Volume 02 - Chapter 05: A White-Haired Beauty

// Kiyotaka Ayanokouji (Arthur Leywin) //

The door of my room opened slightly as a small figure came inside.

It was my little sister---Eleanor or Ellie as we all prefer to call her. Her short ashen hair which she inherited from Reynolds was tied in two pigtails. A small blush extended on her face as she came inside. However, a look of confusion formed on her slightly chubby face as she tilted her head to understand what was going on.

I was exercising---or more accurately standing on my right hand's index finger without mana so I don't become too dependent on it. Seeing the baffled expression over her face, I jumped and landed on my feet. My hair was now long enough to reach below my eyes. Brushing them back with my fingers I made my way towards my sister.

Reaching close to her, I sat down and looked her in the eyes. She fiddled and seemed a bit shy to converse as she held the side of her dress. Placing my finger in front of her face, I conjured a small gust of wind as her hair fluttered wildly. An ecstatic, innocent giggle left her mouth as she held my hand. "Bwuhder. Mama is calling you", she said.

With a subtle nod I stood up and started to walk towards the door. However, I stopped and looked back. Extending my hand towards my sister I waited for her. Soon she caught up and wrapped her fingers around my pinky, gripping it firmly. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she looked up at me.

Maybe I am acting as a brother should. Maybe...

Letting Ellie guide me, we made our way through the stairs. Just as we finished the flight of stairs, I was met with the sight of mom setting up the table so we can all eat together. Tabitha Helstea was helping mom with minor work as most of work was handled by maids. I looked around and saw Sylvie, napping on one of the couches.

'Morning', she spoke through our bond.

'Morning. How are you?', I asked. She seemed unusually tired.

'Just a bit tir-'

"Swyvieeee!"

'Uh-oh, not again.'

The realization of her tiredness so early in the morning finally dawned on me as I saw my little sister grip Sylvie in a lock and started spinning her around. We shared an open bond to report any incongruity happening around us in a near instant. So, the moment Ellie started spinning her I closed it. She shot me a glare, but I shrugged my shoulders and made my way towards the table.

On one side were my parents while the Helsteas sat on the opposite side of the table. I noticed Vincent wasn't sitting where mostly family heads used to sit, indicating his consideration for my family.

"Arthur? Do you have anything planned for today?" Mom asked, as she handed me a plate full of her signature beef stew. Receiving the plate in both my hands, I placed it down.

"Nothing much. Dad said he'd show me around", I replied as I took a bite from beef. The taste was even better than the usual, exciting my buds with a plethora of flavors from different spices. Maybe the subtle brightening of my face gave it away as Alice giggled, "You can have more later."

'I want some too!' Sylvie spoke, still being strangulated by Ellie.

'I'll save some', I replied back as she got busy with Ellie again. Looks like she has come to terms with being rag dolled around. I looked to my side to see dad exchanging hidden glances at me. He never said he'd show me around. Although I knew if I said I had no plans I would be dragged into something far more dangerous than fighting mana beasts---Shopping.

Yes... it scares me to no end. It's not a literal fear or something that would make a person's senses spike and activate their instincts. No... it isn't that, but the amount of exhaustion scares me. Women's sudden mood swings while shopping scares me. And most of all... being a mannequin for them scares me.

Giving a knowing glance to Reynolds I tried to tell him to play along. He jerked his head in affirmation. I was a bit glad that he understood what I meant.

Or so I thought.

"What are you talking about, Arthur?" He asked, a bit too loudly for my convienence.

"Uhh... that... uhhh..." I stuttered, taken aback by his inability to comprehend a simple gesture.

"Oh, so you're free. How about you come along with us, Arthur. It's been so long since we went out together", Alice spoke, clasping her hands together, a bright smile gracing her face.

A soft, cloaked sigh escaped my mouth as I accepted my fate, "Sure", I replied.

Tabitha was the second one to speak, "How about we bring all the kids on our shopping, Alice. That way they won't be bored", she suggested.

"That's a good idea. Let's go after breakfast then", Alice spoke as I felt tangible melancholy loom over me.

'Hehehe', Sylvie sneered, mocking me as I just awaited the impending doom.

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Walking through the streets of 'The Floating City of Xyrus', we continued our stride. Our stride did not have a specific direction. Mom and Tabitha just stopped at every shop, trying multiple things. While they were busy looking at some jewelry, I stood by a railing that was made alongside the road.

My mind trailed off to Xyrus. It was a city that lived up to its name. It was literally floating in air. However, there was no explanation or books related to how. It might be a Royal secret. However, if Royalty possessed such magic, they would've conquered Elenoir in the inter-continental war. It was left by ancient mages. One conclusion I made was that the Royalty weren't related to Ancient Mages.

However, something bothered me. Mana wasn't possible of doing such thing. Even flying was a task that is next to impossible for a Silver Core. The most a Silver Core could do was to keep himself afloat for a specific amount of time. It didn't made sense to achieve such a feat of making a whole city with hundreds of infrastructures and thousands of people hover in the air with mana.

Two things came to mind. Either our insight into magic or mana arts wasn't as deep as Ancient Mages, or there was something else that did all this. Sylvia said I would find the answers to everything through Realmheart and Integration Stage, which was the stage above White Core.

"Arthur?" My thoughts were interrupted as I saw the brown-haired girl, Lilia walk towards me.

"Yeah?" I asked, turning towards her.

"Well... mom and aunt Alice said that they'd be busy for some while. So... I wanted to ask, if we could go visit a shop that had recently opened. It has a new musical instrument that has never been seen before", she spoke. My gaze swept over the city as I took in everything. The gentle breeze, calm surroundings and mellow chirps of birds. It was certainly a good day.

"Yeah sure. Let's go", I replied as she beamed visibly.

'Sylvie, stay with mom and Ellie', I spoke to Sylvie as she gave me a mental equivalent of a nod.

Making our way through multiple streets we walked towards our destination. I looked at Lilia who continued fidgeting, indicating she had something to ask.

"Feel free to ask anything", I spoke up, still looking forward.

"Uh-huh? Oh, hehe, yeah, I wanted to ask something. How did you know?" She asked, a bit embarrassed about what she was about to ask.

"Who knows! Just a hunch. You haven't been acting like your usual self lately", I replied.

"We just met two days ago", she spoke as she narrowed her eyes at me.

"I can still tell how you feel", I replied casually. However, following the radio silence I looked at her, her face BEET RED.

Huh? Did she catch fever suddenly!?

"Something wrong?" I asked, a bit perplexed by what happened to her.

"Ummm, nothing", she replied as we continued walking side-by-side.

"So, what did you wanted to ask about?"

"Oh yeah that!", she spoke, remembering the prime subject of our conversation, "Well... it might sound odd, and you may think-"

"How did I awaken so early?" I interrupted her based on a wild guess. Seeing the shocked expression over her face it seemed like I was correct. Although they had the status of nobles, being a mage was considered an honor. Based on what I've see, I doubt the Helsteas had any mage in their history. Coupled with her envious gaze when I fought Reynolds, it just solidified my theory.

She looked down, an apologetic look in her eyes. I looked forward and took in the colorful sight of multiple flower shops, their aroma having a rejuvenating effect. "It just happened. I didn't do anything", I replied. I can't exactly tell her what happened after-all.

"Oh... I see", she replied, looking at her feet in disappointment.

"I can help you awaken though", I replied. I don't lose anything in helping her to awaken. Her forceful awakening could be a by-product of my own experiment with mana. There was a theory I wanted to test. Since, I had already did it once with Tessia, I know how to not blow her up.

"Can you? But how? Didn't you say it was a natural process?" She asked.

"I never used the term "Natural". It might be natural, but it can be tampered", I replied.

"Sooo... can you help me? Please?"

I stopped as I looked at her, "I will but I want something in return", I said as I felt my eyes glow. She gulped down a lump of saliva, sensing the sudden change in my demeanor.

"W-what do you want?"

"I'll tell you later. Don't worry it's not arduous task. If anything, it might benefit you in the future", I replied.

"O-ok." She said, still considering wether if she should accept my offer or not. After a while of pondering, she extended her hand. "Deal."

I looked down at her hand and shaked it. I wonder how the reaction of people who knew me would be. Don't get me wrong. It wasn't like I was going to violate her or something.

"Ah we're here", she said excitedly, forgetting the serious situation we were in as she pulled me inside the shop. It was a simple looking shop with just a few people inside it. Well... three excluding us. However, what I saw afterwards was something that surprised me.

It was a piano... an instrument found in my old world. I slowly walked towards it. It had been eight years since I last touched a piano key. The thought of making it myself crossed my mind many times, however, being pre-occupied with so many things made me neglect it. However, the design was something I hadn't expected from someone who would make it for the first time. It was a modern design, made with utter perfection down to the most minute details.

"Arthur? Wait!" Lilia tried to stop me; however, I sat down and placed my fingers on the piano.

(A/n This is what he's playing)

A wave of nostalgia washed over me as I felt it. The keys had the same marble smooth texture as I last remember them. Cold and smooth. Just as I liked it. I played a note and then another. Flashes of it played in my mind as I played every note with the most intricate control and timing. I could even feel myself lose in the melody as I continued playing it. A perfect blend of high and low tones---a heavenly choir. It was soothing, much to my own surprise.

Once the performance was done, I opened my eyes. There was the same look of admiration in everyone's eyes.

Everyone... almost everyone. A girl stood in the corner. Her golden eyes glistened in the dark of the shadow that loomed over because of her standing in the entrance of the door. She had white hair that reached just below her shoulder. A black hair band held her hair as a few bangs covered her forehead. She had a small book with a leather cover in her hand.

She was wearing a white shirt with sleeveless robe over it. She stood in a daze looking at me---like trying to recognize who I was. Her lips quirked up as she muttered something making my eyes widen ever so slightly at her.

"Ordinary yet played with such perfection it became a Masterpiece", she paused and looked at me, observing my reactions, "Beethoven 'Für Elise' right?"

(A/n Its AI generated so there is bound to be some mistakes. Ignore them.)