Legacy of Magic

As Fanmuir settled into his blissful new life, thoughts of Helena became less and less frequent. Meanwhile, as he skipped more classes for dates and bar shifts, Helena found herself staring at his empty seat, a deep sense of loss and melancholy settling in her heart. She had heard whispers about his recent activities and knew he was getting close to a bar girl. It was only after losing him that she realized how much she cared. That unnoticed fool had, without her knowing, left an imprint on her heart.

When Fanmuir eventually heard that Helena had withdrawn from school, he remained outwardly indifferent, yet deep inside, he couldn't deny a faint sense of regret.

Fanmuir's English was already so fluent that it could rival that of a native speaker. Even so, he still enjoyed attending English class—not just out of student duty but also because the teacher, Olivia, was a close friend. Naturally, he wanted to support her.

Winter break arrived soon after. Most students were excited about returning home, while those in love found themselves dreading the temporary separation. But Fanmuir had no such worries.

He decided to stay in Paris and spend his first winter break and Christmas in the human world alongside Caroline.

Fate, as always, had its own way of unfolding. The sudden farewell of the beautiful teacher Olivia would soon lead to yet another tale of romance.

Ever since Olivia had received a call from her family two days ago, she had been caught in an emotional dilemma. In the three years she had spent in France, she had grown deeply attached to this land and the warm, welcoming people around her. Above all, she adored the beauty of the Seine River. But now, she was facing a farewell with no promise of return—perhaps, not even in this lifetime.

Wanting to clear her thoughts, she found a quiet café by the Seine and chose a window seat with a perfect view of the river. Outside, a gentle drizzle fell, casting a dreamlike haze over the water. In this wistful setting, she felt her emotions stirring, her heart growing heavy with melancholy.

Three years in this place had made her cherish every tree, every street, every fleeting moment of her life here. And yet, now she had to leave so suddenly, with barely a chance to say goodbye. She had considered reaching out to a few friends for a small gathering, but in this mood, she realized there were only a handful of people she truly felt close to. And so, she called Fanmuir.

Olivia's unexpected invitation took Fanmuir by surprise—but a pleasant one. Though they had interacted frequently at the academy, and though he had occasionally invited her out for group outings (sometimes under the not-so-gentle encouragement of his five lively dormmates), this was the first time she had personally invited him. And it was just the two of them. He couldn't deny a flicker of anticipation.

Making sure to dress his best, he arrived at the agreed-upon spot—a charming, elegant café by the Seine.

Inside, the café exuded an air of sophistication and warmth. The soft melody of a piano played in the background, adding a touch of romantic nostalgia to its Romanesque decor. The place wasn't crowded, so Fanmuir easily spotted Olivia sitting by the window, leaning back in a bamboo chair, gazing quietly at the river outside. With a warm smile, he walked over and took a seat across from her.

"You're here. I hope I didn't trouble you by calling you out so suddenly," Olivia said softly, her voice carrying a trace of wistfulness.

Fanmuir had planned to make a lighthearted remark, but upon noticing the sorrow in her expression, his demeanor shifted. "Olivia, something's wrong. What's going on?"

"It's nothing… It's just that I have to leave Paris soon, and it's hard to accept," she murmured, her voice laced with reluctance and sadness.

The grief in her eyes struck a chord in Fanmuir's heart, a faint ache that he couldn't quite ignore.

"You're leaving? Is it just for the winter break? Are you heading back to Australia for Christmas?" Fanmuir asked, though his gut told him there was more to it than that.

"I'm not going back to Australia. I'm returning to my true home—England. And it's not just for the holidays… I have to fulfill my destiny. I'm leaving Paris for good," Olivia said, her voice trembling as tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over.

Fanmuir could feel the deep reluctance in her words. She didn't want to go, yet something was forcing her hand, something beyond her control.

"Are you in trouble? Can you tell me about it?" he asked softly.

Olivia wanted to talk, she really did. But where would she even begin? Should she tell this young man that she came from a long lineage of sorcerers, a family of great standing in the British Empire? Should she confess that because she had never awakened the magical gift in her bloodline, she had run away—fleeing all the way to Australia to escape the burden of expectations? That her life in France as an English teacher had been nothing but a temporary refuge, a way to avoid her family's destiny?

And now, with her family on the brink of annihilation, her powers still lay dormant. She wanted to return and stand with them, even though her father had begged her to stay away.

"It's a long story. And it won't change anything. Even if I tell you, there's nothing anyone can do. It would only weigh on you," Olivia murmured, shaking her head, her pain evident.

Fanmuir could tell—whatever she was facing, she couldn't handle it alone. And there was no way he could just stand by and do nothing.

"Tell me, Olivia. Maybe I can help," he said, his voice steady, leaving no room for doubt.

For a moment, Olivia hesitated. But when her eyes met Fanmuir's—so sincere, so full of concern—she felt an inexplicable sense of trust. This young man had always brought her warmth and laughter. And now, in this moment of uncertainty, she felt she could finally share the burden in her heart.

As Olivia recounted her story, Fanmuir finally pieced everything together.

She was born into the Felchierci family—one of the most ancient, powerful, and revered magical bloodlines in Britain. For centuries, the Felchierci family had been a name of legend, renowned not just in England but across the entire Western magical world.

Olivia was the granddaughter of Nathaniel Felchierci, a Grand Magus and the patriarch of the family. Her father, Kenneth, was a high-ranking water mage, while her mother, Isabella, wielded powerful fire magic. Yet, despite her extraordinary lineage, Olivia had never awakened any magical abilities. To this day, she remained powerless—just an ordinary human.

But power attracts enemies. The Felchierci family had long been a target of jealous rivals, and the moment their Grand Archmage—Olivia's great-grandfather—passed away, their enemies struck. The Pembroke magic family, the Ustaire vampire clan, and the Tanley werewolves forged an alliance and launched a merciless assault. Unprepared and outnumbered, the Felchierci family suffered devastating losses and now teetered on the edge of destruction.

Tears ran down Olivia's face as she spoke, her voice filled with sorrow and helplessness.

Hearing this, Fanmuir couldn't just sit by and do nothing. Without hesitation, he looked into her eyes and said with unwavering certainty, "I'm coming with you. Trust me—your family will be safe."

Olivia had only intended to share her burdens, to find some solace in a friend's company. She never expected Fanmuir to make such a bold declaration. Her heart swelled with emotion. This quiet, unassuming young man from Italy was willing to stand by her, to risk everything for her. The realization left her deeply moved.

Yet, no matter how grateful she was, she knew the truth—returning to England meant stepping into a death trap. There was no way she could let Fanmuir follow her into such danger. Shaking her head, she gently but firmly refused, thanking him for his kindness while trying to protect him from a fate he couldn't possibly escape.

Fanmuir simply smiled. He understood Olivia's heart—she wasn't rejecting him because she didn't need help, but because she didn't want him to make what she believed was a reckless sacrifice.

But he didn't argue. Instead, he chose to show her what words could not.

He took her hand in his own—his touch firm yet gentle. Almost instantly, a warm, endless wave of pure magic surged from his palm, flowing through her arm and into her body, enveloping her in a power unlike anything she had ever felt before.

A mysterious energy surged through Olivia's body, instantly melting away her exhaustion and stress, wrapping her in a comforting warmth. But just as she relaxed into the sensation, an intense shift took place inside her.

Three distinct magical forces within her suddenly ignited, transforming into roaring flames that blazed through every inch of her being. She barely had time to react before the overwhelming heat consumed her senses, pulling her into unconsciousness.

When she finally awoke, she wasn't sure how much time had passed. But one thing remained unchanged—Fanmuir was still sitting beside her.

As awareness returned, Olivia felt something unfamiliar yet exhilarating coursing through her veins. A fierce and boundless fire-element magic had awakened within her, seamlessly intertwined with her very essence, as if it had always belonged to her. The power didn't just reside in her—it was now a part of her.

"This… this is fire magic?"

Her eyes widened in disbelief. Everything about this felt surreal. How could it be? How had this happened?

She looked at Fanmuir—this quiet, seemingly ordinary young man—only to realize that beneath his unassuming exterior lay a power beyond comprehension. The struggle that had defined her life, the obstacle that had forced her to flee her homeland, had been erased with nothing more than a touch from him.

But Olivia was no stranger to extraordinary abilities. Raised in a magical lineage, she had witnessed countless supernatural feats. She knew this world was filled with hidden talents and unseen powers far beyond her understanding.

Eager to test her newfound magic, she subtly extended her hands beneath the table. With a simple flick of intent, twin flames flickered to life in her palms—soft, flickering blue flames. Instantly, the surrounding air grew warmer.

"Blue flames?" Olivia gasped, her astonishment quickly turning into pure exhilaration. "How… how did you do this?"

For the first time in days, her eyes shone with excitement rather than despair.

Fanmuir simply smiled, offering no explanation, only a firm and undeniable statement:

"Tomorrow, we go to your family—the Felchierci household."