My parents were many things tyrants, rulers, notoriously overprotective but subtle? Never.
So, when they inford at breakfast that today's training would be "significantly advanced," it hardly ca as a surprise. Sylvithra had a suspiciously bright smile, and Verania had been quietly chuckling into her morning tea. Clearly, sothing sinister was in the air, but I'd learned long ago that questioning their decisions rarely ended well.
At least today I had company. Smaug perched defiantly on my shoulder, occasionally glaring at passing servants as if they personally insulted his draconic dignity.
[Your dragon is sulking again.]
"Not my fault he underestimated toddlers," I muttered, earning a tiny puff of smoke aid at my cheek.
Sylvithra turned toward , her eyes filled with a mixture of pride and expectation. "Today, my dear, we're finally putting away your training swords."
"Wait, what?" I blinked rapidly, trying to keep my voice level. "I thought the whole point of the plastic sword was to avoid accidental dismbernt."
"You're ready," Verania said, her voice confident yet terrifyingly casual. "And besides, today you're training with us."
I stared blankly. "With you?"
My mothers two of the most terrifying warriors this world had ever known smiled simultaneously.
Oh, gods. This was how I died, wasn't it?
[Relax. Death by parent is only marginally embarrassing.]
I ignored the system, following Sylvithra into the courtyard. My grandparents lounged on a nearby balcony, their smiles eerily synchronized. They waved, clearly anticipating quality entertainnt.
Smaug perched himself safely atop the stone fence, tail flicking with barely contained excitent. "I expect an entertaining show."
Sylvithra tossed a wooden training sword at least, I hoped it was wooden and picked up her own weapon with terrifying ease.
"Ready, Elyzara?"
"Do I have a choice?" I asked cautiously.
"Not at all," Verania replied cheerfully, leaning against the fence surrounding the practice grounds. "Consider this motivation."
Sylvithra struck first.
Fast. Precise. rciless.
I barely raised my blade in ti to block her swing, my arms trembling under the impact. It reverberated through , shaking my bones and nearly knocking off my feet.
[First lesson: Avoid dying.]
"Very helpful," I grunted ntally.
Sylvithra danced back gracefully, eyes narrowed in approval. "Good. Reflexes sharp, footing stable."
"She's perfect," Verania murmured, watching proudly from the sidelines.
Sylvithra's next strike ca without warning a blur of motion nearly impossible to follow. I scrambled back, barely raising my sword in ti. The clash of our blades sent shockwaves up my arms, rattling to the bone.
My heart hamred against my ribs. "Isn't this… a bit intense for a five-year-old?"
Sylvithra tilted her head slightly. "No."
Oh. Well, that settled it, then.
We continued sparring. Each swing she took was perfectly asured, a strike calculated to test, not injure. Yet every blow felt impossibly heavy, pushing closer to my limits. Sweat trickled down my neck, hair plastered against my forehead, breaths coming in short, rapid gasps. Still, I held firm, parrying, ducking, countering whenever I could manage.
And it felt good. Better than good it felt exhilarating. I felt alive.
The more I fought, the more sothing stirred within . A familiar spark, a whisper of power that rose slowly from my core, like a sleeping beast finally waking. It took effort not to let it burst forth. Using my magic here would be disastrous, and I was still unsure I could even control it properly.
But my restraint faltered as Sylvithra landed a swift strike that knocked off balance. I stumbled backward, nearly falling to one knee, and a flare of frustration lit within .
My vision pulsed, reality rippling around for just an instant. In that heartbeat, Sylvithra's sword twisted midair, curving strangely away from , as though reality itself had nudged it aside.
She froze, eyes wide with surprise, and glanced toward Verania, who raised an intrigued eyebrow.
I felt my pulse quicken not from fear, but exhilaration. Had I just altered reality instinctively?
Sylvithra recovered quickly, masking her surprise behind a pleased expression. "Fascinating technique. Accidental?"
I managed a nonchalant shrug. "Maybe."
She smirked slightly, adjusting her grip. "Let's test it further."
Our sparring continued, but I began testing my new limits. Each ti Sylvithra's strikes drew near, I reached out instinctively, guiding reality itself to protect . Wood struck air, missing by re inches, diverted by sothing unseen. It was exhilarating and more than a little terrifying.
[You're using your magic.]
"No kidding."
Sylvithra laughed, genuine delight in her eyes. "You're full of surprises today, Elyzara."
Verania stepped closer, folding her arms as she observed intently. "Sylvithra, increase the difficulty."
My mother paused, considering. "Are you sure?"
"She can handle it."
Sylvithra gave a brief nod, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "As you wish."
She moved suddenly, blade flicking toward faster than before. Instinct took over completely, and this ti, I felt a surge rush through —a ripple through reality itself.
I shifted the sword.
Not by moving myself, but by moving reality around it. Sylvithra's wooden blade struck sothing unseen, shattering as if it had hit solid tal. Splinters exploded outward, raining around us like sharp confetti.
Smaug let out an approving roar. "Magnificent!"
Verania's smile widened dangerously, her eyes gleaming with pride. Sylvithra blinked at her empty hands, stunned, before turning toward with undisguised admiration.
"Our daughter's magic must have a na," she declared decisively, glancing eagerly at Sylvithra, who nodded in agreent.
Sylvithra crossed her arms thoughtfully. "Sothing grandiose, naturally. She is manipulating reality itself, after all."
Grand Empress Saelira stepped forward gracefully, her violet eyes shining with excitent. "Indeed, such extraordinary power deserves a na that will echo through the ages."
Grand Warlord Eryndor rubbed his chin, his gaze distant yet calculating. "What about 'Infinite Dominion?' It's suitably imposing."
Grand Strategist Veylen shook his head with subtle disapproval. "Too generic. It should reflect the depth and complexity of her abilities."
Grand Consort Ilythia inclined her head elegantly. "Perhaps sothing with 'Requiem' in it? Sothing hauntingly beautiful."
They all turned to simultaneously, their collective gazes intense enough to burn a hole through stone. Even Smaug perched curiously on my shoulder, waiting eagerly for my answer.
I hesitated, montarily overwheld. Naming my magic felt oddly personal. But as the system chid cheerfully inside my head, I ntally groaned. It had already nad my magic, of course. Trust the system to take away even this small bit of dignity.
[Just use the na I gave you. It's perfect.]
I sighed inwardly. "[Fine. What is it again?]"
[Abyssal Requiem. Try to make it sound dramatic.]
Well, at least it sounded ominous enough. I raised my chin slightly, projecting confidence I didn't entirely feel.
"It's called Abyssal Requiem," I announced clearly.
The effect was imdiate.
Verania's eyes lit up with excitent. "Magnificent."
Sylvithra nodded approvingly, a slow smile spreading across her face. "Absolutely chilling. Perfect."
Saelira clapped her hands together. "Marvelous! Truly fitting."
Even Eryndor nodded solemnly, visibly impressed. "It carries both mystery and nace."
Grand Strategist Veylen looked satisfied for once, his sharp eyes thoughtful. "A fitting na for a power capable of reshaping the fabric of reality itself."
Grand Consort Ilythia smiled warmly, her elegance never faltering. "Beautiful and terrifying, just like you, Elyzara."
Smaug, ever helpful, chid in with smug approval. "I like it. Sounds suitably intimidating."
I nodded, hiding the fact that I was mostly relieved to have avoided the exhausting debate that would've surely followed if they'd disagreed.
Verania stepped closer, eyes gleaming. "From now on, everyone will know and fear the na Abyssal Requiem."
Sylvithra smirked, already looking proud. "Our daughter, the wielder of Abyssal Requiem."
Oh gods.
[Congratulations. You're officially terrifying.]
I rolled my eyes internally.
This wasn't exactly the low-profile life I'd hoped for. But at least my magic had a suitably dramatic na.
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