Astra's brows drew together.
Such high combat and defense stats, yet no one noticed. If not for the system, even she might have overlooked Ella's potential. But now she saw clearly — Ella was a perfect seed for an assassin.
Ella's stats weren't just good, they were exceptional for someone without formal training. She was a natural-born killer… but Astra didn't want a killer. She wanted a protector cloaked in shadow.
A soft chuckle escaped her lips.
"The system is stingy," she muttered. "It never gives high stats easily."
She glanced briefly at her own panel—her cooking, nearly flawless, still stubbornly capped at 94.
"Perfection is always just out of reach."
But that was fine. It just meant she had more room to grow. And so did they — her guardians, her chosen ones.
One by one, she would awaken their hidden strengths.
And when the time came, they would not only protect her — they would become legends.
—
As days passed, under the cover of silence and hidden hours, Ella and the others trained with relentless diligence.
No matter how tired or busy they were, they would sneak away to the corners of the palace, to the woods behind the courtyards, or sometimes even behind the library shelves—wherever they could go unnoticed.
Ella, especially, was determined. She absorbed everything like a sponge, learning quickly and practicing with unmatched intensity.
The trust Astra placed in her had become a fire within, pushing her past exhaustion and doubt. She would not fail the princess. She would never disappoint her.
It had been over two months since their secret training began.
On a warm afternoon, when the sun hung lazily in the western sky and the air pulsed with the thick stillness of summer, Astra gathered them in the palace's secluded backyard garden.
Sunlight filtered gently through the thinning branches, casting long shadows over the assembled group: Cassia, Gerald, Lily, Lora, Ella, Melinda, and Claire.
They stood in neat lines, their breaths mingling with the warm air, nerves silently dancing in their chests.
Astra, composed and regal as ever, stood before them. Her sharp eyes scanned them like a general before battle.
"So," she said calmly, breaking the silence, "how has your training progressed these past weeks?"
"It's good, Your Highness," they chorused, almost in unison.
Astra inclined her head slightly. "Mm. It has been nearly two months since you all began." Her pause was deliberate. Then her eyes hardened just a fraction.
"Which means it is time to move beyond preparation. Then now, it is time for the real work."
The air shifted. Eyes darted between one another, each person wondering what her words could mean.
Then, Astra's eyes fell on Lora. "First, Lora. Come here."
Lora stepped forward, her heart pounding in her chest. Astra handed her a long, sheathed sword. The polished hilt glinted faintly under the afternoon sun.
"This is for you," Astra said. "The books I gave you contained numerous sword techniques. You have also trained alongside Gerald."
"Consider this your official sword."
For a moment, Lora simply stared. Then she reached out, hands trembling as her fingers closed around the hilt. The weight was real—balanced, purposeful.
This was not a ceremonial piece meant for display. It was a blade meant to be wielded.
Her chest tightened.
Since childhood, she had dreamed of becoming a swordmaster. That dream had been crushed early—by her humble origin, by expectations, by the quiet rules that told her what she could and could not be.
She had buried that longing beneath obedience, convinced herself it was foolish.
After all, her path had seemed fixed in servitude, her desires buried beneath obligation.
But now, the princess had handed her that very dream.
Emotion surged, hot and overwhelming. Unable to stop herself, Lora dropped to one knee, bowing deeply, just like the knights she had once admired from afar.
"I vow to give my utmost loyalty and dedication to Your Highness. I will lay down my life for you if needed."
Astra reached forward and helped her up. "There is no need to go that far. Just never allow yourself to fall behind."
Lora nodded fiercely, clutching the sword like a lifeline, eyes burned with unshed tears, but her resolve was iron-solid.
Astra turned next to Lily. "Now, Lily. Come here."
Lily stepped forward nervously, hands clasped in front of her.
"Your Highness, isn't it a bit..." she began.
"It's not," Astra cut her off gently. "What you lack is not ability—it is trust in yourself. You need to have trust in yourself first. Know that you can do it. Understand?"
Lily swallowed and nodded nervously. "Yes, Your Highness."
"Close your eyes."
Lily obeyed, letting her eyes flutter shut.
Astra's voice lowered, becoming calm and steady, almost soothing. "Begin gathering mana. Follow what you learned from the books. By now, you should be able to sense it. Draw it into your body as instructed."
Lily inhaled deeply. Her body relaxed as she tried to sense mana, her heart slowing to a calm rhythm.
"Think that there's no one around you," Astra continued. "that you're standing in a vast sea of darkness."
Lily's shoulders relaxed, her breathing slowing. She focused inward, pushing away the awareness of the others.
The world in Lily's mind dissolved.
As Astra's voice washed over her, Lily sank into a strange calm. In her mind's world, she found herself drifting in pitch-black space.
There was nothing—no sound, no ground, no sky. Just endless black.
"Now," Astra's voice echoed distantly, "feel the mana around you. Just as you practiced."
At first, there was only emptiness. Then, slowly, pinpricks of light appeared—tiny motes drifting through the darkness.
One by one, they multiplied, until Lily found herself surrounded by countless glowing orbs, each a different hue, floating like fireflies in the night.
Her breath caught.
"Do you see the lights?" Astra's voice echoed again. "Find the one that resonates with you the most."
"Touch it."
Lily looked around. All of them were beautiful. Some blazed brilliantly, others shimmered softly. The sight was overwhelming. Lily felt small, uncertain—until she noticed one particular light.
It was not the brightest, nor the largest. Yet something about it felt right. Warm. Familiar.
Drawn by instinct, she drifted toward it and reached out.
The moment her fingers brushed the orb, it flared with blinding brilliance. Light flooded everything, washing the darkness away in an instant.
Then everything vanished.
Lily gasped and snapped her eyes open.
She was back in the courtyard, sunlight overhead, the familiar faces of her companions staring at her with concern. Lora was at her side immediately, gripping her shoulder.
"Lily? What happened?" she asked.
Melinda leaned closer, brows knit. "If it didn't work, that's fine. You can try again."
Lily shook her head slowly, still trying to steady her breath. "No… I touched it. And then—I felt something huge. Like an enormous flow of energy pouring into me."
Astra smiled, her gaze gentle. "Good. Now try to feel that energy again. Concentrate fully on your hand. Bring it out."
Lily nodded, took a deep breath, held out her hand and focused.
But—nothing happened.
"It's not working," she murmured.