Athena's General Reincarnated in Another World

Katherine Evenhart:

I was in Nathan's room, reading some stories aloud to Cylla as she slept. I also shared funny little memories, recalling moments I'd witnessed while watching the two of them grow up. From what Nathan had told me, Cylla was in the limbo stage of mana exhaustion. I knew how frightening that was. It had only happened to me twice in my life. When it does, a mage collapses into a deep sleep, their mind slipping into a state that's almost like a coma. It takes days to recover from it, and even then, it's terrifying.

When Nathan went through it, he slept for an entire week. I never left his side. I stayed beside him, talking the whole time, hoping my voice would reach him and bring comfort in the darkness of that state.

"They're out there having those meetings..." I said to her softly. "Life could've been simpler, but it feels like we were born in the wrong era. I don't know if I should be happy that Nathan has the safety that comes with being a noble… or sad that it means he gets dragged into things like this."

I shifted on the bed and gently placed my hand on her, stroking her softly.

"I know that boy is lying to me. He's downplaying what really happened… and hiding things about you, about the two of you. But thank you… for being there with my son."

I pulled the covers up around her, even knowing she couldn't feel the cold.

"If even you, stronger than any of us, came back injured like this… then I'm sure Nathan wouldn't have survived without you. Thank you for protecting my boy. There's no price in this world that could repay what you did."

***

I walked through the underground part of our home. The maids rarely came down here—only Martha ever entered freely. She was upstairs with her daughters, busy with dinner. Ever since martial law was declared in the city, I hadn't left the house—not even to attend the small memorial they held for the students who died in that terrible incident.

Until the other traitors are identified, Apsalon will remain sealed off. A grave crime had been committed, and the punishment would be death.

Only high-ranking, veteran soldiers were allowed to fly the Asalon steeds now. The entire city was under strict surveillance. Some students had gone missing after returning to the surface, and searches were underway.

Outside, both our own house guard and elven soldiers were stationed. A representative from the elven royal family had come on the first day, asking us to relocate to the king's estate for protection, but we chose to stay. After all, their mansion was only a few minutes' walk from our own. It seemed pointless to move. The whole street was occupied by a protective military force.

I opened the door and stepped into my laboratory. The plants began to stir, reacting to my presence. I greeted them, petting a few as I walked through the greenhouse garden. Nearby, large mana crystals stood glowing faintly—this had been a personal project of Nathan's. He wanted to try storing mana at its highest quality. I think he was also trying to find a way to use that mana to feed the plants, the same way I do. But only I seem able to channel mana directly into living flora.

"How are you today?" I asked, walking toward my little girl.

The enormous seed—roughly the size of a full-grown ox—had been quiet for the past few days.

"Are you awake?" I asked gently, approaching.

I reached down and dipped my hand into the small lake beside her, trying to sense the flow of elven mana in the water.

"I'll ask your brother to generate more water… the lake's losing its nutrients," I said quietly.

I moved closer to her, and then—my heart dropped.

"Oh no…" I rushed forward and pressed my hand against the giant seed.

"What happened to you?" I whispered.

The surface of the seed… was cracked. Like shattered glass.

Melina Asalon:

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"Know your place, Elara," my mother snapped.

My sister—though legally listed as my half-sister—stood silently in the private chamber with us. Her posture was rigid, military-like, but her eyes had drifted somewhere far away.

"You're not even from the secondary branch of the family. You're tertiary. Beneath everyone. Your only purpose is to protect this family with your life," my mother continued coldly.

"Yes… Your Majesty," Elara replied, voice steady.

She was being reprimanded for failing to protect Duncan and me during the tower incident. It was just the three of us in that room—me, my mother, and Elara.

Deep down, my mother despised her. She hated that Elara had inherited the family's signature colored fire. I stood silent. If I spoke up, it would only make things worse for her.

Elara was never truly recognized as an Asalon. Her very birth had been considered a mistake. A concubine was never supposed to bear a child. But my mother allowed it—on one condition: that Elara would never marry, never have children, and dedicate her life to military service. That was the price of her existence.

And I knew… a part of her suffering was because of me.

My mother couldn't bear the fact that Elara was better than me at everything. And I... I hated myself for being the reason she was treated this way.

When the reprimand ended, my mother exited the room, leaving us alone.

"S-sister…" I tried to approach her.

But Elara gave me a practiced, hollow smile.

"If you need anything, Princess, I'll be in my office," she said, voice light and empty.

She said Princess. Not Sister.

I didn't stop her from leaving. I waited until I was alone to let the weight hit me.

"It's not your fault…" my mother's voice came again. She had returned and must've seen the sadness on my face.

"You have a kind heart, Melina. Too kind for this world. But this is how things must be."

She walked over and embraced me gently.

"Do you know how it feels, watching the daughter of a concubine outshine my own child? It hurts me."

"So… it's my fault then…" I murmured, looking down.

"No, darling. You're my precious daughter. I want you to stay just as you are. Don't change. Let me handle the difficult choices. I promise, nothing in this world will ever hurt you."

She pulled me closer.

"Can you imagine if Elara went around boasting that she was better than you? That's why I do what I do. That's why I've always kept her in her place. So she'll never forget who she was born to serve."

"But my sister... she's a good person," I said quietly.

"The fact that I push her is why she's good," my mother replied, stroking my hair gently. "I'm squeezing out every drop of potential she has. That's her purpose—to be your shield, your sword. She needs to understand that, if necessary, she must die for you."

She smiled, as if those words were sweet and loving.

"I will plan every step of your future... perfectly. One day, you will give birth to Duncan's child. He will sit on that throne. Your child will be the next Emperor. The purest of all bloodlines."

I swallowed hard, pushing the lump in my throat deeper. I didn't cry. I couldn't cry. There was no fight left in me—just quiet submission. I had long accepted that, since the moment I learned to walk, every step of mine was orchestrated by my mother.

I never had freedom. I never would.

My role was clear: to smile, to appear perfect, to be healthy and untouched—so that I could fulfill my one true purpose. To bear a child.

I was to remain pure. Not a person, not a girl. A vessel. A tool.

That's what I am... just a cow in a gilded barn, bred to birth a calf.

"Yes... mommy," I said, surrendering to it.

To be a princess meant to be a slave to your responsibilities.

She stayed with me, walking me to my bedroom. Everything in the room was pink, decorated with stuffed animals and dolls. But none of it was mine—not really. I never chose a single thing. My mother picked it all. I had to live in a space she could fully control.

She closed the door behind me and locked it. Only she had the key.

I was always locked inside, allowed out only for rare occasions—events where I was displayed like a trophy and then hidden again. Always kept safe. Always untouched. My room didn't even have a window.

The only time I ever felt free was at the academy. But that was over now.

"How was your day, everyone?" I asked softly, approaching the corner where my dolls sat.

"Mine was fun..."

I paused, looking at their silent faces.

"Answer me!" I shouted suddenly, knocking the dolls to the floor. "S-sorry... I lied. It wasn't fun."

I gently picked them up and set them around the tea table again.

"How was your day, Princess Syvis?" I asked the elf doll, her paper ears taped to the sides of her head.

"I bet it was wonderful," I whispered.

"And you, Chloe?" I poured cold tea into a tiny cup. "Sorry it's not warm, but I'm sure you like the cold, right? Ice magic and all..." I laughed softly at my own joke.

Then I looked at my favorite doll—the one tied to a tiny chair with chains. I had surrounded him with little scissors, so he'd know what would happen if he tried to escape.

"And how was your day... Nathan?" I asked, stepping closer to the doll.

My face flushed.

"This is your reward for saving me in the tower," I whispered, pressing a soft kiss to the doll's cheek.

"You're the only one who understands me."