I'd teach Reno to trust in himself, to believe he wasn't trapped by fate or by anyone else's definition of what he could become. That with the right effort and mindset, he could forge a future brighter than any evaluation could predict.
Surprisingly, I think I finally understand why that crafty professor enjoys teaching so much. It wasn't until after going through the whole recruitment mess that I truly realised what she was trying to show me all along.
There really is something rewarding about watching someone's face light up when they cast their first spell, or seeing a quiet kid come out of their shell after a little praise and encouragement. I probably wouldn't have noticed that if it weren't for meeting Reno.
If Professor Melinda ever found out I was taking on a disciple like this, she'd gloat for weeks. She wouldn't just throw a smug little party in the courtyard. Oh no, she'd print flyers and pass them out herself.
I can already see the headline: 'Breaking News: The Infamous Genius Hater Takes on an Apprentice!' And just like that, my arduously earned reputation? Destroyed. Not that I ever wanted it in the first place.
I wonder how Lilith would react if she knew I was seriously taking on an apprentice. She'd be extremely shocked, right? Probably say something like, 'You of all people took on an apprentice?'
I should call her and see. It's been forever since we last talked and I really miss her.
But wait… that's strange. No calls in over a week? She usually checks up on me every day without fail, especially when we're apart.
Something must've happened.
I frowned, opening my treasure bag and pulling out an azure orb. My fingers brushed the cold glass, and the white etchings flared to life. Thin lines twitched like veins under the surface, pulsing with a soft, blue heartbeat.
Mana surged from my palm, and the glyphs blinked awake, one after another, as if breathing for the first time.
Please be okay.
A sharp chime rang out, and a translucent menu flickered into view above the orb. Contacts was etched in black. I flicked my fingers through the air, swiping past my three contacts until I got to Lilith.
I poured more mana in. Frost leapt across the orb's surface like cracks in glass, sealing it in a skin of ice. The once-cerulean sphere turned milky and pale, trembling as though something inside it was clawing to get out.
Then, with a final jolt, it stilled. A familiar image reflected back at me. It was the image of a woman with short black hair, piercing blue eyes and an adorable smile. Her outfit was identical to mine, black tights and a purple cloak with a lilac dress.
It was my big sister – safe and sound.
"Hey sissy! Are you busy right now? I haven't called at a bad time, have I?" I breathed a sigh of relief, the anxiety from earlier melting away.
"Hi Cindy, no, I'm free! It's been so long—why haven't you called? Did you forget about me?" Lilith pouted, her voice carrying a playful hurt. "I've been trying to reach you for ages! Did you see my calls?"
Oh no. She had tried to reach me. And I'd seen the calls. I just... forgot. A knot twisted in my stomach.
"Uh, no? I didn't see them..."
"You didn't see any of them?" she asked, her voice gentler now, but edged with disbelief. The knot pulled tighter. "That stupid orb. It's faulty, isn't it?"
"Well..." I couldn't keep it up any longer, I couldn't lie to Lilith. "...sorry. I did see some of your calls, I just forgot to call you back." I gave a sheepish smile, the guilt nibbling away at me.
Lilith sighed. It was a soft, fond sound.
"Of course, Cindy," she said, shaking her head with a small smile. She folded her arms and studied me, her tone walking the line between teasing and real concern. "One of these days, you're going to realize how much I worry about you."
"Yeah. I know. I'm sorry sissy, I'll do better." After all, I know better than anyone just how much you worry about me.
"It's okay, Cindy. Really." She waved it off and that was that. But I still felt uneasy.
I knew she'd forgive me. She always has. Like that time we fought over mana crystals. Totally my fault, but she apologized first and let me keep them. She's just the type of big sister who always puts me first.
Of course I gave them back. We shared them, like we always do. Fighting with her just felt wrong. We haven't argued since and we never will. I'm just the type of little sister who never wants to let her down.
I exhaled deep, hoping for relief or something close to it. But the anxiety didn't leave. It swelled. Why do I feel so on edge like this? Mana flaring beneath my skin. Breath caught, like I was mid-spell. Ready for a fight I hadn't sensed coming.
And then I heard it, so faint I almost missed it. A low, rhythmic hum beneath her voice.
"Sissy, what's that noise in the background? It sounds like... drilling? Where are you right now?" I hurried to change the subject, hoping to both gloss over my slip-up and get to the crux of my unease.
"Oh that. I'm in the Exchange right now." She spoke casually, like she was talking about one of her new inventions.
"The Exchange!?"
The words left my mouth before I could stop them.
The Exchange. Where the abandoned wait. Fragmented spells. The mechanical howl of progress. Lustrous crystals gleaming with greed. The unrelenting screech of drills. Horrific beasts. The Black Tide. Our disgraceful escape.
And there she was, right in the core of it all. Seemingly unfazed.
"Why?" My rationality told me why she was there, but my heart told me otherwise. "Don't tell me... you're going back?" The words struggled out.
"Of course not." Lilith frowned. "Cindy, are you still hung up on that?"
"No. I mean... yes." I bit my tongue. "How are you not?"
Lilith let out a slow, heavy breath, like she'd been holding it in for years.
"I still am," she said. "Of course I am. Do you think I could ever forget?"
She paused, looking away for a moment before meeting my gaze again. "But we made a promise, remember? We'd only go back after graduating. And we're not there yet."
"Yeah," I nodded. "We did promise each other."
"I'm in the Exchange," she added, "But not because I want to go back. I'm here for something else."
"Okay," I said. "I trust you."
Her voice shifted. It was steadier now and full of resolve. It was her big-sister voice. "Cindy, I know you hate when I say this, but we need to return eventually. We have to face them at some point."
Her eyes locked onto mine - she was determined. I looked away.
"But sis—
"I know, Cindy. I know. I don't like the thought of going back there either." She drew a breath. "But we must. For Elaina's sake."
Her name hung in the air, cold and heavy. A bitter reminder.
We stared at each other through the glow of the wintry orb. The silence was heavy with the words we never said.
Wait for us, Elaina.
"Sorry for bringing it up," I murmured. "Ugh, I want a hug."
Lilith's expression softened. "You're older now, but you really haven't changed much. Still my childish little sister. Want me to read you a bedtime story too?"
"Hmph. Stop teasing me." I pouted, arms crossed in fake frustration, not that it fooled either of us.
"Pfft."
We both laughed and for a moment, just a moment, the weight of everything lifted.
"So," I said, leaning in, "Why are you down there then? I want the real reason." I trusted Lilith. If there was anyone in the world I could trust no matter what – it was her. I think I'd pieced together why she was there but I wanted to hear it from her directly.