A New Student

Sigrid finished preparing the food and began setting everything on the table.
Boreas called everyone inside to eat, including Sebastian.
The moment Sebastian heard that food was ready, he rushed toward the table and pulled out a chair for Zelda.
"Oh," Zelda said, surprised by the gesture.
Sebastian immediately rushed to pull out a chair for Sigrid as well.
Dieter raised an eyebrow.
"Suddenly you've got manners now, boy. You're just as unpredictable as your master."
Sebastian lowered his head.
"I am really sorry, sir. I thought you were one of the people who usually come here to take me away."
"Sit down before the food gets cold, Sebastian," Boreas said.
"Yes, sir."
Everyone sat down and began indulging in the food Sigrid had prepared.


A little while later, after everyone had finished eating, Boreas took Zelda to the room she would be staying in.
Zelda looked around curiously.
"How long am I going to be staying here? And why am I even here?"
Boreas glanced at her.
"Your old man didn't tell you?"
Zelda shook her head as they entered the room.
"I'll be teaching you swordsmanship starting tomorrow," Boreas said.
Zelda's eyes widened.
"Swordsmanship? But why? I'm a Sorcerer, not a Spellblade."
Boreas simply smiled.
"We'll talk about that tomorrow."


Downstairs, Sebastian and Sigrid were washing the dishes.
Sebastian glanced toward the stairs.
"Is the new girl going to be Master's new student?"
Sigrid gave no answer.
"Sure seems like it to me. She looks cool, you know. Someone I could get used to and talk to."
Sigrid tightened her grip around the fork in her hand.
Crack.
The fork bent in her fingers.
A vein appeared on her forehead.
Sebastian glanced at her.
"What? Are you jealous?"
Sigrid remained silent.
"My heart only belongs to you, Sigrid."
He smiled.
"But I do hope the new girl talks a little, to be honest."
Sigrid crushed the fork completely.
Sebastian stared at the broken pieces.
"...I'll buy you another one."
Before Sigrid could respond, Boreas walked into the kitchen.
"Where's Dieter?"
Sebastian pointed outside.
"He's having a cup of tea."
Boreas nodded and walked outside.


Dieter sat quietly outside the estate, sipping his tea.
Boreas approached him.
Dieter looked up.
"The girl," he said. "Who is she?"
Boreas raised an eyebrow.
"Sigrid?"
Dieter nodded.
"Her mana feels familiar."
Boreas remained silent.
"I've felt something like it before," Dieter continued. "Long ago, in Azania."
His expression became serious.
"There was a girl. Much younger than Sigrid. She stood in the middle of a pile of corpses."
Dieter paused.
"Her mana sent chills down my spine. It was wild. Uncontrolled. Almost inhuman."
He looked toward the estate.
"Sigrid's mana feels similar. But hers is much more controlled than the little girl I remember."
Boreas folded his arms.
Dieter looked at him.
"Who is she?"
Boreas was silent for a moment.
Then he answered.
"Sigrid is someone special..."