Unknowingly, three months had passed.
In the early morning, Roy and his companions gathered in the courtyard. Roy glanced at Alice and Veil, smiling as he said, "It seems like both of you have made great progress."
Alice crossed her arms proudly, her delicate chin slightly raised.
"Of course! After three months of closed-door training, I've broken through to Level 49! Not to mention, my spiritual intent has already reached the advanced level!"
Roy chuckled, teasing, "That smug expression... But I have to admit, your progress is faster than I expected."
Before Alice could respond, Veil grinned and stepped forward.
"Alice, you're indeed fast... but not as fast as me! Hahaha! I've already reached Level 54!"
Roy and Alice were both stunned.
"Level 54...? You've already reached the Junior War General realm?!"
Veil puffed out his chest proudly, the corners of his mouth curling up.
Roy smiled faintly.
"I'm at Level 49 as well... My Sword Intent has also advanced to the Advanced Level, just like Alice."
Hearing this, Veil's eyes lit up with excitement.
"With our current strength, we'll definitely achieve great rankings in the Academy Tournament!"
Alice placed her hands on her hips, snorting proudly.
"That's a given! Hmph! But I'm hungry!"
Roy shook his head helplessly.
"Alright, I'll cook something."
"Yay! Roy's cooking!" Alice cheered, bouncing around like a little rabbit.
Roy couldn't help but smile at the lively atmosphere.
Soon, he prepared a table full of delicious dishes, filling the courtyard with mouth-watering aromas.
After eating their fill, the three of them sat at the courtyard's entrance, watching the sun slowly set over the horizon.
The golden sunset bathed the courtyard in warm hues, casting long shadows across the stone pavement. The air was filled with the gentle fragrance of blooming flowers, blending with the peaceful silence.
Veil gazed at the distant sky, a faint smile tugging at his lips, his amber eyes reflecting the fading sunlight.
"This... feels nice..."
His voice was soft, as if he was talking to himself.
Alice blinked curiously.
"Veil, what did you say?"
Veil's smile deepened, his tone carrying a rare trace of warmth.
"I said... today feels really nice... It feels like... home."
Alice's bright eyes widened slightly.
"Home?"
Roy's expression also froze for a moment.
Veil's smile turned a little bitter, his voice growing softer.
"Ever since I can remember... my parents were already gone. I've always been taken care of by my adoptive parents... But even so, I never truly felt like I had a home."
He paused, taking a deep breath.
"But today... for the first time... I feel like I really have a family."
The courtyard fell into a brief silence.
The golden sunlight illuminated the three young figures, wrapping them in a soft, warm glow.
Roy leaned against the wooden door frame, his gaze calm but gentle.
"Idiot... what's so hard about that? You've been calling me 'brother' for so long... What's wrong with me being your big brother for real?"
Alice crossed her arms proudly, puffing up her cheeks.
"And me! Even though I'm cute and powerful, I can still be your big sister!"
Veil's bitter smile slowly turned into a genuine grin.
"Hahaha... Alice as a big sister? Then wouldn't that mean I'll get scolded every day?"
"You dare complain? Do you want me to beat you up right now?" Alice clenched her small fists, her face puffed up like a little tiger.
Roy shook his head, chuckling.
Veil's laughter gradually faded, and his amber eyes became unusually serious.
"If that's really possible... then I hope you two will always be my family."
Roy's heart trembled slightly.
This carefree, rough-looking guy... was lonelier than anyone else.
He said softly,
"Veil... Family isn't defined by blood. Family... means no matter what happens, we'll never abandon each other."
Alice's emerald eyes sparkled, her tone softening.
"Mm... From now on, you're my little brother. You can't take it back!"
Veil's nose tingled, and his eyes became misty. He grinned and shouted,
"Big brother Roy! Big sister Alice!"
Alice instantly beamed with pride.
"Hehe~ Did you hear that, Roy? He called me sister first!"
Veil rolled his eyes.
"Alright, alright... Sister Alice!"
The three of them glanced at each other — and suddenly burst into laughter.
Their cheerful voices echoed through the courtyard, dispelling all traces of loneliness.
Veil wiped his nose, then suddenly took out a crystal-clear bottle of wine from his storage ring.
"Today's a special day... How can we not celebrate with a drink?"
Roy raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Veil, I'll give you a chance — if you can outdrink me tonight, I'll let you be the big brother."
Veil's eyes instantly lit up, rolling up his sleeves.
"Deal! Tonight, I'll drink you under the table!"
Alice pouted, her emerald eyes blinking pitifully.
"What about me? Are you two leaving me out?"
Roy chuckled.
"You're still a kid — you can drink fruit juice."
"I'm not a kid anymore! I'm already at Level 49!" Alice protested angrily, stomping her little feet.
Veil smirked wickedly.
"Yes, yes~ Our mighty big sister... Still, you should drink fruit juice."
"asshole !!" Alice gritted her teeth, puffing up her cheeks.
In the end, she could only hug her glass of fruit juice, sitting at the side with puffed-up cheeks like a little squirrel.
The moon rose high, silver light spilling over the courtyard.
One bottle of wine, a few small dishes.
The three of them drank and laughed, chatting about everything and nothing.
Veil and Roy drank until their faces were red, while Alice sat cross-legged on the stone steps, giggling at their drunken antics.
Late into the night, Veil slumped against the bench, hugging the empty wine bottle, murmuring in his sleep:
"I finally... have family now..."
Roy quietly draped a thin blanket over him, his gaze soft.
Alice sat nearby, eyes red, hugging her knees.
"Roy... Will we always stay together?"
Roy gently stroked her soft hair, his voice firm.
"We will... Always."
That night — the bond between the three of them became something deeper than friendship.
They were teammates.
They were companions.
But more than that...
They were family.
No matter what trials awaited them in the future — this bond would never break.
If one day, someone dared to hurt Alice...
They would have to step over their dead bodies first.
In his sleep, Veil clenched his fists, muttering:
"Whoever touches Alice... I'll kill them..."
Roy gazed at the stars, his smile unwavering.
"We three... will never leave each other."
Alice's tears finally slipped down her cheeks, but her smile was brighter than ever.
That night — their family was truly born.
Not by blood,
But by heart.
Bound by Life and Death.