Belladonna grew up to be a…. sort of a problematic child.

Not because of her general attitude, no. When it comes to those standards, she’s actually a very average and plain child.

She was even nicer than Zeuxis and doesn’t play pranks on the servants. But she’s not a saint like Maellan either.

She was very shy, and was often compared to the quiet Ronin. She would hide her face whenever there were visitors, and she easily gets upset when she thinks someone was scolding her or saying she did something wrong.

The main problem with Belladonna was when she cries.

Because whenever she cries, hailstorms appear. Inside the house.

“Quit it already! You’re making the carpet wet!” Duke Taevas shouted one time, covering his ears from the loud sounds of ice raining down on the floor.

“Wahhhhh! I’m sorry, Father! I’m sorry!” She said.

She accidentally spilled her drink while being taught by Duke Taevas how to hold her teacup properly and act like a proper lady. This made the hot-headed Duke Taevas run his mouth off before he could stop himself, and when he realized how upset he made the girl, it was already too late.

“Alright, alright! You are forgiven! Just calm down!” Duke Taevas exclaimed._.

“Huhu… Thank you, Father! I shall be careful when raising my pinky finger next time!!”

Actually, despite being a woman, Belladonna immediately became Duke Taevas’ new ‘favorite’.

He spends more time with her than the boys, treats her with more consideration, and spoils her a lot with dresses and gifts.

This was due to Belladonna being so powerful at a young age, of course. He was hoping that she becomes a Hero Mage like him one day, and restore what was lost with Maellan.

Maellan was already in the Academy by this time, and his treatment from his father every time he returns was….. colder than Belladonna’s hailstorms.

Duke Taevas would not talk to him and treat him like he was just air. But Maellan did not really mind this, he was just happy to see his brothers and sister again after rigorous studying at the Spire of Scholars.

He had quickly rose up to the top of the class, and was learning more advance classes with Professor Vyrill Krustal.

Life was peaceful in those past 5 years despite the usual stormy weather from the little Belladonna. Ronin just read his books, and sometimes would teach his sister how to read as well under Maellan’s request.

Zeuxis was actually the most frequent reason why Belladonna’s storms came.

Since she was the new favorite, he picked on her a lot. Duke Taevas would often scold him for that, and this would make him mad, which in turn would make him pick on the poor girl more.

It was a cycle. And it was up to the quiet Ronin to intervene sometimes.

Like one time Zeuxis put her favorite dress over the ashes at the fireplaces. Ronin had to distract Belladonna with toys while he had Cholie wash the dress for him before the little Zafeiri girl could notice.

Or when the time Zeuxis drew on her face while she was sleeping. Ronin had to clean that up too.

This was why it was easy to tell which brother Belladonna preferred over the two.

Ronin did not really intend to be close to Belladonna, but it was inevitable if he wants to keep the peace in this household.

Yep, he was the peacemaker now.

There’s no one else. His father was always away and mad all the time, his only reasonable brother only comes once or twice a year, his remaining brother was an asshole, and his little sister was an Elsa-like freak.

‘I miss having a mother.’ Ronin thought, so done with life.

As for the Duchess’ three attendants: Axi, Rea, and Esa…..

They were dismissed as they no longer have a mistress to serve, and Duke Taevas pushed the blame on them for her death. Ronin did not know where they are now, but they were all equally devastated and this was the final blow.

For following the Duchess’ last orders to not call a physician…. They have lost their jobs and were never seen again.

He often wondered if their lives took a turn for the better or the worst after leaving House Zafeiri. But they were just NPCs in his eyes, his pondering was more of a curiosity rather than concern.

Despite all this, though…. Life wasn’t too bad.

It was boring except for a couple of days when Belladonna brought powerful hails that broke some furniture. But at least there was very little drama compared to the day she was born and Duchess Akasa died.

He spends most of his days studying again and strategizing. He always used the day he first met Cermin Drychspiel as fuel for his studies.

During this period, he managed to reach Level 3 by learning runes.

He also noticed something strange as he leveled up.

“Bella, could you please stand a little over there? About this further?” He said, calling Belladonna by her usual nickname.

“Oh. Alright, brother.” The little blue girl did as told.

“There, perfect.” Ronin measured the distance with a ruler that can expand magically.

“Think of anything. Anything at all.” Ronin said.

“Er….. anything?” She thought about it.

(What should I think about? My favorite color?)

“You did great. Thank you.” Ronin said. “You can come back now.”

“Oh, ok. But I wasn’t able to think of anything yet….” She said, and went back to draw stick figures with her crayons.

“Kai, are you there?”

The world stopped, and the holographic screen appeared. [Yes?]

“I think my mind-reading skill increases in range the more I leveled up. I just tested it now and confirmed it. It increased by 45 centimeters. I leveled up 3 times. From Level 0 turning to Level 1, Level 1 to Level 2, and Level 2 to Level 3.”

“This means that for every level up…. that’s 15 centimeters. It’s not much at first glance, but…”

Kai considered this. [Yes….And if this continues at the same range, and the formula is correct….. once you reached Level 100, you’ll get 20 meters range of mind-reading.]

“Precisely.” Ronin grinned from ear to ear.

“This is some really good development indeed.”

Ronin often used Bella to test his mind-reading range, and to get a better perception of distance as well. The little girl was happy to help however she could, not just to Ronin but to everyone in the house as well.

Maybe except for Zeuxis, that is.

Duke Taevas was aware of their rivalry, so he reminded Zeuxis during Bella’s 5th birthday, which will be grand as all her other birthdays, to not be a dick. Not exactly on those words, but you get the gist.

But Zeuxis had other plans in mind. He was getting more and more frustrated with the little girl because his Triannum was almost over, and he would soon be examined by the inspectors….

Yet his small flashes of lightning still showed no signs of improvement.

Meanwhile, Bella’s hailstorms were getting stronger and the ice pellets are getting bigger….

And one day, they may even be large enough to seriously hurt someone.