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墨書 Inktalez
The atmosphere in Glory Manor was tense to the point of suffocation, starkly contrasting with the festive decorations adorning the hall for Luna's first birthday. The spicy aroma of Blood Wine and roasted meat filled the air; a Feast was ready, yet this celebration hung precariously, as if balanced on a knife's edge.
The news of Leonard's betrayal had swept through the family like a raging tempest, leaving behind a chilling emptiness. Luna lay in her Cradle, feeling the undercurrents of sorrow emanating from her Mother. Alia tried to appear strong, forcing a brave smile onto her face, but as she adjusted the Midnight blanket for the baby, Luna could sense her trembling hands.
The infant raised her tiny hand and unexpectedly patted Alia's Luna with surprising strength. Alia's smile faltered, tears welling in her eyes, but she quickly blinked them back. She leaned down, her Lips brushing against Luna's forehead.
"My brave Xiao Luna," she whispered, her voice choked with suppressed Tears. "Mama will be alright." But this lie hung heavily in the air, as palpable as the scent of cinnamon and clove.
As the moment for the Zhua Zhou ceremony approached, the hall came alive with activity. Family members gathered together, their faces a mix of forced joy and genuine affection for the birthday girl. Luna's eldest brother, hindered by Magic Backlash, moved stiffly and with great effort but insisted on attending. His gaze was fixed on Luna, eyes shimmering with a glimmer of hope, silently pleading for her to reclaim the magical brilliance that had been taken from him.
The Second Brother remained shocked by his friend's betrayal and the ensuing Magic Trap, managing only a weary smile. He too looked at Luna, perhaps searching for a flicker of light to dispel the darkness threatening to engulf their family.
However, Brother San seemed somewhat distracted, lost in his own world of regret. The wasted Magical Talent weighed heavily upon his shoulders like a burdensome cloak. He fiddled with a loose thread on his outer garment, his gaze wandering aimlessly.
The table meticulously arranged for the Zhua Zhou ceremony sparkled under the glow of the Magic Chandelier. It displayed an array of magical items, each representing a different path to power and prestige. A crystal ball glowing with a Red Glow contained latent magic, hinting at visions of the future. A beautifully crafted wand, its handle adorned with rare gems, quivered slightly as if suppressing immense energy. Ancient scrolls bound in Leather and fastened with Silver Buckles whispered secrets veiled by Forgetfulness Spells.
Qin Si, Alia's loyal maidservant, hovered near the table with excitement gleaming in her eyes. "Look, Xiao Luna," she exclaimed cheerfully, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. "So many wonderful things! Perhaps you'll choose that prophetic orb or the Mystery Wand... oh, there are just too many possibilities!" She pointed at a set of miniature armor that shimmered like polished moonlight.
“Perhaps you will become a battle Mage, just like the heroes of ancient times!”
But Luna, lying in Alia's embrace, remained unmoved. Her large, intelligent eyes scanned the shimmering magical treasures, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face.
When Alia set her down on the luxurious carpet in front of the table, Luna acted without hesitation. She reached out and decisively swept the prophetic orb aside. The orb rolled across the carpet, finally stopping at her brother's feet. He picked it up and turned it over in his hands, a look of longing on his face.
A gasp of surprise filled the room. Qin Si's smile faltered slightly. “Maybe... maybe that wand?” she suggested weakly.
But Luna seemed oblivious to the increasingly tense atmosphere; she reached for the Mystery Wand, grinned mischievously, and tossed it behind her. The wand clattered loudly as it landed on a nearby chair, the sound echoing in the sudden silence.
An indescribable tension and anxiety hung in the air. Alia held Luna tightly. What was her daughter doing? Was this some kind of protest?
Unfazed by the shocked silence around her, Luna continued to methodically reject the magical items. She crawled toward a jeweled cup said to enhance potion effects and with a push from her chubby little hand, knocked it over. The spilled potion released a sweet Cedar Fragrance that wafted through the air.
The tension in the room was almost suffocating, like a string pulled to its limit. What was Luna doing? What did this all mean?
Then, suddenly, Luna made a move that astonished everyone; she crawled away from the table laden with treasures and towards Alia, her little arms reaching out straight. Her bright, clear eyes were fixed intently on Mother.
With determination, she let out a small grunt and stood up on her own, gripping Alia's skirt tightly. “Mommy,” she babbled, burying her face in Alia's skirt.
Alia was deeply moved by the scene and hugged her daughter tightly. She held Luna close, burying her face in her soft hair. The tense atmosphere in the room seemed to dissipate, replaced by a mix of confusion and relief. Had Luna chosen her mother over magic? Or was there a deeper meaning behind it?
At that moment, a deep voice broke the silence. "Perhaps," said Lord Lucius, Leonard's brother and a powerful Mage himself, as he cleared his throat and stepped forward, holding a thick leather-bound book. "Perhaps she would be interested in this..." His voice was low and resonant. "After all..."
The long-awaited warm sunlight of the Glorious Demon Fortress poured into the Dome of the Emerald Corridor, casting a golden glow on the intricately folded Peacock Stone Tiles, creating a soft and almost unreal halo. Today was Luna's first Zhua Zhou, a significant day in her life.
She sat on a soft mat made of Silk Satin, her chubby little hands moving as her eyes darted around, observing the open Crystal without making a sound. Laughter and soft whispers filled the air around her; it was a day of joy. Yet Ke Luna felt more aware than anyone else: this moment was not just about past lives or future destinies; it was an opportunity to write her own fate.
The table was adorned with an array of Crystals—wands, badges, Ling Crystals, scrolls—each symbolizing the glory and status of the Glorious Demon Fortress. Each item shimmered under the eager gazes of those present, as if whispering, "Choose me, choose me, and you will reach the pinnacle."
Qin Si chuckled softly, "The Young Miss can hardly take her eyes off everything." Aelia sat gracefully nearby, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, her smile so gentle it seemed to glisten with dew. This child was her only solace through all her painful days.
Especially lately, Luna's unintentional “childish words” had struck a chord within her heart. The hints hidden behind Leonard's actions were slowly being pieced together into the outline of truth—betrayal had nowhere left to hide.
Luna hesitated to reach for any of the items that represented magical prowess; she didn’t even glance at them. Suddenly, she clapped her little hands and stumbled over to Aelia, clutching at her skirt with tiny hands and murmuring softly, "Mom—"
The room fell silent as everyone stared in disbelief. Aelia froze for a moment, but then her lips trembled like spring flowers touched by dew. She embraced Luna tightly, gently stroking her hair while tears flowed uncontrollably down her cheeks.
"Mom is here... don’t go..." she whispered through tears, realizing in that moment that nothing else mattered—no magic or glory could compare to this feeling. All her honor had already nestled in her arms.
In that moment—the three brothers of the Magic Castle stood in the shadows of the light, each observing this scene with different emotions reflected in their eyes. The eldest brother held both sorrow and warmth within his gaze, like a star emerging after years of haze; the Second Brother appeared somewhat dazed as memories surfaced of a friend who once called him "brother"; while Brother San lowered his head to flip through magical inscriptions, lost in thought.
Only Lucius leaned against the stone pillar, silently watching with cold eyes. He looked at the tears in Mother’s eyes, and then at the child in her arms, whose breathing was soft and gentle. This child seemed to be changing everything. Meanwhile, the man known as "Lord" was far away in a side hall, entangled in a relentless struggle with his "unseen Handwritten Note." He was unaware that a small decision had quietly sown the seeds of Destiny's reversal within the fortress. She did not grasp at the future of magic; she only reached for a "mother." This reach shattered the surface peace of Magic Castle and revealed the tender bond between mother and daughter.
In the grand hall of Glory Castle, the air was thick with an expectant tension, dense enough to spread on a slice of bread. Today was Luna's first birthday, and the traditional Zhua Zhou ceremony—an event to determine Destiny through a treasure-grabbing activity—was the highlight of the celebration. Silks shimmering with rainbow-like colors were spread across a large table, adorned with various items symbolizing the possible life paths for the Young Mage: a miniature wand carved from Dragon Bone, a small vial glimmering with Red Glow containing Phoenix Eye tears, and a Grimoire bound in ancient Dragonhide. Each item foretold power, prestige, and a glorious future—things Luna had once possessed in her past life as a Great Mage.
Now reborn into this world as a helpless infant, she found the entire scene rather… dull. To be honest, she would have preferred to take a nap. Yet, the soft gasps of admiration from the gathered nobles and her mother Ilysia's anxious fluttering eyelashes were quite endearing. Even her fickle father Leonard managed to force a smile, though his eyes kept darting toward the door as if anticipating more interesting activities elsewhere. Luna sighed like a cynical little baby, thinking he was probably waiting for his Mistress.
Her brothers lingered nearby, each nearing adulthood and each with their own distinct appearance. The eldest brother was quietly watching with focused attention due to a Magic Backlash that left him unable to walk properly; her second brother was still troubled by a friend's betrayal, biting his lips; while her youngest brother, gifted yet lazy, leaned against a pillar exuding an air of boredom. Each of them bore their own troubles, reflecting the fractured state of their family, and Luna was determined to mend it.
Ilysia, despite her worries, remained radiant. She placed Luna on the silk tapestry. The little infant blinked her eyes and surveyed the sparkling items before her. That Dragonbone Wand? She had played with it before; Phoenix Eye tears? She could concoct more powerful potions even in her sleep; that Grimoire? A piece of cake.
She crawled toward the table, swaying yet determined, causing the onlookers to hold their breath. Her hand paused above the miniature Silver Cauldron, a symbol of potion-making mastery, before she swiftly changed direction with a dexterity that belied her age.
She crawled past the enchanted Harp, glided by the gleaming sword, and moved beyond the symbols of power and glory she had once yearned for. Luna let out a sound that could be interpreted as joy, and she lunged not toward a magical artifact, but toward Ilysia.
She buried her face in Mother’s soft Skirt, inhaling the familiar Lavender Scent and the aura of strength that enveloped Mother. This was the magic she sought—the magic of family, the magic of love, and the magic born from Mother’s unwavering embrace.
A collective gasp echoed through the hall. Leonard furrowed his brow, clearly displeased with such an emotional display. Several brothers exchanged bewildered glances. But Ilysia… Ilysia held her breath.
Her already radiant smile grew even brighter and more fervent as she pulled Luna tightly into her arms, a tear slipping down her Luna's cheek. Luna knew this was not a tear of sorrow but one of realization.
In that moment, as Luna chose love over power, Ilysia saw her situation clearly. Leonard’s fleeting smile, his hasty departure, the hushed phone call—everything fell into place. The scattered clues of his betrayal now formed a clear and heartbreaking picture of Leonard's Last Night. He was not merely distant; his heart was no longer present.
His heart had long belonged to another. Luna nestled in Mother’s embrace felt a wave of sympathy for that man. He was a fool to abandon treasure for a trinket.
But Luna, small yet powerful in her ability to effect change, would not allow him to drag Ilysia down with him. This Zhua Zhou ceremony was not just about Luna’s future; it was about forging a new future for them all. Regardless of whether it involved an infant or not, Luna would ensure that everything came to fruition.
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