Kiroschi and Varaichi had been taken to the hospital after the ship disaster.
Despite his severe injuries, Kiroschi was still alive. Varaichi only had a few scratches and was suffering from extreme exhaustion. She was lying on a stretcher.
At that moment, Xers entered the room.
''Are you alright, Varaichi? I can't believe seeing you two like this!''
''X-Xers... We really came back from the brink of death.''
''Yeah, I know. I'm not here to scold you. I just wanted to make sure you're alright.''
Varaichi panicked.
''I-I'm fine, B-BUT... M-MY BROTHER?''
''He suffered a serious concussion. He also has multiple broken bones. In short, we won't be seeing him on the battlefield for at least two months.''
Varaichi let out a deep sigh.
''I understand... I PROMISE I'LL FIGHT IN HIS PLACE!''
Xers smiled.
''Look at you. You fight with your brother all the time, yet you're willing to give your life for him.''
''That's a long story, Xers. If you have time, I can tell you.''
''Go ahead. I don't really have anything to do today anyway.''
''Then I'll start... It was the year 548. Kiroschi and I had just begun training together at the academy. At first, it was only basic swordsmanship. Back then, I was the most talented fighter in the academy. Everyone was jealous of me. Because of that, I slowly developed an unnecessary amount of confidence. That continued for about eleven years. I had already graduated from the third academy level and become a soldier, but I wanted even more, so I enrolled in the fourth academy. Kiroschi came with me once again. I became the best there as well. But in 557, Kiroschi began suffering from depression. His depression awakened his Galactic Myth. Over time, he also obtained the Black Ascendant. Because of that, he surpassed me in the academy. I became obsessed with surpassing him. I stopped talking to my little brother. Whenever he asked for my help, I refused on purpose just so he would struggle. Eventually, my brother began to despise me. Meanwhile, I was destroying myself trying to surpass him. In the end, I took an enormous risk to awaken my own Galactic Myth. I went to the Cave of Elemental Demons. It was midnight, but I wasn't afraid of walking through the forest. Eventually, I reached the cave. I thought I could simply walk down into it, but it wasn't as shallow as it looked. I started sliding and fell into the chamber of the elements. There was a demon there. It came up to me and told me something. Ever since I obtained my powers, I haven't been able to remember what it said. It entrusted me with a secret. Then it made me take the flame sealed inside the stone hanging on the wall... the Flame Stone. Blinded by ambition, I grabbed it without fearing anything. I poured all of my hatred into that stone. Suddenly, it transformed, and I felt it enter through my eye. When I woke up, it was already morning. I was lying in the middle of the forest. The tips of my hair had turned into burning embers. My old G-Technic mask had become completely crimson and was engulfed in flames. I immediately returned to the academy. As soon as I entered, I grabbed Kiroschi by the collar and challenged him to a duel. He accepted, though he was frightened. We entered the arena. He wasn't fighting seriously. He was only using basic G-Technics. At the same time, he was trying to understand what had happened to me... my ember-like hair, my crimson mask, my flaming sword. But I was completely consumed by ambition. Without holding back at all, I unleashed a massive wave of flames. Kiroschi's shoulder was burned. After that, he focused only on escaping. I had become so blinded by ambition that I couldn't even recognize him as my little brother anymore. If he hadn't run away... I probably would've killed him. Then I used Eight Serpent Eruption... the same technique I used yesterday to sink the fleet. Sensei saved Kiroschi. But the entire academy was consumed by flames. They dragged me away and threw me into prison.''
Varaichi began crying.
''B-B-Because of me... so many young sorcerers lost their chance to study... A-And now my little brother is lying here because of me... He hates me so much that if he could, he'd kill me... B-But... all of it was because ambition deceived me... I regret everything I've done...''
Varaichi broke down completely and could no longer speak. Xers stood up and embraced her.
''It's alright... Don't carry all of this alone. I'll tell Kiroschi everything. I'm sure he'll forgive you.''
At that moment, Kiroschi spoke from behind them.
''I-I heard... everything...''
Varaichi instantly turned around and looked straight into Kiroschi's eyes.
''M-M-My brother...''
''S-SIS!''
Crying, Varaichi rushed over and hugged Kiroschi.
''D-Do you forgive me, little brother?''
''I-I forgive you, Sis... You're my everything.''
Then Kiroschi began crying as well.
Xers' eyes started to water.
''W-Wow... I never thought I'd get this emotional. LONG LIVE THE BEST SIBLINGS!''
Just then, Hanken burst into the room.
''U-Uh... H-How's everyone doing?''
Hanken stared in confusion at the crying siblings.
Xers immediately replied.
''C-Come on in, it's alright!''
''What exactly happened, Xers? I guess I came too late?''
''The siblings made up...''
''That's awesome! X-Xers, weren't you always embarrassed by emotional stuff? Why are your eyes watering?''
Xers lightly punched Hanken on the shoulder.
''Oh, shut it! Can't a man be emotional once in a while? Now that you've made up, I guess we'll all fight with better motivation on the battlefield, right?''
Kiroschi shouted.
''YES!!''
''U-Unfortunately, Kiroschi... you'll have to stay here for two months.''
''W-WHAT?! TWO MONTHS?! HAVE YOU ALL LOST YOUR MINDS?! I'LL BE FINE IN A WEEK!''
''Don't say that, Kiroschi. Your condition is truly serious. You were on the verge of death. Well... I guess I also came back from death myself, but that's another story.''
''What, are we competing over who almost died now?''
''Come on, it was just a joke. If you recover really well, you might be able to return sooner. But never forget this... your sister risked her life to save you. If you rush back into battle before you've healed, things will only get worse. Don't forget that, alright?''
''O-Okay, Xers.''
Varaichi gently stroked Kiroschi's head.
''Everything alright now, my dear little brother? There's nothing left between us anymore, right?''
''Nothing's left, Sis... I love you so much.''
''I love you too, little brother.''
Hanken interrupted.
''So... what are we gonna do now, Xers?''
''Let's go get a drink, Hanken. To celebrate the siblings making up. Varaichi, you're welcome to come too. But Kiroschi is staying.''
Varaichi looked up.
''I-I'd rather spend some time with Kiroschi. We've been estranged for years... Please leave us alone for a while.''
''Alright then. Let's go, Hanken.''
''Let's go, Xers...''
Author's Note:
Dear readers,
First of all, I'd like to apologize for disappearing for a month. I went through a very difficult period academically and needed some time to relieve the stress.
Now I'm finally back. As an apology, I'm planning to release two more chapters within the next three days.
After that, the series will continue with either two chapters per week or return to the previous schedule of one chapter per week.
Thank you all for your patience and understanding.