Beyond?

“The Dwemer aren't a race of many words. Some say that they have the same ancestors as us and changed due to their environment, but during my time with them I started to doubt that. It isn't just their skin colour that's different. They are two to three heads smaller than us and their eyes have round pupils, which are able to enlarge until their eyes are almost completely black. And they have no horns.

They have also less magicians than us and their magic system relies on shamanistic rituals. That increases the cast time of their spells, but grants them vastly more power. I've seen them move unbelievable amounts of earth and dig large tunnels within minutes. It would have taken a workforce of commoners months to accomplish the same task.”

-Sonja Gejene, Emissary of Nict.

***Free City States of Nict, Nict***

***Azir***

Time went by so quickly. It's already been two years since I adopted Stella, Karsen, Talia and Louise.

Louise managed to be promoted from Lulu to her real name after one year of acceptable behaviour. I am a generous person after all. She actually cried tears of joy when I called her Louise for the first time, thus a true bond of friendship was formed between us.

As for why am I saying that I adopted the four of them? After two month's on the brink of insanity I decided to become a teacher. So instead of sitting lazily around and indulging in self pity, I invested my time into tutoring my four friends.

Although Stella and Louise didn't need much help from me. It was mostly only Talia and Karsen who struggled to keep up.

As for Annice... she still shows up from time to time, but it got much better after she decided to study about men. Having a perfect memory can be a blessing and a curse at the same time. It turned out that she didn't have the slightest idea of what would happen after she got a hold on the guy of her dreams. Ingrid is the worst parent in existence.

So the next day after her insane declaration, she came to me with her whole head turning red and informed me that the matter is postponed until we are both of a proper age. That's something she once again one-sidedly decided.

Unfortunately another fatal development took place during my time at school. Due to the fact that the academy is an all-day school, I had much less time to spend with my little sister. I tutored and played with her as much as possible until I had to enter school.

She was such a nice kid before. I hoped that she would turn out to be a good character, but just within two years she made a complete personality change. She became a little version of Valda! Oh, why am I now cursed with two women of that character.

“Why are you looking at me like that brother?” Valeria asks me while she is correcting her light blue hair. Her horns became a little bigger, but are still those of a child. Like mine.

It's her first schoolday and we are on our way to the academy. Valda is accompanying us. She is sitting beside Valeria while I am sitting across from them.

I wave my hand dismissively. “Ah. It's nothing. I was just deep in thought. You'll be fine right? I'll go directly to my class then.”

Valeria forms a fist and strikes upwards. “Don't worry, Brother! Mother trained me well. I am confident that I can fulfil my role as the future clan head! Just come to me if there is a problem. I'll protect you from those vixens.”

“Pardon me?” I feel a strange itching in my left eye. “Mother! Which instructions did you give to my cute little sister!”

“~Hahaha.~” Valda laughs strangely and pets Valeria's head. “Dear, please recite the three iron rules.”

Valeria nods. “Bring no shame to the house of Zait. Keep the whores away from brother. Inform Mother about all of Brother's misadventures.”

“S... Sister! There is no need at all to...” But Valeria doesn't let me speak.

“It's nice that you care for me, but I am confident that I can deal with all girls up to four years older than me. If an older one shows interest in you we'll need to call mother in order to protect your virginity.” Valeria nods and snorts through her nose.

Mother! What did you create! That's not my little sister any more!

The carriage stops and we get outside, where I am awaited by Talia, Stella, Louise and Karsen. Damn! I forgot that we always walk together to class! I should have told them to go on without me.

Stella waves her hand and smiles. “Azir! How were the holidays?”

I raise my hand and force a smile onto my face. “Great. How were you guys doing?”

“Who is that brother?” Valeria places herself between me and my friends.

I pat her head. “Hahaha. Don't worry. Those four are my classmates. Stella, Talia, Louise and Karsen.” I point at Valeria. “This is my little sister. Please take good care of her, its her first day. And that's my mother, Valda.”

“Oho?” Stella touches her lower lip and smiles at Valeria. “She is cute! I want to cuddle her!” Stella's tail curls up behind her.

Valeria turns with a questioning gaze to her mother. “Is that a Vixen mother?”

Valda shakes her head. “I explained to you that it isn't that easy. You have to take all aspects into account before you judge.”

“~Azir!~”

My expression drops. That voice. I grab my little sister and place her between me and Annice who appeared out of the crowd of people around us.

“~Ahn.~ How cold. And we haven't seen each other since the last semester. Nobody allowed me entry to your property.” Annice crosses her arms in front of her chest.

Valeria turns around. “Who is that, Brother?”

“I am Annice Tinn. Your brother's future wife. Nice to meet you, sister in law.” Annice grabs Valeria's hand.

Valeria's expression turns cold. “Ah... I think brother told me about you.”

Annice's eyes start glowing. “Really? What did he say? To think that our relationship already bloomed to such an extent!”

Valeria tilts her head. “Let me see. When he is in a bad mood he calls you just 'The Bitch!' and when he is in a good mood he says 'The poor misguided girl'.”

Annice freezes and Valeria turns around to give Valda a thumbs up, which is returned by her.

Valda steps forward and grabs Annice at her tail, pulling Annice with her.

“Owowow!” Annice tries to resist, but my mother's grip is like a vice.

Valda mumbles. “I think I need to have a proper word with Ingrid about her education. And I even went through the trouble of placing that child in another class. Come Valeria, we are late.”

She glances at my four friends. “Please keep an eye on my son. And feel free to visit him from time to time. He is too much of a loner to invite you on his own.”

Finally she marches off while pulling Annice with her. Valeria is following them.

***

“Your family is funny.” Stella grins while she hands me a screwdriver.

We are currently in our class, having a lesson about rune-magic and artefacts. For that purpose we have to repair an old device which heats up something you place on top of it. To me it's just a good old boilerplate combined with a little magic.

“You think so? Actually they can be very scary when they want to.” I finish assembling the magical circuit while Louise and Karsen make the encasing ready.

“The clan head seems nicer than I thought. Maybe I should visit you from time to time.” Talia grins at me.

I nod. “Sure. That means of course if you get past my sister. She seems to be a little jealous.” Or should I say that she was corrupted by my mother?

We continue to work in silence on our project. Only Talia and Karsen indulge themselves in a little small talk between the two of them.

While we work, the light outside starts dimming. Then the class finally ends. I pack up my stuff and attempt to leave the classroom when Stella holds me back by gripping my sleeve. “I have to tell you something.”

“Yes?” But she gives no answer while the other students leave the room. Looking at her questioningly, I point out of the window at the disappearing sun. “It's getting late.”

“Actually, I wanted to thank you.” Stella looks at me with unwavering eyes. “Recently I thought about how the last two years could have turned out if you hadn't stayed my seatmate.”

I attempt to speak, but she holds up a hand.

“I know. And I learned enough about you to know that you probably really only wanted to sit close to the window. Nevertheless, I want to give you a present as thanks. But you have to close your eyes until I say that you can open them.” She grabs her bag and looks at me.

I frown. “That's childish.”

Stella's tail droops. “You say such strange things from time to time. Do you want it or not?”

“Okay, Okay.” I close my eyes...and feel something soft on my cheek while a small box is pressed into my hand. I hear Stella's steps disappearing in the distance.

I open my eyes and turn around while touching my cheek and notice that I am the only one left behind in the classroom.

“Eh? Did she just kiss me?”

“She ran away...”

.