“Adion!?”

Is that…Aiden?

Adion stared at the figure who had just entered the building, looking around frantically.

“I swear I saw him,” Aiden said to an elven girl with long white hair beside him.

“Your brother? I thought he…” The girl didn’t finish the sentence.

“Brother?” Adion murmured to himself. His brother looked older, but still unmistakable from the 16-year-old he had in his memories.

Even though Adion had spoken in a barely audible voice, his brother seemed to have heard it, as he turned to look straight at Adion.

“Adion…” Aiden whispered.

Before Adion could register anything else, he found himself embraced by his brother.

I’m taller.

Adion had looked forward to reuniting with his family ever since he found himself in the middle of the Endless Forest. Even though he had expected to meet them soon, it was only now, when he finally saw his brother, that Adion realized how much doubt he had carried around. Doubt that he would actually ever see them again, buried deep within him.

“I’m sorry I’m so late,” Adion said, hugging his brother back.

“How?” Aiden asked as he pulled out of the hug to scrutinize Adion’s face. Adion saw tears running down his cheeks.

“I…I got away,” Adion said, “But I was lost for a very long time. I knew you’d be here. Is Ailera and Grandpa…”

“They’re both here,” Aiden said with a big smile, his eyes red, “Did anyone else get away?”

“No,” Adion said, “Only me. I saw them kill Mom and Dad, brother. They’re gone. I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright,” Aiden said, hugging Adion again, “Everything is fine now.”

Yeah. Everything is fine now.

Adion didn’t know how long they stood there. Hugging in silence. No one disturbed their reunion.

“Wait…What!?” Aiden suddenly yelled and pulled out of the hug. He stared at Adion incredulously.

What?

“How are you a mage? You’re sparkless!” Aiden yelled out in shock, finally registering Adion’s aura.

“Oh, right,” Adion said. I guess that was coming out sooner or later. He noticed that if there were any pair of eyes not on the two before, they were now. “I created a core for myself.”

“Incredible, you actually did it,” Aiden murmured. He then turned to the girl he had arrived with, who was standing a little behind the two, watching everything with a happy smile. “Has that ever been done before?”

“I-I’m not sure,” The girl responded. “But I’ve never heard of it, at least. So this is your brother, Aiden? The one you said was dead?”

“Yes, yes,” Aiden nodded happily, not caring at all about the snot running down his nose.

“Nice to meet you,” Adion greeted.

She looks a lot like Sell. Is this her sister?

“You too,” The girl answered and stepped forward a little, “I’m Rellitha Amyss. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Heard a lot about me? Are they a couple?

“Are you two…” Adion wondered what their relationship was. He saw Rellitha turning a little red.

“Rellitha is the president of the student council, and I’m the vice president,” Aiden explained. “But I can’t believe it, you are alive.”

“I am,” Adion smiled.

“You are alive! Hahaha!” Aiden laughed. Adion could only imagine the relief his brother was feeling.

“You’ve worked hard,” Adion said. He noticed his brother was already a Silver mage.

“Me? You…you’re even middle Bronze. Just what have you done for the past years?” Aiden asked.

“It’s a very long story,” Adion said with a smile, “Why don’t we go find Ailera and Grandpa? I want to tell you everything.”

“Of course,” Aiden said with a smile, “Come. Let’s go.”

Aiden grabbed Adion’s hand and practically ran out of the building. Adion happily followed. He left all thoughts of the Academy behind him and just enjoyed the moment of peace he felt. It was only now that he didn’t feel the doubt at the back of his mind anymore that he realized it had been there.

How long have I felt like that? I didn’t even realize that something that heavy was weighing me down.

“Adion?” Aiden asked, looking at him.

“Sorry, what did you say?” Adion asked.

“I just asked what class you made it into,” Aiden said, slowing down his pace slightly.

“Diamond,” Adion responded.

“Incredible,” Aiden shook his head, “How did you manage to reach middle Bronze so quickly?”

“I’ll tell you all about it when we’re all together,” Adion said. He looked around and noticed that Rellitha was no longer with them. Aiden was leading Adion somewhere outside the Academy.

“Are you and Rellitha a couple?” Adion asked. He thought they might be. It would be a strange coincidence.

“What?” Aiden stopped to look at Adion in surprise, “You might not have realized, but Rellitha is the crown princess of Iitha, Adion. She is very casual, though, so you don’t have to worry about it.”

“What does she being the crown princess have to do with anything?” Adion questioned, “Aiden…Don’t tell me you’re a coward?”

Aiden gaped at Adion’s response.

“What?” Adion asked.

“You’ve changed,” Aiden said with a small smile.

“Of course I have,” Adion smiled back, “I’m taller than you now, for one.”

“Haha,” Aiden laughed, “Barely an inch.”

“Way more than an inch,” Adion argued, placing his hand on top of his head to compare heights.

“All skin and bones,” Aiden said, waving away Adion’s hand, “Girls like muscles.”

Skin and bones?

Adion had trained very hard for the past year in order to not get out of shape. He thought he was plenty muscular. He had to admit that Aiden was visibly stronger, though.

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“I have plenty of muscles,” Adion argued. “And girls like height more anyway.”

“What would you know about girls?” Aiden asked with a small grin.

“I have a girlfriend. Do you?” Adion bragged.

“You-” Aiden looked at Adion, stumped once again, “When did you get a girlfriend? Who?”

“I met her on my travels,” Adion said, chin raised proudly.

“Stop talking like some old sage,” Aiden laughed.

“I can’t help it,” Adion sighed, “I’ve grown too wise.”

Aiden and Adion both laughed out loud.

“Wait a minute,” Adion suddenly came to think of something, “We’re heading for Grandpa, right?”

“Yeah,” Aiden nodded, “Ailera should also be there.”

“Can we make a quick detour? I need to grab something at an inn nearby.” Adion said.

“What do you need to grab?” Aiden asked.

“I brought some gifts,” Adion smiled.

----------------------------------------

“Go on,” Ailera gestured to her strange brew, “Drink it.”

Why is it that color? Arlen thought to himself.

“Is it…” Arlen hesitated, “How is the taste?”

“The taste doesn’t matter,” Ailera argued, “It’s for your health.”

“My dear Ailera,” Arlen sighed, “You do realize that I’m perfectly healthy?”

“You’re 106 years old. Age is coming for you, Grandpa,” Ailera said.

“I’m a Diamond mage,” Arlen argued, “You can’t tell me I look a day over 50.”

“You look plenty over 50,” Ailera said with a serious expression.

“That’s harsh,” Arlen muttered.

“Drink,” Ailera pushed the ‘drink’ toward Arlen. It looked like black goo.

I guess it gives Ailera some practice. And I don’t want to disappoint her.

It was the beginning of a new school year, so Ailera had a few days free from classes. It was something Arlen had looked forward to greatly. He had just hoped that a rare visit from his granddaughter wouldn’t result in testing her health potions.

I hope Aiden doesn’t forget he promised to come. Perhaps he can save me.

Looking out through the window and noticing the dark sky, Arlen was beginning to doubt his grandson.

“Grandpa,” Ailera looked at him with puppy eyes.

Damn. That is even worse than when she is strict.

“I’ll drink, I’ll drink,” Arlen said, bringing the vial of black goo up to his mouth.

Here it goes.

Arlen held his nose and swallowed the health potion all in one go.

“Oh?” Arlen said, surprised, “It actually doesn’t taste so bad.”

“Really? That’s good to know,” Ailera said, noting it down on some papers in front of her.

“And I feel slightly more energetic,” Arlen commented, “You’ve improved. Particularly when it comes to taste.”

“So it’s better than the last one? The effects, not the taste?” Ailera asked.

“Mm,” Arlen nodded, “Definitly.”

“I guess my concepts must have improved a little after all,” Ailera commented.

“Congratulations,” Arlen said with a smile.

“Thanks,” Ailera smiled back.

“I’m sure it will do wonders for your rank,” Arlen encouraged.

“Not really,” Ailera sighed, “You can’t reach diamond class without being a good fighter.”

“Gold class is still plenty good,” Arlen said.

“Aiden managed to get to diamond class in his 3rd year. I’m entering my 4th year now and still have a long way to go,” Ailera said.

“Aiden only focused on his strength and fighting prowess,” Arlen said, “You have a unique skill on top of being an excellent fighter.”

“Not excellent enough,” Ailera sighed, “I have to find a way to get my destructive and healing concepts to go together.”

Ailera started scribbling some notes down. Arlen looked at her focused face and couldn’t help but smile.

She works so hard. They both do.

“I’ll get Marli to make us some tea,” Arlen said and got up from his seat at the table.

Opening the dining hall doors, Arlen spotted Marli standing outside, dutifully awaiting instructions.

“Would you make us some tea, Marli?” Arlen asked his maid.

“Of course, master,” Marli said with a curtsy, “Should I prepare some for young master Aiden as well?”

“If he’s not here yet, I doubt he’s coming,” Arlen said.

“It must be a busy day for him,” Marli said, “I’m sure he will arrive as soon as he’s finished.”

“Hehe,” Arlen chuckled, “I suppose you’re right. Prepare some Blomeld Tea for us then. I’ll have Aiden pay me back if he doesn’t show up.”

“At once, master,” Marli said and started walking down the hallway.

Everyone around me is so hardworking. I can’t let myself grow lazy, either. But there is just something in the way of my advancement. I guess it makes sense that it’s hard, or the world would be crawling with Soul mages.

Arlen closed the doors and walked back to the dinner table.

Still, I can’t afford any excuses. I’ll have to reach the Soft Soul stage before Aiden graduates. Only then can I keep my family safe here in Cyalis.

“Grandpa,” Ailera’s voice cut through Arlen’s thoughts.

“Hm?” Arlen turned to look at his granddaughter.

“Didn’t you ask Marli to take out the dishes?” Ailera asked.

Arlen looked at the dirty plates on the table. “Oh, right.”

“I should look into something for memory loss,” Ailera murmured.

“I’m not that old,” Arlen said, “I just forgot about it.”

“Still,” Ailera said, getting up to take some plates, “I’ll look into it.”

“I can just ask her once she comes with the tea,” Arlen said.

“It’s fine,” Ailera said, turning to walk away with the dishes. “I want to move my legs.”

“Alright then,” Arlen nodded. He turned to look out the window again. A useless way to tell the time at night, but Arlen found it a hard habit to shake.

Take your time, little Aiden. I’ll wait up for you.

His thoughts were interrupted as he heard the sounds of plates crashing from the hallway.

“Now who’s the one getting old!?” Arlen yelled, getting up to help his granddaughter and make sure she hadn’t gotten hurt.

As he opened the dining room doors, though, he saw something his brain had a hard time registering.

Ailera was hugging a boy, tightly.

He looks familiar somehow.

He noticed Aiden was also standing there.

What’s going on? Why did Aiden bring some-

And then he recognized him. Adion. His grandson, who he had thought dead along with the rest of his family.

Before Arlen could stop himself, he was on his knees. He couldn’t find the strength to stand up.

“Adion…Is that really you?” Arlen asked in a shaky voice. But he already knew it was him. It was hard to forget the feeling of an aura once so familiar to him.

“Hello, Grandpa,” Adion said in a voice much deeper than Arlen remembered. The now young man smiled at Arlen, squinting his eyes that were red from tears. Eyes that reminded him of Maya.

“Good,” Arlen choked out, feeling his eyes water. “It’s good that you’re here, Adion. I missed you.”

“I missed you all, too,” Adion said. “I’m sorry for being gone for so long. I’ll explain it all.”

Arlen saw how Adion put his hand on his sister’s head and patted her. “Are you okay, Ailera? I didn’t mean to surprise you.”

“I’m okay. Now,” Ailera sniffled out, head buried in Adion’s chest, “I’m okay now.”

“How…” Arlen couldn’t help himself from letting out.

“The formation,” Adion said, “In the treasury. Mom told Sami to-”

“Later,” Arlen said, shaking his head. Finding strength in his legs again, he walked over and embraced his grandson and granddaughter. “It can wait til later.”

He felt Aiden join the hug. No one said anything for a good while.

First my mother. Then my wife. Then my son. Then my grandchildren. My great-grandchildren. I have lost so many.

Arlen squeezed Adion harder, making sure he was still there.

I’m not strong enough to lose you, my silly family.

“Thank you,” Arlen whispered, “Thank you.”

Gods, spirits, whatever brought Adion back to me. Thank you.