Aveline took a deep breath, quieting her laughter. Thorin spoke quietly to her, his voice somewhat urgent.
"L-little one, please. He is the chosen Hero, he is your-"
"I know, I know. Hold on."
Aveline slipped from her father's shoulder, landing gracefully in front of him. Her dress swayed with each step as she walked closer to the Hero. His dark eyes blazing more with each step. She lifted her dress on both sides, bowing slightly. Her curtsey showed her well developed manners off, though her laughter was the very opposite.
"Forgive me, young Hero Orion Ripple. I could not stop myself from bursting into laughter, though I regret my inability to control myself. I apologize."
Orion sneered, then spit towards Aveline's feet. She could only sigh under her breath, knowing how strong of a person he was considered.
"At least you know your place, wench. Those of your pedigree are worth nothing more than the ground at my feet."
Aveline smiled as she responded.
"The price of land is quite high in this region. I thank you for finding me so valuable."
She giggled softly, the sound causing Orion to blush with frustration. His teeth were grinding together as Aveline lifted her head. She felt her magic flowing, forcing the wind to carry her voice as she spoke.
"You were never fit to be a Hero. Just look at you, angry over something a little girl said? Laughable. Pathetic."
Aveline winked as she stood tall, her proud smile causing the crowd to adore her. Orion seemed stunned, but a small tremor under her foot allowed Aveline to catch on.
"Stupid bitch! Fall into despair! Earth Fissure!"
Aveline simply lifted her feet off the ground, a small updraft holding her afloat. Her eyes were locked on the ground in mock horror, a gaping chasm beneath her.
"You dare... I will kill you here!"
Flames, bright and golden appeared on his hands. Aveline pretended to be scared once more, though her pho-fear was quelled in an instant as a spear dug deep into the ground. The ground rumbled heavily, knocking many party goers over. Some mumbled under their breath or began to glow different colors to stop themselves. Orion was on his back, struggling to stand. The tremor centered on him, shaking him to his core.
"Y-you dare? The church will-"
"Silence."
The strength behind Thorin's voice muted all in attendance. He stood in front of Aveline, his back to her.
"Boy, you may believe yourself immortal. You may believe yourself without consequence due to the church's influence. One more time. If you attempt to strike my dearest, my only daughter, I will no longer care what your damnable church thinks of my family."
A golden energy seemed to radiate from Thorin. This was his aura, blessed with immense talent in earth. His eyes were filled with the rage his voice hid, leaving Orion stuck to the ground, even with no tremors.
"Sweetie, come over here. Come to Mama."
Aveline looked back, her eyes on her mother's open hands. Her nails had left gouges deep in her hands, causing Aveline to feel sick.
'I... I forgot about how my family would react. How they would feel if Orion actually attacked me.'
She could feel a tear slide down her cheek. Turning back to her father, Aveline used a small burst of air to move closer to him before grabbing the back of his clothing. She let her feet hit the ground, then tugged on him.
"Papa, Mama's hands. She needs them cleaned."
Thorin looked back, his eyes softening as he looked down at Aveline. His hand was placed on her hair before he finally began to walk towards Nilly. Aveline turned back to Orion, her face growing cold.
"Leave. Forget our betrothal. You don't deserve any form of happiness unless you can change that conceited attitude. Just grow up."
As Aveline began to walk towards her parents, she could see Kyra with a shocked expression on her face. She was reaching for Aveline, but it was too late. Her vision had already begun to darken, her body growing weaker.
"Th-Thorin!"
He spun on his heel, dashing towards Aveline before she could fall. He looked towards Nilly.
"Mana Burn."
Aveline's eyes fluttered open, the room around her dark.
"Ah. So you did come here after you passed out."
Hearing Niall's voice, Aveline looked down to confirm. She had her adult body, giving herself a quick check, she smirked with triumph.
"A-Aveline, can you not have such indecent thoughts when we are in here together? If your future bust excites you that much, please try to tone it down."
Aveline looked towards Niall, his computer gone. He now stood, his dark hair over his eyes.
"You should really hold back on the magic fir a bit. Mana Burn three times at the age of eight? That wasn't what happened originally... at least to my knowledge. You also weren't proficient in every element, let alone chant less casting, nor aura. I guess my presence will keep making you stronger, such as this."
With a flick of his wrist, Niall made a screen appear before Aveline.
"With this, we can talk even in the real world. Sure you can come in here to train, but this will help when you need specific memories or info. I can search faster while you're busy. This system also has a few other functions, but you'll see them when you're ready."
Aveline climbed to her feet, her forehead barely reaching Niall's chin.
"So you can see everything, right? That I do?"
Niall shook his head, then blushed slightly before shaking his head even more.
"No, no. I can't see anything you deem private. Bathing, relieving and anything else of those sorts I will never see. Even when you choose to 'grow' I won't see anything."
Aveline rolled her eyes and let out a sigh of relief.
"Good. Knowing you can see everything I do was kinda weird. But chantless? Is it that unheard of?"
Niall shook his head again, stopping himself as he felt a little dizzy.
"It's only rare, especially for someone your age. While many are worried about you using magic, getting Mana Burn, and so on... this includes me, your world doesn't seem to understand the benefit behind teaching images early. Magic is not heavily researched here, just used. You have something similar to a Mage's Tower, but they only teach basic magic. They don't research it, stagnating growth."
Aveline nodded.
"So chantless casting could be more mainstream if mages would research how to do it?"
"Yea. Though the element proficiency and aura use can't be taught. It is only inherently learned. You, Aveline Synclair, are one of a kind in more than one way."
Aveline beamed a little, her smile causing Niall to grin like an excited schoolboy.
"Now agewise, you're also pretty special. Learning early will develop your Magic Core. It's similar to a muscle deep within your soul, honestly it is a weird concept even to me. You can feel it when it condenses more, but flexing it early is a great boon. So don't hold back, but keep within reason. Mana Burn can be dangerous when in a serious situation."
Aveline nodded once more, feeling the familiar pull back to reality. It felt as if she were waking, although slowly.
"Be careful Aveline, and don't be afraid of the system. It is a part of us both."