"Are they both fine?"
"I see. How is he?"
"We will handle it. Please guard them for the time being" never thought that that assassin could infiltrate there. They easily break in without anyone realize. This means there's an insider. He closes the hologram projector and turns around to look at his friend. He can feel the raging heat from him.
It was night when Adam wakes up. Vyrut was sleeping on the chair. The light from the hallway reaches inside the room. Vyrut moves a bit.
"You wake up already? Want to eat something?"
"Sure. Is the cafeteria still open at this time?"
"I think so. I'll be right back"
Adam looks at Ray that still sleeping soundly. His bandage has some red spots. He arrives with two plastic bags and gives the chicken porridge. He just eat some sandwiches with hot tea.
After feeling full, Adam sat by the bedside while slowly swinging his leg. He looks at the full moon that shines brightly along with the twinkling stars. Vyrut looks at his back. He's relieved that Adam is feeling better. That must have been his first time experiencing something like that. I hope he doesn't dwell too much on it.
"You should get some sleep"
"I will"
"Brother. When will the doctor let me out?", he's still staring at the moon.
"He will check on you first tomorrow morning. I have to go now. Don't sleep too late", after checking on him a bit more he leave.
Seven in the morning, a male doctor does a check-up on Adam and gives him ointment. His hand, arm, and cheeks are slightly burned. After a quick shower, he applied the ointment and went to the cafeteria.
"Adam. I haven't seen you lately. How did you get that?", Anna said worriedly. His mother asks her to be together with him since they are childhood friends.
"I got it from training", looks like nobody knows about it.
"You should take it easy even if it's only training. I'm glad you got it treated. I have to go training with my friend now. See you later"
He managed to take a few packets of sandwiches. Ray will surely get hungry when he wakes up. There's still a long queue. When he arrived, Ray is already awake.
"I brought some sandwiches if you're hungry. How's your injury?", he put the plastic bag on the table.
"Thanks. I'm starving. It still stings a bit", he takes two packets and quickly tears the packaging. Vyrut pushes the table that's connected with the bed towards Ray and puts a cup of hot tea.
"Thanks, V", he takes a sip. He groans a bit. Vyrut takes back the cup.
"Let me do it", a patient should act like a patient.
"You wanna feed me?", he asks in a teasing tone.
"I know this is not enough for you. I'll go get some more", he just ignores it.
"I didn't eat anything since yesterday"
"Yeah. I'll be back ", while he's at it, he should take some for himself too. Ray took a bite. He realize Adam was staring at his shoulder.
"Hey. It's no big deal. Don't ever think it's your fault"
Adam smile faintly. "I'll accept your offer" His change of demeanor makes Ray feel relieved. Looks like something is changing.
"You sure?"
"Yeah. I want to accept it from the beginning but I'm a bit reluctant to leave my mother alone", although he knew his mother well. He's still worried if something happens when he's not there.
"It's fine. I need to visit her to discuss the scholarship", said Ray before he took another bite.
"Why you wanna go to my home?"
"Well, the sponsor is my family", answers Ray casually.
"Your family?"
"Yeah. I'm from Kerabat Lynx. We sponsor a scholarship to certain people that fits our criteria and test"
"Excuse me? What's that?"
"I expected that. I'll pass that to you", he pointed towards Vyrut that just arrived with a clueless face.
"What're you two talking about?", Ray puts away the lid. Black pepper beef and butter rice.
"Brother. What's Kerabat Lynx?"
"You told him?", he glanced over Ray that's was about to take a bite.
"He's gonna know it sooner or later anyway. So why not"
"I should explain about myself to then", says him as he takes a seat.
"Huh?"
"So basically, there are seven families that rule seven-state in the empire. Ray is from one of it which is Kerabat Lynx. I'm from Kerabat Artorius that rules Verharen. There's no commotion going on because we decided to come without any guard. Though the authority has been informed about our arrival", explained Vyrut.
[Huh? So brother is a royalty?] Wait a sec. There's too much information going on in his head.
"Since we're talking about this. There's something else I wanna say", Vyrut touched his hair. Ray just watches from the sidelines.
"We could be real brothers if you want", Usually his father and brothers will handle it. This is his first time choosing someone. Though he's not close with his other adopted brothers.
"Eh? You're going to adopt me?", this is a bit too sudden.
"Yeah. You're not the first after all", Vyrut crossed his arm.
"So that means..."
"There are others too. Six more to be precise", said Ray.
"As he said. This is the first time I choose someone"
"The other six adopted brothers are all chosen by my father and brothers. So you're the only one I ever choose", it's a tradition in their Kerabat to adopt more people. Chosen after taking a test.
"Ohh", doesn't that mean he has six more adopted brothers, not including the others.
"I'll accept it. I want a brother like you, brother", said Adam happily.
"Congrats Young master", said someone as he pats Adam's shoulder.
[Who is he?]
"Ian. Did you tell him?"
"Yes. He said he will handle it. I will protect you two for the time being and you too of course", he pat his fluffy black hair.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Ian. A knight in Kerabat Artorius. A pleasure to meet you", said Ian with a big smile. Seeing Adam reminds him of his lil brother.
"Here", he brought some fruits.
"Are you feeling better?", said Raphael as she walks to them.
"You come again today too?" Vyrut wondered since they are not that close despite being classmates.
"Am I not supposed to come? I heard about them", she give the packet of sliced honeydew to Adam.
"It's fine. My brother will take care of it"
"You must be Raphael right?", ask Ray.
"I am", she puts her hand in the vest pocket.
"Looks like all of you are here", said Ashera at the front door.