[Ch. 57] A Little Sister (Past)

Upon returning to the Academy after the break, I searched for Raylon. However, every time I saw him, he immediately ran away. During class, he wouldn't sit near me and would rush out once it was finished.

He was avoiding me.

However, it wasn't like how he avoided me in the past. Now whenever we made eye contact, I could see a rush of hatred in his eyes.

I know I was a bit cold to him, but did I overdo it? I only got involved because I was worried the Baron would kill him. The Baron didn't look that powerful, but I knew he could easily destroy Raylon if he felt like it.

I sat at the table lost in thought, neither reading nor drinking like usual. Amanda tapped my shoulder, "My lady? What happened? I've never seen you act this way before."

Mona looked at me closely, "Is it perhaps Raylon?"

I snapped out of my stupor, "Did he say anything to you?"

She sighed, "I'm not sure what's gotten into him either. I've tried to ask him, but he gets so angry whenever I ask. I haven't seen him that angry in a long time."

I watched her closely, "Are you two blood related?"

Mona blinked in surprise, "We aren't. He came to live with us when he was a child. Although we tried to get him to adopt our name, he refused to. However, we still treat him as family."

It was just as I suspected. He didn't have a family name like the other nobility nor did he have an insignia. Only those belonging to a recognized family had their own insignia. Michiya told me he didn't have parents and was also born poor which is why he didn't have an insignia. Therefore, Raylon had to be the same.

Then why did Raylon bring up his sister and getting revenge?

As I pondered the reason, I was no longer paying attention to my surroundings. I was constantly running into trees or columns and occasionally falling down steps.

Finally, Korph got irritated by my absentmindedness and pulled me aside, "Alright. What is going on? You're walking around like a zombie! It's starting to annoy me."

Wait, isn't he Raylon's childhood friend? Surely, he must know something.

I stared into his eyes unwavering, "Tell me Korph. Does Raylon have a sister?"

He raised an eyebrow, "You mean Mona?"

"No. Another one."

He looked away with a failed poker face, "I don't know what you mean." I grabbed his arm and pinched it, making him squeal in pain. "Oi! Let go!"

I ignored his cries, "Raylon got into a fight with the Baron before leaving my estate. He mentioned that the Baron did something to him and his sister. Now he looks at me with hatred in his eyes. If you know something, tell me."

Korph met my eyes, bewildered by my unusual seriousness. Usually, I wouldn't involve myself in something like this. He sighed in defeat, "Alright. I will tell you, but you can't let anyone know I told you. Especially Raylon."

"Mmn." I withdrew my grip.

He spoke in a low voice, "Truthfully, I don't know the full story. But I do know this, Raylon wasn't originally from the Phoenix nation. He was born in the Baron's kingdom."

He isn't?! I guess that explains why his name isn't a traditional Phoenix name.

Korph continued, "He was born into poverty. His father was a drunk that left as soon as his little sister was born. His mother died soon after because they couldn't afford medicine or treatment. He only had his little sister. They were really close, but when he grew older, he offended the wrong person. This person was a close advisor of the Baron. Somehow, his little sister's soul was destroyed by the advisor. Her body is still alive, but her mind is gone. Raylon didn't know what to do. He came across the Baron by chance one day and dragged his sister to him begging for him to help. The Baron ordered him to be beaten to death for approaching him. As he lay dying next to his sister, Mona's father, the Phoenix king, found him. He healed him and brought back both him and his sister. However, no matter what they tried, his little sister wouldn't wake up."

No wonder he hated the Baron and my nation so much. He only received cruelty from them. Even in the most prosperous nation, the slums were a horrible place. I nodded, "I see. Where is she now?"

"She's somewhere at the Phoenix king's estate. Since his Palace is heavily guarded, he said she would be safe there."

"Do you know the room?"

"I don't. But why do you care? They wouldn't let you in anyway."

"Mmn."

He grabbed my wrist, "Don't forget. You promised me you wouldn't let anyone know you knew. If you get caught, I would be in a lot of trouble."

I patted his head affectionately, "Mmn. Thank you, little dragon. Now I know."

He slapped off my hands, "Why are you always doing that?"

...

Once Amanda fell asleep, I changed into my boyish clothes and threw on a cape. I put on my invisibility necklace and drew a spell on my forehead just as before. Once I had everything, I instantly teleported inside of the Phoenix Kings estate.

I landed behind two guards and lightly dashed into a hallway. The guards turned to look and followed my footsteps. I cursed and used my necklace to turn invisible. What bad luck… I just hope the guards aren't skilled enough in magic to see through my invisibility spell.

Good thing for me, they didn't.

They shrugged and continued down the hall. I cautiously walked through the halls, avoiding guards while looking into the endless rooms. How will I ever find her? This place is even more confusing than the Baron's castle.

I silently searched through the halls until I found myself in the kitchen. I used my invisibility as a servant rushed over carrying a pail of water. The woman shouted, "I'm going to give Sylvia a bath now."

Sylvia? That wasn't a name from the Phoenix nation.

It had to be Raylon's sister.

I followed the maid, matching her footsteps carefully so she wouldn't hear extra steps and get suspicious. She came to a stairway with two guards blocking it. They moved to the side as she bowed before continuing down the stairway. I carefully followed her, holding my breath. One guard looked in suspicion but shrugged off the sound of the extra footsteps.

The servant came to a room and opened the door. I watched as she bathed an unmoving girl carefully before leaving the room. After I ensured she left, I approached her and surveyed her closely. The small girl looked asleep as she lay on the bed with her eyes closed. She looked extremely similar to Raylon. She also had silky black hair with long, thick black eyelashes. However, she had a frail body that was pale from being trapped in a room with no sunlight.

I released my invisibility as I moved to her side. I picked up her hand and searched for her soul. I tried to enter her mind but couldn't. Her soul was completely gone. It was a much worse scenario than what I encountered in the Dragon clan.

I bit my lip as I thought.

I've been studying the dark arts for a while now. I mostly learned how to control bodies and minds along with curses. However, I noticed there was very little information on bringing the dead back to the living. Although it was incredibly hard to succeed in, it was possible. I've already opened the door to the afterlife.

If her body is alive, then it's possible her soul is stuck in a sort of limbo. After seeing the void between the living and the dead, I wonder if it is possible to manipulate it to my advantage. I let out a sigh, "I'm sorry. But I will have to use you to test my theory."

I cut my hand and drew a magic circle out of blood. I closed my eyes and began to search through the Limbo-like world. My eyes reopened to see a strange white world with only gray fog. I peered through the fog, but couldn't see anything. I didn't get discouraged and started walking. Eventually, I came across a girl in the fog that resembled her.

I spoke to her, "Are you Sylvia?"

She looked back with a pitiful expression, "Please don't drag me back."

I hesitated, "Raylon is waiting for you."

She shook her head, "I don't want to go back. I don't want to. I can't live in that body anymore… I'm happy here. I want to move on… Please don't bring me back."

My lips pinched together as my heart was torn. Dragging an unwilling person back to life was a horrible feeling. Hearing her beg me…

I didn't want to force her back.

I know better than anyone how terrible it can be to return when all you want is to go somewhere better. It was like being stuck in a boring small town that you hated, but couldn't escape from.

...However…

I bowed my head, "I'm sorry."

I owe this to Raylon.