Wolf of Stone novel Chapter 72

"Yeah, yeah yeah, we all know you're the best at combat," I grumbled as I grabbed hold of her hand and allowed her to pull me up.

She giggled and winked at me, "you'll be good at something eventually."

I snorted, "what's the point?"

We walked over to where mother and our sisters stood and as we stopped in front of them, we folded our arms at the front and bowed to mother.

We stayed in that position, awaiting her instructions.

"Elysia, well done," her voice sounded from above us.

Elysia's bow deepened, "thank you mother."

My heart began to beat faster as my stomach twisted nervously. At times like these I couldn't help but be nervous. The last time I had spared with Elysia, mother could only point out my flaws but never once praised me like she did to Elysia. I knew she was doing it for my own good, but I couldn't help the jealousy that festered inside of me. I tried to keep my thoughts from wondering... but sometimes I couldn't help but wonder if Elysia was her favorite daughter.

Well, that didn't matter right now. I was confident that I did better than last time. I should be able to get some kind of compliment.

"Ezmira..." her voice trailed off in thought, "barely any improvement from the last time."

My stomach dropped as her words met my ears and I felt the dull ache in my chest as I clenched my fists at my sides. The emotions that I had kept under wraps came bubbling forward and I looked up from my bow to glare at her angrily.

"Why? Why am I the only one that gets trampled on like this!?" I exclaimed angrily as she stared back at my defiant eyes with her cold and indifferent ones.

Elena who stood next to me shot me a gaze that said to not go too far but I ignored her.

"Mira..." Ellie called out worriedly.

I shook my head firmly and continued to glare at the woman in question, "why is it always me!? I'm strong enough to beat Elena and Ellie but the second I can't beat Elysia. I'm the one that gets shit-"

I clenched my hands to my side and refused to raise my head as tears fell down my face.

"You're lazy, you're unmotivated and you have so much potential to be greater than you are right now, but you also have an inferiority complex that keeps you from striving and I don't know how to heal that! Yes, you're stronger than Elena and Ellie and you make sure to prove that every time you go up against them in a fight, but the moment you face Elysia, your confidence goes down the drain and you run instead of fight. That fight just now was solid proof. Elysia managed to block most of your blows head on and yet you dodged or ran away from hers. Am I supposed to praise you for that? That's not fighting, that's running. It's weak, pathetic and cowardly."

My lips trembled as I tried to hold in my cries. Every single one of her words drilling a hole into my chest and increasing the pain. I didn't know what to say...

A sigh sounded out above me as a hand came forward to grasp my chin and tilt my head upwards. My teary eyes stared up into the face that looked so similar to my own.

My mother's eyes softened as she took in my tears, her finger coming to wipe away at them.

"Child, out of all your siblings, you worry me the most. You can't continue to live like you are now. The world is a cruel place beyond this dimension, and I have to prepare you guys for the worst, but I fear that I won't have enough time," she muttered worriedly then pulled her hand away, her facing switching back to her ice-cold mask of indifference.

She turned away and began walking away, calling out over her shoulder, "Ellie, let's go. You're coming with me as Elena today. The rest of you clean up then head to the library to continue your studies. We'll continue this another day."