The cozy room suddenly was filled with tension in suspicion towards the Lieutenant Captain of the Knights
As they wondered what reasons he has on revealing himself to them, he began to talk
"You are right about failures being disrespected"
Gently bowed down with a worried tone
" But the reason I want to reach out! … is that.. I'm worried about you guys"
Canis began recalling his memory where it all started from 10 years ago
" I too once had a little sister who was revealed magic less, she was 10 years old"
He began recalling an important memory together with her sister
*Swoosh* a breeze of wind passed ,carrying a small pile of leaves
Under a tall tree Canis and his sister both sitting on a field of grass
A small 10 year old girl with braided hair, and a cute smile having a conversation with Canis under a tree.
"Onii-chan!... The church said they can't wait for my talent to be revealed tomorrow"
She said with excitement"
Canis responded with a smile
"Really!?... Then you must have an exceptional talent then Emma.."
"Of course Canis Onii-chan… My talent will be as strong as you or maybe even stronger!"
She said confidently with her arms on her waist.
" Then let's head home...You need that sleep for tomorrow"
Canis said while running home
"O-Oni-chan wait!"
Emma shouted while catching up to Canis
The next day.
Inside a packed church, Canis in the crowds, Emma walked towards the center about to awaken her talent but…
Silence was observed before the reveal,as everyone is eager to know the result
"You are… Magic less"
The priest uttered with a disappointed look at emma
Emma froze, intimidated by the priest's gaze while her hand is still touching the orb of Awakening
The crowds murmured and surprised by the scene
"She's magic less?... How poor of her"
"She will definitely be captured by the knights and throw her away"
Emma slowly glanced back towards Canis and started tearing up
"*sob*...*huff*..Oni-Chan! "
"Emma!"
Canis yelled with concern, rushed to his sister and held her trembling body in comfort
"It's okay Emma"
The priest looked down on both of them with an irritated expression and said.
"Young boy… Your useless sister will eventually be found by the authorities
"... and throw her away"
Canis sharply met the priests eyes but did not succumb to intimidation
"Let's Go Emma"
Canis dragged Emma's hand and rushed towards home
"Don't worry Emma!...I'll protect you no matter what"
Canis said, which comforted her sister while running.
The next day…
Canis is having lunch with his sister, Gram Jophiel ( The Father), Ana Jophiel (The Mother).
Gram observed Emma not touching her meal
"What's the matter Emma?... Are you not feeling well?"
He asked with concern
Emma's eyes slightly lit up and forced a smile
"I-I'm fine dad! "
Ana smiled and reached her hand towards Emma's face
Emma immediately closed her eyes
*Gasp*
Her body started to tremble
"There, there Emma"
Ana gently brushed her cheeks, her thumb lingering as if trying to calm her trembling
"Is there something bothering you?... Your father, brother and Mom were here for you "
Her motherly voice comforts Emma as she gently retrieves her hand
Canis grabbed Emma's hands, Emma tilted her head and met Canis's gaze
Canis nods his head and said calmly
"It's okay Emma"
Emma calmed down and she stopped trembling
Slightly nodded, blinked and Turns her head towards Ana
"M-Mom... A-Actua-"
In an instant-
*BANG*
The front door flew inward, A group of knights invaded the house
Ana gasped
Gram stood up and stepped in front
The family panicked
"W-Why are the knights-?"
Gram Uttered in panic
"Honey– What's going on?"
Ana said while breathing rapidly
The guards surround the family with intimidation
"We've come here to take the magic less… Emma Jophiel!"
"Are you crazy?.. she's just a kid"
Gram voiced out in anger
The Captain of the Guards pulled a scroll from his pocket and stated
"According to the law, Implemented by King Magnus"
"Those who have not received, the blessing of God… Have no place in this Kingdom… Regardless of your Gender or Age"
Emma clasped her hands in fear, her voice crackled and face towards Canis
"O-Oni- chan! … I'm sacred"
The Captain of the Guards commanded with a voice of authority
"Seize Her!"
Gram tried to fight, protecting them
"Get your hands off... My family!"
*Thud*
Gram throws a punch in the face
*oof*
"You bast-...Argh"
He was hit in the head and was easily knocked unconscious
Ana lying on the ground and reached her arms, holding on the captain's torso
"P-Please...I'll do anything...spare my family"
"*Huff*.."
Ana cried begging for her family's safety
"Lay your hands off me...You peasant!"
The captain gazed down with disgust
Ana wat he's his face and gasped but the captain swiftly strikes her face with a kick
*Thud*
Knocking her coldly
The guards continue their approach to Emma, quickly reaching their arms to apprehend her
Inches away—
"Don't touch her!"
Canis voiced out in desperation while trembling
He swiftly placed his body in front Emma in an attempt to protect her.
"You brat!"
uttered by the guard while continuing to advance
Canis thrusts his arm in front of his chest, palms open and yelled
"FLA—AME… BULLET!"
A concentrated flame appeared on his grasp, ejected at high velocity colliding at the knight's chest plate
"oof!"
*CRASH*
The Guard knock backed and was immobilized on the ground
Canis eyes lit up with resolve
But he was tackled, he was outnumbered .
"Get off me!"
When suddenly
"Help me!...*H-hik*... "
A familiar voice cries for help
"ONI-CHA—AN!"
Her voice grew thin in desperation , reaches her hand towards Canis
Canis watched in horror as his sister is getting dragged by the Knights
He mustered all his last strength to free himself. But was exhausted.
He reached out his hand in desperation, his voiced reached the streets
"EMM—MA"
Until her sister was nowhere in sight, He felt helpless, exhausted and hopeless.
The scene shifts back to the present situation
"A few days later… I received a letter, stating that she died during her journey to the village"
sadness crept in his voice
He clenched his fist in frustration
"She was just a kid!"
"I couldn't even do anything to save her"
Jin leaning on a wall quietly Observing
Haruto and Kazumi gazed at Canis with empathy
" I feel you… I Too have a little sister"
Haruto uttered with concern
" You must have suffered a lot huh… Cheer up! "
Kazumi said with sincerity but realized she failed to read the room
"Ahm– sorry"
She slowly bowed towards Canis
Kenji crossed his arms listening and uttered with calmness!
"So that's why you're worried"
"But your sister must be proud right now… That his brother got stronger and landed on a lieutenant position "
Canis rubbed his eyes, raised his head
And smiled towards Kenji and said
"Thank you"
"Oh… By the way, if there's any request that you need in preparation for your departure tomorrow… Let me know and I'll hook you up"
Haruto, Kazumi, and Kenji slowly tilt their head, eyes meeting at one other
They redirected their sight at Canis with a favor in mind
And simultaneously said
"Then… "
A few minutes later,Canis gently brushed his chin while holding a paper on his hand and said
"Uhm… scraps, lethal compounds, and a set of clothes"
"Is this really all you need!?"
He said while scratching his head repeatedly.
He looks towards Jin and asked
"What about you?"
Jin responded
"I'm good"
Canis raised his eyebrow
"Well, If you say so"
*Click*
Canis holds the door handle preparing to leave, slightly looked back and said
"Wait for a moment…I'll be back with your requests"
*Slam*
Canis leaves and shuts door retrieving the materials requested