Sunlight slowly filled the mansion, slipping through the large windows and lighting up the quiet halls. For once, there was no tension, no danger—just calm.
But not everyone was awake.
Igna was still asleep, lying comfortably on the soft bed, completely unaware of the world outside. In another room, Maxe was also asleep, wrapped tightly in her blanket.
Meanwhile—
May and Stela were already out.
The market was lively, filled with voices, colors, and movement. Vendors called out to customers, adventurers moved around preparing for their next dungeon run, and the smell of fresh food filled the air.
Stela walked ahead casually, looking around with interest.
May followed behind her.
May: "We need to buy supplies for the next dungeon."
Stela nodded, but her attention was already somewhere else.
Her eyes stopped.
On a weapon.
A dagger.
Placed carefully inside a glass case.
Its blade was dark, sleek, and perfectly balanced. Even from a distance, it carried a quiet but powerful presence.
Stela stepped closer.
Her eyes softened slightly.
(This…)
May noticed.
She walked beside her and looked at the dagger.
May: "That would suit Igna."
Stela didn't respond immediately.
She just kept looking at it.
May crossed her arms.
May: "I'll buy it."
But before she could move—
Stela shook her head.
Stela: "No."
May looked at her.
May: "Why?"
Stela smiled slightly.
Soft.
Different from her usual teasing smile.
Stela: "I want to give it to him."
May blinked.
May: "It's expensive."
Stela didn't hesitate.
Stela: "I know."
She took out all the money she had.
Every coin.
Her entire savings.
And placed it on the counter.
May watched silently.
A small smile formed on her face.
May: "You used everything."
Stela shrugged lightly.
Stela: "It's fine."
Then she added—
Stela: "He's my little brother, right?"
May didn't argue anymore.
Back at the mansion—
Igna and Maxe were awake.
And causing trouble.
Maxe was sitting on the couch, using her magic to levitate a small cat-shaped idol in the air. The object floated gently, moving left and right.
Igna stood nearby, trying to catch it.
Jumping.
Missing.
Trying again.
Failing again.
Maxe laughed softly.
Maxe: "You're too slow."
Igna frowned.
Igna: "Give it properly!"
Before she could respond—
The door opened.
May walked in.
And froze.
Her eyes locked onto the floating object.
Her expression changed instantly.
Sharp.
Serious.
She walked forward quickly and grabbed the idol.
May: "Don't play with this."
Her voice was firm.
Igna stepped back slightly, surprised.
Igna: "I didn't know—"
But May didn't respond.
She just turned—
And walked into her room.
Closing the door behind her.
Silence filled the hall.
Igna looked confused.
Maxe lowered her head slightly.
Stela, who had just entered, sighed softly.
Stela: "That's important to her."
Igna looked at her.
Igna: "Why?"
Stela leaned against the wall.
Stela: "It's from Yash."
A pause.
Everything made sense.
Igna looked toward the closed door.
He didn't say anything.
Later that day, the atmosphere returned to normal.
They ate together, talked, and spent time like a real team.
Like a family.
Evening came quietly.
The sky turned orange, then slowly darkened.
Stela stood in front of Igna.
Holding something behind her back.
Stela: "Hey."
Igna looked at her.
Igna: "What?"
She brought her hand forward.
The dagger.
The same one from the market.
Igna's eyes widened.
Igna: "…This…"
He immediately shook his head.
Igna: "No, I can't take this. It's too expensive."
May, standing nearby, spoke calmly.
May: "She bought it with all her savings."
Igna froze.
He looked back at Stela.
Conflicted.
Igna: "Then I really can't take it."
Stela stepped closer.
Her expression softer than ever before.
She gently held the dagger out again.
Stela: "A little brother should accept a gift from his big sister."
Her voice was quiet.
But warm.
Real.
Igna's hands trembled slightly.
No one had ever said something like that to him before.
No one had ever given him something like this.
Not like this.
His vision blurred slightly.
Before he realized—
He stepped forward.
And hugged her.
Tightly.
His body shook.
Tears fell silently.
He couldn't stop them.
Igna: "…Thank you…"
His voice broke.
Stela froze for a moment.
Then slowly—
She smiled.
And gently patted his head.
Stela: "Idiot…"
But her voice was soft.
Full of warmth.
That night—
Igna sat alone in his room.
Holding the dagger.
Looking at it.
Not as a weapon.
But as something more.
A symbol.
Of trust.
Of care.
Of something he had never truly had before.
A family.
He tightened his grip slightly.
His eyes steady.
(I'll become stronger…)