"Don't you trust your sister?"
Seeing Sophia's confused little eyes.
Emma picked up a toothpick, stabbed an apple slice and popped it in her mouth, smiling as she pinched her sister's cheeks.
Sophia sat up straight, shaking her head, "It's not that, but sister, you never mentioned you knew how!"
Hearing this, Emma went to her room, returning moments later with a gleaming golden trophy.
Sophia's eyes grew wide.
Emma placed the trophy in front of Sophia, nostalgia crossing her gentle face, "Your sister was once the North Bay Youth Kickboxing Champion!"
Sophia's mouth formed a perfect O as she stared at the trophy, "Wow! Sister, you're amazing!"
Emma patted her head, "Now do you believe your sister?"
Sophia nodded repeatedly, "I believe, I believe!"
Suddenly she thought of something, her bright eyes sparkling as she cupped her face and looked at Emma, "Then... then can you agree to one more request?"
Emma's eyes were full of affection, "Of course I'll agree to whatever my little Sophia wants."
Sophia wrung her hands, saying somewhat shyly, "If possible, could Lucas come too? Could you teach him with me?"
Looking at her sister's hopeful expression, Emma understood exactly what was going on in that little head.
Though that boy...
Emma quietly recalled her first impression of Lucas.
In the crowd, those eyes held a composure and presence completely beyond his age.
And a subtle... authority.
Almost like... hiding a lion.
Seeing her sister's long silence, Sophia quickly waved her hands, "It's okay if we can't!"
"Of course we can."
Emma snapped back to reality, taking her sister's hands in hers, "But you need to ask him first, okay?"
"Mm-hmm!"
Sophia nodded happily, jumping up to plant a big kiss on her sister's perfect cheek, "Mwah! Thank you, sister!"
...
The weekend flew by.
Lucas started his daily training routine at home.
"Having strength alone isn't enough, need to learn some technique too."
After all, if that silly girl was going to learn kickboxing, it would be embarrassing if he couldn't keep up with her.
As usual, he met Sophia waiting at their spot on the way to school.
After receiving the usual "friendship fee."
Sophia revealed her true intentions.
She told him about her sister knowing kickboxing and wanting him to learn together with her.
Lucas wasn't concerned at first, automatically assuming her sister was just humoring her.
But when the title "North Bay Youth Kickboxing Champion" came up.
Lucas suddenly got serious.
Though he wasn't sure why, it sounded quite impressive.
"Hmm, sounds good, but..."
Sophia tilted her head, curious, "But what?"
I'm a dragon knight, even if in twilight years - isn't just learning kickboxing a bit beneath me?
Lucas was about to speak.
[Incredible! As expected of one bearing dragon fortune! The young sorceress's guardian wishes to pass on her arts! Though as a dragon knight none in this realm could truly be your master, your virtue of staying humble and eager to learn means accepting these teachings might help restore some vitality to your vessel.]
Lucas: ...
He coughed, "But it actually does sound quite good."
"Though I can't let your sister teach me for free. Let's treat it like regular kickboxing lessons with proper payment."
Sophia shook her head repeatedly, "No no, my sister won't accept it."
Lucas put on a stern face, "Then I'll give it to you."
Sophia grew more confused, hurriedly waving her hands, "No... I don't want it either."
Lucas grabbed her cheeks, threatening, "You have to take it. If you don't, I won't talk to you anymore."
Though getting things for free felt good, his conscience wouldn't let him take advantage of these sisters.
This threat was like a thunderbolt from clear skies, a nuclear explosion.
Sophia's eyes immediately welled up with tears, her face ready to cry, "O-okay... I'll take it, Lucas."
Lucas released her, "That's better."
He crossed his arms, "Also, from today on, you need to learn how to be a little trickster."
Sophia sniffled, completely confused, "Little trickster?"
Lucas nodded, "You know, being mischievous, being silly- well, you don't need to be silly, just mischievous."
Sophia looked half-confused, half-blank as she nodded, "Oh."
She looked at Lucas while pondering something else entirely.
She planned to buy a piggy bank.
To save all the money Lucas gave her!
So if Lucas ever wanted to buy something, or if he ever ran out of money.
She could break open the piggy bank and give it all back to him.
Lucas would never guess.
"Hehe."
Thinking this, Sophia started giggling unconsciously again.
Lucas pinched her cheeks, sighing, "Why are you being silly again?"
Sophia blinked her big bright clear eyes, nodding firmly.
"Yep, I'm a bit silly, not smart at all."
Lucas: ...
Honestly, he was starting to suspect this silly girl was doing it on purpose. He felt manipulated but had no proof.
"Also, I need to ask you a very serious question."
Lucas's expression suddenly turned solemn.
Making Sophia tense up too, her little face growing serious, "Wh-what question?"
Lucas asked mysteriously, "Will you follow me?"
"Follow?"
Sophia's little brain didn't quite process it, "You mean always walking behind you?"
Lucas rubbed his chin, "Uh... something like that, I guess."
He added, "But you have to be sincere about it."
Sophia nodded without hesitation, "Then I'm already following Lucas every day!"
Mm-hmm, and want to keep following and following...
[As expected of you! A few words and you've convinced the young sorceress to become your follower, successfully planting the Seeds of Destiny. The rune is active, though it seems the young sorceress might want more than just following you...]
Lucas immediately grew alert, demanding, "Sophia, what are you planning?"
Sophia just looked silly, as if not understanding, clutching Lucas's sleeve innocently, "Lucas, what do you mean? I just want to follow you and be good friends!"
Maybe he was overthinking it.
What would a third-grader know about such things?
Lucas relaxed.
They arrived at class and started their daily lessons.
During the day.
Lucas had Sophia join him in playing and chatting with other classmates.
The classmates weren't very willing at first.
After all, Sophia was practically invisible in class.
Even in elementary school, their social circles were clearly defined, and not just anyone could force their way in.
But with Lucas backing her, the classmates had to accept it.
However, something strange started happening.
Gradually things began to change.
Because rumors started spreading through the grade:
"Sophia's under Lucas's protection, better not mess with her."
Which slowly became.
"Sophia and Lucas are best friends, whoever bothers her is dead meat."
And finally.
"What? Lucas is Sophia's boyfriend, their parents have met, they're practically engaged!"
Ridiculous.
Hearing these rumors, Lucas's face darkened as he looked at the seemingly clueless Sophia before him.
"Did you do this?"
Sophia shook her head, looking pitiful, "It wasn't me, Lucas, I'm too silly to do something like that!"
Lucas thought she had a point.
Fortunately, the teachers quickly squashed these rumors.
No joke - if the top two students in the grade were really dating early.
Every teacher would be held responsible.
After school.
Having checked with Mrs. Wilson, Lucas once again headed to Sophia's home.
...