The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family

"They took Tiel to the training grounds?"

Karsus and Alpheus both paused their conversation and turned to look at Ria.

Ria bowed her head slightly before speaking.

"Yes, the young masters took the lady to the training grounds. I was worried, so I thought I should report it."

"I see. I'll go check on them."

Karsus rose from his seat, straightening his attire.

Ria naturally stepped aside to let him pass.

The training grounds were a place for swordsmanship training, but more than anything, it was primarily used for ability training.

If Ferdi and Ludian had taken Tiel there, it was likely because they wanted to show off their abilities to her.

However, it was far too soon for Tiel to be exposed to such things.

The child didn’t even fully understand what her ability was yet, nor did she know how to use it—she was still like an infant in terms of ability control.

"Did we not inform Ferdi and Ludian about Tiel's ability?"

Alpheus furrowed his brows slightly, as if trying to recall.

Karsus shook his head.

"We did. I clearly told them to be cautious, as she doesn’t fully understand her ability yet."

His gaze shifted toward the northern window—one that faced the direction of Ferdi and Ludian’s private training grounds.

"She only recently awakened her ability. If she’s exposed to Ferdi and Ludian’s powers and gets too stimulated, her ability flow might become unstable. I’ll bring her back."

Ferdi and Ludian’s abilities were immensely powerful.

Of course, they were still young, so they weren’t stronger than Alpheus or Karsus yet. But as heirs of the Asterian bloodline, where each generation grew stronger, they possessed extraordinary potential.

If either of them mishandled their abilities—or worse, lost control—

It would undoubtedly have disastrous consequences for Tiel.

Karsus let out a slow sigh, turning his head.

He had already decided—Tiel needed to be kept separate from the twins, at least for the time being.

Just as he reaffirmed this thought—

"M-Master!"

Ria pointed toward the very window Karsus had just been staring at.

Karsus and Alpheus both followed her gaze at once.

"......!"

From the northern part of the Asterian estate, simultaneously, golden light and pillars of fire erupted into the night sky.

The radiant light spread rapidly, illuminating the entire sky. Karsus narrowed his eyes, and Alpheus' pupils dilated in shock.

"It can’t be..."

Alpheus muttered under his breath.

Before either of them could say another word, both men immediately bolted out of the office.

Ria was the only one left behind in the now-empty study, staring toward the north in a state of panic.

***

Now.

Karsus bypassed the stunned Ferdi and Ludian and went straight to check on Tiel.

The girl blinked slowly—then collapsed into his arms.

At the same time, the golden light that had engulfed the entire Asterian territory faded into darkness.

"Tiel—!"

Ferdi and Ludian shouted in unison. Karsus turned his head slightly and pressed a finger to his lips.

"Be quiet. You’ll wake her."

Alpheus, clearly alarmed by Tiel’s condition, immediately ordered for a physician.

Everyone present was visibly shaken—but Karsus remained remarkably composed.

He checked his daughter’s pulse, then placed a hand over her chest to assess the flow of her ability.

Fortunately, there didn’t seem to be any major issues.

"She simply exhausted herself by using too much of her ability at once. She’ll be fine after some rest."

Karsus adjusted his hold and lifted her up. The child's cheek pressed lightly against his chest.

Ferdi and Ludian watched anxiously, their gazes locked onto Tiel.

Karsus, still looking at the daughter who had just unleashed an immense power, slowly lifted his gaze toward the gaping hole in the ceiling of the training grounds.

I should have reinforced the ceiling.

If he had, this wouldn’t have turned into such a nuisance.

There was no way the Imperial Palace, the Temple, and the Nestian family hadn’t noticed what just happened.

After all—Tiel’s light had been bright enough to illuminate the entire Asterian estate.

They all saw it.

They all realized it.

That a child with the legendary Light Ability had appeared.

Annoyance flickered in Karsus' eyes.

Now, people would start making a fuss.

They would try to take Tiel away.

Of course, he had no intention of letting that happen.

This was the daughter he had finally found.

For the past seven years, he had been neither dead nor alive, spending every sleepless night envisioning her face.

There was no chance he would let anyone take her from him.

This was Asterian territory.

The Asterians were the very embodiment of power—the ones who could make even the highest nobles tremble.

Unless someone had a death wish, no one would dare lay a hand on Tiel.

Still—

Karsus quietly gazed down at the small child resting in his arms.

He just wanted her to have peace.

To not suffer any longer.

Having been born with such a special power, even with the full protection of the Asterian family, Tiel would undoubtedly face countless hardships in the future.

Many would try to take her. Many would seek her out.

Even with Asterian’s unwavering support, the burdens she would have to bear herself would not be insignificant.

Karsus hated that.

He didn’t care whether she had an ability or not—he only wished for his daughter to live peacefully and happily.

But now that things had come to this, there was no other choice.

His pupils shifted—turning sharp, like those of a beast.

His large hands completely covered Tiel’s small frame.

Yes, Tiel would face many hardships simply because she possessed the Light Ability.

But—

Anything that Asterian could eliminate on her behalf, he would do so without hesitation, in the name of the Black Leopards.

For instance, swatting away the pests that would inevitably start buzzing around after today’s incident.

Because that was the duty of a protector.

"Ferdi. Ludian."

Karsus turned to his sons, still holding Tiel securely in his arms.

"Explain what happened."

At that moment, Ferdi staggered. Ludian barely managed to catch him before he collapsed.

Ferdi was staring blankly at Tiel, looking as if he had completely lost himself.

So it was Ludian who spoke up first.

"Ferdi suddenly... lost control. He didn’t even use that much power, but then all of a sudden, he just—"

"And?"

"...I got hurt trying to stop him, and then Tiel... she calmed him down."

Ferdi took over the explanation.

His unfocused gaze remained locked on Tiel’s face.

He wanted nothing more than to reach out and hold her.

But he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

"Imagine what you want to do."

At that moment—

Ferdi had imagined power.

A power unrestricted by the curse and madness. A power without limitations.

The kind of overwhelming flame he should have been able to wield—had he not been chained down by the curse.

And this was the result.

He had been unable to overcome the curse. His madness had flared, and he had lost control.

And in trying to calm him—Tiel had collapsed.

Ferdi could never forget it.

That small girl, running toward him without a second’s hesitation.

"I won’t get hurt."

She didn’t know a thing—yet she spoke as if she knew everything.

Then she had embraced him, so tightly.

And then—

That warmth.

The warmth that began from her palms, seeping into his veins, spreading throughout his entire body like gentle, golden light.

For even a moment—he had doubted her. He had been wary of her.

And now, he regretted it bitterly.

Even if she hadn’t possessed the Light Ability—he still should not have treated her that way.

Tiel had opened her heart to him.

Despite the danger, she had thrown herself into the fire without hesitation.

And yet, Ferdi had doubted her.

All because—because she might have had the Light Ability.

Some might assume he was wary of her because he feared losing his place as heir.

But it wasn’t that.

No—it was something else.

He had been afraid to hope.

The Asterian and Nestian bloodlines had suffered under this curse and madness for generations.

They would have done anything—anything—to break free from it.

And yet—

The moment he thought it might actually be possible—that a child with the fabled Light Ability was real—

It had terrified him. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

What if the legend was nothing more than a fairy tale?

What if even the Light Ability couldn’t undo the curse?

What if it was all meaningless?

Sensing Ferdi’s unstable emotions, Ludian turned to Karsus, his expression firm.

"It wasn’t Ferdi’s fault! He barely used half of his usual power! And then, suddenly—!"

"Enough, Ludian."

Ferdi interrupted.

But Ludian, unwilling to back down, stomped on Ferdi’s foot and raised his voice.

"Am I lying? You know I’m not! I know your abilities better than anyone! You weren’t even using half of your strength, and you still lost control!"

Karsus let out a sigh, rubbing his temple before giving a small nod.

Ludian clamped his mouth shut at his father’s sharp gaze.

"We’ll discuss this later. Right now, Tiel comes first."

"Yes. We need to lay her down somewhere to rest."

At Karsus and Alpheus’ words, both boys nodded in agreement.

Karsus, still cradling Tiel, crossed the training grounds. Alpheus walked beside him.

They both looked down at the tiny girl, sleeping soundly in Karsus’ arms.

"Asterian and Nestian shall regain their true power through the glorious light."

Glorious light.

The light of legend—

And right now, that light was nestled in Karsus’ arms, asleep.

And she had managed to quell Ferdi’s madness.

Perhaps, just as the legend foretold—Tiel truly was the key to breaking the Asterian and Nestian curse once and for all.

But Karsus felt no joy.

Because from this moment forward, Tiel’s life would never be simple.

No matter how much he and Alpheus wished to protect her—

There would be trials she would have to endure alone.