The dawn came and the crisp and chilly air lingers in the atmosphere. The end of spring and the peak of summer was felt by everyone as the sun shines brighter and higher in the sky and rain down its radiance livelier than ever.

The Household of Einhart prepares for an event regarded by everyone as important except for the person herself, Reysha Einhart, however, that thought is conveyed to no one.

At the prized garden of the Einhart that grew a maze of flowers, Ersha Einhart stands with sweat trickling from her brows.

The respected knight wears a casual shirt that emphasizes her figure matched with black trousers with boots as her footwear. On her right hand, her trusted sword gleams as the crests of Einhart on the pommel receives the morning light.

It’s her morning routine, swinging her sword from the deep of the lightless morning until now where the sun is brimming.

She struck her sword on the ground and heaved a sigh.

“Now that I think about it, I should really write the letter of my leave to be sent to the Councilor. The king may tolerate it but I might as well go through the proper process. I’ve been abusing my position for quite a while now…” Ersha inwardly said while wiping the sweat that flows down from her forehead.

“Hmm…nggh…So early yet, you’re so restless.” A yawning Yrsha said as she walks towards Ersha with sleepy countenance.

“Yrsha? I expect that you wake up the last among us.” Ersha said while showing a face of little surprise.

“What kind of a sloth do you think I am? Back at the academy, I need to wake up as early as I can whenever I have morning classes to attend to.” Yrsha pouted a little as she rebutted.

“Hmm, nevermind that. Is it really appropriate for a girl such as you to come out wearing only her sleepwear?” Ersha pointed at Yrsha’s clothes.

It was a puffy lavender nightgown that young women usually wear but for some odd reason, it fits her really well.

“Don’t be such a nag!~ It’s only the two of us here!~ I plan on returning to bed after a while too.” Yrsha said while grinning with a dumb face.

“For an Einhart, you’re so sloppy…well, I’ll tolerate it since it’s you after all. Just don’t try to stick to me, I’ve sweat quite a bit.” Ersha smiled knowingly as she gently rubs Yrsha’s head.

“Geez!~ I’m not Reysha to receive this kind of treatment! I’m already a properly functioning adult of the society!~” Yrsha tries to remove Ersha’s hand.

“Hahaha, not convincing at all.” Ersha laughs lightly.

“You and Reysha are just that straightlaced. I’d rather sit back and relax while leisurely rummaging through some books.” Yrsha replied with a tired countenance from Ersha’s light teasing.

“What happened to the proper functioning adult of the society?” Ersha once again teases her little sister.

“But I am. Though there’s no rule that an adult should tire themselves. Work smarter, not harder, but I guess that doesn’t apply when you are in the military, huh.” Yrsha reasoned.

“That’s entirely dependent on the person, to be honest. One may be in the military but we still have a lot of branches where the brain is required rather than brawns. For example, the logistics.” Ersha answered.

After their exchange, a little piece of calming silence looms as both girls take their time to relax in another peaceful day, however, seemingly unable to endure it, Yrsha once again opens her lips but this time, it is an entirely different topic.

“Ersha, I’ve known you for so long. Please don’t do anything to Reysha’s visitor.” Yrsha abruptly said as her eyes sharpen.

“What do you mean by that?” Ersha’s face stiffens as Yrsha’s tone suddenly changes.

“You are quite attracted to your own blood sister. I want to call you out on that. It’s unhealthy and just plain wrong.” Yrsha droops her shoulders as she tried to correct Ersha.

“Well, what you said is true…” Ersha smiled bitterly. “I was…truly fascinated by Reysha. Not only through her natural charm, but also to her unnatural strength. Noble and dignified and at the same time, brute and fierce…” Ersha added.

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

“I really didn’t think you’d admit it that easily.” Yrsha gapes her mouth a little.

“It’s nothing I am actually ashamed of but I don’t want Reysha to know. Sadly, before I knew it, this fascination turned into addiction…” The proud knight collapses in a saddened countenance. “Fret not though as I don’t plan anything. Top and foremost, it’s mother and father’s only hope of having a child.” She added.

“I’m a little jealous but at the same time, a little relieved.” Yrsha thought as she lightly sighs.

“Are you jealous? Do you want me to fawn over you too?” Ersha grins impishly as Yrsha who immediately sprouted a flabbergasted countenance.

“Stop that! I’m straight. I plan on giving mother and father a grandchild too. I’m actually hunting for a man I desire. But right now, I need funds! A lot of funds for my research!” Yrsha declares.

“Funds? You can simply ask for mother and father if you really need it.” Ersha said.

“No, I want to be independent despite my current lifestyle right now. I want to follow the step of my former master in magic. I am researching about longevity too like what my former master accomplished.” Yrsha reveals her motive.

“Longevity? So you plan to live longer, huh.” Ersha sighs.

“This is a bit late of revelation now but since my former master and mother were acquaintance as they are both magic researchers, mother actually had that longevity for herself.” Yrsha said.

“Oh? Now that’s something new for me. That’s why mother doesn’t even age a single day.” Ersha, without showing any real surprise, replied.

“And I think Reysha may have inherited that trait in her magical node.” Yrsha added immediately.

“Now…that’s…well, seeing how slow she ages…that’s also plausible, yes?” This time, Ersha knitter her brows.

“We, of the Einhart, are actually not a lineage of warriors. That’s only a brand given to us by the kingdom. In reality, our ancestors were mixed of Panther Shamans from the beast race. Even now, we still carry that blood, although extremely thin. Unfortunately, Ersha receives more trait from father than mother so that’s why you have a lower affinity with magic than Reysha and I.” Yrsha explained.

“I’ve heard of the Panther Shamans before. Apparently, they are those who supported the sovereign of the Beast Race in the shadows. If and if the sovereign of the Beast Race graces us with their presence, it’s a comeback of more glory for us.” Ersha laid down her own thoughts on the matter.

“I’m not interested in that. If they really did, Ersha, are you going to serve them?” Yrsha asked with a worried face.

“We are known because of our long-standing lineage. If I can by myself, I shall be of their servitude as long as the king of our kingdom acknowledges them.” Ersha gave a straight answer out of her lips.

“You are too hardcore it puts me to shame. Your patriotism is one of your redeeming qualities though that it gave you a reputation equal to your strength.” Yrsha complimented her dear older sister.

“Cease that. We are going off topic here now and we directing from point to another. I wanted to ask this of you since yesterday night. What do you plan on doing with one of the guests? The beast girl to be specific.” Ersha asked.

“Hmm? That’s a boy? Wait…a girl? Or a boy? It’s so confusing…” Yrsha tilts her head as she questions Oliver’s gender.

“I bet that’s a girl.” Ersha interrupted.

“No, it’s a boy, I say. I stake it.” Yrsha betted.

“Heard it clearly. So answer me.” Ersha pursued the topic.

“What I’ll do? I’ll watch him from afar for now, okay? Don’t give me that look.” Yrsha said.

“I get it. Let’s stop here for now. I believe I’ll hear more unbelievable acts you wanted to do.” Ersha shook her head.

“Haha…Yeah…I think I’ll go back to sleep. Anyway, don’t push yourself too hard.” Yrsha wave goodbye to Ersha as she once again yawns.

“I can’t relax now, not that you said that the black knight abounds. Our encounter with that warrior…I know it…it’s inevitable to happen again…I believe it…” Ersha once again holds onto her sword and grips it tightly.

“You’re so gung-ho on that…Ersha. Once you learn of the black knight’s identity, you will be torn apart by your fascination and patriotism. What will you do once that time comes?” Yrsha inwardly thought to herself as she bid a fleeting gaze upon the visage of Ersha.

The two sister’s conversation was unheard and unknown but this was a start of conflict inside their hearts.

Ersha Einhart, the selfless woman who yearns for the prosperity of her kingdom and Yrsha Einhart, the selfish woman who yearns knowledge to be used for herself.

Meanwhile, at the outskirt of the Kerias Kingdom Capital, two figures move in the shadow of the forest stealthily.

They both wore a hood over their heads.

“Miss Alef, is it okay to leave Lady Genesis alone in that cabin?” The young man named Derill asked.

“She won’t be going anywhere anyway. We are here now so we can move on.” The woman named Alef replied.

“What do we need to do here?” Derill, an aspiring follower of Genesis, asked.

“Like I said, we need to buy medicine and supplements for her. Her health is really poor and summer is a punishing season for her.” Alef replied.

“Then, why are we hiding like this?” Derill asked once more.

“Because we need to ascertain that we won’t be meeting any enemy. Also, so we can do a bit of recon and get some news about this kingdom.” Alef replied hastily.

“Wait…why am I doing this for her? I need to kill her really soon so I can extract her divine powers.” Alef immediately scolded herself.

“Miss Alef and Lady Genesis are really close I’m a little jealous.” Derill said.

“Boy, are you blind? That woman, with the exception of animals, hates anything that is not human. I have revealed a lot of things to you for convenience but you still think like that.” Alef angrily said to Derill.

“Really? I think Miss Alef truly cares for Lady Genesis.” Derill replied.

“Am I?” Such notion left Alef thinking as they move through the forest.