Meanwhile, standing a short distance away, Arthur watched the scene unfold with a strange, twisting knot in his chest.
he couldn’t understand why he felt so strange when he saw his elder brother, Ethan, together with that unknown girl.
It was as if something precious had been taken away from him.
he didn’t know why, but the feeling made him strangely uncomfortable.
Looking down at the emotional girl, Ethan smiled warmly and said, "Come with me. My turn is still quite far away, so it will be a while before my turn. Let’s go to healing mages with me."
The girl hesitated, glancing back at her adoptive parents. Knowing who Ethan was—the powerful and respected son of Veridia Town’s mayor—the couple immediately dropped their harsh glares, forcing fake, sycophantic smiles onto their faces.
Originally, they had planned to abandon or punish the girl on the spot for wasting their money, but seeing the mayor’s eldest son publicly stepping in to protect and show affection to her changed everything in their greedy minds.
Stepping forward with oily smiles, the foster father chuckled awkwardly, "Oh, absolutely, young master Ethan! Go right ahead with her, we’re right behind you, sweetie."
To their twisted, money-hungry eyes, getting close to the mayor’s eldest son through this discarded orphan suddenly presented an entirely new financial opportunity.
Ethan scooped the little girl gently into his arms, leaning down to whisper, "If anyone ever gives you trouble or causes you pain, you can always tell your big brother."
Hearing those words, the girl sobbed softly, burying her face against his shoulder.
Since childhood, she had always been extremely sick, which made the people at the orphanage eager to get rid of her as soon as possible.
When she was finally adopted by a family, she thought her life was about to change.
But her new parents didn’t treat her the way she had hoped.
They only cared about her ability to sense mana.
They wanted her to achieve a powerful rank because she could sense mana exceptionally well.
Looking up at him with tear-stained eyes, she choked out, "But... you don’t even know me. Why are you being so nice to me?"
Seeing Ethan’s golden hair reminded her of something.
Her aunt had once told her that every girl would eventually meet a prince who would come riding on a white horse.
And that prince would have golden hair.
Ethan let out a soft, knowing laugh, his dark eyes flashing with a calculated gleam. "I have no younger sister of my own and you look so cute... so, if you allowed me... can I consider you my sister?" ."
Hearing that declaration, the adoptive parents grinned greedily from ear to ear, their eyes practically sparkling with visions of wealth. They had no idea that beneath Ethan’s gentle, righteous facade lay a greed far darker and more calculating than their own.
"Can I call you something other than my brother?"
Her voice sounded strange, almost as if she didn’t want to call Ethan her brother.
Ethan was surprised by her reaction.
’Was my acting not enough?’
He looked at her for a moment before saying,
"Let’s think about her later."
Keeping up his charade, Ethan carried her out of the bustling courtyard, escorting her safely to the town’s quiet dispensary.
After settling her down and ensuring she was tended to by the healer mages, Ethan turned on his heel, a cold, triumphant smirk stretching across his face as he walked back toward the Grand Hall.
In my past life, this very girl failed her awakening at age five, just like Arthur did. Because they both failed, the village children mercilessly mocked them both. But since she was an orphan with no one to protect her, she suffered even harsher ridicule.
Back then, Arthur had stepped in to comfort and support her. Through their shared misery, a bond formed, and they eventually fell in love.
A cold, calculating smirk spread across Ethan’s face as he remembered the shocking truth that came to light years later. And she isn’t just some ordinary orphan.
At age ten, she will awaken the Light Element at the absolute highest grade—one of the rarest and most formidable elements in existence.
More importantly, she is actually a kidnapped royal princess from a neighboring empire, displaced by war when she was just a toddler.
Ethan narrowed his eyes, plotting his next move with chilling precision.
To be honest, I’ve never manipulated anyone in my entire life, especially not a child.
But it seems I’ll have to use a few tricks this time.
If that girl treats me like her elder brother, she could become a powerful trump card against my enemies.
Because of that, I’ll protect her for the next five years, until she awakens her Element.
I have plenty of other things to accomplish during these five years as well.
His gaze shifted toward the hall.
But first, I need to awaken my own Element.
I’ll make the rest of the plans later, just then.
[Destined Heroine: Elena de Lume]
[Childlike Affection Toward Host: Increased]
[Affection Toward Arthur: Decreased by 20 Points(She hasn’t even met him yet.)]
[Affection Toward the Host has increased.]
[Current Affection Toward Host: 50/200]
[Special Impression: White-Knight Admiration, kind Big brother]
[Elena sees the Host as someone who appeared like a prince on a white horse to protect her.]
[The Host has changed the fate of the Chosen One, Arthur.]
[Originally, Arthur was destined to protect Elena de Lume.]
[However, the Host has changed this fate.]
[Fate Points Stolen from the Chosen One: 2,000]
[Fate Points Increased.]
[Host’s Fate Points: 52,000]
Ethan was quite shocked when he saw the notification.
I’m actually getting Fate Points from this?
A faint smile slowly appeared on his face.
It seems she really does see me like a prince from a fairy tale.
Perhaps, in my previous life, when Arthur saved her, she thought of him the same way.
That’s probably why she fell for him so quickly.
Though, I’m not interested in anything like that.
I’m only interested in getting whatever benefits I can from her.
If I can take everything from Arthur, and even take everything from my enemies and get benifits, then I’ll definitely take it.
It’s a shame that she still has five years before she can awaken her Element.
If she could awaken her Element earlier, perhaps in one or two years, I wouldn’t have to look after her for so long.
Still, it doesn’t really matter. Since she’s a princess of an Empire, I might be able to gain some useful opportunities from her later.
[Host, you shouldn’t be so greedy.]
Ethan’s expression turned slightly annoyed.
"Shut up."
As Ethan stepped back through the grand archways into the bustling hall, Arthur immediately spotted him. Snapping out of his daze, the younger boy hurried over, his face lit up with nervous excitement.
"Big Brother! My turn is coming up soon, it’s almost my turn!" Arthur chirped, grabbing Ethan’s sleeve.
Ethan glanced toward the central stage. Another five-year-old boy was currently sitting cross-legged at the dead center of the awakening platform, deep in his mana-breathing routine.
Suddenly, a rich, dense wave of earthy brown energy erupted from the boy’s small frame. The heavy shockwave rippled outward, and the next second, the ancient stone monolith representing the Earth element flared with a brilliant, steady brown glow, shining with remarkable clarity.
Seeing the glowing pillar, the elders seated on the raised dais beamed with satisfaction. Even arthur father, the town’s mayor, broke into a knowing, approving smile, pleased with the steady crop of talent this year.
The ceremonial elder standing near the platform stepped forward, his voice ringing out with praise. "Splendid! Truly splendid! You have successfully awakened a mid-grade Earth Element."
The elder’s expression softened into one of guidance. "Go home now, focus your mind, and steadily absorb this energy. You must forge your very first elemental ring before you can officially be recognized as a true Mage."
Overwhelmed by the sudden influx of power coursing through his veins, the young boy bowed respectfully, his heart pounding with pride as he stepped down from the platform and made his way out of the hall.