Years passed, and by the time Lucielle was a teenager, she had far surpassed all the Mages that existed in the Kingdom.

Even Philius was now her disciple-at least, before he went out to the battlefield for the necessary Mage Support and never returned.

The same applied to most Mages at the time.

The only Mage that wasn't allowed to set foot on the battlefield at any point in time was Lucielle. She was too important as a resource to be risked in such a manner.

In a way, she was humanity's trump card.

"You don't know how it feels, Rey..." Lucielle whispered, laughing a little sadly. "Watching everyone you knew for a long time going to battle and never coming back."

"I doubt anyone has ever wanted to go to war like I did back then. I felt like I could change it all if only I was allowed on the battlefield."

With her knowledge and power, surely she could turn the tides of the war.

"Still, the higher-ups never allowed it. I was cooped up in the tower, learning about the Dragons and about Magic... coming up with new Spells and applications of Magic. I found ways to improve warfare with Magic from the comfort of my room... never seeing how they would ever be applied, or what would become of those who used them."

"...." Rey wanted to say something, but no words came out.

"In the end, I got accustomed to the life I had. I grew less stubborn and more content with how things were. I didn't want to be so ungrateful for the new life my sister and I now enjoyed. As long as the both of us were safe... then there would be no problem."

However, everything changed on one fateful day.

"Lucielle, I will be drafted to the front lines tomorrow. They're short on skilled fighters, and so a lot of us Royal Knights have to be dispatched to help out with the situation there."

Her own sister was at risk.

"What? No! There are tons of Royal Knights! Why do they have to choose you? I will have to talk to-"

"No, there's no need for that."

"Bullshit! There's no way I'd sit idly by and let them choose you like that! I'm sure I could-!" "They didn't choose me, Lucielle... I volunteered."

Those were the words that finally made her stop her tantrum and listen to her big sister. Lucielle's eyes were wide with shock when she heard the big revelation-that Aisha had willingly chosen to sentence herself to death.

But... why?

"Why would you do that?"

"Lucielle... if I don't go... more people will die." That was her sister's answer.

"M-more people will... who cares?! Why do you care so much about other people dying than yourself? People die every day, and even if you throw your life away, they'll still die." "You don't know tha-"

"Oh, I know it quite well! Those sent to the front lines are just cannon fodder, meant to stall the Dragons until the clueless higher-ups know how to handle the situation. Those fools don't know shit! The way humans are now, we can't beat the Dragons, and they're well aware of that fact. All the Warriors and Mages that are sent to the front lines are merely to serve as meat shields to make sure they remain safe and comfortable." Lucielle couldn't stop the tears that flowed from her eyes as she spoke.

".... To make sure WE remain safe and comfortable."

In the end, Lucielle and Aisha were among the beneficiaries of the sacrifices of the many who had laid down their lives.

Why change things now?

"I know, Lucielle..." Aisha said with a sad smile as she hugged her dear younger sister.

"If you know, then why are you-!"

"Because... I have to make sure YOU remain safe and comfortable."

"W-what?"

"Even if it is for one more day... or one more week, or one more year... I want to make sure that my little sister, and as many other young girls that are out there, remain safe and

comfortable."

Perhaps all she would ever be in the battlefield was a meatshield.

But... she was still going to be a shield.

"By doing this, I will be able to protect you."

"I-I don't need your protection!"

"I know, Lucielle. You've grown so big and strong... and so pretty too. I know I'm not as talented as you are, but all this time... I still wanted to help you by being a Knight worthy enough to stand by your side and shield you from harm."

"Then stand by my side!" Despite Lucielle's protests, Aisha shook her head.

"Duty calls, Lucielle." She whispered. "I can't choose to remain selfish."

How was it selfish? All that Aisha had ever done was be selfless, yet she made it seem like her actions up until this moment was selfish.

Lucielle could not comprehend it-at least, not at the time.

"I'm sure you'll grow up to be an amazing woman, and a powerful Mage." Aisha patted her

head before kissing it.

"That's what I want to protect, more than anything else."

"D-don't go!" Lucielle begged and begged, but Aisha just shook her head slowly as they

hugged and kissed with sisterly affection.

"I have to go." She would always say.

Even as Lucielle cried like a baby and tightly clung to her, never letting go until the last moments they spent together, Aisha kept saying one thing.

"It is my duty."

**************

Right until Aisha left for war, Lucielle didn't support or understand her decision.

She tried her best to convince her big sister to change her mind, but it seemed like it was the

latter's turn to become stubborn.

Nothing could deter Aisha from her decision.

She left for the war, and the two couldn't keep up contact for what seemed like an eternity.

Then, about a few weeks later, a letter came for Lucielle-from Aisha.

It was the same day her corpse arrived.

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Thanks for reading!

Damn... I really wanted to end the backstory already. Apologies for dragging you all through

this.