Reclaiming What Was Lost

Over the past few months, the children had each embraced growth, a testament to the seasons they had weathered.\n\nTrue to their roles as protagonists, they had made steady progress.\n\nThe Puppeteer had cast off long-held fears; the Fox had reached the stars.\n\nThe Jujeongbaengi had overcome trauma, and the Little Prince had reclaimed his Rose.\n\nEach is taking a step towards their next.\n\nI must become even more outstanding.\nEnough to reclaim what I've lost.\n\nThe Vain One was no different.\n\nNo, perhaps she was even more impatient than the others.\n\nShe didn't have much time left.\n\nShe constantly resolved to become stronger.\n\nNature Transformation... is that it?\n\nThe girl toiled day after day.\n\nHer limitations were clear.\n\nTo break through the sudden wall she faced, Emilia clung even more desperately to magic.\n\nWhat she delved into, in particular, was the field known as <F1>Nature Transformation</F1>.\n\nIt was a stage often called the pinnacle of <F1>Elemental Magic</F1>.\n\nMy father also mastered this part. Thanks to it, he earned the moniker of the Continent's greatest Cryomancer. Honestly, I'm not confident...\n\nThe achievements of her <F1>Predecessor</F1>.\n\nThe Vain One followed silently in those honorable footsteps.\n\nOf course, that path was never easy.\n\nShe stumbled and despaired time and again.\n\nPerhaps it was only natural.\n\nI can't grasp it at all. Like walking through a misty dawn, everything is so opaque... Is this truly a realm I'm permitted to reach?\n\n<F1>Cryomancy's</F1> form transformation.\n\nTo break free from a simply designated attribute and cultivate an entirely different dimension.\n\nThis concept was a lifelong challenge for <F1>Mages</F1>.\n\nIt was a realm one could not reach with ordinary talent even after a lifetime, or even after death.\n\nEmilia, too, repeated her long struggles.\n\nWhat exactly is it? To 'learn the sensation'... the explanation itself is vague. There are no special textbooks either. If my father were alive, I could have asked him directly...\n\nThe girl repeated her failures.\n\nFormulas that constantly went awry.\n\nThe notebooks grew thicker, and spilled ink stained her desk.\n\nAs despair mounted, the <F1>Villainess</F1> was consumed by melancholy.\n\nNaturally, she ended up longing for her <F1>Predecessor</F1>.\n\n*What am I, really...?*\n\nFrost clung to her fingertips like a stain.\n\nThe girl lay on the ice, dwelling only on her listless time.\n\nJust as her persistence was about to give way to resignation.\n\n*Do you need power?*\n*I believe I can help you.*\n\nSuddenly\n\nA flicker of inspiration struck Emilia's mind.\n\nIt was a memory.\n\nA recollection of a certain day.\n\nDon't be flustered. As long as I'm here, you won't be pushed back, Lady. You just need to take my hand.\n\nThe monster she had encountered in the abandoned laboratory existed.\n\nA memory of the moment she had dealt with it with <F1>Yuda's</F1> help.\n\nFor just a moment, I will show you a new world. It's a temporary power.\n\nThe <F1>Villainess</F1> took his hand as if enchanted.\n\nAnd then, she bisected the monster, which was infinitely stronger than she.\n\nWithout a moment's hesitation.\n\nBeautifully and cleanly.\n\nShe remembered that exhilarating sense of omnipotence.\n\nIt was a world beyond her current realm, shown to her by the serpent.\n\n*Perhaps.*\n\n*Could that be the clue?*\n\nThe shadow that clung to the <F1>Cryomancy</F1> existed.\n\nThe <F1>Shadow</F1> that dyed her mana black and bright.\n\nBased on that clue, Emilia immediately embarked on new research.\n\nLike that time... freely, unconstrained by mana. As if melting into the Darkness.\n\nShe retraced that fleeting sensation.\n\nIt wasn't particularly difficult.\n\nThat memory was so vivid, even the fluttering snowflakes were clear.\n\nWith her direction set, the <F1>Villainess</F1> poured all her strength into it.\n\nAfter repeated failures, the girl had finally completed it.\n\nI told you.\n\n<F1>Nature Transformation</F1>.\n\nMana mixed with the attributes of <F1>Cryomancy</F1> and <F1>Darkness</F1>.\n\nThe <F1>Villainess</F1> stood with dignified steps.\n\n*Whoosh-*\n\nHer hair fluttered calmly.\n\nWas it because of the deep shadow?\n\nHer originally blue hair was tinged with a murky light.\n\nThis decadence added an eerie chill to the winter.\n\nHer lips parted.\n\nI've come to reclaim that name.\n\nA brilliant light flickered in her blue pupils.\n\nThe atmosphere was instantly overturned.\n\nNormally, this would have been impossible.\n\nBecause the wall of talent had not permitted the girl to reach for such a realm.\n\nHowever, a connection that was almost accidental, now a fated encounter, had brought about her miracle.\n\nEmilia opened her eyes with a shimmering sense of omnipotence.\n\nThe world was as calm as a dawn filled with light.\n\nIt's quiet.\n\nThe preceding sensation.\n\nAnd her own tireless efforts to reproduce it.\n\nHer characteristic stubbornness had finally borne fruit.\n\nA shadow spread through The Vain One's breath.\n\nHaa...\n\nThe <F1>Villainess</F1> looked down at her hands.\n\nHer arms were completely dyed <F1>Pitch-Black</F1>, and snowflakes clung to them.\n\nAt first glance, it looked like a <F1>snowfield</F1> blanketed in night scenery.\n\nAmidst the swirling gusts, the air twisted like a <F1>Heat Haze</F1>.\n\nThe atmosphere was completely different.\n\n*Success, then?*\n\nBlack winter.\n\nEmilia's <F1>Ice Magic</F1> was completely steeped in night.\n\nThe transcendent attribute harnessed the far side of the dimension.\n\nA faint frost lingered in the air around her.\n\n*...Though it's unstable.*\n\nPerhaps because it was a realm achieved through sheer desperation?\n\nIts purity, however, was abysmal.\n\nAt best, it was a mere 40% fidelity compared to her <F1>predecessor's</F1> footsteps.\n\nAnd even that was immature, making it difficult to control its intensity.\n\nYet.\n\nIt's enough.\n\nIt was enough to overcome the <F1>Traitor</F1> before her.\n\nThe girl lightly flicked her finger.\n\n*Clang-!*\n\nA fragment shot from her fingertip.\n\nHer <F1>Uncle's</F1> surprise attack was too easily thwarted.\n\nThe shattered magic scattered into pieces.\n\nMy body feels light.\n\nIt felt as if she was fluttering in the wind.\n\nLike a banner draped over a spear, the black fluttered with dignity.\n\nUgh, ack!\n\n<F1>Uncle</F1>.\n\nHow... how could *you*... achieve <F1>Nature Transformation</F1>...!\n\nIs this all you amount to?\n\n*Thud-!*\n\nA clenched fist landed squarely on the man's guard.\n\nThe recoil sent her <F1>Uncle's</F1> body reeling backward.\n\nHe slid back a considerable distance, his eyes still wide with shock.\n\nHe must never have imagined his niece would surpass his realm.\n\nEmilia pointed a finger.\n\nI have many grievances to ask you about, but...\n\nHow dare you... you imbecile's spawn!\n\nI won't drag this out.\n\nIt wasn't out of mercy.\n\nMaintaining this state was too much for her.\n\nThe world she had forcibly glimpsed sought to push her away.\n\nShe felt as if her consciousness could snap at any moment.\n\nTherefore, she intended to end the fight in one decisive blow.\n\nOh, bitter winter.\n\nA low <F1>Incantation</F1> was uttered.\n\nFollowing it, <F1>Pitch-Black</F1> snowflakes brushed past the edges.\n\nWhat descended upon the <F1>Corridor</F1> was dawn, or perhaps winter.\n\nA deep chill pressed down on the atmosphere.\n\n<F1>Emilia Style Cryomancy Secret Art</F1> - <F1>Frost Spikes</F1>-\n\nThe girl poured all her strength into it.\n\nMana gathered into a single point.\n\nOriginally, this technique involved unleashing ten thousand ice spears.\n\nBut through her research and growth, it had become an entirely different technique.\n\nBefore her, only a single spear of ice coalesced.\n\n*Swoosh-*\n\nThe <F1>Cryomancy</F1> compressed smoothly.\n\nThe ten thousand spears that were previously dispersed are now gathered into one point.\n\nFurthermore, a deep shadow solidified the cluster amidst the snowflakes.\n\nThe power, suppressed to its limit, generated a <F1>Heat Haze</F1>.\n\nIt was a beautiful sight.\n\n......Now, please release us.\n\nThe blue moon that rose in the night appeared.\n\nIts radiance showed not the slightest tremor.\n\n***\n\nNow, please release us.\n\nThe voice echoed chillingly.\n\n<F1>Deron</F1> could not remain calm.\n\nThe unexpected situation and the predicament of being pushed to the brink.\n\nHe clenched his fist, his blue eyes trembling.\n\n*Damn it...!*\n\nCould it be?\n\nThat his inferior niece had surpassed his own wall?\n\nThe majestically fluttering snowflakes were beautiful.\n\nCold sweat ran down his spine.\n\n*Deron, please know this.*\n*I will always be on your side.*\n\nThe past flashed through his ears.\n\nHis idiotic <F1>Elder Brother</F1>.\n\nThe shimmering image of the girl resembled the <F1>Wraith</F1> of days past.\n\n<F1>Deron</F1> gritted his teeth, pushing aside his eerie premonition.\n\nHe tried to shake off the pressure on his shoulders.\n\nThat's dangerous.\n\nHis mind raced.\n\nHe assessed the current situation.\n\nAfter confirming the magic being cast, he immediately prepared a countermeasure.\n\n<F1>Deron</F1> knew the weakness of that technique.\n\n*Frost Spikes... need time to cast.*\n\nApproximately a 3-second delay.\n\nIf so, now was his chance, at its most vulnerable.\n\nHe would swiftly cut down that detestable neck.\n\nWith that calculation, <F1>Deron</F1> roughly kicked off the ground.\n\nHis body shot forward, appearing instantly before the girl.\n\n*Thwack-!*\n\nDie!\n\nHe swung his honed blade.\n\nA flash of light in an instant.\n\nAnd just as their gazes met for a moment.\n\n"Pfft."\n\n......?\n\nSuddenly, Emilia's lips curved upward.\n\nHer eyes narrowed, as if he had fallen into a trap.\n\nSomething was wrong.\n\nA warning bell rang in his senses.\n\n*Glimpse-*\n\nHer blue eyes were fixed beyond <F1>Deron's</F1> shoulder.\n\nIt was a subtle glance, but he didn't miss it.\n\nSoon, the girl's lips parted.\n\nAs if sending a signal to someone.\n\nNow, <F1>Ruska</F1>!\n\nA single cry reached his ears.\n\n<F1>Ruska</F1>.\n\nA name he had not anticipated at all.\n\nThat sudden incongruity pierced <F1>Deron's</F1> mind.\n\nUntil now, all the girl's reactions, her smile, the awkwardness of her gaze, have been compiled.\n\nThe accumulated data instantly yielded an answer.\n\n*A diversion...!*\n\n*Whoosh-!*\n\n<F1>Deron</F1> altered the trajectory of his sword, deploying a <F1>Defensive Stance</F1> to his rear.\n\nQuick judgment, and flawless defense.\n\nIt was a perfect response.\n\nBut.\n\n......?\n\nWhere he looked back, there was no one.\n\nOnly the <F1>Pitch-Black</F1> night, as if mocking him, lay spread out.\n\n<F1>Deron</F1> realized.\n\nYou fell for it, <F1>Traitor</F1>.\n\nHe had been deceived.\n\nHe belatedly rolled his eyes, but Emilia had already finished her casting.\n\nHer clearly shining eyes shot into <F1>Deron's</F1> heart.\n\nThe aimed spear tip shimmered enchantingly.\n\nThe <F1>Reaper</F1> of winter declared, 'We've been swayed enough.' To the one who had lost his pride, she spoke of the end that awaited him at his threshold: 'This is the end.'\n\nThe next moment.\n\nA <F1>Flash</F1> colored his vision brilliantly.\n\nThe <F1>Heat Haze</F1> shattered the <F1>Starlight</F1>.\n\nAnd then.\n\n......Cough.\n\nAfter the light receded\n\nA large hole was pierced through <F1>Deron's</F1> abdomen.\n\nHis arms and legs were completely frozen.