Behind the Academy Garden
Behind the academy garden, Celestienne lay on a blanket of green grass. A gentle breeze rustled her hair as her eyes gazed at the blue sky streaked with thin clouds. A faint smile appeared on her lips, yet a shadow of sadness lingered, impossible to hide.
"The sky is beautiful now," she murmured softly, as if speaking to herself. "It can make me forget my brother, Veyron… isn't that right, soul at the tip of the sword?"
A soft, deep voice, full of authority, replied from within her heart.
"Yes, Princess. You have indeed forgotten your brother, Veyron."
Celestienne exhaled in relief. Her faint smile lasted only a moment until she opened her eyes again. But her gaze was suddenly blocked by the silhouette of someone standing over her. The light of the sky seemed interrupted, and Celestienne was fully awake.
"...So it's you, Selene." Her tone sounded irritated, tired of the girl constantly appearing. "Why are you here? Trying to make me your friend again?"
Selene chuckled lightly, her eyes shining with hope. "Oh, so you know. So… do you want to be my friend, Celestienne?"
"Sorry. I can't," Celestienne replied curtly, coldly.
Selene paused, then gazed deeply at her. "I know you're still grieving for your brother. But if you keep isolating yourself… he would feel sadness in his heart too. You understand that, right?"
Celestienne froze at her words. Her eyes met Selene's sincere gaze, full of honesty. Slowly, Celestienne's expression softened. She gave a faint smile, took a deep breath, and whispered, "I thought you only wanted to make me your friend, without caring about my feelings. I was wrong. Alright… I will be your friend."
This time, Celestienne's smile was warmer, genuine, almost erasing the scars she had carried for so long.
"That's better!" Selene cheered quietly, excited. "Come with me to the front academy garden. The other three friends are there."
Celestienne slowly rose, following Selene. Yet before fully moving, she glanced toward the distant continent of Elarion, faintly visible. Her smile returned, soft yet filled with longing.
"My brother… you must live, whatever you desire," she whispered inwardly.
---
Front Academy Garden
The academy corridor seemed long, yet Celestienne's steps were light. Together with Selene, she walked along the sunlit path. The sky above reflected golden light, making the leaves rustle gently in the wind. Occasionally, Celestienne looked up, her eyes sparkling as she admired the beautiful sky.
"Hey, Selene," she suddenly said, breaking the silence. "The sun feels pretty bright today, doesn't it? Not like the previous days. And the sky… it's so beautiful."
Selene turned with a small smile. "Oh? So you like gazing at the sky and the sun, Celestienne?"
"Yes," Celestienne replied innocently. "I like the morning sky, the noon sky, and even the night. I also love the stars—they're so beautiful." Without realizing it, she shared everything she liked.
Selene held back a smile, observing Celestienne meaningfully. When she starts trusting someone, she shares everything she loves… she thought.
Celestienne frowned, noticing Selene smiling to herself. "Why are you smiling at me?"
Selene quickly turned her gaze forward. "Ah, nothing. I… just saw you smiling."
Celestienne shook her head gently. "You're strange, Selene."
---
Arriving at the front garden, the sound of chirping birds and the scent of flowers greeted them. On a garden bench, two girls and a young man were chatting. Seeing them, Selene ran ahead, waving enthusiastically.
"Hey, friends! I finally made Celestienne my friend!" she shouted, her face glowing as if she had just conquered a rare monster.
The three on the bench turned in unison. Their eyes fixed on Celestienne standing behind Selene. Shock appeared almost simultaneously on their faces.
"WHAT…? Selene actually made Celestienne our friend?"
Celestienne observed their faces one by one—a soft smile forming, different from the cold expression she was rumored to have.
"Maybe it's not just me who becomes Selene's friend… well, whatever. Better than letting my brother stay sad in his heart, even if he remembers nothing…" she thought, lips curling into a light laugh. "Hahaha…"
With graceful steps, Celestienne approached them. Her smile was beautiful, warm, illuminating her face.
"Hello, nice to meet you. From now on, we are friends. My name is Celestienne Aurelith. And yours?"
Selene immediately nudged her shoulder, laughing softly. "Don't pretend you don't know, Celestienne."
Celestienne giggled. "Hahaha… Selene, you really can be something. I did know your names."
Laughter spread around. The atmosphere lightened as they finally sat together on the bench. Warm tea was served, and light conversation flowed.
Velissandra looked at Celestienne in surprise, thinking, So she's cheerful… not cold like the rumors said. Her face may be cold, but her heart… is warm.
Conversation flowed effortlessly. Laughter, chatter, and the sense of friendship gradually melted the distance that once seemed unbreakable. Finally, Celestienne realized how much time had passed.
"It's already late," she said softly, gazing at the sky turning orange. "Selene, I need to return to my room. I forgot something, and we can talk again tomorrow."
Selene nodded with a sweet smile. "Alright. See you, Celestienne. Sleep well tonight."
Celestienne smiled, stood, and walked toward the girls' dormitory.
---
Encounter with Solara
Celestienne's steps along the dormitory corridor were calm. The sunset light streaming through the long windows cast elongated shadows. She was about to open her room door when she froze. From the end of the corridor, a girl appeared—a stranger who shouldn't have been inside the academy's barrier.
Instinctively, Celestienne prepared herself. Her magical aura shimmered in the air.
"Who are you? How did you penetrate the school's barrier?"
The girl smiled faintly, her eyes glowing with mysterious light. "Finally, we meet, Celestienne Aurelith… or should I call you by your real name, Ashen Vale. Oh, forgive me—I almost forgot. You already uncovered your own identity, didn't you?"
Celestienne's expression remained cold, though her eyes sharpened in vigilance. "I asked who you are."
The girl calmly bowed slightly. "My name is Solara. Leader of the Sun… and the main enemy of the Ironvale Kingdom."
The name made Celestienne's heart race. Citizens across the continent often spoke of Solara with fear, full of stories of threat and rebellion. Yet Celestienne maintained a neutral face, though her mind was in turmoil.
"So… you're the rumored Solara? The enemy threatening Ironvale, who never bows to the king?"
Solara smiled faintly, as if the answer was obvious. "Ah, so you know me too."
Though her heart urged her to strike, Celestienne restrained herself. She knew the academy was already filled with Sun members. A reckless move would bring disaster.
"Then… just tell me why you came to see me."
"Not here," Solara replied casually. "We need a quieter place. Otherwise, many eyes and ears will interfere."
She snapped her fingers. Suddenly, the space around them shook. Celestienne flinched, finding herself transported elsewhere. Black trees towered, the air heavy with a cold, dark aura. The forest seemed alive, whispering with unseen voices.
The Forest of Death. A place spoken of in tales of her reincarnation.
Celestienne furrowed her brow. "How is this possible… the Sun's main base is here?"
Solara turned to her, eyes full of secrets. "You must be surprised, Celestienne Aurelith… or rather, Ahn Jungwo. The reincarnation."
In an instant, Celestienne's usual cold expression paled. Panic and fear collided in her eyes. "H-How do you… know I'm a reincarnation?"
Solara chuckled softly, her voice calm yet piercing. "Because I've been monitoring your every step since you first arrived in this world. From my own base, I've seen everything."
Celestienne was stunned. "What…? So you've been watching me all this time?"
"Yes. Exactly."
Solara's voice was soft but sharp, like a dagger piercing through truth. Celestienne followed her without another word, her mind full of questions. One thing was certain—the mysterious girl knew more about her than anyone else ever had.
---
Veyron's Secret
Their journey ended before a colossal gate. Its height seemed to pierce the sky, adorned with sun engravings layered in golden light that pulsed slowly, almost alive.
Celestienne was stunned, eyes wide. "What…? What kind of gate is this, so huge?"
Solara glanced at her briefly, a faint smile on her lips. "Surprised, aren't you? Come in. We need to talk… about your brother, Veyron Aldrecht."
The name made Celestienne's breath catch. There was something in Solara's tone that pierced her soul.
They finally entered a vast room lit by blue fire torches. Once the door closed, all Sun members left. Only Solara and Celestienne remained.
Solara looked at her intently. "Alright, let's talk about the truth of your brother. Are you ready, Celestienne?"
Celestienne clenched her fists, eyes full of determination. "Yes. I'm ready."
Solara stepped closer, her voice low but clear. "Have you ever felt an incredibly strong aura coming into this world, long ago? An aura that made you shiver, yet you ignored it?"
Celestienne nodded slowly. "Yes… I remember. A terrifying aura that felt like it pierced through every dimension. Does it… have something to do with my brother?"
Solara smiled faintly. "Exactly. That aura… belongs to your brother."
Celestienne's eyes widened. "What…?! You mean… my brother is someone from beyond this universe?!"
"Yes," Solara's voice was firm. "Veyron is not an ordinary human. He is an entity from another world, carrying energy that shouldn't exist here. Every fragment of his soul contains 1,200 fragments of energy from the Realm of Chaos—the origin of all endings. This world is too weak to contain his power. That's why your brother often faints."
Her words struck Celestienne like a sword through her chest. Her hands trembled, lips quivering. "I-It can't be… so… all this time my brother… was lying to me?"
"Yes," Solara replied softly but sharply. "He hid his origin. Hid his true power. All for one thing—to keep you from crying, and so he could still feel his sister's love without scaring you."
Celestienne gasped. Her emotions erupted. She slammed the table, making it shake. "How do you know all this? What's your connection to my brother?!"
Solara closed her eyes for a moment, drawing a deep breath. Her smile was now bitter, almost painful. "Sorry… I can't tell you that."
"I see…" Celestienne gritted her teeth. Tears welled up, even as she tried to hold them back. "So I don't have the right to know what kind of connection you have with my brother."
She turned, stepping out. As the door closed behind her, her sobs broke free. Her shoulders shook violently, voice choked. "How… could my own brother lie to me…? How could his origin be too powerful for this world to contain…?"
Inside the room, Solara remained still, watching the door Celestienne had just left. Her eyes glistened. Tears fell, wetting her cheeks.
"Forgive me, Sister… I've been lying to you. I've been searching for you all this time, but… I could only lie."
Several Sun members waiting outside bowed their heads. They knew the truth: Solara was not merely the leader of the rebels. She was the sibling Celestienne had been searching for over a hundred years, now unrecognized.
Celestienne cried at the outer gate, tears she thought were only for Veyron. Behind her, Solara—the unrecognized sibling—cried while smiling bitterly.
"I will wait for you, Sister…" she whispered softly, eyes fixed on Celestienne's retreating back. "Until you remember me again."
---
Epilogue
Celestienne's steps away from the base felt heavy, as if each stride added an invisible burden to her chest. Tears flowed endlessly, falling onto the cold forest ground. She clutched her chest, struggling to contain the tightness pressing against her heart.
"Veyron… my brother… why did you lie? Am I really that weak that you couldn't trust me?"
Behind the slowly closing gate, Solara stood motionless. The sunlight reflecting off the golden engravings highlighted her silhouette, yet something shimmered faintly in her eyes—a secret yet unrevealed, hidden between promises and loyalty.
"Sister… if only you knew who I truly am… if only time could be rewound a hundred years…"
The distance between them was too great. Names, faces, even fate seemed to erase the bond that was once so strong. Yet in the air, a subtle vibration lingered, as if the world itself held its breath, waiting for what was to come.
The sunset gradually swallowed the last of its light, leaving a crimson silhouette as a silent witness to the tears of a separated sister and brother. And among the long shadows, the wind whispered—soft, mysterious, carrying a promise only the deepest heart could hear:
"I will wait for you, Sister… until you know me again."
Yet… among that whisper, there was something else, faint but real. An unspoken warning: another power watches, and our journey has only just begun.
---
Chapter 10 Completed.