Bab 28: Madalyn Naventhius
Madalyn Naventhius comes from a prestigious family of ancient heroes known for their mastery of light magic. As the youngest child in the Naventhius family, Madalyn has always been overshadowed by her older brothers, Marcus and Envus. Marcus, the Commander of Regalizen's 1st Battalion, is renowned as the most powerful light wizard in the kingdom, while Envus also boasts impressive military achievements. Madalyn constantly feels the need to surpass them to meet the expectations of her father, Fretzel Naventhius, who is known for his strictness and high standards.
Madalyn lives under immense pressure to be the best of the best. This pressure comes not only from her father but also from herself, largely due to her father's influence. She believes that to gain recognition within her family, she must exceed her brothers' accomplishments. This internal conflict leads her to always feel that no matter what she achieves, it's never enough.
"I must be better than Marcus. Stronger than Envus. Otherwise, I'll just be their shadow, and Father will never be proud of me."
For as long as she can remember, this thought has driven Madalyn, shaping her into the person she is today.
Despite her above-average abilities at Lupusrica Academy, Madalyn often feels inadequate. The standards set by her family are incredibly high. Her insecurity is masked by an arrogant demeanor and a tendency to belittle others, serving as a defense mechanism to protect her fragile self-esteem.
One of Madalyn's greatest struggles is her fear of failure. She fears disappointing her father, her family, and herself. This fear often traps her in a cycle of overthinking.
Madalyn both admires and envies her brothers. She respects them but feels burdened by their achievements. Although Marcus and Envus care deeply for her, they don't fully understand the pressure she feels. Their relationship is often strained, as Madalyn feels constantly compared to them.
Fretzel Naventhius, the patriarch of the Naventhius family and Madalyn's father, is the primary source of her pressure. He is a demanding father who expects perfection from his children. Though his intentions are to make Madalyn a powerful wizard, this has created an emotional distance between them, even though Madalyn desperately seeks his approval.
As a light wizard from an ancient hero lineage, Madalyn adheres to a rigorous training routine. Each day starts with intense magical practice aimed at enhancing her light magic's strength and precision. This training is not just about improving her abilities but also about meeting her family's expectations and stronger than her brothers.
Madalyn spends hours meditating and practicing magic techniques daily, striving to strengthen her light. She often repeats the same spells and techniques, even after mastering them, out of fear that something might go wrong or be less than perfect.
The ancient hero family has its own standards for magical power, but the key factor that drives them to be better than other wizards is their ancient bloodline and their unique magic abilities. This makes every member of the hero family strive to be stronger and surpass every other wizard.
***
Madalyn Naventhius stepped out of her private training room at Lupusrica Academy, her face showing deep exhaustion. Each day began with the same routine—intensive training to hone her light magic skills. Despite knowing how crucial this training was, the anxiety in her heart was hard to ignore.
Madalyn, ranked second at Lupusrica Academy just behind Akira Yoshitsuki from the Yoshitsuki hero family, it was a constant reminder of how much more training she had to do. She felt trapped in Akira's shadow, always lagging behind in every test and exam. This disappointment was compounded by the pressure she felt from her family, especially her older brothers, Marcus and Envus.
Standing by the large window overlooking the academy grounds, Madalyn watched the students gathered outside. The scene was bright and lively, starkly contrasting her dark mood. Akira stood amidst a crowd of admiring friends, and every time Madalyn saw how effortlessly Akira garnered attention and praise, it tore her heart. She had to work tirelessly just to earn a fraction of that recognition from her family.
In class, her interactions with others were often formal and cold. Madalyn knew her arrogant demeanor made her a target for snide remarks from her classmates. She stood rigid and rarely engaged in conversation, believing she needed to maintain distance to avoid appearing weak in front of others.
"Good morning, Miss Naventhius," greeted Alaric, a friendly student from the academy. "The magic training today looks intense. How did it go?"
Madalyn shot Alaric a less-than-friendly glance. "Just like usual," she replied curtly.
Alaric smiled and nodded, trying to ease the tension. "Well, thanks. I suppose everyone is working hard."
Madalyn shrugged. She had no time for idle conversation. She felt she couldn't afford to waste time on things that didn't yield real results.
***
At the Naventhius family home, the atmosphere was entirely different.
Fretzel Naventhius, the stern family patriarch, awaited with his characteristic sharp gaze. Marcus and Envus, her older brothers, sat at the dining table, appearing relaxed and confident.
"How was the academy today?" Fretzel asked, his voice authoritative.
Madalyn took a deep breath before answering, "As usual, Father. My training and lessons went well, but Akira Yoshitsuki remains in first place."
"Nothing new," Fretzel said flatly.
"Marcus faced tough competition when he was in the academy too. You need to learn to handle this pressure, Madalyn."
Madalyn felt her chest tighten with anger and frustration. "I'll try harder, Father."
Marcus, sitting casually beside Envus, looked at his sister with a mix of sympathy and incomprehension. "We've all been in tough positions, Madalyn. But it's part of the process. You need to keep practicing and not give up."
"You only say that because you're already at the top," Madalyn retorted, her voice full of anger. "No one understands what it's like to always be number two."
Envus, who had been silent, finally spoke softly, "We only want the best for you. The pressure you're feeling is part of being a Naventhius. But remember, we're here for you."
"…"
Madalyn responded to her brothers' words with silence, leaving Marcus and Envus no choice but to remain quiet and continue their dinner. This scene wasn't unusual; it was almost routine for the family to have such awkward interactions.
***
After dinner, Madalyn went to her private training room at home. This was where she felt she could truly release all the pressure and anger she had built up inside.
Patiently, she began her night practice. The magical light from her spells created intricate patterns in the air, but the perfection she sought always seemed elusive.
She practiced late into the night, her body tired and muscles beginning to stiffen. As she took a break, her thoughts wandered back to Akira Yoshitsuki and all the accomplishments he had achieved. How easily Akira received praise while she struggled just to gain a bit of recognition from her family.
"Is all of this worth it?" Madalyn asked herself in the silence.
"Will all this hard work really pay off? Am I really less talented than Akira?"
Disappointment and dissatisfaction haunted her thoughts. She knew she had to continue her struggle, but the frustration sometimes made her feel that all her efforts and sacrifices were in vain.
Days passed with the same routine. Madalyn kept training hard, trying to surpass Akira and prove to her family that she deserved to be the best. However, despite making some progress, the feeling of never being good enough always lingered.
At the academy, she tried to interact with other students, but her arrogance often hindered her ability to form normal relationships. She felt more comfortable being alone, working hard to meet the high standards set by her family.
Her typical arrogance made her a focal point at Lupusrica Academy, though not for positive reasons. Few dared to approach her, except for one person who always seemed to be around, Chris Ireshia.
Chris, with his bright blonde hair and sharp gaze, seemed like a shadow to Madalyn whenever they were at the academy. He always appeared out of nowhere, and their shared arrogance created a somewhat discordant relationship.
One afternoon, after the academy's usual classes, Madalyn sat alone on a bench in the academy's courtyard. She decided to spend her free time reflecting and planning her night training. However, before she could enjoy her solitude, Chris appeared before her.
"Hello, Madalyn," Chris greeted with a slightly sardonic tone.
"It looks like you're enjoying your downtime."
Madalyn looked at Chris with a cold stare. "And what's it to you?" she replied. "I don't remember inviting you to sit here."
Chris smiled faintly. "Oh, no particular reason. I was just curious about what you're doing here alone. Maybe we could train together?"
Madalyn raised an eyebrow. "Train together? Why would I do that? I'd rather train alone than with someone weaker than me."
Chris sat down beside her casually. "Why not? Isn't it a good way to test our skills? Besides, I know we both have similar views on how magic should be performed. Sometimes, it's nice to have someone who shares that perspective."
Madalyn looked at Chris skeptically. "Alright, but don't expect too much. I'll only train with you if you can keep up with my pace."
Chris grinned. "Of course. I look forward to it."
In the weeks that followed, Madalyn and Chris were often seen together outside of class. They trained side by side in the academy's practice rooms, their interactions often colored by their mutual arrogance. Chris frequently watched Madalyn with a piercing gaze, as if trying to understand the enigmatic woman who had piqued his curiosity.
Madalyn, determined to push Chris to his limits with her intense training regimen, made it clear that she was serious about their sessions at the academy.
One morning, Madalyn arrived at the training room earlier than usual. As she set up her equipment, Chris suddenly appeared in the doorway.
"You seem pretty pumped today," Chris remarked, stepping inside.
"Is there something special about today's practice?"
Madalyn brushed off the question and continued her preparations.
"I just want to make sure today's practice is more effective than usual. I don't want anything to disrupt the process."
"I'm sure you don't need to worry about that. I'm here to make sure our sessions stay interesting," Chris replied with a slight chuckle.
As they trained, Madalyn could feel Chris's constant gaze. It made her a bit uneasy, even though she didn't want to admit it. Chris always seemed to know when she needed to adjust or refine her technique, which left her feeling both frustrated and impressed.
After their morning practice, Madalyn sat alone at a table in the academy's dining hall, surrounded by her usual classmates. She felt somewhat isolated due to her aloof demeanor. Chris sat across from her, observing from a distance.
After a while, Chris finally stood up and approached Madalyn's table. "Mind if I join you?" he asked, taking a seat in the empty chair next to her.
Madalyn frowned. "Why not? Besides, there's nothing else here that's capturing my attention except you trailing after me."
"I was just curious about your lunch habits. You always sit alone, and I wondered if it's part of your strategy to keep people at a distance," Chris said with a small laugh.
"Maybe I prefer being alone rather than being surrounded by people I can't trust," Madalyn replied, giving Chris a sharp look.
Chris raised his glass. "Ah, I get it. Sometimes, being alone is the best way to think clearly."
They chatted over lunch, and although their conversation was often tense and laced with sarcasm, Madalyn found herself feeling a bit more at ease. Despite his own arrogance, Chris seemed to understand the world in a way that resonated with her.
Maybe two people with similar personalities had their own ways of connecting.
The next morning, during their training session, Madalyn found Chris practicing alone in the training room. He was working on a new summoning technique that looked quite complex.
"So, you decided to train without me?" Madalyn asked as she walked in.
Chris turned and smiled. "Oh, I'm just trying out this new magic. I thought you might want to see it, so I wanted to refine it before showing it to you."
Madalyn glanced at the technique Chris was working on and felt a bit impressed.
"It looks complicated. Are you sure you can master it?"
Chris nodded. "I've been working on it for a while. But I want to make sure I'm getting the most out of this technique. Maybe you could give me some feedback?"
Madalyn eyed the technique with interest. Even though she didn't want to admit that Chris impressed her, she couldn't help but be curious.
"Alright, show me how it works."
They began practicing together, and this time, their interaction felt more harmonious. Chris asked for Madalyn's help in perfecting his technique, and Madalyn, despite her usual arrogance, offered useful advice.
Over the next few months, Madalyn and Chris's interactions continued to grow. They practiced together often, shared meals, and discussed various topics. Even though they maintained their haughty attitudes, their relationship grew closer. Chris, with his laid-back demeanor, began to offer Madalyn new perspectives, while Madalyn, with her sharpness and determination, provided Chris with a challenge.
***
On the evening before the Regalizen Commander selection test, Madalyn and Chris sat in the garden, watching other academy students chatting cheerfully among themselves.
"Are you ready for tomorrow?" Chris asked, leaning back in his park bench.
Madalyn sighed. "I feel prepared, but there's always some doubt. I know how important this test is and what's at stake."
"You've been training hard. Whatever the outcome, you've given it your all. And that's what matters," Chris said, looking at her earnestly.
Madalyn offered a small smile. "Thanks, Chris. Same to you. No matter what happens, I'm glad we've gone through this together."
Chris smiled back. "Me too."
As the evening grew darker, they both knew that the next day would be challenging. But as they sat together, talking and laughing, Madalyn felt that their relationship, despite their mutual arrogance, had become one of the most important supports in their journey.
Madalyn Naventhius and Chris Ireshia might have seemed like two shining stars in the Lupusrica academy sky, but they had found a way to understand and support each other. Amid the tension and pressure they faced, they knew that together, they could face whatever came their way.
***
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone