There was another unique trait of the Chartus’ special abilities. It was that their abilities manifested themselves differently depending on their personal characteristics. There were various types of abilities, such as magic, illusion, healing, regeneration, manipulation, mind-reading, and sorcery.

“It would be nice if I got a powerful ability, and if it was more than one, even better.”

In the early stages of awakening, the different powers with the highest rate of affinity were manifested in turn, offering them experience. It was a process of directly experimenting with the power and figuring out the talent that fits according to their own strength. On the other hand, they will not be able to experience abilities which the user has lower affinities for.

The different abilities that Mariel was now experiencing were healing, mind-reading, and manipulation.

Once all the possible abilities were manifested, and once the user had determined one of the abilities to be the chosen one, the rest of the powers would naturally cease to exist. Sometimes, in the case of an heir with exceptional talents, she could utilize more than one ability.

Their mother, Adele Chartus, was one of the exceptionally gifted.

“It’s still impossible to have foresight, isn’t it?”

Foresight: the divine power that grants its holder the ability to see what’s hiding in the future.

As such, the power of foresight was a rare ability to manifest even in those who had the blood of Chartus running through their veins. It was so rare that up until now, there were only two people who possessed this ability, the first Marquis of Chartus and the late Adele Chartus.

Thus, Mariel did not have high expectations for it either.

“Healing power and mind-reading are both great abilities, but I can’t protect Sister with this kind of ability.”

Mariel wanted a powerful force. She needed the ability to protect the people whom she held dear.

“Then again, perhaps magic would be the best way to do that.”

Depending on one’s talent and effort, magic was the most powerful force that existed on this continent. The magic that the great wizards had actually performed and recorded in the history books was beyond imagination.

They could change the balance of power in a war that was doomed to defeat, manipulate the weather, and even change the flow of rivers. People said they felt both amazed and terrified at the same time as if they were facing God.

“I can’t wait for the magic powers to manifest for me.” Mariel hoped.

Because only then would she be able to protect her one and only sister and let her get her freedom, and have all the things she has given up before for her sake.

“It’s funny how she struggles to keep her younger sister safe! Although, I sometimes feel a little sorry for her, too.”

Mariel recalled the words of some servants back at the Chartus manor who were gossiping about Asella. 

She clenched her small fists as she remembered the viciousness that had seeped into their voices.

“This time, I will live for my sister.”

For as long as she could recall, Asella’s priority had always been her.

As a child, it was just nice to have an older sister who was so caring, gentle, and treated her so well. She never hesitated to give her anything she wanted, no matter how much she cherished it, and kept her company when she wanted to play. She even stood up against their horrible stepfather for her sake.

It was only after a long time that Mariel came to realize how much Asella had done for her.

How many things Asella had to give up, and how many things she had to endure?

That was why Mariel worked so hard to learn during the time she spent away from home.

She wanted to be a strength to her one and only sister. She wanted to get her poor sister out of that awful prison.

‘But just to give a guy like Anthony the marquisate, he went and-‘

Mariel clenched her teeth. The thought of Philip and his son made her blood boil.

It wasn’t enough that he had taken everything from Asella and sold her to a man whose face she had never once seen.

‘And yet, Sister..’

Nevertheless, Asella accepted the marriage. She made a choice, even if she didn’t want to.

‘Because of me.’

Her eyes quickly grew hot. Mariel promptly wiped away her tears. Memories of the day she had returned to the Marquis Chartus estate to attend Asella’s wedding came to mind.