Septis, 01 Lus 911 Aven
This little girl named Aliss and her group were the only ones left in the empty classroom, seemingly discussing among themselves as never before, sharing their impressions—especially their respect for the young girl. But it would not last, for the time of separation was approaching.
Guillaume spoke, a slight smile on his lips.
— Oh! What a shame, but you know me—I still have archives to sift through for my war.
He leaned in slightly and whispered into Aliss's ear, in an intimate murmur, almost like a secret.
— You know? I'll be delighted when you become the king's advisor, my very dear. You know me.
Aliss did not react at all and simply offered him a smile.
— Good luck, my friend. I can already see it—you will certainly become someone great.
Guillaume replied in turn with a smile, after standing up.
— That much is a certainty.
— I'll go about my business then. Until next time, my friends.
After that, he headed for the exit and left the room, hurried by the imminent end of the break.
Then it was Sangen's turn to speak, energetic, punctuating his words with fighting gestures.
— Guys, I'm heading out too. Training. I never miss training—you know me. I swear only by training; combat runs in my blood. So, see you next time.
He too exited through the door.
Yuzu immediately stood up and followed Sangen before he disappeared completely, calling out into the air:
— Oh yes, me too, I have to train. You don't become the greatest hero by being lazy, but by training day and night.
Max, moved by those words, immediately grabbed Brice and Prince by the collar.
— Oh! Whoa! By the beard of a berserker! Are you talking to me?! And now that I think about it, I still have to get revenge on those two vampires… wolf's pride.
Brice and Prince, the twins, seemed to grow sad at the same time, almost on the verge of tears, clearly disappointed.
— Lady, please, allow me to remain in your fabulous company. Save me from this ill-mannered brute, I beg you. 🙏
— Yes, that's true, we don't want to stay with such a sore loser. He's a real brute—please, talk to him. 🙏
Aliss sighed, wearing a deliberately embarrassed and slightly annoyed expression.
— Sorry, I'm completely bound hand and foot.
Brice and Prince repeated a final word in unison to their friend as they disappeared behind the door.
— Traitor.
Only five people remained in the room that was supposed to be empty, Aliss included.
Shinra stayed close to Aliss, like a guard.
— I'm not leaving so soon. I don't want anything unexpected to happen to you. Who knows all the dangers lurking around you… I even heard that on the day of your birth, people were strictly forbidden to go outside or even look at their own shadows. Is that true?
Aliss calmly displayed a blasé, slightly intimidating expression.
— Apparently that's how it is—who knows. As long as a baby hasn't come out of the egg, it can't remember anything. That's what the world says. So what do you expect me to answer about what came before me, other than what people wanted to tell me? Rumors.
Then it was Marie's turn to ask her question.
— I wonder how you survived.
Aliss answered seriously, sometimes clenching her fists as she thought back.
— It's a skill like any other. It's simple: when you grow up far from everything, in the cold, you very quickly start acquiring such abilities.
However, Aliss seemed lost in thought, and Marie noticed it.
— Where are you right now?
Aliss showed little emotion, gazing into the void, into the distance, save for a final faint grin.
— With my teachers. Those who taught me so many things for so long. You know, they were like fathers to me, even though they were often very eccentric, sometimes strange, and at other times too strict. They still had a certain wisdom, a carefreeness that often led me to rein them in. But their existence itself is surely the best thing. I care for them deeply. To me, they are my real parents—not those people who came out of nowhere claiming me, saying I belong to their family, and even sending me here just so I could receive a proper education. Those guys annoy me so much… I miss my teachers terribly. But unfortunately, I can't see them right now. Still, by hearing them and seeing them again, I live my best life, striving to become even better than I already am.
Marie nodded in agreement.
— I do agree with that. Onward to excellence.
Shinra followed as well.
— Count me in too.
Aliss replied in the same spirit.
— All the more reason for you to go refine yourselves, my friends.
They answered in unison before dispersing in an instant.
— Yeah!!!
Atrix then emerged from his corner.
— You're incredible, big sister. Don't worry—the gloomy guy slipped out earlier, I don't even remember when.
Aliss seemed slightly surprised.
— Worthy of an assassin—but well, no blood relation.
Atrix made an obvious pout but persisted.
— Still, you're my big sister. As long as I see you that way, after growing up a bit with you—we even lived through great adventures together.
Aliss sat comfortably, a little exasperated.
— That's not wrong. In my life, you were like family. And when we were in the cold, I admit you're the only one I could possibly call my brother. But let's stop that anyway—love isn't something you just say aloud. 😐
She placed her hand near her heart, in the middle of her chest.
Atrix, persistent, put on a teasing look.
— You'll end up calling me what I deserve: Sister's brother, your junior—and also the only one who speaks well of that strange man who is my father.
Aliss let out a small laugh.
— I admit your father was a good teacher—that's a fact.
Atrix rolled his eyes, extremely serious—perhaps even too much so.
— Two more years before the cage of fate closes around us. That'll be when we turn thirteen… Bastards, aren't they? Little doves, bearers of hope from another world…
— Yes…
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
The bell rang. It was time to return to class. The moment of separation.
— Bye, Sister.
— Yes, bye.
The separations truly took place, and everyone was already anticipating the reunion, which surely would not be long in coming. But for now, the classroom was gradually filling with students in white uniforms—a shirt—and red trousers or skirts.
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