Luna stood in the yard, sunlight filtering through the treetops and casting a warm glow on her youthful face, yet her gaze was unusually resolute.
Her brows furrowed tightly, a tide of anxiety and worry surged within her. Her elder brother had been left disabled due to a Magic Backlash, her Second Brother had been deceived by a close friend into a Magic Dilemma, and Brother San was lost in the depths of Talent Misguidance, idly indulging in pleasures.
All of this felt like a cruel jest from Destiny; she could have changed it all, yet for various reasons, she had failed to act in time.
“Mother, is there anything I can do?” Luna gently tugged at the hem of her dress, her voice trembling yet filled with determination.
She recalled the tragic endings of her brothers from the original story, and a wave of guilt washed over her. She should not have only thought of herself; her family needed her help, and she could no longer hesitate.
Aelia held her youngest son, Lucius, tears welling in her eyes as she spoke with a quiver in her voice, “Child, so much has happened that I… I don’t know what to do.” Her tears fell silently onto Lucius’s hair, and it felt as if her heart was being torn to shreds.
Leonard’s betrayal had turned all her cherished memories into ashes.
Luna’s expression hardened as she took a deep breath and said firmly, “Mother, I will find a way. I believe that as long as we stand united, we can overcome this hardship.”
At that moment, Aelia’s maid, Qin Si, quietly entered the room holding a letter in hand, hesitation flickering in her eyes.
Taking a deep breath to muster her courage, she addressed Aelia, “Madam, there’s something I must tell you…”
Aelia looked up with confusion filling her gaze. “Qin Si, what has happened?”
Qin Si inhaled deeply, her voice trembling slightly. “Madam, I unintentionally discovered some secrets about Lord Leonard. He has been keeping a concubine outside… and…” She paused, unable to continue as Aelia’s expression turned icy.
“Go on,” Aelia’s voice was hollow, as if all emotion had drained from it.
It felt as though a sharp knife was repeatedly piercing through her heart; tears swelled in her eyes as she struggled to accept this harsh reality.
Qin Si took another deep breath and continued, “He has spent many nights with that concubine and has given her many precious gifts. Madam, I saw with my own eyes that those gifts came from the treasury of the lord’s estate.”
Aelia’s tears finally fell freely; memories of sweet moments with Leonard flooded back to her—those beautiful days they had shared now twisted into bitter lies.
Tears blurred her vision as she was engulfed by endless pain.
“Why… why would he do this to me?” Aelia’s voice was low and sorrowful, as if she were speaking to herself while her heart bled.
Seeing her mother in such anguish stirred a fierce anger within Luna. She knew she had to take action; waiting was no longer an option.
Turning to Qin Si, she said resolutely, “Qin Si, can you help me gather some ancient texts regarding the Breaking Magic crisis? I have a plan but need your assistance.”
Qin Si met Luna’s determined gaze and nodded firmly. “Miss, I will certainly help you.”
Determination sparkled in Luna's eyes as she silently vowed to change her family’s destiny and prevent tragedy from repeating itself. Taking a deep breath, she turned towards the study with hope and resolve filling her heart.
Aelia sat alone in the room as tears continued to fall; confusion and helplessness overwhelmed her mind. She did not know what the future held for them.
Lucius stood beside his mother, gripping her hand tightly with worry etched on his face. “Mother, we will be okay, right?”
Aelia forced a faint smile and reassured him gently, “Yes, child; as long as we are together, there will always be a way.”
Just then, urgent footsteps echoed from outside the door, causing Luna's heart to race wildly.
She knew this was just the beginning…
Leonard's figure appeared at the door, his eyes betraying a hint of guilt, but more prominently, an unsettling anxiety. He looked at Aelia, whose face was streaked with tears, and felt a wave of panic wash over him.
“Aelia…” His voice was low, yet tinged with an unmistakable tension.
Aelia's gaze was icy as she coldly replied, “Get out.”
Leonard's steps faltered, his face turning pale. He knew that in this moment, he had lost everything.
Standing at the door, even his lavish robe could not conceal the flicker of unease in his eyes. He tried to muster a smile, but his voice came out dry like the wind in a desert. “Aelia, let me explain…”
Aelia lifted her head, her tear-stained face filled with disappointment and anger. She let out a cold laugh, her voice hoarse. “Explain? Are you going to explain how you’ve been hiding a mistress at the Golden House, or are you going to explain how you’ve treated me like a fool?”
Leonard's heart sank; he realized that his secrets had been exposed. Yet he still attempted to defend himself. “Aelia, listen to me. It’s not what you think…”
“Not what I think? Is what I saw with my own eyes a lie?” Aelia's emotions erupted completely as she stood up abruptly, pointing an accusing finger at Leonard. “Leonard, you have truly disappointed me! After all these years of sacrifice for you, is this how you repay me?”
Leonard's face turned ashen; he hadn’t expected Aelia to react so fiercely. He reached for her hand, but she forcefully shook him off. “Aelia, please calm down. Let’s talk this through…”
“Talk? What is there left for us to discuss?” Aelia's eyes brimmed with despair. “Just go! I don’t want to see you again!”
Leonard’s body swayed slightly, but he remained unwilling to concede. He tried to explain again. “Aelia, I admit I made mistakes, but I had my reasons…”
“Reasons? Your reason is to betray me and hurt me?” Aelia’s voice dripped with mockery. “Leonard, you are so hypocritical! Just leave; I don’t want to hear any more excuses!”
Leonard’s complexion grew pale as he gazed deeply at Aelia. The air was thick with the aftermath of their argument, and Aelia slumped helplessly into a chair as tears streamed down her face once more. She felt as though her world had completely collapsed; the sweetness and happiness of the past had turned into blades that pierced her heart.
Meanwhile, in the library of the Magic Castle, Luna was engrossed in a pile of ancient texts. Under the dim light, her youthful face appeared particularly focused.
These ancient books had been sourced by Qin Si and contained various magical knowledge and methods to address the Breaking Magic crisis. Luna understood that to change her brothers' destiny, she needed to find a solution to their predicament.
She flipped through a thick tome that detailed an Ancient Magic Ritual capable of dispelling the negative effects caused by Magic Backlash. However, this ritual required special materials and immense Magical Power, and it carried significant risks—any misstep could lead to even graver consequences.
Furrowing her brow in concentration, Luna continued to sift through other ancient texts in hopes of discovering safer and more effective methods.
Time ticked away as beads of sweat began to form on her forehead. She felt her brain nearing its limits but refused to give up.
However, the contents of these ancient texts were obscure and riddled with traps and misleading information. Although Luna possessed the soul of a Great Mage, her current body was merely that of an infant; her Magical Power was still weak, making it difficult for her to grasp these complex magical concepts.
She felt a bit anxious, but she forced herself to calm down. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes, trying to recall the memories of her past life. In her previous existence, she had been a powerful Mage, well-versed in various magical knowledge and skills. She believed that as long as she could remember her past life, she would surely find a way to solve the problem at hand. However, the memories of her past life were shrouded in a layer of mist; she could only vaguely sense fragments but could not recall them clearly.
Feeling somewhat frustrated, she still refused to give up. She knew that if she persevered, she would eventually break through this fog and retrieve the memories of her past life. The atmosphere within the Magic Castle had become unusually tense due to the argument between Aelia and Leonard. Her eldest brother, Second Brother, and Brother San all sensed the turmoil within the family; they were worried yet felt powerless. The eldest brother sat in his wheelchair, gazing out at the scenery outside. Second Brother had locked himself in his room, bearing the pain of being deceived by a close friend alone. He couldn’t face his family, feeling that he had brought them shame.
Brother San appeared carefree on the surface, but inside he was filled with anxiety. He knew that his negligence had disappointed his family; he wanted to change but didn’t know where to start. They all hoped Luna could come up with a way to change their situation, but they also understood that Luna was just a baby with very limited capabilities.
Finally, Luna emerged from the study. Her face bore a hint of fatigue, but her gaze was exceptionally resolute. Seeing her family in pain filled her with anger. She knew that all of this stemmed from the decay and darkness of the Magic Castle. A bold idea began to take shape in her mind: she would break through the current predicament of the Magic Castle and change the family's destiny. Clenching her small fists, determination and resolve shone in her eyes. She believed that as long as she worked hard, she could change everything.
“Aunt Cessy…” Luna’s voice was youthful yet filled with strength. Qin Si hurried over, concern etched on his face as he asked, “Miss, what do you need?”
“Help me prepare some things; I want to…” Luna's voice suddenly trailed off as her little brow furrowed in concentration.
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