Today is the day I have to start my recovery training.
I really didn't want to.
And I wasn't going to.
Just one more rest day won't hurt.
"You need to practice this, or you won't ever get better."
Arrak begged me to train, but I wasn't up for it.
"I'm fine, really."
"NO YOU'RE NOT!"
She lashed out at me with unconfined rage, though it wasn't hateful rage.
"YOU NEED TO TRAIN!"
A tear started rolling down her cheek as she sobbed uncontrollably.
"YOU CAN'T LET YOUR LIFE GET RUINED! I won't let YOU!"
She collapsed to her knees, sniffling and shaking
"Not after I let that happen to my own brother. I can't fail you too…"
"your brother…"
"h-his name was Kertem… we were a mentor like me, except he was a swordsman…"
Kertem?
He was her brother!
"I failed him. He was executed by your degenerate parents-"
She clapped a hand over her mouth and looked at me with wide eyes.
"I didn't mean that. Don't tell anyone I said that"
"I-"
"PLEASE!"
"I won't! I promise! Just calm down okay?"
She kept shaking but started to control the sobs.
"I… I need to get some air."
"o-okay, stay safe…"
"I will"
She left.
But not without leaving a notebook on the nightstand.
It's the one she always keeps in her pocket.
I looked around, checking if she was anywhere nearby.
Nobody.
I reached out to pick up the book and opened it out of curiosity.
"Oct 3rd, 1273
My brother was just executed today.
I couldn't handle it.
I had nobody to talk to so I bought this book.
I'm scared.
Really scared.
Someone help me.
God, read this.
God help me.
My brother, my sweet Kertem is dead.
He's dead because of those FUCKING vile BASTARDS.
I'm going to become the best mage in the kingdom.
Then they'll have me train their heir.
I'll change my last name.
They won't know I'm his sister.
Then I'll find an opening.
And I will get my revenge."
I closed the book.
Arrak was not only Kertem's sister.
But she was plotting to kill my parents this whole time.
She wouldn't do something like that though…
I saw that look in her eyes.
She cares about me.
She loves me as if I were her brother.
I don't know why.
But she does.
And I know that for a fact.
Or at least…
I really hope so.