Sarah bit her lip and nodded. But before answering, she patted the couch, motioning him to be seated.

Varian smiled and sat beside her. But he couldn't smile anymore as she practically leaned into his arms and hugged him.

"Uh..Sarah?" He wasn't feeling uncomfortable. Not at all. But this was…strange. He didn't know what to do.

"Shhh." Sarah made herself comfortable and mumbled in a fearful voice. "Just…just never do that again."

"I told Anna long ago. If you can't see my body, don't think I'm dead." Varian sighed and adjusted his position to that Sarah could be more comfortable.

"…." Sarah's expression darkened.

"She didn't tell you?" Varian asked with a frown.

"No." Sarah shook her head.

"…She didn't want to give you hope." Varian realized the maid's intention.

Sarah also understood as she replied with mixed feelings. "…if I was given that hope, and it broke, then I wouldn't be able to bear it. I…I would be—"

"Devastated." Varian cut her off.

"…." Sarah raised her head and saw he was looking at her intensely. She was flustered for a moment. "W-What?"

"If something really happens to me, I don't want you to be depressed. I don't believe in reincarnation. Do the best you can in this one chance we got to live."

"…what if I died?" Sarah asked.

Varian's body shook lightly and before he knew it, he was holding her tightly. "I'll kill whoever is responsible and I'll be depressed."

Sarah smiled at his response and then chuckled. "Isn't that hypocritical from you?"

"…" Varian didn't have an answer.

Losing his mom was a big blow for him. But it was losing Sia's memories that impacted him irreconcilably.

The loss was like a scar in his psyche. He might recover his memories, but its traces would remain forever.

So, Varian couldn't tolerate losing people close to him. If the person was someone really close like Sarah or Sia, it would drive him insane.

Seeing his condition, Sarah decided to switch the topic. "Sia joined the academy last year. She was a peak level 2."

"I was also peak level 2, but in both paths. I don't know why, but we hit it off." Sarah had a look of nostalgia.

Varian, on the other hand listened to every word carefully.

"Sia's speed of progress is the fastest I've seen, second only to you. She didn't take any treasures, but she quickly reached peak level 3 in a few weeks.

It shocked many teachers and she was approached by many. All the factions wanted to recruit.

But Sia…she liked to spend her time alone. She often fell into complete silences and other times…she broke into tears." Sarah's voice was low as she recalled the pain she saw on Sia's face.

"Every time I asked her why, she would just smile and say 'Everything is fine'. I couldn't help her and it frustrated me.

…She was a bit like my brother, Sam. She is hardworking, she followed the rules, she always helped others.

At some point, we were best friends." Sarah hugged Varian tightly and whispered.

"We made our adventure team 'Siarah'. It was fine until one day, I was severely injured by Shadow Order members.

Sia advanced to level 4 in the middle of the fight and…she fed me her blood or her blood essence…?" Sarah didn't know exactly and paused.

Varian patted her lightly and she continued. "After that, I was quickly healed and my…talent also improved."

Sarah confided her biggest secret without hesitation.

"I see." Varian's voice turned grave. "Then she disappeared soon?"

"Y-Yes. I asked around and they said she went on a mission. I picked a mission and went out. When I returned to campus, no one knew about Sia.

They…They all acted like…" Sarah's face paled as she recalled the scene.

"They all acted like she never existed." Varian gritted his teeth and his eyes turned red.

He understood the ins and outs now.

Someone saw Sia's actions on Sarah. Perhaps they were only curious about her blood helping Sarah heal or perhaps they concluded she was somewhat special and conducted a test on her blood before deciding.

Whatever the case, this activity was the trigger.

It was the reason for all the pain Sia went through.

Shadow Order…Those fucking sons of bitches!

Varian wanted to slaughter each and everyone of them. Not just slaughter, but torture. They deserve to die a million times!

"Father thought I was…ill and wanted to erase my memories of her. I didn't agree. So, he asked me to promise to never reveal it to anyone." Sarah said and waited for his response.

"….."

"Varian?" Sarah was shocked at his expression.

He was exuding a thick killing intent with a bloodthirsty smile…it was as if he was about to go on a slaughter.

"Ah." Varian snapped out of his rage and shook his head.

Looking at Sarah's blue eyes, he sighed lightly and began explaining 'Sia'.

Sarah listened to their story and her eyes went through a series of conflicting emotions.

"Sia…I see. So, all your search, all your actions, everything you did was for her?" Her jealousy was as evident as sunlight.

"Of course." Varian nodded with a serious face. "She's the only family I have. I must find her, solve her problems, avenge her."

"You should definitely do that." Sarah agreed, but then continued with a resentful look. "Families…they can get bigger you know."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"D-Don't you plan to marry or something?"

"Me? Hahaha!" Varian laughed like it was a joke. "If I marry, I'd cause too many heart breaks. I don't want to—"

He was about to continue bragging but Sarah's icy blue eyes shut him up.

"Um…marry who? With the way my life is going, I might as well marry lady death. After all, I was at her door too many times."

"…."

"Ah..eh, alright. Bad joke." Varian coughed. He forgot death was a sensitive topic for Sarah. Not everyone was like him—driven to near death every other day.

Seeing that he didn't know what to speak more, Sarah sighed. Was he dumb or playing dumb?

She didn't know.

But after experiencing losing him once, she didn't want to stay silent…even if it embarrassed her.

"Varian." She cupped his cheeks and looked into his eyes.

"Hm?"

"I like you."

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