Chapter Nine – Signs of Change
The morning sun crept through the curtains, painting faint light across Aveline's room.
Her eyes opened the moment the warmth touched her face — not because she'd been asleep for long, but because she didn't need much sleep anymore.
Sylph hovered nearby, rubbing her tiny eyes.
> "You're awake again already?"
"I didn't even feel tired," Aveline said, sitting up.
Her movements were smooth, her breathing calm.
But something was different — the air around her felt heavier, like it hummed with invisible energy.
Sylph floated closer, narrowing her eyes.
> "Your mana signature's stronger. Way stronger."
"I noticed," Aveline said, lifting her hand.
The mark of the Lumivorn shimmered faintly on her wrist.
When she focused, small wisps of light gathered above her palm — denser than before, more controlled.
> "It feels... clearer," she murmured.
"That's because you're drawing from the Lumivorn's mana," Sylph explained. "Your circuits are adapting to its flow."
"Is that a problem?"
"Not yet. But it's a huge leap for someone your age."
Aveline smiled faintly. "Then we'll just make sure no one notices."
---
Breakfast with Suspicion
At breakfast, the Duke and Duchess seemed unaware of anything unusual — at least at first.
Aveline poured tea for her mother, then reached for her spoon.
But before she could touch it, the utensil floated slightly — barely an inch — before dropping back to the table with a quiet clink.
Her mother blinked. "Did you see that?"
Aveline froze. "See what?"
"The spoon—"
"It must've been the wind," Aveline said quickly.
Her father chuckled, shaking his head. "Inside the dining room?"
Selina frowned slightly but said nothing else.
Sylph, invisible to everyone else, pressed her hands to her mouth to stifle a laugh.
> "Smooth," she whispered near Aveline's ear.
Aveline didn't respond, just kept stirring her tea with calm precision.
---
Training in Secret
Later that day, Aveline returned to the garden — her usual training ground.
She drew the mana circle for summoning, but this time, the glow was brighter, sharper. The runes looked more defined than ever.
> "Summon: Ignis."
The small salamander appeared in a flash of flame.
He blinked up at her, his tail flicking once.
> "Master… your aura feels different."
"Stronger or unstable?" she asked.
"Neither. It's... deeper. Like standing near an ancient fire that never dies."
Sylph floated nearby, scanning the air.
> "The Lumivorn's energy is still active. It's reinforcing your circuits, strengthening every link to your summons."
Aveline closed her eyes, breathing slowly. The mana inside her moved smoother than ever before — no strain, no stutter, no resistance.
She shifted her focus.
> "Summon: Althea."
Light shimmered beside her, and the angelic healer appeared. Her expression was soft, but her tone was curious.
> "You've changed, Master. Your essence resonates with ours more naturally now."
"Good," Aveline said. "That means we're improving."
She ran through her training routine again — mana flow control, channel endurance, and elemental synchronization.
Each spell formed faster. Each summon lasted longer before fading.
When she finally stopped, there wasn't even a drop of sweat.
Sylph frowned. "You're adapting too quickly. It's unnatural."
Aveline looked up at the cloudy sky. "Maybe. But this is what I wanted."
---
Whispers in the Halls
By evening, whispers began circulating through the mansion.
One maid claimed she saw faint blue light flickering under the young lady's door at night.
Another swore she heard voices when Aveline was supposedly alone.
When the family's court mage, Master Roland, came by for his monthly visit, he noticed the same thing.
During dinner, he looked across the table at Aveline.
> "My Lady," he said respectfully, "have you felt any strange sensations recently? Headaches, warmth, unusual dreams?"
Aveline smiled politely. "Nothing out of the ordinary."
"Hmm," the mage murmured, "I sensed an unfamiliar energy near your quarters. It's faint, but old — and powerful."
Selina frowned. "Old? You mean ancient magic?"
> "Something akin to it," Roland replied. "But harmless for now."
Aveline met his gaze and held it, calm and unreadable.
> "Perhaps it's just the residue from my ritual ten days ago," she said.
Roland studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Perhaps."
Sylph whispered under her breath, "That was close."
Aveline didn't even blink. "He won't find anything. The Lumivorn's mana isn't hostile."
---
Midnight Reflection
That night, Aveline sat on her bed, tracing the glowing mark on her wrist.
It pulsed gently, matching her heartbeat.
> "System," she whispered, "status."
[Summoner: Aveline Caelthorn]
[Age: 10]
[Mana Flow: Enhanced]
[Affinity: Hidden (Stable)]
[New Trait: Lumivorn Resonance – Passive regeneration +30%, mana density +25%]
Aveline exhaled softly. "So that's what this feeling is…"
Sylph crossed her arms. "You're basically becoming part beast now."
> "Then I'll use it to grow faster," Aveline said.
She stood, looking out the window again. The forest was quiet, but she could feel the Lumivorn's presence somewhere out there — watching, waiting.
> "Do you think it's still near the clearing?"
"Probably," Sylph said. "Why?"
"I want to understand it better. The bond, the energy... everything."
"You sound like a scientist, not a ten-year-old."
"Maybe both," Aveline replied, smiling faintly.
---
The moonlight fell across her desk again, illuminating her notes — sketches of runes, mana readings, and faint outlines of the Lumivorn's shape.
Every line was neat, methodical — the work of someone preparing for the long road ahead.
Sylph watched her quietly, her glow soft in the dark.
> "You know this power will draw attention sooner or later, right?"
"Then I'll be ready when it does," Aveline said.
She closed her notebook and turned toward the window.
Somewhere beyond the trees, a pair of blue eyes blinked once — calm, patient, and loyal.
The bond between girl and beast pulsed softly in the night air, unseen by the world but growing stronger with every heartbeat.