-Chapter Fifty-Four-

Siblings

Lia sighed at the end of another day, as she glanced out of the class, taking in the setting sun. In utter boredom, she rested her head on her elbows.

Behind her, she heard the whispers of her fellow students as the day was winding down.

“She looks so bored. She thinks she’s so much better.” Lia rolled her eyes at the obnoxiously loud whisper.

Well, they’re not wrong.

She is a little bored. If only Aria or Aelius were here, or even Saki. There was so much to learn from each of them.

With a sigh, she began to pack her things and get ready to move to the next part of her day.

Five minutes pass by and Lia is crossing the campus of Saint Nia’s magic Academy, towards her destination. She walked with her head held high, and her back straight, as she passed by her fellow students.

Sometimes, she heard whispers from them about her. At others, they simply stared.

“Hey, that’s the headmaster’s disciple, right?”

“I don’t think she’s a Noble… No one knows where she came from…”

“She defeated her seniors-”

Lia clicked her tongue, zoning out the attention. She used to be shy and timid, but after meeting Aelius, she’s learnt to believe in herself.

She was at first, nervous about the social pressure she might have faced. The stares. The whispers. Would they torment her in her nightmares?

Turns out… no. Her fellow students were Nobles that grew up with all the wealth they ever needed, a healthy family, and never suffered hardship.

Compared to her life living in escape from her pursuers, at times eating only dirt for supper, her fellow students were nothing.

And they’d never understand Lia’s plight. They’d never understand what she’s gone through. There were only few people who understood. Aelius, who would embrace her and tell her it’s all okay now. Who promised to keep her safe. Promised her revenge.

Aria, who was compassionate and understanding. Saki, who is equally as timid as Lia herself was.

And Asura, who tried to appear stern on her face, but was actually a big softie deep inside.

Whenever Lia thought of them, a warm smile would creep up onto her face.

In boredom, Lia entered the teacher’s building and ascended to the top floor, coming to a large library with a small nameplate on it that read, ‘Headmaster’s Office’.

With a gentle knock, Lia entered, curiously gazing around but found no sign of her master.

“Hmm…” With a sigh, she began to pick out books from the shelves, and found a spot to begin reading, her long, black hair falling down past her slender arms.

—-----------------------

Lia heard a thump distract her, and looked up with a frown. A few metres opposite her, two books had fallen off the shelf, and a figure was standing over them, his expression saying ‘yikes’ as he looked back and noticed Lia gazing at him.

“O-oh, sorry, Lia. I didn’t mean to distract you.”

“...That’s alright, Ryan.” Lia looked back down at her book, feeling Ryan’s burning gaze on her, but ignored it with a huff.

Ryan was a fellow student of the headmaster’s, aged three years older than her. He was socially awkward and highly intelligent, with long white hair, large, round glasses and often wearing winter coats. He was the one-sided crush of many of the juniour school girls.

When Lia first arrived three months ago, Ryan was extremely ecstatic and tried to get close to her. Lia tried to keep a comfortable distance, but as time passed, she felt Ryan had maybe developed a crush on her.

Now, she was just uncomfortable being in his presence. But, she continued on reading, knowing she was safe in the headmaster’s study.

—-----------------------

The sun soon began to set, and there was no sign of the headmaster. And so, with a sigh, Lia began to pack up.

Ryan, who had also been reading his books at one of the other couches, quickly looked up with a blink.

“You’re going?” he asked.

“Yes,” Lia answered curtly, and turned her back. Behind her, she heard ruffling and fumbling as Ryan quickly threw his belongings into his bag, and his clumsy steps as he caught up to her.

“I’ve also finished for the day. How about we go together?” he wryly offered, and Lia found herself rolling her eyes.

“Sure…”

The two left via the Academy Gates, with numerous other droves of students. It was about five o’clock in the evening, the prime time for when students were rushing home.

“Then,” Lia turned over her shoulder. “See you next time.” Having been courteous enough, Lia did not wait for his response, turning away again and being on her way.

“H-hold on a second, Lia,” Ryan called out, chasing up to her, before planting himself in her path. “Sorry, I just need a short moment of your time.”

Lia crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes. She knew what was coming. “Just a short moment, then,” she allowed him.

Though all she did was the bare minimum of hearing him out, she saw his face light up with a bright smile.

“G-great! So, umm…” Ryan’s cheeks began to flush as he nervously fumbled through his bag. “Lia, I feel like we’ve been getting along really well, and… a-and actually, I think you’re really pretty. So,” he revealed a single rose, raising it up to Lia. “Would you please go out with me!?” he mustered the courage to confess.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Silence. The wind blew by them, and with rosy cheeks, Ryan hesitantly opened one eye, looking up.

On Lia’s face was an expression of genuine surprise. Her hands were clasped together at her mouth, as if she was taken aback.

Ryan waited in the silence, wearing a hopeful expression, as Lia slowly lowered her arms. But then he noticed, the look in her wide, surprised eyes, was not directed at him.

“L-Lia…?” Ryan asked, his eyes widening as she didn’t even answer and ran past him instead. “W-what?” Turning, Ryan froze as he saw another man behind him, and Lia went diving into his arms.

“Huh?”

—-----------------------

Lia was waiting for Ryan to get his words out, already knowing what was coming. But as the senior opposite her talked, his voice began to get drowned out.

Lia was looking at him when she noticed movement behind him, and furrowed her brow, focusing on the figure instead.

As it drew closer, her eyes began to widen, realising who it was.

Stepping under a street light, the familiar face smiled warmly as he waved to her, and Lia lost notice of all things around her.

Breaking into a run, Lia crossed the few metres between them, and went diving into his arms for his warm embrace.

“Aelius… you’re back!” she exclaimed, not knowing whether to smile or cry.

With complicated emotions whirling inside her, she looked up, and saw him smiling down back at her.

“How is school?” he asked, reaching up and wiping away a tear she didn’t know had formed.

“It’s… alright. I’ve shown a lot of improvement!” She told him with a confident, beaming smile.

“I can already see. Well done,” he answered with a raised brow, and an amused smile. “You’ll have to demonstrate for me later.” Reaching up, Aelius’ warm touch brushed aside a strand of Lia’s hair. “I’m sorry for not waking up earlier.” He stepped aside, revealing a second figure. “By the way, guess who’s back.”

Lia’s eyes widened at the blue haired girl opposite her, whom she had not seen in an entire year. Aria’s hair was now a long, light blue, and her once bright, glowing golden eyes were now dimmed.

“Aria!!!” Lia ran forward to hug the girl, who was like a sister to her.

“Lia,” Aria chuckled, embracing her back, and stroking her long hair. “You finally have some meat on your bones, I see.”

“Jeez… everyone has been saying that since seeing me for the first time,” Lia responded with a pout, pulling away. Excitedly, her eyes darted between her two comrades.

“So… i-is the wait over?” she nervously asked. Aelius and Aria glanced to each other, before chuckling to one another.

“You must’ve been getting restless,” Aria remarked with a chuckle, stretching her hand out. “Come on. Aelius tells me he’s got a surprise waiting for you.”

Lia’s eyes lit up, as she took Aria’s hand. They turned away and walked side by side, Lia happily feeling the warmth of Aria, a face she did not expect to see today, as Aelius led them to their destination.

—-----------------------

“So… this is where you’ll be staying from now on.” Aelius gestured to a gigantic manor with a locked gate.

Standing at the entrance was a maid with a glare on her face, sending chills down Lia’s spine.

“Mistress told me you’d be arriving soon,” she said scornfully.

“As always, it’s great to see you too, Soriya. Would you be so kind to let us in?” Aelius asked with an amused smile.

“Ugh.” Soriya unlocked the gate, allowing them entry into the large courtyard, before leading them across the fortress-like mansion.

“How is Tristia settling into this new home?” Aelius asked and the maid sent him a glare of scorn.

“You dare utter her name so casually-” she had to stop herself from continuing, sighing to herself and then clicking her tongue harshly. “Tch. Yes, Mistress is settling in well. Consider yourself fortunate your suggestion to move to the Capital was not in vain.”

“Of course,” Aelius answered in a chuckle, not noticing the killer glare Aria and Lia were giving the maid from behind him as they walked.

How can she speak to him that way… they were both begrudgingly thinking.

After a few minutes of being guided through the complex walls of the comfortable, wooden home, they came to a door out the other end leading to a large garden located in the centre of the estate.

As the group drew closer, they gradually began to make out a small group atop the grass, under the sunlight.

Tristia, the Sad Saintess, kin to Aelius, was seated beneath a parasoul at a makeshift tea table, sipping on her tea.

But it was beside her, that Lia’s eyes lit up.

A shirtless figure, covered in the sweat of hard work, was swinging his wooden blade with impressive form and fearsome force. His once short and skinny stature now transformed to that which was tall for his age. A toned and chiselled chest that must’ve took torturous effort to achieve in merely a year was clearly visible, belonging to the boy with jet black hair and red eyes.

Lia’s breath caught in her throat as she approached, her hands reaching up to her mouth, as tears welled up in the corners of her eyes.

Aelius and Aria glanced at each other, smiling warmly, as they stood back, allowing Lia to break into a run ahead to them, without interruption or distraction.

Leo, now aged thirteen, noticed something amiss and glanced over to his shoulder, his eyes widening at the surreal sight of his older sister running towards him.

The blade fell from his grips as his eyes widened, and for a moment, he was stunned as his older, larger sister tackled him into a tight embrace.

“Leo! Oh, Leo!” she cried, hugging him tightly.

He was stunned for a moment but his thoughts quickly began to whirr again as he smiled warmly and reached up to embrace her back.

“Lia! I’ve missed you!”

Lia pulled back, bewilderedly gazing at him with shocked eyes.

“L-Leo… did you just… talk?”

“Mmhmm,” Leo nodded with a warm smile. “Yeah, I did.”

“T-then… you’ve cured your trauma?” Lia stammered.

“Hmm… I guess so.”

—-----------------------

Aelius left the two long-reunited siblings to catch up, as he checked in with Tristia. But this place was not his destination. He had merely come here to introduce Lia to her new home. To her disappointment, he told her she still had to continue going to Saint Nia’s Academy for now. The place he was going, he was only going to bring Asura and Aria.

Lia felt left out, but Aelius assured her it was so that she could experience a normal high school life while coming home to her family. She shouldn’t throw this reunion away so quickly, after being separated from Leo for so long.

Besides, his mission shouldn’t take ridiculously long.

As he explained to Aria and Saki, his aim was simple.

Either through persuasion or through force, bring Saki back to this estate so he can slow down the coming cataclysm. This was no across-the-world journey. This was a quick op.

And so together with Asura and Aria, he set off to where his Awakening Arts were guiding him.

To the Holy Empire.