"okay nova time to put your thinking hat on. What's the best way to go about this?"
Sirius watched as nova walked straight past him, muttering loudly to himself.
"He's probably off saving someone again" Sirius thought to himself "don't those selfless types ever get tired of playing hero" it annoyingly reminded him of someone he used to know.
And his heart began to ache at the memory of him.
He shook his head, clearing his thoughts. He couldn't change what happened. That mistake is something he'll have to live with forever but it's as his dad used to say, focus on only what you can change.
He turned his attention to the abandoned Astor village, once a bustling area full of life was now a ghost town. It's only inhabitants was Sirius and his older sister.
Most would feel a bittersweet nostalgia walking through this place. Maybe even pain or anger but not Sirius. Truth was he wasn't actually Sirius. He was a human boy reincarnated into his favourite light novel character. He was no connection to this tragedy but still..
Part of him still wanted to stop his sister from turning to the dark. Maybe it was his deep connection with Sirius's story that drove him on, maybe he's finally grown a conscious but he was determined not to give her a reason to leave.
That's how he met nova.
"Well calling him nova might be misleading. He's clearly been reincarnated too" Sirius muttered aloud "I wonder what kind of person he was. Probably annoyingly nice if I had to-"
"Please train me miss Astor" Sirius looked up to see that NPC character krispin bowing to his sister "I am an inexperienced leader of the tinsel clan and would appreciate the support learning the ropes" he looked up at her "you used to be head of the family, right miss Astor?"
Sirius's sister was a beautiful woman. Her skin was pale white, her hair was long and black and her dark eyes held such deep pain. She looked like one of those tragic Japanese spirits. That pain and regret she holds. Perhaps that's why he held such a kinship with her.
She stood up, the sword of heroes which has been passed through the head family for generations hung on her hip "you're mistaken" her voice was soft as she spoke "I was next in line to be head but then I led them to ruin. Why would you want to learn from someone like that?"
Krispin paused for a moment before speaking up "my buddy nova said I could trust you and I believe him"
"So he's meddling again. I should have known" Sirius chuckled to himself.
"Nova?" Her eyes widened in surprise "you hold the word of a demon in such high regard? You really are a strange one"
"Why you-"
"He's my friend too" Sirius forced his head down before he could do something stupid "I also vouce you train him Ingrid" if she had a student she'd be less likely to give into the pressure to leave.
"Sirius" her eyes softened at Sirius's words. Ingrid has always had a soft spot for her younger brother and felt responsible for the terrible things he witnessed that night. If he asked her to do something she'd most likely put up no fight.
Her eyes returned to krispin "I am responsible for the genocide of the Astor family. Can you accept that?"
"If Sirius holds no grudge then neither do I!" He gave her a thumbs up.
A genuine smile graced her lips for a second before she sighed in defeat "Very well. Your training will start tomorrow"
"Yahoo!" He jumped into my arms, cheering ecstatically.
"Get off you idiot!" He pushed him off roughly, causing krispin to yell an angry "what the heck man!"
To the boys surprise Ingrid starting laughing. The blinked in surprise. The gloomy, serious Ingrid laughing just felt so unnatural.
"I'm happy to see you've made friends Sirius" she stroked his hair with a loving smile. He pouted at her words. As if he'd call any of these people friends!
She turned to krispin "Would you like to join us for dinner krispin?"
"Yes teacher, that'd be amazing" he skipped inside happily. Sirius surpressed a groan as he followed him inside.
....................
"Wow this is all so delicious" Sirius watched in horror as krispin shovelled the food hastily down his gullet "ya know if you weren't the sword hero you could have been a world famous cook"
"How kind of you to say" Ingrid beamed at the praise. Sirius has never seen her this happy "cooking has always been a fun hobby for me. It's why I love having guests, though we don't get many anymore" her eyes lowered sadly.
"Well I'll be coming over a ton to see you teacher" krispin spoke with food in his mouth "hey do you think the master sword could be passed down to me?"
"I'm afraid not krispin. The sword can only be passed through someone with Astor blood in their vains" she explained "the sword would be passed down to Sirius or any children I may have"
"No thanks. I'm not in the business of helping others" Sirius said bluntly.
"Man that awesome Astor blood is wasted on you" krispin pouted.
Ingrid touched her chest, a kind smile graced her lips "this kingdom and it's people are so important to me. I'd do anything to keep them safe and living their peaceful lives. Even if I can no longer join the holy knights, my feelings remain the same"
Sirius gritted his teeth. That kindness is going to be her downfall.
"Hey how come they won't let teach join the holy knights?" Krispin whispered to Sirius "Seems kinda unfair"
"Cause they want to use her as an example" he hissed.
"Huh?" He looked confused.
He sighed "well you are going to be her student so I guess you deserve to know. Follow me and I'll tell you everything"