Chapter 50: Desperate mothers

Chapter 50: Chapter 50: Desperate mothers "Master, can you come into the space for a while?" Betty froze mid-motion, her hand resting on Sophia’s soft hair. Her head tilted slightly, confusion flickering in her eyes as she heard the voice. "Master, you said before you wanted to learn techniques. Now’s the perfect time. You can start with a beginner technique that’s stronger than that shielding skill. Since you’ve already reached the sixth stage of Body Refinement..." Betty’s eyes brightened with excitement. "Yeah... I’m coming." She stood up from the bed, leaned down, and pressed a gentle kiss to Sophia’s forehead before vanishing from the room. After some time, a faint red flame ignited in the air, casting a warm glow across the room. The heat softened the chill as Sophia stirred, her lashes fluttering before a tiny yawn escaped her lips. She sat up groggily, rubbing her sleepy eyes with her little hands. "Mommy...?" Her gaze swept the unfamiliar room, confusion flooding her small face. The realization sank in; this wasn’t her room. Her expression turned pale as tears welled up. "Mommy... where are you..." Her voice trembled. Before the tears could fall, a familiar voice interrupted."Stop making a fuss. She’s in the space, practicing right now." "Huh? Birdy?" Sophia’s eyes widened when she saw Calista in human form, standing on the floor, arms crossed, her crimson eyes watching her intently. "Hey, Birdy... are we in space? I’ve never seen this room before." She plopped down, legs tucked beneath her, resting her small hands on her thighs. Calista shook her head and sat beside her. "No, little demon, we’re not in space. And don’t ask how I’m here, I can leave the space if I want to." Sophia narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "What do you mean? Didn’t you say to mother before that you couldn’t leave... that you could only watch outside?" Calista smirked slyly, her crimson eyes gleaming with mischief as she shrugged. "Yeah, I did say that to the master... but that was before. Things are different now." Her lips curled into a grin. "And I’m not stupid enough to really leave. What you see here is just a projection of me." Sophia clicked her tongue, hopping down from the bed with a pout. "Hmph. Whatever. Projevion, pro-whatever, you think I care?" Behind her, Calista tugged at her lower eyelid and stuck out her tongue in a mocking gesture. "Hmph. You’re the one who asked..." she muttered under her breath. --- "This book is a little better... hmm." Sitting on a chair, Betty rocked it back and forth lazily as her eyes scanned the pages. Suddenly, they lit up with excitement. ’Wow, so energy can be transferred to weapons to make them stronger in a fight? In novels, awakeners figured out this trick, but this... this is even better.’ --- After six hours of practice, Betty rose from the floor where she had been sitting cross-legged, a satisfied grin tugging at her lips. "Hehe... now I don’t have to dirty my hands in a fight. I can just use a sword, or anything sharp." Calista fluttered over to her and perched a claw on Betty’s shoulder. "Master, now go level up so you can become strong." Betty casually pinched her by the back of her tiny neck and lifted her up. "Why are you rushing me? I’m going, okay? Happy?" Calista calmly nodded, fluttered her wings, and slipped out of Betty’s grasp with an elegant spin. --- "Mommy, you’re back!" Betty’s eyes widened as she felt a small figure wrap its arms around her from behind. "Ahem, yes, Sophia. When did you wake up? And look, this is our new house. Do you like it?" Sophia trotted ahead of her, nodding eagerly. "Mommy, there’s an aunty. I told her you were busy, so she’s sitting outside." "Huh? Aunty? Who-" Betty pushed open the bedroom door, only for her face to darken the moment she saw the figure sitting on the couch. With arms crossed, she walked over and sat across from her. "Why are you here, Miss?" Lilian’s face brightened upon seeing her, though her fingers fidgeted nervously in her lap. "Umm... ahem, Betty, could you come with me? My mom wants to meet you." Hearing the name, Betty’s expression softened slightly. "Why does she want to meet me? She doesn’t even know me, right?" Lilian rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly, avoiding Betty’s eyes."Um... how do I say this... Mom wants to meet you because... she said you remind her of someone she loved." Betty froze. Her gaze dropped, strands of hair sliding over her face as a dull ache bloomed in her chest. ’Why... why does this keep happening? This feeling...’ Suddenly, a strange pull tugged at her. Each second stretched endlessly, as if time itself had slowed to a crawl. "Huh? Calista? Sophia? Where... am I?" Her surroundings vanished, swallowed by a spinning void of darkness. She turned her head frantically, but there was nothing, no light, no sound, no door to escape. "Is this... a dream?" She pinched her arm, but there was no pain. "Ha... so it’s a dream." Her shoulders loosened for a moment, only to tense again. ’Wait... when did I fall asleep? I was talking with Lilian, right?’ "M-Miss Betty..." A hesitant voice echoed behind her. "Eh...?" With a startled yelp, Betty spun around, her eyes widening at the sight of the woman standing there. "Huh... are you—" The woman nodded slightly, her blue eyes flickering nervously as they darted around the void. "Miss Betty... I have a small request. Please... could you fulfill it? I swear, I won’t trouble you again." Betty’s crimson eyes locked onto the trembling figure in front of her. The woman’s frail hands fidgeted nervously, bones pressing against her malnourished skin. "Are you... alive?" Betty asked, uncertain. The woman shook her head slowly, a faint, happy smile curling on her lips after finally freeing herself from her life. "No... I’m finally dead. I don’t know why you’re in that body, but... my last wish was that when I died, someone would take care of my daughter. Maybe... that’s why you’re here. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to drag you into this." Her voice quivered as she suddenly bowed, over and over, desperation bleeding through her every movement.