Chapter 73
Catherine stormed into her room, flailing her arms and knocking every book off her desk.
“I want to crush that girl’s pride!”
From the shadows near the bookshelf, Eclipse emerged like a ripple of black mist.
“Calm down.”
“My head’s about to explode! I want to get rid of Mom and Aicel—just throw them out of this mansion!”
“Who do you want to get rid of first?”
He grinned mockingly. Catherine’s heavy breathing slowed. She looked around, then answered quietly:
“Getting rid of Mom will take more time.”
“Then the answer’s obvious.”
Eclipse smiled, showing his teeth. Catherine’s violet eyes gleamed.
“The Magic Festival is coming.”
“Magic Festival?”
She began pacing, arms crossed.
“It’s a tournament and celebration for those with magical talent.”
“Sounds interesting.”
“If I get recognized as a low-level mage there, I’ll gain attention at the debutante ball.”
She rifled through notes she’d prepared about the festival.
“And if I beat Aicel there, Grandfather will finally acknowledge me.”
Her eyes sparkled like she had already won. She quickly turned to Eclipse.
“Give me more magic power.”
Her face looked more demonic than a demon’s—filled with pure desire.
Eclipse laughed.
“You really are a fascinating child.”
He hadn’t planned to answer the call of a powerless girl, but her obsession with revenge made things too entertaining to ignore.
Catherine wasn’t just a tool for revenge against Diana—she was also a challenger to Lueri.
Eclipse gave a nod, signaling her to hold out her hand.
Black mana swirled from his body like smoke and surged into her palm. A spider-shaped mark appeared on her hand.
“Now, you can use even more powerful magic than Aicel.”
“Good. I’m going to beat her no matter what.”
Catherine admired the glowing mark on her palm, unaware of what she had sacrificed to receive it.
Eclipse just smiled wickedly.
Later… In the Garden
“Good morning, Teacher!”
Catherine greeted Lueri with a sugary voice.
He barely nodded in response.
A moment later, Diana and Aicel walked over. Aicel looked surprised to see Catherine already there. Ten minutes early—unlike her.
She must really want to outshine me today, Aicel thought.
Catherine smirked at Aicel.
“You’re late, sister. I was here early to practice.”
Aicel didn’t respond, just gave her a condescending glance and smiled sweetly at Lueri.
“It’s been a while, Teacher.”
She already knew his real identity thanks to Diana. Lueri winked at her, making sure Catherine couldn’t see.
“I assume magic projection is easy now?”
“Of course!” Catherine answered eagerly, even before Aicel could.
She immediately summoned magic.
Dark, murky ice crystals floated around her—darker than before.
“What do you think?”
“Hmm.”
Lueri studied them closely. The crystals were dimmer and more ominous than last time.
Catherine misunderstood his serious look as awe and pressed further, freezing the ground and summoning ice pillars.
She turned back to him like a puppy waiting for praise.
But his face had grown more serious.
“I’ve improved a lot, haven’t I?”
She pressed for a compliment again.
Lueri finally smiled faintly.
“Yes. You’ve improved a lot. You could definitely qualify as a low-level mage.”
“Really?!”
“You’ve even surpassed me—a low-level mage. You have great potential.”
Catherine blushed with pride.
If she could pass the mage test, she’d become the star of the debutante ball.
Her confidence swelled. She turned to Aicel.
“Why don’t you try too?”
“Sure.”
Aicel stepped forward.
If you can do it, I can do better.
She released her magic quickly, summoning larger and brighter pillars than Catherine’s in an instant.
Lueri’s jaw dropped.
Her talent is on par with what I had as a child.
Catherine’s power came from a demon—but Aicel’s was real.
“Teacher?” Aicel tilted her head.
Lueri snapped back and coughed.
“You’re both amazing. Either of you could qualify as a low-level mage.”
“Even Aicel—my sister?”
“Is there a problem?”
Catherine frowned. This wasn’t enough. She needed more power from Eclipse.
‘Eclipse.’
‘Yes?’
‘This isn’t enough. Give me more.’
Watching from afar, Eclipse narrowed his eyes.
Her greed knows no bounds. She wants more—even if it kills her.
Her magic came at the cost of her own life force—a loan she didn’t even understand.
But if she wants it, I’ll give it to her.
He snapped his fingers. The mark on Catherine’s palm glowed more intensely.
Catherine glanced at it, then walked to Lueri.
“Teacher.”
“Yes?”
“I can do even better.”
“This is more than enough. I don’t think I can teach you anymo—”
“Just watch me.”
Catherine suddenly released another wave of power, this time into the sky.
A dark blue glow climbed into the air, forming storm clouds.
The sun vanished behind them as the sky darkened.
“What is she doing…”
Before Lueri could say more, snowflakes began to fall.
Aicel stared in shock.
Catherine smiled triumphantly and waved her arms.
“Stop, Miss.”
“I can do more.”
She forced out more magic. A blizzard surrounded the mansion.
“Enough.”
Lueri grabbed her arm tightly. The magic broke, and the snowstorm vanished.
“Let go of me!”
She jerked her arm away, leaving a red mark.
She glared at him.
How dare you touch me, her expression said.
But Lueri held her gaze and said quietly:
“Miss.”
“W-what?”
“Don’t use that kind of magic again.”
“But I have more than enough mana. Why not use it?”
Lueri stayed silent. Nothing he said would change her mind.
“Just remember what I said.”
He turned away and spoke to Diana.
“There’s nothing more I can teach them. They’ve surpassed my level.”
“…That’s good news, I suppose.”
Diana gave a faint smile but looked concerned.
“Can we speak privately for a moment?”
“Of course.”
“You two may go rest now. Good work.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Catherine and Aicel replied in unison and walked away in opposite directions.
Once they were gone, Diana spoke quietly.
“Lueri.”
“Yes?”
“Why did you stop Catherine from using her magic?”
Lueri’s red hair and blue eyes had returned.
“Listen to me carefully.”
His serious tone made Diana nervous. She swallowed and waited.
After hesitating, he finally said:
“That girl…”
She blinked rapidly, sensing something heavy was coming.
“…she’s going to die soon.”
