plan.

  Rina's eyes darted quickly around the library, from the tall shelves to the side tables… until they stopped at a wooden chair in the corner.

  She pointed at it immediately.

  Then she rushed over and dragged it across the floor with a soft scraping sound.

  Vicki watched her silently, trying to understand what was going through her head.

  Rina placed the chair under the shelf and climbed onto it.

  She raised her hand…

  But the books remained out of reach.

  She sighed.

  Then she turned.

  "Vicki… come closer."

  Vicki approached, raising an eyebrow skeptically.

  "What are you thinking?"

  Rina smiled a small smile, that smile that meant an unreasonable idea had occurred to her.

  "Climb onto my back… and hold onto the shelf. That way you'll reach the books."

  Vicki's eyes widened slightly…

  Then excitement ignited in them.

  She nodded immediately.

  Rina bent slightly to steady her feet on the chair, while Vicki carefully climbed up behind her.

  "Don't drop me…" Vicki muttered.

  Rina shook her head stubbornly.

  "I won't drop you."

  Vicki placed her foot on the chair, then balanced her body over Rina's back, trying to steady herself.

  Once she straightened up, she grabbed the edge of the shelf.

  Rina closed her eyes for a moment as she felt the weight pressing on her back.

  Then she cried out:

  "My back!! Hold onto the library!"

  Vicki quickly held onto the shelf and began pulling books from the top.

  One book…

  Then another…

  She was throwing them down to where Rina waited.

  But during that, Vicki pulled hard on the shelf to maintain her balance.

  And suddenly—

  The shelf shook.

  Then it fell.

  The entire shelf toppled over with the books in a resounding crash.

  Rina and Vicki tumbled together to the ground amidst the chaos.

  "Ouch…"

  "Eeeek!"

  Both groaned as they tried to catch their breath.

  And at that moment—

  The sound of footsteps.

  Rina's eyes widened immediately.

  She jumped to her feet, grabbed Vicki by the hand, and they ran quickly to a side corner hidden by thick curtains.

  They hid behind them.

  The next moment, the library door opened.

  A maid entered.

  "What's this? Why is the library open? And what happened here?…"

  She advanced slowly among the scattered books.

  She saw the fallen shelf.

  She sighed.

  She tried to lift it… but it didn't move.

  "I'll call the guards."

  She turned and left.

  Behind the curtain, Rina was trying to stifle her laughter, while her face began to redden.

  Vicki was also trembling with laughter.

  Rina whispered sharply:

  "Be quiet, Vicki!"

  The other replied in a faint voice:

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  "Okay… okay…"

  Rina opened the curtain slightly.

  The maid returned… and with her a guard.

  "Here it is, carry it for me… It's heavy."

  But her tone had changed slightly… becoming softer, lighter.

  She laughed shyly.

  The guard replied with something they couldn't hear clearly.

  Another laugh.

  Behind the curtain—

  Vicki burst into muffled laughter.

  "Romance… they think they're alone here!"

  Rina immediately put her hand over her mouth.

  "Be quiet!"

  Outside, the guard easily lifted the shelf and returned it to its place.

  Then he bent down to gather the books, and the maid helped him while laughing lightly.

  After a few minutes…

  Everything was back in place.

  Then they left.

  Rina waited a little.

  Then she suddenly whispered in shock:

  "Vicki… we were supposed to take the books… but he put them all back!"

  Vicki looked at her.

  A moment of silence.

  Then she said quietly:

  "It's okay. We'll do it again… faster this time."

  Rina nodded.

  They waited until silence prevailed.

  Then Rina opened the curtain slightly.

  The library was empty.

  They immediately came out.

  They pulled the chair back to the shelf.

  This time Vicki climbed up first.

  Then she said while steadying herself:

  "Alright… I'll bear your weight. You climb now."

  Rina raised an eyebrow.

  "Are you sure?"

  "Just climb."

  Rina climbed onto the chair… then carefully onto Vicki's back.

  And the moment she settled—

  Vicki screamed:

  "Aaah! My back!! You're so heavy! How many meals do you eat a day, Vershi daughter?!"

  Rina stifled her laughter.

  Then she quickly grabbed the shelf.

  She reached out her hand.

  One…

  Two…

  Three…

  Four books on veterinary medicine.

  She pulled them.

  Then she carefully climbed down.

  They quickly grabbed the books.

  Rina returned the chair to its place, then they ran toward the door.

  Rina locked the door with the key.

  The key turned in the lock.

  Then—

  They ran through the corridor, muffled laughter following their steps.

  ---

  They walked through the long corridors quietly, softening their footsteps on the shiny floor. The palace had calmed after the party's bustle, leaving only distant echoes of servants' steps or a door closing somewhere.

  Vicki hugged the books to her chest, then said in a hesitant tone:

  "It's getting late… my return time might be near."

  Rina immediately shook her head, as if it had been decided from the start.

  "You'll stay here for two days."

  Vicki suddenly stopped in the middle of the corridor, and Rina slowed with her.

  Her eyes widened in surprise.

  "But my father… no—"

  Rina interrupted her with a slight head shake, as if calming exaggerated worry.

  "He knows."

  She paused for a moment, then added with something like pride in her tone:

  "I sent him a letter yesterday. Told him you're my friend and that I want you as our guest."

  Then she leaned slightly toward her, smiling a mischievous smile.

  "And he replied with approval."

  She winked as she raised the books in her hands like a small prize.

  Vicki's features finally relaxed, and a warm smile appeared on her face, one that hadn't shown for hours.

  "You're so bold… you told your father directly."

  Rina laughed lightly, then they continued walking through the quiet corridors, exchanging conversation in low voices.

  The journey wasn't long until they reached Rina's room.

  She pushed the door open and they entered.

  She placed the books on the table near the window, then they sat on the wide bed.

  And the conversation began again.

  Talk jumping from one idea to another…

  Memories of the party…

  Laughter about the library incident…

  And small dreams about the future.

  As time passed, they didn't notice how the hours had quietly crept away.

  Outside, the party had already ended, and the guests had left for their palaces.

  As for Osana, she was walking in the corridor with slower steps than usual, fatigue clear on her features. She intended to head to her room, but she stopped in front of Rina's door for a moment.

  She knocked gently.

  Then she opened it.

  She raised her eyebrow slightly when she saw the two girls still immersed in conversation.

  She smiled.

  "Still deep in talk?"

  The two girls exchanged a quick glance, then burst into laughter.

  Osana approached slightly and said in a gentle tone:

  "My dears… it's late. Staying up won't do you any good."

  Then she added with quiet maternal gentleness:

  "Time for bed."

  Rina and Vicki finally nodded in agreement.

  After a few minutes, Osana left the room.

  Vicki also left, as a maid was waiting for her in the corridor.

  She led her through a quieter part of the palace, until they reached a room at the end of the corridor.

  A spare room.

  Neatly arranged…

  Elegant and simple, with a faint scent of cleanliness.

  Vicki thanked the maid, then entered.

  The door closed quietly behind her.

  And so…

  that day ended.

  ---

  Early in the morning, Rina woke up before anyone could wake her.

  She didn't need to call the maids or have anyone knock on the door.

  Today was different.

  She smiled as she sat on her bed, her heart racing ahead of her feet.

  Vicki's thirteenth birthday… and she wouldn't let it pass ordinarily.

  She put on an elegant light-colored dress, tied her hair quickly, then left with steps that were almost skipping through the corridors.

  The maids exchanged glances as she passed them, and laughed lightly.

  She knocked on her grandmother's door.

  "Come in."

  The door opened quickly, and Rina entered with full energy.

  "Good morning, Grandma!!"

  Osana raised her head and smiled when she saw that unmistakable enthusiasm.

  "Good morning, Rina… you seem unusually energetic."

  Rina laughed, almost jumping in place.

  "I'm excited to see Victoria's reaction to her gift!"

  Osana's smile widened, as if she had been waiting for that sentence.

  "I received the acceptance letter from the Clebia Academy. Victoria has been officially accepted as a student."

  She paused for a moment, then added quietly with satisfaction:

  "And after her studies, they'll appoint her as a veterinarian. Her presence here will be useful… especially with the number of animals in our lands."

  Rina's eyes widened even more.

  But Osana wasn't finished yet.

  "I also obtained confirmation signed by Theobald."

  She paused for a moment, then said:

  "Studies start soon. She must leave for the north within a week."

  Rina received the paper in both hands, as if holding a treasure.

  "Thank you, Grandma!"

  She rushed out of the room before hearing a reply.

  She then headed directly to her father's office.

  She opened the door without introduction.

  "Good morning, Daddy!"

  Theobald raised his gaze from the papers before him.

  He smiled a small smile, but it was genuine.

  "Good morning."

  His voice was calm, and his eyes were still immersed in distant thoughts.

  She approached a step, then stopped.

  "You look very busy… and so am I! So goodbye!"

  She said it quickly, waved her hand, and left before he could ask her anything.

  She hurried down the stairs, the edges of her dress moving behind her, until she reached the large kitchen.

  "Is the cake ready?"

  She asked with obvious impatience.

  The chef nodded proudly and presented her with an elegant cake carefully decorated.

  She smiled admiringly.

  "Wonderful. I can carry it alone."

  She carried it in one hand, and the paper in the other, and set off toward the reception room where Vicki was waiting.

  Today… was her thirteenth birthday.

  And her dream was to become a veterinarian.

  For that, Rina decided to gift her something bigger than just a cake…

  a complete path toward her dream.

  ---

  She suddenly opened the door.

  She entered like a swift breeze—

  Cheeks flushed from running, hair flying behind her, in one hand the cake, and in the other the acceptance letter.

  She placed a small whistle between her lips… and blew hard.

  Vicki turned.

  She saw the scene before her.

  And she couldn't stop the tears.

  She slowly rose from her place, approaching step by step.

  Rina dropped the whistle from her mouth and raised the paper high.

  "Happy birthday!! This is your acceptance letter to Clebia Academy to study veterinary medicine!"

  Vicki froze for a moment.

  Then tears streamed from her eyes, but they weren't tears of sadness.

  She quickly stepped forward and hugged Rina tightly.

  "Thank you…"

  Rina frowned slightly as she moved back half a step.

  "Be quiet. Don't thank me. This is a gift from me."

  Vicki smiled through her tears and took the paper with trembling hands.

  She began reading the lines completely… and every word made her eyes shine brighter.

  Rina approached her and lowered her voice slightly.

  "You'll leave… and you'll get away from the Countess."

  She paused for a moment.

  "She won't hurt you anymore."

  Vicki felt something loosen in her chest.

  As if an invisible shackle had suddenly broken.

  Rina placed her hand on her shoulder.

  And looked at her with a steadiness unlike her usual joking.

  "I promise you… I'll reclaim your right. You're my friend. And I don't take promises lightly."

  The words stopped there.

  But they didn't stop inside Vicki's heart.

  They remained… engraved, unforgettable.

  …..

  The echo of light footsteps reverberated in the stone corridor…

  then everything quieted.

  The library door opened very slowly, as if the one pushing it didn't want to disturb the silence.

  Karina entered… and closed the door quietly behind her.

  She remained standing near the door for a moment, listening.

  Nothing.

  She walked between the shelves with quiet steps, her fingers occasionally brushing the edges of old books, until she stopped before a specific section.

  A small plaque fixed above the shelves.

  "Magic Section"

  She raised her eyes, scanning the arranged titles.

  "Fire…"

  "Purification…"

  "Spiritual Manifestation…"

  "Black…"

  Many types. Different schools. Books written by generations of mages.

  But her eyes suddenly stopped.

  One title.

  "Abyssal Azure" — Class A

  Known magic. More than known.

  One of the most powerful combat magics ever found.

  Many lineages inherited it through the centuries…

  Among them the Vershi lineage.

  Osana possessed it.

  Theobald possessed it.

  Yuri as well.

  But Karina…

  Had never shown it.

  She reached her hand toward the book, hesitating for a moment.

  As if asking herself whether she even had the right to touch it.

  But before she could pull it…

  Her gaze caught something else.

  Another book beside it.

  Slightly thinner… but carrying the same name.

  Abyssal Azure — Class B

  And beneath it, another title.

  "Azure Requiem"

  Her fingers froze.

  She had never heard this name before.

  How could there be another level of this magic… that no one had mentioned?

  Not her grandmother… nor her father… nor any teacher.

  She moved closer.

  Curiosity overcame her.

  She slowly pulled the book from its place, and a light dust flew from its edge.

  She opened it.

  Not to a chapter…

  But to the introduction.

  Her eyes slid over the first line.

  "We do not know the future… nor do we control it."

  She paused for a moment.

  Then she continued reading.

  "Rather, we have lived the past."

  She furrowed her brows slightly.

  But the line that followed made her stop completely.

  "We do not possess the will to change because we are special…"

  Her breath calmed without her noticing.

  "But because we have seen death… and returned stronger."

  The library fell silent.

  Nothing moved.

  But inside Karina's head…

  Something changed.