Cecilia finally left.
Bell lay on the bed, motionless, his body as stiff as a stone statue.
He did not relax in the slightest.
The so called "promise," that eleven year buffer period, was not a glimmer of hope at all.
It was a guillotine named "adulthood," waiting quietly for him in the distance.
Time was never on his side.
Lilian's strength was indeed great, and she had even suppressed Cecilia for a time.
But the result?
That fang, snapped off by force, was the best proof.
Lilian was no match for Cecilia.
At least, not now.
Bell's soul blood seemed to be the key, but the explosion of that power was full of uncertainty; he could not rely on it as a standard weapon.
Then, the only variable...
Leovite Victor.
The man strong enough to easily crush Cecilia.
The man who claimed he would become Bell's instructor.
He was Bell's only lifeline, the only piece of driftwood he could grab in the deep sea of despair.
He had to seize him.
At any cost.
Bell's thoughts turned to another person.
Senior Tia from the clinic.
The girl who would blush at the sight of him and speak with a slight stutter.
That look... in the web novels of his past life, it was usually called "coy."
She had feelings for him.
A simple, kind helper who possessed High Level Healing Magic.
A faint trace of guilt flickered in the depths of Bell's heart, but it was quickly submerged by the icy reality.
He no longer had the luxury of caring about others' feelings.
Using her was currently the best option.
On the surface, he needed a "normal" social relationship to mask Lilian's existence and to lull Cecilia into a false sense of security.
Yes, that was it.
Before the eleven year countdown ended, he would accumulate enough power to perish together with that demon.
In the darkness, Bell planned his moves, every chess piece stained with the fate of others.
He already had no way back.
The next morning.
The first light of dawn had just peeked through the curtains.
In the kitchen of the luxurious dormitory area prepared by the House of Lucas for the two heirs, a light humming could be heard.
Cecilia was dressed in a pure white lace nightgown, her bare feet on tiptoe as she busied herself at the counter.
Her movements were light and practiced.
A tuneless melody flowed from her lips, carrying a hint of lazy sweetness.
“Leave a light on for me in the foyer...”
She meticulously arranged the diced vegetables in a small pot.
“Just like the 'get well soon' you never say...”
She beat the eggs, the golden liquid swirling in the bowl.
“When the mercury in the thermometer falls asleep...”
She hummed softly, carefully cutting the fried tamagoyaki into heart shapes.
“I want to steal that patch of faded sky from your coat...”
The song paused here, turning into a gentle, wordless hum filled with joy.
Finally, she reached into the very bottom of an exquisite sugar jar and pulled out a fruit candy wrapped in beautiful paper.
“There is a candy at the bottom of the pillbox; you put it there, I know.”
She carefully placed the candy in the corner of the bento box and closed the lid with satisfaction.
A perfect bento, filled with “love,” was complete.
When Bell woke up, the light outside the window was already bright.
The weight and resolve of the previous night had left him almost sleepless.
He got up mechanically and walked into the bathroom.
Cold water splashed against his face, clearing his muddled mind.
As he brushed his teeth, he mentally reviewed his plan for the day.
Basic Magic Theory in the morning, Practical Mana Control in the afternoon.
After school, he had to find a chance to visit the clinic and check on Lilian's condition.
Her injury, and that broken fang...
The thought of it made his stomach churn.
He forced himself to calm down, rinsed his mouth, and put on his academy uniform.
Everything was ready.
Bell walked to the door, his hand pausing on the doorknob for a moment.
He adjusted his breathing and then swung the door open.
Outside the door, a slender figure stood quietly.
Cecilia.
She had already changed into a brand new, spotless academy uniform. Her long silver hair was neatly combed, and she held a bento box wrapped in a delicate cloth.
Seeing Bell come out, she immediately flashed a bright, pure smile.
“Good morning, Brother!”
Bell froze in place.
In the hallway, students were already passing by in small groups.
Their conversations came to an abrupt halt when they saw the scene.
“Look, it is Cecilia Lucas!”
“The genius girl rumored to have enrolled right after coming of age, and she has the holy attribute!”
“Is she waiting for her brother? Their relationship is so good.”
“It is like this every day. I am so envious.”
“With such a beautiful and talented sister, Master Bell is far too lucky.”
Envy, jealousy, admiration.
Their gazes converged on Bell, becoming invisible shackles that pinned him to the spot.
He could feel their judgmental eyes.
If he showed even a hint of impatience or rejected Cecilia now...
He would immediately become the “wicked older brother” who took his blessings for granted and treated his genius sister coldly.
She took a step forward, holding the bento box high and offering it to Bell.
“Brother, I made this breakfast for you myself! You will definitely love it!”
Her actions were full of expectation, pure and without a trace of ulterior motive.
Bell looked at the bento box.
It was as if he could see through the cloth to the heart shaped tamagoyaki and the carefully carved vegetables inside.
He could not breathe.
The surrounding air seemed to have been sucked dry.
Under everyone's gaze, Bell slowly, inch by inch, raised his hand.
His arm felt as heavy as lead.
Finally, his fingertips touched the warm bento box.
In that instant...
Cecilia's smile deepened.
She leaned close to Bell's ear and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear.
“Brother, you have to eat it all.”
Rate on N.U.
