Luna, with her baby-like softness and a pair of incredibly clear, deep eyes, sat upright—well, as upright as she could—on Aelia's lap.
The air in the room was thick and heavy, like a soaked wool blanket pressing down on everyone's chest.
Luna knew that at this moment, her tender voice would ignite a storm capable of shaking the entire Glorious Demon Fortress.
She was about to reveal Leonard's secret.
This was not a whim, nor the nonsensical chatter of a child.
The soul from another world pulsed within her small body, allowing her to glimpse the "novel" plot of this magical realm, where she was merely a Cannon Fodder Baby.
Luna understood clearly that if the plot did not change, her family—her elder brother, Second Brother, and Brother San—would all face a tragic Destiny.
“Mommy…” Luna spoke in her baby voice, causing Aelia's heart to constrict sharply.
She knew her daughter too well; despite her young age, whenever Luna spoke in that tone, it meant something significant was about to happen.
“What is it, my Sweetheart?” Aelia forced herself to remain calm, stroking Luna's soft hair.
“Daddy… outside… there’s another home…” Luna said haltingly, each word like a small stone thrown into Aelia's tranquil heart lake, creating ripples that ultimately evolved into towering waves.
The color drained from Aelia's face in an instant as she stared at Luna, her lips trembling but unable to produce any sound.
For years, she had been immersed in the fantasy of love with Leonard, giving everything for this man—bearing his children, managing the family, protecting the Glorious Demon Fortress for him.
And now, everything she had believed in came crashing down with her daughter's innocent yet cruel words.
“No… it’s impossible…” Aelia murmured, her eyes vacant and filled with despair, resembling a beautiful Porcelain Doll that had been violently shattered on the ground.
Beside her, Qin Si, the devoted maid, wore an exceptionally grim expression.
She tightened her grip on the dagger hidden beneath her Skirt, the Veins on her Hand Back bulging.
To her, betraying her mistress was akin to betraying herself; anyone who dared to harm her mistress would face her most merciless revenge.
Young Lucius looked utterly bewildered. Being still so young, he could not comprehend what “there is another home outside” truly meant.
Yet he could sense the oppressive atmosphere in the room, instinctively feeling a sense of unease.
Leonard’s face turned ashen; he had not expected this secret to be publicly exposed by his daughter.
He shot Luna a fierce glare.
“Aelia, listen to me, this is all a misunderstanding…” Leonard attempted to explain, but his voice sounded so Pale and powerless.
Aelia ignored him, taking a trembling breath as her gaze gradually grew resolute.
“Qin Si,” she said in a low and dangerous tone, “go and gather all the evidence of Leonard’s activities over the years. I want him to be utterly disgraced!”
Without hesitation, Qin Si accepted the command and vanished from the room like a streak of black lightning.
Meanwhile, Luna was also striving to change her family’s Destiny.
Her elder brother Gareth had been left disabled due to a Magic Backlash, enduring years of torment from phantom pains.
With the memories of the Former Great Mage, Luna discovered a way to lift the curse.
She shared this method with her elder brother, Gareth. At first, Gareth was skeptical that this little girl, who appeared to be only a few years old, could help him. However, in his desperation, he decided to give it a try.
A miracle happened. After following Luna's method for magical training, Gareth found that the phantom pain that had tormented him for years began to truly lessen.
Hope ignited in his eyes as he looked at Luna with deep gratitude.
His second brother, Lisdan, was trapped in a Magic Dilemma due to betrayal by a close friend, leaving him feeling dejected and lost.
Luna encouraged him to pull himself together and find his way out of the predicament with his own strength.
Inspired by Luna's words, Lisdan reignited his fighting spirit. He began to diligently practice magic, attempting to unravel the mystery of the Magic Dilemma.
Determination shone once more in his gaze.
Watching her brothers gradually improve filled Luna's heart with comfort.
Yet she knew this was just the beginning; the road ahead was long and fraught with challenges.
Especially for her brother San, Kaius...
"Kaius, how is your magic practice going?" Luna asked casually, though her gaze remained fixed on Brother San.
Kaius absentmindedly fiddled with a small stick in hand, not looking up as he replied, "It's going okay..."
A sense of foreboding washed over Luna as her heart sank...
Luna sank into the soft couch, her gaze fixed on Kaius's handsome yet slightly disheveled face. A faint scent of Cedar Fragrance, a magical herb, lingered in the air—his little trick to mask his laid-back demeanor.
Sunlight streamed through the window, dancing on his golden hair, yet it could not illuminate the confusion lurking in his eyes.
“Kaius,” Luna spoke again, her youthful voice carrying an undeniable firmness. “Your talent is indeed remarkable, enough to make everyone envious. But talent is like a double-edged sword; if wielded well, it can help you reach the pinnacle; if not, it can lead you into the abyss.”
Kaius finally lifted his head, a flicker of impatience flashing in his deep blue eyes.
“I say, Xiao Luna, how old are you? What do you know about peaks and abysses?”
Luna remained undeterred. “Brother San, have you ever considered why, after all these years, your magical prowess hasn’t reached the level it should? In fact, you’re even outperformed by those with lesser talent.”
Kaius fell silent; he had certainly thought about it—countless times.
He had once been the brightest Frost Nova in the Glorious Demon Fortress, achieving fame at a young age and basking in glory.
However, as he grew older, he realized that he seemed to be stagnating.
He began to indulge in pleasures, numbing himself with alcohol and magical games to escape the harshness of reality.
Luna stood up and walked over to Kaius, her small palm gently resting on the back of his hand.
She could feel the roughness of his palm—a result of neglecting his magical practice for too long.
“Brother San,” she said earnestly, “true magical strength does not depend on talent but on hard work. It’s about daily perseverance and a deep respect for magic.”
She paused before continuing, “Talent is merely a starting point. What ultimately determines how far you can go is the sweat and effort you invest. If you remain lost in the superiority that talent brings without striving to improve, then your talent will eventually be exhausted, leaving you just like everyone else.”
Kaius's body trembled slightly, as Luna's words struck him like a bolt of lightning, clearing the fog that had clouded his heart.
He suddenly became aware that for all these years, he had been deceiving himself, using his talent as an excuse for laziness.
Looking into Luna's clear and determined eyes, he felt as if he could see the dreams he once held—the dream of becoming the greatest Mage.
"I..." Kaius opened his mouth but found himself at a loss for words.
A wave of shame and regret washed over him for the time he had wasted and the talent he had squandered.
Luna did not press him; she simply stepped back, giving him enough space to think.
After a long moment, Kaius took a deep breath, as if trying to exhale all his despair and confusion.
"Luna, you’re right," he said slowly, his voice hoarse yet resolute. "I can’t go on like this. I need to start over; I want to reclaim my former self."
A mix of regret and determination crossed his face, and the once-dull light in his eyes began to shine again.
Meanwhile, in another corner of the Glorious Demon Fortress, Lucius was silently observing Luna's every move.
He stood atop a high tower, overlooking the entire Magic Castle. In the distance, the roar of magical training echoed—a sound of Young Mages striving to enhance their abilities.
Yet his gaze remained fixed on the direction where Luna stood, that small figure resembling a shining star, drawing his attention.
Ever since learning about Luna's true identity and purpose, Lucius had been filled with curiosity and admiration for this little girl.
He admired her courage and wisdom, as well as her efforts to change her family's destiny.
He began to secretly observe Luna's every move, providing her with subtle assistance, such as offering her precious Ancient Grimoires or helping her fend off unnecessary troubles at critical moments.
"This Little One is truly impressive," Lucius murmured to himself, a slight smile playing on his lips.
He could sense that Luna was gradually changing the Glorious Demon Fortress. She was like a small stone thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples that spread outward.
Lucius hoped to change the Destiny of the Magic Castle alongside Luna. A glimmer of anticipation sparkled in his eyes as he looked forward to the day he could fight side by side with her.
However, deep within the Glorious Demon Fortress, a dark shadow was quietly spreading.
Leonard sat in his study, his expression grim and foreboding.
He had learned that Aelia was aware of his betrayal, which left him feeling somewhat anxious.
He never expected that his secret would be publicly exposed by his daughter; this completely disrupted his plans.
He was unwilling to lose his position and power so easily. He had sacrificed too much effort and cost for this day.
He would not allow anyone to ruin his plans.
"Aelia, don't force my hand," Leonard growled softly, his voice filled with threats and anger.
He began to plot in secret, trying to prevent Aelia from revealing his disgraceful actions.
He knew that once his misdeeds became public knowledge, he would be utterly ruined and left with nothing.
He had to find a way to regain control of the situation quickly and crush everything in its cradle.
A hint of malice flickered in his eyes; he was prepared to go to any lengths necessary.
The entire Glorious Demon Fortress was shrouded in a tense and unpredictable atmosphere.
Everyone was eagerly anticipating whether Luna could break the deadlock, and what the future of the Magic Castle would hold.
Luna was unaware that danger was quietly closing in.
At that moment, she stood in her brother Gareth's room, ready to use her magical knowledge to lift his curse.
Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and began to chant the Ancient Spell.
The incantation echoed through the room, imbued with a mysterious and powerful force.
Gareth watched Luna anxiously, his palms slick with sweat.
He didn’t know if her method would work, but he wanted to believe in his sister, trusting that she could create a miracle.
However, as the spell progressed, Luna's complexion grew increasingly pale.
She felt a tremendous resistance blocking her magic.
Her body began to tremble, beads of sweat dripping from her forehead.
"How could this happen?" Luna exclaimed inwardly. She had mastered the correct method; why was she unable to succeed?
Just then, a dark shadow suddenly appeared in the room, enveloping Luna's body.
Luna felt a chilling presence that sent shivers down her spine.
“Little One, you are too naive,” a low, raspy voice whispered in her ear. “Do you think you can change everything? You are mistaken; Destiny cannot be altered.”
Luna's eyes flew open, and she saw a black figure standing before her, its face twisted in a sinister and malevolent expression.
“Who are you?” Luna trembled as she asked, a wave of intense fear enveloping her.
The shadow let out a bone-chilling laugh. “Who am I? I am your nightmare…”
Before Luna could utter another word, the figure suddenly reached out and grasped her throat tightly.
She struggled to breathe, fighting desperately against the shadow’s grip, but it was no use.
“It’s over,” the shadow said coldly. “Everything is over…”
Luna's awareness began to fade, and darkness engulfed her vision…
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