big brother!!

“Haha, catch me if you can.”

“Oh? You want a race? But I’m warning you, across all Seven Divine Worlds, no one is faster than me. So when you lose, don’t come crying to me saying I cheated.”

“Nonsense! Who would come crying to a beautiful monster like you? Hmph, you’re so arrogant! You’re just scared of losing. Face me and you’ll see.”

“Hahaha, we’ll see who cries in the end, my… immature little swan.”

“Who are you calling an ‘immature swan’? I told you many times I’m not a swan, I’m—”

A gasp.

Lia woke up from that dream, trying to steady her breathing.

“My lady, you’re awake? Thank goodness, I was worried. Please rest while I inform Milady of your awakening.”

The maid hurried outside, leaving Lia behind as she tried to remember the dream she had seen… but she could not.

She looked around.

“Strange… where am I? This isn’t my room, and it isn’t our secret hideout either, so this means…”

She was inside an enormous room. No, calling it a room was an understatement—it was an entire luxurious suite. Elegant curtains had been drawn aside, allowing sunlight to pour in and reveal the details of the chamber.

Turning her head, she noticed another maid standing nearby beside the one who had just left. She also spotted medicine pills, drinking water, and a towel resting in a basin atop a mahogany table.

The maid approached to check her temperature, but suddenly Lia asked:

“What happened to me? And where am I now?”

The maid answered respectfully:

“My lady, you are currently in the Second World… His Majesty Lumias and Her Majesty Vitalia brought you here after you fainted. The imperial physician said the cause was excessive stress, which resulted in…”

Lia had always been treated harshly and neglected completely, so everything felt strange to her. It would not be an exaggeration to say this was the first time she had received such care from someone other than her little aunt.

Perhaps it was even the first time she had ever slept on such a soft bed.

The maid explained the details of her illness word for word, but Lia’s mind was far away.

She remembered that man, what happened at the banquet, and the sudden decision regarding her marriage.

What was his name again…?

Lia rubbed her temples, a faint frown appearing on her uncovered face.

Then—

“Ah, right… he said his name was Maximus…”

she whispered softly.

“My lady? Are you listening to me? Do you feel unwell? Perhaps I should call the physician.”

The maid looked worriedly at the little girl before her, who seemed distracted.

“No, there’s no need, miss, thank you… tell me, how long was I asleep?”

Lia asked after finally refocusing on the maid, who had already been prepared to rush toward the imperial physician’s residence at any moment.

Warmth spread through Lia’s heart because of such treatment.

“How long? Actually… you slept for five entire days.”

Lia was shocked.

Was her fever truly that severe?

Suddenly, Vitalia burst into the room with an expression overflowing with concern, followed by the physician and the maid who had left earlier.

The moment she saw Lia sitting up, her features softened into a smile.

She stepped forward—

And hugged her tightly.

“Ah, my little Lia, how could you do this to your spiritual mother? You worried your uncle and me to death!”

The Spirit of Life cried dramatically while showering Lia’s tiny face—small enough to fit inside one hand—with kisses.

“Ack, Auntie, I can’t breathe!”

Vitalia quickly pulled herself back after nearly suffocating her “daughter.”

“Sorry! Are you alright?”

“Yes, yes… I’m sorry for worrying all of you, I was ju—”

“Oh, my little girl, there’s no need to apologize like that. It makes me feel as if I’m being too harsh on you…”

Vitalia comforted Lia while wiping away the tears that had fallen from her eyes.

Lia was deeply moved by her concern.

“You must be hungry, right? Quickly, go to the imperial kitchen and order them to prepare a nutritious breakfast for my little princess! And you, sir, why are you standing there? Hurry and examine her…”

Vitalia gave out her orders before returning her attention entirely to her little girl.

She noticed Lia looked uncomfortable, and quickly guessed the reason lay in the fact that her face was uncovered before strangers. She still was not used to showing her face openly before so many people.

Vitalia gently squeezed the small hands held between her own.

“There’s no need to panic, Lia. These are my trusted servants, and I personally selected them to take care of you during your stay here, so relax.”

Vitalia smiled reassuringly at the girl.

Lia was naturally shy. Her contact with the outside world had always been extremely limited, so everything still felt unfamiliar to her.

“My stay?” Lia asked, confusion visible on her face.

Vitalia continued:

“Mmm… you’ll stay another five days in addition to the previous five.”

Lia was surprised.

Why should she remain here after recovering?

Was it because of…?

“In the meantime, feel free to wander around the palace as much as you like. But take at least two maids and a group of skilled guards with you. And do not leave the palace alone.

Even though the palace is protected by formations… we still cannot predict when a spirit beast may appear nearby. Recently, the number of appearances has increased… it seems he is responsible for this…”

Vitalia’s final words became little more than a whisper, and a rare seriousness appeared on her face as she gazed outside the room.

It was as if she was staring far beyond the palace… very far away.

Unconsciously, Lia tightened her grip on the bedsheets while focusing on those final words.

But soon, Vitalia returned to her usual energetic self.

“There are some books in the imperial library that I’m sure will catch your interest… Oh, right! My son will return in two days after being outside the world. You’ve never met him before, have you?!”

Lia shook her head.

“Wondeeerful!! What a perfect opportunity to introduce you to him!”

Vitalia clapped excitedly.

Her name suited her perfectly—always lively and full of energy.

Perhaps that was exactly why the reserved Lumias had fallen so deeply in love with her.

…

Lia spent her time wandering through the palace, but eventually settled inside the imperial library.

She was stunned by its enormous size.

Magic books, technique scrolls, and spells of every rank filled the shelves.

She randomly picked up a book.

“First rank… Earth?”

she murmured.

Then she quickly flipped the page, her eyes widening.

“High Star…?!”

Lia suddenly remembered one of Miss Caristia’s lessons.

“Lia, tell me the ranks of spells.”

“Yes, Teacher. Spells are divided into seven ranks:

First Rank: Earth.

Second Rank: Spiritual.

Third Rank: One Star.

Fourth Rank: Two Stars.

Fifth Rank: Three Stars.

Sixth Rank: High Star.

Seventh Rank: Legendary.”

“Hmm, good. Now tell me, how many legendary spells exist throughout all Seven Divine Worlds? Fifty spells? Perhaps one hundred?”

“Yes, Teacher. That would simply be impossible. Legendary spells are extremely rare. Across all Seven Divine Worlds, only two legendary spells exist. Each one is guarded by a powerful faction in heavily protected locations known only to highly trusted individuals of great status.

Unlike techniques, which rely on a combination of physical and spiritual power—and sometimes only physical strength and body tempering—spells depend entirely on spiritual energy.

Every fundamental element that governs the world possesses spells up to the Sixth Rank. But Seventh Rank spells exist only for the element of Light… and one Seventh Rank spell exists for Darkness.”

“Very good. It seems you’ve been paying attention.”

The strict woman showed a satisfied expression at Lia’s flawless answer.

“Thank you, Teacher. It’s my honor.”

Back in the present—

Lia was not entirely captivated by the rare spells within reach—spells that would cost fortunes outside and were restricted only to nobles.

Instead, something else attracted her attention.

The Legend of the Phoenix.

A strange force seemed to draw her toward that book.

For some unknown reason, she hesitated before taking it, but eventually her curiosity overcame her hesitation.

The problem was that it sat beyond her reach.

She looked around for someone to help her. Servants were forbidden from entering the library, so they had remained outside in case she needed anything.

Eventually, she spotted a middle-aged man with a neatly groomed beard reading a book written in the ancient language.

She guessed he was the librarian.

“Excuse me, sir… c-could you help me?”

Lia asked shyly, praying she had not disturbed him. He had looked deeply focused.

“Oh? The young miss?”

The old man smiled warmly.

“I received instructions to assist you whenever needed. How may I help you, my lady?”

He assumed that a little girl receiving such attention from Milady herself must possess an extraordinary status. After all, being allowed inside the imperial library alone was proof enough.

Lia lowered her head further, looking like a shy kitten that made others want to spoil her.

“Thank you… I-I want that book.”

She pointed toward it.

The old man’s eyes slowly widened as he stared at her strangely.

“Are you certain, my lady, that you want that book?”

Yu asked calmly, though his tone concealed deep curiosity.

People had always intentionally avoided that book…

Yet this little girl…

“Yes, please.”

Yu retrieved the medium-sized book, which looked surprisingly simple compared to the others. Its cover was decorated with the image of a bird with crimson feathers.

“Here you are… would you like me to read it to you?”

“No, thank you. I can read by myself.”

This time, he was genuinely surprised.

How old was she to already know how to read?

Lia spent her free time reading books alongside her royal lessons, so it was not strange for others to be shocked by her reading ability at such a young age.

There was no such thing as impossible for someone determined to learn.

Yu asked no further questions.

“Very well. I won’t disturb you any longer. Enjoy your reading… and if you need anything, call for me.”

Then Old Man Yu departed.

…

“I’m so excited!”

Lia cheered internally after finding a place beneath the moonlight.

She slowly opened the book, as though afraid it might swallow her whole.

“Hmm? The first page… is blank?… No, wait! Something’s appearing!!!”

Lia became confused when she realized all the pages were empty until—

The first page:

“In every one of the Seven Worlds, there exists a secret revealed only to those daring enough to look beyond the shadows… Are you prepared to bear the consequences?

Beware, for this may cost you what you value most.

If you accept, place your bloodprint at the bottom of the page and write your name.

And once you close this book, you will remember nothing.”

Place your bloodprint here:

Without hesitation, Lia cut her finger and pressed it onto the paper.

Suddenly, the bloodprint vanished as if the book had devoured it.

Then new words appeared.

“Since you have accepted the conditions, name someone precious to you to complete the opening ritual.”

Lia hesitated, her hands tightening.

“I changed my mind… I won’t—”

° We warn you. There is no way to leave. And if you attempt to… the consequences will be severe. °

…

In the darkness of night, a small girl dressed in a simple white nightgown walked through the corridor.

Then suddenly—

She appeared outside the palace, miles away.

The little girl walked with empty eyes, without any destination.

Then suddenly she stopped before a towering statue of an extraordinarily beautiful goddess holding an ornate vase decorated with a butterfly on the front.

The next moment, mysterious magic lifted the girl upward toward the vase.

She stretched out her hand toward the butterfly—

Before she could touch the statue, a savage howl echoed behind her.

Then—

(AWOOOOOOOOOO!)

That little girl was none other than Lia.

Her small body fell backward.

She waited to feel pain, but—

Warmth wrapped around her body instead.

And a faint amber scent.

“Why… why didn’t I feel any pain??”

The question was more instinct than understanding.

Lia slowly opened her eyes and caught sight of the silhouette of a young man with long golden hair fighting the savage wolf.

“Hmm?... Who is that… could it perhaps be… Lord Lumias?”

Lia guessed.

Then she lifted her head toward the one holding her—

And suddenly—

Her eyes filled with tears.

“Big brother!!!”