Chapter 2

« …Come in ! »

Benedictus sighed. Here he was in front of the laboratory's door, where this sadistic witch, Sophia Measley, waited for him. This time, it wasn't about his body. It was about something else, a lot more annoying. Actually the last mission they did with his sister was focused on a very simple goal: taking a kind of magic jewel in order to bring it back to Index and give it to Sophia. This kind of jewel which was more of junk to Benedictus, was supposed to help her for her next project. How boring. He liked missions when they're interesting, but not to satisfy someone. Especially satisfying someone like Sophia. Especially when this person shot him as she is stronger than him as she is the person who kept his body under maintenance.

Benedictus frowned when he thought about it again. But finally, he ended up by entering. Don't run, face it. That became his logic now.

When she noticed him, Sophia's eternal smile appeared on her face.

"Finally. I almost waited for you."

What manner! He wasn't her slave. Nevertheless, Benedictus just sighed and put the jewel on the table right in front of her, next to files she was writing. She smirked. "Thanks for your cooperation, Bene."

"…Don't call me Bene."

"Oww. Why? That's cute, Bene 3!"

Benedictus turned back toward the door in order to leave the sooner as possible. "Oww. Don't be so angry! I just teased you…"

"Nobody is allowed to tease me. That's ALL!" Benedictus yelled at her. Sophia stayed impassive. "How arrogant and not funny you are. I feel sorry for this poor little Scholastica, forced to bear you every days."

Benedictus glared at her fiercely. "My private life is none of your business!"

"You could be more sympathetic toward others. At least you would have some friends and everyone would appreciate you better."

"Thanks for your caring advice. But I don't need it. Now I gave you what you wanted, can I leave now?"

"…" Sophia smirked with a cryptic smile this time. "…Yes you can."

"Thanks." Benedictus was about to leave again but Sophia yelled at him : "Only…Come back here around noon."

"…What for? There is just one jewel." Benedictus glared at her. "Not about it. I would like to see you. You and your sister."

"…Why my sister? What do you want to do with her?" He took a suspicious tone. He had a bad feeling about it.

"If you're so worried about your sister's sake, come too. I want to talk with both of you anyway."

"…" Benedictus sighed. "How annoying you are. Maybe you're a witch but you're annoying too." Benedictus said before leaving too. "See you later, BENE!" Benedictus felt his body shaking by this sentence. Very odd. More he was away from that woman, more better he is. But he would come. He didn't have the choice after all.

When time had come and the sun was the highest in the sky, he came to take his sister. He found her as usual, with Misao. However this time, they didn't make origamis anymore, although Benedictus noticed they already made a lot around them. They just talked with each other apparently but it didn't bother Benedictus. He headed for them, and Scholastica was a bit surprised as she didn't expect to see him there.

"Scholastica, come."

Scholastica took an inquisitive look. She glanced at Misao, who sighed. "What's happening, Benedictus?"

"I told Scholastica to come. Not Misao and Scholastica to come." Benedictus just answered coldly. Misao just frowned. Scholastica looked down but she obeyed to her brother and stood up to follow him. Right before it, she took another flower she made and kissed Misao on the cheek, which surprised a bit this latter. She smiled warmly to her in a response and Scholastica caught up her brother. While they are walking, she calmly asked him if there is something wrong.

"…Not really, Scholastica. That witch just wants to see us."

She asked him why.

"I don't know. She just wants to see us."

She wondered if it's about the jewel. "If it was about the jewel, I just gave it to her right before to leave. I don't know."

Scholastica stopped asking; She contemplated the flower with care, like a mother would do to her child. Benedictus rolled his eyes. "Stop it."

Scholastica glanced at him, a bit upset. Benedictus just answered: "Please. I would like one moment, at least ONE moment without seeing this kind of childish things in front of my eyes."

Scholastica replied it wasn't childish. "What do you expect from it? A wish which came true after having made 1000 ones?"

Scholastica goggled, wondering how he knew it. "That's a very old novel. I don't recall very well. But it doesn't matter."

Scholastica looked down. "No way…Do you really believe in?"

"…" Scholastica just didn't answer this time. Benedictus stopped. "Don't you think it is time for growing up?"

Scholastica took her upset look again. When she was like this, it meant his words hurt her very deeply. And Benedictus knew it very well. "It doesn't exist."

"…" Scholastica opened her mouth. "It just doesn't exist. This kind of magic doesn't exist."

"…" She looked down. It was like she was stabbed through the stomach she didn't have. "You should know it you know. Our magic is a true magic. The true magic."

"…" After a silence, Scholastica replied it was a lie. "That's why you should stop to hang out with that…woman. Misao."

"…" Scholastica told him that Misao was her friend and she cared for her, no matter herself was. "Scholastica…"Benedictus ended up by saying very severe. "You know despite how much it bothers me, you're my sister and your happiness is a thing which is dear to me."

"…" Scholastica looked down, without any answer. "That's the reason why I tell it to you. So, as I try to make your happiness…try to do the same to me in return."

"…" Scholastica didn't listen to him anymore. It hurt too much…She felt she was about to let the flower down but she just held it tightly against her heart. Tears…were about to fall.

Benedictus glanced at her, a bit impassive. "That's time, Scholastica. This witch is waiting for us."

Even if Scholastica was about to cry, she just nodded and followed her brother.