Part 01 – The mysterious spirit - Chapter 01

Before the break of dawn, Masha found herself amidst the woods, not so far away from her home, her sinewy form engaged in a regimen of push-ups.

"Ninety-eight…ninety-nine…a hundred!" she proclaimed with a vigorous exhalation, concluding her relentless series. "Aah, I'm so looking forward to my final test, Foo! I'll finally join the Protectors Guild!"

Her discourse, a nonchalant dialogue, was directed at a diminutive, rotund plush toy nestled upon a moss-covered stump. Masha, her gaze darting across the sylvan expanse, contemplated additional exercises to hone her skills before the impending examination. A massive stone, conspicuously weighty, caught her discerning eye—a formidable challenge for testing her pull-up prowess.

Securing a stout rope around the boulder, she affixed the other end to her robust frame. Masha's physique, sculpted through relentless and arduous training, displayed a formidable muscularity. Hauling the ponderous rock with apparent ease, it left a profound furrow in the earth. Unperturbed, she maintained her dialogue with the cherished plush companion.

"Can you imagine, Foo? I'll finally be a Protector! I'll be able to start my own adventure…I'll be even stronger, and I'll be able to protect anyone," she declared with palpable excitement, her eyes ablaze with aspirations. "And one day, I'll become a Paladin, like Mom!"

As she effortlessly dragged the boulder across the terrain, leaving an indelible mark, her gaze ascended to the heavens. "Alright. It's time to return. The hour draws near."

Placing her loyal plushie into her satchel, Masha retraced her steps, the homestead beckoning just minutes away. Arriving shortly, she waited in a state of heightened anticipation before her domicile, her eagerness slowly transmuting into vexation as minutes stretched into an eternity.

Masha stood there, restive and expectant, awaiting the emergence of her mother from the domicile. The morn had scarcely stirred, yet Masha had been roused for nearly two hours already.

A gentle breath of the morning zephyr rustled through her tenebrous orange mane, gently displacing a strand of hair across her eyes. She brushed it aside, her gaze surveying her grubby physique, adorned with a faint glisten of perspiration despite the sun's yet-unseen visage.

Even though the sun had not yet pierced the horizon, the skies over Aemna, the capital city of Fulmenia, were already aglow, more luminous than customary for that hour. In the distance, the perpetual storm of Aemna rumbled, a constant reminder of her homeland.

Masha's forelimbs scoured the ground as her forepaws, with their feline configuration, met the unyielding bedrock below. She inspected them, scrutinizing for any blemishes that required correction. Much like half of the Fulmenians, she possessed these "feline" forelimbs, bestowing upon her a sturdier build compared to the other half, who bore "canine" paws, albeit at the expense of swiftness.

Her white-tipped paws had taken on a grayish hue, dust settling between her fur. She rested her paw on the ground, satisfied with the meticulous care she had given her razor-sharp talons, which emitted a faint screech as they grazed the rock.

Masha's brother, Feyn, emerged from their dwelling, his cerulean mane askew, a sign that he had only recently awoken. He let out a cavernous yawn and rubbed his eyes with his sandy-hued canine limb. The sound only heightened Masha's restlessness if such a thing was even conceivable. She noticed her brother opening his mouth, likely to unleash one of his incisive and humorous retorts for which he was renowned.

"Masha, it's not yet dawn, and I suspect the King of Saburia is already hard at work, thanks to the cacophony you're creating."

As if in response to this provocation, Masha's claws scraped against the ground, producing a sound that sent a spine-chilling shiver down the young Fulmenian's back.

"Yes, especially that one," he added with gritted teeth.

With a mischievous smile and a subtle bow of her head, Masha rejoined, "Apologies for disturbing your beauty sleep, Your Grace, but your mother pledged to oversee my evaluation for the Guild before sunrise. Yet, she remains conspicuously absent. I thought punctuality would be more of a concern for a Paladin."

Before she could continue, the front door swung wide open, and the sun peeked above their rooftop, casting its radiance directly into Masha's eyes, making it impossible for her to identify the newcomer. Her ears perked up as a resolute voice reached them.

"By now, you should be aware that a Paladin is never tardy, Masha."

Shielding her emerald eyes from the morning star with her paw, Masha discerned her mother, Leyla, adorned in her formal Paladin cloak, her tawny fur mostly concealed. With her head held high and her gaze unwavering, Leyla made her way toward her daughter.

"Well," she began, her dark blue mane rippling in Aemna's breeze, "are you prepared for your evaluation, young recruit?"

At the word "recruit," Masha snapped to attention, signifying the commencement of her Guild entrance assessment. She listened attentively as her mother circled her, placing Masha between herself and the house.

From the abode's entrance, another alicorn emerged, Raybarn, Masha and Feyn's father and Leyla's husband. He greeted his son with a brief morning salutation, yet Masha scarcely took notice, her focus firmly affixed to her mother.

With a formal tone, Leyla recited the criteria for initiating new recruits, a litany she had recited countless times before. However, today was different, for it was her daughter who stood before her, and Leyla's heart brimmed with pride. Masha listened intently, fully aware that this was the most momentous day of her life.

"Recruit Masha," Leyla declared, "in my capacity as your examiner, I have determined that you are now prepared to undertake your assessment for induction into the Protectors Guild." Leyla paused briefly before continuing. "I, Leyla, Third Paladin of Equestera, have devised and selected the challenges you will face today. I will be your assessor and the ultimate arbiter of your performance during this assessment. I shall determine whether you possess the aptitude to join our ranks as a Weapon Master." Her confidence was unwavering, for she had trained her daughter well. Masha was resolute, determined to prove herself to her mother, her examiner, and to the Third Paladin.

"My criteria for this evaluation shall remain my sole purview until the conclusion of the test," Leyla declared with her head held high. Her voice, once again, turned resolute. "Under no circumstances shall you endeavor to unveil these criteria. Do you agree to these terms, recruit?"

"I accept your conditions, examiner," Masha responded with a sense of pride. Her claws began to dig into the earthen floor in anticipation.

The elder alicorn chuckled, acknowledging her daughter's enthusiasm. "While I appreciate your eagerness, there is one more detail I require before we can commence," she continued, her gaze shifting toward her son. "Feyn, can you join your sister, please?"

Masha pondered the reason for her mother's need for Feyn's presence in the test, a growing sense of unease gnawing at her. She glanced over her shoulder, meeting her younger brother's puzzled gaze. In response, Feyn looked to their father, uncertain of what he should do.

Raybarn, shrugging nonchalantly, waved his canine paw toward Masha as he took a sip from his morning beverage. He was the only one in the family with the fortitude to stomach the brew, and he finished it in a single gulp. Had he, too, been involved in this test?

"Mom, why do you need me?" Feyn inquired, his perplexity mirroring Masha's as he sought an explanation, beseeching his mother with a silent plea for clarity. He could sense the mounting tension in his sister and couldn't help but worry about what lay ahead for her.

Leyla chose to disregard her son's question and instead called out to her brown-furred beloved, "Sweetheart?"

Raybarn, placing his cup on the ground, produced a distinct cracking sound from his neck, signaling the start of the proceedings. His horn radiated a soft, golden aura as he conjured a protective spell into existence. An immaculate, circular barrier enveloped both his children and his wife, casting them in a gentle golden glow. Masha recognized the spell—a basic protective force field—but cast to a degree of efficiency only her father could achieve. Her heart pounded audibly in her chest, and she could have sworn even Python could hear it through the protective ward.

She attempted to speak but faltered, unable to articulate a single word. She shut her eyes, inhaled deeply, and regained her composure before finally asking, "Mom, what is happening? What does this test entail?"

A warm smile spread across Leyla's visage as she began to elucidate the test's rules to her daughter. Masha's anxiety mounted, not due to any physical effort but because of the mounting stress that threatened to consume her.

"Recruit Masha. Your entrance test for the Protectors Guild shall be built upon a simple scenario," Leyla explained. "As a Quartz rank Protector, your assigned duty is the safeguarding of our dear Sir Feyn. His safety is of paramount importance."

With each word, the sense of impending dread grew within Masha. She could not fathom how her mother believed this test was appropriate, given her extensive training as a Weapon Master and duelist. Her attention momentarily wavered, but she quickly regained focus.

"Rule number one," Leyla continued, her voice steady. "If I manage to land a single strike on Feyn, you shall be deemed to have failed this test." Masha was dumbfounded by her mother's choice of evaluation criteria. After all her training, it seemed that single combat was no longer a safe path to follow. Leyla's voice broke through Masha's thoughts.

"Rule number two," Leyla went on, "if, for any reason, I am unable to strike Feyn, I am permitted to terminate the test by targeting you instead and landing a single blow upon you, Masha." Stunned by the unexpected rules, Masha knew that her conventional approach to combat would lead to failure in this scenario. She needed a plan, and she needed it promptly. Her mother's words once again captured her attention.

"And finally, rule number three," Leyla concluded, "to ensure that you act in a manner that prioritizes Feyn's safety, he shall not be permitted to enroll in the Arcanic Academy of Alykarn should I manage to land a blow upon him."

Masha's confusion and frustration finally found an outlet as she burst out the second her brother was mentioned, "What?! This cannot be serious, Mom! It's not fair! Feyn should not be penalized for any mistake I might make." She cast an apologetic glance toward her brother as though she were already trying to make amends for the impending events, knowing how important enrolling in the Academy was for him. Feyn, confused, turned his gaze toward the ground, uncertain of what he could do.

Leyla turned away from her young offspring, responding to her distressed daughter with an uncharacteristic coldness. "Then you'd best ensure not a single strand of his mane is disturbed," she said. The once billowing mane, now protected within Raybarn's force field, no longer danced in the breeze of Aemna. "Rule number four: I shall employ the full extent of my power. You are now facing a Paladin of Equestera, the third of her rank. Masha, be prepared to defend yourself and your charge."

With those final words, Leyla swiftly pivoted to confront the two fledgling alicorns. "Come, Thunderbolg," she commanded. In an instant, a searing burst of energy exploded just behind Leyla's right shoulder. It resembled a bolt of lightning frozen in time, suspended there for a brief, heart-pounding moment. Then, like a fading storm, it dissipated, unveiling Thunderbolg in all its majesty.

The spear was a sight to behold, a weapon of awe-inspiring grandeur. Its shaft bore an angular pattern, etched with the skill of a master craftsman, as if it were hewn from the very heart of a thunderstorm. At the curved point, sapphires glittered with an intense azure fire, each gem seeming to capture the essence of a tempestuous sky.

Adorning Thunderbolg's length were sinuous vines reminiscent of nature's untamed fury. They twisted and coiled, giving the weapon an organic quality that clashed with its formidable nature. Levitating beside Leyla, Thunderbolg radiated power, a force to be reckoned with, as it awaited the fury of the storm that would soon be unleashed.

As an overwhelming sense of panic overtook Masha's being, her heart raced, and her instincts kicked into overdrive. In the heat of the moment, she summoned her trusty weapon with a desperate cry, "Come, Voltstrike!"

A remarkable transformation occurred as the hammer materialized before her. It bore a black center, a foreboding presence in the heart of the weapon. Its silver extremities gleamed brilliantly, reflecting the ambient light that played upon its formidable surface. A vibrant yellow symbol adorned its enigmatic core, catching the eye and hinting at latent power.

Masha's magical abilities enveloped the hammer, suffusing it with a light blue aura, an ethereal radiance that added an almost supernatural quality to her weapon. Voltstrike, once a mere extension of her will, had now become a manifestation of her determination and resolve. With her weapon at the ready, Masha steeled herself for the impending clash with her formidable adversary, her mother.

Having dedicated herself to arduous training for an extended period, she refused to capitulate now. Assuming her customary opening stance, she positioned Voltstrike, the blunt head hovering near her left hind leg, held aloft within her pale blue telekinesis aura. The weapon's shaft stood ready to be grasped in her teeth if the need arose.

Thunderbolg's spearhead aimed at Masha, swaying within Leyla's telekinesis. Raybarn's protective magic created a silent sphere. Leyla's spear recoiled as she spread her wings, concealing her weapon while unleashing a wave of energy.

Masha felt her mother's overwhelming aura. The power difference hit her. Leyla, the third-ranked Paladin, lunged with astonishing swiftness, wings hiding her Soul Weapon. Masha prepared Voltstrike, but as Leyla dropped her wings to reveal Thunderbolg, too late, Masha realized she wasn't the target.

"No!" Masha cried, thrusting her paw to block Thunderbolg. The spearhead advanced, but Masha forced it to the ground, inches from Feyn. "Feyn, get behind me, now!"

Leyla used magic to retrieve Thunderbolg. "M-Masha," Feyn stammered.

"What is it?" Masha snapped, eyes fixed on her mother, poised for another deadly strike.

"Your…your paw." Feyn's voice quivered. Masha glanced down, spotting a rivulet of blood from her front leg, where Thunderbolg grazed her. Adrenaline faded, pain settling in.

Masha questioned her mother with a solemn expression, her voice tinged with a hint of accusation. "Is it correct that the test still proceeds, given that this injury resulted from my defense of my brother rather than your direct assault, examiner?"

An eerie silence hung between them, stretching out for what felt like an eternity. Leyla finally broke the stillness with her unwavering determination. "That is correct," she stated firmly, her eyes never leaving her daughter. "The rules I have articulated did not specify otherwise. The test shall indeed continue."

Her mother, in this moment, was no longer just a parent but rather the third most formidable Paladin in all of Equestera, a figure whose boundaries blurred in this spherical prison between trainer and adversary. Another wave of Leyla's aura cascaded over her. She trembled, her hair bristling, and felt an oppressive weight bearing down on her, surges of excruciating pain radiating from her injured leg.

The Paladin lunged again, but Masha was ready. Both weapons clashed, thunderous impacts echoing. Masha, defending her brother, fought hard. He was a liability in this fight, needing extraction.

Using her body as a shield multiple times, Masha felt the battle slipping. Her strength waned with every drop of blood.

Weapons clashed again, a thunderous crackling filling the air. Combatants locked eyes, determination on the older one's face, grimness on the younger's. Masha had a fleeting moment to devise a desperate plan—her only hope.

Leyla retreated a few measured steps, and in that moment of respite, Masha seized the opportunity to communicate with her brother. "Feyn," she whispered, ensuring her voice remained her brother's sole audience, "Listen carefully. I may have an idea to free you, but I'll need your help. Do you know how to breach Dad's protective shield?"

Feyn, still bewildered by the unfolding chaos, struggled to grasp the urgency. Masha repeated, "Is there a way to create an opening in that shield? A vulnerable spot?"

"There might be," he replied hesitantly, his thoughts racing to comprehend the situation. "You'd need to concentrate magical energy at a specific point to create a breach."

"Give me the location, Feyn," Masha demanded, dispelling the need for precise details. "I need to know where to strike to break you free. While I can hold my own in a duel with Mom."

"I can't see it from here," Feyn replied, his voice anxious. "I need to circle around the dome to find the best angle."

Masha found herself backed into a corner, facing a situation she had never fathomed. The test was proving more grueling by the minute. Her desperate plan was beginning to take form, but its success hinged on her brother's reconnaissance.

"Very well," she replied, her voice tinged with both determination and frustration. "Follow me closely, and—"

Leyla's voice interrupted her, sharp and authoritative. "What are you two whispering about? Shouldn't your primary concern be protecting your client, recruit?"

Masha and her mother clashed again, weapons meeting in a violent symphony. Covered in injuries and blood, Masha sensed the climax of her test.

Battered but resolute, they locked eyes in a fierce battle. Strikes intensified, each filled with danger. Time became elusive; Masha's endurance waned with every drop of blood.

Leyla surveyed the battleground, eyes catching Masha and Feyn exchanging whispers. Impatient, she strained to hear. The sibling duo plotted. The reckoning loomed, and Leyla was ready to conclude her daughter's test.

A burst of speed and power surged as Leyla leaped forward, Thunderbolg concealed behind her wings. Masha, watchful, moved Voltstrike to block.

As Leyla struck, Masha's powerful response surprised her. She saw the scheme— a distraction allowing Feyn to break free.

Masha yanked Thunderbolg from her mother's grip with a strong front leg. A loud clash echoed in the magical dome. Seizing the moment, Masha used magic to hoist her hammer and aimed at her mother's vulnerable point.

Leyla dodged, leaving the shield vulnerable. With her last strength, Masha channeled energy into Voltstrike. It struck with a thunderous impact, flickering the force field.

In that brief moment, a small opening appeared. Feyn jumped through, escaping just in time. Thunderbolg thrust forward to injure the escaping sibling, but Masha's strategy succeeded. The breach sealed before Thunderbolg could reach Feyn, but Masha couldn't shield herself in time.

Leyla seized the opportunity, launching herself forward in a blur, circling around Masha, and delivering the final blow to her exposed neck with the harmless tip of Thunderbolg. As the impact landed, Masha knew that the trial was over. She had failed.

The magical shield, woven by Raybarn's skillful incantations, gradually dissolved, allowing the world outside to flood back into their perception. Leyla called out to her daughter, her voice carrying a mixture of concern and curiosity. Yet, Masha remained unresponsive, her gaze fixed on the ground, where the painful weight of failure rested heavily upon her shoulders.

"Masha?" her mother inquired again, her worry deepening. She approached her daughter, a sense of motherly compassion radiating from her. She gently extended one of her wings and wrapped it around the young alicorn.

Masha stood still, her emotions tumultuous, before finally speaking in a fragile voice. "I'm alright, Mom. I'm relieved that Feyn won't be punished because of my failure."

Leyla shared a knowing look with her husband, Raybarn, who had an unspoken message in his furrowed brow. She then turned her gaze back to her daughter. "That's correct, according to the rules I recited. But why do you think you failed, Masha?"

Masha lifted her head, her gaze reflecting confusion. "I failed because you landed a hit on me with such ease," she admitted, her voice a mixture of disappointment and self-criticism.

Leyla's lips curled into a smile. "Indeed, I did land a hit on you. But you might have missed something in the rules," she pointed out.

Masha pondered the rules and their implications. To her surprise, it was Feyn who interjected after a brief pause. "You said the hit would end the test, not that it would result in failure! Masha didn't—"

Feyn realized his excitement and quickly silenced himself, placing a paw over his mouth. Leyla took the cue and continued. "You're right, Feyn. I said it would only end the test. Now it's time to declare the results."

The anticipation was palpable. Masha was left speechless, her mind struggling to process the unexpected turn of events. Why was she hearing this?

Seeing her daughter's stunned expression, Leyla explained further, her voice filled with tenderness. "Masha, whatever we choose to be before we join the Guild—be it a Weapon Master, a Harmonizer, or even a Bounty Hunter—we all share the same name: Protectors. Our primary duty is to safeguard others, even at the cost of our lives. That's where our heart must lie when we're on the job."

With a gentle paw, Leyla pushed aside a strand of her daughter's hair and continued, "But today, my beloved daughter, you've shown that your heart is in the right place. Welcome to the Guild, Protector Masha."

The shock of the moment left Masha breathless. Her brother, who had been eagerly anticipating this moment, rushed forward and embraced her. "You did it, Masha! I'm so proud of you. Now I owe you double—one for saving my hide back there and the other to celebrate the best day of your life."

Feyn couldn't resist a playful tease, a mischievous grin on his face. "That is until you get married."

Masha was about to deliver her characteristic response when an overwhelming sensation washed over her. Her vision blurred, and she found it increasingly difficult to breathe. In the midst of her disorientation, faint voices reached her ears, growing distant and muffled. Was it Leyla, Feyn, or Raybarn calling her? She couldn't discern. Her vision darkened, and the world faded away.

"Masha? Masha, what's happening?" the voices called out in a frantic chorus, but they grew fainter and fainter. And then, Masha lost consciousness, the world slipping into an abyss of black.

"Masha!"

***

Masha's eyes fluttered open, and she was immediately struck by a searing headache. Her body felt as though it had been through an exhausting ordeal, leaving her weakened and immobilized. As she slowly regained her senses, she recognized the familiar surroundings. She lay in her bedroom on the second floor of their family house, the soft wind of Aemna rustling the shutters, a gentle reminder of the outside world. And near her bed, her plushie, Foo.

From downstairs, two faint voices drifted up to her. The tone in her father's voice conveyed frustration and anger. "You were too hard on her," he protested.

Her mother's response was filled with understanding and determination. "I know. I'm sorry, but I've been a Paladin and Protector for so long. I know how to assess someone's potential. Masha has what it takes. She must learn to defend herself. Danger is an inherent part of our Protector way of life. I'd be doing her a disservice as her examiner if I didn't prepare her properly for the challenges that lie ahead."

Masha attempted to continue eavesdropping, but she was interrupted when her brother, Feyn, appeared beside her. He was sitting with a smile on his face, exuding warmth and relief. "Oh, don't mind them. They've been at it for nearly half an hour now."

With considerable effort, Masha turned her gaze toward him. Her voice was raspy as she questioned, "Feyn, what are you doing here?"

Feyn's voice was warm and comforting as he spoke, and he leaned in closer to his sister, "Oh, nothing too important," he said with a playful glint in his eye. "Mom told me to watch over you until you wake up." He reached out to present her with a wooden bowl filled with a hearty brown soup, its aroma carrying a subtle hint of magic. Floating within the broth were small, perfectly round vegetable balls.

He carefully set the bowl beside her head, making sure it was within her reach. "Now, that's the official version," he continued, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "But if I'm being honest, I'm just hiding until those two are done. You know how they can be, all smoochy-woochy afterward."

Masha weakly chuckled, her ribs still tender from the fierce battle. She concentrated, summoning her telekinesis, and with great effort, lifted the blanket covering her. Most of her body was wrapped in bandages, a testament to the fierce exchange with her mother. "Dad's courtesy. You should have seen his look to Mom when he was bandaging you up," Feyn exclaimed, a playful glint in his eyes. Masha reached for one of the vegetable balls in the bowl, her magical energy craving nourishment.

Feyn rose to his paws, a mischievous grin on his face. "Alright, since you're up, I'll fetch the Third Paladin. Oh, and you should definitely check your nightstand. Mom's courtesy." But before he could make his exit, Masha's curiosity got the best of her.

"Wait, Feyn," she rasped with her hoarse voice, "I have a question. I mean, I first want to thank you for helping me down there, but I'm really curious. How did you know about the weak spot?"

Feyn's smile betrayed his pride as he leaned in closer, his eyes gleaming with an otherworldly quality. He took a deep breath, his gaze intense, and suddenly, his left eye was enveloped in a golden, transparent flame, its piercing gaze radiating with some unusual magical aura. "With that," he said, "I can 'see' magic flowing around, what we call mana. I don't know exactly what it is, but it's very similar to the 'Sand Eye' of Saburians. With that, I just had to look for the spot where mana was wavering the most, and ta-dah, here we are."

He winked at his sister, and the mysterious effect on his eye disappeared as if it had never been. "You probably missed it because you were so focused on Mom, but good thing you shielded me from her view. Otherwise, our plan would have been jeopardized." Feyn added with an even brighter smile, "I'm so happy for your entry into the Guild."

As he headed toward the door, Feyn shouted, "Mom! The sleeping beauty is awake, ready for round two," his enthusiasm echoing through the house.

Masha, intrigued by her brother's peculiar eye, examined her nightstand. There, she found a small quartz gem, her very own Protector's insignia. It was a product of King Virtus's Guild, known for its unique trait—taking on a customized shape when its owner poured 'pure magic' into it. Masha realized she now only needed to complete the necessary paperwork to become an official Protector. But she couldn't help but wonder why her mother had given her the insignia before the formalities.

With determination, she focused her magic and tried to infuse the insignia with her 'pure magic.' It was a bit too much for her weakened state, causing her to gasp and momentarily sputter. "You shouldn't try that right now," Leyla said as she entered the room, taking a seat beside her daughter. "You're still weak. You should eat a bit more."

Leyla, her mane slightly disheveled from the battle, continued, "I've come to talk to you as your examiner one last time. You did great during your test. I didn't need to test any of your fighting skills; I already knew you were more than capable. That's why I tested your heart."

Masha listened closely, silently munching her food. Leyla explained, "But there are still a few things you need to look out for. First, it's one thing to do everything you can to accomplish your mission, but it's a completely different one to manage your energy correctly. That attack with Voltstrike was impressive. Disrupting your father's shield is quite a feat, but it left you drained. That's why you fainted. Adrenaline was the only thing holding you up before that."

The young recruit grasped the implication of her mother's words. "So, in a practical mission, Feyn could have run the risk of being killed, right?"

"Indeed," replied Leyla, her expression growing more serious. "In addition, once Feyn escaped, you displayed an unacceptable level of overconfidence. I don't want to be harsh on you, Masha, not today, but you have to realize hubris is a dangerous foe, more dangerous than you probably realize right now."

Masha swallowed with difficulty. "Then…why did I pass if I made such mistakes? Why do you think I am ready for the Guild?"

Leyla's expression softened, and she answered, "Because if we were to accept only recruits with perfect scores, no one would ever enter the Guild, save for the likes of Ayzat. You're young; experience will come with time, and that's why I'm explaining all of this to you now. So you don't have to make the same mistake in a non-controlled environment."

"Sorry to change the subject right now, but I just realized something." A thoughtful pause followed Masha's question. She felt the weight of her mother's gaze as Leyla raised an eyebrow, inviting her daughter to continue. "You said that disrupting Dad's shield was quite a feat on its own," Masha began, her curiosity getting the best of her, "didn't you expect me to do just that to save Feyn?"

Leyla shifted uncomfortably for a moment, her feline paw nervously rubbing against the other. "No, I didn't…" she confessed, her words trailing off, and Masha could sense there was more to the story than her mother was letting on.

"Mom?"

Leyla took a deep breath before explaining, "As I told you, I was testing your heart, Masha. That meant that if you decided to get hit while standing to defend your brother rather than giving up, then I would have known your heart was in the right place. But I'm delighted to see how resourceful you can be."

Masha sensed that "getting hit" wasn't the original word her mother intended to use. Still, she decided to let it slide, not wanting to dampen the celebratory mood that had taken hold of the room. She took another bite of her meal.

"That being said," Leyla continued, her voice regaining its warmth, "I think we'll be traveling soon to the Aemna's Guild Inn so we can fill out those boring papers and finally officialize your entry. What do you say about that?"

Masha, her mouth still full of food, managed an excited shout, "It would be awesome!"

At that moment, Raybarn entered the room. "What is it, love?" Leyla inquired.

"I've just received a message from a communication crystal. I've been summoned to the Arcanic Academy of Alykarn, and it's urgent from what I gathered. I have to leave home as soon as possible," he answered, scratching the back of his head with his front claws.

Masha attempted to sit up but quickly gave up, settling back against the pillows. At least she could move now, but lying down seemed like a seductive idea. "You should bring Feyn with you. I'm sure he'd love this opportunity. Besides, I think he did a spotless job today and is more than deserving of it."

Raybarn glanced at his daughter and humorously proclaimed with feigned reluctance, "Oh, you're quite right. I think Feyn would love to come with me to the Arcane Academy in Pythonia."

Masha struggled to stifle her laughter as she heard the unmistakable sounds of her younger brother rushing about, bumping into furniture in his haste. "You're taking me to the AAA?!"

"Yes, son," Raybarn replied with genuine enthusiasm. "It will be mainly for work reasons, but it would be a great opp—"

Feyn's infectious excitement couldn't be contained. His voice pierced through the walls, resounding with joy, "Yes, yes, yes, I'm going to the AAA!"

Raybarn chuckled. "I don't know where you two are finding all of this energy, but you sure do want to make it difficult for your old father to keep pace. I'll check on Feyn to help him prepare his stuff. I'll leave you two to your discussion."

Once the door was closed, Leyla turned her attention back to her daughter. "It seems you and your brother are both going on your own adventures. I'm really happy to see you two grow up like you do." She reached for Masha's forehead, planting a kiss right above her horn. "Now, try to sleep for an hour or two so you can regain most of your strength and so that you don't miss dinner."

Masha, snug in her blankets, succumbed to the lull of sleep despite her brother's excitement resonating through the house as he gathered his books and prepared for his upcoming journey to the Arcanic Academy.