CHAPTER 26 -- LYLA CRIMSONFLARE
A short letter lay on the table.
"Nero Crimsonflare.
I won't say much.
This little girl is your half-sister.
She is your responsibility now."
What kind of letter was this?
Even a kid could write better.
I looked at the tiny girl sitting on the restaurant chair.
Honestly... she was cute.
Too cute.
I'm not exaggerating -- she looked like a doll.
Deep-sea blue eyes, golden hair, like some noble lady from a novel shrunk into a five-year-old.
I kind of wanted to hug her later.
"What does the letter say?" Viara asked.
"Look for yourself." I handed it to him.
A few seconds later--
"What the fu--"Thud.
I punched him before he could finish.
"Watch your language, idiot. There's a kid here."
"Sorry, sorry! I mean... is she really your sister?"
He looked into the shy little girl's eyes -- and froze.
It was the same strange feeling he got when looking at me, like she could see straight through him.
"I think she is your sister," he muttered.
"I know," I said.
"How do you know?"
"I just... feel it."
I glanced at the tiny girl. "Looks like I got another money-eater. Come on, let's go upstairs. You must
be tired."
"Who's the other money-eater?" Viara asked.
I ignored him.
I guided the little girl upstairs, placed her suitcase down, and pointed at my bed.
"This will be your temporary bed. I'll order a new one soon."
I turned to leave -- but a tiny hand grabbed mine.
"Are you hungry?" I asked with a warm smile.
But her reply wasn't about food.
"Are you... also going to leave me alone too?"
Her voice trembled.
Her eyes were already wet.
I understood exactly what she meant.
I held her hand gently.
No dramatic speeches.
No fake promises like those novel protagonists.
"Let's go to the kitchen," I said with a real, warm smile.
She followed me downstairs.
I started cooking.
Honestly, it had been a year since I last touched a kitchen knife.
After my parents died, I never stepped into a kitchen again.
I wasn't ready to make anything grand, so I made something simple -- a small, cute burger kids
usually love.
Not one, but two.
Because I knew my lunatic friend would definitely want one.
"What is that? I've never seen something like that," Viara said.
"I call it a burger. Eat and give me feedback, you two."
They took a bite.
Judging by their faces, they loved it.
"By the way... what's your name?" I asked the girl.
"Lyla," she said softly.
Viara leaned forward. "Surname?"
"I... don't have one," she said, her face turning sad.
"I shouldn't have asked," Viara muttered.
"Crimsonflare," I said.
She looked up at me.
"You can keep it as your surname.
And remember this--
I am your brother, Nero Crimsonflare."
While we ate, Viara tried a few times to ask about Lyla's parents.
I didn't let him.
I could sense she really didn't know anything about them.
But I had a rough guess about her origin.
There was a big chance her parents were from Sundawn Kingdom -- the one that fell five years ago.
But what about my father?
I didn't know.
"Anyway, guys... it's time for the real magic," I said, standing from my seat.
"Let's go outside."
They didn't say anything, but they followed me.
"Take a good look. This is real rune magic."
I closed my hands together.
A tiny light appeared, glowing softly.
It shifted into a golden butterfly, tinged with red fire.
It fluttered out of my palm.
Then another.
And another.
Within seconds, thousands of butterflies burst forth, filling the gloomy alley with light.
"This lane was always dark," I said. "It's the rear side of the academy. All the bastards come here to
do their dirty work. But now..."
Golden butterflies landed on dead trees, wilted grass, broken walls.
Life returned.
The alley bloomed.
"Yeah, buddy. This is real rune magic. But I'm not done yet."
I raised my hand again.
Six massive rune circles appeared above the restaurant.
Suddenly, the building's outer walls transformed -- flowers and trees sprouted, tiny fireballs floated
through the air, and unseen enchantments strengthened the durability of every wall and item inside.
"This is it. The real rune magic," I said proudly.
"What the f--" Viara started.
Thud.
"Language, Viara. Kid is here," I reminded him.
"Wooow! Big brother, you're amazing!" Lyla said, grabbing my arm with her tiny fingers.
Her eyes sparkled, completely mesmerized by the butterflies and flames.