I'll ponder how to break the seal later; for now, I'll focus on my newfound affinity with water. I concentrate, closing my eyes, trying to feel the magic, and within seconds, I sense something forming in my hand. When I open my eyes, a small orb of water hovers above my palm.
[New skill unlocked: Water Orb]
I hadn't expected to succeed so effortlessly, given that water and fire are complete opposites. I decide to test the power of the water orb—it's certainly less hazardous than a fireball.
I hurl the orb, and at that very moment, Irene steps out of the house and is struck full force by the water orb. She didn't have time to dodge; it hits her square in the face, which immediately sends me into a panic—she looks furious.
"JADE!" she yells, anger evident in her voice as she rushes toward me.
I start to run, trying to escape, but with my short legs, I don't get far before she catches up within seconds and grabs me.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to!" I say, trying to sound adorable, but I can't help but giggle at the sight of her drenched face.
"You think this is funny?" she says, even more enraged.
Before I can react, I feel her hand on my head, and it's painful—a bump forms instantly. At that moment, I vow never to practice magic in front of the house again.
[Pain Resistance increased by one level.]
Great, just what I needed. Irene releases me, and then her face begins to glow, and all the water in her hair and on her face vanishes, which I find rather cool.
"Mom, can you teach me to do that too?" I ask, excited.
"No, it's already night. Let's go inside; your mother is waiting for us to have dinner," she says, pointing to the sky where the sun is setting.
I'm disappointed but say nothing more as we both head back into the house. The aroma of dinner fills the room, making my mouth water and my stomach growl. Lily emerges from the kitchen as we arrive, and when she sees me, she laughs—probably at the sight of the large bump on my head—then approaches me.
"Jade, tell me where you got that amulet," Lily asked, her curiosity piqued by the new piece of jewelry adorning my neck.
At that moment, panic fluttered in my chest, unsure of how to respond. Telling her it was a reward from the system wasn't an option, so I quickly crafted a plausible story.
"I found it outside during my physical training," I said, offering her a reassuring smile.
She seemed to find my answer a bit odd but nodded her head, accepting my explanation for now.
"Go take a shower; dinner is almost ready," Lily says, patting my head, which causes me a twinge of pain from the bump.
I gently remove her hand from my head and rush to my room for a shower. In 15 minutes, I'm done and dressed, then I head down to the living room, where I see both my mothers have finished setting the dishes on the table.
We all sat down together, and dinner commenced smoothly. Initially, everything was going well, but after a few minutes, my mothers began to show each other affection.
"My love, try this, it's delicious," Irene said, spoon-feeding Lily with an affectionate smile.
I thought it would end there, but no, they started whispering sweet nothings and giggling amongst themselves, which immediately quelled my appetite.
"I'm full, I'm going to bed," I said, rising from the table, but Lily's voice halted me.
"Jade, you've barely eaten. What's wrong, are you feeling ill?" she asked, concern lacing her words.
"Oh, no, it's just that I'm not very hungry today," I replied, scratching my head awkwardly.
"Jade, stop worrying your mother and at least finish your plate," Irene said with a stern look that brooked no argument.
I reluctantly sat back down and forced myself to finish my meal while my mothers continued their display of affection. They could be more considerate; I felt like a third wheel.
After what felt like an eternity, I finally finished my plate, left the table feeling liberated, and went up to my room. I flopped onto my bed, exhausted by the day's events, closed my eyes, and fell asleep.
Morning arrived in the blink of an eye, the sun rising and streaming through the window, waking me. Oddly, I didn't hear my mother's voice telling me to get ready. I got up, showered, dressed, and left my room to find the living room and kitchen empty.
"Where could they be? It's almost time for me to go to school," I said, surprised.
I decided to go upstairs to my mothers' bedroom. I reached the door and knocked before speaking.
"Moms, are you awake?" I called through the door.
There were sounds of movement from inside, and the noise of someone stumbling. A few seconds later, the door cracked open, and Irene emerged, clad only in a simple shirt. What caught my eye the most were the love bites on her neck, but I dared not comment on them.
Irene's gaze lingered in a distant haze, her eyes reflecting a world not quite left behind in sleep. With a start, she seemed to snap back to the present, her hands moving to tame unruly locks and adjust the disheveled shirt. The marks on her neck, a vivid testament to the night's escapades, stood out against her fair skin, prompting a fleeting look of self-awareness before she shifted into a more motherly role.
"Jade, you're quite the early bird today," she remarked, her voice carrying a note of surprise as she attempted to present a semblance of normalcy.
"I am, but where's Mom? I need to get ready for school," I responded, my gaze deliberately shifting away from the telltale signs on her neck.
"Your mother isn't feeling well this morning, so I'll be the one taking you to school. Give me a moment, and I'll whip up some breakfast for us," she replied, her tone softening.
A palpable tension hung in the air as I nodded and made my way downstairs, the sounds of hasty preparations and muted conversations trailing behind me from the bedroom.
The house was enveloped in a serene quietude, broken only by the gentle ticking of the clock and the distant serenade of birds. Seated at the kitchen table, I waited, and after a short while, Irene emerged, her hair still damp from the shower, wearing a high-collared shirt and simple trousers. The sight of the turtleneck, a clear attempt to conceal the marks, drew an involuntary chuckle from me.
" Jade. Are you ready for breakfast?" she inquired, her voice a blend of warmth and slight embarrassment.
A smile found its way to my lips, erasing the frustrations of the previous evening. "Absolutely, I'm famished," I declared, my hunger making itself known.
In mere minutes, Irene prepared a modest breakfast, setting it on the table where we ate swiftly. Midway through, a glance at the clock on the living room wall revealed our tardiness.
"Mom, we're running late," I pointed out, concern edging my voice.
"Oh, yes, you're right. Don't worry, we'll make it on time," she assured me.
I quickly grabbed my bag and slipped on my shoes, and we hurried out of the house. To my surprise, Irene scooped me up, and wings unfurled from her back.
No, it couldn't be—but it was too late. We soared into the air, hurtling towards the school at a breathtaking speed. In a mere five minutes, we arrived at the school grounds, landing with such force that when she released me, I tumbled to the ground. The flight had been rough, leaving me feeling queasy and disoriented.
"You see, Jade, we're not late," Irene said with a smile, her wings vanishing into her back as if they were never there. In my head, I thought that this isn't exactly a typical way to bring a five-year-old to school. I picked myself up, dusting off my clothes, and despite the unconventional arrival, I was relieved we were early, not late.
Our brief exchange was interrupted by the arrival of Raven, and today, she wasn't alone. Beside her was a boy who bore a striking resemblance to her—I assumed he must be her twin brother, Albert.