"Then, that concludes today's lesson. Just hand in your homework to me tomorrow."
Closing her textbook, the woman in a business suit pushed her glasses up on the bridge of her nose. Standing at the podium, she addressed the two girls below before turning to leave without another word.
The blackboard remained covered in profound physics concepts—nearly all focused on thermal applications. This was a specialized curriculum. Both Ouyang Shi and Ouyang Feng possessed magic tied to heat manipulation. Especially Ouyang Feng: her magic, 【Scorching Flame】, was a unique fire capable of instantly heating objects beyond 9,000 degrees Celsius. A top-tier ability for military or industrial use. These lessons taught her to wield it.
At barely ten years old, their knowledge was still rudimentary. Magic was merely a power—it didn’t automatically teach its user. Study was essential. In this world, magic wasn’t some fantasy trope where fireballs flew with a wave of the hand. Heating, freezing, metal manipulation, compression—all obeyed one rule: *Magic only alters physical phenomena*.
Take Ouyang Feng’s 【Scorching Flame】. Her ability forced molecules in touched objects to vibrate at extreme speeds, artificially generating heat—*instantly*. That’s why it maintained absurd temperatures like 9,000°C without dissipating. Of course, even as her own magic, the intense heat could injure her. Her core challenge? Extending 【Scorching Flame】’s duration without self-harm. A high-difficulty technique demanding relentless practice.
"This problem? How could it possibly stump *this* young lady!"
Ouyang Feng snapped open her folding fan and rose from her seat. She looked down at Ouyang Shi beside her, pride blazing in her eyes.
Ouyang Shi ignored her completely. She packed her books and notes, then stood to leave.
A white fireball shot straight toward her back! If she didn’t dodge, the superheated touch would sublimate her flesh on contact…
"……"
Her steps never faltered. The fireball halted one meter from her back—then froze into a fist-sized chunk of ice that clattered to the floor.
"Why rush off, dear sister?"
Ouyang Feng glided forward with elegant haste, blocking Ouyang Shi’s path. "Ah, I know. You’re off to find that *waste* again, aren’t you? Poor thing. The only male heir of our generation… cursed with an incurable yet non-fatal illness. Must be exhausting, caring for him." She hid a smirk behind her fan, voice dripping with mockery.
"……"
Ouyang Shi’s eyes narrowed slightly—but her expression stayed blank. She reached her right hand toward Ouyang Feng’s shoulder, silent.
"!!!"
Ouyang Feng flinched back instinctively. Ouyang Shi’s delicate hand stopped short, never touching her. After a pause, it withdrew—as if it no longer needed to.
Ouyang Shi studied her sister for a silent moment, then continued walking out of the classroom.
"……"
Only when her sister’s presence vanished did Ouyang Feng’s body begin to tremble.
"Damn it!"
She roared, slamming her fan onto the desk. The wooden ribs shattered instantly under the force. The expensive fan lay in ruins—but Ouyang Feng didn’t care.
*I’ll kill you. I’ll kill you. I’ll kill you. I’ll kill you. I’ll kill you. I’ll kill you. I’ll kill you!!!*
Murderous intent flooded her chest. That instinctive flinch—it burned like utter humiliation. She flaunted her arrogance before others because she believed herself the pinnacle of the Ouyang Clan. The equal of *that person*.
"*I* was afraid? Afraid of that *wretch*…?"
Her fists clenched until crimson droplets seeped through her fingers, dripping toward the floor. White sparks flickered. The blood sublimated mid-air—leaving nothing behind.
*Huuuh…*
After several deep breaths, Ouyang Feng forced herself calm and turned to leave.
—Only the unmelting 【flame】-ice and the broken fan remained.
...
...
In a lavishly decorated room, a woman in her thirties sat poised on a premium sofa. Her crossed legs revealed flawless, poreless skin—testament to meticulous care.
Eyes fixed on her handheld terminal’s screen, she lifted a steaming teacup. A small sip later, her brow furrowed.
"Someone."
She set the cup down gracefully. A maid in uniform hurried in.
"Who handled tea procurement recently?"
"Ouyang Sheng, Madam. He oversees logistics—Uncle’s second son." The maid pulled a pocket terminal, delivering the answer within two seconds.
"I see."
Smiling, the matriarch of the Ouyang Clan—Ouyang Lijia—rose and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. "Dismiss him. Find a replacement."
"Yes, Madam." The maid bowed and left swiftly.
Unbothered by the departure, Ouyang Lijia folded her arms, gazing out the window with a faint smile.
"So many… *obstacles* in this house."
A flock of birds swept past, their graceful flight drawing a soft laugh from her. No matter the troubles, the sight of the sprawling Ouyang estate below always soothed her.
"But it doesn’t matter. Almost there. Just a little further…"
Her eyes sharpened, glinting with something unsettling.
"Mom!"
A girl’s voice snapped her from her thoughts.
"Oh? Fengfeng? Class finished already?"
Ouyang Lijia turned, embracing her daughter’s flying tackle with a mother’s warmth. "Mhm! And I improved today!"
"Hehe, I’m so glad you’re learning." She stroked Ouyang Feng’s dark hair tenderly.
"But… that wretch suppressed me again."
"Oh? What happened?"
"Mmm…" Muffled against her mother’s chest, Ouyang Feng recounted the confrontation.
"So it was *her*."
"Yeah… I felt so weak. *Afraid*…" Her arms tightened around her mother. Ouyang Lijia guided her to the sofa, rubbing her back gently.
"Don’t fear, my daughter. Your talent is unmatched. Your magic *perfectly* counters *hers*. Nothing will block your path in the future. For now… endure. Mother will help you. I’ll eliminate that wretch for you."
"Really…?"
"Of course. When have I ever lied to you? Just grow strong. Become the mightiest in the Ouyang Clan. Stronger than your father. Stronger than *her*. Stronger than *everyone*."
"I will! I won’t disappoint you!" Ouyang Feng lifted her head, eyes blazing with resolve.
"Go rest now. Lunch soon."
"Yes, Mother." Even to her own mother, Ouyang Feng maintained impeccable noble etiquette. She bowed deeply and left the study with unhurried steps.
"Hmph…"
Ouyang Lijia sank back into the sofa, staring at the ornate ceiling. An ambiguous hum escaped her lips.
"Back to work. Lunch awaits after this."
She picked up her tablet terminal, diving once more into her duties…
