Chapter 4: A slightly twisted reunion.

Looking around, I saw that the sky was already starting to turn white, and it seemed that I had been immersed in my past thoughts for several hours.

“Were you thinking about ‘that person’ again?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Yukomis denied it, but Karat could already read his master’s mind just by looking at her bitter expression.

Since coming to the Irendel barony, she had already mentioned her sister several times, a topic that she didn’t usually bring up.

“…I hear faint signs of people ahead. The number is about ten… correction. Eight people. They don’t know we’re tracking them.”

“Okay. Approach a little more. They’ll be holding the children hostage. We can’t afford to make a mistake.”

Muffling their sounds, she and Karat slowly approached.

And as they got close enough to secure their vision, they saw one of the thugs punching a child in the solar plexus for talking back.

“That trash…!”

Yukomis pressed down on Karat’s shoulder, who was about to jump out as soon as he saw that.

“Calm down.”

“…But…!”

“Did you forget? Those guys will take the children hostage.”

“Tch… I’m sorry.”

Karat suppressed his anger. Because he knew that his master was right.

“We shouldn’t act emotionally. The safety of the children comes first.”

“I understand.”

Yukomis examined the situation in more detail.

One boy was talking back to the man who seemed to be the leader of the kidnappers.

Even though he was tied up and beaten, the boy didn’t seem scared at all.

“That boy who’s wearing quite decent clothes alone. That must be the Baron’s younger brother.”

“Yes. It seems so to me too.”

“He’s at an age where it wouldn’t be strange to cry and look for his mother, he’s amazing.”

Yukomis thought that the boy’s attitude was strangely familiar.

“Whatever the case, he’s a promising talent even though he’s young. The Baron must have educated his brother properly.”

Thinking that, Yukomis was looking for an opening in the opponent.

At that moment, when one of the kidnappers made a playful greeting to the boy and everyone’s attention was focused in one place while they were mocking the boy.

“I’ll take them down. You know what to do, right?”

“…Yes.”

Yukomis placed her left hand on the ground to draw magic power from the earth.

Then silver magical crystals floated in her right hand.

“Karat.”

She only called his name, but Karat accurately understood his master’s intentions.

He leaped towards the enemies in an instant, and behind him, the arrows of magical power that Yukomis had drawn from the ground flew.

Even if they were criminals, killing them was not her preferred method.

‘But considering that they might use the children as hostages…

There was no choice.

Each of the five arrows that flew towards their foreheads, left eyes, right eyes, hearts, and left sides of their chests, passed through the fragile human flesh and bones without any problem,

and the five men’s breaths were cut off forever before they could even exhale once.

“Wh, what the f*ck!”

There were three survivors. They were confused because they couldn’t figure out the direction of the snipers.

“Three left…”

Yukomis whispered.

It took a little time until she prepared the next shot.

Until a few years ago, she could have fired not just five shots, but dozens of shots at the same time, but there was a reason why she couldn’t do that now.

In the meantime, Karat, who had arrived behind the enemies, struck.

The blow, applied with terrifying force, cut off the necks of the two goons standing side by side at once.

“You fcking son of a bich!”

But the leader of the last remaining kidnappers reacted faster than expected.

Unlike ordinary gangs of thieves, he quickly grasped the situation and distanced himself from Karat.

Then, he hugged the tied-up Baron’s younger brother and threatened him with a knife to his neck.

“Don’t move!”

Karat’s movement, who was about to prepare the next blow, stopped.

“If you move even a little, the Baron’s precious blood will go to hell right away!”

Yukomis, who was still hiding in the bushes, admired it a little even though it was not a good situation.

‘…His situation awareness is also fast, and he’s protecting all the vital points with the hostage. Has he experienced real combat? Is he from the military?’

“Hey, are you watching from hiding? Show yourself, you rat-like magician!”

“Tch.”

Yukomis revealed herself as he said.

The morning star on her robe was shining in the light of dawn.

“…That face and crest……! What brings someone as high as you to this place?”

“It’s nothing that someone like trash like you would be involved in.”

She replied coldly, glancing at the state of the children.

The five kidnapped children, who had sacks over their heads, were only letting out terrified groans because they couldn’t see the situation.

‘Signo, was it.’

Except for the only one who was taken hostage.

For some reason, the Baron’s younger brother kept staring at her with an unbelievable look.

He, who was staring only at her with pupils dilated to the limit,

didn’t seem to care at all that he had a knife to his neck.

‘…Even if he has a strong heart, he’s still a kid. It’s understandable that he suddenly saw someone killing people…’

He looks like he’s only just over ten years old.

Originally, she didn’t want to show him such a bloody scene.

“You better watch your mouth. Magician-nim. You don’t seem to understand the situation right now…!”

“You’re the one who doesn’t understand the situation. Kid.”

“What?”

“If I decide to kill you, you’ll never be able to react to that speed. The only reason you’re still alive is because I’ve decided that I need to dig up your backer.”

“How about you let go of the boy? If you obey and confess everything now, you might be able to avoid the death penalty.”

The man frowned for a moment, but he soon began to laugh grimly.

“Hehehe. Do you think I’d fall for such nonsense?”

“Hmm?”

“I know who you are. ‘The Torturer’. I also know how magic is activated. Even if you’re a genius, magic can’t be used in the blink of an eye.”

“You need preparation. Don’t you?”
As the man called Yukomis by the name of ‘The Torturer’, her expression twisted terribly.

“That bi*ch…”

“Look at that expression. You’re going to catch someone. Well, that was your specialty, wasn’t it?”

“Am I unpleasant? I don’t get it? To think I’d run into a bi*ch like you in a place like this…”

The man spoke as if he had personal feelings for Yukomis for some reason.

“Listen carefully, if you want to save the Baron’s younger brother, you’ll have to let me go as I am.”

“That guy’s just spouting whatever he wants!”

Karat, who couldn’t listen anymore, shouted, but the man didn’t budge.

“Think about it carefully. Is it more important to catch me, or is the Baron’s younger brother’s life more precious? If you move even one step from there, I’ll kill this kid.”

Yukomis and Karat could only grit their teeth and watch him as he slowly backed away.

It was an unforeseen situation that his bluff had been exposed.

The opponent was not only a soldier, but he must have also experienced actual combat with magicians.

And for some reason, he knew Yukomis.

“Hahahaha! You were acting tough because you’re a magician, good for you. If I have this kid, I can also…”

Thud.

The man didn’t finish what he was about to say. Because his forearm was suddenly pierced by a dagger.

“Ugh…Keuaaaaack!”

“Keuek… How…!”

Strength drained from the man’s arm, who had an unbelievable expression, and he hurriedly released the boy and backed away quickly.

Yukomis and Karat also couldn’t believe what had just happened.

The boy, who had been forcibly hugged in the man’s arms until just a moment ago,

kicked the dagger that was hanging from the man’s waist with his toes and lifted it to the height of his right arm.

The boy, who had grabbed the dagger, stretched out his tied hands and accurately cut the tendons of his forearm before the man could even react.

“You shouldn’t let your guard down just because they’re kids.”

The boy, who had fallen to the ground, stuck the dagger upside down on the ground and quickly cut the ropes of his tied hands.

The freed boy took a deep breath and spat at the man, who was convulsing while clutching his arm.

Karat could only stare at the scene with his mouth agape.

But, the most surprised person was Yukomis.

Just now, that was not a judgment and physical skill that a child could do.

“Tch, damn it!”

While Karat and Yukomis were stunned for a moment, the kidnapping leader reacted quickly.

He forcibly pulled out something that was tied behind his waist with his injured arms, and threw it to the ground.

“Yukomis! You f*cking trash! You’ll pay the price someday!”

As soon as the spherical something collided with the ground, smoke and dust filled the surroundings with a loud noise.

“Cough! Cough! You bastard! Stand right there!”

“Karat!”

As Karat was about to chase after him, Yukomis hurriedly stopped him again.

“Did you forget? We came to rescue the children! Rescue comes before pursuit!”

“…Tch! I understand!”

Karat gritted his teeth as if he was resentful.

“Cough! Cough! Uwaaaa!”

“M, mom……! C, can’t breath…!”

Coughs and cries echoed among the kidnapped children, who were wearing sacks.

As expected, it seemed that tear gas was also mixed in the smoke bomb.

Yukomis, who had squinted and covered her respiratory system, instructed calmly.

“Move the children to a safe place. That’s what we have to do.”

“…I understand. Mistress.”

“Signo! I’m going to kill you! I’m definitely going to kill you! I love you! My brother! I’m glad you’re safe! But I’m going to kill you!”

Minon seemed to be quite mentally unstable.

“You stupid, smart, precious, and hateful younger brother! What am I going to do with you, really!”

My sister, Minon, raised her fist and repeatedly ate sharp honey-flavored 밤 on the top of her head.

“Aaaaah! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! Sister! Aaaaack! It hurts!”

“What am I going to do with you, really! I told you so many times! Not to go out! I told you! It’s dangerous!”

“Aaaah! I’m sorry! Help me, Aina!”

“The young master deserves to be beaten.”

Aina, who was standing next to Minon, coldly refused the request for help.

“I even brought you snacks. Couldn’t you have just eaten and taken a nap?”

“Ayayayaya! Stop it, stop it! Sister!”

Aina’s voice had turned cold for once.

“That’s enough. Baroness Irendel.”

Another voice joined the conversation.

…I knew whose voice it was well.

Too well, terribly well.

Yukomis Franon Solenas.

Genius magician, Wyvern Knight, all sorts of modifiers followed…

My younger sister.

When I first saw her in the forest, I thought I had seen a ghost.

Since the Irendel family was a noble family, I thought that I might run into her someday while living, but…

I didn’t know that day would come so soon.

Yukomis Franon Solenas. My younger sister from my previous life was in front of me.

What are the odds of this?

This is possible? Is this even possible?

‘Compared to dying and being resurrected, and dying there and being resurrected again, it might be a very high probability.’

It was regrettable, but that thought wasn’t exactly wrong either.

“I am truly, truly indebted to you! If it weren’t for the Princess, my brother would be now…”

“Well, I think that boy would have gotten out on his own even if I wasn’t there.”

“What humble words!”

“It’s not that I was trying to be humble… Well, never mind.”

Yukomis coughed.

‘Ah. Her height is the same as back then.’

…I used to tell her that she would grow more after puberty.

That was a lie. Maybe that was the limit.

Even after three years, she was still in her petite figure.

“Anyway, I’m glad my brother is safe. All the other children have returned to their parents…”

“Yes! You have been a great help!”

Minon was constantly bowing to her (former) younger sister. Of course.

Currently the only heir to the ducal family.

She, who was decorated with all sorts of privileges and titles, was a noble of a different level from a rural aristocrat.

She, who had been talking with my sister, slowly walked towards me.

“Your name was Signo Irendel, right?”

“Are you referring to me?”

“Yes. To be frank, I’m interested in you. The composure you showed even in a kidnapped situation, the guts to mock your opponent, and that… I highly value your unwavering ‘determination’.”

“I’m just a normal kid.”

“Normal kids can never act like that. You were born with the talent to be a knight. I guarantee it.”

“A knight?”

I couldn’t hide my disgusted expression as she uttered the career that I was sick of.

“…That’s an unexpected expression. Usually, boys your age admire that, right?”

“I want to be a scholar.”

I made up a suitable excuse.

While living as Thermis, I seemed to have experienced as much pain as an ordinary person would experience in ten lives.

Frankly speaking, I was sick of the feeling of being cut, pierced, and beaten by something.

“Then you’re an even more regrettable talent.”

Rather, the corners of her mouth went up even more.

“…Yes?”

“I’ve already heard from your sister that you have a knack for reading and writing. To be born with the qualities of a knight and to be close to writing… You’re really talented enough to aim for a high position in the Knight Order.”

“H, however…”

“The ‘buts’ are over now.”

Yukomis cut off my words.

“My status is not there to hear words like ‘but’ and ‘I’m sorry’. Originally, your sister should have paid me a hefty reward. But I’m telling you that I’m going to let that slide now?”

“That’s my sister’s debt, not mine…”

“You’re a really annoying little brat, one thing at a time.”

Yukomis lightly ignored my protest.

“I’ll test your abilities starting tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

I kept hearing only words that were not good for my ears.

“A, aren’t you busy? The Princess came all the way to this rural area, so shouldn’t you have other official duties around?”

“…You’re really smart, just like your sister said. But all those schedules have been changed.”

“Why?”

“Needless to say, it’s because of you. I couldn’t have imagined that I would find a talent like you in a place like this. And I think Baron Minon will gladly accept my stay.”

“J, just a moment! Our mansion is old and cramped, so the guest rooms are not ready…”

Minon unni started rubbing her hands together like a petty person, shining her eyes.

“O, of course! For Yukomis-nim to directly guide my brother, what an honor!”

‘She’s not helpful.’

Yukomis bent down and brought her face close to mine.

“What are you thinking about?”

“W, what am I thinking about…”

She seemed to have become prettier while I haven’t seen her.

Due to the characteristics of a long-lived magician, changes in appearance were slow, but.

But apart from being pretty or not…

Those cold and inscrutable eyes. Those eyes that somehow make people feel weak whenever I see them…

I turned my gaze away. She still seemed to have a cold personality.

“I think I know.”

“What do you think I’m thinking?”

“Thinking about running away.”

Thump.

“I heard from your sister that you’re really good at running away. But don’t worry. You’ll never be able to get away from me.”

It was the worst.

My younger sister from my previous life had come.

Even to this old and cramped mansion.

Noon with the sun blazing down.

“You’re wrong. Try again.”

Yukomis said.

“B, but I’m doing my best!”

“No, you didn’t do your best.”

Yukomis shook the tip of the training wooden sword and casually threw out a heartless answer.

Long hair, a long travel robe, and a metal staff that crossed her back,

she was a typical magician. Usually, she wouldn’t have much to do with things like knives.

However, she seemed so used to grabbing the sword hilt.

“Haa, haa…”

That was because it was Thermis Solenas, my previous self, who was right in front of her, who had taught her.

“Don’t pretend. You’re twelve years old. It’s the time when your body is light, right?”

“Damn it, even if I’m twelve, I still get out of breath!”

“You can’t say anything bad.”

However, unlike her words, her expression didn’t seem angry at all.

That said, she’s the same, with a light body.

She hasn’t grown at all either.

Yukomis frowned for a moment as if she noticed that I was thinking something rude.

“Look. Aren’t you angry that you lost to a woman even in hand-to-hand combat? What are you going to do if you lose even the only advantage of being a man?”

It was an obvious provocation.

“Keuk…! You’re a grown adult! Provoking kids!”

But pretending to fall for that, I charged forward, equally obviously, and dug inside.

“Haaaaaaa!”

Yukomis sighed and lightly deflected the wooden sword for boys all the way to the cross guard.

I forcibly pulled the end of my arm, which was being pulled away, and forcibly corrected the snatched sword tip towards the other party.

And a horizontal slash towards the nape of her neck.

Only with a suitable feel, to look clumsy.

“Pitiful.”

With a much stronger force than before, she deflected my sword again.

This time, my sword flew far away into the yard.

“Ah…!”

Disarmed, I backed away as if I was flustered, and her follow-up attack flew towards my forehead without mercy.

‘She’s not serious, right.’

I thought that during the short time of less than a second that the sword was flying.

‘There’s no way she’ll really hit me.’

‘First of all, I’m another family’s child.’

‘And I’m a kid.’

But I wasn’t sure.

She might really hit my forehead while saying ‘It’s a fake sword anyway’.

Because her personality was on the bad side.

Her sword tip was flying closer.

She might really hit my forehead while saying ‘I can just treat it roughly with magic’.

Because that was her specialty.

But fortunately, she didn’t do that.

The sword stopped mechanically and accurately right in front of my eyes, and I deliberately fell on my butt as if I was terrified.

“Euaaa!”

It had always been like this for the past few days.

She would really drag me out to the yard as soon as the sun rose from the very next day, and she would repeat pushing me to the point of throwing up.

She wasn’t teaching me anything, she was just unilaterally suppressing me, so it wasn’t training.

As she had proclaimed, she was just ‘testing’ me.

Sparring… if you could call this sparring, it was a very difficult routine.

As I realized in the forest where I had gone for a short escapade, the strength of a twelve-year-old who was sickly was much more insignificant than I thought.

‘Still, compared to the training I did in my previous life, it’s like child’s play, right…?

Shake, shake. It was a memory I didn’t even want to recall.

That terrible memory would never be forgotten even if I had these reincarnations five more times.

“Is that all?”

“That’s all! I told you, I’m just an ordinary boy!”

“Liar.”

“What are you expecting from me? Why are you doing this?”

In fact, there was a reason why Yukomis was doing this.

She said that she reorganized the organization of the prestigious magic university that was originally in the ducal family’s territory, and added a general magic academy and a knight training academy.

‘Why…?’

Of course, there would have been no problems with the general magic academy.

The magic university was originally running well thanks to its history and reputation even when I was alive.

As Yukomis, who was treated as the greatest genius in history, took office as the new dean of the affiliated academy,

it is said that girls who wanted to study with her flocked like clouds.

Seeing that the dean was abandoning the academy and peeking around in this remote mountain area, all those dreams must have been brutally trampled on.

The problem was the knight training academy. Knights were usually the jobs of men.

It was common for boys before adulthood, who were to be sent as sons-in-law, to receive conservative forms of education,

and there was an recognize that knights should also be trained and raised within the family.

However, she wanted to enroll talented children in knight schools, provide standardized education, and create success stories.

Well, that’s the surest way to grow a school.

And the Solenas ducal family had enough resources to do so.

“But isn’t it enough if you just run the magic school well? Why do you have to do such a thing…”

“Are you talking back?”

“Ah. No.”

Cold sweat ran down my back.

I forced myself to agree halfway, but she seemed to be quite upset even by those words.

“Signo.”

“Yes?”

She was calling me by my name without any care.

“You’re not in a position to comment on my management policy.”

“Yes… I’m sorry.”

So cold. I still couldn’t figure out how far I should keep my distance.

It was like that even when I was Thermis. No matter how kindly I treated her, there was a certain 거리.

I thought it was because she especially hated me.

‘Well. Looking at her current state, it seems that she was like that to everyone.’

She drew a line like a knife.

But now that I’m gone, she was the only daughter of the Solenas ducal family, a high-ranking aristocrat.

So it was understandable on one hand that she was being sensitive.

The fact that someone who was now in my position, the youngest son of a baronial family, was not in a position to evaluate her like this and that.

‘The fact that ‘that distant person’ was me, I can’t adapt to it at all…’

She probably doesn’t know that the very person who became a ‘deceased’ is groveling pitifully in front of her.

I guarantee that no one in this world has ever had the experience of using extreme honorifics to their previous self.

‘Well, it’s just as absurd to have to use extreme honorifics to my younger sister.’

I wonder what kind of answer I would get if I told her that I was actually her sister.

Are you crazy? Are you out of your mind? Maybe she would say something like that.

‘And it’s a bit too sorry to show my face now after writing such a scathing criticism in the last letter.’

She didn’t really like me in the first place.

No, it was closer to hating than not liking.

Would it really be the right choice to reveal the content that I was wondering if she would believe in such a situation and make the relationship even more awkward?

No, it wouldn’t.

“…You can rest for a while. I’ll go talk to your sister.”

“Yes. Have a good trip.”

Saying that, she threw away the wooden sword in a haphazard way and left the place.

“Are you telling me to clean up… I thought her personality would get better after puberty…”

Yukomis, who was walking away, suddenly shouted from far away.

“What did you say, Signo?”

“Ah, no, Princess! I’m so grateful for your guidance!”

“…Well, good.”

She frowned suspiciously and turned her head again.

What in the world is going on. To think that I’m in a position to be pleasing my younger sister again.