I Have Reincarnated Yet Once Again
Chapter 28: – That… Little Thing Caused All That?

Chapter 28: – That... Little Thing Caused All That?

A cool surge of mana, controlled and precise, flowed from Evelyn’s hand into Cassy’s core.

But something slipped.

Just slightly.

A surge—too strong, too fast.

Evelyn’s eyes widened a fraction, but it was already too late.

The runes responded immediately.

Magic sparked at Cassy’s fingertips—white and blue tendrils curling into the air like ethereal smoke, dancing in delicate arcs. The grass trembled as if holding its breath, though not a single breeze stirred. The summoning circle pulsed, the gemstone at its heart glowing brighter—brighter—until it gleamed like a miniature sun.

Then the ground trembled.

A ripple tore through the runes like a shockwave.

The air grew dense, saturated with crackling energy. The pressure was immense—like a great invisible force pressing down from all directions. The girls gasped, clutching their chests. A few stumbled back.

Claire (gasping): "I can’t... breathe..."

Due to the commotion, Evelyn momentarily forgot about her mana going a bit awry. She furrowed her brows, eyes narrowing as the pressure thickened around them.

Evelyn (thoughts): This energy—it’s too much for a normal summoning. Good thing I sealed this entire place with sound blocking magic barriers... But really now— did Cassy summon a monster instead of a beast, or what?"

The others stumbled, breath shallow and limbs trembling. They could barely remain on their feet.

Then—

BOOM!

A burst of deep violet light exploded from the center of the circle, swallowing the entire courtyard in blinding brilliance. The force of it surged like a hurricane wind, forcing everyone to shield their eyes.

A wave of force rolled outward.

The etched summoning runes flared, blazing in dark purple, their glow so intense it painted the world in eerie twilight. The wind shrieked through the trees.

Branches cracked overhead. Dust rose in a furious swirl. The etched runes on the ground blazed with blinding dark purple light.

The magic settled into stillness—but it was a charged stillness, like the hush before a storm resumes.

Nobody dared speak.

Seconds stretched on endlessly as their eyes slowly adjusted to the aftermath.

They looked at one another.

Then all eyes turned back to the circle—now dimly glowing, fragments of runes still pulsing faintly in the grass.

From the fading circle of light... something stirred.

A soft rustle.

A glimmer.

A white snake slithered into view.

Delicate and slender, its scales shimmered like polished moonstone, almost translucent beneath the soft, fading glow—catching the last threads of magic in the air. Faint patterns of purple light rippled along its back like flowing water before vanishing.

Violet eyes blinked slowly, gleaming with an uncanny, almost human intelligence. The creature’s movements were unhurried, its body coiling protectively around the now-dim gemstone at the center of the summoning circle.

The pressure in the air dissolved, but none of the girls spoke.

They were stunned.

Such a overwhelming energy... was produced by such a small snake?

Lora blinked, then rubbed her eyes as if she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

Melinda whispered, voice almost trembling,

Melinda: "That... little thing caused all that?"

Ella and Lily exchanged wide-eyed glances.

But while everyone stood in dumbfounded silence, Cassy’s knees buckled and she dropped to the ground—though not out of fear.

Her lips parted in disbelief as tears welled up in her eyes.

Cassy: "I... I did it... I really... succeeded..."

Her voice cracked with joy.

The shock melted quickly from the others’ faces. Replacing it was awe—then giddy excitement.

Claire: "Cassy! You really did it!"

Lora: "That was amazing!"

Melinda: "You are a summoner, Cassy!!"

The girls rushed to her, surrounding her with cheers and praises. Their eyes sparkled with admiration, completely forgetting the near-explosive pressure that had shaken them to the core just moments ago.

Cassy laughed through her tears, holding her trembling hands close to her chest.

But while the others were caught up in the moment, Evelyn remained still.

Her gaze never left the snake.

And the creature, for reasons she couldn’t explain, was also watching her.

Its violet eyes gleamed unnervingly with silent awareness.

Evelyn narrowed her eyes slightly. She said nothing—but her wariness deepened.

Then—

Cassy suddenly blinked as if remembering something and turned her head toward Evelyn.

Cassy: "Wait. Your Highness—don’t you have something to explain?"

Evelyn looked mildly confused.

Evelyn: "Explain what?"

Cassy pointed at her.

Cassy: "That! That moment just now! You used magic! How come none of us knew you knew magic?"

The rest paused mid-celebration and turned their full attention toward Evelyn. Their expressions flickered with a mix of surprise, curiosity, and disbelief.

Evelyn raised an eyebrow with an expression of innocent composure.

Evelyn: "I only transferred some of my mana into you. Well... I do have a familiar. I needed mana to bind it, right? So it’s not that strange to be able to transfer some of my mana into others. That doesn’t necessarily mean I know magic."

But Cassy was having none of it. She stood up, eyes bright and intense.

Cassy: "That wasn’t ’some.’ It was precise, calm, controlled—so steady that I could feel it weaving around my core. No one who doesn’t understand magic could have that much control. I’m sure not even the imperial mages can do that."

Evelyn sighed softly. She stared at Cassy for a long moment—then slowly looked around at the others. They were all watching her with hopeful eyes.

After a pause, she admitted quietly:

Evelyn: "...Fine. I do know magic."

A gasp ran through the group.

Melinda: "Really?!"

Cassy: "When did you learn?!"

Ella: "How strong are you?"

Cassy: "But... didn’t you just turn seven recently? The power I felt just now—it’s far greater than any mages I’ve ever known."

Lora: "Wait—does this mean you’re actually a genius?!"

Lily: "Has the princess been secretly hiding her powers this whole time?!"

They all spoke at once, voices overlapping in rising excitement.

Even the summoned snake turned its head slightly, as if listening in.

Evelyn raised a hand gently, a calm smile softening her features.

Evelyn: "Everyone, please—no need to get so worked up. I just happened to discover I have a talent for magic recently, so I’ve been learning it."

She glanced around, knowing their questions wouldn’t end there.

With a swift motion, she turned her gaze back to the white snake coiled at the center of the circle.

Evelyn: "But right now, what really matters is this little one. Let’s focus on Cassy’s summon—what do you all think it is?"

The chatter about Evelyn’s magic momentarily paused as everyone’s eyes returned to the snake.

Whispers broke out among the girls, their voices low and curious.

Lora: "It’s beautiful... but also strange. I’ve never seen a snake like this before."

Melinda: "Those violet eyes... it feels almost... alive in a way that’s more than just animal."

Cassy, emboldened by excitement, cautiously stepped forward toward the creature.

"Let me try to get closer," she murmured, reaching out a tentative hand.

But as she drew near, the snake’s slender body tensed. Its head rose swiftly, eyes flashing sharp violet light.

A low hiss escaped its lips, and it bared its fangs—not just at Cassy, but at anyone else who dared to approach.

Cassy stood silently nearby, her earlier joy giving way to confusion.

Cassy: "...Is it really my summoned beast? I mean... I summoned it, but—why does it act like it doesn’t even recognize me?"

Lora: "It’s... hostile. Not just to Cassy—anyone who gets close."

Evelyn’s eyes narrowed as she studied the snake’s defensive posture.

Evelyn: "It’s wary. That means it’s aware of its surroundings—and not easily tamed."

They all instinctively stepped back, the realization settling in—this was a hostile beast, not a gentle familiar.

Evelyn’s gaze sharpened as she silently observed the snake’s features. She searched her memory for any knowledge of this kind of creature.

Nothing familiar came to mind at first—no bestiary entry or tale matched exactly.

Then, a faint possibility surfaced.

Evelyn (thoughts): Could it be... a Lunaris Serpent?