Yoori: So thats why you came back home late.

As Igni finished retelling the days events to Yoori, Yoori looked back at Igni as he spoke.

Igni: Yeah, Miss Miko really liked the present we chose together, and Im glad I was there.

Yoori: Hmm if youre looking for gifts for a boy, you could have invited me.

Igni: (Wait, is he saying I should have chosen a more stylish gift?!)

Igni was startled at the thought for a split second.

Igni: (NNo, pretty sure that thats not what he means.)

He immediately calmed down.

Igni: WWell, Yoori, you just look.well..

Yoori: Hey! You and everyone else are being so weird! No matter how you look at me, Im a boy, right?!

And with that, Yoori took one step closer to Igni. His white hair danced into the air, and a soft, nice scent came between Igni and Yoori. This isnt Ignis smell. Its Yooris.

Igni: YYeah, youre definitely a (wo)man.

Yoori: Do you really mean that?!

Igni made sure to ex out the first syllable and just focus on the second to escape from this conversation.

Igni: YYeah, of course. I really think so.

Yoori: Well, fine. If thats the case

Yoori puffs out his cheeks to show his discontent forwardly. No matter how you look at it, he just doesnt look very manly.

Igni: (But...its what Yoori says, so I need to believe him. Yeah.)

Yoori: Oh yeah. Igni, Ive decided on a date to return home. Im sorry, but youll have to get up yourself on that day.

Igni: Yeah, dont worry. I may not look it, but Im good at waking up on my own!

Yoori: .......Igni, I admire you in so many ways, but when it comes to waking up in the morning, youre definitely worse than average.

Igni: Ill sleep till noon, so no worries.

Yoori: That doesnt resolve anything.

With Yooris retort, they both smile and laugh.

Igni: Oh yeah, Yoori, where is your hometown anyways? Yoori: My town? Its a small town on the edge of the Owlight Territory. Igni: I see. Its in the Owlight territory.

The Owlights are a very famous Noble Family. Many famous Knights and Generals have come from that family, and they not only focus on refining their Spells but also their sword skills. They are a hardcore military familyi. Even their youngest is a 1st rate Wizard and is enrolled in the Rolmad Wizard Academy.

Yes. The No. 1 Girl Elina. Her full name is Elina Owlight.

Igni, who has impeccable, indestructible memory when it comes to memorizing girls names immediately recalled that fact.

Igni: Then Elina is.

Yoori: Yeah, shes the Governors daughter to me.

Igni: But in that case, you were being awfully casual with her, no?

Yoori: Dont you think with Miss Elinas personality, she would hate it if I did otherwise?

Igni: Well, I dont know about hate, but I dont think she cares about those kinds of things.

In Ignis mind, Elina seems to prioritize her grades over all else. How downtrodden and depressed she was after getting 2nd place in the midterms was not normal.

Igni: The Owlight Territory is on the east end of the Kingdom. Its pretty far.

Yoori: Yeah. Ill take a carriage to the Capital and switch carriages there. Itll take me a few days.

The Owlight Kingdom is also on the edge of the Kingdoms territory as well, so the edge of that territorys edge would mean its on the farthest east point of the Kingdom.

Its no wonder that President Miru had such a hard time finding information about Yoori.

Igni: I see. So itll be a lot of hassle going back home then.

Yoori: Yea. It really is. Will you be staying at the dorms the whole time, Igni? Igni: Thats the plan so far.

Yoori: Oh yeah. Where is your home by the way? Igni: I dont have a home

Yoori: IIm sorry!

Yoori immediately apologized. From her..I mean, from his perspective, it must have felt like she stepped on a landmine. But Igni did not care one bit and laughed it off.

Igni: Its not that big of a deal.

Yoori: RReally? Igni: Yeah, my Grandpas alive anyways.

Yoori almost mentioned about his father being alive, but after the [Tournament] ended, Yoori saw someone who might have been Ignis father from afar. Since he didnt know the relationship between the two, Yoori thought it best to avoid the subject for now.

Thats why Yoori opted for

Yoori: I see. And with only that, he smiled back at Igni.

<<<<>>>>

Elder Sister, its almost nightfall.

Yeah, youre right. I guess we should wrap up here for now.

Night began darkening the skies around them, and two girls walked through the forest with their shoulders sagging wearily. Carriages do run through this road normally, but they decided to be extra frugal this round and opted to walk instead to the next town.

Tonight, well camp! Ill make my famous mushroom soup!

Yay! Tonights Elder Sisters Mushroom Soup?! Im so happy!

Just leave it to me! Ill make sure to make it just the way my dear little sis likes it!

Thank you!!

Both refer to each other as sisters.

But the two are not actual blood-relatives.

Okay, well sleep around here tonight. Little Sis, Ill set up the tent so can you lend me a hand? Yes, Elder Sister.

The two put up their tent, and the younger sister used her Spell to make a fire.

As the fire began to transfer to the firewood, the older sister began preparing to cook.

She filled the pot with water with her Spell, and she began throwing in mushrooms she found this morning and added some herbs and spices. Since they are low on funds, shes only using a little bit.

While waiting for the water to boil, she took out a knife, cut a piece, and handed it to her younger sister.

Elder Sister, how much longer until we reach town? Lets see. If we continue at our current pace, we should arrive around tomorrow evening.

The older sister stirred the soup with weariness coloring her expression.

Im sorry, Little Sis.

........Elder Sister? Whats wrong?

Honestly, if it wasnt for me, by now, you would have been able to make your name well known as a mercenary...

WhWhat are you saying, Elder Sister! I decided to come with you because it was you!

The younger sister felt a sense of panic and stood up as she spoke.

Youre a true genius, Elder Sister! Please have more confidence! Even though all I could do was use Spells, you were the one who has made it possible for me to eat every night!

But still..

As the older sisters shoulders dropped towards the ground, the next instant, a sound of an explosion echoed from somewhere in the distance.

.......little sis?!

It was from over there..

As sundown was being swallowed into darkness, the two readied themselves for battle. It was highly likely that they would encounter thieves or robbers. But the sound came from much farther than their current position.

What should we do, Elder Sister.? Lets go, Little Sis.

She patted the head of her younger sister gently to reassure her, and the older sister stood up.

If theres anyone getting attacked by bandits, we can get a reward for helping them! If its just Adventurers, we can just leave!

Thats a great idea, Elder Sister!!

Then lets go!

Yes!

The two erased their presence and began creeping towards the direction where they heard the Magic explosion. On the way there, they smelled blood being carried by the wind. The older sister reached for her short sword that was hanging from her waist.

They hid behind a tree and looked at the owner of the voice. There, they saw a multiple men there.

EEEEK!! Please! Please spare my life!!

WHAT?! I TOLD YOU ALREADY!! JUST GIVE US SOMETHING OF VALUE, AND WELL LET YOU LIVE!!

Looking closely, bandits surrounded a man who looked to be a merchant. There were many possible guards lying in their own blood nearby.

(Little Sis, its our big chance!)

(Yes! Lets go, Elder Sister!)

(Little Sis, will you restrain the bandits with your Spell?)

(Yes, I can!)

The next moment, the bandits surrounding the merchant <began to sink into the ground>.

WhWhats happening?! Whos doing that?!

II cant move my feet! Im sinking!!

Huh? Wh? WhWhats...happening.??

The merchant looked around at his surroundings with the bandits.

And in the midst of their confusion, the older sister broke the silence.

Youre okay, now that we are here!!

And everyones gaze fell on the older sister.

WhWho are you?!

Ill only say this once, so listen well!!

The older sister puffs out her chance, and the younger sister stands right behind her.

I am the White Lania!

IIm in the Black Nie!

Both the merchant and bandits just looked blankly at the girls in silent confusion.

Together, we are

The Black and White Sisters!!

<BAAAAAAAN!!> (sfx dramatic entrance)

Lania: .........that was perfect.

The older sister Lania couldnt hold back the immense smile spreading across her face.

But being completely overwhelmed by chaos and confusion by the intruders, both the bandits and merchant fell into awkward silence. A few moments later

GGod?

The whispered word of the merchant fell onto the girls ears.