The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family

 From Ludian’s fingertips—where nothing had existed moments before—a small spark ignited.

"Hey!"

"I told you, it looks way cooler in person. A fairy tale book doesn’t do it justice."

The spark gradually grew, swelling until it seemed like it might consume Ludian’s entire right hand.

Then—

"……!"

The flames twisted and shifted, morphing into the shape of a small leopard. The fiery creature darted around the room before dissipating into the air.

"You idiot! What if you scared her?!"

Ferdi’s expression hardened instantly.

On instinct, he had pulled Tiel into his embrace, shielding her protectively. His golden eyes flickered with embers—his protective instincts flaring.

It looked like a fight could break out between the twins at any moment.

Ferdi growled, glaring at his reckless younger brother.

But then—

"She doesn’t look scared. Look."

Ludian pointed at Tiel in Ferdi’s arms.

Ferdi’s glare faltered as he shifted his gaze downward.

Tiel’s pupils were slightly dilated—proof that she had been startled. But…

"That was amazing!"

Tiel’s face lit up with excitement.

She wasn’t afraid of Ludian’s flames.

The only ability that truly terrified her was the ice wielded by her grandfather, Chender Nestian.

That piercing, frozen magic that felt like it could freeze her entire body solid…

As long as it’s not ice, I’m not scared.

Contrary to Ferdi’s expectations that she would burst into tears, Tiel instead stared intently at Ludian’s fingertips with an expression of wonder.

Ferdi and Ludian exchanged a glance of mutual surprise.

Tiel reached out toward Ludian.

Without hesitation, he placed his right hand—the same one that had just conjured the flames—into her small grasp.

Tiel curiously touched his fingers, rolling them between her own before looking up with flushed cheeks.

"I want to use my ability properly, too! Just like you, Orabeoni!"

"If you want to use it, then just use it."

Ludian tilted his head in confusion.

Neither he nor Ferdi had ever learned how to use their abilities. They had simply awakened to them naturally.

But for Tiel, things were different.

She had awakened late, and unlike them, she had never been taught how to wield her power properly.

Of course, Ferdi and Ludian were unaware of this.

They had only recently learned from Karsus that Tiel’s ability was the legendary Light Ability.

Yet she couldn’t use it?

Their puzzled gazes met in midair.

Alpheus and Karsus had never explicitly mentioned how Tiel had been abused in Nestian, nor the fact that she had been considered a child without an ability at all.

So it was only natural that the twins found this strange.

After all, everyone in the Crasion Empire had been taught that the Light Ability was an extraordinary, powerful force straight out of legend.

"Actually, the thing is…"

Tiel hesitated and clenched her hands into small fists.

Ludian had said it so simply—If you want to use it, then just use it.

But it wasn’t that easy for her.

She had tried, countless times, to recreate what had happened in that underground chamber.

But the best she could manage was summoning a single, tiny fish made of light.

A fleeting glow in the palm of her hand.

It was an ability, just as Karsus had said.

Tiel glanced down at her scar-covered hands.

In this world, being born with an ability different from one’s parents often symbolized rejection or weakness.

But Karsus had told her that she was special. That her ability was unique and precious.

And Tiel liked her ability.

Her mind wandered back to the days when she had been beaten for being powerless.

Now, she would never have to suffer for that reason again.

That thought alone made her happy.

So, she wanted to grow stronger.

She wanted to develop her ability—to master it—so she could be useful to the kind and warm Asterian family.

Just like Chender had always screamed she should have been…

As she remained silent, lost in thought, Ludian leaned down to check her face, looking flustered.

"Are you crying? Tiel, you’re not crying, are you?"

Ludian had always been a genius when it came to wielding abilities.

He had never needed instruction, nor had he ever taught anyone before.

So, naturally, he had no idea how to teach Tiel how to use hers.@@novelbin@@

"Tiel, I mean—"

"Move, Ludian."

Ferdi shoved his twin aside.

His gaze settled on Tiel, a smirk curling at his lips.

"So… you want to learn how to use your ability properly?"

His eyes gleamed with amusement.

Perfect.

This was the perfect opportunity to test whether Tiel’s ability was truly the Light Ability.

If it wasn’t…

Ferdi’s thoughts trailed off as he tilted his head, urging her for a response.

Tiel, flustered, quickly nodded.

"Yes! I want to learn how to use my ability properly!"

"Alright, then let’s go to the training hall for a bit. That’ll be the best place to teach you properly."

Ferdi closed the fairy tale book and set it aside.

He checked the time.

It was late, but the private training hall he and Ludian used was always open. There was no reason they couldn’t go.

At the mention of a training hall, Tiel’s eyes widened as she grabbed Ferdi’s sleeve.

"The training hall?"

"Yeah. You said you wanted to learn how to use your ability properly. That means you’ll need a place where you can practice freely."

Ferdi pulled her up to her feet and grasped her tiny hand.

It was cold.

Is it because she’s a snow leopard?

His expression tightened slightly before he softened his grip and used his ability to gently warm her palm.

"Me too, Tiel! Don’t just hold Ferdi’s hand!"

"O-Okay…!"

Ludian held out his hand expectantly.

After a brief moment of hesitation, Tiel reached out and held Ludian’s hand as well.

His simple-minded joy was evident on his face.

Hand in hand, the three of them left the room together.

—

"Oh my, young masters, young lady, where are you headed?"

Ria had just returned and caught sight of the children leaving.

Ferdi glanced at Tiel before tilting his head.

"To the training hall for a bit."

"…The training hall?"

"Yeah, we have something to teach Tiel."

At the mention of the training hall, Ria’s face stiffened in concern.

She opened her mouth as if to stop them, but before she could speak, Ferdi and Ludian had already walked past her.

Tiel, feeling uneasy, kept glancing back at Ria. She tugged on Ferdi’s sleeve and cautiously asked,

"Is the training hall… a bad place?"

"What?"

"I don’t know… Ria looked like she didn’t like it…"

"She’s just worried about you. People usually train their abilities there, and that can be dangerous."

Oh, I see.

Tiel nodded in understanding.

It made sense that Ria would be concerned—abilities were powerful, after all.

She thought of the icy shards Chender had used to graze her cheeks.

But… I don’t think Ferdi-nim or Ludian-nim would ever use their abilities to hurt me.

She couldn’t say for sure why, but she felt that way.

She squeezed Ferdi and Ludian’s hands tightly.

Her previously cold fingers were now warm.

***

Not long after, they arrived at the training hall.

Located at the northernmost part of the Asterian estate, it was a facility built specifically for the twins when they were five years old.

Since the age of four, Ferdi and Ludian had trained here. Their abilities were so powerful that others who trained alongside them often got injured.

So Karsus had built a dedicated training hall just for them.

And this was that very place.

"Wow…"

Tiel’s breath hitched in amazement.

The training hall was a massive, circular structure.

The ceiling was open, revealing the night sky in its full brilliance.

The densely scattered stars looked as if they might spill into the hall at any moment.

With a flick of his fingers, Ferdi summoned attendants who quickly brought in small chairs with plush cushions.

"Sit here for a moment, Tiel."

Ferdi easily lifted her and set her down on one of the chairs.

Tiel nodded from her seat.

"Alright, Tiel. Watch carefully. This is how you use an ability!"

Ludian raised both hands dramatically.

From his palms, massive flames erupted.

The fire grew rapidly, surging high as if it would consume the entire training hall.

The heat was intense.

Tiel instinctively curled up slightly, staring at Ludian in awe.

"This is how you use an ability… and next—"

With another swift motion, Ludian’s flames transformed into the shape of a sword.

"See? That’s how it’s done!"

He proudly lifted the flaming sword toward the night sky.

Not a single word of actual instruction had been given.

But even so, Tiel clapped in time with his enthusiasm.

She didn’t quite understand, but she could tell that Ludian’s ability was incredible.

Ferdi, on the other hand, looked at Ludian as if he were an idiot.

Then he flicked his hand dismissively.

"Put that stupid sword away. That’s not what Tiel wants to learn."

"You little bastard…! Since we’re in the training hall anyway, want to fight?! Grab a sword, Ferdi!"

"No. I’m here to teach Tiel how to use her ability."

Ferdi completely ignored him.

He pulled his hair back and tied it neatly with the ribbon around his wrist before turning to Tiel.

"Tiel, when you use an ability, you have to visualize it in your mind first."