will be "Flare" a high-ranking beginner level spell... how about we go with that for this contest... - Beori finished with a mischievous and provocative smile.
Hearing that the competition would be concentration magic, Nielphie got excited internally because she thought that victory would be in her pocket, she felt very proud and confident with her talent in magic and that she would beat this clumsy older brother. But hearing that they would be competing by throwing 'flare', her face turned a little pale right away and she seemed to hesitate.
Lately, she felt insecure with this spell due to the nerves of today's ceremony even though she had managed to cast it before, but seeing Beori's provocative and hateful smile she couldn't help but agree to compete if she couldn't even put her brother in his place. stupid brother, today's ceremony would be a complete failure, so I end up nodding slightly in response.
- Well since you accepted and I proposed the competition, it would be fair if I start.
Beori said as he walked to the more open area of the room and raised both hands forward, before starting to squat down as if doing squats and then starting to do strange warm-up exercises, while breathing deeply and noisily.
- What the hell are you doing silly, that's pathetic - Nielphie said a little disgusted.
- Obviously, I'm warming up and preparing myself mentally, for a spell as difficult and high level as this you have to be well prepared and focused, or you will almost certainly fail, so shut up and let me concentrate - Beori snapped, before moving more strongly and breathe more dramatically as if acting.
Nielphie wanted to keep teasing him about how pathetic he looked, but for some reason, she couldn't, and just stared at him while he acted like a clown in front of her.
When Beori thought that was enough he stood up firmly, then took a deep breath before letting his elegantly arranged hair loose behind his head and spreading it out for a melodramatic effect, he didn't have very long hair like a woman's, but it was relatively long for him. a man almost up to his shoulder.
He also messed up his tie a bit, and even did a bit of gargling and mouth exercises, almost exhausting Nielphie's patience, and when she was about to snap again, Beori finally raised his arms horizontally in front of him and put on a serious look...
Out of nowhere, the air seemed to tremble as a relatively large amount of Mana began to converge in front of his arms like a tide, being a higher class spell than "torch" obviously needed more mana and concentration.
But the Mana that gathered in her arms was not normal as it was shaking a little violently like air in a hurricane, noticing this Nielphie frowned a little, but she didn't say anything so as not to interrupt her brother, who also seemed like a slightly pressured by the spell closing his eyes tightly.
" ᚨᛗᚨᚱᚨᛞᚨ-"
Finally, Beori uttered the runic words of the spell completing the entire process to activate it, but something seemed to have gone wrong in the process as the Mana gathered and was about to metamorphose into the spell shattered and turned into a blue cloud that shot out of his hands. hands like flatulence, making an equal sound and everything.
*(insert flatulence sound) *
Nielphie couldn't take it when she burst out laughing her eyes out at her brother's colossal failure, disregarding her feelings at all, while Beori exaggeratedly yelled at his failure where he stood.
- Hahahaha, you looked for your failure yourself, you got too nervous gathering the Mana and mispronounced the spell at the end, let me show you how it's done – Nielphie finally stepped forward to cast the spell.
Beori stepped back without saying anything as he looked at her again with his usual poker face and the incomprehensible little smile at the corner of his lips. Nielphie had confidently arrived at the place and raised one of her hands horizontally to her while she concentrated, the truth was that she was quite nervous about this competition, it would not be a lie to say that it would directly affect her ceremony later.
But he couldn't back down at this point, much less run away from his nervousness, he also wanted to have a resounding victory over his hateful brother, thinking at this point he couldn't help but remember his brother's foolish actions earlier, despite how pathetic and embarrassing they were. Son couldn't help but respect him a bit for not hesitating to put his pride aside to give it his all in the competition.
Noticing that Nielphie seemed to realize something as she lowered her outstretched hand again, then slightly and silently flexed her knees, slowly and surreptitiously shook and moved her right wrist, and silently and surreptitiously gargled her mouth.
- huh? What is this, is my little sister THE HEIR is warming up for the spell just like this clumsy older brother? – Beori said aside without caring to interrupt his concentration.
- Of course not, idiot, I'm just thinking about the best way to crush you in this competition without making you cry... - Nielphie replied in a voice two tones lower than usual before starting up again.
She felt much more relaxed and confident after doing those mini warm-ups, increasing her confidence in the spell another 30%, so as she got into position to prepare to cast the spell, she was relatively calm and confident now, much more confident in launch it successfully than before, after all, he had to do it now because it would directly affect his confidence during the ceremony, but more importantly… he had to do it to beat Beori to wipe that annoying smile off his face.
With that determination in her eyes, Nielphie began to gather Mana in her right hand smoothly and consistently, and when she gathered enough Mana for the spell…
" ᛃᚨᛗᚨᚱᚨᛞᚨ"
She calmly and fluently recited the spell, managing to recite it perfectly, the next instant the mana cluster in her right hand burst forward in a furious crimson flame hitting the wall she was aiming at, but a light blue glow came out of the wall that protected her. completely from the attack, surely an important family site like the holy temple would have its own means of protection.
Having pulled it off as perfectly as ever Nielphie jumped up and cheered happily as she rubbed it in Beori's face, who had an apparently depressed expression on his face, but hidden beneath it was a small smile of happiness more honest than ever...