Sora slowly regained consciousness. He could feel something warm wrapped around his right arm. He slowly opened his eyes to see Leena sleeping peacefully, hugging his arm. Sora smiled as he reached over and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear before leaning over and kissing her forehead. “Thankfully, you survived.”

“You are truly a caring brother.” A voice came from the other side of Sora. Sora faintly felt it was a familiar voice as he turned his head to look.

A beautiful woman came into view. “You are… The woman, Ellyn, who saved us. Thank you.”

“You are truly lucky. If I had been a moment later, you would have died for real. But it seems it would not be your first time now, would it?” Ellyn asked as she raised an eyebrow looking at Sora.

Sora was surprised at first, but when he thought about how this was a world of magic, he could only nod. He looked over at Leena to make sure she was asleep before answering: “You could say I am replacing the brother Leena lost… I do not know how it happened, but I only remember dying in a fire after my little sister died and ended up here.”

“Hmmm…. So this is why you take care of her?” Ellyn was faintly understanding why a lost soul would be so willing to protect someone they barely knew, even if it meant giving up their life again.

“Yeah. You could say I see Ai, my little sister who died unjustly, in Leena. I promised with his new life of mine I would not let her suffer. I am one who will keep such promises even if it means giving up my life to protect those I care about.” Sora explained. He felt sadness when he spoke Ai’s name.

“I see. You truly are a man amongst men at such an age. There are many who are much older who would throw their own family in harm's way to save themselves. For you to wish to protect someone even when you barely know them is truly commendable. But you should know the little girl is not that body’s real sister.” Ellyn decided to see Sora's reaction to this.

“So? Does one need blood ties to treat the other as family? If you see someone as your family and you are willing to be there and protect them no matter what, then blood relations mean nothing,” Sora did not care if Leena was related to him or not. He had already felt this was the case before Ellyn even mentioned it but what’s more, is that he was never her real brother in the first place. But this did not stop him from wanting to protect her.

“Hehe… You are a strange one. But just so you know, the little girl also knows this now and wishes to marry you. I am sure you will make lots of babies in the future.” Ellyn teased.

Sora shook his head. “I can’t protect her in this world. I don't deserve to be anything more than a brother who would do anything for her. I would prefer her to be with someone who could take care of her and give her a proper life. A life where she can be happy and live for a long, long time without worry.” 

“You are truly something.” Ellyn had to admit this young boy, who was barely a teen, had a decent head on his shoulders.

“No!” A small voice came from Sora’s side. 

“Leena? You're awake?” Sora asked as he looked over to see two big round, watery eyes looking back at him. 

“I said no! I will not marry anyone but Brother!” Leena yelled. Tears were welling up in her eyes. “Brother doesn’t want Leena!? You want to send Leena away!?”

Sora sighed and reached over and patted the top of Leena’s head. “That’s not what I am saying. It is just that I am unable to give you the life you deserve.”

“I don’t care! I do not care! Leena will only have Brother!” Leena yelled at the top of her lungs. She even batted Sora’s hand that was patting her head away and clung to his arm as if her life depended on it.

Ellyn and Sora were both surprised to see Leena acting this way. Ellyn knew the little girl was a stubborn one. Those with ice mage souls were always stubborn. Once they set their minds to something, they would never give in. “Then there is only one thing that can be done. Leena, you will come with me and train your ice element. As for you and your brother… You will just need to be strong enough to protect him.” 

“No! I am staying here with Brother!” Leena yelled.

Ellyn was not one to break apart what was going to be. As she knew very well that even a decision made at an early age would end up eventually coming to fruition for an ice mage. While she should try to persuade the little girl, she knew it would be useless. This was, after all, the same little girl who bit and clawed her with all her might just to get to her brother. Ellyn looked at Sora before sending him a telepathic message: “Just agree. If you truly wish to protect this girl, agree to her demands.”

Sora nodded and sighed. “Alright, Lenna. Since you have made up your mind, I will agree. But you must go with Ellyn here to train and become stronger, okay?”

Leena lifted her head and looked into Sora’s eyes trying to see if he was telling the truth or not. When she saw that his eyes did not waver, she blushed and shyly asked:  “You will take Leena as your bride later on?”

“Mmm… If that is what you wish.” Sora replied with a smile.

“Then I will do as Brother says.” Leena was blushing from ear to ear. She buried her face in Sora's arm, hugging it tightly.

“I already checked your bloodlines. They do not match, so what you agreed to is okay, and do not worry, I will protect her. But, I am not sure how things will play out in the future. After all, you have no mage soul.” Ellyn felt bitter. She knew the words said today would be hard to keep down the road. Not when Sora was someone who could never become a magas.

“It’s fine. As long as Leena is happy.” Sora replied with a smile. He only said what he said in order to get Leena to go. He never expected anything to come of the promise he made on this day.

“Then I will give you a few days to spend some time together before I take her away.”