Conquering The Novel

Elaine watched Livia's departing figure with a small grin on her lips, her gaze fixed on the powerful young mage who had just demonstrated her strength on the stage. She was intrigued by the younger girl's talent and couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia as she remembered her own time as a student.

As she was lost in her thoughts, a message appeared before her from her constellation.

[...She reminds me of you.]

Elaine chuckled softly. "Yeah, I can see the resemblance. She's got the same spark in her eyes that I did."

[And the same level of craziness, I assume.] Her constellation teased.

Elaine laughed. "Perhaps. But I wonder if her personality is similar to mine too. It would be interesting to find out."

[You mean if she's as crazy as you?] The message appeared again.

Elaine smirked. "...Yes, that's what I meant. But I think she is already crazy enough, as I saw her holding herself back from attacking that Elven princess the other day just because she saw her and Ares kissing."

[Aren't you afraid she'll come after you too if you try to steal her man?]

Elaine let out a small chuckle. "She's definitely talented, but she has a long way to go before she can even think about challenging me," she said with confidence. "But I have a feeling that she'll eventually come to realize that the only thing that truly matters is the love between her and the man she cares about. The rest of his harem can be like supporting characters to their love story."

"....."

[...You sound like a protagonist in a harem anime, Elaine.] Her constellation teased again, amused by her avatar's beliefs.

Elaine smiled at the message. "Well, I just believe that the man I love will be lucky to have someone like me by his side," she replied.

[Confidence suits you.]

Thud—

As she spoke, the door to the rooftop where Elaine was sitting alone suddenly pushed open, and a guy with similar features and blonde hair to hers burst in, looking flustered.

!?

"Elaine, there you are! I've been looking all over for you!" he exclaimed.

Elaine raised an eyebrow at the sight of her younger brother Sean, who was practically bouncing with excitement.

Despite not being particularly close, she knew him well enough to recognize the signs of his infatuation.

"What's got you so riled up, Sean?" she asked, trying to conceal her annoyance.

"Elaine, I think I've fallen in love!" he gushed, his face glowing with energy.

Elaine let out a deep sigh. "You fall in love with someone new every other week. Can't you just focus on your studies for once?" she said, sounding exasperated.

She was familiar with her brother's tendency to become infatuated easily and recognized the signs of his masochistic personality similar to hers, which seemed to be a trait that ran in their family.

"But this time it's different!" Sean protested. "She's amazing, sis. You should see her in action. Her magic is so powerful and elegant...and her eyes...they're like the stars themselves!"

Elaine sighed again, knowing exactly where this was going. "Let me guess, the girl you're in love with is Livia Frostine?" she asked, her voice laced with annoyance.

She knew that Livia's breathtaking magical display during her last match would have left a lasting impression on anyone who witnessed it, especially someone as susceptible to infatuation as her brother.

Elaine couldn't deny that Livia was an impressive mage, with the power and grace of her magic leaving most onlookers awestruck. It was no wonder that many men would fall for her after such a majestic display that seemed to come right out of a movie.

Elaine had experienced the same attention herself, facing a swarm of men proposing to her during her time as a mage in training.

Sean's smile faltered for a moment before returning in full force. "How did you know I was talking about Livia, sister? Do you know her too?" he asked eagerly.

Elaine shook her head in disbelief. "Yes, I know her. And I'm telling you, you need to stay away from her," she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

!?

Sean's expression turned to confusion. "What? Why?" he asked, his voice rising in protest.

Elaine's gaze hardened as she spoke, "Because... she is the woman of a man I have my eyes on. You need to back off," she said with conviction, making it clear that she meant business.

!!

Sean began to sweat profusely from his forehead, realizing the gravity of the situation. "...Another man? Elaine, can't you just find someone else this time, please? I know he will run away from you scared after just a few days. Why don't we deal with him, huh? Can't we? I will owe you one if you help me out this time, okay?" he pleaded, his desperation showing.

"....."

Elaine knew he wouldn't back out so easily. "...We have the same blood running in our veins after all," she muttered.

"Sorry, but I can't help you this time around Sean. I am serious about this man. Why don't you find some other girl? I can help you with that if you want," Elaine said, trying to control her urges and resolve the situation without violence.

But Sean was not convinced. "No, I want Livia! I love her so much. Can't you be a good elder sister and just back off this time? You always say the same thing about every man," Sean pleaded, trying to sway her with his words.

But his response only fueled Elaine's anger. Suddenly, she appeared in front of him, her hand gripping tightly around his neck, lifting him up into the air. Sean gasped for breath, feeling like he was being strangled.

"ARGHH!—"

"Now listen to me, you little twit," Elaine hissed, her eyes glowing fiercely. "That woman belongs to my future hubby, and if you or anyone else tries to steal her from my husband, I won't hesitate to eliminate you. You may be family, but I won't show mercy to anyone who disrespects what belongs to me." Elaine warned.

Arghh—

Sean began to gasp for breath under her threatening aura and trembled. Her constellation then appeared with a message, [Leave him, or else he will die!], reminding Elaine to release him.

Elaine regaining her composure, loosened her grip, and Sean fell to the ground, rubbing his neck and trying to catch his breath. His eyes and face turned red, the mark of Elaine's choke visible on his neck. Elaine's warning had shaken him to the core.

Thud!—

Cough— Cough

"Tsh, You better heed my warning, or you will die at the hands of that man, if not from me! You can find many other women stronger than you, so don't waste your life on something you can't have, little bro," Elaine said, exiting the rooftop and slamming the door behind her.

Slam!—

As Elaine left the rooftop, she couldn't help but think about her future husband. The idea of finding someone to spend the rest of her life with excited her. "I'm already charmed by his handsome features," she muttered to herself. "I just hope he lives up to my expectations."

As she walked away, her constellation appeared with a message again.

[Husband? Don't you think you're thinking too far ahead of yourself? What if he doesn't meet your standards later?]

Elaine grinned confidently. "I have faith in him," she replied. "And if he doesn't meet my standards, then I'll just have to train him until he does."

***

Cough— Cough

As Sean struggled to breathe on the rooftop even after Elaine left, his mind was filled with thoughts of Livia. He couldn't get her out of his head, no matter how hard he tried.

A creepy smile spread across his face as he muttered to himself, "You ...think I will give up on her that easily? I don't care if she's with another man, I'll still pursue her. I'll make her see that I'm the one she's meant to be with."

But as he stood up and dusted himself off, he couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that lingered in his gut. He knew Elaine was not someone to be trifled with, and he had already seen a glimpse of her terrifying power.

"Maybe... maybe I should find someone else," Sean muttered to himself, uncertain of his own conviction.

But the thought of Livia's radiant smile and captivating eyes pulled him back to his obsession. He couldn't let go of her, not yet.

"I'll be more careful," Sean promised himself. "I'll make sure to avoid Elaine and her new toy. And I'll do whatever it takes to win Livia's heart."

---

Elaine's Reference Pic: