Chapter 0.122 Morning with Naoko

The pale morning sunlight filtered softly through the grand crystal windows of Rina's chamber, scattering golden rays across the polished obsidian floor. Slowly, Rena's eyes fluttered open. For a moment, she lay still, watching the ornate ceiling above her—intricate silver runes shimmered gently in rhythm with the mana circulating through the palace.

*This is not Amberheart… This is… Rotschy.*

The realization hit again, but softer this time. She sat up slowly, the satin sheets slipping from her body. She was still wearing the white bikini—the sleepwear form of her enchanted training suit. Her red hair, untamed from sleep, cascaded over her shoulders like a curtain of fire.

Yawning lightly, Rena rose from the bed and walked barefoot across the cool obsidian tiles. The floor, laced with mana-conducting veins, pulsed faintly beneath her feet. She moved gracefully into the luxurious bathing area—a marble bathing suite divided into three sections.

She stepped first into the **steam chamber**, where floral herbs and subtle mana vapor coiled around her skin. Her thoughts began to settle. Then came the **mana bath**, a pool infused with raw, liquid mana that shimmered golden-red, reacting to her affinity. She submerged slowly, letting it soak into her very pores, replenishing her reserves. Finally, the **herbal bath** embraced her. Its warmth dulled the aches in her muscles, softened her breath, and coaxed her tension into silence.

After her bath, she returned to her room, focused. She reshaped the training suit using mana — adjusting its form into the standard **academy uniform**: black blazer, white blouse, and a modest skirt. The weight of the suit remained unchanged — still heavy, still binding — but her body was beginning to adapt. Slowly.

Standing before the tall mirror, she dried and brushed her flaming red hair, now glowing faintly in the morning light. Her golden eyes were sharp, controlled. She added light makeup—just enough to enhance her features—and dabbed perfume at her neck. Not for beauty. For control. For discipline.

She remembered **Sion's words**:

> "Do not speak unless necessary. Focus on yourself. Contain your emotions. The less your mind wanders, the stronger your will becomes."

With that reminder rooted deep in her heart, Rena left her room.

---

The hallways of the Rotschy estate were silent, solemn. Mana thickened the air like morning dew. Rena walked quietly through the cold corridors. Her heels clicked rhythmically on the black marble floors. When she entered the **main dining hall**, it was nearly empty.

Only **Naoko Rotschy** was present.

There she sat — alone, like a deity in mourning. Her silver hair gleamed under the chandeliers, her expression unreadable. Eyes like frozen starlight locked onto Rina's the moment she stepped inside. That presence—unnerving, powerful, weighty. It crushed the air.

Rena bowed slightly and approached the table.

Without a word, Naoko gestured toward the seat beside her.

Rena sat.

The silence was deafening.

Moments passed. The only sound was the clinking of fine silver cutlery against porcelain. Then Naoko's voice pierced the air — calm, cold, and absolute.

> "You will not speak to anyone today."

Rena froze mid-bite, then nodded silently.

> "Your training is not just for your body. It is for your spirit, your mind. Every word you speak is a breath wasted. Every emotional interaction dulls your focus."

Naoko did not look at her. She didn't need to.

> "I've told Jin not to interact with you. He will be present at the academy, but he will not acknowledge you. He understands what this means."

Rena felt a strange twist in her chest. The idea of being ignored by Jin … It stung more than it should have. But she said nothing. Her eyes remained steady, her breath controlled.

> "And one more thing," Naoko added, lifting her cup of tea without expression. "Do not look at him as your husband. Not now. For now, he is your rival. If you do not strive to surpass him, you will never grow strong enough to stand at his side."

Rena closed her eyes for a moment. Rival. Not husband. Her fists clenched slightly on her lap.

> *I understand… but I still hate it.*

*stupid *

She continued eating—mechanically. The movement of her hand to her mouth was practiced, almost detached. **Muscle memory** took over. Her mind remained elsewhere: circulating mana through her limbs, layering it beneath her skin like a second shield, just as she'd been taught.

Her **golden eyes** began to glow subtly. Her **fiery hair** pulsed faintly with internal energy. Her skin had changed, too—smoother, paler, touched with an ethereal glow from the mana baths and herbal infusion. Her lips were naturally rosy now, her lashes longer. Her aura more disciplined.

She was becoming something else.

Not just a noble girl.

Not just Jin's wife.

She was becoming **a Rotschy.**

**Rena rotschy!**