I was exposed as the strongest magician to my sister, who has severe brother complex. I can no longer hide my abilities at school!

Chapter 21 : Alvin and Cecil

“From today onwards, Cecil will be a part of the family. Get along well with her, Alvin.”

Alvin gained a new family member when he was about five years old. It all began when a friend, who had worked together with Alvin’s father in the knight order, passed away on the battlefield, and his parents decided to take in the friend’s daughter. It seemed to be the friend’s last request.

With her mother already gone and relatives only interested in money, what would happen when living with such individuals? Alvin’s father seemed to know that, which led to this situation.

“I’m Cecil! Nice to meet you, little brother!”

The initial impression was that Cecil was a ‘loud person’. Even though she had lost her last close relative, she carried herself with a strength that felt out of place. Did she not care about her father or have very little emotional fluctuation? Alvin wondered, but at that time, Alvin, who had been leading a self-indulgent life, didn’t pay much attention to Cecil, thinking, ‘Let’s just go with the flow.’

From then on, Cecil constantly interacted with Alvin, involving him in her studies and swordsmanship between other activities. Initially skilled in the sword, she began receiving proper guidance upon entering the Duke’s household, showing remarkable growth. It was evident that she had talent, and perhaps there were hardly any peers of her age who could match her. However, she never displayed arrogance, not towards Alvin, the new father, the deceased mother, or the servants.

A bright, always-smiling good girl — that became the general perception of her. Thanks to this, everyone except Alvin quickly accepted Cecil and grew fond of her.

“Al-kun, what are you doing? Let’s go somewhere together!?”

“I’m not interested. Don’t bother me, Cecil-san.”

Why didn’t Alvin reciprocate the affection? Was it because an outsider had become family? Or because she constantly bothered him? No, it was something more childish — her family died, right? How could she be so carefree?

But that perception crumbled a year later.

One day, Alvin couldn’t sleep and decided to go outside for some fresh air. There was no balcony in his room, so he had to step outside.

And then…

“Hick… Father!”

In the garden, he saw Cecil, sitting on a bench, holding her knees, crying. The girl who always smiled was now sobbing, looking fragile and lonely in the night.

‘Ah… how foolish of me. it makes sense now.’

She wasn’t heartless; she was just putting on a brave front. It was only natural. She was a girl not much younger than himself, still a child, who lost her parents at a young age and was thrown into a new environment.

But if she didn’t smile, she might be discarded in this new environment where no one was on her side.

A sense of guilt welled up inside Alvin. He wasn’t as kind as Cecil. He wanted to lead a lazy life, and he didn’t care what happened to the people around him.

But, just this time…

“Fueh… Al-kun…?”

Alvin sat down beside the crying Cecil. Seeing him suddenly appear, Cecil quickly wiped away her tears.

“S-Sorry! It’d be troublesome if my little brother saw me… Oh, I’m sorry for showing such a pathetic side…”

“I don’t mind. You can do and go wherever you want.”

“I’ll leave right away then.”

Trying to suppress her overflowing tears, Cecil tried to get up. However, Alvin grabbed her arm just before she stood.

“It’s fine, just stay here.”

“Huh…?”

“Your place is already here.”

Alvin casually rested his chin on his hand.

“Sorry for not understanding you.”

He didn’t even want to look. He had been contemptuous, sneering at her. He was aware of how hypocritical it was. Feeling sorry but unable to express it, he said in a voice that seemed a little cold despite the words.

But…

“Because I’m here.”

“…..!”

“From now on, I’ll always be by your side.”

How did Cecil hear those words? She showed a dazed expression for a moment but immediately burst into tears again.

“Is it okay? I’m not your real family, you know?”

“You’re family, no matter what anyone says.”

“B-but…”

“No buts.”

Alvin gently stroked Cecil’s head.

“Because, you’re already our family.”

Receiving that gentle affection from Alvin, Cecil smiled faintly and her lips trembled.

She held back her overflowing tears, as if they might crumble if touched immediately.

However, it was not because she was forcibly putting on a brave face.

She simply wanted to say this at the end ──

“Th-that… makes me happy, to have someone… on my side… ah…”

— I think it was from this moment.

When Alvin’s consciousness clearly changed.

It’s not about caring only for oneself…

He found someone he wanted to protect.

It became deeply rooted like a wedge in the depths of his heart.

◇◇◇◇◇◇

‘I had quite a nostalgic dream.’

Right after everyone had fallen asleep.

Alvin woke up at the planned time and found himself indulging in a bit of sentimentality.

The memories of the old days came to mind.

The moment he first met Cecil, something changed within himself.

“Hehe~… Al-kun…”

A voice came from beside him.

Apparently, without realizing it, she had slipped back into his bed again.

‘Sigh… I really wonder how she became like this since then.’

Alvin sat up and gently peeled Cecil, who was clinging to his arm, without waking her.

It was troublesome that she looked so refined anytime he saw her. Even though she was family, seeing such a defenseless figure was either poison to the eyes or a stake to the heart.

However, he had been friends with his sister for a long time ── so he resigned himself to it.

‘Well, let’s hurry up and get out without being late.’

Getting out of bed, he picked up practical and easy-to-move clothes from the closet.

For some reason, there were dresses and women’s casual clothes in his closet, but Alvin ignored them with a wry smile.

After changing, he opened the window wide and stood on the windowsill.

‘…..’

Alvin glanced briefly at Cecil’s defenseless sleeping face.

Suddenly, an old scene flashed through his mind again.

“Th-that… makes me happy, to have someone… on my side… ah…”

Therefore, teasingly, Alvin let a small smile play on his lips at the end.

“Don’t worry, I’ll protect you, nee-san.”

Muttering so, Alvin jumped out of the window.