Guide to Dealing with Her Sister (And Staying Alive)

"Lady Meliora."

"You look like a dead fish. Don't tell me—they're kicking you out?"

Ever the joker. That sly smile behind her sweet, smug face.

"No. Not at all."

"Kidding. Lirael would never do something like that. No matter how much she runs from you, you're still important to her."

"You think so?"

The moonlight spilled across our faces. Between us—an abyss. This kind of conversation... she abandoned it the moment I first arrived at the Academy.

"Oh, Atheron. For someone who notices everything, you're remarkably blind. You're supposed to trust your mistress. Heart and soul. Too bad you're not mine."

I said nothing.

"I can feel something's bugging you. Want to take a walk?"

"I can't abandon my duty to escort my mistress."

"Oh please. We both know she doesn't need you for that."

Fair enough. I followed her.

She walked with light, almost careless steps, her hands behind her back.

"You know, Atheron… you've changed over the year. Think I haven't seen you around the academy?"

"Oh, right. Forgive me. I hadn't noticed you at all."

"Ouch. How mean. I always notice you. They say even 'the bluntest student in the academy' finally made some friends. Care to spill?"

The breeze played with her hair. Her voice was soft—yet sharp like a blade under velvet.

"I'm afraid there's not much to say. Just the upcoming exam that's been bothering me."

"Oh? And what exam would that be?"

I hesitated for a moment, debating whether to tell her.

In the end, I did. By then, we had reached her door.

"Interesting," she touched the doorknob. "So you asked the professor for extra training, and he gave you an ultimatum instead?"

"Yeah. By the way, Lady Meliora… weren't we going for a walk?"

"We just did. Down the hall."

She smirked and opened the door.

"Come in."

"What? I can't."

"You want help, don't you? You won't master High Magic in three days by yourself, Dragonslayer. Get in here—or no help from me!"

Another ultimatum. This time from a girl with a sadistic streak.

I stepped in. She slowly turned the key in the lock.

"You think I've been watching you at the academy for fun? You caught my eye from day one, you know. I've always wondered what makes a Dragonslayer…"

Her fingers trailed down my back, slow and deliberate.

"Summoning a High Magic Entity…" she leaned in close, her breath warm on my ear, "...is a technique taught over years. And you were going to learn it in five days? You're insane."

I could feel the pressure of her chest against me. Her breath tingled across my neck. She wrapped her arms around me.

"And what exactly are you doing, Lady Meliora?"

My body reacted before my mind could catch up.

"Oh, don't play dumb. Maybe I just want… a little male affection."

Then, she leaned in and whispered directly into my ear:

"There is one way to awaken even greater power inside you."

…

"Sit on the bed."

"Lady Meliora. You know this isn't within my duty."

"Stubborn as ever~" she gently pushed me down. "What, you think I'll eat you?"

"What exactly do you want from me?"

Her cheeks were flushed. Her eyes glinted with mischief and something else—something warm.

"As if you don't know," she giggled and climbed onto me. "Tonight's your night."

I said nothing. Better to stay silent than say something I'll regret.

I wasn't sure what she intended, but right now… it felt like she wanted me. Me, specifically.

"Kidding~!" she knocked me lightly on the forehead. "You guys get so skittish when a girl takes charge."

"Not at all. If you were serious about seducing me, you'd be more subtle. Girls don't usually do everything themselves."

"Clearly, you don't know me," she smirked.

She pressed against me, placing her ear against my chest, listening to my calm heartbeat.

Her palms began to glow. Energy.

Her mana flowed through my body. I could feel it, like a current filling every nerve.

A different kind of magic than mine. It changed the perception of spells.

"I'm done. With this, it'll be easier for you to use High Magic."

"How? Right now, all I feel is your mana running through me."

She flicked my forehead.

THUMP!

In an instant—I saw her memories. Everything she ever learned about High Magic. The spells. The techniques. The countless failures and the hard-won progress.

I blinked.

"What's wrong? You look… dazed."

"…And how long do you plan to keep teasing me?"

"How was that memory? Not exactly game-breaking, but it'll speed up your learning curve. Should help a little."

I stayed silent. My expression softened.

"Hey! When someone gives you a helping hand, you're supposed to say thank you! You're such a grump, Atheron."

"Thank you, Lady Meliora."

No, truly — I was grateful. She had stepped in as my mentor when I needed one most.

"And still, why are you doing this? Until today, we hadn't even spoken properly."

"Hmm, let me think," she tapped her chin. "No reason. Just felt like it!"

…What a disaster of a woman.

Suddenly, she pushed me down again. This time, she lay atop me, whispering into my ear.

"Just enjoy the moment while I'm feeling generous. Do good… and good will come back to you."

I grabbed her by the waist. Surprised, she let out a quiet gasp.

"You do know, Lady Meliora… even if a High Spirit spent the night with a human, nothing would come of it. Dead souls can't have children."

She looked shocked. Covering her mouth, she thumped me lightly.

"I was teasing you, idiot! You could've played along, you know."

Getting off me, she headed for the door.

"Come on, Atheron. Let's test your new powers in the field."

Her borrowed energy surged through me. With this strength, casting tier-2 spells should be much easier.

Now that I had her memories… I couldn't waste this chance.

Meliora, no matter how chaotic or shameless, had a kind heart. Her attitude drove me mad, but she was exactly what I needed.

We stepped into the courtyard.

"As you know," she began, "to summon a High Magic Entity, your magic must reach tier-3. The easiest spell for that is Ray of Light. It's mana-heavy but simpler than others."

She raised one arm. Her other gripped her forearm. Eyes closed, she gathered energy into her palm.

A violet glow began to shine.

The wind stirred, and a sphere formed.

Then she bent her knees slightly.

"Ray of Light!"

BOOM!

A beam of purple light erupted, scorching the grass. If she'd aimed at a tree, it would've been obliterated.

But she overextended—and lit a small tree on fire.

"Ahh! Water! Quick, grab some water!"

We doused the fire with a bucket. Only scorched branches remained.

"Well… at least we've got firewood for a bath," she turned to me. "Alright, your turn. Start with a simple tier-2 spell!"

Great. And this is my mentor.

We went with Arcane Spheres — fast, small orbs that explode after casting. Amon used this technique.

"Arcane Spheres!" I shouted, runes forming on my palms.

The small spheres shot forward like bullets, exploding shortly after. Amon could form runes on every finger—I wasn't there yet.

"Not bad!" she clapped. "Pretty good for a first try. Visual learning really suits you."

"All thanks to your memories, Lady Meliora."

"We'll repeat this a few times. Then we'll try tier-3."

Her help gave me hope. Could I really master Summoning in a single night?

Would it be this easy?

…But things didn't go as smoothly as I imagined.

Once I had the rune summoning down, Meliora turned serious.

"Before we start, there's something I have to tell you.

The biggest difference with tier-3 spells is that casting depends entirely on the state of the caster's soul.

If your soul trembles, if you're unsure… the spell might backfire. Or fail completely."

"The caster's soul. You mean mental stability?"

"Exactly. Until you find a reason—your own reason—for using High Magic, you won't be able to cast it. Now, are you ready?"

I looked down at my hand.

No time to hesitate. I had to do this.

"Yes. I'm ready," I said, clenching my fist.

"Good. Start from the basics. Raise your hand. Focus your energy. Think about why you need to use this magic! For survival? For your mistress? And when you've decided—cast it!"

BOOM!

I followed her instructions. Everything was just like her demonstration.

But when the light gathered on my palm…

The ray exploded right in my hand.

The blast was massive—blowing apart my palm entirely.

Blood and bone splattered onto the grass.

"A-Atheron?!!"

I felt a pain I couldn't bear. Like I'd never felt before. I looked at my palm.

It was gone.