The Rebirth of Evelyn Knox

"T-This is…!"

Just from looking at the box itself it was obvious how precious this thing was, but Evelyn wouldn't be so shocked if it was just an expensive gift.

She was shocked because she had seen this box before already, and what she learned made her have mixed feelings on receiving it.

A few weeks ago, Vivian had misplaced her box of 'treasures' and the two of them were looking for it together. More than helping Vivian, she was only having fun because she was tired from practicing archery all day then.

After not finding it anywhere else, they decided to search the closet, and found this large shiny pink box. There was a symbol of a stylized lily with three petals bound together near their base beautifully engraved on its lid in gold.

Evelyn was ready to stop Vivian from jumping on the box and opening it up, because it would be a disaster if they ended up destroying something that looked so precious. Surprisingly, however, the little girl looked nonchalant and continued looking for her 'treasures'.

After finding the big box stuffed roughly along with the frock she had torn while running into a tree yesterday, the little redhead clapped twice with a happy squeal, and bolted out of the walk-in closet before Evelyn could say a word.

The status of the box just showed 'Gilmore Safe Box (High Quality)', which meant the box itself might be precious but definitely did not have any special properties. She was unwilling to open it herself, given it belonged to Amara, and thus reluctantly left despite her curiosity.

When she finally caught the redhead in the hall, Evelyn first scolded her for keeping dirty clothes in the closet – a quick and easy way to earn a lecture for the both of them, and then she finally asked her if she knew what was in the box.

Her response at that time was, 'Mom gave the box to 'Mara. Big sis never let me touch it. I get scolded when I touch…', and then she looked around cautiously before whispering in her ear, 'I think she also likes treasure but she won't show us. I bet she hides her treasures in that box!'

Evelyn thought with some regret that although this little girl's speech became a lot better in the past few months, she didn't get any smarter after all. In Vivian's mind, treasures could only be shiny stones.

Of course, it was impossible for Amara to treasure a box containing stones like that, much less use her late mother's gift box as a stone storage.

And her mother wouldn't have given her an empty box anyway, right?

So that could only mean that whatever it was that the box contained was a gift from Amara's mother that she had treasured for years. And today, that gift was being given to her.

For a moment, she didn't know what to say. "Amara… you…"

"Just open it."

Evelyn wondered for a moment if it would be better to return the gift, but Amara wouldn't give away something so precious on a whim. She must have thought it through clearly before making such a decision.

Not accepting it at this point would just be hurtful, so putting aside her mixed feelings, she just pursed her lips and opened the lid of the beautiful pink box.

Inside the box was a long silver chain with twenty small pink teardrop gemstones and a single large one in the shape of a heart. It looked like it was meant to be wrapped around a girl's waist as an accessory, but the feeling it gave off was far too extraordinary to be simple jewelery. Her breath hitched slightly as she ran her fingers over the gems, subconsciously using her probe skill.

[ The Untainted: Grade 5 ]

— Able to store 20 small and 1 large items in stasis in each respective morganite crystal separately.

— The owner can create a spirit power shield for protection once, then requiring restoration of this function with spirit power before it can be used again.

— Items stored [ 0 / 20 ], [ 0 / 1 ]

— Shield [ Ready ] [ 1000 / 1000 SP ]

It was a grade five item! The highest grade she had seen before this was the grade three orb that already seemed quite precious to her parents. Although they certainly treasured it more because of the memories it contained of their wedding and of her childhood, if it was cheap, then they would surely have gotten a separate one for her.

Moreover, it wasn't just a precious grade five item, but one that was of great use to her! Evelyn could store a lot of things in her inventory, and every point in spirit power expanded her inventory space by a square meter. However, making things vanish into thin air just by touching them would appear a lot less strange if she had this item.

Not to mention that the spirit shield looked like it would be considerably strong and should prove useful in dangerous situations. Even if such a lifesaving measure was a one time use item, it would still be very precious, not to mention that this shield could be used again once recharged with spirit power.

If someone told Evelyn to part with such an item, it would be like asking her to rip her heart out and give it away.

Vivian's gift already had tears glistening in her eyes, and Amara finally made them fall no matter how she tried to control it.

The big watery pearls rolling down her cheeks seemed to satisfy the two Gilmore sisters. The two of them shared the same thought, feeling that it was worth it after all. If this prideful little missy can cry for them, that's proof enough that they have already dug deep and grasped her heart.

Evelyn grasped the now closed pink box with one hand and wiped her tears with the other. It was as if its weight was heavier on her heart than it was on her body. "You two… you really want to make me cry today huh… Why would you give me something like this…?"

Vivian's and Amara's responses were of course vastly different.

The smaller redhead grinned widely, and her smile was brighter than the sun. "Because, we want you happy."

The older redhead looked nonchalant in contrast. "You always dip your hands in too many things. Practicing targeting with stones, archery, painting… it should be very helpful in carrying everything you need on your person."

Evelyn ruffled Vivian's hair fondly, giving Amara a meaningful smile. Although she was very deeply touched in her heart, it's not like she was completely clueless how their minds worked.

"Look Vivi, your big sister is so shy! She just doesn't want to admit that she thinks I'm adorable and it matches me so well, right? It would be a shame not to make me wear it, right?"

Amara's face went red with embarrassment. "What nonsense! D-Don't misunderstand! I-I mean, yeah the shade of morganite goes so well with your hair and eyes, b-but, uh…"

After stammering for a while in shame, the older redhead composed herself before putting her hands on Evelyn's shoulders with a serious expression.

"I know Vivian's already told you what it means to us, but I don't want you to think about it like that, okay? No matter who it came from and what it costs, an equipment is only worth anything if it is put to good use."

She was relieved when the pink-haired girl did not tease her any further and listened to her seriously.

"Whenever I think about how much effort my mother must have gone through to get this thing, only for me to waste it away in a box out of sentimentality, it really hurts. But… I still can't take it out and use it. It means… too much to me. I've made the decision to pass it on to you with great care, and my only request is you put it to good use for yourself."

Evelyn nodded somberly. "Oh, but I can't just take it for free."

"Evey, this is our gift to you, you can't just—"

The pink-haired girl grasped her hand with both of her tiny palms and gave her a solemn vow. "In exchange, I promise to always keep you in my heart, and protect you forever."

The redhead was silenced, a smattering of red was prominent in both her eyes and face.

It was undeniable that there was some selfishness in some deep corner of her heart when she decided to give such a heavy gift, knowing full well that both of them knew its weight.

The first time she arrived in the Knox mansion to talk to them about giving the two of them shelter, the Knox parents weren't too cautious of her and allowed her to catch a glimpse of Evelyn's spirit egg.

Before their Gilmore family went extinct, most of their resources were invested in nurturing these two sisters. The highest starting point that money and influence can buy in this world for a child is a blessed spirit egg to transfer their soul into, and both of the sisters had this privilege given to them.

The Knox parents had never seen it before, so how could they know the difference? But having personally been in contact with Vivian's blessed spirit egg, Amara was clearly aware of just how different this one was to what it was supposed to be.

Although she never had the same feeling after Evelyn had been born, at that time she clearly felt the breath of a higher gradation from the egg. Not to mention that the pink veined spirit egg was a thing of beauty in itself, looking like a treasure even if it were to be placed beside other spirit eggs.

It was not wrong to say her existence had awed Amara even before Evelyn had ever met her. To the redhead, it was fate's calling, and she rushed right in.

And the more she stayed with Evelyn, the stronger this resolve become. The child was mature far beyond her age, doted on her little sister, and had incredible talent. Even if Amara made fun of her for missing her targets and her crooked drawing, even an idiot could see the rapid progress she was making.

And… she truly adored her. She wished to see this girl rise, go as far as she could go, and it was alright even if when she reached that peak, she was no longer holding her hand. It was alright… if her contribution was just a little push at the start of her journey.

A soft giggle interrupted their touching moment. And when they looked up, they saw a tall beauty smiling at them with a gentle look in her blue doe eyes. It was unknown how long she had been standing there without them noticing.

With her white dress, long curly light golden hair like a waterfall going down her waist, and that upturn of her plush lips, the three of them almost mistook her for a fairy.

"Well, looks like I finally made it to my adorable niece's birthday."