[25] Unfortunate

South Mansion, Bloodloom Clan, Gluanna City.

Nighttime.

In Alicia's room, several figures were gathered, gazing at the still-unconscious Alicia.

Among them were Cassandra, Stella, and Luke, who sat beside his mother, holding her hand as the situation appeared dire.

Fuck... How come this happens when she is breathing so normally...

Cassandra's hollow gaze fixed on Stella, who remained entirely absorbed in observing the silver-haired man seated beside Alicia.

"Is there truly no other method to restore Mistress's Spirituality?" she inquired.

Stella's serene voice drifted back without a shift in her focus, "As I've mentioned previously... Despite my expertise in healing spells, I'm unaware of any means to repair someone's damaged Spirituality."

Is he really that hopeless brat? How did he reach the second-star realm? Wasn't he just a cripple useless mama boy? Holy mother, why is he even hotter than the second prince?

In utter surprise, she pondered for a moment before adding, "But... perhaps the Royal Academy might possess a spell or concoction formula that could aid my sister-in-law..."

"Royal Academy?" Cassandra inquired, her expression betraying a sense of recognition. "If that's the case... I'll draft letters to both young misses. Perhaps they might know something... Ah, they also need to be fully informed of the situation here to prevent unnecessary worry..."

Afterwards, Cassandra pondered the specifics she would include in the letters, then settled into a nearby couch. Despite her genuine concern for Alicia, she maintained a composed demeanour, devoid of any signs of frustration, before simply closing her eyes for a moment.

Meanwhile, Stella arrived in front of Luke and sat beside him. Placing her hand over his, she offered a sympathetic face, "Don't worry, she will be fine in a few days... Our clan wouldn't let anything happen to her."

As her eyes rested upon his immortal-like countenance, she sensed her heartbeat quicken of its own accord. Unable to resist the urge, she murmured, "I've already dispatched a letter to senior brother; he may be on his way as we speak..."

My father... What good would that piece of shit do?

Luke remained silent, his eyes locked on his mother's peaceful face as she slept.

Time seemed to linger in the quiet room, with each passing moment marked by his steadfast presence at her side.

However, a voice soon broke the silence: "It's done..."

Turning his gaze to the left, he observed two ethereal spirits resembling fairies emerge from Cassandra's head, their forms composed of Mana. Despite their appearance as real creatures, their blank expressions betrayed their otherworldly nature. Infused with Spirituality, they were tasked with guiding them towards Melissa and Serena.

That's new... It will come in handy, I guess I'll learn it from her...

As soon as they appeared, they flew out through the window and proceeded to fulfil the sole reason for their existence.

With their task completed, Stella rose from her seat, her sweet voice resonating as she spoke a few parting words, "It's getting late... I shall take my leave now. Oh, right, I also have to inform my father about the current situation. Well, goodbye."

Using Teleportation, she disappeared.

Hmm, she is at the peak of the 3rd Star...

Luke mused to himself. He then nodded at Cassandra and spoke in his usual calm tone, "You should rest as well... Go on, I'll stay here with Mother."

She offered a warm smile and nodded in response, "As you wish, Young Master..."

Her body then went limp, and she collapsed onto the couch where she had been seated moments before. Exhausted, she swiftly drifted into sleep.

Luke shook his head slightly, then moved beside her. Gently, he adjusted her position on the couch, ensuring she was comfortable, before quietly allowing her to continue sleeping.

Well, she did have a bad day, it's obvious she would be exhausted...

Throughout this time, Cassandra remained awake despite the intense pain coursing through her body. Her determination drove her to ensure that every necessary task was completed before allowing herself a moment of respite.

Meanwhile, Luke returned to the bed beside Alicia and began absorbing Mana within his Chamber. With his Spirituality having undergone an upgrade, he was uncertain of the speed at which his absorbing force would now manifest.

However, he was aware of the scarcity of Mana in the Crimson Moon province, so he limited his absorption radius to a hundred meters to avoid arousing suspicion from his grandfather.

From his memories, he gleaned that the old man harboured a dislike towards him for reasons unknown.

...

City Walls, Bloodloom Clan, Patriarch's Mansion.

"So, you're telling me that worthless brat has reached the Second Star?" Napoleon inquired incredulously, reclining gracefully in his chair. He closed his eyes momentarily, massaging his temples as he voiced his disbelief, "How is that even possible?"

Stella took a sip of her Mana-rich tea, her gaze fixed on the cup for some reason, before responding, "I'm not sure, Father... I hadn't seen him in months, and when I did, he seemed like a different person. Have you seen him? He's even more hands..."

She stopped before she could complete her sentence and disappeared from the room.

H-huh? Napoleon abruptly opened his eyes, his expression filled with intrigue, before he once again closed them.

Hmm, she has finally shown interest in somebody... and it turns out to be her nephew...

How ridiculous is that? Well, it's not like anything will ever happen between them...

I need to make sure of it...

Right, now that he has his Mana channels awakened...

He can go there and nothing will ever happen... Haha, I'm a genius...

...

Stella's Pov:

I... What's wrong with me... Why did I say that...

I... I'd never felt something like this... What's happening to me... Dear Saintess!

As soon as I returned to my Mansion, which was on the east side, I instantly went inside my room and...

"W-What's this?" I said out loud.

I looked at my wet hands which had sticky fluid on them... Did I do this?

In an instant, I removed my clothes and when I saw my crotch area I felt my heartbeat increase all of a sudden once again...

"I'm wet..."

...

Royal Magic Academy, Royal City.

As the moon cast its luminous glow over the entire City, one building in particular commanded the attention of all who beheld it. The behemoth-like structure of the Academy rivalled even the grandeur of the Saintess' Cathedral in sheer size.

Perched atop a hill in the city's hilly region, the Academy stood out prominently against the nighttime sky, its imposing presence further accentuated by the moonlight.

Within the confines of the esteemed academy, nestled within one of its finest chambers, a girl whose beauty rivalled that of the moon itself stood in silent contemplation. Her long ebony locks cascaded elegantly down her back as she fixed her gaze towards the north, her golden eyes shimmering with intensity.

Suddenly, the space behind her fractured and a figure as enchanting as she appeared out of thin air.

With her silver hair elegantly tied behind her head, cascading in a graceful cascade, and her violet eyes shimmering like precious gems in the dim light, she fixed her gaze upon the girl before her.

"Big sis," she inquired, her voice as melodious as a symphony, "Have you received Aunt's message?"

The girl with ebony hair nodded meekly without shifting her gaze, her voice devoid of warmth as she spoke in a cold and emotionless tone, "Yes... But, we can't do anything about it. You already know that... So why did you still come?"

The silver-haired girl's expression softened with sadness, her words carrying a quiet resignation as she uttered, "I understand... I'll head back then."

The silver-haired girl slipped back into her room through a spatial crack, just as she had arrived.

With her little sister's departure, the ebony-haired girl remained motionless, her gaze fixed in one direction as a bitter thought formed in her mind: What a cursed life...