“Ehehe... Big brother...”
“Mmm...”
Morning arrived with a sense of déjà vu.
Wait, I was... where, exactly?
As my mind fully shook off the cobwebs of sleep, my surroundings slowly came back to me.
“Ah... that’s right.”
I was staying at Ray’s house.
Thinking back, I never would have predicted things would turn out like this, so I had been quite flustered. He was truly unconventional—though I suppose that was part of his charm.
Still, I could not forgive him for continuing to bathe with Stella! When I had given him a firm scolding for it, Ray looked quite dejected. With his head bowed and eyes lowered, he had looked truly apologetic. To think he had such a surprisingly cute side... Wait, what in the world was I thinking?!
Ahem. Well, never mind that. For now, I should get up.
“Stella. Please wake up.”
“Mmm...”
When I lightly shook Stella, who had her face buried in my chest, she seemed to wake up, which was a relief. Amelia was a slow starter in the morning, making waking her a constant struggle, but it seemed Stella was not like that.
“Ah. Ariane-chan, good morning!”
“Good morning, Stella.”
Yesterday, she had been doing things that a young lady of her age ought not to do, such as bathing and sleeping with Ray, so I had given her a lecture. One must maintain proper boundaries, after all.
Both of them, and even the parents, seemed to understand. I had told them to refrain from excessive physical contact... though, given how much Stella loved Ray, I wondered how effective that would actually be. Still, I had made sure to tell Ray especially strictly. It seemed he was the type who needed someone to say these things clearly, or he simply wouldn't realize.
Amelia and Rebecca-senpai were in a state of "love is blind," so they could not be relied upon. I had to be the one to keep things in order!
“I’m going to go wake up big brother!”
“I suspect Ray is likely already awake, though?”
“I’m going anyway!”
She went running off, and I watched her go. Well... I suppose it was fine. Stella had mentioned before bed that she was very happy because it had been a long time since Ray had come home.
I then tried to settle into my usual routine... but then I remembered. This was not my usual place. I wondered what I should do. As I was thinking, Stella came right back.
“Ariane-chan! Big brother said we’re training from this morning! He told us to get ready!”
“I see. Understood.”
I usually performed muscle training immediately after waking up, but since we were heading straight into practice today, I quickly changed into my light training gear. I shed my pajamas, standing in my undergarments for a moment as I checked my reflection in the full-length mirror. Yes, looking good today as well.
“Alright! Then, let’s go!”
“Yes. Wait, Stella, you are coming too?”
I had assumed Stella wouldn’t be joining us... but could it be?
“Of course I’m coming too!”
“However, Dogma Forest is designated as a maximum difficulty area. It is dangerous, you know.”
“It’s okay! I always go there with big brother!”
“Eh...?”
It was only natural that those words caught me off guard. Stella was one year younger than us. And yet, she always went to a maximum difficulty forest? Assuming this was surely Ray’s fault, I hurried toward the front door.
There he stood, looking as sharp and focused as ever. He had a backpack slung over his shoulders.
“You’re here. Then, let’s head out.”
He turned and prepared to start walking, so I grabbed his shoulder firmly to stop him.
“Mm... Is something wrong?”
“Is it really alright for Stella to come along?!”
“Ah. Sorry. I haven’t explained yet, have I?”
He turned back around. Then, patting the head of Stella standing beside him, Ray said something truly outrageous.
“Stella has been to Dogma Forest dozens of times. Furthermore, in terms of ability, she is equivalent to a Gold Rank Hunter. When it comes to fighting in the forest, she is likely stronger than you, Ariane.”
“...”
“Is something the matter?”
He asked me that, but... how should I put it? They truly were two of a kind, these siblings.
“You two are, how shall I say... truly beyond common sense.”
“I am humbled.”
“I’m humbled too!”
I knew they weren't related by blood, and yet, I couldn't help but think how similar they were. Or perhaps, being influenced by Ray had caused Stella to become unusual herself?
Well... I thought about many things, but if I tried to deal with the abnormal nature of the White family head-on, my stamina simply wouldn't hold out.
Thus, after finishing the registration—the White siblings were essentially granted passage on sight—we entered the forest. Winter was already approaching, and because the trees were thinning, Ray mentioned that visibility was better than usual... but I still felt a sense of unease. It was a different kind of strangeness compared to Kafka Forest.
However, the two of them marched forward with high spirits; they must have been used to it. Then, as the three of us walked along, we immediately encountered a monster.
“Alright. Stella. You can handle it, right?”
“Yeah! Leave it to me!”
To my disbelief, Ray seemed intent on leaving the encounter to Stella alone. However, the creature before us was a Huge Scorpion. It was a famous monster usually found in desert regions, but to find one in this forest... it truly was an S-Rank difficulty forest.
Regardless, a monster of that size, with its sharp stinger rising high toward the heavens... Seeing such a creature for the first time made me feel intimidated.
“Hyah!”
As Stella dashed gallantly through the forest, the Huge Scorpion also locked onto her. It raised its large pincers and tail high, seemingly trying to intimidate her. Of course, Stella charged straight ahead without a hint of fear.
“There! All done!”
“...Eh?”
The sheer efficiency left me speechless. I hadn't seen any signs of magic. In fact, it looked as though she had simply punched it physically.
“Hmm. Stella’s technique is top-notch as always. It shows the results of the training from both me and Master.”
“Um, Ray. What was that just now?”
“She just punched it.”
“And magic?”
“She didn't use any.”
To defeat a monster without using magic? Could such a ridiculous thing even be possible?
“You mean she defeated it with a single punch without using any magic?”
“Yeah. Stella is skilled at seeing through a living being’s vital points. Besides, in terms of pure Taijutsu without Magic Strengthening, it won't be long before she surpasses me. Stella is a specialist in close-quarters combat, after all.”
“...”
This must be what they meant when they said appearances can be deceiving. Stella was always smiling and was such an adorable, charming girl. I had even hoped my own sister, Tiana, would grow up to be just like her.
However, what I had just witnessed was far removed from that image. Ray’s younger sister—even if they weren't blood-related, I knew she was unusual in many ways, but I never imagined it was to this extent.
“Ariane-chan! I’m strong, aren’t I!”
Seeing her puff out her small chest with pride, I couldn't help but ask.
“Stella, were you... trained by Ray?”
“Nope. It was big brother and Lydia-san!”
“The former and current Ice Sword Sorcerers... what an absurdly elite education.”
Ray seemed happy that Stella was being praised, as he spoke a bit more talkatively than usual.
“Yeah. Since Stella was forged by me and Master. In magical combat—specifically in environments like jungles—Stella is likely already among the best of all sorcerers.”
“I see. Come to think of it, is the reason we came back to your family home...?”
“That’s right. I intended to have Stella help with your training as well, Ariane.”
“So that was it.”
Hearing that, it finally made sense to me. I had figured there must be a reason for bringing me all the way to his home besides just fighting in this forest... but I never expected him to seek cooperation from his younger sister.
“We shall now begin the training!”
“Ranger! Understood!”
“Ranger! You got it!”
As I snapped a sharp salute, Stella let out a loud shout beside me. And so, my training began in earnest.