(Domian's Perspective)

"Hahahahah ahahahah! Stop it, brother!"

"Nah uh! Not unless this cute sister of mine admits that I'm the best brother in the whole world!"

"Ahahah.. Yes.. yes.. hahah! You are the best brother in the whole wide world!!! So, stop tickling me already! Hahaha!", says my very cute little sister.

It has been 4 years since my mother passed away. As for my father, well.. let's just say he never existed ever since I was born. It has always been my mother who took all the burden of raising me until she remarried again with a kind uncle. That was when my sister finally came into this world and brought joy to my life. But alas, she also took our mother away from us. My mother wasn't able to survive as she gave birth to her, but I never blamed my sister for it. I still remember what my mom told me before she passed away.

"Domian, my little Dom.. you're a big brother now so you must do your best to protect her. Her name shall be Suzan and she.. she's a gift from me to you. I know you've been lonely because it was just the two of us, but finally, you will have someone with you who will be by your side as you grow up.", said my mother weakly with her hand trying her best to wipe my tears away.

"No! Mother!!! You mustn't leave us alone! Please.. please I beg you! no... please.. no..."

"Always remember that your mom loves you both so much. You're both my treasures and I couldn't be prouder of how you turned out to be. My talented and strong little Dom, if it's you, then you will definitely be able to protect her. So, you mustn't cry.. Be brave, my little Dom. Take care of her for me from now on.."

I was still six years old back then and it really took a toll on me when I saw her caressing hand on my face fall on the bed, as she laid there, motionless, not waking up anymore.. It took a long time for my uncle to pry me off from my mother's corpse who I wouldn't let go of no matter what, as I kept on bawling my heart out. I might have still been young, but I completely understood what death meant at that age, hence, I knew back then that I will never be able to see her smiling, kind face anymore.

"Mother.. I wasn't even able to say I love you yet.. why must you go.."

"Sigh.. Domian. You must let go of her from now on. She's finally at peace now. She was always worried of you being on your own that's why she decided to marry me in the first place, to give you a new sibling, and a father that grants you both a good life. I promised her that and I swear I'll do so. So, it's alright. I'm here.. and your little sister is here too. Little Suzan, isn't it? You should see her. She's waiting for her brother to hold her tiny hands..", said Uncle Caesar with slightly shaking hands and reddened eyes.

I was too absorbed in my own grief before and didn't notice that I am not the only one affected by her death. It wasn't only me who lost a loved one that day, uncle was heartbroken too. The only thing I remember after that, was that I assented to what he said and went to my sister's side. She was so small, yet so spirited, moving about her arms, waving them in front of her, as if trying to reach for something. I nonchalantly gave her my finger and then she caught it swiftly. Once she did, her closed, chinky eyes finally opened. They were brown, just like mother's. That moment made me burst into tears again as I steeled my heart to make a vow.

"Ugh.. hnn.. I'm sorry, my little sister.. I'm sorry that mother is gone and you'll never be able to feel what it's like to have a mother like her. I promise.. hnn.. I swear I'll be the best brother to you.. I will give you all the happiness of the world.. and.. I'll protect you with all I've got.. Also, thank you.. thank you that you're born in this world. I am happy that you're finally here, my dearest Suzan.", with dripping tears and snot, I smiled with a lightened heart.

Time passed by so fast, Suzan and I grew up under uncle's care. Uncle did his best to support our family as a blacksmith and we've never felt that we lacked of anything we wanted. Since I'm finally at the age legible to enter a school and start cultivating, he plans to send me to a very prestigious academy. Uncle said that my aptitude and talent are very high, so I shouldn't waste it on low level school, that is why I'm currently spending as much time as I can with my cute sister before going.

"Sigh.. I'm really going to miss you, Sasa. But brother has to go and train to become even stronger or else I wouldn't be able to protect you.", I ruffled her hair as I gloomily mumbled to myself.

"Domi.. do you really have to go? Why must you leave Sasa behind? Do you not love Sasa anymore?", said Suzan with teary eyes which totally struck my heart and made me feel guilty.

"Nononono! My dearest Sasa, I loooooove you with all my heart! But you see, brother must go to school far, far away. That's too dangerous for my dear Sasa to go to. So, you have to stay here with uncle and wait for me. Of course, I'll visit on vacation days so you won't miss me that much. Okay? Just be a good girl and follow what uncle tells you, alright? Don't be stubborn or I'll get mad! Hmph!", I placed both my arms on my chest and put on a haughty expression of not looking at her, but I slowly took a quick peek at her direction with one eye open.

"No! Sasa promises to be a good girl!!! Please don't be mad!", panicked the little clueless Suzan who started clinging on my clothes, not letting go.

"Just as planned..hehehe". I knew that she'd react that way, so I had to bait her to do so. She, after all, wouldn't want her beloved brother to not like her. Uncle, who was at the side, watched that scene with an amused look on his face. His eyes somehow dimmed when he suddenly remembered something and just shook his head as he stood up and walked away.

"Hmm?", I noticed uncle walking away and thought that he was somehow acting anxious. About what, I don't really know. Uncle has always been very privy with his own thoughts and also never stayed around us both. I guess it was because he couldn't stand being reminded of our dead mother, but then again, he never failed to provide with everything we wanted and needed. Like now, he also spent quite a lot of money just to send me to Malvic Academy, the most prestigious school in Saland.

I felt sorry for him too, when I realized that he was also grieving on his own with nobody to comfort him. But even if my sister and I tried to get close to him, he'd only avoid us while telling us off with random excuses. It has always been me that took care of my sister, so he was able to stay distanced against us. My sister, on the other hand, just thought of him as shy and a busy man so she never bothered him with selfish demands. That was why all her willfulness was poured on me and we became even closer that way. It was really hard on me as I decided to agree with uncle when he brought up the academy, but he still convinced me the moment he told me that it was the only way I can be strong enough to protect my sister in this world lurking with all kinds of dangers; thus, I couldn't say no after that.

After a week of coaxing and bribing my sister, I finally set off for the academy. It was a very long, treacherous journey which took us about a month of travelling. Good thing that the mercenaries that uncle paid to escort me were very strong, letting me arrive safe and sound. I was really surprised the moment I laid eyes on the city. It was so huge compared to the town I came from, but it made sense, since I was living in the mountains after all. "Haha..this is where I'll finally embark a new future for myself and my sister!"

I didn't dally anymore and went to Malvic Academy to apply. Uncle told me beforehand that I have to pass the examinations to be even allowed to enroll. Apparently, their reputation of only accepting great talents was so good that they were even allowed to deny entry to those high-handed nobles who only know how to brag about their wealth. It was a good thing because I came here to showcase my talent even though I'm poor. Once I managed to apply for the tests, I went ahead and walked proudly, full of determination.

"Hey, hey, look! Pfft! Look at how haughty that plebian is! Walking proudly as if he already passed. He knows nothing at all about how hard it is to get in the academy. Oh well, it'd be really great to see his aggrieved look once he fails the exams. Hehehe..", said a malicious noble to his fellow noble friends who were behind me, and on their way to the exam area.

I shook my head and walked even faster. I really can't stand rich kids who love to talk smack but got nothing to show for it. I mumbled, "I'm not here to play games with kids. I'm here to get stronger and come back to protect my sister.", before leaving all of them who were all clueless to what he just said.

Surprisingly, I managed to pass the first two tests. At the beginning, it was quite challenging to do on my own, but it wasn't so difficult anymore once I knew about the snakes and got used to their movements. The quiz was also a breeze since it was all pretty much common sense. And now, I'm facing the third test, to showcase everyone's level of strength and combat knowledge. I was very confident to win first place the moment I checked out the first few batches of kids fighting around, but everything changed when I saw them.

Brian and Beta. They were both strange and strong. I was surprised enough to see Brian having almost reached the same strength as I did but then there was Beta who scared me so much. Hell! He killed without batting an eyelid!!! It was also a noble one at that! What creeped everyone out even more were the words that came out of his mouth after. "This kid is truly a big oddball! But then again, with his capabilities, me winning won't be a definite anymore.. No! I mustn't get discouraged! For my sister, I will definitely do my best to win!"

I was ecstatic when I won against Brian. But with the last fight, it was such a bummer. No matter what kind of technique or maneuver I used, I could tell that he was letting me off easy. I felt helpless and powerless. True enough, he won effortlessly. And the final result was, I became only the second strongest. I didn't have any complaints at all since it was pretty obvious who the strongest was. After that, I discovered that I'll be in the same class as the both of them, Brian and Beta.

"With the three of us together, maybe I'll be able to become even stronger! So, I should take this opportunity to warm up to them.", I murmured to myself as I planned on how to approach them in the future.

"Maybe this is fate. To meet these two, odd yet fun, soon to be my friends."