The summer season passed away all too quickly for Sion. With it, it took the joy of freshly made iced drinks, freezing baths, and blistering heat. Sion missed every single second of it, though she could have managed without the unbearable heat. 

But fall was inevitable, and it felt wrong for Sion to mourn her ending time with summer when she always knew it would end. The spring sauntered its way into her life. It was trailed with warm-coloured leaves, an infinite cool breeze, and an abundance of wilted plants. And also the start of a new school year. Which, for Sion, was both nerve-racking and exciting. 

On one hand, she was starting a new adventure where she could learn all about the other houses through the students they leave in Alantin, and find a way to fix the Estrix calamity.

On the other hand, she would have to live with a completely different identity, not a single trace of Sion Estrix could be found in this new identity. And if someone did find one, the Estrix calamity would turn into the biggest crisis that a royal house could ever face. 

Sion gripped the mirror in her hands. She was pale, ghastly white in a way where she would look like a ghost next to Orion.

Breath in. Breath out.

Sion repeated her mantra until her normal complexion returned, and her nerves were at least mostly calmed. She changed into the gothic first-year uniform and marched her way to the kitchen. Her will to make the school year sublime was indestructible.  

In the kitchen, Orion was busy making clutter out of the array of pots and pans. A single golden egg stood alone in a single pan, accompanied by a tall glass of rose-coloured liquid. 

Orion Estrix's cooking skills were unchallenged. The only thing stopping him from mastering the culinary arts was his tortoise-like speed and the messes he would make. 

"I could have made breakfast. You don't need to trouble yourself with things like these, especially with your new job."

Orion didn't take his eyes off of his dish, not even sparing a measly glance at Sion.

"If you cook we'll end up homeless from the fires you make . And don't worry about me being busy, I've been making snacks for you and the staff for years and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon."

"Suit yourself", Sion replied.

Brunch consisted of one large fluffy battered egg and a mug of electric juice. It was simple, yet incredibly filling. The juice was more of a main course, electric potions were an ordinary find but were filled with a forest of nutrients and such. Three drops of the potion would be combined with water and a fruit of your choice. Voilà! Electric juice.

Cooking was pretty much witchcraft in Sion’s opinion. 

“What are you going to do without me?”, Orion asked after a prolonged amount of silence. 

“What do you mean what am I going to do without you? The question you should ask yourself is what are you going to do without me? Who’s going to do the grocery shopping, and who’s going to calm you from your fits? Certainly not the help.”

Orion paused for a moment, Sion could have sworn she saw his eyes forming a wet sheen.

“Of course, the help can shop. That’s part of their literal job requirement, and stop acting like I can’t get out of my fits without your help. I have friends you know, and if they aren’t around then I’ll handle it myself. You're not my mother for god’s sake Sion, so stop acting like it. Go to Alantin, get as much information as you can, and have some fun. That’s all you need to do. Nothing less, nothing more.”

Sion went red, a little from embarrassment but mostly from pride. Orion was going to be fine, she reassured herself. 

“Fine. I’ll have fun, and get the information. Also, I didn’t know you were still in your imaginary friend phase.”

Orion rolled his eyes at Sion’s snarky remark.

“The only one here who ever had an imaginary friend phase was you. Remember Hollicent Praferait, you used to talk about her all the time. When I asked you to show me her, you just pointed in the air and said she was right in front of me. Remember that!?”

Sion did remember. Her imaginary friend lasted only about a month, but the embarrassment was forever.

“Understood. But you are sure that they're real friends right, not just fake admirers or greedy pigs.” This was an unfortunate scenario that Orion had faced several times before. Sion wasn’t so sure that she could trust her brother’s so-called “friend” any more than she could trust an avid murderer.

Orion ruffled Sion’s head and nodded.

“I’m sure, they don’t even know which house I’m from. Also, I’m absolutely sure they aren’t an admirer, I know the difference. Now stop acting like you're my parent! I told you that almost a second ago, are you trying to be a rebel now?”

Sion sighed at her brother’s crummy humour.

“You know what I’m leaving. Know that the last conversation you had with me before I started an incredibly important step in my life was focused on imaginary friends and grocery shopping.” With that, she grabbed her satchel and raced to the carriage.

She was, however, not fast enough to ignore her brother’s last remark.

“I can always send you a letter!”