Chapter 264 The Test

- POV Shiro -

"Mommy, I would like to learn how to use my mana and master my element. A-Auntie Kalaa, I agree to take the test...please teach me"

Mommy had told me about a test to see if I was compatible with my element even though it wasn't safe at all, she said it was hard but it didn't matter. Mommy had told me that I didn't control my mana and that the day I helped Angel it affected my condition. Apparently I had grown up a bit and even though this news made me happy, I could see that my moms were worried about me.

I didn't remember very well the horrible dream I had but every time I thought about it my body was shaking by itself. I kept asking it to stop, but it wouldn't, still seeing certain moments in my head that were the scariest. My moms, my aunties, the nice soldiers of the Empire, everyone suffering in front of a monster full of big hands, big eyes and a super duper big mouth.

The only thing I remembered clearly was that bloody ice flower that Mommy had in her hair at that moment. That was how I knew it was a dream because I had never seen her wearing anything like that before that night. But still...I had almost seen something in my nightmare that would have been worse than anything for me, something that totally paralyzed me.

If the beautiful lady with the white wings hadn't arrived in the sky to make the black dome disappear, I would have dreamed of the death of my family. It was so scary, I thought my mind was telling me to be stronger to grow up fast or it would send me more images like that. I had to try the test or one day I would never be as strong and brave as Mommy and everyone else.

"Shiro, when I told you about the test it didn't mean you had to do it now you know ? You can still wait and..."

"NO !"

"..."

"S-Sorry for yelling Mommy..."

Without paying attention I had spoken loudly so I apologized right away because I didn't want to sound mean at all. It was just that I really really wanted to learn how to use my mana like them and the other kids at my home school. Even though I was little it didn't mean that I couldn't be strong, the lady stuck in the statue was super strong so why couldn't I be too ?

I too wanted to be able to help and protect all the people I loved as well as the grown-ups, but above all I was tired of being useless. I was afraid to be even more afraid, it also made me very sad often even when I was laughing or eating the food I liked. Anyway I had to try, I felt big enough and ready to do it like a big girl and a brave Princess.

*P-Please Mommy...say yes*

Mommy didn't say anything, it was hard to know what she was thinking and now she was looking at me with her eyebrows furrowed, was she mad at me ? Maybe I had done something stupid or maybe it was because I had been rude by shouting ? No one was talking and it was weird, like I had said something that wasn't right, just as I was about to apologize Mommy finally spoke up to ask me a question that I didn't really understand very well.

"This test, do you know what it involves ? A lot of hard work, perseverance and most importantly unfortunately a lot of talent and affinity."

Tilting my head to the side I thought very very hard about the words she had just said, I didn't know them all but if it meant I had to do my best then yes. Nodding silently I looked into her eyes which were hard to understand when Mommy was very focused and serious. She was thinking so hard that it was actually Mom Gaya who in her place answered me softly with a sweet little smile.

"Sweetie, we're going to talk about this, okay ? Don't worry, we understand that this is important to you so we'll think about it. Will you be a big girl and be a little more patient even if you have to wait~?"

"UMU !!! Yes Mom, I promise !"

It was easier than I thought it would be, but none of them said no to the request I made, which made me happy. Mom Gaya saw me as a big girl so maybe she would accept very quickly but for Mommy I had no idea. She hadn't spoken since her complicated question so I was a little worried but as I promised I would wait wisely to show that I was big.

*Yaaaay~ I might get stronger~🎶*

Jumping off of Mommy's lap I was already feeling a little happier than I was this morning and super excited to do something new. Now that I had said what I wanted to do, I could go play with Angel who was looking up at the ceiling to the point of squinting without meaning to. It was fun, I wanted to play too and as I left the adults, I didn't see Mom get up to get a glass of water, followed by Mommy.

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- POV General -

After Shiro's request the atmosphere had become tense even though she hadn't noticed it at all, too busy being innocently cheerful. However, this was not the case for the two mothers who now had a new source of concern that they could have done without for the moment. Kira and Kalaa, who understood perfectly well why, remained silent, judging that it was up to them both to decide.

Even though she was the one who answered her daughter, her wife a little too stunned to do so, Gaya was undoubtedly the most terrified by the idea. She had already lost her family once and with all the events that were happening, a mother's instinctive fear was at work. As the dragoness poured herself a glass of water with a shaky hand, she sensed Freya coming and before she could even speak got right to the point.

"I don't like this at all"

It was too much, first Zal and the Supreme who was after Shiro and Angel, the vampires, the dragons, the threat of a new war, Titania, Lady V and now this test ? This sudden request had taken its toll on her nerves of steel, which were beginning to crack under the weight of the stress she was hiding. Freya could feel it, she too felt a foreign fear deep inside her but was much less affected than her wife

"You don't think she's capable ?"

Arriving near her, the she-wolf stared at the one with her back to her, asking the question that intrigued her the most that moment, unable to know what to feel. She was an accomplished warrior and leader, but when it came to her children she could feel more lost than anyone else. So the Empress wanted to be sure she was making the right decision by knowing exactly what Gaya was thinking, the latter soon responding in a trembling voice.

"I-It's not that but...but our daughter is convinced she is weak when in reality she has too much power to control it 100% safely. Honestly Freya...I-...I don't know..."

"Gaya..."

"S-She's still too young, what if...what if she..."

Grabbing her hand as she spoke, the she-wolf kept her from sinking even further into fear, overwhelmed by all those stray thoughts. The worried dragoness was even flooding the room, still pouring water into her glass even though it was full. All of these feelings Freya understood them but she also couldn't forget what she had seen at that moment in their daughter that had rendered her completely speechless.

"I know but...she never asks for anything, always smiling, adorable, kind and happy but this time...my love, did you see the determination in her eyes ?"

"Y-Yes I saw it...but...but what if something happens to her ?"

"Nothing will happen to her. Gaya, I promise you that."

Grabbing her wife from behind, wrapping her arms around her waist, the she-wolf buried her face in her neck in what she hoped was a comforting hug. This test was indeed dangerous, it played on the power of mana and the ability of the user to control it. It wasn't that hard, even instinctive, but Shiro was special. She didn't have to put in the same amount of effort and was exposed to much greater dangers if she failed.

Kalaa had explained it well, she would be there to accompany her with all her knowledge and guide her in her learning but the test had to be passed alone. The little Princess was the only one who could control her magic like everyone else, which meant that when the time came, no one could help her. Did she really understand this ? That was what Gaya was afraid of, even though she shared Freya's confidence in her courage.

"S-Should we agree then ?"

"Only if you agree and she hasn't changed her mind, okay ?"

For the Empress, the most important thing was her daughter's determination which came first because she trusted Kalaa. She did not doubt her ability to teach her perfectly and knew that Shiro was endowed with unsuspected abilities. With her determination, she was confident that it would work, driven by the desire to protect, the desire to become stronger and most of all by the overflowing love that was in her pure heart.

Not that she believed in miracles, but Freya knew better than anyone how far such determination could carry one no matter what the reason. She didn't think she would see this so soon in her Princess's eyes and had been shaken by the surprise coupled with her meaningful words. Realizing this, the dragoness separated herself from her wife before turning her worried amber eyes almost glassy.

"Very well then let's explain it one last time accompanied by your big sister so that our little moon is aware of the risks and if her answer remains the same, then so be it"

"If it will reassure you my love, then whatever you want~"

Offering a big smile to Gaya, something she didn't often do, the Empress in turn reassured the one who had done the same for her earlier. "Everything will be fine" was what her eyes seemed to say and it worked, she had to trust even if for a mother it was hard. And then, nothing was decided yet so nodding, the Queen a little more reassured grabbed her hand before returning to the others and especially the twins.

To lighten the atmosphere, Kira had started a cheerful topic concerning obviously her beloved niece who was involved in a debate. The subject was whether or not the ponytail suits her better than the pigtails and the young fox woman was on fire obviously. Freya and Gaya had no idea what was going on as did the former Goddess of Time who even involved from the beginning was completely lost.

"As the leader of the Shiro Nation of which you are all a part, I think that indeed a light blue dress with pigtails would suit her much better !"

"Of course it's a no-brainer and then...wait a minute...wait what ? The Shiro Na-...huh ?"

At her words Kalaa had bugged, feeling her brain fry as if she had missed some most important information as the she-wolf raised an eyebrow. This was the first time they had all heard of a Shiro Nation but coming from the three-tailed vixen, anything could happen. Faced with their incomprehension, she took a shocked air before returning to the facts to remind them what this famous Nation was.

"Well you know, the cult-...ahem...I mean the fanbase of our dear and sweet little slice of caramel cake sprinkled with cinnamon placed on a porcelain plate~ Our little Goddess of Cuteness shall be remembered by all until the end of eternity MWHAHAHAHAHAHA *COUGH COUGH* ahem..."

In fact, the more Kira spoke, the more suspicious she seemed to Freya, Gaya and Kalaa who kept frowning and squinting more and more; word after word. There was an awkward silence, but she was determined to refresh their memories for the sake of this cul-...group praising the cuteness of the Princess. She had also invented a new long nickname and just by hearing it the three women suddenly felt so tired.

"Come oooon, you know, I even sang you our anthem the other time ! Listen this time huh ! Um hum...and one, two..."

"No Kira it's ok we..."

"All the bastards who made the Princess cry !

All the bastards who made the Princess cry !

To the Shiro Nation's hands will die !

To the Shiro Nation's hands will die !!!!"

Freya didn't have time to stop her little sister before the words of the song, which was apparently the group's anthem they clearly did not remember hearing, echoed through the room. At that moment, each of them was wondering what was wrong in her head to invent such things, not without a little smile. While the end of the evening had started in tension, it was no longer the case, the imperial family finally relaxed after so many problems to deal with.

"You I swear, sigh.."

"Aouch ! Oneeee-saaaan !!!"

Sighing and shaking her head, the she-wolf had punished Kira with a flick on the forehead, making her stop all further questionable lyrics. Next to her, the children who had not followed everything from the beginning had started to laugh at this funny scene happy to join. Thus, it was soon after the turn of everyone to laugh at the antics of the fox girl finally announcing a joyful evening far from the worries of the everyday life.

#ShiroNation

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FULL STATUS

Names : Freya / Lucifer Nightshade

Age : 0 year old / Mentally : 25 years old

Sex : Female

Course: Ice Demon Wolf of Chaos - Adult

Race : Imperial Demon

Titles :

- Demon Goddess of Primordial Blood and Death (former - until all powers are recovered) - 30%.

- Wrathful Lucifer (7th Sin) - Master of the uniques Sins Demons (to unlock it, please gather the other 6 - 3/6 - (locked)

- Dragon tamer

- Ruthless slayer

Level : 45/70

Exp needed for next level: 0 / 46 000

HP : 170 000 / 170 000 MP : 85 000 / 85 000. BLOOD : 100 / 100

Strength: 660

Defense : 660

Agility : 666

Endurance: 663

Speed : 662

Intelligence: 660

Charisma: 500 (imperial she-wolf)

Attribute points to allocate : 0

Married to : Gaya Nightshade

Daughter : Shiro Nightshade

Twins (son & daughter) : Tyle & Altaïs Nightshade

Little sister : Kira Nightshade (Greedy Fox)

Big sister : Kalaa Nightshade

Empire (menu)

Subordinates: 5865 (keep growing)

Humans killed: 153

Souls: 0/3

Elements: Ice / Chaos (Freya) - Blood / Death (Lucifer)

Skills (all):

Attacks :

- Demon Claws (Lvl 5)

- Bite of hell (Lvl 6)

- Infernal ice spikes (Lvl 6)

- Fighting techniques (Lvl max)

- Mastery of the katana (lvl max)

- Demonic Empress aura (lvl 7)

Défense :

- Ice demon wall (Lvl 6)

- Demonic Cloak (lvl 5)

- Pain Resistance (lvl 6)

Attack/Defense :

- Domain of the Ice Empress "Frozen Wrath" (lvl 4)

- Death Gaze (lvl 1)

Others :

- Humanoid form

- Demonic form (linked to the title so incomplete) - 20%.

- Ice creation (Lvl 6)

- Detection and control of mana (lvl 6)

- Storage of chaos (Lvl 4)

- Devouring Chaos (Lvl 5)

- Master of Souls (lvl 3)

- Lucifer's Threads of Blood (lvl 3)

- Healing Blood (lvl 3)

- Analysis

- Telepathy

Passives :

- Commander (lvl max)

- Natural Aura of the Ice Empress ]
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