(Alex POV)
Hoohh... Interesting.
To think that my sister, the prideful Anastasia Dragonheart would reveal such a soft side to a man other than myself. She even went so far as to allow Ken to refer her by her nickname familiarly.
As her twin brother, it's only natural that I knew every aspect of my dear sister since I literally knew her my whole life. We were constantly together since the day we were born. Thus, I intrinsically realized the soft emotion that she currently assumed.
I involuntarily smiled at the sweet memory of how that proud woman today was once a meek little child who would always cling to my side.
How she grew up so fast...
This softness that she was currently expressing was different though. It was the kind that can only be conveyed to someone that she harbored an interest in and not at a family member like myself.
In short, she fascinated Ken Bruce, even if she was most likely unaware of it.
Well, romance was not exactly her forte given how many suitors that she had rejected back home at Dragonia.
My father also thought how troublesome that particular affairs were since those suitors were the ones that he handpicked for their prized magic to be integrated into our family of Dragons.
Make no mistake, however, while my sister was undeniably attracted to the Magus of Infinity, it was by no means the emotion of love. It's still too early to tell.
Dragons, especially female ones, normally got captivated by the ones who bested them in battle. Such is our personality, where strength was the number one factor in deciding our potential mate's worth and value.
Of course, this does not mean we are shallow-minded heartless fools who only determine if a person's worthiness was by their mere strength alone. We don't usually admit it, but we are also capable of genuine love, and if such feelings indeed arise, then we fiercely protect the subject of our love interest from anything who dared to touch even a single strand of their hair.
Simply put, the sentiment that Ana felt towards Ken was mere infatuation alone, like an innocent girl who was having a crush for the first time.
But who knows? Maybe one day her feelings would evolve into love.
And I, Alexander Dragonheart, with the tenderness of my heart, would strive to help my precious sister reached that certain sweet emotion so she would one day consummate her love and eventually integrate Ken Bruce as one of our own.
With the Magus of Infinity's blood in our family tree, the Dragonhearts would undoubtedly reach greater heights of glory than ever before!!
Such are the sentiments and concern of a dear sibling and future Dragonheart head.
(Ken POV)
As the three of us made our way to the Headmaster's office, I asked why the two of them in particular were the ones tasked with retrieving me.
It was also worth nothing that Alex now wore the Academy's blue robes while the Dragon Lady was still in the same get-up that she was clad when I first met her.
It was the male sibling who responded my question.
"The Headmaster assigned me as your guardian to keep guard over you during your recovery since my room is conveniently close, right across your room in fact. It's also the reason as to why your door was unlocked since I was entrusted with a copy of your room's key. If you are well and awake, I was instructed to bring you to him. I intended to accompany you alone, but Ana woke up as well like you just today and insisted that she too accompany me so she may give her apologies to you."
Ah... so Alex was keeping an eye on me while I was recuperating in my room. It appeared that the Headmaster has taken consideration of my well-being and assigned a bodyguard, Alexander Dragonheart of all people, for this menial task.
"Right... I guess I should thank you for the kind gesture of watching me."
Alex nodded in appreciation at my thanks.
"It's my pleasure, Ken. It is only wise to do so since there may be scum who wish to take advantage over your vulnerable unconscious state."
I chuckled at his statement and asked another question.
"Right, hehehe. Anyways, how long was I asleep?"
"A week. You and Ana slept peacefully like a baby."
My eyes widened a bit but I rapidly recovered from my shock. The Magicka was rather intense on Ana and I's part, so I guess a full week of recovery was not so strange in this given scenario.
"A week. That long huh."
"Actually, you fully recovered in three days, externally at least. However, you have exhausted most of your Mana in the fight, thus giving you the case of severe Mana Dehydration like Ana as well. Fortunately, both of you possessed the Dragon blood, allowing a faster recovery rate, assisted by medication. Therefore, it only took a total of one week for you to recover in every aspect. Others may not be so lucky, and may take at least a month for them."
Ah, my Dragon blood was a factor in achieving self-recovery. Master explained that particular topic back when we were in my mind.
Of course, let's get to that explanation later since I'm still in a conversation with the Dragon bro.
"Crap, Ana and I sure dodge that bullet right there. Anyways, what did we miss?"
"For one, school already started two days ago."
"Wait, already?! Shit, did I miss the first lesson?"
"You don't have to worry. The first week of the school year is merely orientation week. Meaning there are no official classes yet and we get to spend the time adapting ourselves fully right here. While our homeroom advisor would come into our classroom and teach us the basic idea of what we're getting in, it's of little to no consequence should you choose not to attend that session. That's also one of the reasons why the both of us are here instead in class."
I breathe a sigh of relief that I manage not to miss an official class even if it was because of my injury.
For a long time, I looked forward to being a student of a magic academy, so missing the first lesson would demoralize me quite well. After all, the first lesson usually served as the basic, the stepping stone in advancing yourself at whatever profession that you wish to put your heart at.
I'm glad that such was not the case.
And that also explained why Alex had the robes since he was present during the first day while the Dragon Lady still had none like myself.
The three of us continued the trip in silence.
Although said silence did not last long when the other students in our vicinity gawked at us like their dog died and some of them even started gossiping like middle-aged aunts in the middle of the day.
"Wait... is that him?"
"Yes, the Magus of Infinity in person!!"
"Shit, so the rumors are true then?"
"Yup, they say he bested Lady Anastasia in her Ancient Dragon form by copying the spells of the last combatants. Not to mention, he even transformed into a Half-Dragon himself and summoned a huge meteor of S-rank caliber!!"
"Wow, the legend himself is right here at our academy!! And he even managed to make the Dragonheart siblings his underlings."
"Ah, so that explains why the two of them are accompanying him like they are his loyal guards."
"Crap, the guy must be so powerful that he managed to subjugate them!! Hehe, let's not get on his bad side then."
Hold on!! Now the last two rumors were not true!! Just because the Dragon siblings were right beside me, does not mean that I force them into my service or something like that.
As I decided to berate them and clear the misunderstandings, Alex suddenly tapped my shoulders and shook his head in disagreement with what I was about to do.
"Don't bother with the insignificant voices of the mass who do not even matter in the long run."
I turned my head at back and eyed him with concern.
"Are you sure? Aren't you two bothered by the fact that people think that I'm your boss or something like that? I thought Dragons hated to be under anyone?"
At least that's what I heard. They are a race of incredible pride, preferring to lead rather than to serve.
A smile graced Alex's face and he was rather amused by my remark.
"Not really. It's a mere misconception spread by fools who don't have anything better to do with their lives. To be a good leader, one must be a good servant first. After all, how can you lead if you don't know how to serve? By being a leader, one must know the hardships of his subordinates for the two parties to achieve a greater understanding towards one another, leading to a more efficient working environment. I fail to see the reason why some... most of my fellow nobles don't see in that manner of perspective."
Wow, Alex sure knew his stuff. And here I thought that this Dragon dude is just your typical arrogant noble, but his inspiring statement of a master and servant relationship sure shed some light in my eyes.
"Your concern is noted and touching, Ken, but this matter is quite trivial for us to be bothered with. Opinions of the people without any significance to us whatsoever tantamount only to one thing... Noise. Just ignore them and it'll all eventually passed away. If you pursue your intentions of scolding them wide in the open, it may serve as a catalyst for another troublesome rumor to fly about. Silence is your friend here and frankly, there's really no harm if people assume that we are your subordinates. Of course, if such rumors are meant to directly harm you, I won't stop you from demonstrating your wrath to those inferior lots. You are the Magus of Infinity, thus, it's not so strange if people presume that you wield the position of power to subjugate us as what they like to call it, haha."
Ana also shared her belief and supported Alex's argument while crossing her arms.
"My brother is right, mongrel. These people are merely irrelevant buffoons who have no idea what they are talking about. Like the Headmaster mentioned during the exam, let your enemies give in to their assumptions, and victory is assured."
But they are not my enemies... Sheesh, these Dragons sure are something in their way of words.
Why can't people just be honest with each other? Sounds way simpler than any of this mumbo jumbo of assumptions and make-beliefs.
Ana was not finished in what she was saying, but this time she seemed to be flustered again as evident by the reddening of her face.
"And besides, y-you have conquered me in Magicka, in my Ancient Dragon form no less. I reckon that it's only right that I consider you to be my significant better."
Alex chuckled at his sister's... unique way of wording out her defeat.
"Heh, how bold of you dear sis. Conquered? Significant better? Hahaha. If I didn't know any better, then I thought that you are implying a marriage proposal with Ken here."
Ana's face turned even redder and her eyes widened with fury and embarrassment at her brother's teasing remark.
"You dolt!!! Of course not, you idiot brother!! Why would I suggest wedding the man who I just got to know? Only a simple-minded bitch would only do such a thing!!"
She quickly turned her gaze at me and pointed her fingers.
"D-don't misunderstood my words, mongrel!! I mistakenly have phrased it in a manner that resulted in you getting the wrong idea. I simply acknowledge your strength, that is all!!"
I simply laughed as well at her comical reaction and said nothing, hence I risk an argument from her. I guess that's just her way of expressing her respect, so I thought nothing too much about her statement.
I retained my smile as I witness the two siblings continuing their argument against one another. It was clear as the blue sky that they were close.
Sometimes, I wished that I have a sibling as well, one with who I can share both my joy and lament.
Sadly, I'm an only child, and to make matters more depressing, my parents were absent in my entire life.
That's because they are dead...
Grandfather said that my father, his son, was an adventurer and perished on a mission while I was still a baby, while my mother died after giving birth to me.
While losing both parents was certainly tragic, I was not too much miserable about it since I did not get to know them and their love personally. Even so, I still wished that I have more people who I can consider to be as family.
As a result, I can only watch in slight envy at the brother and sister's entertaining interaction.
Not that my sentiment mattered since it can't be changed no matter how much I yearn for it. At best, I can only strengthen my resolve and look forward to the future instead of pondering on something that can never happen.
No matter, I forcibly swallowed the sadness that was starting to engulf me and tried to be the negotiator in resolving the dispute between Ana and Alex.
"Now, now, guys, we're still in the middle of the campus right in the open and you can settle your argument later at a more convenient time. We still have a Headmaster to meet, remember?"
I knew that stopping their sibling rivalry was none of my business and all they were raving were the toned-down version of insults that Vivian and I would often do. Thus, I see no harm in it in my opinion as long as things don't get too emotional.
In the end, they both gave in to my voice of reason, thankfully, even if it was a truce at best. We then continued our way to the Headmaster's office.
Of course, this only served to spark another rumor at the scene that we have caused, and the students began their gossiping once more.
"Crap, the Magus of Infinity is so powerful that he managed to stop the argument between the two Dragon siblings!!"
"You got that right. In addition to his incredible magical prowess, that man sure possessed quite a silver tongue."
"And wait... What's this I hear about a marriage?"
I sighed in response to their additional chatter of misinterpretations, especially the last one. But I decided to hold my tongue and followed Alex's advice for the time being.
Being the Magus of Infinity sure had its set of troubles, that's for sure.
"Oh, you've got no fucking idea."
Words of wisdom straight from Vivian Algrande herself.