Chapter Seven – Shadows of a Hidden Power
A week had passed since the fangboar incident.
The estate had returned to its calm rhythm, but Aveline's training hadn't slowed down — if anything, it had become more serious.
She was improving faster than she expected.
Her mana flow was smoother, her control sharper, and her summons responded instantly now.
That morning, she sat cross-legged on the garden bench, pretending to read, while Sylph floated above her head — invisible to everyone else.
> "System output stable. Mana flow efficiency at seventy percent," Sylph reported in her usual soft tone.
"That's a big jump from last week," Aveline said, tapping her pen lightly on her notebook.
"You're welcome," Sylph said proudly, crossing her arms.
"You didn't do much."
"Excuse me, who manages your mana balance when you overdo it?"
"Fair," Aveline said, smiling faintly.
She turned another page, pretending to take notes.
To anyone watching, she was just another quiet noble girl studying her history lessons.
But inside her head, the System screen flickered softly — updating her stats and skill levels like a game interface only she could see.
Her progress was real, and she could feel it.
---
Afternoon Training
Later that day, she sneaked out to her usual training spot — the quiet part of the back garden where no one ever went.
"Summon: Ignis."
The small salamander appeared, his tail flame flickering.
He gave her a respectful nod, but his eyes looked impatient.
> "Master, I'm ready for combat drills again," he said.
"You always are," Aveline replied. "But no big explosions this time. We're keeping it low."
"Low power is boring," Ignis muttered.
"Low power keeps us from getting caught."
Althea, her healing angel, floated down gracefully beside them.
Her warm light surrounded Aveline like sunlight through water.
> "You push yourself too much, Master," Althea said gently.
"If I don't, I won't grow stronger," Aveline replied.
"You're already strong."
"Not enough."
Nyx, her shadow wolf, appeared next — silent, his silver eyes watching her closely.
He rarely spoke, but when he did, it was short and direct.
> "Too much control makes you stiff. Trust your instincts," he said in his deep voice.
"I know," Aveline said, stepping back into stance. "Let's start."
She spent the next hour practicing with them — focusing on switching between summons mid-command.
It was hard, but she could now call and recall them faster than before.
Sweat ran down her face, but her mana stayed stable.
When she finally stopped, Sylph hovered near her shoulder.
> "Not bad," Sylph said. "Your link with them is syncing better each day."
"Yeah," Aveline said, smiling slightly. "Feels like they're becoming more real."
Ignis crossed his small arms proudly.
> "We are real, Master."
"Yeah," she said softly. "I know."
---
Servants' Rumors
That evening, whispers started spreading among the servants.
Strange sounds had been heard late at night.
Some swore they saw faint blue lights glowing in the gardens when the moon was high.
> "Maybe it's a will-o'-wisp," one maid whispered.
"Or a wandering spirit," another said nervously.
"Don't be ridiculous," the head maid scolded. "Just stay out of the gardens after dark."
The rumors reached Duchess Selina, who simply sighed.
> "It's probably just the wind," she said dismissively.
But Duke Reinhardt frowned slightly, looking out the window that night toward the faintly glowing trees.
He didn't say anything.
But Aveline felt his eyes on her more often after that.
---
A Quiet Talk
That night, Aveline sat in bed, hair loose, staring at the System window.
> [Mana Circuit Synchronization: 18%]
[Skill Progression: Summon Switching – Level 3]
[Core Energy: Stable]
Sylph sat on her shoulder, legs crossed.
> "You're getting noticed."
"By who?" Aveline asked quietly.
"Servants. Maybe your father too. The mana in this place is starting to react to you."
"Hmm…"
She looked down at her hands. Faint blue light pulsed beneath her skin for a moment before fading.
> "Guess I'll need to train farther from the mansion next time."
"Good idea," Sylph said.
"Still," Aveline added with a small grin, "it's kind of fun knowing I'm scaring the maids with 'ghost lights.'"
"That's mean, Master."
"It's funny," she replied simply.
Sylph sighed but smiled anyway.
---
The Duke's Suspicion
Down the hall, Duke Reinhardt stood by his office window, gazing at the faint shimmer in the distance.
The reports from the guards and servants were inconsistent — some said they saw strange lights, others heard sounds of chanting.
His wife walked in, holding a cup of tea.
> "Still thinking about those rumors?"
"Just making sure it's nothing dangerous," he said calmly.
"You always worry too much."
"It's my job to."
He glanced at a family portrait on the wall — Aveline between him and Selina, smiling softly.
She had always been different, quieter, sharper.
> "She's… changing," he murmured.
"She's growing up," Selina said.
Reinhardt didn't answer. He just kept watching the glowing horizon.
---
Late Night Practice
Back in her room, Aveline whispered, "System, open training menu."
> [Available Modes: Summon Combat – Simulation / Circuit Control / Support Skill Synchronization]
"Start Support Sync," she said.
A soft light filled the room, and Althea appeared in partial form, her wings flickering.
> "Ready, Master."
"Let's go."
She practiced syncing her healing aura with mana compression. It wasn't flashy, but the effect was real — she could feel her stamina restoring faster, her breathing steadying after just minutes of training.
Sylph yawned, floating lazily near the ceiling.
> "You really can't sit still, can you?"
"Not until I understand everything this system can do."
"You know… most kids your age are still learning to write properly."
"And most kids my age don't have dragons and angels for friends," Aveline said simply.
Sylph laughed quietly.
> "Fair point."
The night stretched on, quiet except for the faint hum of mana in the air.
Outside, the wind moved through the trees like a whisper.
Inside, the "powerless" girl continued training — unaware that each spark of mana she released was already drawing something closer.