(Lilith) I will never doubt myself again!

   The battle raged before me, shaking the very foundations of the mansion. I watched from a distance, shielded by a group of policemen, as my parents and Aunt Zephyra fought a towering Hydra whose writhing heads snapped and spat venom with terrifying speed.

   Zephyra stood at the front, her hands weaving effortlessly through the air, shaping weapons and shields from raw steel and stone. Each time a head lunged, her creations blocked its fangs, or spears shot forward to pierce through its necks.

   Behind her, Father summoned arcs of lightning, his strikes crackling against the Hydra’s scales with explosive force. Mother moved in rhythm with him, waves of frost spilling from her fingertips, covering parts of Hydra's body.

   Their coordination was incredible, like a dance of blade, thunder, and ice. Together, their efforts severed the Hydra’s heads one after another. I gasped, my heart swelling with awe.

   But my hope was short-lived.

   The stumps where the heads had fallen began to bubble and twist. In grotesque unison, new heads forced their way out, snapping their jaws open with a shrill hiss.

   Aunt Zephyra clicked her tongue. “At this rate, this fight will never end.”

   Father gave a bitter laugh, his breath ragged. “Seems like it. And tell me, why is it always you dragging problems like this into my home, Zephyra? Did you inherit that habit straight from Lucian?”

   “Haaa?! Leave my husband out of this! You’re the one who granted the Silverbane family authority in your territory. Don’t pass the blame to me.”

   “Enough!" Mother’s voice cut between them. "Bickering won’t stop this thing.” She drew in a slow breath, frost escaping her lips. “My ice alone isn’t enough to hold it. We’ll need another solution.”

   Zephyra nodded grimly. “If it escapes this mansion, it won’t just be the capital—the entire territory will be in danger. We need to think fast—?!”

   Something was wrong. My father's lightning flickered, sputtering weakly. Zephyra too swayed, pressing a hand to her lips. Mother stumbled back, her face paling.

   “What—what’s happening?” Father demanded through clenched teeth.

   Zephyra’s eyes narrowed on the Hydra. “Poison. That damned lizard has been releasing gas this entire time.”

   I felt my chest tighten with fear as the realization hit. Their movements grew sluggish, their mana control faltering.

   Mother’s voice rang out sharply to the policemen. “Take Lilith out of here. Bring reinforcements, now!”

   The policemen nodded without hesitation. One grabbed my hand, tugging me toward the exit.

   I glanced back at them—their figures swaying, their mana nearly spent, the Hydra looming ever closer. 

   No. They… they won’t make it.

   My heart hammered. My hands trembled. I wanted to unleash my Sacred Eyes, to find a solution, but with the policemen watching, I couldn’t. I had something I could try, but...

   What if I just make everything worse again? What if… someone dies because of me?

   But then, as if whispered into my ear, a memory returned.

   Noah’s words.

   “Why not start with being a little more confident in yourself?”

   A fragile smile touched my lips. Yes… this time, I had to believe in myself.

   I yanked my hand free from the policeman’s grip. His startled protest followed me as I sprinted toward the Hydra. 

   “Go! Bring reinforcements!” I shouted over my shoulder.

   Before they could react, I slammed the doors shut behind me.

   “It’s now or never,” I whispered.

   Alone now, I drew a steadying breath. The fear in my chest burned away, replaced by a cold, focused determination. My aura swelled outward, crackling like frost spreading across glass. My hair, once soft pink, paled strand by strand until it shimmered a gleaming white.

   With each step I took toward the Hydra, the ground beneath me froze solid.

* * *

   Zephyra, Sylvia, and Theodore stood their ground, their bodies weakened by poison and their mana dangerously low. Just when despair threatened to overtake them, a shift in the atmosphere stole their attention.

   The air turned sharp and biting, colder than any of Sylvia’s spells.

   They turned and saw her.

   Lilith. She walked slowly toward the Hydra. Frost blossomed beneath her bare footsteps, spreading in a perfect trail across the hall. Her white hair shimmered under the icy light, her eyes radiating unwavering resolve.

   Sylvia’s heart clenched. “Lilith?! It isn’t safe here! Leave—we’ll handle this!”

   Lilith’s gaze softened as she looked at her mother. “Mother. I'm grateful, for always protecting me, for always being by my side. But now… it’s my turn. Please, watch me—and see how much your daughter has grown.”

   She raised her hand, gathering her power.

   The Hydra lunged, but before it could strike, an overwhelming surge of mana erupted from Lilith. A storm of frost engulfed the entire hall, sweeping over the walls, ceiling, and Hydra alike. The monster shrieked, but the sound quickly muffled as its massive body crystallized into solid ice.

   Within moments, Hydra stood frozen mid-snarl in a glacial prison that spread through the hall like an otherworldly sculpture.

   The three adults stared, wide-eyed, stunned by the sheer magnitude of the spell.

   Lilith lowered her trembling hand, her breaths shallow. Her lips curved into a small, defiant smile. She pointed weakly toward the frozen beast. “How was that… you stupid lizard?”

   Then her legs gave way.

   “Lilith!” Sylvia caught her daughter in her arms. She cradled the girl against her chest, brushing back her white hair with shaking fingers.

   Lilith’s lips moved faintly. “…What do you think, Mum? Did I… look cool just now?”

   Sylvia’s tears fell freely as she pressed her forehead against her daughter’s. “Yes… you were incredible. I’m so proud of you.”

   A peaceful smile flickered across Lilith’s face before her eyes fluttered shut, and she lost consciousness.