met free Chapter 152 The Phoenix Family
Chapter 152 The Phoenix Family
Irina Phoenix.
She is the heir to one of the most famous and influential mage families in an administrative district of the Valerian Federation.
Arcadia, the place that most reveres magic, is also one of the most prestigious regions.
This is the location of each of the major magic towers, and each tower is ruled by a single family.
The Phoenix family is one of them, ruling the Red Magic Tower and focusing on fire magic.
The family's origins can be traced back to before the "Nexus Fusion," when magic did not yet exist.
It is said that their ancestors came from another world, just like other races. Based on this background, people often use this speculation to measure the power of the four great magical families.
As a member of such a family, Irina's life was destined to be closely intertwined with magic and the pursuit of perfection. From a young age, she had few friends and almost no time to play with them.
Her life was filled with learning magic, high society etiquette, governance, and how to stand at the top of society.
Initially, she enjoyed the feeling of being different. She loved the constant stream of praise, and she liked her strict parents, especially her mother's approval.
Everything changed after that one time when he revealed the truth behind those smiles to Irina. From that moment on, all those lessons and education no longer made her feel superior, but rather suffocated her.
She felt like a bird trapped in a cage.
Therefore, she transformed from a submissive girl into a passionate young woman.
Now, standing before that equally stern woman, those memories flood back instantly.
"You've arrived," her mother said, without looking up, continuing to study the documents.
Whoosh!
She waved her hand, a warm breeze swept by, and the maid disappeared from the room, leaving only the mother and daughter.
“Irina, preparations for the ball are underway. I believe you have been supervising and arranging everything according to my instructions, haven’t you?” Her mother’s voice was calm and authoritative.
As always, his tone, attitude, and even his proud demeanor remained unchanged.
Irina leaned back in her chair, her expression indifferent. "Yes, Mother. Everything is going according to plan. The decorators are working tirelessly, and invitations have been sent to our distinguished guests. You will host a grand ball as always."
The mother finally raised her head, her scrutinizing gaze fixed on Irina. "Your indifferent attitude is unsuitable for an heir. The ball is not just a social event; it's also a symbol of our family's status. You need to realize the weight of these responsibilities."
"..."
Under her mother's heavy gaze, Irina stopped arguing, knowing it was pointless. The memories of the past, of how her mother had abandoned her, remained vivid.
"I understand."
She finally lowered her head, having no other choice. However, her mother didn't seem to intend to give up.
“Speaking of successors, let’s talk about your progress at the academy,” the mother continued, abruptly changing the subject.
"Why are you still ranked behind her?" her mother asked, her tone carrying a sudden, intense emotion that sent a chill down Irina's spine. At that moment, the atmosphere in the room seemed to shift; the air grew hot, as if echoing her mother's rising emotions.
Irina hesitated, feeling the pressure of her mother's expectations suffocating her. "Mother, as I said, I've always focused on a holistic education. I believe..."
Before she could finish speaking, her mother's eyes flashed with a fiery light, and the air in the room seemed to fill with energy. "Enough, Irina," her mother interrupted, her voice filled with an almost beastly authority.
"I don't care what you're focused on. Relationships or anything else, none of that matters."
The pressure in the room grew heavier, and Irina could hardly breathe. Her mother's anger enveloped her. Irina felt the sweat begin to bead on her forehead, and she struggled to remain calm.
“You are the heir to the Phoenix family, and your performance should reflect that. Look at Seraphina, those cold-blooded heirs. She surpassed you in the entrance rankings, and I felt deeply ashamed at the last gathering. Do you know how embarrassing it is for the head of the family to see our heir ranked lower than her?” the mother continued, each word heavy with disappointment.
'It's her again.'
Irina clenched her fists, anger rising within her.
Being compared to Serafina, the heiress of a rival family, by her mother dealt a severe blow to Irina's self-esteem. The sweltering air in the room seemed to grow even more oppressive, reflecting the intense scrutiny in her mother's eyes.
“Next time, I won’t accept any excuses, Irina. I’ve given you all the resources and opportunities; it’s time to make the most of them. I won’t tolerate our family’s reputation being tarnished by your incompetence,” her mother said coldly, her tone almost making the air boil with tension.
Irina bit her lip, forcing herself to control her frustration and anger.
Her mother's expectations were like a heavy chain, binding her tightly. The ornately decorated room felt like a cage, the pressure of the air almost unbearable.
You'll never understand.
But in the end, she said nothing. Her mother remained the one she could never open her heart to.
"Don't talk to me."
At that moment, for some reason, she thought of that annoying guy who made it impossible for her to win an argument.
“Understood, Mother,” Irina replied briefly, her voice a suppressed whisper.
“Very good. You must make sure you win no matter what, understand?” the mother demanded, her intense gaze unwavering.
“I understand,” Irina replied, biting her chin.
“Very good.” As her mother lowered her head to work on the documents again, Irina slowly got up and walked out of her mother’s room.
Squeak!
The door opened gently, and Irina stepped out, gesturing to the maid, who immediately came forward. "Miss, is there anything you need?"
She needs to do something to calm herself down and get rid of the lingering emotions in her heart, especially that deep resentment.
"Prepare the fire chamber," she commanded the maid, preparing for the most dangerous challenge yet.
"Now?" The maid's reaction was as cautious as expected, because even for someone like her with great control over fire, the fire chamber was a highly dangerous place.
“Yes, immediately,” Irina answered firmly. Once she made a decision, there was no turning back.
"Okay, I'll get ready right away."
After the maid left, Irina headed to her room, her mind filled with a jumble of thoughts.
'Serafina.'
Her opponent.
Arcadia, a land focused on magic, is home to many established families.
Although each family focuses on a specific branch of magic and belongs to the same country, they have always been rivals.
This competition has been particularly fierce for decades, especially for families that focus on opposing elements.
Pillar of Flame, Phoenix Family.
The Pillars of Ice, House Winslet.
The two families have been in a long-term competition since almost the day of the "hub integration," or even earlier.
The girl my mother just mentioned is the heir to the Winslet family.
'Tsk.'
Irina clicked her tongue softly, recalling her past with that girl, especially their duel in the magic competition, where she lost to her.
The same thing happened this time.
"How annoying."
Irina was furious that she ranked third in the entrance exam simply because she was behind her.
Her thoughts gradually returned to the college, reflecting on her exams and semester grades.
'That guy.'
Naturally, she thought of that annoying guy. That guy who made her uncomfortable just thinking about him.
'Is it because of him?' No, it's not.
She wasn't so naive as to blame him for the mistakes he made during the dungeon exploration.
She might have been a bit naive and short-tempered back then, but at the time she was just annoyed by his attitude. Now that he's not by her side, she can clearly see the immaturity of her behavior.
"Ugh……"
She knew she might be shirking responsibility, but she couldn't accept failure. Torn between her mother's expectations and her own inner desires, she couldn't help but sigh.
Ding!
Just as she was lost in thought, her watch suddenly beeped.
"Ok?"
She initially intended to ignore the messages, thinking they were probably just group notifications, but decided to check them out anyway.
[Dog 2: Miss, the investigation results you requested are in.]
Which survey?
She thought for a moment and tried to recall which request it was.
[Dog 2: We have found the person spreading the rumors about Morse Scott.]
"what……"
She remembered that she had asked about this after the practical exam and nodded.
"Yes, I did make that request at the time."
Why did it take so long?
This investigation should have been a simple task, so why has it been delayed for so long?
[Dog 2: I'm deeply sorry for the delay, Miss. The nature of the investigation is far more complex than we anticipated. We initially underestimated it, thinking it was just a simple rumor, but it turned out to lead us to an intricate network of deception.]
Okay, continue.
[Dog 2: A highly influential person has been actively spreading false information about Morse Scott. Furthermore, they have managed to manipulate certain staff members within the academy to turn a blind eye to this behavior.]
Irina's eyes narrowed when she saw this; the situation was far more serious than she had anticipated.
Normally, she wasn't interested in these things, but because she owed that guy a life, she had to pay attention. She also didn't like owing anyone anything.
Who is the mastermind behind this? Do you know their name?
[Dog 2: Yes. The mastermind is Trevor Phillips, the heir to the Phillips family.]