Victor's eyes widened in shock as I reached for him, his instincts screaming that this was an attack. He flinched back instinctively, his face paling.
But when he saw the delicate butterfly being drawn into the glowing sphere of mana in my palm, his entire demeanor shifted.
The small creature fluttered helplessly within the magical containment, its iridescent wings beating against the invisible barrier.
Victor's breath caught in his throat as realization dawned on his features. "You..." he whispered, looking from me to the captured butterfly and back again.
"I suppose this little one is the reason you're so nervous, Victor," I said with a knowing smirk.
My voice carried a mixture of amusement and understanding. "How long has it been following you around? Days? Weeks?"
Mariabell gasped behind him, her hand flying to cover her mouth as she realized what was happening. Victor's face flushed crimson with embarrassment.
