Elizabeth: "I'm going to kill that girl! What does she think she's doing?"
I stood up and stretched my arm toward the Dintle tree. I was about to repeat the incantation I heard Alice say, but then I realized I couldn't remember it exactly. So, I closed my eyes, imagined Alice casting the spell, and yelled, "Wind Gale!"
Suddenly, a wave of exhaustion hit me like a ton of bricks. I didn't know what caused it, but the last thing I remembered before blacking out was hearing Elizabeth shout my name.
From Davis's POV:
When Viktor asked if he could try Alice's spell, I wanted to laugh, but knowing Liz was sitting next to me, I knew better than to do that.
It took Alice months to learn that spell, and even longer to control it. I didn't expect anything from him. But this Viktor kid? He was something else… No, that's not the right word—he was terrifying.
I noticed Liz leave to talk to her brother, likely trying to convince him not to waste his energy, assuring him it wouldn't work. But then, the mana in the air around Viktor shifted. I quickly grabbed Liz, knowing that if I hesitated, she might end up hurt.
That little boy unleashed a far more powerful version of Wind Gale than Alice had ever managed. A massive gust of swirling wind blasted past us, striking the trunk of the tree with such force that it obliterated it before disappearing into nothingness.
After that, Viktor collapsed. I let go of Liz and watched her rush over to her brother. She panicked, trying to wake him, but he didn't respond. I asked if he was breathing, and when she said yes, I told her to calm down. He was probably just exhausted from using too much mana.
Alice: "Elizabeth… I'm so sorry."
Elizabeth: "For what?"
Alice: "It's my fault… I should have told him no."
Emma: "Hey, don't blame yourself. None of us knew he was capable of that."
Elizabeth: "Yeah, it's not your fault."
Davis: "Are you going to tell your parents?"
Elizabeth: "I don't know. If I do, they'll have a reason to stay and come for my baptism. I'd rather they not. They'll be busy preparing for the festival. I want Viktor to have a happy childhood. My father can be a bit overbearing. If he hears about this, it might ruin everything for Viktor. So, I won't say anything."
Davis: "There have been rare cases of kids awakening their powers before turning seven. Since those cases are so rare, no one knows what they do with them or how they handle it. For Viktor's safety, it's best to keep this a secret. Agreed?"
Emma, Alice, and Elizabeth: "Yes, it stays between us."
Elizabeth: "I think I'll head back now."
Alice: "Yeah, me too. A lot has happened today."
Emma: "Let's all head back."
The four of us parted ways, agreeing to keep Viktor's magic a secret from everyone, including him, to avoid complications.
I wondered how my dad would react when he found out we had a wind mage in our lineage of fire mages. Probably not well. I started thinking about what dress I should wear tomorrow; it was funny how I hadn't picked one out yet. As Elizabeth carried Viktor back home, she considered various options.
I gradually regained consciousness and recalled everything that had happened before I blacked out. I jumped out of bed, my only thought: I used magic! Right?
I looked around my room, confused about how I ended up here. I made my way to the door, eager to find Elizabeth and ask her what happened and why I collapsed.
When I opened the door, I saw my parents talking to Miss Emily and the butler from earlier. Their luggage indicated they were about to leave, so I hurried downstairs to see them off. When my father noticed me on the stairs, he knelt down with his arms wide open for a hug, and I eagerly followed suit. After a moment, I let him go and moved over to my mother for a warm embrace. I cherished these moments; having a mother who cared was something I valued deeply, especially after my past life, where my parents were hardly ever around.
My mother whispered in my ear, "Be a good brother and make your sister happy." "I will, I promise."
After saying our goodbyes, my parents entered the carriage that had been prepared for their departure. My father signaled the coach driver, and the carriage began to move. I watched as it slowly disappeared into the distance before heading back inside the house.
I closed the door and made my way to Elizabeth's room.
"Elizabeth, can I come in?" I knocked on her door, and after a moment, I heard her voice inviting me in.
I opened the door and saw her lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling. I approached and asked if I could join her, and she nodded.
We lay there in silence for a while. I contemplated how to break the quiet, ultimately deciding to bring up the upcoming event.
Viktor: "So, how are you feeling about tomorrow?"
Elizabeth: "Nervous, anxious, pissed off."
Viktor: "Still mad at Mom and Dad?"
Elizabeth: "Who wouldn't be?"
Viktor: "But you know…"
Elizabeth: "Yeah, I know. You don't have to remind me it's important, so they have to go. I get it."
Viktor: "If you know, then there's no reason to be angry."
Elizabeth: "Tomorrow is a big day for me. Just knowing they won't be there is painful… It's not wrong to be a little selfish."
Viktor: "Well, I'll be there for you, so it doesn't matter if they're around or not. I'll be cheering you on because I'm proud of you and glad you're my sister."
I squeezed her hand tightly, hoping to comfort her. When I looked at her face, I noticed her blush—she wasn't even trying to hide it. My words had clearly lifted her spirits.
I was about to mention the earlier incident, but she interrupted me before I could speak.
Elizabeth: "Um, Viktor, I'm not sure which dress to wear tomorrow. Can you help me pick one?"
Viktor: "Sure, I can do that."
She smiled and quickly went to her wardrobe. Throwing open the doors, she revealed an array of dresses, each waiting to be tried on. I realized I had just landed myself in a serious predicament. There were hundreds of dresses. I was in over my head.
Elizabeth: "Earth to Viktor… You there?"
Viktor: "Oh, yeah, sorry, I zoned out."
Elizabeth: "So, which one should we start with?"
Viktor: "Uh, not to be a downer, but don't you think there are too many dresses?"
Elizabeth: "What do you mean? This is just the first set."
Viktor: "First set?"
Elizabeth: "Yeah."
She closed the doors, then reached to the side of her wardrobe and pressed a button. The wardrobe expanded from both sides, and the doors flung open, revealing even more dresses. I realized I was in deep trouble.
Viktor: "Nope, I think I mind now… this is way too much!"
Elizabeth: "Alright, now that that's settled, let me change."
Suddenly, she removed her clothes. I glanced over, and just that quick look made me turn away.
Viktor: "What do you think you're doing?!"
Elizabeth: "Um, changing?"
Viktor: "Why do it here?!"
Elizabeth: "Because it's my room?"
Viktor: "Quit acting dumb and put some clothes on, dummy!"
Elizabeth: "Nuh-uh. Changing is faster like this. Besides, you're my brother. Quit being so weird."
Viktor: "You're the one acting weird here! No one strips down in front of a guy, even if it's their brother. Look, I'm not turning around until you're done, so let me know when it's safe."