The door clicked softly behind her.
Isabella froze for a moment, leaning against the cold wood.
Suddenly, the silence of her home felt like a heavy, invisible wall.
Ray's words still echoed in her mind.
> "It was an accident… Nothing serious."
Her chest tightened.
Slowly, she slid down the door until she was sitting on the floor. Her hands trembled, her eyes burned.
"An accident…" she whispered, her voice breaking.
Tears came first in quiet streams, then poured uncontrollably.
She buried her face in her knees, searching for breath… for a reason.
But there was none.
Just the pure, aching pain of a love that had just been rejected.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, the mood was completely different.
"Okay, my turn!" Kira shouted, slapping the table. "I dare you, Alix—drink your tea without using your hands!"
"Kira, you're insane," sighed Alix.
"That's the point, my dear!" Kira laughed.
The three girls were sprawled in the large living room, cushions scattered and soft music floating in the air.
Miria sat cross-legged, quietly watching them, a soft laugh escaping her lips.
"Your turn, Miria!" Kira pointed at her.
"Me? Again?"
"Yes! You've been doing so well—you can't stop now."
Miria shrugged, amused.
"Alright, fine. What's the challenge this time?"
Kira tapped her cheek thoughtfully, a mischievous grin spreading.
"I dare you… to cast a spell on Asher."
Alix nearly choked on her tea.
"What?! Are you crazy, Kira? Asher isn't just anyone! You want her to turn him into a statue?"
Miria blushed and shook her head.
"Impossible! I can't even read his thoughts… How could I cast a spell on him?"
"Exactly!" Kira clapped her hands. "That's what makes it fun! Even if you fail, at least we'll laugh!"
Curiosity—and the playful mood—pushed Miria to give in.
"Fine. Just a small spell. Nothing dangerous."
"Promise!" Kira said, crossing her fingers behind her back.
A few minutes later, the three girls were hidden behind the hallway door, watching Asher sitting in the living room, absorbed in a thick book.
His gaze followed the lines with intense concentration.
"Okay, he's reading. Perfect timing," whispered Kira.
"Quick, before he gets up!" Alix added, barely containing her excitement.
Miria flipped through her grimoire, panicking.
"Wait, I can't find the page!"
"Hurry, he's moving!" Kira whispered.
"He just closed the book!" Alix panicked. "He's getting up!"
Miria grabbed a random page and pressed her hand on the parchment.
Her eyes glowed deep violet. A strange breeze swept through the room.
> "Aether vinculum sensuum, corda in silentio ligentur…!"
A shimmering light shot from the book straight toward Asher.
He flinched, swayed slightly, then straightened himself, looking confused.
He shook his head, then continued calmly, unaware of the three girls hiding behind the door.
"Oh my… you did it!" Alix whispered, wide-eyed.
"Looks like it!" Kira said, astonished.
"Do you think… it worked?" Miria asked, uncertain.
"Judging by his reaction, I'd say yes!" Kira laughed.
Miria smiled nervously.
"Uh… yeah, probably."
"Great! Snack break!" Kira declared, standing.
"Perfect idea," Alix said. "Come on, Miria!"
They walked away, laughing. Miria stayed for a moment, staring at her open grimoire. Something felt… wrong.
She finally saw the title of the spell she was supposed to cast:
> Serenitas Mentis — A calming charm to ease another's emotions.
Effect: Clears mental tension and promotes clarity of mind.
Miria frowned.
"But… that's not what I recited…"
She searched for the page she had used, but before she could read the description—
"Miriiaaa! Are you coming or what?" Kira shouted from the hallway.
"I'm coming!" Miria replied, closing the grimoire in a hurry.
She placed the book on the table and ran after them, unaware that the page still glowed softly, revealing a different title:
> Veneficium Desiderii — Spell of Silent Desire.
A gentle breeze stirred the room, like magic itself laughing quietly.