In The Aftermath

I continued to stare at her, dumbfounded. What in the world was happening? Just a moment ago, I was nearing my deathbed. Yet right now here she was—my sister, who had died years ago. 

"How long are you going to continue to stare at me like that? Do you know what day it is today?!" she said, her voice sharp but oddly nostalgic 

The sound of her words jolted me out of my daze.

"H-huh?! E-eh…?" I stammered, still trying to sort through my thoughts, struggling to make sense of what was happening.

My sister rolled her eyes 

"Today's the day the representative from the Arcane Council is coming to evaluate all the 16-year-olds' mana capabilities as part of the coming-of-age ceremony," she said, exasperated.

My gaze flickered to the surrounding room, then back to her. "What year is it right now?"

Her brows furrowed, and she gave me a look that somehow managed to combine irritation with concern. "Seriously? You're asking that?" She sighed, her voice softening ever so slightly.

"Are you sure you didn't hit your head somewhere?" 

When she realized I was serious, she sighed again, "It's the year 948. Now, do you care to explain why you're acting so strange?"

"U-uh, I've probably just been stressed out lately, you know how much I've been worrying about whether I'll pass and become a mage, that's all… hah...hah," I somehow managed to muster up a random excuse, hoping she wouldn't push further. 

My sister stared at me for a few seconds, her gaze sharp, as if she wasn't buying my pathetic excuse. But after a moment, she seemed to decide against pressing further.

"Breakfast is ready. Go wash up, you don't want to be late."

"Y-yeah, give me a few minutes."

My sister nodded, then turned and left the room. As I sat there on my bed, still in a daze. Somehow, I was alive, and so was she. I wasn't sure how, or why. 

"The year 984 huh…" I muttered to myself, processing it slowly. That means I am currently 16, 40 years before my death. I dragged myself out of bed and made my way to the restroom. I look at myself in the mirror—jet-black hair that fell messily around my face, a few stray locks hanging over my eyes. My face was youthful, still soft. My skin was pale, smooth. 

My eyes, dark and sharp, were the only feature that truly stood out. They gave my face an air of seriousness, an intensity that contrasted sharply with the softness of my youthful self.

"Hah… I really regressed 40 years back into the past" I sighed, still trying to wrap my head around it. After quickly freshening up, I headed downstairs. A nostalgic scent wafted into my nose. How long has it been since I smelled this? I glanced over and saw my sister, Elysia, already sitting at the table.

"Took you long enough," she said, her voice annoyed but with a hint of concern behind it. "Are you really sure you're fine, Caelith?"

"I'm fine, really," I said, offering a weak smile as I sat down across from her.

I glanced at the breakfast she had prepared in front of me—steaming bowls of rice porridge, golden fried eggs, and slices of freshly baked bread with butter. Without thinking, I dug in, practically devouring the food as if I hadn't eaten in days. 

Each bite was a desperate attempt to block out the whirlwind of anger and regret, an effort to silence the pain of my failure, Aldric's betrayal, and the chaos of being thrown back into the past.

"H-hey, slow down," my sister said, a slight frown forming on her face. "Are you really that hungry?"

I couldn't hear her, the overwhelming mix of emotions threatening to spill over the moment I stopped eating. 

Seeing this, my sister didn't ask any more questions, just watched me silently as I finished my meal.

When I finished my meal, I gave a quiet thanks, acting as if nothing had happened.

"There's still some time before the representative arrives," I said, my voice growing steadier as I talked, "I think I'll take a walk around town."

Elysia looked at me for a long moment, wonder and concern both expressed in her eyes. "Alright, just take care of yourself… ok?"

I quietly nodded, grabbing my jacket as I stepped outside into the cold winter air.