Chapter 143: Gifts

“Ceella! Where are you!” A pathetic little girl screamed as she entered the house. She did place her bags and shoes correctly in the right spots without any rush, so she wasn’t that angry. It was quite late in the day.

“Mella?” Mother’s head tilted past the wall so she could question Mella. 

“Ceella jumped me at school.”

I interrupted, “Hey, I didn’t rob you. I just said hi.”

“Then vanished. We couldn’t find you anywhere.” 

“Eh, slowpokes.” 

Mella yelled out, “Where are you even speaking from?!” As she spun around trying to find me, she checked the living room and the backyard.

This is funny, thanks for the suggestion. 

(“ I just gave you options on where to hide ”)

And this is a very good option.

I was currently lying on top of the roof of the house. Not only was it hard to see me from any angle on the ground, but I learned how to talk through my soul. Mother and Mella didn’t even recognise that I was talking from above them. Speaking through souls was a little weird in that way; one’s mind and body didn’t even comprehend the weirdness, even though it sounded like someone was speaking near you.  

Of course, the weirdness was noticed this time because Mella was looking for me, but even she hadn’t realised that the voice was coming from nowhere. It was an interesting trick.

“So, what may be the problem, my dear little sister?”

“What is there not to say!” I could see Mella was flushed with embarrassment and a little bit of alcohol. 

“Meella… have you been drinking…” Mother asked.

“No…” 

“That is certainly a yes.”

“Sigh…” Mother scratched her head. She placed a meal in front of Mella and placed another in front of an empty seat. Then she pulled a small yellow flower and raised it in front of Mella. With a glow of light, pollen blew onto Mella’s face.

It took a moment for Mella to register what was happening; she was a little slow at the moment. 

“What are you..?” Then the redness disappeared from her face.  Time paused for a moment, then Mella patted her face down. “Wait… when could you do that…?”

No longer drunk, congratulations… 

It would've been funny to watch her stumble around for a little longer, but I did appreciate Mother’s action, as I did need to give Mella something later.

“For ages, it was a very useful skill when I worked in office spaces during the holiday celebrations.” 

“Who else knew…?” Mella asked as if she needed to know. I didn’t know Mella’s drinking habits as I was very much not around when she started, which was recently, apparently. 

Crazy that she is seventeen now.

“Oh, I knew, I got smashed once. You know, no, actually, you wouldn’t know, anyway, I got really drunk once for a few reasons, and Mum helped me out. It did take more than a simple blow, though, to get more sorted.”

“When did you drink?”

“I don’t, outside of a few instances,” I said.

Finally, time to reveal myself.

With a quick motion, I was downstairs and standing with them.

“Stop moving that fast!” Mella complained. 

I said, “Mother, I think the alcohol is still having an effect.”

She shrugged. “Possible, usually it takes a few minutes.”

“Okay,” I turned to Mella. “So, what exactly is the problem?”

“I had to pay for everyone’s drinks because of what you did.”

I simply said, with complete earnestness, “That sounds like a you problem.”

“Why were you out drinking?” Mother asked, “You told me you were just going to eat with your friends while you studied?”

“Yeah, we were just going to go out and eat, then we somehow switched to the ‘Ceella is alive’ celebration for me.” Mella released a long sigh.

“Congrats.” I gave a small clap.

“Unlike you, I am not rich.”

“I was broke.” 

“Then what, you did more monster hunting jobs?” 

“Perhaps.” 

She was still glaring at me, not with much anger mind you, still I could tell she would’ve liked a heads up before my surprise, but then it wouldn’t have been a surprise. 

Time for the show.

“Please, please, I didn’t toss a grenade into your friend circle for nothing.”

Mella questioned, “Oh… Then why did you do it?”

I placed my hand on my chest. “You hurt me sooo deeply, how could you hide the fact I am alive from your closest allies?” 

Mella squinted. “What gives? You didn’t go to drama school.”

“I could’ve.”

Mother added, “You might’ve punched someone. Didn’t one of your past dates do theatre?”

“They did?” 

“She has completely forgotten, Mum.”

“More importantly.” I coughed, “I did want to get that little weight off your shoulder, and if I must say, a few hundred dollars is worth the price.”

Mella’s face twitched.

“And please don’t worry, that is the only gift I have for you.”

“Really?” She didn’t seem convinced. 

Oh how does my heart hurts.

(“ Even I am beginning to be confused at your actions ”)

Tich, I’m just having some fun. 

“Yes. I am being honest; I just need to say thank you first.”

Mella sighed before saying, “Thank you, Ceella. I do appreciate it… I never knew how to broach the topic, especially after all this time and your… fluctuating health and status–”

…I know she is being genuine, but it nearly sounds insulting. 

“Just thank you for doing this…” Mella looked up and smiled again, “I got to talk about my sister with my friends again, positively, it means a lot to me.”

“That expression suits you better,” I said and gave her a hug.

I thought about it for a moment. “It may be best if we go outside to do this.”

Mother asked, “Did you want to give your gift first or after dinner?”

“We will wait for Tyell to be home for dinner. He should be back soon, right?”

Mother said, “Probably thirty minutes?”

“Then let's just wait.” I quickly spied on his location with my abilities, and thirty minutes sounded reasonable. He was packing up from his shift as we spoke.

I moved towards the door, “Come on, I have a friend to show you.”

“A friend?” A very confused Mella followed. 

“Yes, a friend indeed,” I said with confidence.

Time to create a connection.

My starlight horns emerged.

“Ceella…?” I could hear Mella's words of worry, but everything was going to be okay. 

“Come to me…” I whispered, I pulled a being from my domain.

From the core of my chest, a being emerged. Less than half my height in its length, its body was a bright purplish pink. From many descriptions, it looked like a dragon, with a tail, wings, and claws. Only to my eyes did its facial structure look similar to anything else. 

Mella stumbled back, shocked and confused. “You can call her Lu, she is a friend.” 

Mella said, “A friend?”

I spoke with a smile, “She has wings, so she flies wherever she wants, and also has the power to protect you.”

She still has a lot to learn.

Lu flew up and nestled its little head against my neck.

“She is a little smart, and that intelligence will only increase as time progresses.” I finished patting Lu and asked Mella, “Can you keep a promise to me and show Lu many different sights?”

Her answer was immediate. “Of course!”

“Thank you.” 

Espr?

(“ Already on it, but do it yourself next time ”)

I’m still learning.

Lu flew towards Mella and disappeared into her. Mella touched her body, confused, then felt something change within her. She immediately looked at her soul page.

Name: Mella Stella | Race: [Human]

Level 28 | Awakened

Mana: 100%

Vocation: [Warm Wind Mage]

Skills:

* Wind (II)

* Fire (I)

* Warm Touch

* Warm Flame

* Warm Muscles 

* Blessing of Warm Winds

[Pact]

* Lu |  [Stellaruge Nelatta] 

“Lu can leave your body with your permission, and she has the ability to shrink herself as well. She may change over time, but that is to be expected. Though if you have any questions, feel free to ask.”

In the next moment, a much smaller Lu emerged and wrapped around Mella’s neck like a scarf.

“She’s warm…” Mella snuggled with Lu.

“Ha.” I patted both of their heads. “She does have a few other abilities that relate to yours, but overall, just treat her like a friend.”

“Of course!” Mella declared, and the little Lu cried out in celebration.