Magic, Spirits, and Me: A Hidden Genius (Maybe)

Yao Yao's pink eyes gleamed with curiosity, as her fingers drumming lightly on the book she had now abandoned.

"The Grand Summoning is an annual ceremony," Lily began, her voice steady. "It takes place at the royal palace, under the witness of the royal family and all noble households. Every child from a noble family, upon reaching the age of ten, is required to perform a spirit summoning.

Yao Yao blinked. "Summoning what?"

"Spirits," Lily answered simply.

Yao Yao's fingers stilled.

Spirits?!

Her mind immediately filled with images of floating, translucent figures wailing in the dark. Ghosts? Was this world actually full of ghosts?! Was that why she was reborn here ?!

Yao Yao's face paled, pink eyes widened in sheer horror, "You all.. summon ghosts?! For what?" 

Sensing her confusion, Lily quickly elaborated.

"Not ghosts, Young Miss," she reassured with a soft smile. "Spirits are magical beings from another realm, existing parallel to our world. They are ethereal beings with unique abilities, different from ours." 

Yao Yao slumped back into the chair, exhaling loudly, "Thank goodness.." 

For a moment, she thought she was about to be forced to summon a soul from the dead.

Technically, she had died once and had been reborn into this world.

That made her a ghost…once. 

If she were to summon one, wouldn't that be like asking her to call out to her...old acquaintances from the afterlife?

Absolutely not. 

Lily continued, "The summoning of spirits has existed for centuries. Humans summon spirits and wield their power as their own. When a contract is formed, the human and spirit become bound—a connection that allows them to evolve and grow stronger together."

Yao Yao tilt her head and squinted slightly, "So…it's not like summoning a pet?"

Lily shook her head looking vaguely horrified. "Absolutely not! Spirits are not pets, Young Miss!" 

What a shame. A fluffy one would have been nice.. 

"It's a partnership. Humans and spirits are deeply intertwined. Without a contract with humans, spirits remained stagnant, unable to grow or evolve. Likewise, a human's magic can only reach its full potential with the help of a spirit. One supports the other, neither can attain true strength alone." 

Yao Yao tapped her chin thoughtfully. An interdependent relationship, huh?

"But why does the summoning have to take place in front of the royal family?" she asked.

Lily straightened slightly, her expression serious. "Because it shapes the future of the kingdom. The spirits summoned by noble children serve as a display of their family's power, reinforcing their standing among the nobility. Only those with strong magic can call forth powerful spirits, and strength, Young Miss, is vital to a kingdom." 

Yao Yao raised a brow. "So, it's all a performance?"

Lily nodded. "Yes, in a way. The royal family and all noble houses oversee the ceremony. The results of each summoning directly affect the balance of power. A noble house that produces a strong magician gains status, wealth, and political advantage. A house that fails… well, they lose standing."

Yao Yao narrowed her eyes. "So if a noble flop at the ceremony, their family's reputation takes a hit?"

"That's right," Lily confirmed. "This is why it is considered one of the most important events for noble children of summoning age. It determines not only their own future, but their family's place in the hierarchy."

So in other words…a grand event to traumatise a child for life..

"So..what about the Shang family's reputation?"

Lily's expression shifted slightly, as if the question had an obvious answer.

"The Shang family is known for its powerful magical bloodline. Every child in the family has successfully summoned a powerful spirit upon reaching the summoning age. It is said that their connection to magic runs deep—one of the strongest in the kingdom."

She continued, "For instance, Young Master Shang Jun summoned an extremely powerful spirit when he was only ten. His spirit bond was so strong that he quickly became one of the most highly regarded nobles in the kingdom."

Yao Yao's lips pursed slightly. "So, he's a big deal."

Lily nodded, her eyes grinning."Yes. The strength of his spirit made him one of the youngest nobles to rise in status. His magic is exceptionally strong!"

Yao Yao swirled the tea in her cup, deep in thought.

Hmm…A family full of natural-born prodigies, huh?

She then tilted her head and looked at Lily curiously. "Then, Lily, what about you? Where is your spirit?"

For a moment, Lily hesitated.

Then, she smiled—small, but not unkind. "I don't have one, Young Miss. I am spiritless."

Yao Yao blinked, not expecting that answer.

Lily continued, her voice softer, "I do not come from a strong magic bloodline. Most of us do not possess such strong magical ability, we are too weak to call forth a spirit. Many like me, with low-level magic, cannot form a contract… no matter how many times we try."

Yao Yao's fingers stilled against the rim of her teacup. Her usual playful demeanor faded slightly as she looked at Lily.

"I'm so sorry, Lily." Her voice was quieter this time.

Her petite frame leaning forward, as she placed her tiny hands over Lily's, her small, warm palms offering what little comfort she could.

Then, with a bright, hopeful grin, she beamed up at her. "You could always try again!"

For a long time, she had accepted her fate—spiritless, powerless, and overlooked. Yet, hearing such simple yet sincere encouragement, something inside her stirred.

A gentle warmth spread through her chest as she looked down at Yao Yao's tiny hands resting atop hers, small yet brimming with confidence.

Slowly, Lily's lips curved into a soft smile. "Thank you, Young Miss," she said, her voice lighter than before. "Perhaps… I will try again."

Yao Yao grinned. "You're so soft and fluffy—there's bound to be a fluffy spirit out there who'd answer your call!"

Lily smiled, the warmth in her chest remained. "Well, Young Miss, I—"

Before she could continue, the sound of measured footsteps echoed into the room.

A cold, disapproving voice cut through the air.

"That's enough."

Yao Yao's head snapped up, only to find Nanny Fang standing by the doorway, arms crossed, her expression severe.

Tch. Here comes Naggy Fang. 

"Lily," Nanny Fang said, tone clipped. "You are dismissed."

Lily cast Yao Yao an apologetic look before lowering her head. "Yes, Nanny Fang," she mumbled, setting the tray down and quickly retreating from the room.

Yao Yao frowned.

She was in the middle of something important here. She was about to form a sacred, heart-to-heart bond with Lily! And now, it was being rudely interrupted?!

Not to mention, she still had tons of questions about the Grand Summoning! 

Nanny Fang's sharp eyes landed on her, filled with that familiar disapproval. "You should not concern yourself with frivolous matters."

Frivolous? FRIVOLOUS?! 

Yao Yao's eye twitched.

How is understanding the very foundation of this world "frivolous"?! Not understanding is exactly how I ended up HERE instead of chilling in the afterlife!

And—and what about that moment of pure, unshakable friendship?! It was a major turning point in our sisterhood!

I even put my tiny hands on her!!!

Yao Yao kept quiet but looked up at Nanny Fang grudgingly. 

For all they knew, she could be a hidden magic prodigy just waiting to awaken! The kind that would make history books cry, make scholars wept! A once-in-a-lifetime genius! A—

…Okay, maybe that was a stretch. 

But still!