Two days had passed since that tense conversation, and nothing major had happened. I remained confined to my room, lying in bed despite feeling completely recovered on the first day. Liana's healing, coupled with my skill, Rapid Recovery, had left me in better shape than ever. But every time I tried to get up and start training, Liana would step in like a stubborn guardian, her arms crossed and her glare daring me to challenge her.
It wasn't that I didn't appreciate her concern—I did. But her overbearing presence was becoming suffocating. She was constantly by my side, watching my every move like a hawk. If I so much as tried to do some light mana manipulation exercises while sitting on the bed, she'd be there, frowning disapprovingly and wagging her finger like a disapproving parent.
I had to admit, it was... unnerving. How was I supposed to focus on anything when someone was staring at me 24/7? I wasn't sure if she was more concerned about me injuring myself or if she just didn't trust me to follow her orders to rest. Either way, I found myself reluctantly obeying, if only to avoid her wrath.
She hadn't spoken much since that day. We hadn't touched on the topic of her being taken to the main family, and I wasn't sure if it was because she didn't want to discuss it or because she thought it was a foregone conclusion.
Still, her silence spoke volumes. I could see it in her eyes—a flicker of determination that hadn't been there before. She had made up her mind about something, though I didn't know what. It was worrying, to say the least.
Liana was mature in her own way. She was quick to adapt, fiercely protective, and incredibly strong-willed. But she also had a reckless streak, one that made her believe she could take on the world if she just tried hard enough. She didn't always think things through, especially when emotions were involved.
As much as I wanted to trust her judgment, I couldn't help but worry that she might make a rash decision. One born out of frustration or a misguided sense of loyalty.
And me? I felt powerless to stop her. Every time I thought about what lay ahead, frustration bubbled beneath the surface. The main family's decisions, their control over everything, and my inability to protect Liana—it all weighed heavily on me. But for now, all I could do was wait. Wait for the day when I wouldn't be so helpless.
Liana, on the other hand, seemed determined to make the most of her time here. She didn't hover over me just to nag or control me—she was taking care of me in her own way. She brought meals to my room, insisted on checking my wounds (despite there being none), and even stayed up late, sitting in the chair by my bed while pretending not to be tired.
I wasn't used to this kind of attention. It was strange, even a little awkward, but I couldn't bring myself to push her away. For someone who'd lived their entire life without much care or warmth, having someone like Liana around felt... different.
Still, I knew this wouldn't last. She was leaving. Whether I liked it or not, whether she liked it or not, her place was with the main family now. It was inevitable.
I just hoped her decision, whatever it was, wouldn't make things worse for her—or for me.
The next day, I stood in front of the large fortress gate, the cold wind brushing past me as I glanced at the people around me. At my side was Liana, her fists clenched tightly, her knuckles almost white. She was tense, though she said nothing, and I didn't press her. I simply stood beside her in silence, my gaze shifting back to the front where the soldiers were lined up.
Commander Arvell Dyne stood at the forefront, his usually stoic expression betraying a hint of nervousness. The air was thick with anticipation, the tension among the men palpable. Everyone was waiting.
Waiting for her.
Today was the day my sister would arrive. She wasn't coming alone, of course—she never did. Officially, her purpose was twofold: to take Liana to the main family and to confirm whether I, the "disgraced scion," had awakened.
I cast a sidelong glance at Liana. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, her breathing shallow. She was bracing herself for something, though whether it was anger, fear, or determination, I couldn't tell. For once, I didn't have the words to reassure her.
Then, the sound of an engine reached my ears. A sleek, black car—a luxurious, elongated vehicle—appeared on the road leading to the fortress. It wasn't just any car, though. It was a masterpiece of noble craftsmanship, a limousine of sorts, though, unlike anything from my past life. This car was more than a status symbol; it was a fortress on wheels.
Its obsidian surface shimmered faintly, reflecting the intricate runes etched into its body. These runes weren't for show—they were layers upon layers of magical enchantments. Protection wards, barrier runes, and even offensive seals were embedded within it. From what I knew, even an S+ rank awakened would struggle to leave a scratch on it. This was a vehicle befitting someone from the House of Thorne.
Another car rolled to a stop behind the luxurious enchanted vehicle that had carried my sister. Its polished exterior and the faint glow of runes etched into its surface made it clear this was no ordinary escort. The air around us grew heavier, the soldiers shifting uneasily as the doors opened. One by one, individuals began stepping out, each radiating an undeniable presence.
The first to emerge were the soldiers—no, elites. Every single one of them moved with precision and purpose, their sharp eyes scanning the surroundings for even the slightest hint of danger. Their ranks were unmistakable; no one here was below B+, and their mana signatures were palpable even from a distance.
Then a person steps out of the car. A woman in her late twenties, she carried herself with an air of authority and composure. Her sharp features and piercing eyes gave the impression that nothing escaped her notice. She was tall, her posture straight and unyielding, and her mana radiated like an unrelenting storm, the mark of an S+ rank.
This was Commander Celeste Arvandor, the personal escort assigned to my sister. Her reputation preceded her—a prodigy who had reached S+ rank before the age of 35 and was trusted with high-profile tasks for the noble families. Unlike the gruff or commanding demeanor one might expect, her movements were elegant and deliberate, every step exuding confidence
After stepping out of the car, Commander Celeste Arvandor moved toward the other vehicle with an air of practiced ease, her every step exuding confidence and precision. Her sharp eyes flicked briefly toward the surrounding soldiers, as if silently assessing their readiness, before she reached the door of the enchanted car. With a smooth motion, she pulled it open, and all eyes turned toward the passenger within.
From the shadows of the luxurious vehicle, my sister emerged.
She stepped out gracefully, her movements refined yet effortless, as if the very concept of clumsiness had never applied to her. Her white hair, strikingly similar to our mother's, shimmered faintly in the light, cascading down her back in soft waves. Her pale complexion contrasted sharply with her piercing green eyes—the one feature both of my sister shared inherited from our mother.
She wore a tailored outfit that was both functional and elegant, blending elements of noble fashion with the practicality of an adventurer. The subtle embroidery along her cloak glimmered faintly, the enchantments sewn into the fabric a testament to her status. Around her waist was a sword, its ornate hilt peeking out just enough to suggest it was more than just ceremonial.
For a moment, the soldiers standing nearby seemed to forget their tension, their gazes drawn to her like moths to a flame. My sister had that effect on people—an undeniable presence that commanded attention without effort.
She looked around briefly, her expression neutral as her gaze swept over the gathered soldiers, the fortress looming behind us, and finally, me.
"Kael," she said, her voice cool and measured, though devoid of the warmth she once had as a child. Her gaze lingered on me for a heartbeat longer than necessary, as if assessing something unseen. Then her attention shifted, landing on Liana, who stood tensely at my side. "Liana."
Her tone was curt but not unkind, and yet the effect on Liana was immediate. I felt her tense even further beside me, her fists clenching tightly at her sides. For a moment, I considered speaking, but something about the way my sister carried herself—the subtle but unyielding authority—made me hold my tongue.
As she took a step forward, Commander Celeste moved to her side, the two of them standing as an unmistakable wall of power and presence. The commander's sharp gaze flicked toward the gathered soldiers and Commander Dyne, who had stepped forward to meet her.
"Commander Dyne," Celeste said, inclining her head slightly in acknowledgment. Her voice was calm, with an underlying current of authority. "Thank you for receiving us."
Dyne returned the gesture, his own posture steady and composed. "Commander Arvandor. Welcome to the fortress. I assume you'll want to discuss the purpose of your visit immediately?"
"We will," she replied, her gaze briefly flicking back toward my sister, who stood quietly at her side. "But first, let's ensure all formalities are observed."
Dyne nodded sharply before addressing his own soldiers. "Prepare the fortress for our guests. Let's move inside."
As the group began to move toward the fortress gates, I couldn't help but glance between the two commanders. Both Dyne and Arvandor carried themselves with the kind of poise that only came from years of discipline and power. But their approaches were so different—Dyne's direct and pragmatic, Arvandor's refined and commanding.
Beside me, Liana remained silent, her head lowered slightly as we walked. I could feel the tension radiating off her, and I knew that no words I could offer would ease her unease. Still, as I glanced at my sister walking ahead of us, I couldn't help but wonder: Was her presence here truly just about checking my awakening and taking Liana back? Or was there something more she hadn't yet revealed?
The questions lingered in my mind as we stepped through the fortress gates, the weight of what was to come pressing heavily on my shoulders.