Chapter 16 - Life Without Her Presence

Two weeks have passed since my sister, Aurelia, left.

No changes occurred due to her departure to the academy; we all always wish the best for her, and of course, that also applies to me.

My life, it can be said, has become stricter in every aspect. Class hours, training, diplomacy, everything has been on a very real track. Currently, everything I learn is not just about theory, but also about real life and events around me. Commanding troops to guard the northern gate, becoming a representative in trade negotiations with traveling merchants, to making various magic potions—I do all of it based on the implementation of the lessons my mentors have given me during our 5 years of meeting.

In reality, it can be said that the feeling of experiencing theory becoming reality before my eyes is a pleasure in itself, because it proves that what I have learned all this time was not in vain, and it all makes me grow day by day. Everything, one might say, is going as it should, yes.... Although, honestly. I still feel lonely.

My sister, who has always been by my side, is now gone, and somehow, I feel that life without her feels different... Good, but heavy. I always remember her consistently demanding behavior, her childish and mischievous nature, yet she was very caring and overprotective of me; she... never left my side for more than 3 days. And when this separation finally happened... Hahh, I guess I'm not immune to this emotion either.

*Slap!*

Anyway! Stay focused, it doesn't mean she's gone forever, right? We'll still meet later, so for now, I need to stay focused on what's in front of me.

After slapping my cheek hard until it turned red, I felt a little refreshed. Haa... Well, the reason I suddenly remember her is this, this thing I'm holding in my hand right now... A letter from my sister.

"Alright, let's read, what will you tell me, sis? Are you having fun there?"

I broke the wax seal bearing our family crest, then sitting facing the window in my room, I began to read her letter. With the sky and the roaring night wind, I began to pay attention to every letter enclosed in the letter.

"Dear Alex, how are you? You should already know, but yayyyy!!! It's your beloved sister, Aurelia!"

"Hehehe, sorry, I got excited because I was writing a letter to you. Anyway! I'm sending this letter because I want to share stories about what I've experienced during my time at the academy. I also wrote to Mother and Father respectively, so they should also know a little about what I've been through. But specifically for you, I'll tell you in detail, okay? Be grateful!"

"Well, it seems this academy is indeed not something to be taken lightly. For the past week, all the lessons and curriculum I've been working on have been very strict, ranging from learning about history, martial arts training, to magic. Everything is very chaotic, really. Many others are crying and want to go home, truly weak. Well... Me, personally, I think all of it is still easy for me, huhu."

"Besides lessons, I was also given guidance regarding the special girls' dormitory, where it turns out my mentor in this guidance is the student council president of the academy, her name is Angel, she's currently in 2nd year, one year above me, she's a very kind and naive person, anyway... Too kind if I may say so, you'll definitely understand when you meet her, anyway..."

"Furthermore, I also joined the magic club. Anyway, I need to sharpen my main skill in magic. The club here turns out to be more useful than I thought, I've gained a lot of new knowledge from the activities, although sometimes some annoying arrogant people will come and challenge me, well... I defeated them all."

"Alright... I guess I've written long enough, I'm sure you'll also be annoyed by how much I've written.

Hahh...

...

..... Anyway, Alex.

Whatever happens while I'm here, no matter how fun, difficult, or otherwise... In the end, if I had to choose, I'd rather stay by your side...

...

I miss you... Alex,

I really miss you, you know, very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very miss you!!!!"

"I need my Alex energy refilled, my energy is almost depleted."

"Just imagining waiting for 1 year already feels very heavy; right now I feel like I want to hug you with all my might."

"Therefore, Alex. Your super beautiful sister will wait, I will wait for the big year, make sure you come here, okay?! Promise."

"To make you struggle a little, I'll just tell you, your super beautiful sister has made many stupid boys at the academy declare their futile love to me. Just this week, I can't even count on my fingers how many male students confessed, although, it all ended the same. I rejected them, I hit those stupid dogs, and I made sure they wouldn't come back, hahaha!"

"Okay, that should be enough. I hope you're always healthy there, Alex. Always remember that I'm always by your side, don't ever cry alone again, you're not a crybaby anymore, are you? For the future, I will send letters every 2 months, due to academy regulations, so I hope, during our separation, that you are doing well.

I love you

- Aurelia."