Chapter 120: Louise Obelia 2
Chapter 120: Louise Obelia 2
Louise Obelia, born into nobility, initially appeared to be an unremarkable figure in the grand tapestry of the aristocratic society.
Despite her noble lineage, the opulent luxuries typically associated with her status eluded her grasp.
Within the hierarchical strata of nobility, her family found themselves perched precariously on the lower rungs, a situation that garnered disdainful glances from their more elevated counterparts.
In the intricate dance of social standing, the Obelia's were perceived as little more than upgraded commoners by the haughty gazes of their peers.
While the common folk looked up to them with a degree of awe, their aristocratic brethren viewed them as insufficiently refined and culturally lacking.
Yet, despite this glaring disparity in perception, Louise's upbringing was not marred by the harshness one might expect.
Though her family resided on the lowest echelons of the noble hierarchy, they cultivated an environment of harmony and tranquility within their home.
Louise's childhood was marked by a surprising lack of the discord often associated with a diminished social standing.
The walls of their abode echoed not with the resentful whispers of societal judgment but with the laughter and warmth of familial bonds.
In the face of adversity, the Obelia's stood united. The hardships that frequently accompanied their modest station were met with unwavering resolve and an indomitable spirit.
Rather than succumbing to the weight of societal expectations and the disdain of their peers, Louise's family found solace in their shared moments of joy and the unbreakable ties that bound them together.
It was during these challenging times that the true strength of the Obelia family shone through. Instead of dwelling on their perceived inadequacies, they channeled their energies into fostering positivity and seeking silver linings in every situation.
Their collective optimism became a beacon, guiding them through the darkest of days and transforming their modest abode into a bastion of resilience.
From the earliest chapters of her life, Louise was enveloped in a fairy tale existence that mirrored the dreams of storybooks.
She was the cherished protagonist of her narrative, blessed with loving parents, kindred relatives, and benevolent neighbors.
Her existence was marked by unparalleled talent, and an absurd abundance of mana set her apart in a world that often reveled in the extraordinary.
Louise exhibited a genius level of potential when it came to the arcane art of summoning spirits, a skill that hinted at a destiny steeped in magical greatness.
To those fortunate enough to witness her in her idyllic childhood, Louise was the living embodiment of a princess from the pages of folklore.
The comparison was not unfounded; her radiant demeanor and ethereal gifts made it easy for onlookers to imagine her as a member of a royal family.
The world, in its innocence, embraced this image, and Louise's early years were adorned with the trappings of a fairy tale existence.
Her natural kindness and altruism further enhanced the illusion of perfection that surrounded her. Louise's care for others, her adherence to life's moral principles, and the gentle grace with which she moved through the world created a portrait of a character straight from the realms of fantasy.
In the eyes of those who knew her, she embodied the very essence of goodness and benevolence.
However, life has a way of shattering illusions, and for Louise, the cruel twist of fate came in the form of an unimaginable tragedy.
The harmonious melody of her existence abruptly transformed into a dissonant chord when her sister, a vital part of her carefully constructed fairy tale, chose to end her own life.
The idyllic world Louise had known shattered before her eyes, and the once-gleaming castle of her existence crumbled into ruins.
In that pivotal moment of Louise's life, she experienced a stark and unsettling first—a taste of genuine hatred directed towards her.
However, what intensified the profound impact on Louise was not the fact that her sister had voiced this hatred or even the tragic act that followed, but the unexpected surge of reassurance that flooded her senses.
As her sister uttered those words of loathing, a perverse sense of relief enveloped Louise. It was an emotion she could not comprehend at the time, and in the immediate aftermath of the devastating events that unfolded, she found herself grappling with an overwhelming sense of gratitude as she gazed upon her sister's lifeless body hanging before her.
The young Louise, caught in the tangled web of conflicting emotions, struggled to make sense of the turmoil within her.
She was paralyzed by a strange mixture of shock, confusion, and an inexplicable gratitude that clashed violently with the weight of the tragedy she had just witnessed.
In the haunting silence that followed, Louise stood at the precipice of a psychological abyss, unable to navigate the storm of emotions raging within her.
As time passed and Louise matured, the gravity of her initial reaction began to dawn upon her.
The twisted nature of her response, the disconcerting relief that had accompanied her sister's demise, became a source of deep introspection and self-discovery.
She began to grapple with the disturbing realization of how "fucked up" her initial feelings had been, acknowledging the dark complexities of her own psyche.
Yet, curiously, as Louise confronted the undeniable truth of her internal conflict, she found herself curiously detached from the tragedy that befell her sister.
It was as if a veil had descended over the wellspring of empathy and sorrow, leaving her emotionally numb to the profound loss she had endured.
The absence of grief bewildered her, and the haunting question of why she felt nothing about her sister's fate lingered in the recesses of her mind.
Embarking on a journey to mend the fragments of her fractured world, Louise decided to forge a new life for herself, one that would eclipse the shadows of her sister's tragic demise.
As she stepped into the realm of academia, the young Louise made a solemn promise to relish the experiences her sister had been denied—a vow to make friends, revel in the exuberance of youth, and, perhaps most significantly, to find love.
This commitment, however, teetered on the edge of paradox. To an outsider, it might seem hypocritical, even disrespectful, as though Louise were jesting with the memory of her departed sibling.
Yet, hidden beneath the surface, this pledge was a genuine and caring endeavor—the only way Louise knew to apologize to her sister beyond the realms of the living.
Upon gaining acceptance to the prestigious academy, Louise's joy knew no bounds. She found herself at the pinnacle of her department, a feat that filled her parents with pride.
The entrance ceremony loomed on the horizon, and in the festive atmosphere that enveloped the academy grounds, Louise meandered aimlessly among the stalls, losing herself in the myriad attractions. Even her friend Lesley, who had initially guided her, became a fleeting presence in the sea of revelry.
Lost and disoriented, Louise wandered into an alley, a decision that would unravel a series of unexpected events.
A chance encounter with a random assailant thrust her into a perilous situation, only to be rescued by the intervention of the most handsome man she had ever met.
In that moment, as their hands touched, Louise felt her heart race with a fervor she had never experienced before.
A surge of excitement compelled her to emit a squeal, though the intensity of the moment was diffused by the timely arrival of another individual.
This second man introduced himself as Adrian Vulter Tellus, a name that, at that juncture, held little significance in Louise Obelia's life.
Little did she know that the encounter with Adrian would evolve into a turning point of her fairytale like existence.
Louise's time in the academy unfolded as a blend of fun and monotony.
The routine of daily encounters with friends and the constant allure of undiscovered mysteries within the academy walls always managed to uplift her spirits, creating a harmonious backdrop to her academic pursuits.
However, this sense of contentment would be abruptly shattered on a fateful day that etched itself into the deepest recesses of her memory.
The person she had genuinely believed to be kind, seemingly out of nowhere, unleashed a torrent of disrespect that cut through the veneer of her emotional resilience.
In a cruel twist, this individual managed to revive the specter of Louise's sister, invoking painful memories she had believed she had overcome.
The confrontation acted as a catalyst, forcing Louise to confront the raw, unhealed wounds that lingered beneath the surface of her consciousness.
For the first time in her life, Louise snapped. The memory that once seemed impervious to causing her harm now unleashed an unexpected torrent of anguish.
Each repetition of that painful recollection within the celestial illusion bore into her chest, inflicting a type of pain she had never fathomed.
In the maelstrom of emotions, Louise's very being resonated with a tumultuous energy that beckoned to the high-ranking spirits under her command.
As if answering the call of her tumultuous emotions, these powerful entities responded with unrestrained fury, wreaking havoc and destruction upon everything in their path.
Louise, in the grip of emotional turmoil, did not intervene to halt the chaos she had unleashed.
The once-vibrant surroundings of the academy were transformed into a chaotic battleground, where life hung in the balance as people fell victim to the unleashed wrath of the spirits.
While destruction unfolded around her, Louise remained indifferent to the suffering that her unleashed spirits wrought upon others.
The desire for an outlet to release the foreign emotions coursing through her overwhelmed any sense of empathy.
As the sound of approaching knights and mages reverberated through the chaos, Louise steeled herself for the consequences of her actions. Arrest, perhaps even death, seemed a fitting penance for the regret and pain that engulfed her fragile mind on that fateful day.
Prepared to face the consequences of the chaotic tempest she had unleashed upon the academy, Louise found herself taken aback when someone intervened, shielding her from the impending storm.
It wasn't the handsome blue-haired man who had once saved her in the alley, but rather the person with whom she had formed a close bond over the past several months—Adrian Vulter Tellus.
In that crucial moment, as the world around her descended into turmoil, Adrian stepped forward without a word.
His actions spoke louder than any explanation could have, as he took Louise's arms, protecting her from the maelstrom of destruction that her summoned spirits had wrought and the consequences that came with it.
He became her guardian, a steadfast presence in the midst of chaos.
He protected her without asking, and trusted her without knowing anything.
More than a week had elapsed since Louise last saw Adrian, the person who had inexplicably become a significant presence in her life.
As the days ticked by in his absence, she clung to the hope that he would return, and now, standing eagerly by the door, that hope seemed to manifest into reality.
Anticipation mingled with the rhythmic thumping of her heart as she awaited the reopening of the door that had kept them apart for what felt like an eternity.
A week had passed since Adrian's sudden disappearance, leaving her with a lingering sense of longing.
His promise to return had become overdue, but in this moment, the passage of time lost its significance. What mattered was that he was back.
The door creaked open, revealing Adrian's familiar presence.
Gray eyes and luscious black hair framed a face that, to Louise, exuded an undeniable handsomeness.
His features, though sharp and attractive, might be considered average when juxtaposed with someone like Tristan.
Yet, as their gazes locked, Louise felt an inexplicable connection, sensing that, in this moment and the days to come, Adrian would be the epitome of beauty in her eyes.
"Welcome back, Adrian!" Louise exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement and happiness at seeing the man she had been eagerly awaiting.
To her surprise, Adrian didn't respond immediately. Instead, he stared at her with a mixture of intensity and shock. Louise, oblivious to the reason behind his reaction, continued to bask in the joy of his return.
"Y-yeah, I'm back, Louise" he greeted, though this time, there was a slight tilt to his head. Perplexed by his behavior, Louise attempted to inquire about his week away.
However, Adrian's intense gaze, fixated particularly on her clothes, hinted at a revelation that escaped her notice.
As realization dawned, Louise's jubilation crumbled into a sinking feeling.
She looked down at herself and recognized the seductive dress she had chosen for this special occasion.
She was so confident in wearing the outfit a while ago, but now that Adrian was actually here to see it....
A flush of embarrassment painted her cheeks, and in that moment, Louise experienced the second instance in her entire life where she wished the ground would swallow her whole.