Interlude II: A Memory of Days Gone By

Out of the blue, I—Eve—was taken into the Ignite household at the age of nine.

For me, raised by a commoner mother until then, learning that I carried the blood of the Ignites was like a bolt from the blue—

Naturally, it was around that time that I met my half-sister, Lydia Ignite, born of a different mother.

“She’s here, Lydia.”

That day, our father, Lord Azel Le Ignite, introduced me to Lydia.

Lydia was about fourteen or fifteen at the time. Her long, fiery red hair, blazing like flames, and her violet-flame eyes—her appearance instantly made me feel our blood connection.

When Lydia first saw me, her eyes widened in surprise. It seemed that, for her too, the existence of a half-sister from a different mother was completely unexpected.

“…Father, this girl is…?”

“Starting today, she will be added to the lowest seat of our house.”

Without directly answering Lydia’s question, Father unilaterally declared his decision.

“Though she’s a mixed-blood born of a dalliance, she still carries my blood, however faintly. Her education and care are now your responsibility. Make her useful, at the very least.”

With that, he dismissed us.

Father left the study briskly.

Without so much as a single glance back at me.

“…”

“…”

For a while, silence hung between Lydia and me, left alone in the room.

“Um… nice to meet you… I guess?”

Finally, unable to bear the silence, Lydia spoke to me.

“So, um, if you’re Father’s daughter… that makes you my half-sister, right?”

“…”

“Haha, I was so shocked… I’d never heard anything about this…”

“…”

“But, from now on, let’s get along, okay? I’m…”

Trying to break the ice, Lydia reached out with a cheerful smile.

“I don’t care.”

I swatted her hand away sharply, my words laced with thorns as I pushed her back.

“I don’t care about any of you. I had no choice in this. My mother died… and I had no other path but to come to this house…”

At my icy demeanor, Lydia’s breath caught—and then her expression softened with pity.

“You’re Lydia, right?”

Ignoring her, I looked up at her, spewing curses from the murky depths of my heart.

“It seems I have to be your ‘spare.’ Your real sister… Aries, was it? She died of illness last month, didn’t she? I’m here to take her place.”

Yes, I was abruptly brought here to fill the role of this Aries girl. Without even a moment to mourn my mother’s recent accidental death—

The instant I mentioned Aries’ name,

“…!”

For some reason, Lydia’s face twisted in deep sorrow, filled with regret and anguish.

But I didn’t care and continued to spit out my words coldly.

“Hmph… use me up however you like. After all… I have nothing left… nothing at all… I…”

Suddenly, my nose stung.

My body began to tremble as if with a fever, my eyes grew hot, and tears broke free.

“Sniff… hic… M-Mom…”

Unable to process the chaos in my heart, I could only let my anxiety and sorrow spill out as tears, sobbing uncontrollably.

And then, to me, who seemed on the verge of vanishing entirely,

“It’s okay.”

Lydia gently, tightly embraced me.

“…Huh?”

“You’re not alone. From today, you have me. I’m your big sister.”

“…”

“From now on, I’ll protect you… I’ll make sure to protect you this time. So, don’t worry, okay? For now, just rest your heart… alright?”

“…Ugh… ah…”

My eyes brimming with tears, I let myself be held in Lydia’s arms.

To the trembling girl in her embrace, Lydia softly spoke.

“Can you tell me your name…?”

Then,

“…Eve… I’m Eve…”

“I see… Nice to meet you, Eve. My new little sister.”

Lydia continued to hold me as I sobbed.

She held me gently, forever and ever—

That was my first meeting with Lydia.

Looking back now, it was nothing short of a stroke of luck in the midst of misfortune.

After all, my new life in the Ignite household was filled with hardships.

The cold treatment from the family due to my commoner blood.

Father’s cruelty, seeing me only as a spare pawn, a mere tool.

The immense responsibility and pressure of the Ignite name, coupled with the overwhelming expectations from those around me.

But because I had my sister… because Lydia was there, I could endure. She saved me.

Eve, I believe in the Ignites. I’ll make sure to revive the justice and ideals of the Ignites that everyone has forgotten someday.

My sister was always noble, always proud…

Eve, you’re truly amazing. You might even surpass me as a mage someday.

If we’re together… I believe I can change the Ignites. Will you lend me your strength?

She always acknowledged me…

To hell with them. I won’t forgive anyone who lays a hand on my little sister.

If someone wants a fight, I’ll take them on instead.

It’s okay… Eve…

I’ll protect you… because I’m an Ignite…

She was always on my side, always protecting me…

Eve. My kind little sister… You’re my pride.

And she was endlessly kind.

The true path of magic that the Ignites show… is to walk the path you believe is right…

In truth, the family doesn’t matter…

What matters is how you choose to live…

Please, never forget that…

My sister taught me so many things, so many important things.

I was always watching her back.

She was a splendid mage. A proud, true noble. My sister, whom I boasted of.

That’s why I admired her.

I wished to become like her someday—

And so, back then, I made this wish.

I’ll carry on what you entrusted to me, Sister…!

I’ll become a mage as splendid as you… a true Ignite…! So…!

And yet,

At some point, I forgot even those precious things—

“…”

Now, alone in a dark room,

I sit in a corner, hugging my knees, rotting away in apathy.

Doing nothing, just gazing wistfully at the remnants of the past, like a flickering lantern show.

Ah, my dreams, my admiration, everything. Now, it’s all

Such… distant, distant, old tales—