Ever since Dia arrived, my daily routine had… changed.
Before, mornings were peaceful—just Regis and me, training or preparing breakfast. But now—
"Yuuyaaa~ It's morning! Wake up, wake up!"
I groaned as Dia shook me awake, her cheerful voice making it impossible to sleep in.
"…Five more minutes," I mumbled, trying to turn away.
"Nope~ You'll be late for training! And that would disappoint your cute Onee-san."
(Dia-neechan, please… let me sleep.)
I slowly opened my eyes, and she beamed down at me. "Good morning, Yuuya."
I sighed. No escape.
After getting dressed, I walked into the dining room—only to see Regis buried in a pillow, looking half-dead.
"…You too?" I muttered.
Regis slowly raised his head, his bloodshot eyes full of suffering. "This woman is a devil."
Dia happily sipped her tea, completely ignoring him.
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At breakfast, Dia set her teacup down with an unusually serious expression.
"Yuuya, there's something I need to tell you."
I looked up. "What is it?"
Dia hesitated, then sighed. "I've been searching records about your village."
She paused, her golden eyes watching me closely. Then she said the words that made my stomach drop.
"But it doesn't exist."
My breath hitched.
(That's… That's not possible.)
"I checked every map, every record. There is no such village near the Blood Root Forest," Dia continued.
I clenched my fists. "That can't be true. I grew up there. I—"
Dia reached out and gently touched my hand.
FLASH.
Her pupils glow for a fraction of a second, like she had just seen something.
Then, just as quickly, she smiled and patted my head.
"I believe you, Yuuya," she said softly.
(…That reaction just now—what was that?)
Regis crossed his arms. "Then if it's real, there's only one answer."
Dia nodded, her voice quieter now.
"You were teleported here."
Silence.
My mind spun.
(…What?)
"The conclusion I can made is, that Yuuya has been teleport into this forest while he run away from the monster."
"Teleport? How can that happen."
I slammed my hand on the table.
"Calm down Yuuya. Let's hear the story until it end."
Regis try to calm me down.
"I know the only person that has teleport magic and I sure that he not involved with your situation. I also don't know how this accident occur. So Yuuya, if you don't mind, I want to help you find your home."
Dia-neesan has a serious face.
( I'm glad that she want to help me but there must be something that she want from me. Even though he look kind but she can be a scary person.)
"You don't have to worry; I simply wish to help you. I feel like you just say something rude Yuuya-kun."
(Is she reading my mind? )
"There's no way I can read minds."
(Argh!! She read it again.)
I need to be careful around Dia-neesan
"Are you sure you doesn't want anything from me?"
I titled my head.
"If you really want to do something then, I want you to be my little brother."
Regis choked on his drink.
I froze. "…What?"
"Is there a problem with my request? I has always wish to have little brother."
Dia pout. She look so cute right now.
"What a weird request but as long as he stay here I don't mind."
"Ara ara, you really care for Yuuya huh."
Regis doesn't realize what he say until Dia point it out. Suddenly his face become red
"It's not what you think, he is my disciple of course I want him to stay here, it's not like I want him to live here."
What with the tsundere act old man, you look so gross.
"I don't mind with that request, as long I can go back home."
Dia clapped her hands in victory. "Fufu~ Good boy."
I relaxed. I'm glad that Dia-neesan is a kind person.
"It looks like you've had a lot of things happen in the past but you'll be fine. You have a bright future"
(I know it, she's a mind reader.) My face become pale and my body start to shivering.
"No no I can't read minds"
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEHH
"But it really strange, this is the first time I see the village."
Dia crossed her arms over her big chest.
"It might take quite some time, but I will try my best."
Dia spread a gentle smile on her face.
"Thank you Dia-neesan."
Yuuya also give Dia a big smile.
"Now the problem is settled, it's time for you to go back Dia-san."
Regis who has been silence before break the atmosphere with his words. This old man really can read the room.
"What are you talking about Regis, I will be staying for a while and spend my time with my little brother."
Regis stiffened.
"Wait Dia-san, aren't you came here just to meet Yuuya. And you must be busy with your work right? You even need to find Yuuya's village, right?"
Regis look desperate. He really against to let Dia-neesan stay here huh.
"I will let my subordinates do all the works. If you don't let me stay here, I will take Yuuya to live with me."
Dia turned away her face. Regis sigh.
"Fine, I will let you stay here Dia-san."
Just I expected Regis can't win against Dia-neesan. Look like Dia-neesan will be staying here for a while then.
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It was evening, since Dia-neesan will be staying here she decide that she also want to teach me magic. That's why me and Dia-neesan currently sitting in the yard.
"So, you want to master sense huh?"
"Yeah, I try to do what that guy told me, but I never succeed."
Sense is magic that help the user to widen the awareness using mana. It really helpful to search for a monster when hunting or enemy that lurking nearby.
"Hmm, first of all, spread out your magic lightly into your surroundings. If something comes into a contact with your magic while it's spread out. Then you will know of its presence due to all life forms having mana in their body."
"I get the gist of it; I will try it now."
Somehow I can understand how this magic works.
I close my eyes and start to spread mana. Even though I spread my mana lightly but without realizing it I still release an insane amount of mana.
(W-wow… there is an insane of mana flowing.)
Dia shocked when she feel the surge of mana that I release.
"I got it now Dia-neesan, I finally can do it."
I so happy that I start to spread a big smile on my face. And without realizing I also hug Dia-neesan. Dia-neesan startled with the sudden hug but she didn't resist it. She also has a big smile on his face and blushing a bit.
(Fufu, A brother affection is really good.)
"Eh! Forgive me Dia-neesan for suddenly hugging you."
When I realized my action, I immediately kowtow in front of Dia.
"What are you doing Yuuya, it's okay since you are my little brother, come hug me some more."
Dia spread his arm begging me to hug her again.
"I humbly refuse."
"boo..."
Dia pout hearing my words.
"Are you guys really training? All I can see is that you guys only playing around."
Regis's voice can be heard from the door.
"Of course, we are."
"Yeah, I finally can use sense thanks to Dia-neesan."
I has a face wide smile and Dia has an adoring gaze toward me, meanwhile Regis has annoyed face.
"What with your face, are you jealous because I'm a good teacher than you?"
Dia has a grin on her face.
"Why would I!"
Regis suddenly tossed me a spear.
I caught it instinctively. "Wait, this isn't a sword."
Regis scoffed. "Obviously. What if you lose your sword in battle? Gotta be ready."
Dia nodded. "Versatility is key, Yuuya."
(That makes sense, but… still.)
Regis smirked. "Alright, brat. Come at me."
I lunged—only for Regis to sidestep and smack my head with his spear.
WHACK!
"OW!"
Regis grinned. "Wrong grip, idiot. A spear isn't a sword."
I gritted my teeth. (Damn old man.)
This was going to be a long day.
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"It almost dinner time, shouldn't you start preparing our dinner Yuuya?"
"AH!! I forgot; I will cook the dinner now."
I start running into the house to start cooking the both of them follow my lead into the house. Regis and Dia sitting at the table waiting for the food to be served.
"Aren't you ashamed to made a five-year-old boy to cook your dinner Regis?"
"He the one who voluntary to take the cooking duty. How about you Dia-san, are you not ashamed?"
"My little brother says that he want to cooks for me. So, I just let it be."
"Is that so!"
"Yes it is, You got problem with that!"
Regis and Dia glaring at each other trying to intimidating each other.
"Instead of you guys keep quarrel, come here and help me prepare the food!"
I peek my head out from the kitchen. Even though my face has a smile, but it was the scary kind of empty smile.
"Okay."
"Okay."
The both of them flinch when they see my smile and immediately agree to help me.
"Thanks for the food."
Three of us start eating dinner. It was a soothing moment; it remind me of mom and dad. I hope both of them are doing well.
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"Regis, I already told you to wash your dishes after you done eating."
"Come on, just wash it for me."
This old man, did he think I'm his maid or what.
"Anyway Yuuya, I think I should stop teaching you about magic."
"Wait! Why so suddenly."
"You see, I'm not very good with magic and since Dia-san who specialize with magic is staying here, I think she more suitable to teach you."
"I think that's a good idea."
Dia-neesan interrupted Regis.
"Regis is more adept with a fight using weapon than magic. How about it Yuuya?"
"Wait Dia-san, I still will train him you know?"
Regis flustered when he heard that Dia might take his discipline.
"I will train Yuuya using weapon in the morning and Dia-san will train him in the evening. What do you guys think?"
"As long I can spend time with Yuuya, its all good."
Dia is agreeing with Regis's proposal while giving a thumb ups. I has been silenced from the start; I keep listen Regis's proposal while washing the dishes.
"I also think it's a good idea. That mean I can improve my magic and close combat ability efficiently."
"Good… Since you already master at using a sword, tomorrow I will teach you to master other weapons."
Regis relaxed. Dia-neesan giggles at the interaction between me and Regis.
"Let's end this conversation, Yuuya it's already time for you to go to bed. A young boy should sleep early so you can grow up well. Just let Regis finish all your chores."
"Okay…"
"Good, then lets getting prepare for sleep, I will sleep with you tonight."
Dia-neesan lift me up.
"Eh.. Dia-neesan why you want to sleep with me?"
"Why shouldn't I? I just want to sleep with my little brother."
Dia-neesan rubbing her cheek against mine. Damn it, is this how Regis feel when he can't win against Dia-neesan.
I try to ask Regis for help. But when I try to find him, he already flew into his room. That old man betray me…..
I keep cursing Regis meanwhile Dia-neesan helping me getting prepare for sleep. Just you wait, I will beat you up tomorrow old man.