Chapter Sixteen: The Scattered Flawless Ice Pearls

“I’m home.”

Pushing open the door, Hersia steadied herself with one hand on the wall while slipping off her shoes with the other. She changed into comfortable slippers, her feet wrapped in white ankle socks sinking into their soft comfort, a soothing sensation spreading from the soles upward.

First, a shower. Hersia headed upstairs.

“Hersia’s back,” Grandma He called from the kitchen as the young girl reached the stairs.

“Yes, I found a job today, so I’m only just getting home now.”

“You seem in good spirits; the job must be going well,” Grandma He said with a warm smile.

“I’ll change first. Dinner’s almost ready. Cheng Lisha and the others will be coming over later.”

“Alright.” Hersia, light on her slippers, made her way to the bedroom upstairs. After retrieving a fresh set of clothes, she descended to the bathroom on the first floor.

Compared to her own home, Grandma He’s house was much larger, even boasting a dedicated bathroom rather than a cramped shower stall typical of ordinary homes.

It was said that Grandma He had purchased the house about fifty or sixty years ago, back when this residential area was newly developed and prices were still low.

Since dinner was imminent, Hersia chose a quick shower over a bath.

Steam filled the shower room as warm water cascaded from the showerhead. Stripping off her clothes, Hersia stepped barefoot under the spray, first wetting her hair, then pouring a small amount of pale blue shampoo into her palm, lathering it briefly before applying it to her scalp.

Her fingertips massaged through her hair and scalp, the gentle rustling sound soothing her ears.

After rinsing out the thick foam, she stood beneath the shower, occasionally lifting her hair to let the water reach every strand.

With the foam washed away, she felt refreshed. Hersia wiped the fog from the mirror with her fingers, revealing a clear reflection of herself.

Closing her eyes, she gently shook her head, flicking away droplets. Her gray hair gradually darkened to jet black, and when she opened her eyes again, a pair of pale blue, dreamlike irises stared back at her.

Truly...

Hersia blinked a few times before adjusting to her new appearance.

This transformation felt more profound than a mere change of hair and eye color. Since narrowly escaping death, she sensed many changes within her body and consciousness.

***

First came the hair and eye color. Though surprised by the hair’s darkening, it was within her expectations and acceptance, as both her mother and sister had black hair—she had always been the exception with gray.

The eye color, however, was more unusual. Her mother’s eyes were common black, as hers had been before, while her sister’s were a striking purple. Both had inherited traits from their mother, but her sister’s uniqueness stood out even more.

Compared to her own unremarkable childhood, her sister’s life had been dazzling and unforgettable. Though she passed away like a shooting star at eighteen, she had left a deep impression on many.

Six years older than Hersia, her sister’s high school winter festival was a cherished memory. At that elite academy, surrounded by talent and wealth, her sister shone brilliantly—her beauty unmatched, excelling both in extraordinary skills and musical talent. Admirers had been countless, and by eighteen, she had reached Natural Sequence Level 5, a rare perfect-grade extraordinary profession, breaking records and inspiring envy.

Tragically, she died suddenly in an accident. Later, overwhelmed by grief and ill health, their mother passed away when Hersia was fourteen.

Could the eye color signify a different talent than her sister’s? Hersia pondered.

Though a strange intuition stirred within her body and mind, she couldn’t grasp its source or thread.

Never mind, better finish the shower.

She poured some body wash into her palm and began cleansing.

Minutes later, the water slowed and stopped. Hersia dried her hair and body with a towel, preparing to dress. As she bent her head, droplets trickled from her hair onto her neck, cool and refreshing.

Ah...

She shook her head to hasten the falling drops.

Wet hair was troublesome. If only it could dry instantly. This thought crossed her mind as she brushed a towel along her ear.

Suddenly, a faint sound echoed in the bathroom.

Tiny shards of ice, crystal-clear beads, tinkled as they hit the floor and scattered.

A strange sensation swept over her—coolness along her hair and back. Her magic stirred lively and vibrant, her awareness sharpening sharply. Without turning, Hersia could ‘see’ the surroundings behind her.

What was this?

She hurriedly turned, still unclothed, and surveyed the scene. The floor was strewn with transparent icy beads, unlike the usual opaque white ice cubes—these were different, utterly clear.

Moreover, areas that hadn’t frozen moments before rapidly crystallized as her gaze focused on them. Transparent, sparkling ice beads rolled down the walls, carpeting the floor.

***

Fearing she might slip on the round ice beads, Hersia carefully held the wall as she moved back toward the mirror.

These eyes... more vivid than before, as if alive, with a strange allure that drew one in.

She blinked at her reflection, finally certain it was truly herself.

Was this the awakening of a talent? She searched her memories and knowledge for descriptions of such phenomena.

Throughout history, the Rose Federation had known many prodigies, but few detailed their talent awakenings. Hersia could only guess her experience was normal, just rare.

But how to deal with this now?

Faced with the transparent beads scattered across the bathroom floor, Hersia, dressed anew, sat on a small stool, gazing down at the little spheres with a hint of bewilderment.

She brushed a finger over the ice beads, picking one up to examine under the light. It was perfectly round and pure—no bubbles or impurities marred its crystalline beauty, a pristine, natural transparency.

Could they be melted away? She thought, but this seemed ineffective; her talent did not involve heat or fire.

Dissolve? That seemed wrong too.

Restore? At that moment, a wave of mild fatigue washed over her consciousness. Instantly, all the ice beads melted into slender streams of water, flowing down the drain nearby.

Finally, resolved. Hersia looked up at her reflection as the pale blue in her eyes faded, returning to their usual black, and her hair softened back into its usual delicate gray.

Phew, that’s better.

Relieved, she opened the bathroom door.

“Dinner’s ready, Hersia,” Grandma He called from upstairs.

“I’m coming.”

After placing her worn clothes in the washing machine, Hersia trotted upstairs with a light step.