Chapter 32
As Ebony walked down the hallway, she stopped in front of her portrait. The red dress she wore in the painting stood out against the cool blue tones of the background.
“It took so long for my painting to be hung here.”
When she was younger, two portraits of Violet were displayed, followed by two of Irene. Ebony had never been given a place.
There was plenty of space for portraits, and they could always make room for hers.
But they had always found excuses to leave her out.
Now, at last, Ebony had put up her portrait.
“I don’t care about being part of their group, but that doesn’t mean I should let them take everything from me.”
She glanced at Irene’s portrait beside hers and smiled slightly.
Amy had told her that when Irene’s portrait had to be taken down, she had begged Edward to put it back up.
But since Irene’s portrait was still missing after days and even weeks, it seemed like her request had been ignored.
Hearing voices approaching, Ebony moved away and returned to her room. She sat at her desk and let out a small sigh.
Now that the portrait issue was settled, she needed to move on quickly.
“I have to get stronger.”
Even though she had grown more powerful after inheriting Violet’s strength, it still wasn’t enough.
She had to become so powerful that even dark magic couldn’t be used against her.
Her biggest problem was learning how to control her abilities. Even though she could summon Lucia and Wade, their powers were useless if she couldn’t use them properly.
Summoning Lucia and Wade, she shared her thoughts.
“I want to use your abilities more freely. No… I want to become stronger.”
Lucia tilted her head.
“<You mean you want to use our powers more actively?>”
“Yes, exactly.”
Wade chuckled and patted Ebony’s head.
“<I didn’t think you’d bring this up so soon. But there’s a simple way to achieve what you want—form a contract.>”
“A contract…?”
“<If you form a contract, you won’t have to borrow our strength anymore. You’ll be able to use our power as your own.>”
Ebony was surprised at how simple the solution seemed. But then she hesitated and glanced at Wade suspiciously.
He smirked as if he had expected her reaction.
“<It’s a gift for spirit summoners who want to grow stronger. Spirits aren’t allowed to suggest it first.>”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Ebony nodded enthusiastically.
“Can I do it right now?”
“<No, there’s one important step left.>”
Wade dramatically pointed his finger at her and narrowed his eyes.
“<You’re not making a contract with us.>”
Ebony’s eyes widened.
“Then… with who?”
“”
The Spirit God.
Ebony had read about them in books before.
“<To make a contract, you have to declare your purpose as a spirit summoner. You need to decide how you’ll use your power.>”
“A purpose…?”
Ebony repeated Wade’s words, then sighed softly.
Lucia hesitated before speaking.
“<U-uh, Ebony, what kind of path do you want to take as a spirit summoner?>”
“Path?”
Lucia nodded.
“<Yeah! Some summoners want wealth, others seek fame…>”
The unexpected question made Ebony pause.
To be honest, she had never thought deeply about being a spirit summoner.
Her abilities had always been just a tool to help her escape.
“…I don’t know. I don’t even fully understand what my powers are yet.”
Feeling embarrassed about her ignorance, she scratched the back of her head.
Lucia quickly reassured her.
“”
That was a good idea. Gathering information would help her understand her abilities better.
“That’s a great idea, Lucia!”
Excited, Ebony stood up and headed straight to the library.
Because Violet, the former duchess, had been a spirit summoner, there were plenty of related books in the library.
Ebony grabbed as many books as she could and started reading.
“Spirit summoners, unlike magicians, use living beings to channel their abilities. Their powers depend on the attributes of their spirits.
At first, summoners borrow the strength of spirits, but there is a way to use a spirit’s power directly—by forming a contract with the Spirit God.
The contract requires a ‘goal,’ which is deeply tied to the summoner’s ultimate belief. Choosing the right goal is crucial.”
Unfortunately, the books were filled with vague, general explanations rather than anything truly useful.
“Ugh…”
Ebony sighed, looking at the stack of books in front of her.
Lucia, noticing her frustration, spoke hesitantly.
“<A-are you okay?>”
Ebony smiled reassuringly.
“Yeah, I never expected to solve this in just one day.”
She gently placed Lucia in the palm of her hand and lifted her close.
“Lucia, do you know what my mother’s goal was?”
Maybe hearing about someone else’s experience would help her find direction.
“<Violet? Her goal was to maintain a beautiful world.>”
“That sounds like something she would want.”
“<Umm… if the books aren’t helping, how about reading Violet’s journal?>”
“<Yeah, she used to write in it all the time. She even kept detailed records!>”
Wade, who had been listening with a bored expression, suddenly perked up and agreed.
Ebony considered it.
Her mother’s journal… That could be much more helpful than these books.
Leaving the library, she headed to Gale’s room.
“Gale, I need your help with something.”
Gale, always polite, greeted her.
“Good afternoon, Lady Ebony.
How may I assist you?”
“I want to visit my mother’s room. You have the key, don’t you? If you’re available, could you come with me?”
Violet’s room was usually locked. Only her husband and the estate’s steward had access to it.
Hearing her request, Gale’s expression changed slightly. He adjusted his glasses and opened the first drawer of his desk.
Taking out a key, he stood up and nodded.
“I would be honored to accompany you, my lady. I have been waiting for this day—the day you would enter Lady Violet’s room.”
His voice was full of emotion as they walked down the hall.
“I am so happy this moment came sooner than expected.”
Stopping in front of Violet’s door, he handed Ebony the key.
“Thank you, Gale.”
She inserted the key, and with a soft click, the door unlocked.
Carefully, Ebony pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was empty but perfectly clean.
“It’s spotless.”
“His Grace visits regularly to clean it himself.”
The room was filled with a deep, lingering sense of longing.
For a moment, Ebony hesitated to step further inside.
“I heard my mother kept a daily journal.”
“Yes. Would you like me to show you where it is?”
“Please.”
Gale stopped in front of the desk and motioned to the second drawer.
“It’s in the second drawer of the desk.”
Ebony knelt and reached for the drawer. A soft glow shimmered from within.
As if drawn by an invisible force, she pulled it open.
Inside, a violet-colored diary lay waiting.
“<Now’s the time to prove your ability.>”
Wade’s voice echoed in her mind.
Ebony wasn’t sure what he meant, but she instinctively focused her energy.
A shimmering stream of magic wrapped around the diary, lifting it into the air.
As it opened, a gentle voice filled the room.
“Hello, Ebony.”
It was a voice she had only heard once in her life.
A voice she would never forget.
Eyes wide, Ebony stared at the diary as the voice continued.
“My precious daughter, if you’re reading this, it means you’ve followed in my footsteps as a spirit summoner.”
On the open pages, an image of Violet appeared, smiling warmly at her.
