Chapter 33: Siriel
The next morning.
Shiron woke up, scratching his slightly tousled hair. Turning his head towards the window, he saw the morning sun peeking over the mountains.
Normally, he wouldve woken up refreshed just before sunrise. However, due to unexpected events yesterday, he overslept a bit. Maybe thats why he felt a bit sluggish.
As Shiron yawned, he caught a faint scent of alcohol from his mouth.
Whats this?
Why does my mouth smell like alcohol?
Ugh
Suddenly, Shiron scrunched his face. The sudden headache made the boy massage his temples intensely. The prickly feeling at both ends of his forehead and the slight dizziness suggested that Shirons condition was different from usual.
Shiron tried to remember the events of the previous day.
Ah, yes, he remembered.
Last night, Encia, unable to contain her joy, insisted on hosting a celebration and brought barrels of alcohol from the basement to the bedroom.
It only took a moment for the drinking session to begin. The maids, who were initially hesitant, joined in once Encia started, and the bedroom quickly filled with food. For some reason, the head maid, Yuma, couldnt stop them.
-Young Master. On such a touching day, shouldnt we have a drink? Cheers! Lets toast!
-Hey, do you know how old I am? If you want to drink, do it amongst yourselves.
-Hehe, its a pity. Its a whiskey that has been aged for a whole century in the basement of Dawn Castle, where the ice never melts all year.
-A century?
-Yes, a century. After all, you are not yet an adult. Hehe, its a pity you cant taste this great drink. Id feel too guilty drinking it all by myself.
-Well, technically, Im an adult. I think a single sip wont hurt.
-Yes, yes. Young Master, you are a hero. You are already doing your part as an adult. No, the term adult is too simple. Let me pour a drink for the hero.
-Enough with the fuss.
That was how one drink turned into two and then three.
Indeed, the whiskey lived up to her praise. It lacked any pungent odor and had a perfectly blended fragrance of fruit and vanilla. The scent still lingered, tantalizing his senses.
Even as Shiron noticed the alcoholic scent on his breath, he savored the taste.
It was delicious.
He didnt regret his choice. He had always wanted to try a drink that couldnt exist in reality. Plus, he had often wondered about the taste of foods in the game. Such things occasionally excited Shiron.
Shiron tapped his throbbing head and washed his face.
Well, that aside.
Despite the nauseating feeling and headache, he couldnt skip his training.
He drank the water placed beside his bed to soothe his stomach.
Ah I think Ill survive.
Though his body felt extremely heavy, Shiron mustered strength in his legs and got off the bed. He massaged his neck in succession and prepared to head to the training ground.
On the way to the practice ground, Shiron unexpectedly ran into someone.
Big brother. Good morning!
Siriel greeted Shiron with a bright face.
Yes, Siriel. Good morning.
Shiron responded with a casual wave. The intimate term big brother still felt unfamiliar even after hearing it several times from this girl.
In this mansion, only one person addressed Shiron with the soft-spoken term big brother. There were two kids younger than Shiron, but judging from Lucias attitude, it would be unimaginable for her to call Shiron big brother.
I guess Im lucky today. Meeting you here of all places.
I guess so.
Siriel Prient. In front of Shiron was the girl who had cried herself to sleep the day before and had greeted him without any reservation, as if she couldnt remember yesterdays events.
Doesnt she feel ashamed to show her tears to others?
Shiron gave her a friendly smile and glanced over at the girl.
Siriel, with her shimmering silver hair tied with a blue ribbon, looked unfazed, which made her tears yesterday seem like an aberration.
Or maybe she doesnt dwell on the past
Shiron assessed Siriel to be mentally stronger than he thought.
Are you heading for training now, big brother?
What else is there to do in this dull castle?
Hehe. Me too.
For some reason, Siriel laughed heartily, making Shirons eyes crinkle.
Look at that.
The reason for Shirons smile was the subtle change in Siriels appearance. Shiron tried to gauge Siriels intentions. This girl was dressed unusually neatly for heading to the practice ground. In contrast to Shirons messy hair, Siriels hair was glossy and had a faint scent of soap.
Did she shower beforehand, even though shell be sweating a lot? I can clearly see through you.
You cutie.
Huh? Big brother, are you talking about me?
Who else would it be?
Shiron approached his playful cousin and playfully pinched her cheeks. True to her age, Siriels cheeks felt as soft and squishy as glutinous rice cakes.
At that moment, the previously cheerful Siriel asked with a concerned look.
Big brother, is your injured hand okay from yesterday?
Oh, this.
Shiron focused on his hand. When he washed his face earlier, the wound had healed unbelievably well after he removed the bandage.
Though the blood had dried in a few spots and it hadnt fully healed, it looked like it would in a few days, just as Yuma had said.
Lucia may be a monster, but Shiron is certainly not an ordinary human.
If it doesnt hurt, I think its fine?
Im glad.
Siriel smiled brightly, the shadows leaving her face. Shiron patted her shoulder a few times before heading back to the practice ground. Siriel followed Shiron closely.
Do you usually train at this time, big brother?
I usually wake up even earlier to train.
Do you also train in the mornings?
Siriel walked cutely, just like her appearance, and spoke.
You know, sometimes I wake up late, so by the time my tutor arrives, Im barely out of bed. Hence, I sometimes miss my training sessions.
I see.
Who taught you swordsmanship? Im learning from my grandfather.
I havent learned from anyone yet.
You practice on your own? Grandpa Johan told me. Its crucial to understand the minds ways and how to handle mana from a young age. That way, you can handle energy better than others later on.
What can I say? I started two years later than you.
Should I ask my grandfather for you? He mostly grants my requests.
Thanks, thats kind of you.
Shiron walked, using the chatter of Siriel as background music. Before he realized it, they had arrived at the entrance to the training grounds.
As expected, there were already people there.
Vroom-! Vroom-!
A daunting noise echoed out as Shiron crossed the threshold and entered.
Sure enough, the identity of the occupant was Lucia. The redhead didnt even look up to see who had come in. She was just silently swinging a metal rod.
It was doubtful how such strength could come from her small frame, but then again, Shiron had also displayed actions that couldnt be seen as a young kids power.
Welcome, Lord Shiron. Miss Siriel.
The one addressing Shiron was Encia, a maid with her blonde hair tied to both sides. She greeted the two while handing a towel to Lucia.
Lucia! So you were here too!
Siriel ran towards her friend, calling out her name.
Siriel? What brings you here?
Well, I wanted to do what youre doing.
After saying this, Siriel ran to the storeroom and soon came out with two metal rods similar to what Lucia had.
The rods, when upright, reached up to Siriels shoulders. Holding two metal weights in her hands, Siriels steps seemed light, as if wooden swords were too lightweight for her taste.
Look! I brought one for you as well.
Youre considerate, Siriel. I didnt expect you to bring one for me.
Since when have you two become so close?
Lucia looked at Shiron while wiping her sweat. The cold morning air made steam rise from her small body.
Whats the big deal all of a sudden?
Shiron disregarded Lucias look and chose a spot to practice his swings. Following Shiron, Encia whispered,
My Lord, youre quite popular. Must feel good?
Encia pointed at the distance and playfully laughed.
Youre not sober yet. Im hearing strange things.
Shiron flapped his ears and looked where Encia pointed. There, Lucia and Siriel were whispering while looking at him.
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