It's been 6 month since the start of my training with Ace, I have begun exercising with my magic little by little. Ace told me that even though I have the talent, does not mean that I have the control. Which is why the only magic exercise I'm doing is shape shifting ice into different kind of form.
Bad news is I don't feel like I'm improving in combat term!! Everyday exercise is the same, there's no combat or weapon lesson, just stamina and flexibility workout with out nosy instructor.
Also my time with my brother is almost non existence!! By the time I finished with my task, I was too tired and fell asleep, only to wake up and repeat those activity. I only got a day free in a week, and its the only time I spent my day beside my brother .
Right now in the middle of daylight at the garden, I'm trying to shape a small cube of ice into a rabbit. "Is that an alien? Why does it have two heads?" Ace cackled loudly in ridicule. In my hands rest a weird two headed animal sculpture instead of a rabbit ice sculpture. Ugh, my artistic talent from the past definitely didn't change.
"Its not my fault I don't have any artistic talent!!" I pouted at him, destroying the strange sculpture in my palm with a clench of my fist. Ace snickered in amusement, "Well I can vouch for that."
Brother who is also exercising with his magic, shaped his blood into all sorts of weapon, he scrutinized at the remains of my ice sculpture. I feel like like my brother is also entertained by how bad I am at this, ugh why am I getting bullied!!
"I heard your birthday is near?" Ace addressed with eager manner, suddenly bringing a topic to the table.
"Yes, it's tomorrow actually. I'm going to do a small celebration, Ace also want to join?" Ace didn't answer, but I figured that eager eyes definitely wanted to join, "I'm curious, what are you going to do for your celebration anyway?" he questioned.
"Um.. I was planning to enjoy the night breeze while eating my cake and try to make a new kind of sweets. Cakes and cookies is boring especially when you eat everyday.." I blabbered in unfocused manner, what should I make? Something too complicated is definitely a no. Suddenly an idea crossed my mine, "wait, Ace is it possible to slow down freezing time? so instead of an instant freeze, it will take time to slowly become ice?" I asked hopeful.
"Yes, you just need to lower your magic output. But I don't see the use?" Ace questioningly gaze at me. Without answering him, I run past him and entered the mansion's kitchen. I must experiment this as soon as possible! If not there wouldn't be enough time to make one for tomorrow's special occasion.
Since I discovered that my power is ice, there have been bunch of ideas on how to use them which I took from my past life. I have proposed my plan of making a mini ice skating ring for fun but brother refused it immediately. There have been bunch of creative design I remembered but I haven't even succeed in being allowed to create something!
Until today!! Nothing can stop me from making this delicious confectionery. I will blackmail my brother with cookies if I have to!
A maniac laugh came from the kitchen.
~~
"Ice cream?" My brother and Ace wary eyes ogled the confectionery I made the day before. Its white creamy and solid looking shape look absolutely mouthwatering. Currently we're at the garden, enjoying the night breeze and celebrating my birthday
As you can see, food in especially sweets are very simple in this world. People prefer protein or carbohydrates, which is why sweets are even rarer. People choose quick, and filling dishes instead of dish they enjoy. Food does reflect on its people, when the whole humanity can not appreciate things other than power, others things in life are left neglected. As a former chef and bakery owner, it is quite unacceptable! But the good thing is, they actually have abundant of ingredient and food supplies!
In my past life I used to make sweets at home with my family, ice cream was mine and my sister's favorite. We would make various flavor and mix them all for fun. Sadly, I could only make fake vanilla flavored for today. Next time I'll definitely make chocolate! Oh and strawberry! Maybe I can ask Ace to help me?
My brother took a small silver spoon from table, scooping a large chunk of ice cream from the bowl before placing it in his mouth. His face twitched in delight, savoring the ice cream slowly in his mouth.
Figuring that it is actually appetizing, Ace also scooped a chunk of vanilla ice cream. He scrutinized it carefully before finally putting it in his mouth. his eyebrow scrunched up in confusion, as if tasting an alien dish. After that his eyebrow relaxed and he sucked his spoon with enjoyment.
"Wow, its really good! At first it gave a smooth and creamy texture, but then it immediately melted into liquid consistency." Ace hands and mouth were moving so quick that its blurry in my eyes. My brother also tried to compete for the ice cream, so his hand began blurring too.
When the ice cream was finished, brother looked slightly depressed because Ace took half of the portion which should have been all his if I didn't invite our instructor. I patted my brother hand before handing him a piece of my handmade sponge cake with sugar icing, it have a strawberry jam on the middle and white chocolate on top.
He gulped it down swiftly unwilling to let Ace even take a single glance at it. Finished with his cake, my brother took a more relaxed position on the chair, he took out a jewelry out of the box hi brought as a gift to me.
My brother then patted his thigh, indicating me to sit in his lap. I jumped to his lap, and he start brushing my hair away from my neck then gently clasp the small necklace with lavender gem on my neck. The necklace has amazing details, with wisteria flower wrapped around the jewel, giving it an elegant impression. I was very pleased with his gift and kissed his cheek in thanks.
"No fair, you both were ignoring me!" Ace pouted teasingly, stabbing his cake in mock jealousy.
Abruptly, my intuition roared, notifying me the danger around the mansion, there seem to be people with evil intention targeting my brother and I. I glimpsed at my brother who was staring expectantly at Ace, meanwhile the person himself was still eating a cake, carefree as ever.
"They're only small ants, Camulos. No need to be afraid, you got me here~" Ace teased my brother with a sly smile.
"My sister is here, go now." Camulos ignored Ace attempt to tease him, commanding him without any hesitation.
"No fun~ See you later, little miss. Keep the slice of cake for me, will you?" Ace winked at me, giving an elegant bow to taunt my brother. In an instant he disappeared with the wind, but wait!!
"ACE!! YOUR SWORD!!!!" I shouted at him as loud as possible, but he was gone. Goodness, that idiotic perverted suspicious guy with short memory!! Always forgetting the most important thing at a critical situation!!!
"Leave it be, he can handle it." My brother sipped tea in sophisticated manners, apathetic toward our idiotic instructor slash wannabe knight.
My instinct still felt restless, but its not blaring as loudly as it was. So I then enjoyed a scarce moment where it's only the both of us, a moment we never really had since nosy Ace began to invade our privacy. I quietly opened a book about geography of this world, zoning out for a long time.
Then I felt it, the presences of malicious people near both of us, a dozen of them surrounding the garden. I inspected them as they came into my view from darkness of the night, black hooded cloak covering their figure from recognition. Out of the blue, they leaked a heavy killing intent
I stiffened, fear bloomed in my heart. I couldn't move in terror, the killing intent pressuring me my body from acting. The terror I felt at the moment indescribable, I couldn't breath and my eyes kept blurring at their frame. It wasn't until brother hold my hand did I snap out of it, my pants echoed loudly in the quiet garden.
My brother glance at me with a stern look, ordering me to stay put on the chair. He then stood, taking a fighting stance and pulled his blade out of its sheath. The black metal sent chill in my bone, and as if its a sentient being, it leaked out blood thirst.
In that time, it was as if my brother shifted into another person. His cold apathetic demeanor change into a vicious and brutal maniac. He sliced the appendages of the assassins, and didn't allow them to quickly die. He want them to feel agony before dying. This Camulos wasn't my brother, he was death god himself. Ripping his enemies apart with his blade, bringing agony and death. None of the black hooded figure stood a chance against my brother, he just slashed them without any mercy. Guts splashed to the ground, coloring the garden bright red beneath the moonlight.
This was another side of my brother I knew but never seen. Hearing it and seeing it is different, some part of my brain was still unable to recognize this cruel side of him as my brother. Its terrifying to see someone you are close with, can actually kill you without even blinking, and possibly without even caring.
Camulos flicked his blade, cleaning it from any corpse remains. He then turned to face me, eyes flickering in reflection of the moonlight. At first I didn't register the emotion that was written all over his eyes, but after scrutinized him again, I came into conclusion.
My brother fears that I will be afraid of him, in his eyes I could clearly see the dread of rejection.
In this moment I am aware who my brother truly are, he maybe vicious and merciless, but he's also the only person that have showed me kindness. He is still my brother whom I love.
Just as I'm about to run and hug my brother in acceptance, my intuition screamed for me to crouch, but my body wasn't fast enough to react. I felt the blade puncture my skin from the back, my body froze in surprise, shock was the only thing that kept the pain away from the edge of my mind. I choked, blood started pooling on my mouth. Pain began to rip my consciousness away.
But I still have something to say to my brother, so even if I die today, I must tell him. I would regret the whole eternity if I don't use my pathetic strength to say it to him.
with last pump of strength, and I moved move my mouth to whisper quietly.
"I love you Nii-chan."
And all went to black.