A Legend Beginning in the First Year

(I'm a new author, so please bear with me if there are parts I haven't written well.)

(If there's anything poorly written or wrong, please let me know. I'll fix it, probably.)

(I'm a long-suffering medical student, so I might be a little slow to make changes. Please bear with me.)

The first light of morning pierced the gray sky, filtering through the glass onto the sleeping boy's face.

"Ring, ring. Ring, ring."

The alarm clock beside the bed went off at an unwelcome hour, making the boy frown in discomfort. Reluctantly, he reached out from beneath the covers and fumbled the alarm off, returning the room to silence.

Half an hour later, however, the alarm went off again.

"Ring, ring. Ring, ring."

The boy reluctantly opened his eyes. He knew he really couldn't sleep any longer this time.

He sat up, rubbed his sleep-tousled hair, and turned off the ringing alarm.

Then he sat there on the bed, staring blankly as he waited for his brain to respond.

Half a minute later, the boy suddenly shuddered, and the light returned to his eyes.

He covered his mouth and yawned, then threw back the covers and got out of bed.

When he opened the door, a delicious aroma greeted him. Breakfast was already on the table, still steaming, and a pink-haired girl sat in a chair eating.

Hearing the door open, the girl turned and saw the boy who had just gotten up.

Her eyes visibly brightened at the sight of him. Before he could react, she had run over and thrown her arms around his neck.

"Big brother, you're finally up! I already made breakfast. Aren't I amazing?"

The girl spoke excitedly, as though seeking praise. The boy affectionately stroked her head and spoke to her gently.

"Mm, yes, yes, our Aimisi is the best... But could you let go of me first? You're hugging a little too tight. It's pressing on me and making me uncomfortable."

Only after hearing that did Aimisi reluctantly let go, putting her hands behind her back instead.

"Oh, big brother, are you already starting to dislike me? We used to be so close, but now you're so cold. Love really does change, doesn't it?"

With that, Aimisi put a hand to her chest and pretended to look heartbroken, trying to win her brother's sympathy.

"Hey, hey, what are you talking about? We're just brother and sister, okay? Don't make me sound like some heartless lover."

The boy pressed a hand to his forehead helplessly. Seeing that she couldn't sway him, Aimisi merely gave a mischievous smile and blinked.

"All right, big brother, hurry up and wash up, then come eat. Breakfast will get cold soon. We're reporting to Star Torch Academy today, so we can't go on an empty stomach."

"Don't worry, I remember."

The boy headed for the bathroom. But when he turned around, he didn't see the flicker of disappointment in Aimisi's eyes.

"Just brother and sister?"

Aimisi looked at her hands and spoke softly.

"But I don't want that to be all."

After breakfast, the boy and Aimisi took their luggage and left. Before closing the door, the boy took a long look at a photograph in the living room.

Outside, a girl with long, black-and-blue hair was standing there, though it was unclear when she had arrived. She seemed to be waiting for someone.

She wore a light blue dress, and her hair, which faded from black to blue, gleamed in the morning light. A small strand on one side was dyed red and black like a tassel, and a feather hair ornament gave her an added touch of classical elegance.

The sound of the door opening caught the girl's attention, and her ice-blue eyes turned toward it. When she saw the person she wanted to see, her eyes curved into pretty crescents.

"Good morning, Wuling, Aimisi."

"Morning, Yangyang."

"Good morning, Sister Yangyang."

Yangyang smiled as she greeted Wuling and Aimisi, and the two smiled back.

"Huh, Yangyang, doesn't your school start the day after tomorrow? What are you doing here now?"

Hearing Wuling's question, Yangyang answered with a smile.

"Don't you two start school today? I came to see you off. After all, once you enter Star Torch Academy, we won't be able to see each other often. It's pretty sad when I think about it."

Yangyang's voice carried a barely perceptible trace of sadness, as though she were about to lose something important. Wuling keenly noticed the change in her mood.

"It's okay, Yangyang. We'll definitely see each other again, and I'll come out to spend time with you too. Besides, no matter how long we go without seeing each other, I'll always think of you as my good friend."

Wuling smiled as he comforted Yangyang, sincerity in his eyes. After all, Yangyang often helped them out, and although Wuling had repeatedly refused, he couldn't withstand her enthusiasm.

But Wuling didn't notice that after he said this, Yangyang lowered her head, and her eyes abruptly dimmed.

"Mm, Wuling, I believe you. I'll write to you often too, so don't forget to write back."

Yangyang's gaze lingered on Wuling's face, concealing an affection others couldn't understand. But when she caught Aimisi watching her warily, she quickly restrained those hidden feelings and turned to the pink-haired girl.

"Aimisi, Wuling is reserved and often doesn't know how to take care of himself. I'll have to rely on you to look after him."

"You don't need to tell me that, Sister Yangyang. Looking after my brother is my responsibility in the first place."

Aimisi took half a step forward, subtly putting distance between Yangyang and Wuling and asserting her uniquely close place at his side.

"No one knows him better than I do."

A subtle sense of confrontation silently filled the air. Wuling was too dense to notice the undercurrents in the two girls' thoughts; he only wondered why they were making him sound like a good-for-nothing who couldn't take care of himself.

Seeing this, Yangyang sighed softly and didn't linger. "I should go. I hope everything goes smoothly for you at Star Torch Academy."

As they watched Yangyang walk away, Aimisi's tense shoulders finally relaxed. Yangyang quickly composed herself and showed a gentle smile again.

But as Wuling watched her retreating figure, he couldn't help feeling that she was keeping something on her mind, something she wouldn't speak of unless someone asked.

"What is it, big brother? Can't bear to see her go?"

Aimisi's big head suddenly appeared in Wuling's field of vision, giving him a fright.

"Aimisi, don't pop up like that next time. It's a little scary."

Aimisi: (๑＞؂＜๑)

"...Honestly, you."

Wuling pressed a hand to his forehead helplessly, then reached out and gently flicked Aimisi on the forehead.

With a tap, Aimisi covered her forehead with both hands and looked at Wuling, her eyes somewhat reproachful. Wuling turned his head away as though he hadn't seen.

"I suppose that's about right. I can't say I won't miss her, but not that much. It's not as if we can't see each other again. Mm, when we have time later, let's come back and spend some time with Yangyang."

Star Torch Academy, registration area

"This is Star Torch Academy? It's so big and impressive! Are we going to live here for the next few years? That's amazing!"

Aimisi tilted her head back, her eyes sparkling, her voice full of undisguised delight.

The morning sun shone across the academy's entrance. The gilded characters for "Star Torch Academy" hung in the center of the archway, gleaming in the daylight. Fine patterns of starlight shimmered along their edges, lending them the solemnity and spiritual grace unique to a top academy. Tall, straight spirit trees stood on either side, their lush branches overlapping to form a long stretch of shade. A breeze rustled through the treetops, scattering shifting patches of light and shadow across the ground.

A broad bluestone avenue stretched straight into the depths of the campus. Colorful welcome displays stood neatly along both sides, while banners bearing warm greetings fluttered gently in the wind.

A steady stream of freshmen came and went, pulling suitcases and carrying schoolbags as they walked in groups of twos and threes. Noisy laughter and conversation mingled with brisk footsteps, brimming with the vibrant energy of youth.

Senior students in matching uniforms moved among them, holding signs for the various majors and patiently guiding lost freshmen, their every gesture gentle and enthusiastic.

Wuling quietly took in everything before him, a faint trace of emotion appearing in his eyes.

In the past, he had only heard of Star Torch Academy's great reputation: it was said to be the cradle where countless boys and girls pursued their dreams, bringing together the finest students in the entire region. Only now that he stood here did he truly feel the grandeur and vitality washing over him.

Buildings rose in an orderly arrangement along the mountainside, their sleek modern lines complemented by soft greenery and flowers. In the distance, the towering practical training building and the clear glass dome of the library were faintly visible, quiet yet grand.

"Big brother, look! That's the freshman registration area over there!"

Aimisi took Wuling by the wrist and jogged forward with light steps. The morning breeze gently lifted her pink hair, and her face was bright with smiles.

She stayed close to Wuling, holding tightly to his arm, as though afraid of being separated from him even a little on the unfamiliar campus.

Wuling let her lead him, slowing his steps as his gaze fell on the girl beside him, gentle and a little helpless.

All along the way, the scenery and the people around him had been unfamiliar. Only Aimisi, at his side, was the constant source of comfort that had never changed since childhood. From innocent children to green youths, they had spent their days and nights together, year after year, and had long since grown accustomed to each other's presence.

Yet at this moment, stepping onto a new campus and beginning a new life, Wuling felt inexplicably moved.

In the days ahead, they would study and grow here together, get through their coursework together, and witness each other grow.

But he didn't notice the trace of carefully guarded obsession hidden deep in the girl's delighted eyes.

Aimisi secretly turned her head to look at the boy's clean, handsome profile, her heartbeat quietly losing its rhythm.

This place was vast, and there were many people. The days ahead were long and unknown.

New classmates would approach him, kind and outstanding people would get to know him, and countless new things would draw his attention.

At the thought, Aimisi quietly tightened her hold on his arm.

She didn't want to be just his sister.

She wanted to stay by his side, never parting through the years, the one and only person who could always cling to him and be cherished and indulged by him.

"Big brother, let's hurry and get in line. Once we finish the paperwork, we can get our dorm keys!"

Aimisi hid the little thoughts in her eyes, put on a sweet smile, and turned to Wuling, her voice soft and clingy.

"Okay," Wuling answered gently, following her to the end of the long line of freshmen.

The line moved slowly forward. Around them came the clamor of conversation and the gentle guidance of the senior students. Sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves, falling on the two as they stood side by side, their shadows overlapping so closely they seemed inseparable.

Wuling looked down at the girl standing obediently in front of him, at her sparkling eyes, and his heart softened.

In his eyes, Aimisi would always be his little sister, someone who needed him to care for and protect her.

But what he didn't know yet was that this seemingly innocent, sweetly naive sister, so fond of acting spoiled and clinging to him, had long ago, in years no one knew about, quietly hidden feelings for him that crossed the bounds of brother and sister, grand and unwavering.

And those secret stirrings hidden in time would slowly take root and sprout as they spent their days and nights together.