The Allure of Forbidden Wonders

[Magic, it’s undeniably magic! Or perhaps it’s some form of ‘qi’ or ‘inner power’!]

Pacing restlessly around the room, South Creek’s heart was captivated by the divine spectacle she had just witnessed. It was a power that transcended her understanding, something straight out of the fantasy novels and storybooks she knew.

[Oh, magic… if only I could use it too…]

In that fleeting moment, South Creek’s mind teemed with countless scenarios she had once only dared to fantasize about. What if those whimsical notions, typically confined to the imagination of a mere child, could somehow manifest into reality?

[Ah… ah…]

Yet, to weave such fantasies into being, one thing was essential. From South Creek’s own recollections, however, it was abundantly clear that she lacked this very condition.

South Creek possessed no knowledge of [magic] whatsoever.

[If I were to implore Sister Elise to teach me…]

Shaking her head, South Creek instantly rejected the notion. Had Elise intended to teach her, she surely would have initiated South Creek into its mysteries long ago. Yet, in her memory, Elise had scarcely ever broached the subject of [magic] in South Creek’s presence. It was abundantly clear that Elise harbored no desire for South Creek to engage with it.

[Could it be that I’m one of the fabled ‘untalented ones’?!]

South Creek had devoured countless tales featuring similar tropes: protagonists who began as utter nobodies, devoid of talent, only to ascend to unparalleled power following a series of extraordinary encounters.

If she, too, were destined for such a path…

Dispelling the gloom that had settled in her heart, South Creek now found herself utterly oblivious to the helplessness and bewilderment that had accompanied her transmigration. Her entire being was consumed by the exhilaration ignited by this miraculous power, her mind buzzing with activity as she pondered how she might acquire such wondrous [magic].

Directly imploring Sister Elise was, without a doubt, a poor strategy. Had Elise been willing to impart such knowledge, South Creek would surely have mastered [magic] long ago. Given this, her only recourse was to rely on her own endeavors.

To ascertain whether she truly was an ‘untalented one,’ akin to those depicted in novels, South Creek first needed to validate her own capabilities. This entailed attempting to learn [magic]. However, a new conundrum immediately presented itself: where precisely could she seek such instruction?

Upon closer reflection, it seemed that aside from Sister Elise, South Creek had no recollections of any other villagers ever employing [magic]. From this vantage point, it might even be normal to be incapable of wielding such power. Should that prove to be the case, she would not be the ‘untalented one’ of novelistic fame, but rather an entirely [ordinary person]—a prospect she found somewhat difficult to accept.

In summary, “practice is the sole criterion for testing truth”—a maxim South Creek had heard since childhood—guided her decision. She resolved to discreetly slip away and gather some intelligence.

Beyond the door, Elise continued to lead the congregation in prayer. If South Creek attempted to brazenly exit through the main entrance, she would undoubtedly be caught. A swift survey of the room revealed no other doors.

A closer examination revealed that, apart from the main door, the only other way out was the window. This wooden casement, positioned directly across from the bed, offered a clear view of the church’s flourishing garden. Escaping through it seemed unlikely to pose any significant challenge.

Wasting no time, South Creek slowly approached the window and unlatched it. A frigid gust of wind immediately swept in, causing her to shiver involuntarily. Yet, just as she carefully braced her hands against the windowsill, poised to hoist herself through, a sudden creak echoed from behind her.

“South Creek, what in the world are you doing now!”

A voice laced with undisguised anger. Before South Creek could even register it, Elise, who had moments ago been leading prayers in the main hall, pushed open the door and entered. Her gaze fell directly upon South Creek, who was poised to clamber out the window.

“I knew it. You simply refuse to sleep like a good child, don’t you?”

Her brow furrowed, Elise’s expression swiftly darkened. She strode forward with determined steps and effortlessly lifted South Creek from the windowsill.

“Huddled against the window, sneaking about… what fresh mischief are you plotting now?”

“Um… well… Sister Elise…”

Stuttering an incoherent reply, South Creek had been utterly unprepared for Elise to suddenly burst through the door. Her covert operation exposed, South Creek found herself momentarily disoriented. She offered a few feeble struggles while suspended in mid-air, only to quickly cease all movement.

“You little rascal, I tell you to be obedient, yet you consistently defy me. You won’t be satisfied until I give you a proper scolding, will you?”

Gazing at the mischievous child before her, Elise’s expression was stern, a clear indication of her genuine displeasure.

“I’m sorry, I was just… I was simply a little too bored, and I merely wanted to open the window for some fresh air, so…”

Sensing the gravity of the situation, South Creek swiftly bowed her head in apology, meticulously moderating her voice and expression to convey the utmost sincerity in her admission of fault.

“South Creek, there’s something you must come to understand…”

Her heart instantly softened. As Elise gazed at the child before her, displaying such an endearing expression, she was abruptly reminded of her recent conversation with the village chief. A small seed, after all, required time to mature, yet often, circumstances simply did not permit a gradual unfolding.

“South Creek, I… I so desperately wish I could protect you, to shield you until you reach adulthood, to do so for my entire life…”

“But I can’t. There are so many things I’m powerless against. No matter how tightly I clench my fist, something invariably slips through my fingers. I… I…”

“Sister… Elise…”

Observing Elise, whose emotions were steadily intensifying, South Creek seemed to have forgotten how to speak, remaining in prolonged silence. She was, after all, merely a thirteen-year-old child, and the weight of this subject felt far too burdensome for her young shoulders.

The helplessness born of her transmigration washed over her once more. Despite possessing two sets of memories, South Creek remained utterly clueless. What course of action should she take? What was she truly meant to do? To shoulder the entirety of another’s life would, without a doubt, utterly overwhelm her.

Yet, after a long silence, Elise ultimately transformed the tumultuous emotions in her breast into a long, drawn-out sigh. She gently caressed South Creek’s cheek, then, with an abrupt movement, pulled her tightly into her embrace, murmuring softly.

“I love you, South Creek.”

Held tightly within that embrace, South Creek’s expression became profoundly complex. A voice deep within her seemed to whisper that she belonged here, and the fervent, warm affection blossoming in her chest threatened to steal her breath.

South Creek finally understood, with an undeniable clarity, that she had truly, irrevocably arrived in this world.