The next morning, both Emilia and Mimi were up really, really early. Or rather, Emilia had woken first, only to imdiately wake Mimi as well.
"Mimi, Mimi!" Emilia whispered, nudging the little Noctifelis, who was now still curled into a ball of fur on the bed and snoring. "Wake up, it’s ti to go!"
Urrghhhhhh...
Mimi groggily cracked her eyes open, then flopped over with a tiny whine.
"o.." she greeted, raising her paws half-heartedly toward her master.
"Aww! So cute!" Emilia cooed. She leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Mimi’s cheek before scratching gently under her chin.
Mimi’s eyes slid shut in bliss. Her purrs rumbled faintly as she lted into the affection.
After a mont of petting, Emilia straightened and headed to her closet, slipping out of her nightdress to change into her new adventurer clothes.
anwhile, on the bed...
It was finally ti for Mimi to get up!
Today was the day they would be leaving the Silvervein clan! She couldn’t just laze around—no matter how tempting the soft sheets were.
Yaaawnnnn!
Her jaws stretched wide as her little kitty brain still swam in grogginess. Then, with effort, she arched her back, stretching out her spine, legs, and tail all at once until every part of her tingled awake.
Urrgghhhh!
She shook herself lightly, fur fluffing out, and blinked determinedly.
[Ding! New Mission! Daily Mission #1: Knock a glass of water off the table and break it!]
Ohhh?
Mimi’s eyes widened.
It wasn’t scratching the couch this ti, nor chasing a cockroach.
This one wanted her to knock over a glass of water and shatter it!
Hmmmm...
Mimi turned her gaze toward the nearby table. Sure enough, a glass of water sat right at the edge, really tempting. Her cat genetic was telling her to knock it over already! If she wished to, with just one hop and the tiniest flick of her paw, the mission could be cleared in seconds!
However...
Nope!
Screw this mission—I’m not doing it!
Now she learned her lesson. Those daily missions gave shit rewards anyway, and doing them would mostly get her in trouble!
So Mimi ignored it, tail flicking dismissively as she hopped down from the bed. And just like that, the glass of water had been spared.
***
Twenty minutes later, Emilia was fully changed and ready, and Mimi was too. Lina ca into the room carrying a quick breakfast. It was just a light al, yet both of them savored every bite, knowing it would be the last ti they tasted Lina’s cooking for a while.
Once finished, they headed out.
It was still very early—probably around four in the morning. The mansion was quiet, the halls hushed as they made their way to the door.
Outside, the sun had yet to rise. The air was brisk and fresh, carrying the faint chill of dawn. Because Emilia had to leave in secret, she wore a dark hooded cloak. She crouched down to scoop Mimi into her arms, holding her close before pulling the hood over her head.
And then—
"See you again, milady," Lina said in whispers, her voice had a faint tremble. "Please... take care."
"Mm. See you again," Emilia nodded.
Mimi owed gently too, keeping her voice low so as not to wake anyone.
Emilia glanced down at the noctifelis in her arms.
"Mimi, are you ready?"
"ow."
"Good." Emilia gave a firm nod.
"Alright, I’ll be going now," she said one last ti.
"Yes, milady!" Lina answered.
And with that, Emilia stepped outside. Her footsteps pressed against the stone walkway, her heart beating with both excitent and a quiet heaviness.
As they moved farther away, Mimi peeked out from beneath the cloak. She looked back toward the mansion, where Lina still stood at the doorway, watching them in silence until they were gone.
***
Soon, the two arrived at the Chamber of Gates. Today, they would once again go to the Forbidden Peaks, where Lord Sialumis rested, to begin their Trial of the Dragon Vein.
As they stepped into the grand hall, Emilia’s parents were already waiting.
Draco looked at his daughter and gave a firm nod with a warm smile. anwhile, Lady Ariana hurried forward, wrapping both Emilia and Mimi into a gentle, lingering embrace.
When Ariana finally pulled back, Emilia noticed it—faint dark circles beneath her mother’s eyes. The sight made her heart ache.
Mom must not have slept well last night...
There’s probably a lot on her mind.
"Mom... are you alright?" she asked softly.
"Don’t worry, Mommy’s fine." Ariana smiled, though her tiredness lingered.
Draco then stepped closer, offering them a softer hug as well. His hand settled reassuringly on Emilia’s shoulder.
"So, Emilia," he began, his voice steady but tinged with concern. "Are you truly prepared? I an... if you’re not fully ready yet, then—"
"Nn~." Emilia shook her head gently. "I’m ready."
Draco let out a long breath before giving her shoulder a firm tap and a confident smile.
"Alright. I trust you. Give it your best."
"Yes, Father."
Ariana’s gaze softened as she asked, "And about the place you’ll be going for your trial... you know the choices already, right?"
"Mm." Emilia nodded. "Yesterday, big brother Alexander explained everything I needed to know."
"Oh? Alexander did?" Draco raised his brows.
"Yes."
"Good." Draco nodded approvingly.
"Then," Ariana continued, "you must already have a city in mind for your trial, don’t you? Which one is it?"
"Ah, yes, I do," Emilia admitted. "But... erm... doesn’t the law forbid to tell anyone my choice?"
"Haha! Look at you," Draco chuckled, patting her head with a grin. "So obedient to the law!"
"Well, I have to! I’m the daughter of the almighty clan head!" Emilia retorted.
That earned a satisfied laugh from Draco.
anwhile, Ariana shook her head, smiling as she sighed.
"Well, you’re right. But no matter what you choose, promise this—take care of yourself, and don’t take unnecessary risks, alright?" she added.
"Nn! I will!" Emilia nodded firmly.
"Good girl." Ariana patted her cheek affectionately before turning to Mimi.
"And you too, Mimi. Please take care of our daughter. If she tries to rush into danger, stop her. Scold her if you have to, okay?"
"ow!" Mimi raised her little paws in agreent.
And so, after that heartfelt exchange, the four of them stepped through the portal together, and once again arrived in Lord Sialumis’ domain.
***
As they arrived, The Divine Dragon—Lord Sialumis, Sacred Guardian of the Silvervein Clan—was already waiting, her radiant form exuding the sa brilliance and majesty as before.
After the three humans and one cat offered their respectful greetings, the mont had co. Emilia’s Trial of the Dragon Vein would officially begin.
To do so, she first had to swear the sacred oath.
Emilia stepped forward. She straightened her back, lifted her palm to her chest, and spoke with a clear, unwavering voice. Beside her, Mimi sat upright, ears perked proudly, as though lending her silent support.
The Oath of the Dragon Vein
"I, Emilia Silvervein, by the honor of my bloodline, swear before the Sacred Guardian, Lord Sialumis, that I shall uphold all rules of the Rite of the Dragon Vein.
First—I have not, and will not, reveal to anyone, except Lord Sialumis, the na of the city where I begin this rite, nor give even the faintest hint of it.
Second—I will enter the trial with only the allotted starting provisions, to ensure fairness among all participants. The total worth of what I carry shall remain within the ten-gold limit set by law: five gold in equipnt, and five gold in coin.
Third—I shall do all in my power to conceal my Silvervein identity. To reveal it recklessly would invite favoritism, envy, or danger. Thus, I will maintain my alternate guise and refrain from using any Silvervein signature art, unless forced by dire need or the shadow of death itself.
And lastly—if I break any of these vows, let my rite end at once, and let face whatever judgnt or consequence awaits.
Thus, my oath is complete. This vow shall be bound to by the contract between my soul and Lord Sialumis—absolute and unbreakable.
May the na of Goddess Fauveline and the Silvervein Clan live on.
May the light of Arventia endures forever."
As Emilia finished her oath, a low hum resonated through the chamber, like the deep chi of a celestial bell. Lord Sialumis’s golden eyes glowed brighter, her four wings unfurling slightly as divine power rippled through the air, and the thousands of stars behind her shone brighter.
"Your words have been heard, Emilia Silvervein," the dragon’s voice thundered, yet carried a great gentleness. "You have bound your soul by oath, and the contract is sealed. From this mont forth, your trial begins—not as the daughter of Silvervein, but as a challenger who stands equal with all others."
She lowered her head until her radiant gaze t Emilia’s directly.
"Know this—an oath is no small thing. Should you falter, the weight of your vow will fall upon you. Yet if you endure... the heavens themselves will bear witness to your rise."
A pause. Then her eyes softened, a flicker of approval in their depths.
"Courage shines in you, child. See that it does not waver."
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