Vacation (5)
The afternoon of the day Elraim was set to leave. I waited at the warp gate with Rana, who had returned to the academy yesterday.
"Kyle…."
Rana's gloomy voice came from beside me. Her melancholy was so intense it was practically contagious, and her summons, affected by her mood, hung their heads low just like her.
"What's wrong?"
But I responded as casually as ever.
"Sis, can't you just not go? You could stop her if you wanted, Kyle."
"No."
"Don't you like Sis Elraim leaving, Kyle?"
"It's not that, but there are circumstances beyond our control. So don't be too sad."
"Hiiing…."
Even as I tried to console her, Rana stayed pouty and downcast. And it was understandable—news of Elraim's sudden departure had come out of nowhere. She'd returned only to hear that someone like a big sister was leaving, and she'd been like this ever since. Plus, they'd spent so much time together so often that her attachment ran deeper than in the novel, amplifying her emotions.
Still, we couldn't delay a fixed schedule. Elraim had wrapped up all her affairs and even dismantled her dorm room. She'd sent her luggage ahead to the territory in the meantime, and now she returned.
"Young master. It's done."
"Did the stuff arrive safely?"
"They confirmed receipt of everything."
"Guess it's time to go, then?"
"Yes."
Her words were matter-of-fact, but thinking about her actually leaving stirred an odd feeling in my chest, despite all our conversations over the months.
"Sis! Can't you please go next year?!"
Just then, Rana threw her arms around Elraim, clinging desperately. Elraim smiled softly, soothing her like a little sister.
"Sorry, Rana. It's a family order—I have to go. I'm a knight of House Arden, after all."
"I still have so many questions. And I was looking forward to the festival with you…."
"I'm disappointed too that we can't go together. But you can ask anything in letters—send them whenever."
"Sis…."
Tears welled up in Rana's eyes. Worried they'd make parting even harder, I stepped in and pulled them apart.
"Enough. Time to go—you'll be late."
"I'd love to stay longer, but it's my turn. I don't know when we'll meet again after today, but please take care, young master."
"Don't worry about me. Go and take care of yourself."
"Understood. Oh, one last thing, Rana."
Rana looked up at Elraim's call.
"What, Sis…."
"This isn't goodbye forever. There are plenty of ways to meet—like visiting the territory with the young master. So no tears."
"I promise, I promise we will…."
Elraim gently wiped away Rana's tears as she said it. Before stepping onto the warp gate platform, I grabbed Elraim's hand.
"Take this."
"Pardon? What's this…."
"A parting gift. Small earrings—won't get in the way during training or battle."
She stared at the earrings I handed her, then slipped them on. The inscribed magic activated instantly. I'd focused on spells useful for a knight.
"A fine magic tool."
Feeling the supportive spells envelop her body, she smiled. I returned the smile.
"I made it myself."
"I'll treasure it."
Of course, there were other spells hidden inside, but no need to mention them. If they ever triggered, it'd mean a dire situation—and that's exactly what the tool was for.
"Then I'll be off."
"Safe travels."
"Sis! We'll come visit!"
We waved as Elraim bowed politely. Magic flared, and she vanished.
"She's really gone…."
With Elraim fully departed, Rana stared at the warp gate in a dejected voice.
"Yeah, she went."
"Aren't you sad, Kyle? She's like family."
"It's just a year apart at most. No point moping when we'll see her again someday. Like she said, I could visit the territory."
"You can be so heartless sometimes. I'm this sad…."
Rana wiped her remaining tears. I shot back,
"Heartless? You can hop on a warp gate and see her anytime."
This wasn't some medieval world reliant on horse carriages—magic existed here. Trips to the territory didn't take months. Warp gates were mostly for the wealthy, sure, but still.
"So you'll go see Sis? When?"
"No plans yet."
Saying that, we'd probably meet after graduation when I returned to the territory. I could go sooner, but I had no intention to.
"I'd like to see her before classes start."
"Got it. Let's head out."
"Okay!"
We left the warp gate building. With no set plans after, we strolled leisurely through the capital streets.
"What was that thing you gave Sis earlier?"
"A gift. A little something."
"Lucky…."
Rana smacked her lips enviously, glancing at me. I pulled a bracelet from my inner pocket.
"You've got one too, so quit it. Here."
Her face lit up instantly.
"Thank you!"
Rana slipped it on right away, and the inscribed magic activated.
"Whoa…."
She gasped in awe—no surprise, since I'd tailored it to a mage's needs. Its performance rivaled artifacts, so that reaction was natural.
"I put effort into it, so use it well."
"I won't lose it, ever!"
"No need—it's got retrieval magic."
"Retrieval too?! Isn't that hard?"
"Not hard, just a hassle."
It took up inscription slots and was finicky, so most skipped it for other spells.
"You're the only one who'd do this for me, Kyle!"
"Fine, but not out here."
I stopped Rana from hugging me. Even if I liked her, public displays were too much.
"Inside then? When no one's watching?"
"…Where'd you learn to talk like that?"
Her tone was awkward, mismatched.
"From 101 Phrases to Make a Man Swoon."
"Don't tell me… from the library?"
"Yup."
Tsk, that rotten founding emperor. Just a list of his personal kinks disguised as advice. I couldn't let Rana get tainted by it.
"Rana, you're charming without that stuff. Your usual self is better. Forget the book."
In the game, reading it halved your charm stat—a cursed book that badly.
"Mmm… Okay! If you don't like it, I won't."
"Anyone else would hate it too."
"That weird?"
"Very."
"But the book said it always works…."
Rana tilted her head, recalling the contents. To steer her away,
"Ask your friends instead. Better advice."
"Will do."
Advice from a crush in such a scene was odd, but better than her going astray. Suddenly, Rana piped up.
"Oh! What time tomorrow?"
I caught her meaning.
"Hitting the festival day one?"
"It's the festival! So much to do!"
Her eyes sparkled. Fair enough—Founding Festival had endless fun. Troupes and merchants flocked in, along with bards and artists from across the continent. Famous foreign eateries set up street stalls too. But the highlight was the imperial amusement park, open only during the festival. In a magic-filled world, it dwarfed modern ones—mystical, massive, an empire icon. Themes changed yearly, drawing ten times the usual crowds. Even five days weren't enough.
"Sure, but can you handle the stamina?"
"I'm a Tianis student, mage or not. I've got endurance."
"Nose okay?"
"With you around, yeah! Your scent's gotten stronger—covers most smells. Must be all the good deeds."
"Never done any."
"You have! I've seen tons!"
She listed my "deeds," but they were all self-serving. No altruism involved.
"Drop it. Have some ice cream."
"Ice cream!"
Festival eve, stalls were already lining up. I bought some from an ice cream vendor—hot day anyway.
"Hehe, more tomorrow, right?"
"Probably."
Not all were open yet; many prepped for tomorrow's rush.
"So, what time?"
"That's what I asked."
"Time's flexible—I'll match you."
Vacation meant free time post-volunteering. I could sleep till lunch.
"Lunchtime? Lively crowds are fun."
"If that's good for you."
"Entrance then…."
We set the time, kept it simple: strolled streets, early dinner, chatted idly, back to academy.
Returning to the dorm,
"So quiet…."
The silence wrapped around me like desolation. One person's absence echoed louder than expected.
But this quiet was my choice. I'd endure it.
After evening training, I let the loneliness lull me to sleep.
The next day. No uniforms for the festival—I ditched ill-fitting clothes for casual wear, packing a layer for late nights.
Heading to the academy center, I saw students dolled up like me. Over 99% in civilian clothes, streaming to the gates for fun. Groups of friends, couples—festive buzz everywhere.
I blended in, heading where Rana waited. Overheard chatter grew.
"Crowds are insane. Tough to enjoy in daytime."
"That bad? Was gonna go early…."
"Saw Rana at the gate earlier? Stunning…. Never knew casual clothes lit her up like that."
"Alone?"
"Yeah, waiting for someone. Probably that guy…."
"…Of all people."
Jealous stares from passing students. I ignored the familiar vibe—Rana wasn't ordinary; this was par for the course.
At the entrance,
"Kyle!"
Rana waved happily. I blinked at the sight.
She's pretty….
As I'd said, Rana rarely fussed with makeup. But today? Fully dolled up—outfit on point, light makeup. She radiated bright, vibrant energy, just as they'd said.
"Wait long?"
"Nah, just got here."
Her flushed cheeks suggested otherwise—looked sleepless too. No need to call it out. Instead, I remotely triggered the bracelet's magic with mana, easing her fatigue. Her face brightened.
"Thanks…."
"No biggie. Feeling better? Let's go."
"Yeah!"
With that, we left the academy to dive into the festival.