Alina Ashford sat before the mirror, staring at her own reflection with a look of uncertainty.
"Can I really become a Beyonder?" she whispered softly, as though speaking to her own shadow. Doubt clouded her features. How could she ever aspire to be Justice?
"I'm from the Audrey family… I-I must become a Beyonder," she murmured hesitantly, lacking confidence in her own abilities. She knew very well that she didn't possess the same talent as her elder sister, who, four years her senior, had already shown extraordinary potential by the age of sixteen. Alina felt as if she was falling far behind.
"Did Father lie about my talent? But... why am I not like my sister was at this age?" she lamented, lowering her gaze.
[I remember Father once gave me something... a sort of artifact,] Alina thought, rising from her seat and moving toward the vanity. There, she found a small, intricately decorated box.
"Is this it, Father? Were all those stories about this artifact just legends?" She took a deep breath, calming herself before continuing. "In the name of Audrey… activate!"
Silence filled the room. The artifact did not respond.
[Why isn't it working?] Alina wondered anxiously. Suddenly, a thick fog began to fill the room, quickly enveloping everything in its path, shrouding her vision in a dense mist.
Kein descended the stairs with a light step, finding Melissa setting the table.
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"Good morning, Kein. Go take a shower first," Melissa said with her usual neutral expression.
"Oh, okay. Where's the bathroom?"
"Straight ahead, then turn left. Your clothes are already in your room," she replied without looking up.
A few minutes later, Kein, now freshly showered, dressed himself from the wardrobe. He chose fitted black trousers, a tall hat, a white shirt, a black coat, and a white cloth tied as a cravat.
"I'm ready, Melissa," he said, making his way to the dining table.
"Sit down. I've prepared your favorite meal," Melissa said, gesturing towards the dishes on the table.
Kein glanced at the food before him: roasted corn, boiled peas, and potato soup. [Hm? Could the Everly family be experiencing financial difficulties? Why is my favorite meal this simple?] he wondered, slightly puzzled.
Melissa took her seat across from him after setting the dishes. "Melissa, do you know what this anklet is for?" Kein asked, gesturing to the bracelet around his ankle.
"It's a monitoring device. If something unexpected happens, the bracelet on my wrist will light up," she explained calmly.
"I see. So, you've been keeping me safe for a year now. But you're also working, aren't you? I don't think you need to work anymore. Let me take over."
"No way!" Melissa responded firmly. "Kein, you haven't fully recovered yet. Your memories are still incomplete. How do you expect to pass a job interview?"
"I could do part-time work, like dishwashing," Kein replied casually.
"Even that would be exhausting. You're still not completely healed," Melissa said, frowning slightly, though her face remained otherwise expressionless.
"Don't underestimate your brother. Besides, I'm a man. Didn't you stop your schooling to cover the cost of my treatment? I will be the one to fund your education. Your dream is to become..." Kein paused, recalling a painful memory.
"Your face looks thin and a bit pale, but your skin still glows. You exude the aura of a strong young lady," he continued, trying to smile.
"I'll make sure you can attend the steam mechanics academy. I promise."
"You're just the same as ever, Kein," Melissa laughed softly. [Kein never changes. Even though his memories haven't fully returned, he still tries to cheer me up, just like he always did. Despite being naturally quiet and serious, he puts on a cheerful front for my sake,] she thought to herself
The Port of Aquarelle
Port Aquarelle is a magnificent harbor renowned for its artistic architecture and vibrant atmosphere. Nestled along the edge of crystal-clear waters that shimmer like a watercolor painting, every building surrounding the port is adorned with colorful glass mosaics and elegant statues, as if welcoming travelers with the embrace of a living art gallery. The streets here are paved with gleaming stones carved into intricate abstract patterns, giving the entire area a sense of luxury and meticulous care.
Along the docks, small kiosks and pastel-colored cafes offer local seafood delicacies, where visitors can relax and watch the sun set, its reflection dancing on the water's surface. The harbor's water is so clear that the seabed is visible, decorated with a vibrant array of coral reefs and fish swimming freely. It is for this reason that the port is also known as the "Sea Mirror."
Among the bustling crowd at the docks stands a nobleman named Lucien Devereux. He is dressed in a dark blue tailcoat, a cream-colored brocade vest, a high-collared white shirt, and dark trousers. Lucien's gaze was fixed on a peculiar man holding a crystalline artifact, rumored to possess magical power comparable to a third-tier Beyonder noun 3, despite his seemingly random path fate.