Araluen kingdom, Capital City Valeron, Castle Saefel, BedRoom to Araluen kingdom, Village Lunala, House (Fray Child Blackwood)
The following day dawned softly, marking Cassi's first day in her new world. The cottage was alive with the gentle hum of daily life. Despite the ordeal of childbirth, Elina was up early, determined to resume her routine.
As she moved about the cottage, Cassi, still swaddled tightly, watched her with keen, almost unnaturally aware eyes. Elina was a striking woman in her early twenties, her strength evident in every movement. Her long, light-brown hair, streaked with hints of red, shimmered in the soft morning light, resembling flames dancing in the hearth.
Once dressed, Elina bundled Cassi in a soft blanket and carried her out of the small bedroom. In the main room, she found her older daughter, Rena, fiddling with the fireplace.
"What in the Great Mother's name do you think you're doing, Rena?" Elina whispered harshly, careful not to wake the rest of the household. "The sun isn't even up! You know you're not allowed to mess with fire!"
"I'm sorry, Mom," Rena replied, her face a mix of guilt and earnestness. "I just wanted to surprise you all by making the house warm for breakfast."
Elina's expression softened. "No need to worry, my little bee. Your mommy's got this." She ruffled Rena's blonde hair, streaked with shades of black, a trait that had earned her the nickname.
Elina gently shooed Rena away from the fireplace and, with a practiced flick of her finger, ignited the wood. "Infiro," she murmured, and flames sprang to life.
Cassi, observing intently, felt a deep connection to the magic Elina wielded. She instinctively began to breathe deeply, allowing the energy of the world to flow into her. With each breath, she began to see a deep red core forming in her diaphragm, pulsing with power.
Holding her breath, Cassi focused on the energy mingling with her core, feeling the magic resonate within her. The outside energy fused with her core, sparking a flicker of understanding. In that moment, she felt the deep red core synchronize with the surrounding energy, igniting a spark of awareness.
Excited by the discovery, Cassi continued to channel the world's energy, exploring her breathing technique and discovering the unique rhythm that resonated with her core. She named her technique "Elemental flow," inspired by the calm, reflective energy of the moon.
As she practiced, a bond formed between her and the magic itself, woven through threads of energy and curiosity. In that small cottage, the seeds of an extraordinary destiny were planted.
Cassi was thrilled by her discovery, knowing that she could wield magic even as a baby. This realization filled her with hope and determination. For Rena, it was a source of awe—magic was common, but witnessing her mother cast spells without words or gestures was like watching a true mage at work.
"You're amazing, Mom!" Rena exclaimed, her eyes wide with admiration. "Will I ever be as good at magic as you?"
"Of course you will, my little bee," Elina replied with a warm smile, though inwardly she thought, after ten-plus years of chores every single day.
Soon, the rest of the household awoke for breakfast. The family consisted of Apollo, the father; Elina; their two daughters, Rena and Tista; and two sons, Hades and Trion.
Cassi observed the morning routine, noting with slight disappointment the lack of an indoor bathroom. The house comprised a large room serving as a dining room, kitchen, and pantry, with three doors leading to various bedrooms and little else.
Breakfast was a quiet affair, allowing Cassi to absorb the words and actions around her. She learned the word for water magic when her father filled jugs with a soft incantation, "Jorun."
After breakfast, as everyone dispersed to their daily routines, Elina settled into a rocking chair with Cassi. Throughout the morning, they discovered that in this world, even mundane chores like washing dishes or cleaning the floors were done with magic.
From her chair, Elina would twirl her fingers, murmuring, "Brezza!" to summon small whirlwinds that danced around the house, sweeping away dust and debris.
When someone dirtied the floor with earth or mud, a quick flick of her wrist and a whisper, "Magna!" sent the mess flying back out the door.
As night fell and the house grew silent, Cassi continued to practice her magic in the crib. Her tiny hands mimicked the gestures she had observed, her young mind already brimming with potential.