The Adored Daughter of the Disliked Duke's House: My Magic Power Increases Every Time I'm Praised, So I've Been Perfecting Cuteness Since Infancy! - Episode 19

“Can refined magic power be reverted back to its original state?”

On the first day of Professor Caleb’s class, I asked this question out of curiosity.

A person’s magic power is condensed within the gem in their chest. When using magic, one must refine it into a usable state.

“No, it cannot. If magic power is not used through a spell, it will simply be released from the body.”

When refining magic power in the abdomen, it must be imbued with an attribute suitable for the spell being cast.

Of course, this process can fail.

When that happens, the refined magic power is discarded from the body.

I suddenly remembered my secret training as a baby, where I had tried refining magic power. The refined magic had disappeared before I knew it.

I hadn’t thought much about it at the time, but it seemed that if left unused, refined magic power would automatically be expelled from the body.

“So, it would be a complete waste, then.”

“Precisely. Magic power must be elevated through the art of magic to have any purpose.

That is why, for a mage, the training of refining magic power is of utmost importance.”

I see.

The process of refining magic power is essential for using magic.

“However.”

Professor Caleb raised his index finger.

“There are only two attributes for which mere release carries meaning.”

Gulp.

His suggestive tone made me swallow nervously.

“They are Light and Darkness.”

I had read in some texts that these two attributes were special.

Only a handful of human mages could wield Light magic.

Meanwhile, Darkness was the magic power of monsters.

“Magic imbued with the Darkness attribute becomes a direct threat to humans.”

Dark magic burns human flesh upon contact and causes it to decay.

Conversely, the Light attribute possesses the opposite effect.

“According to legend, the god who created this world first illuminated it with Light magic.”

I had heard that myth countless times as a child.

It was said that this was the moment when Light and Darkness were divided.

“Magic refined with the Light attribute, when released, becomes light itself and illuminates the surroundings. It also has the power to neutralize Dark magic.”

In other words, these two opposing forces alone held significance even when merely released as raw energy.

“When in trouble, refine Light magic power.

Surely, the light will guide and aid you.”

(My mother’s magic isn’t Darkness attribute.)

Darkness and shadow were similar, yet fundamentally different.

(A shadow only exists where there is light.)

The stronger the light, the darker and stronger the shadow becomes.

(In that case, my mother’s magic is…!)

Al, Leo, and I refined Light magic together, releasing it to illuminate our surroundings.

As everyone else squinted against the brightness, my mother alone remained unfazed.

“Suffer the consequences for tormenting my daughter!”

Her commanding voice sent shivers down my spine. I saw two monsters flinch in fear.

Both struggled to escape from the shadows that bound them, but the dark restraints refused to let go.

“Lord Barzemir!”

“Damn it! A mere human!”

Barzemir unleashed Dark magic.

Light and Darkness clashed, causing sparks to flicker as they fought for dominance.

Most mages were too preoccupied shielding themselves from the magical turbulence to move.

I refused to falter and desperately continued refining Light magic.

“Ugh…”

Al was the first to collapse, completely drained.

“Wah… I can’t… anymore.”

Next was Leo. Both fell against me and lost consciousness.

(I’m at my limit too…)

Just as that thought crossed my mind—

“Hold on, Lady Lilietta.”

The king supported my back from behind.

“Do not close your eyes! Watch closely!

Your mother is about to take the monster’s head!”

From the king’s palm, Light magic flowed into me.

It blended with my own magic deep in my core.

I gathered it—

More and more—

Then, all at once, I unleashed it!

—Paah!

Like fireworks exploding in the night sky, Light magic burst forth.

At that moment—

—Snap!!!

My mother’s shadow twisted and snapped Mukrain’s neck.

“Lilietta!”

My mother turned to me; her face filled with astonishment.

But that wasn’t all.

Relief, triumph, and joy overflowed from her expression.

A single tear glistened in her violet eyes.

(Ah, thank goodness.)

Warmth flooded my chest.

And at the same time—

My exhaustion took over, and I slipped into unconsciousness.

I woke up the next afternoon.

Apparently, I had been placed in a guest room in the royal palace again. My father sat by my bedside.

“Did you sleep well, Lilietta?”

As I blinked in confusion, my father gently stroked my forehead.

I glanced around, but someone was missing.

“Where is Mother?”

“Speaking with His Majesty.”

“Alone?”

I shot up in alarm, but my father only smiled wryly.

“It’s fine. They need time to talk, just the two of them.”

His gentle voice made me stare in surprise.

“Father… did you know?

That Mother’s shadow magic is actually a Light attribute spell?”

My father nodded.

“I only realized recently.

After all, until she married me, Marcelina was forbidden from using magic.”

My parents had married a year before I was born.

If Mother had been banned from magic until then, she must have had very few opportunities to use it at all.

“I always sensed the same Light aura in her magic as in the king’s. And yet, she only cast shadows. It puzzled me, so I consulted Professor Caleb.”

My father crossed his arms, deep in thought.

“The professor theorized that the Light within Marcelina was too strong, forcing her magic to manifest as shadows instead.”

“Then… was she rejected by the ‘Blessing of Light’ because…?”

“Perhaps it was deemed unnecessary for her.”

What an irony.

My mother’s suffering—her inability to use Light magic—was caused by her affinity being too strong.

“That’s… so cruel.”

I clenched the sheets in frustration.

To think she had been shunned by her own family because of such a misunderstanding.

(That’s too unfair!)

Then it hit me—

Professor Caleb had known all along.

(How cruel!)

I pouted, but my father smirked.

“Don’t blame the professor. He isn’t here to hand us answers.”

I knew that.

A teacher’s role was to guide, not to simply give solutions.

Still…

“If Mother had known earlier, she might have reconciled with the king sooner.”

“It’s not that simple.”

Father sighed.

(True.)

Mother was stubborn to a fault.

Words alone might not have changed her.

(But she fought with shadow magic strengthened by Light, proving it wasn’t something to be feared.)

That was why she was speaking with the king now.

“Lilietta.”

Father took my hand.

“Thank you.”

His warm gratitude made me look up in surprise.

Tears glistened in his eyes.

“Thanks to you, Marcelina has been saved.”

I hadn’t done anything grand.

I had simply done what I could.

Yet, my father’s grip tightened.

“Thank you… so much!”

His voice trembled.

I squeezed his hand back.

(I’m so glad!)