Lemina is in deep concentration as she looms over the ancient magic books in the Magic Guild's lab, attempting to create a new spell. "Ah ha! Now my new teleportation spell is finished!" says Lemina. "If this works, it'll be mega-cool! Aspiring magicians everywhere will want to come to Vane because it will be the only place where anyone can learn the magic of teleportation without the aid of a machine! Think of the conveniency of that! Vane's reputation will skyrocket and I'll make a mega-huge profit in the process!"
Lemina stops herself in the excitement of her scheme to compose herself. "To restore Vane to its former glory, of course!" Lemina says with a sly grin on her face. "All right! Let's get started!" With full confidence, Lemina takes her magic wand in her right hand. She stands ready, legs kept together, and raises her right hand holding the wand above her head. Lemina then places her left hand in front of her face as if she were in prayer. She chants an incantation to cast her new spell and swirls of brilliant light surround her, which is soon followed by... BOOM! An explosion! The magic lab is completely shrouded in deep, black smoke.
Miria, Borgan, and a mob of Magic Guild students quickly rush to the laboratory to find out what the commotion is all about. Unfortunately, Lemina tried her new spell in the middle of the day, when the Guild conducts its classes, so Lemina can't escape this humiliation! Miria cast a low-level wind spell to clear out the smoke only to find Lemina covered in soot and dust, sitting on the floor and coughing heavily. "Oh, pooh!" says Lemina. "My spell backfired on me!"
"Are you all right, cupcake?" asks Borgan as he helps Lemina to her feet. Lemina's face takes on the look of utter disgust, not only did her spell fail, but Borgan had to be there to rub it in. She still has a hard time with the fact that her mother Miria actually likes Black Dragon Priest Borgan and she does not try to hide her disapproval of this fact.
"Hands off, you bloated pimple farm! And don't call me 'cupcake'! Just because Mother likes you doesn't mean I have to!" Lemina pushes her way past Borgan (a feat within itself!) and storms off to her room to clean herself up and forget about her failure. Miria makes her way past the bemused crowd of young mages still gathered at the lab and catches up to Lemina as she is going back to her room.
"You know you were quite rude to Borgan back there, daughter."
"I'm sorry, Mother. It's just that... you saw what happened back there!"
Truth to tell, Lemina was more angry with herself for the botched spell than at seeing Borgan. It's just that Borgan was the perfect excuse to let off some steam.
"Dear Lemina, you know better than to take out your frustration on others. This is not the proper behavior for one who is to become the future Premier of the Magic Guild."
"I know, Mother. I'll learn to control my temper."
Lemina is now looking down at the floor, too ashamed to look her mother in the eye. She knows that Miria is right so she could not refute what is being said. Lemina is standing there moving one foot from left to right in front of her, as if she is a child being chastised for misbehaving. Miria looks at her daughter and then smiles gently at her.
Lemina sees Miria's smile and responds in kind, she began to feel a little better now. Mother's smile always perks me up when I need it most!, Lemina thought. Miria puts a motherly hand on Lemina's shoulder and counsels her daughter further.
"Lemina, you mustn't try so hard. When you do, that's when things go wrong. You must not let determination overrun your judgement."
"You're right, Mother. It's just that I want so badly to have Vane be remembered for what is was in the days of Dragonmaster Alex and our ancestor Mia. I want Vane to soar in the sky again!"
"Your goals are very admirable. That's what we all dream of. But you must have patience. Vane will fly again! If not during our lifetime, then in the time of our descendants."
"But it's already been a mega-long time! Over a thousand years, Mother! And I've tried nearly everything to raise Vane's popularity. Nothing seems to work! I'm a failure to the Ausa family. I let you down, Mother! And I'm sure if Mia were alive, she'd agree with me!"
Miria kneels down to come to eye level with Lemina, now with both her hands on Lemina's shoulders. The gaze she gives Lemina is one only a loving mother can give to her beloved daughter.
"Now Lemina! Don't speak that way! You are not a failure! You have done the Ausa family proud! Have you already forgotten that you helped Hiro and his friends defeat Zophar and save Lunar!"
"But..."
"No 'buts', my dear! Never lose faith in yourself or your dreams! I am proud to have you as my daughter! And I am sure that Mia would be honored to know that you are of her blood!"
Tears begin to swell up in Lemina's eyes, and she hugs Miria with all the love she has for her mother in her heart. "Thanks, Mother!" Miria and Lemina end their hug and Miria began to look her daughter over, finally noticing how dirty Lemina is. Miria could not help but giggle at the sight of Lemina like this!
"I suggest you go to your room now and clean up, daughter!" says Miria still giggling. Lemina looks down at herself and cannot help but to laugh as well.
"Oh, pooh! I am a mess! This is mega-embarrassing!" The two of them laugh together and then Lemina goes off take a much-needed bath. She still has her doubts, but at least Lemina is more sure of herself now than she was after the explosion.