Chapter 57:Does Celine really not know magic?

“Ah?”

“No worry—give Nora. She explain.”

“…Oh.”

Celis chuckle shake. Nora took problems. Patient lecture.

Teresa doubt surge Nora words.

Celis truly no magic?

Unbelievable.

Sun mark night—who?

“Listening?”

“…Yes yes.”

Nora remind. Teresa cut thought. Forced focus.

But… Celis script plan fail?

Impossible!

Teresa meticulous—dual schemes.

Lecture end. Thank Nora. Pocket leave slip. To Celis.

“Lady Celis—experiment props missing. Tomorrow Ashe off buy. Approve?”

“Fine. Safe.”

Reason sound. Pen sign.

Teresa lip hook.

Bow exit. Slip heart.

Thump thump—

Heartbeat race.

Script source.

Same person—identical handwriting.

Thus…

Thrill. Slip high. Light through. Signature.

“Eh?”

Instant stun.

Excite doused.

Scripts… different?

Not same?

…

Practice class. Stern Andri theory brief. Call Ashe demo basic spark.

Arms cross. Sneer.

“Ashe—element sense base. Fail show effort limit.”

Ashe no talent known. Andri early aware.

Still call—humiliate.

No magic flop—superior joy. Proof.

No gift: trash.

Hidden pre-mentor.

Post: open shame—no rebel.

Instill same—multiply!

Mentor perfect!

Gaze. Ashe tense hand. Sense full.

Minute: palm empty. Sweat bead. Silent.

Ears red. Mosquito:

“S-sorry…”

Andri fake sigh. Mock trace.

“Down. Some magic fate none. Class waste time.”

“Magic god gift—ease life. No gift: labor.”

“Brain body one sharp—person.”

“Teresa—demo spark.”

Teresa worry glance head-low rush seat Ashe. Front. Perfect cast.

Below: frowns. Andri displease.

Leanna cold stare—no respect.

Melin hold—else quarrel.

Class end. Teresa pull Ashe out base. Street magic props.

Chose Ashe—saw trouble.

No gift force learn—heart knot. Stroll ease.

Shop. Teresa follow clerk deep. Props dazzle. Ashe lone wander. Forlorn.

Past recall.

Distract: corner bump noble miss.

“Ah sorry sorry…”

Head low. Miss skirt fix. Surprise recognize.

“Ashe?”

“You… Kailan?”

Scan. Recognize. Stiff unnatural.

Kailan: same city noble miss.

Parents rival interest—kids hostile.

Chance: mock.

Unlike: Kailan magic prodigy. “Other child.” Mills admit.

Gap grow. Ashe inferior rumor city.

See Kailan: inferior.

“Yo—Ashe miss years away remember name. Rare.”

Head low. Pass. Kailan gorgeous robe gem staff step block.

Open sneer.

“Eh? Go? Home friend meet—happy? Flee meaning?”