On one occasion, I faced a one-on-one fight with a new kid.

"Ryana, come on," call the teacher.

"Well."

"Althea, come forward."

"Yes."

We use wooden sticks. I swung the stick confidently and steadily. But she just endured. Sometimes, she tried to attack, but due to her hesitation, her attacks were easy to read, and before long she was defeated and fell to the ground.

I stretched out my hand to her. She looked up and I smiled back at her. Her hands are so smooth. That moment is the opening for the next friendship.

"Are you okay?" I asked."

"I'm okay. No problem."

"You did a good job," I spoke

"I'll try even harder." She answers.

After that incident, I noticed through her eyes that it seemed like she wanted to become stronger. In her eyes, there was confidence. I could only see her training behind a pillar in the practice room without her knowing I was there.

One day, when I realized Althea wasn't there, I asked another child. "Where is Althea?"

They just shook their heads. While others said they didn't know.

Then I went for a walk to do some physical strengthening. And suddenly, "It's terrible.... It's all bad."

"What's up?" I asked.

"Althea was attacked by people near the river. When we accidentally came back from the village."

I told them to tell the teacher. Then I immediately rushed and ran as hard as I could.

"Wait for me, Althea."

On the other hand,

"Hey... give your money." Said the boss.

"I... I... have no money..." Althea replied.

"You just say it before. What do you have? You must be lying right? A rich kid like you must have money," said a follower.

"I'm here practicing," Althea replied.

"Boss looks like she really doesn't have anything from her appearance," said the third person.

"But the appearance is ok. How about being kidnapped and asking for a ransom?" said his subordinates.

"Hmmm. Yes too. Then you come with us," said the boss.

"Let go. My parents don't care about me." Althea shouted.

"Huh... what do you mean? You just made me angry. Don't make excuses." Said the man.

Then this man slapped Althea in her face. Her little face was slapped by a big hand of course it hurt. Althea could only sob. On one side, Ryana saw the four of them from the gaps in the trees. "I'll be there soon." She muttered.

When arrived, then she shouted, "Let go of her."

They were surprised to hear Ryana's voice before they could pull Althea away. The thugs turned their heads and upon knowing the situation, they laughed. "Hahaha... Guess who? It turned out to be a life-defying stupid kid."

Althea, on the other hand, was so happy that she smiled at Ryana.

"Hey. Do you know who you're dealing with? What makes you so brave?"

"I can't just sit back when I know someone is hurting. Let her go!"

Althea who heard those words was moved and shed tears.

"Maybe this is stupid, but if I don't buy time, I'm afraid Althea will be gone." That's what's on my mind.

"What did we do wrong? Why do you have the heart to hurt us?" asked Ryana.

"I just need money and I'll take you too." Replied the boss.

"Not that way, greedy human," I answered. While taking out the sword, I regulate the rhythm of my breath after running and regulate the turbulent emotions. "Come on, if you don't want to let go."

"Stupid brat." While taking out his sword as well.

This is when I was fourteen years old, I fought criminals, even with my life on the line. Even though he's a villain, I try not to hurt him. He easily fell in front of me, and I pointed the blade at his neck.

They were surprised to see the ability of a child like me. Then another appeared from behind to attack me, kicking my arm up and hitting my shoulder with his elbow. I fell too. Seeing the opportunity, they kicked me.

"Sister..." Althea shouted.

When Althea wanted to save her sister, the other enemy was shocked and reflexively pulled Althea's long hair. She fell to the ground crying when she saw Ryana being beaten. In Althea's mind, "I don't want to be a burden anymore. As the teacher said, power is there to protect. I was sent to this training place. I know that I was thrown out, but the positive side is my chance to train to be strong in this place, and more importantly, I found someone who can accept me to the point of sacrificing herself. I don't want to lose someone like her."

Althea suddenly seemed to be someone else. Her sharp eyes. She took her sword, "Sriiing!!" and immediately quickly swung it backward, slashing her hair.

The thug screamed in pain from being hit by the sword, "Argh..."

Her beautiful hair is now loose. Althea also looked back with a sharp gaze like a tiger who wants to eat. The thug was frightened.

The other criminals were surprised as well as me.

"Stupid. You can't even take care of one kid."

"Let go of my sister." Althea walked slowly towards her sister.

The boss approached Althea, while the other one beside Ryana stepped on her back. They both fight. But quickly Althea created a long scratch on the criminal's chest. Everyone was shocked by what happened. One more thug wanted to attack that little girl, then Althea blocked his attack from the side and kicked him in the stomach and chin.

"Don't oppress weak people if you don't want to be bullied back," Althea said with cold eyes. The criminal was scared. Then Althea wanted to stab the villain and immediately Ryana came over and held her in her arms.

"Althea, it's a good thing you're okay," Ryana said it while shedding tears.

Althea also woke up "Sister... How are you doing?"

"It does not matter. That's enough Althea." I spoke.

Ryana didn't want her sister to be a murderer. So, she immediately stopped her.

Then the teacher came and was surprised at what he saw. "You criminals, if you dare to act again, then we will not hesitate to bring you to justice. Don't underestimate us. You don't deserve to have power if it's used for violence. Stop hurting other people."

The criminals begged for mercy and promised to correct his behavior. We went home and Althea supported me. In my mind, "From the beginning, she was strong, but she lacked confidence as if she had no purpose in life. But now she has found the meaning of her life."

My body was bruised from being beaten by the two thugs. After that, Althea treated me with her soft hands.

"Arrrgh."

"I'm sorry sis. This is all my fault."

"No problem haha. What matters is that you're okay."

"Sis... I'm very grateful. If my sister wasn't there, I would have been taken away by them."

"Hey what are you talking about? On the contrary, it was you who protected me."

"Why can sister be so brave?"

"Althea, like I said at the beginning, I can't just stand by when someone else is in danger. Moreover, we are sisters even though we are not related by blood, it will not reduce my intention to protect you. Over there, I intend to buy time to wait for the teacher's arrival in the hope that both of us can be safe."

Althea was touched and cried. I rubbed her face. She hugged me too. "From today onwards, we will take care of each other, sis."

"Yes," I said while patting her shoulder.