Luan did not continue what he was going to say, but asked another question, "Before I say their reason for how they've treated you, can you tell me your current age? What day and month do you have a birthday?"

Although she was confused by this question, Cristina answered since she wanted to know the reason for her family's treatment of her, "I am 14 years old and was born on June 15."

'... On the day of the Third Awakening... I don't know if she was very lucky in her past life or unlucky.' Luan was genuinely surprised.

"Let me tell you a story about a clan that lived in Iceland." Without waiting for Cristina's answer, Luan started to tell his tale, "The clan was called Ling. Although they were very reserved and didn't interact much with other people, they were by all accounts normal people. However, over time, people began to suspect otherwise, since many teenagers from their clan died suddenly at the age of 15."

Cristina's eyes filled with tears when she heard this because she started to remember a certain friend she had who died when she was 15 years old when she had undergone the baptism of fire.

Luan continued to speak. "Due to the level of security in Iceland, I was beginning to investigate this clan. They fled the country and migrated to another one... and changed the clan's name to Zing. But now the question comes: why did so many 15-year-olds die 'accidentally' and what did all these teenagers have in common?"

Cristina already knew that he was talking about her clan, and she herself began to find strange what happens in the Zing Clan. She then replied, "They all had an older sibling."

"Excellent, you're right. They all had a sibling a few years older or even a few months." Luan said, "Now why did these teenagers die when they turned 15? Think: what happens to the teenagers of Clan Zing when they turn 15?"

"The teenagers of the Zing Clan go through the baptism of fire to know if they will awaken the power to control the fire or not..." Cristina had already discovered almost everything. Because of that, she was crying while saying, "But, some don't survive the baptism and end up dying, and they all have older siblings and were not loved by their family, just like me."

"I'll wait for you to calm down before continuing," Luan said in a gentle tone. He knew that what he was going to say next would shock Cristina even more. However, he thought it was necessary for her to know this.

"Mm." Cristina nodded and started wiping her tears as she took a deep breath. She was somehow afraid to hear what he had to say, but even so, she wanted to hear it.

A few minutes later, Luan had already given her a face towel for her tears and returned to sit in front of her.

Cristina said, "I'm fine now. You can continue."

Luan then continued in a serious tone, "At the time of fire baptism when the teenager receives their powers, he or she is killed by their older sibling. That's because if they do that, they'll be given all the power to control their younger sibling's fire."

Cristina's mind went blank. She felt that it all made sense now: her family's despair when she tried to kill herself, and her friend's brother having become so powerful and being recognized as a genius in the Zing Clan... It all started to make sense to her.

"So, I am a sacrifice... I was raised to be a sacrifice and give my sister my powers?!" Cristina started to cry loudly. She was unable to contain her tears. However much she was judged by her family, she had still hoped that at least they liked her a little.

Luan sat next to her and hugged her comfortingly, letting her cry with the entirety of her heart.

Cristina, who hugged Luan back tightly, gradually began to calm down while sniffling. She stepped away from Luan and asked, "Can I use the bathroom?"

"Yes, it is the first door on the left just down the hall," Luan replied.

"Thanks." She got up and walked towards the bathroom.

In the bathroom, in front of the mirror, Cristina washed her face and forced herself to calm down. She was still in shock at what she found out. Of course, she didn't doubt Luan's words, as everything started to make sense to her.

*

- Jurerê Internacional - Dimas Corporation -

*TOC, TOc, Toc!*

"Come in."

"President Maira, a man named Leon Becker is asking to come in and said he has something important to talk with you about." A woman wearing a gray suit with a white T-shirt underneath and a black skirt that went to her knee announced.

Maira was a 179 cm tall woman, with green eyes, a slim body with long legs, and above-average breasts. She wore a formal purple skirt that showed off her pretty legs and purple suit. Her hair was a loose, wavy dark brown that stretched to the middle of her back.

"Okay, you can let him in," Maira glanced at the secretary and said nonchalantly.

Minutes later a tall man, 190 cm tall, with a well-shaved beard with short blond hair and light brown eyes, entered Maira Dimas's office while wearing an elegant black suit and holding a bouquet of white flowers.

"What is the reason for coming here this time?" Maira asked contemptuously as she raised her right eyebrow.

"Don't be like that my love. I just came to talk," Leon Becker said hoarsely.

"Love? Hahaha. Are you trying to mock me?" Maira scorned. "I was never your love and I never will be. What happened between you and me was just me naively believing the wrong man when I was young. But something good came out of this, since I have two amazing kids, which is why I haven't kicked you out of my office yet."

"I've changed; I'm not the same anymore. I only left because I was scared, but now it's different: I want to help raise our children and I want to marry you," Leon Becker said pitifully.

"Heh, I've heard this from you before..." Maira pretended to disdainfully say, "Ah yes, that was when you found out that I was heir to Dimas Corp, am I right?"

Leon Becker already knew his plan was going to be difficult, but he couldn't help but tighten his grip around the white flower bouquet he had brought with him. He looked at Maira angrily but soon tried to hide it by putting on a pitiful look. "It wasn't like that; I just realized my mistake too late and now it's no different. I love you. Seriously, you need to believe me and give another chance for our love."

Maira massaged herself between her eyebrows and said, tired of hearing this irrational man, "Stop talking nonsense. There was never love between us, and it will never exist. I already said and I will repeat myself for the last time: I have no interest in you and neither do my children want to see you. If you're done, can you please go out, or do you want me to call security and help you find your way down the street?"

Leon Becker felt pressured and started talking nonstop, "Damn Maira, you don't know the incredible man you're rejecting. I'm such a nice, caring man who would do anything for you, but you don't even give me a chance. All this, due to a small mistake I made in the past? Grow up! We are no longer children and I have changed. I am a more mature man who wants to bear the consequences and I want to marry you. Maira, are you really going to let an incredible and loving man, who would do anything for you, escape? If you do that, you'll never find a man like me again; you have no idea what you're missing!"

"I am seeing very well what I am 'missing'," Maria laughed and said sarcastically, "But even if I don't get an 'amazing' man like you, I won't be sorry. Now, get out!"

"Do you despise me?" Leon walked towards Maira, looking like a crazy bull.

"Take another step and let's see if I don't shoot you!" Maira still remained calm, and from her desk drawer she took out a golden semi-automatic pistol and pointed it at Leon Becker with indifference.

Cold sweat began to drain from Leon's body. He soon remembered when he investigated Maira's life, he discovered that Maira's father was a Marshal in the Army and from a young age had taught Maira to shoot. He did not doubt that she would do what she said she would do. Leon ended up stumbling back a few steps. "You are crazy!"

"Yes, now leave my office and never appear in front of me again, or else I am not responsible for what will happen to you. Oh yes, don't even think about trying to get close to or do something with my children, because if something happens to them, I swear on everything that is most sacred that I will kill you!" Maira warned seriously.

Leon Becker left Maira Dimas's office grumbling incessantly in anger. But he didn't dare say it out loud, because he was almost peeing his pants in fear.

'How foolish I once was...' Maira blew out a tired breath as she remembered her youth. After, she put the pistol back in the drawer.

_ _

- Drop some power stone, please <3

{Edited by: Azurtha}