(Evelyn Aurelius – pov )
Evelyn had seen many rare things in her life.
She was a princess, after all.
She had witnessed divine ceremonies where high priests summoned holy flames. She had seen relics older than the empire itself, imbued with power beyond comprehension. She had even met individuals capable of bending the very laws of nature.
But this?
This was something entirely different.
***
When Instructor Aerith had begun the awakening ritual, she had expected something powerful from Alistair Vaelthorne.
Something terrifying.
Perhaps an abyssal wraith, a shadowy creature wreathed in darkness. Maybe an ancient entity with hunger in its gaze, mirroring the power that simmered beneath his surface.
No since previous examination revealed his spirit is holy or light affinity spirits may be an holy dragon, phoenix or something powerful.
But instead—
Instead, it had been a child.
A small, silver-haired girl with golden eyes.
And for the first time in years, she had seen something in Alistair's expression that wasn't cold calculation.
For the first time since his exile—he had looked truly shocked.
Evelyn's grip tightened slightly on her arms as she walked alongside Elaine and Morganna through the academy courtyard.
The lecture had ended, but the thoughts swirling in her mind refused to settle.
"A spirit in human form…" Morganna mused, tapping a gloved finger against her lips. "Rare, but not unheard of."
Elaine nodded. "I've read about cases where spirits manifested as humanoid beings, but they were usually warriors or sorcerers from ancient times, not… children."
Evelyn exhaled. "And yet, she is a child. A baby, really."
A soft silence followed.
Because they had all seen it.
The way the little girl had clung to Alistair's uniform with small, possessive hands.
And the way Alistair—normally so distant, so untouchable—had simply… held her.
Not with hesitation.
Not with rejection.
But with something almost… gentle.
"It's strange," Evelyn admitted, glancing toward Elaine. "Your brother has spent years keeping his distance from everyone. He barely interacts with others unless necessary. And yet… the moment that child appeared, he didn't push her away."
Elaine's expression was unreadable. "I noticed that too."
Morganna smirked. "How adorable. The cold, untouchable Alistair Vaelthorne—claimed by a tiny spirit girl."
Evelyn sighed, ignoring Morganna's teasing tone.
"I just…" She hesitated. "Can he even take care of a child?"
Elaine frowned slightly. "I don't know."
Because Alistair wasn't like them.
He had always been different.
Even before his exile, even before he rejected his noble status—there had been something off about him.
"He did seem to care for her, though," Evelyn murmured.
They had all seen it—the way his arms had instinctively tightened around the child, the way his eyes had lingered on her with an expression none of them had ever seen on his face before.
Evelyn wasn't sure what she had expected when the child spirit awakened.
But she had never expected to see genuine emotion flicker across Alistair's face.
Even if it had been brief.
Even if he had masked it quickly.
For that one moment, he hadn't been the cold, distant warrior.
For that one moment—
He had looked like someone who had found something precious.
"She's cute," Elaine said suddenly, breaking the silence.
Morganna grinned. "Oh, absolutely. Did you see the way she demanded he pick her up?
Like a doughter asking her dady to give a piggy ride."
Evelyn chuckled softly. "And he actually did it."
The three of them paused, reflecting on the sheer absurdity of that moment.
Morganna smirked. "If she's that attached to him already, I wonder how he's going to handle it when she starts demanding bedtime stories."
Evelyn and Elaine chuckled.
Evelyn replied "I definitely want see that happening "
Elaine suddenly stiffened.
Her green eyes darkened slightly as a strange expression crossed her face.
Evelyn raised a brow. "Elaine?"
Elaine hesitated. Then—
"…I was just thinking." Her voice was quiet.
" If my brother gonna raise her, there relationship is gonna be like father and daughter. Right"
"Maybe" Evelyn replied raising a brow.
"Does that mean she's technically my niece?"
A long silence followed.
Then—
Morganna burst into laughter.
"Elaine Vaelthorne, aunt of a spirit child! How delightful."
Elaine groaned. "That's not what I meant!"
Evelyn shook her head, amusement flickering in her emerald eyes.
*****
(Alistair Vaelthorne – pov)
Alistair walked through the academy halls, his mind unusually preoccupied.
The day had been long—spirit awakening, the instructor's explanations, and now the weight of something entirely unexpected pressing against his thoughts.
The child.
Or rather—his spirit.
She was unlike anything he had anticipated.
And now, as he reached his dorm room, he exhaled, pushing the door open and stepping inside.
The moment the door shut behind him—
A soft glow emanated from his neck.
And then—
She appeared.
A small, silver-haired girl materialized before him, golden eyes blinking up at him with innocent curiosity.
For a brief second, she simply stood there, swaying slightly on her feet, her small hands rubbing at her tired eyes.
Then—she looked at Alastair.
"Hungry."
Her voice was small. Soft. Childlike.
Alistair stared at her.
She stared back.
"Hungry," she repeated, her tiny brows furrowing slightly as if she didn't understand why he wasn't reacting.
Alistair sighed.
Of course.
He walked toward the small kitchen in his dorm room, pulling open the cabinets. He never kept much—his diet was strict, and he didn't eat more than necessary. But he could at least find something.
"Do spirits even eat?" he muttered under his breath.
There were records of spirits feeding off mana, absorbing energy from their summoners—but actual food?
This was new.
Still, the moment he glanced back at the child, her golden eyes shimmering with expectation, he knew there was no way around it.
She was staring at him like he was personally responsible for her survival.
And, in a way, he supposed he was.
He found some bread and fruit, setting them on the table.
The child tilted her head.
She poked the bread.
Then, frowning slightly, she turned her eyes back to him.
"Milk?"
Alistair blinked.
Milk?
He sighed again, pulling out a bottle of cold milk from the enchanted storage and pouring it into a small cup.
He barely had time to place it down before she climbed onto the chair, gripping the cup with both hands and drinking eagerly.
Her tiny body swayed slightly as she drank, her silver hair falling over her shoulders, golden eyes half-lidded in contentment.
Alistair simply watched.
This spirit…
She looked like her.
Like Sofia.
The same silver hair, the same golden eyes.
The same innocence.
But was she actually her?
Or just a reflection?
The spirit had been newborn when she awakened. A child with no memories, no thoughts beyond simple needs. But the resemblance—
It was too much to ignore.
Alistair clenched his jaw slightly.
No.
He shook his head, pushing the thoughts away.
This wasn't the time for that.
The spirit had finished drinking, licking a drop of milk from her lips before turning her attention back to him.
She crawled across the table, small hands gripping the edge of his coat.
Then—
"Pick up."
Alistair stared at her.
She blinked.
"Pick up," she repeated, tugging at his coat this time, her tiny fingers curling into the fabric.
Alistair let out a slow breath.
He wasn't used to this.
He wasn't built for this.
But—
He lifted her.
She immediately curled against him, small and warm, her silver hair brushing against his chest.
And for the first time in a very, very long time—
Alistair didn't know what to do.
TO BE CONTINUE....