Chapter 12 – "A Dazzling Encounter"
Within the grand halls of Veilforge Academy, where ancient tapestries whispered of forgotten times, an old man stood before a group of young students, his presence commanding, his gaze wise. He began his lesson, his voice rich with the weight of history.
"Listen closely, children," he intoned, drawing in his audience with a gaze that seemed to look beyond them, into an era long past. "Many millions of years ago, this capital was not merely a place of learning and commerce. No, it was chosen by thirteen primordial spirits—beings of unfathomable wisdom and power—as a sanctuary, a pillar to uphold the world's balance. Here, they left behind something precious and perilous—a legacy. A trial that only the worthy might dare to claim, yet even they may fail."
He paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in, and noted the awe in Mira Windwhisper's gaze. The young girl, with her dark hair and thoughtful eyes, looked captivated by the tale.
"But the legacy," he continued, lowering his voice, "is no simple inheritance. It is alive, adapting to the very strengths of those who attempt it. Many of the thirteen families—the bloodlines of those ancient spirits themselves—have faced it over the ages, and still, not one has ever claimed it fully. They say the spirits fashioned it so, that its challenge would endure forever."
A beautiful girl raised her hand, curiosity bright in her eyes. "Elder, if no one has succeeded in all these years… why do they keep trying?"
The elder looked directly at Mira, his expression unreadable, shadowed by secrets he would not share. "Ah, Mira Windwhisper," he chuckled softly, with a hint of both respect and caution. "Your family is strong, its heritage honored. Yet, the truth is, even I, an old scholar of Veilforge, do not understand all there is to this legacy. Its secrets… they are meant to be unfathomable. Many challenges are faced now merely for training purposes. But if you wish to challenge it, you can register your name so that if you die, it won't be the academy's responsibility."
Mira frowned, her mind swirling with unanswered questions, but the elder simply raised his hand, signaling that the lesson was over. "That's enough for today. You are dismissed."
As Mira left, her fingers drifted to the pendant around her neck, feeling the faint warmth pulsing from within. A soft, wise voice echoed in her mind—a voice that was both nurturing and fierce, like a mother's embrace entwined with a warrior's resolve.
"Mira," the ancient soul whispered, its voice layered with untold centuries, "don't trouble yourself over the old man's words. He speaks of what he knows, but there are truths far beyond even his reach. Long before his time, when this city was a battlefield and I wielded my sword in a war forgotten by most, this legacy already existed—a mystery then, as it remains today."
Mira felt a chill at the words, a thrill and reassurance wrapped into one. She smiled, glancing toward the marketplace ahead. "Alright then, sword god sister, you don't need to worry. I just need to find someone to serve, the one that I want to forever. Hehe, I need to think about it next time," she murmured with renewed resolve, "time to pick up my new sword."
As she left Veilforge Academy behind, the buzz of a growing crowd drew her attention. Curious, she quickened her pace, wondering if one of the thirteen families had just arrived through the rare teleportation magic reserved only for them.
When she arrived, all she could see was a beautiful woman with white hair and blue eyes, along with a girl in a maid outfit carrying a little girl in her arms. At that moment, Mira dropped her wooden sword, her eyes sparkling like a child who had fallen in love for the first time. Although the two girls were mature and beautiful, her attention was on the white-haired child sleeping peacefully in the maid's arms. Everyone around was amazed by the adorable creature, wanting to hold her hand due to her preciousness. Mira, dazed, murmured to herself.
"I… I've seen the person I want to serve," she said, staring at the beautiful child who was sleeping in the maid's arms.
The necklace around her neck exclaimed, "That's one of the descendants of the thirteen families! Their ancestor, the primordial spirit, is known as Frostara—the spirit of ice and winter, who governs frost and preservation." The ancient soul's tone was filled with astonishment, her voice tinged with disbelief as she noted their striking beauty and the shared features of blue eyes and white hair that marked their lineage.
"Hm, I don't care if she is a descendant of the thirteen families or not. I won't change my decision. In my name as a successor of the sword god, I will serve this precious child forever," she said in an obsessive tone.
When the ancient necklace heard this, it wanted to shake its head but, lacking a physical form, could only sigh at the stubbornness of its successor.
On the other side, Valeria had been waiting excitedly because she had heard from her attendant that her younger sister, Eira, whom she had never seen before, was coming. She had waited there for hours, eager to meet this mysterious sister. Although her expression seemed emotionless, her piercing gaze and striking appearance—white hair, blue eyes, and a beautiful figure—caused everyone around her to distance themselves, fearing they might offend such a powerful presence. Minutes later, as the gate reacted, she could see two figures approaching, barely visible through the energy radiating from the gate. As they drew closer, she recognized Suzu and frowned, but her expression changed when she saw the maid carrying the dazzling child.
"This, this, this is my, my sister!" she exclaimed, her beautiful eyes sparkling with excitement. She hadn't expected that her youngest sister would be this shockingly beautiful.