Elara entered the room without knocking and Jude froze the moment his eyes met hers. His eldest sister stood at the doorway, her presence filling the space despite her calm expression. He remained still, watching her, not sure what to say or how to react.
Elara broke the silence first. "I've been looking for you for a while now."
Jude blinked. "Looking for me?"
She nodded, then added casually, "I went to almost every room in the outer residence. I think I got lost."
Elara went through every children's room looking for Jude but, due to her terrible sense of direction, she got lost.
Her sharp eyes suddenly shifted around the room. "…Was there someone else in here?"
Jude's heart tightened for half a second, but he quickly composed himself. "No," he replied calmly. "As you can see."
Elara didn't respond immediately. She just stood there, staring at him in silence as if trying to see through him. The air grew awkward.
Jude spoke again. "And what do you want to see me for, Elder sister?"
She tilted her head slightly, thinking. "Hmm…" Then she smiled faintly. "I just want you to know you have a big elder sister."
"…What?" Jude's face twisted in confusion.
"And you're a cute little brother," she added, stepping forward and patting his head like he was some lost child.
Then she turned around and left. Just like that.
Jude stood there, frozen, staring at the door long after she disappeared. "…What just happened?" he muttered.
Apparently, his eldest sister — the strongest of all Auri Avernus' children, a nine-star knight, the pride of the house — was absolutely terrible at conversation.
"…Is this how strong people act?" Jude whispered.
From the edge of his shadow, a voice slowly crawled up his mind.
"You sure have a weird sister," Abaddon said.
Jude flinched again, still not used to hearing voices coming from his shadow like it was a normal thing.
"But seriously," Abaddon continued, his tone shifting slightly, "how is she that strong at that age?"
Jude sat down on the edge of his bed. "…She is just that strong," he replied.
He stayed silent for a moment, and thought to him "She was undeniable strong even his past life … but she never had anyone close to her. No one to really talk to."
His eyes softened slightly. "Maybe that's why."
A pause.
Abaddon spoke again, more serious now. "It felt like she noticed me. Even while I was completely hidden."
Jude frowned. "Not possible, right?"
Abaddon chuckled. "Tch… I hid just in time. Still, that woman is dangerous."
There was a short silence, then Abaddon laughed again, louder this time. "But I think I'm already loving my stay here."
Jude sighed. "…You're enjoying this way too much."
"Of course I am," Abaddon replied. "Free entertainment. Powerful family. Weird sister. Perfect place."
Jude shook his head slightly before speaking again. "Abaddon… can we begin the training tomorrow?"
"…Why?" Abaddon asked.
Jude's body slumped back.
"Because I have been through a lottoday…"he said.
He fell back onto his bed and closed his eyes almost immediately. His body was completely drained.
A second passed.
Then another.
"…Hey kid," Abaddon's voice echoed inside his shadow. "You still there?"
Silence.
"…Kid?"
More silence.
Abaddon clicked his tongue. "Already out cold… Tch. Humans are inconvenient."
The room fell quiet once more.