Previously
After Ian's departure, Birdie and Lodian take Thiel to her room, where Thiel chooses Birdie's company over Lodian's, though both brothers show her affection. During dinner with Cassius and Alfinos, the family discusses the suspicious delay in Thiel's paternity test results from the Temple, suspecting Nestian interference.
In his empty hand, a small flame suddenly flared to life.
The blazing flame gradually grew larger, soon looking as if it would swallow Lodian’s right hand.
And then—
"……!"
The flame shifted into the shape of a small tiger, bounded around the room, and completely dissipated into the air.
Birdie’s face hardened.
Sparks flickered in Birdie’s eyes as he reflexively wrapped his arms around the little girl. It was pure instinct.
It felt as though sparks might fly between the brothers at any moment.
Right then, as Birdie glared at his reckless younger brother—
Lodian pointed at Thiel, who was cradled in Birdie’s arms.
Instead of glaring back at Lodian, Birdie turned his attention to his sister.
Thiel’s wide eyes showed she had indeed been surprised. But…
Thiel was not frightened by Lodian’s flame.
What she feared was the freezing ability her grandfather, Sinder Nestian, used.
The ice that could freeze her entire body was the most terrifying thing of all.
‘As long as it isn’t ice, it isn’t scary.’
Contrary to Birdie’s expectation that she would burst into tears from being caught off guard, Thiel quietly gazed at Lodian’s hand with a slightly excited look.
Birdie and Lodian exchanged puzzled glances at the same time.
Thiel reached her hand out toward Lodian.
Naturally, Lodian offered her his right hand, the very one he had just wielded his power with.
Thiel took his right hand fearlessly, then slowly tilted her head up, her cheeks flushed.
Lodian said, a look of bewilderment on his face.
Birdie and Lodian had both learned how to wield their powers early on, without needing anyone to teach them.
For Thiel, however, things were entirely different.
Thiel had awakened her power late, and with no one to guide her, she had never been able to use it properly.
Of course, neither Birdie nor Lodian knew that.
Birdie and Lodian exchanged glances for a moment.
The two brothers knew about Thiel’s power because Cassius had told them beforehand.
The legendary power of light.
She couldn't use it?
The boys’ bewildered, astonished gazes met.
It was only natural for the twins to be confused, as they knew nothing of the abuse Thiel had endured at the Nestian estate, nor that she had initially been considered powerless.
Everyone in the Crassion Empire was taught that the legendary power of light was an astonishingly formidable force.
Thiel flinched and clenched her hands tightly.
Lodian had said so easily, “If you want to use your power, you just use it,” but for Thiel, it was far easier said than done.
She had tried several times to use her power as she had in the basement, but all she could summon was a small light shaped like a single tiny fish.
A small light that merely flickered in her hand.
Yet, as Cassius had said, Thiel’s power was undeniably extraordinary.
Thiel looked down at her small, scarred palm.
In this world, being born with an ability different from one’s parents was seen either as a denial of lineage or as a sign of being vastly inferior.
Yet Cassius had told her she was special, possessing a remarkably rare power.
Because of that, Thiel cherished her power deeply.
.
Memories of being abused and beaten because she could not use her power flashed through Thiel’s mind.
Now, she felt immense relief knowing she would never again have to endure persecution and beatings for failing to wield her power. The mere thought brought her joy.
She wanted to use and refine her power so she could be of help to the kind Astrian family.
Just as Sinder had once shouted at her, saying she needed to make herself useful to the family…
When Thiel remained silent for a while, Lodian looked troubled, leaning down to peer into her face.
Lodian was a genius who outmatched even his older brother Birdie when it came to wielding his power, so he had never really studied it or received instruction from anyone.
As such, there was no way he could properly teach Thiel something like ‘how to use your power.’
Birdie said, nudging Lodian out of the way. His gaze shifted to Thiel, and a smile touched his lips.
‘Good.’
He wanted to seize this opportunity to confirm whether Thiel’s power truly was the legendary power of light.
If it wasn’t the power of light…
With that thought in mind, Birdie gave a small nod as if prompting her for an answer.
Thiel nodded hastily.
Birdie closed the storybook and set it aside.
He then checked his watch.
Though the hour was late, there was no reason they couldn’t go to the twins’ private Training Room, which was reserved solely for Birdie and Lodian and remained open at all times.
Her eyes widening at the mention of the Training Room, Thiel tugged at the hem of Birdie’s clothes.
Birdie helped Thiel to her feet and took her small hand in his. The child’s hand was cold.
‘Is it because she’s a snow leopard?’ Birdie’s brow furrowed slightly.
The boy subtly drew upon his power to warm Thiel’s hand.
Lodian held out his hand. Thiel pondered for a moment before taking it.
Lodian’s face instantly brightened. Hand in hand, Thiel, Lodian, and Birdie left the room together.
Just then, Leah, who was returning to the room, saw the children leaving and called out.
Birdie looked at Thiel for a moment, then gave a nod.
Leah looked flustered at the mention of the Training Room.
She pressed her lips together as if to stop them, but Birdie and Lodian brushed right past her without waiting to hear the rest.
Looking uneasy, Thiel kept glancing back to see what Leah was doing, then asked Birdie cautiously.
Thiel nodded in understanding.
Leah’s concern was only natural. After all, powers were dangerous.
Thiel recalled the shard of ice Sinder had unleashed, which had grazed her cheek.
‘Still, I don’t think Birdie and Lodian would ever use their powers against me recklessly.’
She couldn't be entirely certain, but that was how she felt.
Thiel gripped Birdie and Lodian’s warm hands a little tighter.
Before she realized it, her cold hands were gradually warming up.
Soon, the three children arrived at the Training Room.
It was situated in the northern section of the palace.
The Training Room belonged exclusively to the twins, gifted to Birdie and Lodian when they were five years old.
The two had been using their powers in training rooms since they were only four, and because their powers were so formidable, others training with them were often injured.
Because of that, Cassius had built a separate training room meant solely for the two boys.
And this place was it.
Visiting the Training Room for the first time in her life, Thiel was filled with wonder.
It was a massive circular structure with an open ceiling, offering a clear view of the night sky.
A dense scatter of starlight poured into the training hall.
When Birdie snapped his fingers, a servant appeared out of nowhere carrying a small chair, complete with a soft cushion.
Birdie lifted Thiel and placed her onto the chair.
Settling into the soft seat, Thiel nodded.
Lodian waved his arms grandly with a proud look on his face.
A massive blaze erupted from the boy’s hand.
The flames swelled larger in an instant, looking as if they would scorch the Training Room floor.
The heat was intense. Thiel stared at Lodian in awe.
When Lodian waved his hand once more, the fire took the shape of a sword.
Lodian aimed his sword toward the night sky.
There hadn’t been a single word of explanation throughout the entire display, but Thiel clapped along as Lodian gave a smug shrug.
She didn’t understand much about it, but she could tell that Lodian’s power was remarkable.
Birdie looked at Lodian with utter pity, waving his hand to shoo him aside.
Birdie ignored Lodian.
Pulling his hair neatly back with the tie around his wrist, he spoke.
“Thiel, using your power is all about creating and holding an image in your mind.”