I Have Reincarnated Yet Once Again
Chapter 27: – Cassy’s First Summoning.

Chapter 27: – Cassy’s First Summoning.

After the presentation, the Grand Duke and Edrick gracefully stepped back, their posture as poised as ever.

No sooner had they retreated than Rosalia, her face alight with admiration, whispered softly:

Rosalia: "He’s so pretty."

Empress Florina’s smile turned indulgent as she leaned closer to her daughter.

Empress Florina: "Do you like him, Rosa?"

Rosalia nodded enthusiastically.

Rosalia: "Hmm."

From a distance, Evelyn listened silently, then spoke with calm authority, her voice carrying just enough to reach the empress and Rosalia.

Evelyn: "Yes, he is pretty and it’s natural to like him. But I advise you to see him only as would-be brother-in-law."

Curtis: "Rosa is still young and naive. I hope your highness will understand."

Evelyn: "She is still young, so she should learn from now that there are always things you can’t have—no matter how pretty they are or how badly you want them. That way, she won’t face unnecessary troubles in the near future."

She said it while looking at the Empress, her gaze distant, as if she were contemplating her own past, speaking not just to Rosalia, but to herself.

With a graceful bow, Evelyn excused herself and walked toward Edrick, her demeanor composed and purposeful.

Rosalia’s fingers twitched, clutching the hem of her dress as Evelyn’s words sank in. Quickly, she composured herself and a veil of sadness touched her features.

In a soft, disappointed voice, she murmured,

Rosalia: "So... he’s my sister’s fiancé. Sorry, I didn’t know."

Empress Florina waved the remark away with a practiced flick of her hand, her tone sharp yet pampering.

Empress Florina: "Ignore that insignificant girl. It’s your birthday, Rosa. Just enjoy yourself. You don’t need to pay attention to her words."

Rosalia nodded obediently.

Rosalia: "Yes, Mommy."

Rosalia’s gaze lingered on Evelyn’s retreating figure. Something unrecognizable flickered deep within her eyes.

Evelyn walked toward the corner of the banquet hall where the Grand Duke and Edrick stood. Her steps were unhurried, graceful, drawing a few lingering glances from nearby nobles. When she reached them, she gave a polite curtsy.

Evelyn: "Greetings, Your Grace."

The Grand Duke returned the gesture with a respectful nod.

Grand Duke: "Greetings, Your Highness."

He glanced between his son and the princess, something unreadable in his eyes. Then without much emotions on his face, he gave a small nod.

Grand Duke: "Then I’ll leave the two of you to speak."

He bowed slightly and moved away, disappearing into the crowd.

Evelyn turned her gaze toward Edrick. Her eyes, cool and composed, studied him with faint amusement.

Evelyn: "I haven’t seen you in quite some time. How have you been?"

Edrick straightened, clearing his throat.

Edrick: "I’m well, Your Highness. Thank you for asking."

A small smile touched her lips, teasing yet calm.

Evelyn: "So? Have you found someone you like yet?"

Edrick blinked, caught off guard.

Edrick: "W... What?"

Evelyn: "Well, you’ll need a good enough reason to break off the engagement, won’t you? That’s why I asked—if you’ve already fallen for someone else. Otherwise, you’ll still have to marry me, even if you don’t want to. You know how noble duties work."

She said it lightly, as if it didn’t matter at all. But Edrick just stared at her, eyes narrowing slightly. There was no trace of the clingy, eager girl from before. The girl before him now was calm, self-assured, and unreadable.

Edrick: "...You don’t need to worry about that, Your Highness."

Without another word, he turned in his boots and strode away, irritation flashing across his face. He didn’t know why he was acting this way. Why her voice echoed in his mind long after she had stopped speaking. Why her new demeanor unsettled him so much.

Evelyn watched his retreating back, tilting her head slightly.

Evelyn (thoughts): What’s wrong with this guy?

———

After that banquet, something changed.

Edrick began visiting the Black Rose Palace almost daily. Not to speak of the engagement, not even with a proper excuse. Sometimes he would bring a rare book or pastries from a famous bakery.

He would sit silently nearby while Evelyn read, the silence stretching comfortably between them, then rise and leave.

When questioned, he would shrug casually and say,

Edrick: "Can’t I visit my fiancée?"

Evelyn: "Didn’t you want to break off the engagement?"

To which he would answer without missing a beat,

Edrick: "Well, it’s not broken yet... is it? You are still my fiancee."

Evelyn would pause, words caught on the edge of her lips. But in the end, she would say nothing.

She didn’t know what to make of him.

And perhaps, neither did he.

She never spoke much to him. But strangely, he didn’t mind. He would sit, observe her flipping through pages with delicate fingers, and quietly leave after a while. He himself didn’t understand why he kept coming.

Time passes by.

The six girls had trained under Evelyn’s relentless guidance. Their progress was visible in every move—the way they walked, how quickly they reacted, the silent communication between their eyes. They were no longer hesitant.

They were sharper.

More vigilant.

More united.

The shadows of Evelyn... were taking form.

One Day—

The sky was clear, painted in soft blues and golds, as Evelyn and the others gathered quietly in the palace’s back garden. The tension in the air was unmistakable—thick with anticipation, nerves, and something else.

Today was the day.

After extensive training, Cassy is finally ready for her first summoning.

She stood at the center of the circle she had drawn on the grass, a chalked rune of ancient symbols glimmering faintly with magical residue. Her hands trembled slightly, fingers curling and uncurling over the small gemstone embedded in the center of the spell.

Everyone watched in silence—Evelyn, arms crossed and eyes steady; Lora with a sword leaning at her side; Ella and Lily clutching each other’s sleeves; Melinda bouncing nervously on her feet; and Claire watching as if holding her breath.

This was no ordinary spell.

[In this world, where magical beasts and spirits held great sway, summoners and spiritualist stood at the very pinnacle of honor.

Summoners were figures of awe, welcomed and respected in all lands.

Even in the vast and powerful Cristiane Empire, there were only two known summoners.

One was the Imperial Summoner, bound by oath to the crown and tasked with protecting the empire.

The other—the former Grand Duke of Rosenberg, the Emperor’s grandfather—was a legend. A man of immense magical strength and authority, now living in retirement far from the eyes of the court. His presence alone ensured the Rosenberg Duchy remained second only to the Empress herself in terms of influence.

So feared was his power that even Empress Florina, proud and untouchable, tread carefully where the Rosenbergs were concerned. ]

Cassy inhaled sharply.

She stepped forward, her boots pressing gently into the earth within the summoning circle. The gem at the center glowed faintly—responding to her presence, pulsing in rhythm with her heartbeat.

She knelt, placing both palms over the runes she had spent weeks learning and perfecting. The wind stilled. Even the birds in the trees seemed to pause, as if nature itself was holding its breath.

Evelyn’s voice, quiet but firm, cut through the silence.

Evelyn: "Remember what I told you. No fear. Let your magic reach, not grasp."

Cassy nodded, exhaling slowly.

Her eyes fluttered closed.

She began to channel her mana into the circle. But her mana wavered, unstable and too faint.

The runes only flickered. The energy was faint.

She tried again.

Still, it didn’t respond.

Her heartbeat quickened, breath growing uneven. Sweat rolled down her temple as she gritted her teeth, trying to force her mana through.

Cassy (whispering): "Come on... please..."

Behind her, Evelyn’s sharp eyes narrowed. She stepped forward quietly, placing a steady hand on Cassy’s shoulder. A faint pulse of power rippled between them.

Cassy gasped softly—her body instantly steadied by the warmth of Evelyn’s magic.

Evelyn: "Focus."

Her voice was calm—but the magic flowing from her palm was anything but calm. She meant to lend just a little, a guiding current to balance Cassy’s channeling.