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墨書 Inktalez
The atmosphere in the study felt as if it were frozen in amber, heavy enough to suffocate.
Luna's small figure stood beside Aelia, appearing particularly frail, yet the anxiety and worry in her eyes burned like a fierce flame, hot and intense.
"Mother, are you really going to divorce Leonard? Do you know what this will mean for Magic Castle?" Luna's voice trembled slightly, filled with deep concern for the future.
Aelia swayed slightly, as if struck by Luna's words.
Her beautiful face was filled with shock and disbelief.
Years of marital affection entwined around her heart like vines, making it hard for her to let go.
"Luna, you're still young; there are some things you don't understand." Aelia's voice was hoarse, tinged with fatigue. "Leonard is the Lord of Magic Castle; we..."
"We what? Are we just going to watch him destroy Magic Castle?" Luna interrupted Aelia, her tone laced with anger. "Mother, can't you see? Leonard has changed; he is no longer the husband who cared solely for Magic Castle!"
Taking a deep breath, Luna poured out everything she knew about the original plot to Aelia.
Leonard's affairs outside, his secret schemes to transfer Magic Castle's assets, his plans to sacrifice the castle's interests for the sake of his illegitimate child...
Aelia's face turned pale as she listened, her body swaying unsteadily.
She had always thought she knew Leonard well enough, but now it seemed her understanding was woefully inadequate.
"It can't be... this can't be happening..." Aelia murmured to herself, her voice filled with pain and despair.
She could not accept that the husband she had loved for so many years could be so despicable and shameless.
Seeing Aelia in such agony filled Luna's heart with sorrow.
She knew how cruel it was to make a woman accept her husband's betrayal.
However, for the future of Magic Castle, she had to awaken Aelia.
"Mother, I know it's hard for you to accept, but the truth is what it is." Luna grasped Aelia's hand firmly and said, "Leonard is no longer worthy of your love. You cannot sacrifice yourself or Magic Castle for him any longer!"
Luna passionately condemned Leonard's infidelity, recounting his numerous despicable acts.
Her voice, though youthful, was filled with strength, like a sharp sword piercing through Aelia's hesitation and confusion.
Aelia's gaze gradually grew resolute.
She recalled the sacrifices she had made for Magic Castle over the years and the deep affection she had for Leonard, only to be met with his betrayal and manipulation.
Her heart felt as if it had been plunged into icy water—cold and determined.
"Luna, you’re right. I can no longer tolerate him." Aelia took a deep breath, as if making a firm decision. "For Magic Castle, for myself, I must divorce him!"
Aelia's eyes revealed an unprecedented determination and resolve.
She was no longer the weak housewife but a warrior determined to defend her own interests and those of Magic Castle.
Just then, a cough echoed from outside the study.
"Mother, I'm feeling a bit unwell. Can I come in?" Her brother's voice sounded weak.
Aelia quickly wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes, composed herself, and said, "Come in."
Her brother pushed the door open and walked in.
His complexion was pale, and his body had grown thin, the once handsome face now bearing a hint of sickly pallor.
Due to the Magic Backlash, he had been weak for a long time and required prolonged bed rest.
“Brother, you don’t look well. Are you feeling unwell again?” Aelia asked with concern.
He nodded slightly, forcing a bitter smile. “It’s just an old problem; it’s nothing serious.”
Luna looked at her brother's frail form, her heart filled with worry.
She knew that her brother's Magic Backlash was a stubborn curse that was difficult to lift completely.
However, having once been a Great Mage with access to ancient magical knowledge, she might be able to find a way to break the curse.
“Brother, I might be able to help you lift the curse,” Luna said earnestly as she stepped closer to him.
He paused for a moment, looking at her in disbelief. “Luna, I know you care about me, but this curse has been with me for many years. I’ve sought help from many powerful Mages, and none have been able to lift it.”
“I understand, but I want to try,” Luna replied firmly. “I once read in an ancient tome about an old magic that can lift Magic Backlash.”
Seeing the seriousness in Luna’s expression ignited a flicker of hope within him.
Though he knew the chances of breaking the curse were slim, he decided to trust Luna this time.
“Alright, I’m willing to believe you,” he nodded and said. “As long as there’s a glimmer of hope, I’m willing to try.”
Luna beamed with a radiant smile.
She knew that her brother's trust was her greatest motivation.
“Brother, don’t worry. I will do my best to help you lift the curse,” Luna said.
Just then, another voice came through.
“Luna, I heard you’re back. I came to see you.” The voice of Second Brother carried a hint of fatigue and helplessness.
Second Brother walked in.
His face bore a trace of melancholy. He had once been the most talented Mage in the Magic Castle, but after being deceived by a close friend, he fell into a terrible Magic Dilemma and had since been unable to recover.
“Second Brother, what brings you here?” Luna asked.
“I heard you returned and wanted to check on you,” Second Brother forced a smile as he spoke. “And I also wanted to talk with you.”
Luna knew that Second Brother had been harboring an unresolved knot in his heart.
He could not forgive himself for being deceived by his friend, nor could he forgive himself for falling into this predicament because of it.
“Second Brother, I know you’ve been troubled for a long time, but you can’t keep dwelling on the past,” Luna said seriously as she looked at him. “You still have many things to do, and you have the chance to rise again.”
“Rise again? Easier said than done…” Second Brother sighed and replied, “I’ve been trapped in this Magic Dilemma for too long; I can’t find a way out.”
“No, Second Brother, you can definitely find a way out,” Luna insisted. “As long as you’re willing to believe in me, I can help you break this Magic Dilemma.”
“You?” Second Brother looked at Luna with some skepticism. “Luna, I know you’re smart, but this Magic Dilemma is very complex; even many Great Mages are at a loss. You…”
“Second Brother, I understand you have many doubts, but please trust me. I won’t let you down,” Luna said. “Tell me in detail about how your friend deceived you; perhaps I can find a way to break it from there.”
Second Brother hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded.
He recounted the entire story of being deceived by his close friend to Luna.
Luna listened carefully to Second Brother's account, occasionally asking questions.
Using her knowledge of magic, she conducted an in-depth analysis of Second Brother's predicament.
After some analysis, Luna finally found a way to break the spell.
"Second Brother, I know how to solve your Magic Dilemma," Luna said excitedly. "Your close friend used a special type of magic to deceive you, creating an illusion that prevents you from correctly judging your direction. As long as we can break this Illusion Magic, you will be able to escape your predicament."
"Really? Do you really have a way to break this Illusion Magic?" Second Brother asked eagerly.
"Of course it's true," Luna replied confidently. "I once read in an ancient book about a magical potion that can dispel all Illusion Magic. As long as you take this potion, you will be able to free yourself from the situation."
Upon hearing this, Second Brother was overjoyed.
He had always thought he would never escape this Magic Dilemma, but unexpectedly, Luna had found a solution.
"Luna, you are truly my savior!" Second Brother said gratefully. "I don't know how to thank you enough."
"Second Brother, you don't need to thank me," Luna smiled and said. "As long as you can overcome this challenge and regain your spirit, I will be satisfied."
Just then, Qin Si rushed in.
"Madam, it's bad! Third Young Master Lucius is planning to run away from home!" Qin Si said anxiously.
Aelia's expression changed immediately as she asked, "What happened? Why does Lucius want to leave home?"
Qin Si replied, "Third Young Master Lucius said he feels he has no Magical Talent and that staying in Magic Castle is useless, so he wants to go out and make his own way."
Aelia furrowed her brows upon hearing this.
She knew that Lucius, the Third Son, had always felt inferior due to his lack of Magical Talent.
He believed he was a burden to Magic Castle and had long wanted to leave in search of his own worth.
“Luna, we must stop Lucius!” Aelia said anxiously.
Luna nodded and hurriedly followed Aelia out of the study.
The two ran quickly to the entrance of Magic Castle.
There, they saw Lucius with a knapsack, preparing to leave.
“Lucius, where are you going?” Aelia blocked his path and asked with concern.
Lucius looked down, unable to meet Aelia's gaze, and quietly said, “Mother, I want to go out and explore.”
“Explore? Why do you want to go out? Isn’t Magic Castle good enough?” Aelia questioned.
“Magic Castle is great, but I have no Magical Talent; it’s useless for me here,” Lucius replied. “I don’t want to be a burden to Magic Castle. I want to find my own value.”
“Who says you are useless? Who says you are a burden to Magic Castle?” Aelia said angrily. “You are my son, and no matter whether you have Magical Talent or not, you are my pride!”
“But…” Lucius tried to say something more but was interrupted by Aelia.
“There’s no ‘but’ about it,” Aelia stated firmly. “You are my son, and you will stay in Magic Castle. You’re not going anywhere!”
Upon hearing this, Lucius felt his eyes welling up with tears.
He had always thought that Mother didn't care about him, but he never expected her to be so concerned.
At that moment, Luna walked over.
"Brother San, do you really want to leave Magic Castle?" Luna asked.
Lucius nodded and replied, "Yes, I don't want to be a burden to Magic Castle."
"Brother San, you're wrong," Luna said. "You are not a burden to Magic Castle; you are its hope!"
Lucius was taken aback and looked at Luna in confusion.
"Brother San, even though you lack Magical Talent, you possess abilities that others cannot match," Luna continued. "You are smart, kind, and honest. You have the potential to be a great leader. If you are willing, you can make a significant contribution to Magic Castle."
"Really? Can I truly contribute to Magic Castle?" Lucius asked doubtfully.
"Of course it's true," Luna said firmly. "Brother San, trust me. As long as you stay in Magic Castle, I will help you find your value and make you a pride of Magic Castle!"
Lucius looked into Luna's sincere eyes, feeling a surge of emotion within him.
He knew that Luna genuinely cared for him and wanted to help.
"Okay, I am willing to believe you," Lucius said. "I will stay in Magic Castle and work with you for its future!"
Aelia watched as Lucius changed his mind, feeling a sense of relief.
She knew that Luna's words had a profound impact on Lucius.
"Lucius, it's wonderful that you can stay," Aelia said. "I believe that as long as you work hard, you will definitely make a contribution to Magic Castle."
"Mother, don't worry, I won't let you down," Lucius said firmly.
At that moment, Luna suddenly clutched her stomach, her face turning pale.
"Mother, my stomach hurts so much..." Luna said weakly.
Aelia quickly embraced Luna, anxiously asking, "Luna, what's wrong? Where do you feel unwell?"
"I don't know, it just suddenly hurts a lot," Luna replied.
Aelia hurriedly picked up Luna and ran toward the interior of the Magic Castle.
"Qin Si, go fetch the Magic Physician!" Aelia shouted urgently.
Watching Aelia carry Luna away, Lucius felt a surge of worry in his heart.
He wanted to follow them to see what was happening, but he knew there was nothing he could do at that moment.
He could only silently pray for Luna's safety.
Hopefully, this sudden turn of events wouldn't affect Luna's plans...
In the study, the atmosphere became somewhat heavy.
Although the eldest brother felt a glimmer of hope ignited by Luna, he also understood the stubbornness of the Magic Backlash; while the Second Brother was sparked by Luna's potential solution to their predicament, years of despair couldn't be dispelled in an instant.
Only Brother San, Lucius, felt a renewed spark in his eyes upon hearing that he was not without merit and might even be the hope of the Magic Castle.
Luna looked at Lucius, her small face serious. "Brother San, have you always thought that without Magical Talent, you couldn't contribute to the Magic Castle?"
Lucius lowered his head, his voice tinged with sadness. "Isn't it true? In this world where magic reigns supreme, lacking Magical Talent is equivalent to having no value."
Luna shook her head, her tone resolute. "No, Brother San, your worth does not lie in whether you possess powerful magic, but in the unique talents that others cannot match. You are observant and meticulous, with outstanding leadership and organizational skills—qualities that magic cannot replace."
Lucius raised his head, a hint of confusion in his eyes. "But what can those talents do? I can't protect Magic Castle like my brother Second Brother can with magic."
Luna smiled slightly, confidence radiating from her. "Brother San, there are many ways to protect Magic Castle; it doesn't have to be through magic. You can use your wisdom and talents to manage the affairs of Magic Castle, mediate family conflicts, and unite everyone to make Magic Castle even stronger."
She paused for a moment before continuing. "And Brother San, have you ever considered that perhaps your Magical Talent has simply been overlooked? Maybe you just haven't found the right method for your training yet?"
Lucius was taken aback; he had never thought about this before.
He had always believed that without Magical Talent, he was destined to never become a powerful Mage.
However, Luna's words reignited a spark of hope within him.
"Luna, is what you said true? Do I really still have a chance?" Lucius's voice trembled slightly, filled with anticipation.
Luna nodded vigorously, encouraging him. "Of course it's true! Brother San, you must believe in yourself. As long as you are willing to work hard and put in the effort, you will surely find your own path and become the pride of Magic Castle."
Lucius looked into Luna's sincere eyes, feeling a surge of emotion.
He took a deep breath as if making a firm resolution.
"Alright, Luna, I am willing to believe you. I am willing to stay at Magic Castle and work alongside you for its future!" Lucius's voice was strong and filled with confidence.
Aelia watched Lucius regain his fighting spirit and smiled with relief.
She knew that Luna's presence had brought new hope to this faltering family.
Just then, Qin Si hurried in, breaking the warm scene.
"What happened?" Aelia's expression changed as she quickly asked, "Why is Lucius running away from home? Wasn't everything fine just a moment ago?"
Qin Si, panting, replied, "I’m not sure. All I know is that Third Young Master Lucius packed his bags and said he wanted to venture out. No matter how I tried to persuade him, he wouldn’t listen."
Upon hearing this, Luna felt a stir in her heart.
She understood that although Lucius had been persuaded by her earlier, deep down he was still quite dissatisfied with Leonard's actions.
Running away from home was likely an impulsive reaction to his frustrations.
"Mother, I’ll go take a look," Luna said, already formulating a plan in her mind.
Since it was an impulsive decision, perhaps letting him experience some hardship would awaken him to his responsibilities.
Luna ran after Lucius, who had already reached the entrance of the Magic Castle, with Qin Si following closely behind.
"Brother San, wait!" Luna called out.
Lucius stopped and turned to look at her, his gaze somewhat evasive. "Luna, why are you here? Didn’t I promise you I would stay at the Magic Castle?"
Luna approached Lucius but didn’t directly urge him to go back. Instead, she asked, "Brother San, have you really thought this through? The outside world isn’t as easy and comfortable as the Magic Castle; you might face all sorts of difficulties and challenges."
Lucius was silent for a moment before saying, "I know, but I’ve made my decision. I don’t want to stay in the Magic Castle forever like a flower in a greenhouse. I want to see the outside world and discover what I’m truly capable of."
Luna nodded and didn’t try to dissuade him further. Instead, she said, "Alright then, since you’ve made up your mind, I won’t stop you. But Brother San, before you leave, can I make a bet with you?"
"A bet?" Lucius looked at Luna in confusion.
Luna smiled slightly and said mischievously, "Alright, let's bet on whether you can live independently outside for a month. If you manage to do it, I will acknowledge you as a real man and never interfere with you again. But if you can't, you'll have to obediently return to the Magic Castle and follow my arrangements."
Lucius hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded, "Okay, I accept your challenge. However, if you lose, you must agree to one condition."
"What condition?" Luna asked.
Lucius leaned closer to Luna and whispered, "If you lose, you have to promise me that you won't interfere with Father’s matters anymore."
Upon hearing this, Luna felt a stir in her heart. She knew that Lucius was still troubled by Leonard's situation.
"Alright, I promise you," Luna replied.
With Luna's promise secured, Lucius seemed to let go of a burden. He shouldered his bag and left the Magic Castle without looking back.
Luna watched Lucius's retreating figure and a barely noticeable smile appeared on her lips.
She turned to Qin Si and instructed, "Sister Qin Si, arrange for a few people to secretly follow Brother San, but don’t let him find out. Remember, ensure his safety while making him face some challenges."
Qin Si looked puzzled, "Luna, what are you planning?"
Luna smiled mysteriously and said, "Don't worry, Sister Qin Si; I know what I'm doing. Just wait and see the fun unfold."
In the following days, Lucius faced numerous obstacles outside. Lacking Magical Talent and any specialized skills, he could only scrape by with odd jobs.
He was staying in the most run-down inn, eating the cheapest food, and every day felt utterly exhausting.
He began to miss the comforts of Magic Castle, the care of Mother, and the companionship of Luna.
He started to doubt whether his initial decision was the right one.
One day, Lucius dragged his weary body down an empty street.
His stomach growled with hunger, and he was dirty and disheveled, looking quite pitiful.
Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice.
"Brother San, what happened to you?"
Lucius looked up to see Luna standing in front of him.
"Luna? What are you doing here?" Lucius asked in surprise.
Seeing Lucius in such a sorry state made Luna feel a pang of sympathy.
But she maintained a stern expression and said, "Brother San, weren't you trying to prove yourself? How did you end up like this in just a few days?"
At her words, Lucius felt a wave of shame wash over him. He lowered his head, unable to meet Luna's gaze.
"I... I just..." Lucius stammered, unsure of what to say.
Luna sighed, her tone softening. "Brother San, I know you're feeling down. But have you thought about why you left Magic Castle?"
Lucius raised his head, looking at Luna with confusion.
"I... I just don't want to be a burden to the Magic Castle. I want to prove myself," Lucius said.
Luna shook her head and replied, "Brother San, you're mistaken. You are not a burden to the Magic Castle; you are its hope. You left the Magic Castle not to prove yourself, but to escape responsibility."
"Escape responsibility?" Lucius asked, puzzled.
Luna nodded and said, "Brother San, you know that Father has done many wrong things, and you feel angry and disappointed. But have you ever thought that you also have a responsibility to change all of this?"
Lucius was taken aback; he had never considered this question before.
He had always thought that changing the Destiny of the Magic Castle was something for Father and Mother to handle, and it had nothing to do with him.
Luna looked at Lucius seriously and said, "Brother San, you are a part of the Magic Castle. You have a responsibility to protect it and help build it. You cannot give up your own responsibilities just because of Father's Error. You must stand up bravely and use your wisdom and talents to work for the future of the Magic Castle!"
Hearing Luna's words was like a revelation for Lucius.
He had been living in self-doubt and confusion, never truly contemplating his own responsibilities.
Suddenly, he understood that leaving the Magic Castle was not about proving himself; it was about avoiding responsibility.
What he was avoiding was facing Father's Error and taking on the heavy duty of protecting the Magic Castle.
Thinking of this, Lucius could no longer hold back his emotions and broke down in tears.
Luna gently embraced Lucius and comforted him, saying, "Brother San, I know you're hurting inside. But crying won't help. You need to dry your tears, face reality bravely, and take on your responsibilities."
Lucius wiped his tears and nodded firmly.
"Luna, I understand now. I am willing to return to the Magic Castle and work with you for its future!" Lucius declared resolutely.
Luna smiled, revealing a radiant grin.
"Alright, Brother San, let's go home together!" Luna said.
The two of them walked hand in hand on the way back to the Magic Castle. Lucius's heart was filled with hope and anticipation.
Upon returning to the Magic Castle, Aelia saw Lucius safely back and excitedly pulled him into a tight embrace.
"Lucius, you’re finally back! Do you have any idea how worried Mother has been about you?" Aelia said, her voice choked with emotion.
Lucius also held Aelia tightly, feeling guilty as he replied, "Mother, I'm sorry for making you worry. I promise I won't leave you again."
He could only silently pray that Luna would be safe and sound.
However, just as he turned around, he caught sight of Leonard standing in the shadows not far away, a barely perceptible cold smile on his face... and that smile sent an inexplicable shiver through Lucius's heart.
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