6: Too Much

After calming down, Zarkesia and Zander with their cousins went to the cafeteria for lunch. The Cafeteria was located at the border of the Classroom buildings and the field for better access.

Reaching there, Zarkesia sat down and nod at Zander. Xander knowing what Zarkesia wants go with Kaiden and Herald to order food for their lunch.

Left in the table, Naomi and Fiorella started chatting.

"Zarkesia, now that I think about it, you're always rank in second or third place, how did you manage your studies? Can we get some advice?" Naomi asked

(I don't study much more than necessary, after studying all the important topics I didn't spend more time in studying, for the tests, I never really study or review I just answered all the questions that I know the answer, there are times that I just skipped some questions because I don't like answering long questions)

With that Zarkesia just revealed that she and Zander are definitely not the normal student. Not studying much but getting great ranks, not preparing for test but almost getting perfect for everything.

Naomi and Fiorella then look at each other before sighing looking defeated.

"Alright... You're both too much, too much for us to handle, we can never get what's going on in your mind, sigh, but Zarkesia now that I think about it it's about the time for your 18th birthday, it's in about three months right? Do you have plans?" Naomi asked

After hearing birthday Zarkesia froze and gave a them a pale face, there's not much expression in her face but deep pain is seen clearly in her eyes

"Is there a problem Zarkesia?" Fiorella asked looking concerned

This is what the whole Louise Family never knew, the two siblings never celebrated birthdays after the day their parents died, with simply mentioning their birthday they'll remember that day when they were attacked. Never once they had a celebration for birthdays, as if afraid that when there's a birthday celebration there will be an attack like six years ago. A deep scar in both the siblings heart that will never heal.

"Sister?! What's wrong?" Zander together with Kaiden and Herald returned as Zander immediately placed the tray of foods in the table before going to Zarkesia after seeing her expression

{I'm alright Zander... Don't worry, let's just eat} Zarkesia used her Ability as she calm down her brother who's panicking

"zander I think Zarkesia needs rest, after this let's let her go back to her dorm" Herald said as her arrange the food in the table

Zander nods and sat down next to his sister. He put everything he brought for her sister in front of her before asking her to eat.

After that midway in their eating Naomi asked the left question once again.

"Zander, what's your plan in coming three months?" Naomi asked

"What's there in three months?" Zander asked confusedly before looking at Naomi

"It's Zarkesia's birthday isn't it? Let's explore the town? There's many fun places here we'll show you around" Naomi said as they continued to eat

However Zander stopped his actions of eating as if freezing in his seat. Zarkesia worries as she held her brother's hands

Zander then look at his sister then giving her a small smile as if telling her not to worry

"We would like it if you do not mention any of our birthdays... We do not celebrate it and never will, I'm sorry but we'll take our leave first, my sister's condition isn't looking good" After saying that Zander stood up and left the others with Zarkesia

Looking at the back of the siblings Herald sigh as he look at Naomi

"Didn't you know that Zarkesia and Zander never have invited us for birthday celebrations? It's not that they want to spend it with each other, they never asked for money in celebrating their birthdays, I think it's because of their parents, Uncle Fellix and his wife died when it's Zarkesia's birthday, never mention it again in front of them, I think it's their sore spot" He said as they continue to eat in silence.

Meanwhile after Zander and Zarkesia left their cousins

{Don't worry too much, I'm fine} Zarkesia said as they walk in the fields

"Sister, I know you like an open book, your situation is not better than mine, I... I don't like it when you're in that condition... I may recovered after this six years but I know... Sister... You never slept for more than two or three hours didn't you? You always woke up gasping for air, I heard you loud and clear, waking up in the middle of the night, crying... You're suppressing your voice as to not be heard by me, you didn't just know, I heard it all,  I knew it, I really am in pain but I recovered little by little but you, it's as if time never pass by in your world, you didn't recover even in a slightest bit, I know that you're still the same, though you're not crying as much as before you still wasn't able to sleep peacefully, our past hunts you even in your dreams, sister, I don't want you to suffer more than you're experiencing right now, so please, just please allow me to limit those possibilities that may hurt you, I'm always beside you but I feel so weak and I feel really..." Zander didn't continue as Zarkesia watch his face full of pain, eyes are red, almost tearing, deep pain in the eyes, a little pale face...

Zarkesia look down as her bangs covered her eyes, a tear drop down from her eyes as she quickly wiped those away

{I'm alright, don't worry too much, you... I didn't know that you're awake in those times, I thought I hid it well enough... Zander, don't be in so much pain because of me, I'll get better I promise} With that last words Zarkesia entered the dormitory building as she bid goodbye to Zander who was left in the entrance

Zander just smiled bitterly as he also waved goodbye before going to the male dormitories direction.

In Zarkesia's room

Zarkesia arriving in her room lay down and covered her eyes with her arms

'Zander... You thought I sleep two to three hours? Maybe you're right... But that sleep is only for once or twice a week... I never slept peacefully... I never slept continuously... I was only able to sleep for two to three hours when I'm too tired... Zander... I'm sorry... This weak sister of yours was never able to get out of that day... Never once... They are hunting me... Chasing me until now... The screams of our maids and butlers... The bloody grass and tables... Our parents killed in front of us... Those dark beings... Zander... I really hope to recover but those memories just can't get out of my head... I can't forget nor am I willing to... I'm sorry Zander... I guess this will be another lie that I spoke... I'm sorry... Forgive me... If not because of me this would not happen to you and our parents at all... It's all my fault...'

With that thought Zarkesia was full of tears

Whispering sounds in her head, the screams, red bloody garden... their mom and dad's lifeless corpse... The dark beings... Her mind repeatedly play this starting from her smile in the face saying thank you to her family because of her birthday, smiling happily then running away to hide, seeing the blood, the screams of their servants and ending with their parents being killed, repeatedly like as if those are the only memories she have.

'Fourth day... I think I can't sleep in this week... I didn't battle with any monsters... I didn't train enough... I'm not tired... Academy life is definitely not better than being at home... Maybe I should just go out at night and train... I'll get permission from the headmaster... The longest time I didn't sleep is one and a half week... The shortest is three days... Maybe... If I train myself to the point that I will be tired and just fell asleep... Maybe that's better...'

And with Zarkesia left her room and go to the East Area.

Getting an appointment she can meet the headmaster tomorrow morning, leaving the area she went to the fields and explore the area, if she was permitted she'll have to find somewhere she can train alone

Passing three large fields (the fields are about the area of twenty basketball court) she reached a dense forest

After walking around the forest she saw a wide area without trees, there's also a small lake, deciding that's she'll train there if permitted she walked away.