That night, Dein ate at the cafeteria all alone. He had just finished cleaning, and as per agreement with Awakened Rock, he got food.
However, despite the long time that had passed already. Dein still can't get Changing Star out of his mind. The truth of her origins brought upon Dein some unwanted memories. It was a memory of a long time ago. Back when Dein is still a kid. Back then, there was a small rumor that started to rise among the Legacy clans serving the clan Valor.
It was a rumor that Dein thought of back then as nothing more than slander. That's right, back then, a nasty rumor that's made to slander the name of the clan of Hearth begun six years after the death of Broken Sword. The rumor being… that a few members of the Hearth clan tried to assassinate the last member of the Immortal Flame clan.
Of course, there's no truthfulness in that. Those are just allegations without evidence backing them up. However, back then, everyone seems to be convinced that the rumor was true and so the name of Dein's clan was helplessly dragged on the mud.
From then on, Dein's clan got pushed to the sides. The fact that their clan was born from an orphanage and the rumor that they only became a vassal of the great clan Valor was because the king pitied them, became a weapon the other clans used to surpressed them after their fall from grace because of the allegations concerning the last member of the Immortal Flame.
And that member was… Nephis.
…Changing Star.
'No wonder Caster was so pissed when I didn't know about her…'
He definitely also know about the allegations against Hearth clan all those years ago that's why he said he can't allow Dein specifically to not know about Nephis's origins.
'That bastard, considering his personality he probably believe I should own up to my clan's mistake as a Legacy.'
Of course, Dein has no intention of doing any of that. After all, there's not a single evidence that he's aware of that says that what happened back then were true. The only truth he knew of is the fact that because of those allegations, his clan were forced endure humiliation left and right from other clans for years.
That's unacceptable…
Dein thought so as he finished eating, feeling a kind of disgust against Changing Star and Caster. Just then however, he heard a loud this of something, or someone, falling. Accompanied by a pained groan.
"Gyah…!"
Dein stood up and turn towards the direction of the sound. There he saw a blond young girl struggling to stand as she tries to feel the floor for her cane.
Seeing her, Dein immediately walked over.
"Hey, are you okay?"
He tried to help her up but the young girl suddenly looked up at him as if surprised. Her blue unseeing eyes widened as they met with Dein's before she bit her lips and looked down.
"I, uh… yes, I'm sorry. I'm still getting used to it"
Seeing a blind girl like her having a hard time with just walking, Dein couldn't help but feel pity for her. He picked up her cane and held her hand, helping her up.
"Here you go…" he handed her cane to her "um…are you sure you're fine?"
She looks… fine? Well, She doesn't have any bruises or scratch from the fall. She probably slipped from the floor, which… kind of Dein's fault because he's the one who cleaned the cafeteria earlier. Thinking about it like that, he felt even more bad.
Meanwhile, the blind girl pulled her hand away from Dein, who's still holding her.
"Y-yes, I'm fine…"
She confirmed with a slight nod. Dein could see how nervous she is, probably scared. Well, he understands. If Dein suddenly became blind all of the sudden as well and forced to live that way, he would be scared to go anywhere too. He'll probably just stay in their manor and be taken care of by caretakers.
In that regard, the blind girl before Dein who still attended the academy and even walked towards the cafeteria from the dorm all on her own despite her disability, is better than him.
And so, Dein spoke gently to her.
"Cassia… right? Is there anything you need? Why are you in the cafeteria in the middle of the night?"
The blind girl, Cassia, looked down when she heard that. She hesitated to answer for a bit before looking up at Dein again.
"I, I got lost." She admitted, a hint of helplessness appeared in her eyes. "…I heard something, a loud 'thud', like someone punched something really hard. I thought something happened so I followed the sound in that direction."
Cassia pointed towards east with her finger. Outside the cafeteria and east? Dein could only think of the gymnasium. Someone is probably having a late night training or something. Knowing that, Dein assured the blind girl.
"Ah, you're talking about the gym? Someone is just probably doing some midnight training there. Did you get lost on your way there?"
Hearing that, the girl contemplated for a bit before letting out a sigh.
"Is that so? I thought it was something else. Well then, thank you. I'm going now." She bowed slightly before turning around, using her cane again. However, she haven't taken a step yet when Dein stopped her.
"Please wait, I'll escort you to your room. I'll just clean this up…"
He pointed at his plate he was eating on earlier. Cassia seems to want to say something but before she could finish, Dein already appeared again after running towards the kitchen in a hurry and then back.
"There's no ne—"
"I'm back…"
He cut her off. Well, even he didn't, Dein wouldn't have listened. I mean, there's no way he'll let a blind girl walk back to her room all alone in the middle of the night. Especially when she just got lost.
Furthermore, Dein felt a sense of duty towards her. Not because he's a legacy whose job is to protect people, but instead because he's an older brother of seven siblings who he would do anything to protect. If they were on Cassia's shoes, Dein would even carry them on his back anytime if needed. Not to mention Freya would do the same to him.
And so, he feels like he should do the same to the blind girl in front of him as well.
'I mean, there's no harm in helping right?'
He thought that, walking towards the blind girl and placing her hand on his shoulder. The blind girl hesitated for a bit, unsure what to do. She reluctantly accept his help.
"T-then, I'm in your care. Thank you."
She said. And so, with a smile, Dein begun leading Cassia to her room. It wasn't far, her room number were on the priority. On the way, the two of them managed to get to know each other slightly.
"So, Changing Star is really that strong?"
Unexpectedly, or perhaps inevitably. Nephis came up on their conversation as Cassie asked what happened in the training today.
"Well, she did beat us all up. She even got my nose broken, thankfully I've got sturdy nose."
Dein answered with a smirk as Cassie chuckled.
"Sounds like a rough day."
"It is. Though, it is my first day ever getting to school so, I guess it wasn't so bad. Broken nose and all."
He sarcastically replied.
Their conversation continued like that. Going back and forth. Dein also learned a lot about Cassia—eh, Cassie. She preferred being called that. It also seems like she didn't enroll to any course in the academy. Instead, a personal tutor were given to her along with a social worker to help her go around.
Unsurprisingly, Cassie can't fight in her current state. She could barely even go around so her tutor focused on finding ways to help Cassie get used to life without her eyes. One example of this is reading text using her sense of touch. Of course the letters has to be carved but that can't be help.
Honestly, Cassie's only real way of surviving the coming winter solstice is if someone decided to help and protect her until they reached a Citadel. And, hopefully someone does.
After a short while, Dein came to a stop on one of the underground floors where the girls dormitory is. He stopped in front of one of the rooms and turns to Cassie.
"Oh, are we here?"
The blind girl asked.
"Yes, your floor and room number."
Dein guided Cassie's hand towards the door's lock. When her hand touches it, the communicator on her wrist flash and then the door got unlocked just like that with a click.
Cassie's turned to him the moment the door opened and bow slightly.
"I appreciate your kindness Dein, Thank you."
"Yup, just shout my name if you get lost again."
He answered jokingly. To which Cassie nodded with a smile.
"Yes, I'll remember it. Goodnight…"
With that, Dein turned around and started walking away. However, he hadn't gone far yet when Cassie's called out to him again.
"Oh, and also…" Dein looked back at her "Stay strong Dein…"
She said before immediately entering her room and closing her door. Not even giving Dein time to process her words. It even looked as if she doesn't want to hear his response.
Seeing that. Dein turned around again and quietly left.