Resurrection

The moment Survival signed the contract.

The gloomy atmosphere that had enveloped the entire dormitory cleared, and a dazzling white, purifying light filled the palace.

I thought I heard a voice coming from the palace's basement.

(...Could it be? The basement is...)

The dark, murky reservoir of magical energy stored in the basement bursts open, dissipating into light and mist.

"Brother!"

As I rushed into the basement, cracks appeared on the surface of the stone statue of my brother Maxim, and it crumbled with a loud thud. At its center, a warm, blood-filled body was revealed.

It remained motionless for a while, but then stretched, shook its head, and looked at me.

"…!!ah!"

I'm alive.

"Susie... did you do it?!"

"I missed you so much...!"

I threw myself into my brother's arms, tears streaming down my face, and we hugged tightly. It was so warm...

One week later.

Upon receiving the news, her parents came to the palace to pick her up, their eyes narrowing as they put their arms around her shoulders.

"Susie, you are the pride of our family. You are truly a daughter we are proud of."

"You even got Maxim back... what a family-oriented daughter you are. Now, let me kiss you."

Praise from my parents, the warmth of my older brother, and the smiles of my reliable teammates who fought alongside me.

I looked up at the white palace standing against the backdrop of the blue sky and sea.

It feels like ages ago that I fell from a plane in this very sky just six months ago.

"A lot has happened..."

"Susie, why did you become the chairperson? That's not your character at all, is it?"

"I didn't do it because I wanted to! Listen to me, big brother!"