Published at 22nd of October 2026 7:05 am

Chapter 2129: Special Blood

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The days were filled with learning.

Her body hurt constantly. Her fingers were blistered, her palms constantly calloused, and every muscle seemed to ache by the end of the day.

Genevieve would wake up, and her instructors would begin teaching her the fundamentals and principles of arcana. They deconstructed everything she had learned before and drilled into her a treasure trove of rare knowledge. She absorbed it all like a sponge.

Late mornings were spent playing dice games with the elderly Fortuna—who she called ’Grandma’ for simplicity’s sake—and learned to understand and manipulate the currents of probability.

Midday was spent with Moonie, who taught her about the high society of the Imperium. She studied the Houses, their vassals, their histories, their relationships with one another, and everything else of relevance—no matter how irrelevant—within the Imperium’s social circles.

After lunch, her time was devoted entirely to physical training. She trained her body. She trained with the rapier. She trained with the bow. The trainer arranged by Valentina was a veteran of many wars. So Genevieve was taught highly practical knowledge of combat and survival.

Evenings were spent in the library, where she buried herself in books and continued expanding her knowledge.

Dinner was spent with the family members currently residing in the ancestral palace. She ate with them, interacted with them, and slowly got to know them. She was a filial child to the elders of the family, and a lovely elder sister to the children.

Then came mindfulness. Then sleep. And the next day, it all began again.

Were it not for the visible progress, she would have found the routine deeply monotonous. Whether it was her arcane studies or physical training, the improvements were visible.

It had been one year now since she arrived on Providentia.

Genevieve stood before the large mirror, quietly observing the changes in her body. Steam rose through the spacious bathroom, gathering on the surface of the mirror and making her reflection shimmer faintly.

The bathroom alone was four times larger than her old studio apartment at Sapphire Tower.

Genevieve ran a hand along the contours of her arms and stomach. They looked more defined now. The changes were subtle, but impossible to miss.

Her shoulders had become slightly broader. The muscles in her arms were firmer, and the faint outline of her abdomen had begun to show beneath her skin. Even her legs had grown stronger, the result of countless hours spent running, practicing footwork, and repeating the same movements with her rapier until they became instinctive.

She stared at herself in the mirror for a long time. This body felt strangely unfamiliar.

Genevieve had always thought of herself as a Magus. A scholar. Her strength had always come from her mind. Her understanding of magic. She had never cared for physical strength.

Yet now, her body was changing before her eyes.

She placed a hand against her stomach again, tracing the faint definition beneath her skin. Somewhere along the way, the pain had stopped bothering her. The blisters, the bruises, the aching muscles—she had begun to accept them as simply another part of her life.

She no longer looked entirely like the girl who had first arrived at the palace. She looked stronger. More capable. More prepared.

Genevieve couldn’t help but faintly smile. She was proud of the progress she had made. Especially considering she had completed a three-year training course within one year.

Before Valentina had left for the frontlines, she had told Genevieve:

"The children of our House participate in the coming-of-age ceremony when they become Magi. Since you’ve spent all your life in Myrrandor, you never got the opportunity.

"But now you do, my darling. But beware. The coming-of-age ceremony isn’t a trial that can be overcome so simply. It is difficult. Very much so. It will test your mettle.

"As you are now, you are incapable of even surviving a day in the trial. So I’ve prepared instructors for you, and also a three-year training regimen.

"Once you are fully prepared, you will participate in the coming-of-age ceremony. And then... you may return to Myrrandor."

So much had transpired in the last year. It felt like a lifetime, but it also felt like a fleeting moment.

She would depart the next day for the coming-of-age ceremony. The trial would take place in the dense jungles near the equator of Providentia.

This was a trial that every member of House Fortuna was required to take.

Just because those born into this House were descendants of the Angel of Miracle did not mean they were special.

To prevent them from growing up in decadence and entitlement, the ancestors of the House had created a way of life for all children where victory was earned through blood, sweat, and hard work.

Genevieve tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear as she took in the changes in her body.

She remembered how Aunt Valentina had spoken to her about the special blood running in their veins.

The blood of the God Emperor.

It made her talented not only in arcana, but also in the ways of the Paladin. It was why she recovered so quickly, healed so easily, and did not tire so easily as ordinary people.

She had been born with such a magnificent bloodline. And now, she had so many resources at her disposal to foster her growth.

How, then, could she possibly lag behind?

More than anyone else, Genevieve was always comparing herself to Adam. She loved him dearly. More than that, she admired him.

Adam had always seemed to possess something she deeply respected - his perseverance. He was clever, hardworking, fearless in his own strange way, and always pushing himself forward no matter how difficult things became.

She knew he was destined for great things. And she wanted to walk beside him. They both shared a dream that they wanted to fulfill together. She did not want to become a burden to him. Did not want to be the person who slowed him down or forced him to compromise his ambitions.

Adam was meant for greatness. And she wanted to be there with him when he reached it. She wanted to support him. Love him. Stand beside him no matter how far he went.

That was why she had trained so hard over the past year. Every blister, every bruise, every aching muscle was worth it.

Because Adam had unknowingly become more than just the man she fell in love with. He had become someone she looked up to. A role model. Someone she wanted to emulate in her own way.

She glanced at the raven band around her ring finger and smiled tenderly. She brought it closer and kissed it.

Genevieve looked back in the mirror, her cerulean eyes gleaming with resolve.

Tomorrow was the coming-of-age ceremony.

"I’m ready."

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