Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

Chapter 181: Together

[ Bonus Chapter N - 3 ]

____ ___ _

[Not everything is as it seems, my son. The less you know, the safer you'll be. Trust only those you know in your heart to be true.]

"I still remember Father's words and always adhere to them," Adrian muttered. "...What did mother tell you that time?"

Aurelia's eyes softened as she recalled their mother's words from that distant memory. "Mother told me to always be strong, to always believe you when they weren't there. She said that our bond as siblings was our greatest strength."

Adrian nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Our parents had different hopes and fears for each of us, but their love for us was undeniable. They wanted us to be safe, to be strong, and to always remember our family."

"They loved us deeply," Aurelia murmured, her voice tinged with longing. "Even though they're not with us anymore, their guidance still resonates in our hearts."

"But, what did Father tell you?"

"...The less you know, the safer you are," Adrian replied.

"Huh? That's not fair, I told you but you aren't telling me?"

"Haha," Adrian chuckled softly at Aurelia's playful insistence. "Alright, alright. Father told me something important. He said, 'Not everything is as it seems, my son. The less you know, the safer you'll be. Trust only those you know in your heart to be true.'"

Aurelia listened intently, her brow furrowing slightly in thought. "So... we shouldn't trust anyone fully except each other?"

Adrian nodded gravely. "That's right, Aurelia. Trust is a fragile thing, especially here at the academy. We have to be cautious, even with those who seem trustworthy."

"But... what about Master?" Aurelia asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "She's been kind to me, taught me so much..."

Adrian remained silent for a moment, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. Then, he chuckled softly. "I've said what I needed to say, Aurelia."

Confusion flickered in Aurelia's eyes, but before she could press further, loud voices from the arena's direction caught their attention. Adrian's gaze shifted toward the source of the commotion, a strange glint passing through his eyes for an instant.

He turned back to Aurelia, his expression serious once more. "Listen closely, Aurelia. From now on, we'll continue to act as we have been. You'll pretend to dislike me, and we won't let anyone suspect that we've spoken. Not even your Master, Aurelius, or even the head maid Margery."

Aurelia nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of his words. "But why, brother? Why do we have to keep it a secret?"

Adrian sighed softly. "There are things going on here, Aurelia. Things we don't fully understand yet. Trust me, it's for our own safety. We'll watch, listen, and wait until the time is right."

Aurelia hesitated, but seeing the determination and the will in her brother's eyes, she nodded again. "Alright, brother... I trust you."

Adrian smiled faintly, a mixture of reassurance and resolve in his gaze. "Good. That's my adorable little sister."

"But... can we stay like this a bit more...?" Aurelia muttered looking up at him. "I really missed you..."

"Hmmm..." Adrian looked at her face thoughtfully. "Of course, how could I say no when my cute sister is asking for it?"

"Hehe, thanks."

"But, just for a minute, ok?"

"Hmm..."

"Don't worry... There will come a time when we don't have to pretend or hide anymore... Soon..."

'I will try my best to take care of the problems as soon as I can...'

'So that we can be together...'

Aurelia nestled closer to Adrian, relishing the rare moment of closeness. The warmth of her brother's presence brought her a sense of comfort she hadn't felt in a long time. Adrian wrapped his arm around her, holding her gently.

As they sat in silence, the weight of their shared past and the uncertainty of their future seemed to momentarily lift. They were siblings, bound by a deep and unbreakable bond, and no matter the challenges ahead, they would face them together.

Adrian's thoughts drifted to the days ahead, filled with hidden dangers and unknown threats. He would protect her, just as their parents had hoped, and ensure their bond remained strong.

After a few minutes, Adrian gently pulled away, looking into Aurelia's eyes. "We should head back now. Remember, we have to keep up appearances."

Aurelia nodded, a bittersweet smile on her face. "I know. But thank you, brother, for this moment. It means a lot to me."

Adrian stood up, offering his hand to help her. "It means a lot to me too, Aurelia. Stay strong, and remember my words."

She took his hand, and they both rose to their feet. As they began walking back toward the arena, the sounds of the ongoing matches grew louder. Adrian and Aurelia exchanged a final, knowing glance before parting ways, each slipping back into their roles.

Adrian watched Aurelia disappear into the crowd, his resolve stronger than ever. No matter what lay ahead, he would find a way to overcome the obstacles in their path. For now, they would play their parts and wait for the right moment to reveal their true bond to the world.

With a deep breath, Adrian turned and headed back to his dorm, his mind already working on the next steps. There was much to do, and he had to be prepared for whatever came next.

______ __ _

The next day.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Today, we will find the four semifinalists of the 7 Star Strategy Games!" The announcer's voice echoed through the arena, filled with excitement and anticipation. The audience's cheers rose in response, eager to see what challenges lay ahead.

"Right then, just like in the first round, let's spin the game wheel and see which game they will play now!" The large wheel at the large screen of the arena began to spin, its colorful sections blurring together as it turned.

Adrian watched from the stands, his mind still replaying the conversation with Aurelia. He pushed those thoughts aside for the moment, focusing on the present. The wheel continued to spin, the tension in the arena building as everyone waited for it to stop.

After a few moments, the wheel began to slow down, the sections becoming distinguishable once more. Finally, it came to a stop on a section marked with four stars.

"A 4-star game! A true test of strategy and skill!" The announcer exclaimed. "Today's game is called 'Labyrinth of the Mind'!"