After Seraphina had finished her lessons, she noticed Regan's lingering unease and decided to ask her."What's bothering you child?"She looked up at her and said, "I'm very lost. There are so many things I don't know."Seraphina sighed in understanding, "Once you seek them, you'll find out.""It doesn't really works like that, Seraphina.""You didn't even ask Sirius about your past, did you?" the wise woman said, her voice with slight disappointment."You don't just expect me to go and ask that man for my past. It feels awkward.""I know, Regan. But you have to. It's true, there are so many things you don't know and believe me, you have to know. You should go and demand answers, show your persistence," Seraphina said, her voice filled with persuasion.It was becoming even harder for Regan. She didn't really know what answers she was looking for."Alright, I'll do it," she said, uncertainly.Seraphina gave her a reassuring smile and collected her spell books."Are you coming, or are you going to stay here?" she asked."No, I'll stay here for a while," Regan simply answered.Seraphina nodded and left. Meanwhile Regan, took a deep breath and looked at her surroundings. She saw the little creature from earlier, a half rabbit, half something else, and decided to take a further look at it.She approached the small animal and stretched her arms out. The animal had touched her ankle before, so she didn't think it was a big deal to pet it.The animal seemed to be friendly as it approached Regan as well. She took it in her hands and looked at the small, fluffy and cute creature that she couldn't describe."What are you?" she asked the creature, who only batted its cute green slit eyes.
As Regan petted the peculiar animal, she took a leisurely stroll around the garden The serenity of the place almost made her forget the daunting mysteries that surrounded her. However, as she wandered among the roses, a familiar chill ran down her spine, reminding her of the haunting dreams she had involving Sirius.
The images of those dreams flashed before her eyes, he trying to choke her, the eerie and mysterious aura and the cryptic messages that left her feeling both disturbed and intrigued. Shaking off the unsettling memories, she realized she hated that place and couldn't even breathe properly around it. She decided it was time to return inside the castle.As for the little animal, she let it on a bench and saw its eyes widening, as if it didn't want Regan to leave. But she couldn't just bring an animal with her. Was she even allowed to do that?She walked the way back she came. The grand doors opened themselves as she touched the doorknob. And then, something so sudden happened.A cascade of icy water poured down on her, leaving her shivering and startled. Laughter echoed through the hall, and when Regan looked up, there was Vesper, malicious satisfaction etched on her face, her striking blue hair pulled into a high sleeky ponytail.Regan clenched her fists, her hair dripping water and clothes clinging uncomfortably to her body. She glared at Vesper, who continued to revel in her own mischief."Hello, Reggie. Did you enjoy your little lesson time?" Vesper asked, her face taken the turn of a joker one."You fool! What do you want now? Leave me alone!" Regan shouted, feeling herself shivering from the cold chills, wrapping her hands on her upper arms."You really think you're going to live your best there? I've already vowed to make your life a living inferno," she said through her evil voice.Regan turned away to leave, knowing that arguing with Vesper was pointless, but Vesper wasn't done."Where do you think you're going? I'm not done with you yet!" Vesper sneered and with a flick of her wrist, she called a spell. In response, a nearby chair floated in air. Then, Vesper moved her hand forward, making the chair clash against the wall with a unnatural speed, nearly hitting Regan in process."What are you doing?!" Regan shouted wide eyed, when she saw the chair breaking after hitting the wall, "You're crazy, Vesper!"The witch didn't answer, instead she directed her telekinetic powers to a near bookshelf, making the books float in the air, and then slamming them against Regan's way.Regan was taken aback and barely dodged the books. Her blood boiled, her fists clenching tightly. She had forgotten the chills, now she was angry, but really angry."Enough! You wouldn't want me to hurt you!"Vesper chuckled darkly, "You hurting me? In your dreams, silly!""Well, well, well who do we have in view? A poor wretched being," a feminine voice echoed through the hall. It was the blondie, Allegra, stepping into the scene, along with Circe.Circe on the other hand, couldn't help but notice how they were crossing the line already even though Sirius had told Vesper that she could meet with Regan. She thought to tell them to keep it calm, but she knew they weren't going to listen.Vesper continued to taunt Regan with her telekinetic riddles and Allegra joined her too. Regan tried to dodge them, but she was growing very frustrated. She couldn't realize why they hated her that much, what had she even done to them."Know something, Regan. I would have already crushed you under my magic, if only it wasn't for Sirius. He wants to fight you himself, claiming his victory alone." Vesper said, her voice furious and irritated.Regan straightened her posture, ignoring the shiverings and vulnerabilities. A chilling smile found its way in her lips, "Is that all you can do, Vesper? Throwing books at me? I thought you were more than that."Vesper's expression darkened, "I just told you the exact reason that I'm not breaking you into pieces!"Regan walked closer, her expression fearless, "Really? That's what's holding you back? You're just afraid.""Afraid? From you? I can destroy you within a second and you wouldn't even realize," Vesper retorted, her eyes glimmering with malice."Do it then, Vesper. Fight me." Regan challenged, her anger taking over her, when she knew too well that it wasn't the right time to set challenges."You're challenging me? Back off! You have no idea who you're messing with!""Show your true powers then, only if you're not scared to fight," Regan persisted.Vesper glanced at her sisters, who were exchanging uncertain glances among themselves. She knew that it wasn't the right place and time to turn the hall into a battle field."Fine. Meet me in the garden, before sunset," she finally said, accepting the challenge. "You're going to lose, shamefully. You'll beg for mercy, you little fool," she sneered, her eyes burning with hatred and disdain."We'll see about that," Regan retorted, her voice a warning itself. She didn't want to look at them anymore and she rushed to get back to her room to change her clothes and dry her hair. She hoped to not catch a cold.She stepped in an unfamiliar hall and cursed under her breath for having to search her room again. To her luck, she spotted Althea going somewhere and shouted her name. She told her to get her back to her chamber and Althea reluctantly agreed, seeing Regan's vulnerable state.As soon as Regan entered her room, she rushed to change her wet and uncomfortable clothes. She chose to wear some flared pants, a red blouse and a vest. After she changed, she sat near the fireplace, drying her hair.Then, she thought about the stupid challenge she offered Vesper. She knew she didn't stand a chance, Vesper had electric powers and Regan had no idea how to fight. She hoped that she could summon flames, but she didn't know how to use it against Vesper or how to properly protect herself."I'm very stupid, I didn't have to do that." she muttered to herself. But then again, anger found its way on her veins and she couldn't help but want so hard to win the challenge.Meanwhile, Vesper and her sisters were surprised by the sudden happenings. They hadn't ever expected Regan to challenge them, particularly Vesper."I can't believe she wants to fight, she's really stupid," Allegra said."I'll make her realize that," Vesper retorted."You're both lucky that Sirius wasn't around. I don't think he's going to let you have the challenge. You'll look like you declined yourself, Vesper," Circe said, her voice dripping with a mixture of taunt and frustration."I don't give a damn about Sirius anymore. He wants or not, I'll have this damned fight," Vesper replied, glaring at her sister."Whatever," Circe shrugged as she entered her chamber."Are you going to tell Sirius about that?" Allegra asked."Right when he comes. He's going to find out anyway," she replied and Allegra nodded.Fueled by determination and a hint of desperation, Vesper decided to seek out Sirius and persuade him into her intentions. She approached a servant in the castle and inquired about Sirius's whereabouts. The servant informed her that Sirius was currently engaged in matters with his general.A displeased frown crept onto Vesper's face as she contemplated waiting for Sirius in his chamber. Impatience gnawed at her, but she knew that this was a conversation she needed to have.After what felt like an eternity, Sirius finally entered his chamber, followed by general Vlad.He frowned as he noticed Vesper, clearly not in the mood."Sirius we have to talk," Vesper began, waisting no time to wait for his converses with Vlad to end."What's the matter now? It's something about the redhead, isn't it?" he coldly asked as he gave Vlad some papers, who nodded in response."Speak of the devil! That fool set out a challenge, and I had to accept it.""Challenge?" he couldn't help but smirk, "With what did she challenge you?"Vesper sighed, her frustration rising as she recalled Regan's words."She wants to fight, she's stupid.""And you? What do you want?""I have no problem about that. She's weak after all. She has no idea what magic duels are," Vesper replied, her voice filled with confidence."Nice. Go, have that challenge," Sirius said coldly, although his voice held with an inner mockery."Don't worry. I won't claim your victory. I'll just knock her out," Vesper assured.He stayed silent for a while, but then spoke again, "There's a thin line between resilience and arrogance," he said, his expression unreadable.Vesper's brows furrowed for a second, trying to process what he meant. But she shrugged off. He had always been hard to decipher after all."Whatever, see you," Vesper said, leaving his chamber.