Vacation (1)
Weekend. But not just any weekend—the weekend right after the semester ended. The first day of vacation was chaotic and noisy for all sorts of reasons.
The obvious culprit? The grade announcements. From morning on, each department's bulletin board area was swarming with people. With the entire year gathered in one spot, there wasn't even room to breathe. The 2nd- and 3rd-year boards were a bit less crowded, since they weren't as obsessed with grades as the freshmen. Still, fewer people didn't mean milder reactions—once they checked their scores, the upperclassmen took it even harder.
“Argh! I’m screwed!”
“Sigh... there goes the scholarship. Guess I’ll be working all vacation...”
“Whoa... 598th place.”
Screams and groans echoed everywhere. Occasionally, you'd hear soulless mutters too. It was only natural. Tianis Academy was still a school, after all. Not everyone could get top marks.
I checked my grades from a safe distance. Elraim, standing beside me, spoke up.
“The princess took 1st, as expected.”
“Yeah.”
2nd-year 1st place went to Ariel Tianis, naturally. Her talents fit anything perfectly, so it’d be weirder if she didn’t claim the top spot. I scanned down the list and stopped short. Right below the princess—my name. 2nd place.
Hmm... didn’t expect to do this well.
Practical was full marks, sure, but written wasn’t perfect. And the academy was full of study nerds. A quick think revealed the answer.
Extra points.
That made sense. Scores from 1st to 5th were neck-and-neck. Toss in those bonuses, and rankings jumped. I’d figured top 10 at best. Better than expected—no grade worries now. Though it killed my excuse to skip the banquet.
“Congratulations, Young Master.”
“Thanks...”
“Bro Kyle!”
Elraim’s praise was cut off by a familiar voice. Unfortunately, a guy’s voice. I turned to the owner.
“...What’re you doing here first thing?”
“Come on, don’t say that. Saw you and came to say hi, obviously. Checking grades?”
“Yeah, got curious.”
“Ah, got it. Hi, sis!”
“It’s been a while.”
We hadn’t met since exams started, so yeah.
“Hey, you hear? I barely missed 1st this semester by one point...”
“One point?”
“2nd place. Ugh, thought I’d edge out Veil for top spot. So close!”
“...Keep crap like that to yourself. Don’t say it out loud.”
“It’s just that frustrating. Should’ve gone all-in on the last exam... Anyway, how’d you do, bro?”
“See for yourself.”
I nodded at the board.
“Whoa, 2nd with me? Knew you’d crush it. Here, bro!”
“......”
Evan thrust out both hands for a high-five. I just stared.
“You’re so cold sometimes.”
“Shut it.”
Enough pointless chatter. I asked Evan, “What’re your vacation plans?”
“Me? Head home first—been too long. Then back to the academy for training, join the festival, more training... that sorta thing?”
Sounded on schedule.
“Then don’t get scammed on the way. Keep up the magic practice.”
“Thanks. Oh, gotta run—got plans.”
“Go.”
After Evan left, I headed out of the department. Midway, Elraim spoke.
“With the semester over, everyone’s heading home.”
“Yep. All scattering back.”
Indeed, from morning, after grades, droves were leaving. Look at the endless line snaking toward the student council hall and gates. Four months of stress—they couldn’t wait to escape this hellhole.
“Rana left right after exams, Young Master Veil tomorrow-ish. Your disciple too... probably within a week.”
“Disciple? Come on.”
Positionally, sure, but I didn’t see it that way.
“Young Master.”
“Yeah?”
“Everyone’s going home. But you really won’t?”
“Told you—got stuff to do. And I’m good here anyway.”
“......”
She went quiet for a bit. Anyway.
Vacation proper was starting. Time to broach the delayed topic... but it stuck in my throat. Telling sis felt wrong, and letting her go hurt. I tested the waters.
“Elraim. What about you?”
“Pardon?”
Her eyes met mine, full of that long-familiar fondness. She didn’t mind me calling her “sis”—seemed to like it. Stirred something in me. Still, I pushed on. Sadly, time to end that dynamic and part ways.
“The dispatch gig. Four months already.”
Short or long, depending. I lingered; she scratched her cheek.
“Honestly, easier than at the family estate. Just stick by you.”
“Doesn’t demand much.”
“Exactly. Feels like I’m freeloading, even.”
Words said, but she looked uneasy. Always so diligent. Family duties and training left no rest like this. Made me like her more.
“It’s fine. You work hard always. Call this a break.”
“Yes.”
She nodded. Next question.
“Any inconveniences?”
“None really. Academy lodging’s clean, they handle amenities. Funds cover me fine.”
Living situation: satisfied. But not 100%.
“Training tough?”
“Can’t call the setup ideal. No spare time like at home.”
Figured. Trailing me daily—when’d she train? We sparred morning and night, but insufficient. She’d end with a dissatisfied look. I had lectures; she had nothing. Just waited till I finished.
We’d reached the lowest dorm by now. I asked softly,
“Sis. Don’t you miss home?”
Her face softened with nostalgia.
“Can’t say I don’t. Haven’t seen family, territory folk, or parents in ages.”
“Distance does that.”
Familiar places comfort most. Homesickness isn’t random.
“But why ask?”
“Well...”
Words jammed up. Relax, and sadness would seep in—chest tight. So I...
“Just curious.”
Chickened out, lied.
That evening...
“...How to start this...”
Dear Father?
Nah, too much. Esteemed Father? No, still off...
Relations with Dad were as distant as with my brother—tough to write. Erased first lines repeatedly. Done wasting time.
Thus,
Father
I started simple, still hiding it from Elraim.
Next day. Got word the commission was done. Hyped item—I bolted to the workshop.
“Whew...”
Senior’s workshop. Inhaled, exhaled, calmed. As I raised a hand to knock—
The door flew open. Senior greeted me, brimming with smug pride.
“Been waiting. Come in.”
Instinct screamed: commission exceeded expectations. Otherwise, no way she’d beam like that.
“Looks insanely good?”
“Yep. My masterpiece.”
Masterpiece-level? Rare even in the novel.
“Can I check now?”
“Right here.”
She dashed to the workbench, grabbed a box. Plain wood, but protective runes and engravings everywhere.
“Open it.”
“Alright...”
Took the box, eased it open. Stared, mouth agape.
“Senior, this...”
“Did good, right?”
“Yeah... really good...”
Material layout, mana conductivity, ratios—all per spec. Flawless assembly, perfect finish. Minor diffs, but upgrades—better effects. Design practical too: not flashy, wearable accessory.
Awe slipped out.
“Sometimes you don’t seem human, y’know?”
She startled like a cat.
“I-I’m human...”
Oh right. Late realization. Facepalmed inwardly, clarified.
“Obviously. Meant your alchemy’s inhuman. Who human pulls this off?”
“Uh, y-yeah. Alchemy... good at it.”
“Jeez. Too serious—can’t even joke.”
She pushed back.
“No. Good at jokes.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
Small nod. I grinned.
“Wanna try one?”
“......”
Silence, then...
“...No. Pass.”
“See? Own it—stubborn’s no good.”
“...Talky today. Quiet.”
She turned away, sulky. I coaxed.
“Don’t pout. It’s that good.”
She peeked back.
“...Really?”
“Yeah. Didn’t expect this polish.”
Beyond imagination. Commission-giver bliss. Rivals Karssa-level; rare quality now.
“But why the extra one?”
Three commissioned: bracelet, earrings, ring. Beside them—a hairpin. Met specs like others, but unnecessary.
“Leftovers.”
“That much?”
“Told you—excessive.”
Thought it’d fit tight. Guess not. Tough cramming all into tiny size. Her limit, apparently—no room.
“No blueprint either. Hard?”
“Figured structure. Making was easy.”
“True.”
Internals mattered, not shell. Form for usability.
“Wasted it...?”
Anxious tone. Quick fix.
“No, perfect. Just no other use for scraps.”
Too light for weapons. Better accessory—engravable.
Who to give it to...
“Anyway, senior. Vacation—going anywhere?”
“Nope. Staying.”
“Philosopher’s Stone?”
“Yeah.”
Good—no leaving. Helpful.
“Mind if I use the workshop next few days?”
“Got plans?”
“Yeah, engravings on the accessories.”
Dorm workable, but workshop quieter, safer.
“Fine. Quick?”
“Week max.”
Full mana? Day. But low—takes time.
“Cool. Free.”
Resting, rejecting commissions for Stone.
“Wanna watch?”
Her routine: workshop, dorm, classroom. Mostly workshop. No outings—delivery food even. Dragging her out? Futile.
“Can I?”
“Obviously fine.”
She sensitive; I wasn’t. Focus held through chat.
“Then yeah.”
“Have at.”
I set at her bench. She dragged a chair beside.
I engraved; she watched.
Done, heading to dorm—I sent the letter to the territory.