A few hours later
In the south wing of the mansion, behind an unmarked door, rapid sounds of fighting echoed through an otherwise quiet room.
This was Aveline's private training chamber; no one else was allowed here, as she always trained alone.
Rectangular in shape, the chamber measured nearly forty feet across, constructed of granite enchanted with runes that shimmered softly whenever magic pulsed through the air.
The floor was a polished mosaic of dark marble veined with silvery blue, designed to withstand and reflect her spells.
High above, an enchanted light dominated the center of the ceiling, capable of dimming or brightening at Aveline's will, bathing the room in brilliance or shadows as she trained.
The walls were lined with racks stacked with spellbooks, potions, and strange artifacts from her travels. A banner of House Vellore - a silver wave - hung stiff and still in one corner.
At one end of the room, an array of spare magic dummies stood on their enchanted pedestals. Made of wood reinforced with magic, each was carved with protective runes allowing them to withstand repeated magical onslaughts. Some dummies bore fresh cuts — a testament to Aveline's recent sessions.
The room's far wall held a wide mirror framed in blackened steel, charmed to show not only reflections but also replay illusions of past training sessions, allowing Aveline to study her form and refine her techniques.
A constant chill lingered in the air, magic-infused cold that never faded, frosting the edges of the mirror. The flickering light illuminated the dozen magic dummies arranged in a semi-circle before Aveline.
She stood barefoot at the center, breath misting in the chilly air. Her long silver hair was tied back in a simple braid, her eyes narrowed in fierce concentration. She raised her hand; icy mist crawled along her fingers as she muttered the spell.
A spear of ice burst forth, sharp and crystalline, shooting across the room and piercing the nearest dummy. Shards exploded on impact, scattering like glittering dust.
Aveline spun, sweeping her other hand in an arc — a storm of ice blades followed, each homing in on a different dummy, cracking enchanted wood with precise force.
She paused, chest rising and falling, the cold coiling around her like a cloak.
A sudden memory stirred — the scent of rain, the warmth of sunlight dancing on rippling water. She remembered standing knee-deep in the pond behind her family's manor, hands outstretched as water twisted obediently into ribbons. Beside her, a boy slightly older, with black hair and a mischievous grin — her brother — guided her hands.
"Don't fight it, Aveline," he had laughed, splashing her playfully. "Water yields, but it can carve stone if you let it flow."
She clenched her jaw. Alaric had left for the distant continent of Florin a decade ago, to study at the UMA — United Magic Academy.
Then, two years later, her parents disappeared near the outskirts of the ruined empire sprawling across the neighboring continent of Nytheria.
She had been left alone, and the circumstances had turned her gentle water magic into something sharper, colder - into ice that would never yield again.
Back in the present, Aveline stepped forward, raising both hands. A geyser of icy mist billowed around her, condensing into jagged pillars of ice that erupted from the floor beneath the last three dummies, impaling them with a satisfying crack. She exhaled slowly, the air white with cold.
Silence settled over the room, broken only by the drip of melting ice. She lowered her hands, eyes softening as she whispered to the empty air:
"I told him about my decision to participate in the rune ceremony. I wonder what he thinks of it."
After a shower to relax, she made her way to the study to deal with the important matters awaiting her.
---
Aveline's study was a quiet room tucked in the east wing of the manor, with tall arched windows draped in heavy navy curtains. Bookshelves lined the dark oak-paneled walls, crammed with volumes on elemental magic and histories of distant lands.
A massive black-wood desk stood at the room's center, covered in neat stacks of parchment, sapphire-blue ink, and silver-framed portraits of her brother Alaric and of the Duke and Duchess.
Near the fireplace, two velvet chairs and a low table strewn with trinkets were placed, including a cracked aquamarine orb and a vial of shimmering frost essence.
Above, an enchanted crystal chandelier cast a silvery light, while faintly glowing magic wards carved into the ceiling beams offered protection. A constant, bracing chill lingered in the air.
Aveline stepped into her quiet study, the lingering chill of her training session still clinging to her skin. Light filtered through the tall arched windows, pooling across the black-wood desk piled with documents.
Moments later, Luna slipped in carrying a stack of papers and a sealed envelope.
"Welcome back, my lady," Luna said, a faint bow accompanying her words. She set the stack on the desk and held out the letter. "Here are the reports needing your attention — and a letter from Lord Alaric."
A flicker of warmth lit Aveline's eyes as she accepted the letter. "Thank you, Luna." She set it aside, gaze shifting to the pile. "What's the situation?"
Luna straightened, her tone businesslike. "A group of four spies were captured last night, lurking near the Duke's estates. They were trying to break into your quarters at the mansion."
Aveline raised a brow. "My quarters? Someone didn't realize I haven't lived there for years — or they were after something else."
"They've revealed nothing yet," Luna replied. "But they will."
"Good," Aveline murmured, reaching for a quill to sign a few parchments. "What else?"
"The Wildwood Forest is becoming dangerous," Luna continued. "Three groups of tourists and adventurers were attacked by monsters a few miles in. No deaths, but three injuries."
Aveline's expression darkened. "Send medics and potions. If there's another attack, dispatch scouts to investigate."
"Understood," Luna said, making a note.
Aveline signed several documents with swift, practiced movements. "Anything else?"
"Your private islands have begun generating income," Luna reported. "And our contacts confirm steady visitor flow."
Aveline's eyes narrowed slightly. "Keep it quiet. I want no one knowing of my involvement. Gather all information you can from visitors. And begin expanding the intelligence agency into the remaining regions of Eldoria."
Luna dipped her head. "It will be done."
Aveline paused, hand resting on the sealed letter. She looked up at Luna. "Thank you."
"Of course, my lady," Luna said softly, her gaze lingering on the rare, almost wistful look on Aveline's face.
It was one of the rare times Luna had seen her lady smile — these letters, investigated clues, and the growth of her personal properties were the few things that brought her solace.
As Luna exited the study, silence settled over the room once more. Aveline's fingers traced the envelope's edge. She broke the seal and unfolded the letter, heart beating a little faster as her brother's familiar script revealed itself in the soft light.