"Did you see that, second sis?"
"See what?"
"Big sis's expression!"
Behind a cherry blossom tree, the ghost-hunting duo were stealthily observing.
Pointing to Noah, who was sitting under the tree, Aurora remarked, "Whenever big sis trained for something really intense, she'd always have this meditative look on her face."
"But look at her now—sometimes she's smiling, sometimes she's serious, and other times she just looks... lost."
Muwen blinked her large, puzzled eyes. "Um... so?"
"So," Aurora said, "Big sis must be pretending to meditate to chat with that ghost inside her!"
Aurora's face lit up with enthusiasm. "Listen, second sis, I recently figured out a way to make ghosts appear. In a bit, we'll..."
The sisters huddled in whispers to discuss their plan.
Then, with quiet steps, they slipped out from behind the tree and moved beside Noah, who remained deeply focused in meditation, oblivious to their mischief.
Their movements were so silent that even as they drew a ritual circle, Noah stayed completely unaware.
"Done! The circle is complete," they whispered, standing in front of Noah.
Aurora looked a little worried. "If this doesn't work, we'll be in for another spanking."
"Don't worry, second sis," Aurora assured confidently. "There are bound to be bumps on the road to success."
Muwen, with a serious expression, replied, "Bumps? Aurora, we get spanked at least once a week. I think it's a bit more than just bumps."
Aurora shivered at the thought, unconsciously rubbing her behind. "Relax, second sis. I swear it'll work this time!"
"This manifestation circle is something I learned from Mom's library. It won't harm big sis's body, but it should force out any ghost inside her."
Although Aurora's confidence was steadfast, it wasn't lost on them that every time she'd made similar promises, a spanking had soon followed.
Muwen nodded, her face resolute. "Alright, if we've been spanked this many times, one more won't make a difference!"
"That's the spirit, third princess of House Melkvey!"
"So, what do we do now?" Muwen asked.
"The book says this manifestation circle needs two magic elements to activate."
Aurora explained, "We'll start with a burst of lightning to kickstart the circle's energy. Once it's powered up, we'll finish with fire to make the ghost appear."
Muwen nodded as if having an epiphany. "It almost sounds like this circle was made just for me!"
Both lightning and fire were her natural elements, inherited from their parents and uniquely awakened within Muwen herself.
"It's just a coincidence, I guess," Aurora shrugged. "The world's full of wonders. There's bound to be a ritual or two out there that uses lightning and fire to get going, right?"
"Oh, I see~" Muwen nodded, understanding.
"Alright, second sis, let's get started!"
"Alright!"
Following Aurora's instructions, Muwen channeled lightning to prime the circle with its initial energy.
As the markings began to glow with a blue light, she gradually added fire.
Aurora watched, eyes filled with excitement. "Second sis may be a laid-back slacker most days, but when it counts, she's unstoppable!"
The brightening light of the circle eventually caught Noah's attention.
She slowly opened her eyes. "Muwen... Aurora? What are you two up to?"
"Oh no, she's noticed!"
"Keep going, second sis! We're almost there! Think of our poor behinds and power through!"
"Got it!"
The two sisters poured lightning and fire into the circle.
Noah's face grew stern as she tried to stand, only to be held in place by the circle's energy, unable to move.
"What's this? Aurora, what are you doing this time?"
"Big sis, hang in there a moment longer! We're about to make the ghost inside you show itself!"
"There's no ghost inside me. And if you don't stop, you'll both be in for a serious spanking."
Despite the threat, Aurora remained undeterred with the ritual circle in her grasp.
"Don't listen to her, keep going, second sis!"
"O-Okay..."
Noah attempted to move but found herself immobilized by the transparent barrier of wind created by the circle.
Eventually, Noah ceased struggling and calmly asked, "Aurora, are you sure this circle can manifest a ghost?"
Aurora nodded confidently. "Absolutely! I learned it from Mom's library; it has to work!"
"And what if it doesn't?"
"There's no way it won't!" Aurora stood proudly with her hands on her hips, her small tail wagging.
"If it doesn't work, our behinds are all yours, big sis. No resistance."
Hearing this, Noah raised an eyebrow, a smirk slowly spreading across her face as if she had been waiting for those very words.
"Well then, since you're so committed, how could I possibly refuse?" Noah said with a slow smile.
Aurora blinked, confused. "W-What do you mean?"
"Oh, nothing much," Noah replied, arms crossed and smiling serenely. "I'll just sit here and watch your little performance."
"Oh no, the ghost must be controlling big sis! That's why she's talking like this! Push harder, second sis! We're almost there!"
"Got it!"
The circle's energy pulsed, lifting Noah's hair and skirt in a faint breeze as it intensified.
However, Noah's expression remained calm, unaffected by the light show.
Finally, as the energy dissipated, the light in the circle faded away, but no ghost appeared.
Aurora stepped back in shock, stammering, "H-How is this possible? The book said it would work... did I mess up the circle?"
"You could draw that circle ten more times, and it still wouldn't work, Aurora."
Noah stepped forward, a patient but slightly smug smile on her face. "And this is an intermediate-level ritual. Without proper training, it's impressive you managed to draw it so accurately with just a pen."
Aurora frowned. "Then why didn't it work?"
"Because this circle wasn't meant to reveal ghosts," Noah explained, hands on her hips, looking at them with exasperation. "It's a magic transfer circle. Here, take a look."
With that, Noah raised her hands, one crackling with lightning, the other blazing with fire.
"So this... is what fire magic feels like," Noah said with an appreciative look.
"Wait," Muwen said, astonished. "But, big sis, how did you know?"
Aurora suddenly fell silent, as if realizing something.
"You... left that book in Mom's library on purpose, didn't you?"
Noah smiled slyly, her eyes narrowing. "That's right. Why else would a ghost-manifestation circle require lightning and fire? It doesn't even make sense."
"...Big sis, you're despicable!"
Noah shrugged. "All I did was leave a random book in Mom's library. I didn't tell you to follow what it said, so how am I despicable?"
Aurora felt a shiver run down her spine. This was big sis's real strategy.
"You're just like Mom; you're full of clever tricks!"
"And remember, Aurora," Noah said with a mischievous glint. "Didn't you just say something about your behinds being mine if the ritual didn't work...?"
"...Run, second sis! Run!"
"Big sis, go easy on us, please!"
.
.
.
Ten minutes later.
Two little dragons lay sprawled under the cherry blossom tree, their behinds throbbing, rendered speechless by the sting.
Noah sat cross-legged in front of them.
After a quiet moment, she reached over and poked Muwen's little head. "You've really become proficient with dual elements, Muwen."
"...Mmm..." Muwen mumbled, burying her face in the grass.
Their progress was indeed remarkable.
Awakening dual elements was rare, and to master both so young showed their dedication and effort.
It seemed even in hidden corners, Muwen was pushing herself hard, determined to catch up to Noah.
Aurora, too, had shown exceptional talent by managing an intermediate-level magic circle. Their father had once said that it was Aurora's breakthroughs in magic that would someday lead them back to the present.
"Well, this little ghost-hunting trick turned out to be more productive than I expected."
"Big sis..." Aurora muttered softly.
"Hmm?"
The little dragoness pressed her face against the grass, looking at Noah with teary eyes.
"Tell us the truth, big sis... is that ghost really hurting you?"
Noah's face softened. "So that's why you've been so determined to capture this 'ghost'... because you're afraid it might harm me?"
Aurora nodded.
The next second, she shot up, excitement in her eyes. "So there is a ghost in you!"
"You're back to that already?" Noah sighed.
"Well, I... my behind can't handle another round tonight," Muwen groaned.
Noah lifted her gaze, meeting Aurora's bright, hopeful eyes. "She hasn't harmed me, Aurora. You don't have to worry. For certain reasons, I—"
Suddenly, her words trailed off.
Noah's expression went blank.
Aurora and Muwen exchanged a glance, then shook her shoulder, "Big sis, big sis, are you okay?"
"Big sis, don't listen to her! If that ghost tries anything, I'll fight—"
"Oh, little ones," a voice broke the silence.
Aurora & Muwen: ?
When Noah's gaze refocused, her expression was subtly different.
"I only intended to give this little one a brief lesson in true history," she said, smirking, thumb pointing to herself.
"But if you're so eager, I suppose I'll share it with both of you."