A new day had begun, but peace was nowhere to be found in the Von Augustus mansion.
The training grounds behind the estate were bathed in the soft morning sun. Birds chirped from afar, as if cheering on the chaos about to unfold. Julia Von Augustus stood at the center, calm and regal, but her sharp emerald eyes held the gleam of an executioner rather than a tutor.
Before her stood Lyra and Scarlett, both tense and alert. Off to the side, Layla leaned on a wall, trying to blend into the stone and become invisible.
"Alright girls," Julia said sweetly. "Attack me with your elemental affinity. No holding back. Let's see what you've got."
Scarlett and Lyra exchanged glances, then nodded.
With a burst of movement, shadow tendrils erupted from Scarlett's hands while Lyra conjured sharp spears of ice. The dual assault surged toward Julia with impressive coordination.
Julia didn't move. Her hand barely twitched.
CRACK!
A wall of dark ice exploded from the ground, freezing both the shadow and ice mid-air, leaving the girls stunned.
Julia smiled. "Not bad. Now, let me show you how a real woman fights."
From the corner, Layla flinched.
Julia's gaze shifted to her. "And you, Layla dear. You'll get a special lesson later. Just you and me."
Layla paled. "I... I think I hear Noah calling me—"
Shadow chains shot from Julia's feet, slamming into the wall next to Layla.
"Don't you want to impress your future mom, or are you going to run away?"
Layla's lips trembled. "I… I'll stay…"
"Good girl," Julia said sweetly.
Back to her current victims—er, students—Julia's smile turned sharp. "I want my daughters-in-law strong. Don't expect mercy."
The next hour was a blur of pain, spells, and lectures. Julia unleashed her own advanced techniques with devastating beauty. Shadows danced like blades. Ice formed barriers, prisons, and spears that sang through the air.
"Shadow is not about hiding. It's about control. Fear. Domination. You must make the darkness kneel," she said, slamming a dark construct into Scarlett's defense.
"AAAHHH!"
"Scarlett, your wind affinity—when did that awaken?" Julia asked, genuinely impressed after catching a sudden gust redirecting one of her attacks.
"Recently… I was practicing secretly…" Scarlett coughed, crawling up.
Julia nodded. "Good. Join Richard and Noah sometimes. You'll learn more from them."
Lyra gasped as her ice spear shattered from a counter-blast. Julia knelt beside her.
"Ice must be emotionless. Calm. Cold. Beautiful. Like death in winter."
Then she flicked Lyra's forehead with a grin. "But don't freeze your heart too much. Noah likes passionate girls."
"W-We're not—!" Lyra sputtered.
"Oh please. I've seen how you look at him."
Occasionally, Noah's distant cries echoed through the grounds.
"FATHER, LET ME BREATHE!"
"YOU'LL BREATHE WHEN YOU DODGE LIGHTNING, BOY!"
The girls winced every time, but Julia only chuckled. "That's my husband for you."
Time passed with brutal drills. Julia forced them to cast complex spells under pressure, blindfolded, upside down, and in timed duels. She tossed potions at them between rounds like casual snacks.
"Drink. We're not done."
"You have a terrifying smile, Lady Julia," Scarlett said, panting.
"Why thank you, dear. Now dodge this."
By the time the sun began to dip, both Scarlett and Lyra lay collapsed on the ground, gasping for air, their bodies soaked in sweat and bruises.
Julia dusted her hands.
"Hmm… That's enough for now."
She turned her head toward the corner.
Layla stood frozen, sweating bullets.
Julia's voice was sweet as honey. "Layla, come dear. Let's train together."
"...I'm going to die," Layla whispered.
To be continued…