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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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After a while, Aria finally calmed down, pulling away from my embrace.
She wiped her tears, her expression hardening as she looked at me, her eyes narrowed.
“Now, explain.”
“Explain what?”
“Why you changed… and why you’re treating me like this.”
“…Do you really want to know?”
“Yes. I’ll find out one way or another.”
Her eyes held a steely determination. I couldn’t lie to her. Perhaps confessing everything would bring me some peace.
But I hesitated.
She was fiercely proud of her family, especially her father. She admired his strength, his unwavering dedication to the empire, the reputation he’d built through sheer hard work. She strived to emulate him.
Others might not know the source of her motivation, but I did. I remembered a conversation we’d had, years ago, about our dreams.
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“Brother, I want to be just like Father!”
Her voice, usually soft-spoken, was filled with an unusual enthusiasm.
“Why?”
“Father is amazing! He single-handedly defeats monsters and protects everyone!”
It was true. Back then, the northern territories were constantly under attack, and our father, the Duke, was the one who defended them.
“He is.”
“I want to be strong like him! I want to protect people, too!”
It was a lofty ambition for a quiet, studious child. His strength wasn’t a gift; it was the result of relentless training.
But I didn’t tell her that. It was a child’s dream, and as her older brother, it was my duty to encourage her, not to crush her hopes.
“You can do it. You’re my sister, after all.”
“Hmm… what about you?”
“What?”
“What do you want to be?”
Her simple question silenced me. I no longer had such dreams.
“…I…”
I didn’t remember what I’d said. Perhaps I’d blocked it out.
The only thing I remembered was the strange look she’d given me.
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“Tell me now. I don’t want to use magic on you.”
“…Your threats are getting more… creative.”
“Tell me.”
She was serious. There was no hesitation in her voice, and the mana around her shimmered, ready to be unleashed.
It was a level of control most mages her age couldn’t achieve, but her talent made it possible.
≪ Status Window—Observation, Target: Aria Reinhardt ≫
≪ Race: Human ≫
The cherished daughter of House Reinhardt. Timid as a child, her personality shifted to stoicism a few years ago. A talented mage, praised by all her professors. Lived in the shadow of comparisons to the children of House Luniere in her youth.
≪ Trait: Mana Dominator ≫
≪ She can control all ambient mana, not just her own. ≫
Mana Dominator.
Her unique trait, the source of her power. She could draw upon the ambient mana, making her reserves practically limitless. And combined with the vast repertoire of spells she’d mastered since childhood, few students could stand against her.
“Don’t lie to me, Brother.”
“…Do you really need to know?”
“Yes.”
“Even if it changes how you feel about me?”
“I don’t care.”
Her unwavering resolve made me surrender. She was stubborn; once she set her mind on something, she wouldn’t give up.
I told her everything.
About my talents, the Duke’s order, the reason I’d targeted Lianna, my actions after Mother’s death. Everything.
Her usual stoicism crumbled, her face twisting with emotions I’d never seen before.
She listened in silence, her only interruptions soft murmurs of, “So… Father…”
“…That’s what happened.”
“…”
“I know what you’re thinking, but it’s all in the—”
“All what?”
She looked up, her eyes red-rimmed.
“All in the past? Are you saying I shouldn’t be upset?”
“…Yes, it’s over—”
“Why?”
Tears welled up in her eyes, a single tear tracing a path down her cheek, but it wasn’t sadness she felt, it was rage.
“Why… why did you just accept it?”
“…”
“Father was wrong! He shouldn’t have asked that of you…!”
“…It was the best course of action for the family—”
“What about you?”
She took a step closer, her light footsteps carrying an unexpected weight.
“You knew what would happen, didn’t you? How people would treat you.”
“…I—”
“Don’t tell me you didn’t care, that you could handle it. It’s infuriating.”
“…”
“You always do that. You always put yourself last.”
She took another step closer, her words sharp, piercing, her tear-filled eyes fixed on mine.
“I feel… betrayed.”
“…”
“I can’t believe Father would ask that of you… I almost wish you were lying…!”
“…Aria…”
“…But what if it’s true?”
“…”
Another tear fell, tracing a path down her porcelain skin.
She took another step closer, her gaze unwavering.
“What have I been doing to you all this time?”
“…Aria, I’m fine—”
“Don’t say that!”
She grabbed me by the collar, her small stature making the gesture look almost comical, but her expression was anything but.
“How… how can I make it up to you?”
“…”
“What can I do? Please… tell me…”
“…”
Her grip loosened, and she sank to the ground, her tears flowing silently.
She didn’t even have the right to cry out loud, she seemed to be thinking, her grief compounding her sense of injustice.
I couldn’t comfort her with words. She had to deal with this on her own.
But still, I wanted to help.
I reached out and gently stroked her hair, a silent reassurance, a promise that I was still here, that I wouldn’t leave her.
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“Are you alright now?”
“…Yes.”
Another wave of sobs wracked her body, but I managed to calm her down eventually.
An awkward silence settled between us, then she stood up.
“Brother…”
“…I’m listening.”
“I’m going to see Father.”
I stood up, too. I knew what she intended to do.
“Don’t.”
“I have to.”
“You know there’s nothing to gain from this.”
“I know. But I have to.”
It was pointless to argue. She’d made up her mind.
“…Why?”
“To see… if Father is really that kind of person.”
“…It won’t end well.”
“I know. But I have to do this.”
“…I don’t recommend it.”
“I don’t care.”
I nodded reluctantly, and a faint smile touched her lips, a smile I hadn’t seen in a long time. The smile of the Aria I once knew.
“I’ll be going now, Brother.”
“…Alright.”
And just like that, we parted ways. There was nothing left to say.
I returned to the dorm, where Ella awaited.
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Back in my room,
I immediately began working.
I had the artifact now; there was no reason to delay.
If anything, it was already too late. I should have started my research, established my reputation as an alchemist, much earlier.
I created a human body.
Bones, then muscles, then skin.
I’d dissected my own body whenever I encountered a part I didn’t fully understand, ensuring there were no flaws in my creation.
A perfect replica of a human body, but… lifeless.
It lacked a soul, and I hadn’t been able to create a functional brain. Its structure was too complex to replicate from memory.
And the souls I’d tried to imbue wouldn’t integrate; they simply lingered, unable to control the body.
I was at a dead end. I wracked my brain, searching for a solution,
And then, I found it,
In the most unexpected place.
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