Chapter 5 – Whispers of the Gifted
The morning sun crept gently through the curtains, spilling across Aveline's bed. It had been ten days since the Affinity Ceremony — the day every noble child received their element. For everyone else, it had been a celebration. For her, it had been a quiet storm.
She stretched lazily, brushing a strand of silver hair from her face. On her shoulder, a small sparkle of light flickered — a faint shimmer only she could see.
"Morning, Master," came Sylph's cheerful whisper.
Aveline smiled. "Morning, Sylph. You didn't sleep, did you?"
"Spirits don't need sleep," Sylph said proudly, crossing her tiny arms. "Besides, I had to make sure no one came in."
Aveline giggled softly. "What would I do without you?"
She got dressed and joined her family for breakfast. Her parents sat at the long table — Duke Reinhardt and Duchess Selina, both composed as ever. The maids moved quietly around them, serving bread, fruit, and tea.
Her mother smiled as Aveline sat down. "You look cheerful today."
"I just slept well," Aveline replied smoothly.
Her father nodded approvingly, though his eyes lingered on her a moment longer than usual — protective, maybe worried. The whispers about his daughter's lack of affinity hadn't stopped. Some nobles pitied them; others mocked quietly behind silk fans.
But her parents still treated her like their beloved child. They never once made her feel less.
That kindness was enough for now.
---
After breakfast, she went to her usual lessons — etiquette, history, and writing. Her instructor bowed politely but hesitated when handing her the practice scrolls. It was subtle, but she caught it: pity. Everyone who looked at her seemed to wear that expression lately.
During break, she walked outside to the courtyard where other noble children practiced with their tutors. The air buzzed with magic — glowing orbs, sparks, and streams of wind.
"Did you hear?" one girl whispered loudly. "Lord Garrick's son got both Wind and Lightning!"
"I heard the prince awakened Fire — and his flames were red-gold!" another said.
Aveline pretended not to listen. Sylph hovered invisibly beside her, holding a flower petal. "They sure love to talk," the fairy muttered.
Aveline smiled faintly. "That's what nobles do best."
Lady Mirelle, one of the children from another noble family, spotted her and strutted over. Her crimson ribbon shimmered with mana. "Lady Aveline," she said sweetly. "Won't you show us your magic?"
"I don't have any," Aveline replied calmly.
Mirelle smirked. "Oh, right. I forgot. Sorry." She laughed softly, turning to her friends.
Sylph's wings twitched irritably. "Want me to drop a leaf in her hair?"
Aveline shook her head slightly. "No need."
Her calm expression, even in the face of mockery, unsettled Mirelle more than any insult could have.
---
Later in the afternoon, Aveline sat quietly in the family's library, flipping through books about mana theory and summoning. She couldn't cast spells, but she could still learn how this world worked. And besides, her system gave her more knowledge than most scholars had access to.
> [System: Summoner Circuit – Stable.]
[Energy: 15%.]
[Active Summon: Sylph.]
"Master," Sylph whispered from her perch on the table, "you could call another one soon if you wanted."
Aveline shook her head. "Not yet. I need to make sure no one notices."
"Still hiding, huh?"
"For now." Aveline smiled faintly. "I'll show them when I'm ready."
---
That evening, her family hosted guests — Viscount Durn and his son, Elias. Elias was polite, shy, and kind. Unlike most children, he never looked down on her.
They were sent to play in the garden while the adults talked inside. Mirelle was there again, showing off her flame magic to anyone who would watch.
"You really don't care that you have no magic?" Mirelle asked suddenly, her tone laced with fake innocence.
Aveline shrugged. "Should I?"
Mirelle frowned. "Well, the prince is probably embarrassed, that's all I'm saying."
Elias stepped forward. "That's rude, Mirelle."
Aveline chuckled softly. "It's fine. She's right about one thing."
"Which is?" Mirelle asked with a smug grin.
"That people who talk too much usually have less to show later."
Mirelle blinked, confused for a moment, then scowled. Elias covered his mouth to hide a laugh. Sylph, invisible, rolled in the air laughing silently.
---
That night, Aveline returned to her room, closed the door, and exhaled deeply. "Another successful performance," she muttered.
Sylph floated onto her desk. "You're getting good at pretending."
"I've had practice," Aveline replied, opening the glowing interface that only she could see.
> [Quest: Stabilize Summoner Circuit – 78% Complete]
[New Feature: Link Mode – Synchronization Activated]
She read the system's description carefully. Link Mode allowed her to share senses with her summons for a short time. Dangerous, but fascinating.
"Maybe just a little test," she murmured.
"Master—!" Sylph began, but it was too late.
The world changed instantly. Aveline gasped as her vision sharpened. Everything around her glowed faintly — every object pulsing with gentle energy. She could see mana, feel it, almost hear it.
Then it ended. She gasped and fell back, breathing hard.
> [Synchronization Successful – 10% Efficiency.]
[Energy +3%.]
Sylph fluttered to her shoulder, worried. "You scared me!"
Aveline chuckled between breaths. "I'm fine. It's working."
"Working doesn't mean safe," Sylph grumbled.
"I'll be careful," Aveline promised.
---
The next morning, a royal messenger arrived at the Duke's mansion, bearing a sealed envelope with the royal crest. Her mother's expression tightened when she saw it.
"It's from Prince Lucien," she said quietly, handing it to her daughter.
Aveline broke the seal and read the short, polite letter. It was exactly what she expected — formal and distant. The prince's father, the king, had "reconsidered" the engagement.
Her mother reached across the table, worried. "Aveline…"
Aveline folded the letter neatly. "It's fine, Mother. I wasn't very attached to him anyway."
Her father looked at her for a long moment before saying, "You're taking this better than most adults would."
Aveline smiled faintly. "It's easier when you don't expect too much."
Later, alone in her room, Sylph floated by the window. "Want me to set his letter on fire?" she asked eagerly.
Aveline laughed softly. "No, Sylph. Let him keep his pride. We'll just keep ours."
> [System Notification: Emotional Stability – Perfect Sync.]
[Passive Skill Unlocked: Composure of the Summoner.]
The words glowed faintly before fading. Aveline felt an odd warmth in her chest — a calm clarity that made everything feel lighter.
---
That night, she stood on her balcony, gazing at the distant city lights. From here, she could see the noble district glowing with magic lamps, the academy towers gleaming, and faint sparks of mana from students practicing late.
The world revolved around power — and she was supposed to have none.
But the truth was different. She wasn't powerless. She was simply different.
Sylph appeared beside her, wings glowing faintly blue. "Master, what are you thinking about?"
Aveline smiled, her silver hair swaying in the breeze. "About how funny this world is. They worship magic so much that they forget there are other kinds of strength."
She looked up at the night sky. "We'll grow quietly. When the time comes, they'll see."
The system responded silently:
> [Summoner Circuit Stable.]
[New Quest Added: Unlock Second Summon.]
Aveline closed her eyes, feeling the familiar hum of the system pulse softly in her chest.
"Let them call me powerless," she whispered. "One day, they'll understand what real power looks like."
The wind carried her words into the night — gentle, calm, and certain.