Reinhardt was full of questions, but just as he was about to speak, the Duke patted him on the shoulder, walked over to the mother and daughter, and gently patted Setis on the head.
His gesture was somewhat awkward but gentle, carrying a rare trace of doting affection.
“It's good to have you back.”
These few simple words almost made Setis's eyes well up with tears again.
She sniffled hard and raised her head, shaking it as she feigned composure.
“Father, I'm fine.”
The Duke studied her closely. She seemed no different than before; she was still herself—still his favorite daughter.
Although he couldn't tell what exactly had changed about her, at least on the surface, she didn't seem to be pushing herself too hard.
Only then did the Duke feel slightly relieved.
The next morning, the dining room of the Duke's estate became lively for the first time in a long while.
Duke Sebas had cleared his entire morning schedule, and the Duchess had instructed the kitchen early on to prepare Setis's favorite dishes.
When Reinhardt arrived at the dining room and saw both his father and mother already seated at the table, his expression turned surprised.
“Father, you aren't going to the palace today?”
The Duke picked up his napkin, his tone calm.
“No.”
“And wasn't Mother planning to visit Lady Isha?”
“I canceled.”
Duchess Sebas gave him a look. At the same time, she couldn't help but wonder—why did her usually decent-looking son suddenly feel like such an eyesore today?
Sensing his mother's look of disdain, Reinhardt fell silent and quickly took his seat.
Very well, the whole family was gathered together, safe and sound...
For once, the Duke did not discuss political affairs at the table, nor did the Duchess bring up any tedious social arrangements.
The family chatted about trivial, everyday things.
As it turned out, her reason for wanting to return wasn't complicated at all; she simply wanted to confirm that these familiar people and things were still here.
After breakfast, the Duke was called away by the butler to handle an urgent document.
The Duchess originally wanted to take Setis for a walk in the garden, but Reinhardt beat her to it.
“Mother, I'd like to speak with my little sister in private. Would that be alright?”
The Duchess looked at the siblings and eventually nodded.
“Don't take too long.”
Reinhardt smiled helplessly.
“I know.”
The two of them went to the small parlor on the second floor.
The room was well-lit, with windows directly overlooking the Duke's estate's garden. Setis sat in a chair by the window and casually picked up a teacup from the table.
Reinhardt sat opposite her, watching her. He remained silent for a moment before speaking.
“Are you really alright now?”
Setis raised an eyebrow.
“Didn't you already ask me that last night?”
Reinhardt sighed.
“I'm just making sure.”
“I'm fine.”
Setis's tone became a bit more serious.
“Better than before, even.”
Reinhardt stared at her for a while, trying to see if his troublesome little sister was just putting on a brave face like she used to. But before long, he gave up.
He sighed and said,
“The academy hasn't resumed classes yet.”
Setis's eyes lit up slightly.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Seeing that she still cared so much about the academy, Reinhardt looked a bit helpless.
“Are you really that afraid of missing classes? Why don't you... just come back home?”
Setis took a sip of tea and simply shook her head.
“It's not about missing classes.”
It was already impossible for her to return to the academy to study magic along her original path, so she naturally wasn't worried about the coursework.
But hearing that the academy had not resumed classes made the complicated feelings in her heart about leaving slightly fade.
At least, for now, she hadn't actively chosen to walk away from her classroom.
But she couldn't explain the reasons behind this... so hearing that classes were still suspended kindled a strange, tiny spark of hope in her heart.
Reinhardt continued,
“The academy's instructors suffered heavy casualties, and many classes can't be taught for the time being. They'll need some time to find replacements, so no official date for resuming classes has been announced yet.”
Setis nodded.
“What about Mila and the others?”
“Most of the students have been sent home for now. Mila had someone deliver a letter a few days ago, asking how you were recovering.”
Setis froze for a moment.
“Where is the letter?”
“It's in your room.”
Reinhardt looked at her with concern, his tone slowing down.
“She's very worried about you. And the other classmates too—even though they're usually afraid of you, quite a few of them have come to ask about you since they heard you were injured.”
Setis slowly lowered her head, remaining silent for a good while.
She used to think that being feared by others wasn't necessarily a bad thing, and she had actually quite liked the feeling—at least it saved her a lot of trouble.
But hearing these words now, she felt an indescribable, complex emotion in her heart.
After a long time, she slowly raised her head and said softly,
“Then... please help me reply to them properly.”
Reinhardt nodded.
He wanted to ask if she would return to the academy in the future, but with the words on the tip of his tongue, he found the question hard to ask.
Setis noticed his hesitation.
“Brother.”
Reinhardt looked up. Setis gazed out the window, her tone very calm.
“I probably won't be returning to the academy.”
Reinhardt's expression shifted slightly. He had already had a premonition, but hearing Setis say it herself still brought a heavy feeling to his heart.
He knew what this meant.
“Is it because of your health?”
Setis thought about it.
“In a way.”
Reinhardt didn't press further, only murmuring,
“Have you thought it through?”
Setis nodded.
“I have.”
“Then that is fine.”
Her brother's easy acceptance surprised Setis slightly. She looked at Reinhardt, her brow raising slightly.
“You're not going to try to convince me otherwise?”
Reinhardt gave a bitter smile.
“Could I even convince you if I tried? Besides, if you aren't going back, you must have your reasons.”
Setis thought about it seriously and nodded.
“That's true.”
Reinhardt was amused by her bluntness and threw his hands up.
“In that case, why should I waste my breath?”
After saying this, he added,
“But if you ever regret it, you can always come home... Father and Mother are here, and so am I.”
She nodded gently, pursing her lips. She was somewhat unaccustomed to her brother acting so much like a mature elder.
“I know.”
For the rest of the day, Setis stayed quietly inside the Duke's estate.
The tone of Mila's letter was as lively as ever. Aside from expressing her concern, most of it was spent complaining about how miserable her life had become.
This included, but was not limited to, complaining about how terrible the food at home was, how excessively long her magic practice sessions were, how boring her noble etiquette training was, and how she had to report everything she did to her parents, leaving her with absolutely no freedom...
It felt like... her concern for Setis was merely an afterthought, and the letter was mostly just an excuse to find someone to vent to about her recent "sufferings."
At the end, Mila left a sentence—
“Setis, you must get well soon. We're waiting for you!”
When Setis read those words, she couldn't help but laugh out loud.
The feeling of having someone miss you wasn't so bad after all... She had originally planned to write back to Mila, but after picking up the pen and finding herself at a loss for words, she sat quietly in her room for a long time before eventually giving up.
Now was not the time. Perhaps it would be better to return when she had truly and completely set foot on the path of cultivation, as a completely new version of herself.
Rate on N.U.
