Arlen and Kevin looked at each other for a moment in silence after Arlen's question.
—Forgiven. —And Kevin continued to lay out the clothes he had lying around.
Arlen froze in place for a moment before speaking again.
—Orange brands?
—Yes, they were really spectacular to look at. It looked like your own skin was turning orange.
Arlen was silent for a moment as he asked Edgar.
'Edgar, anything to say that I don't know?'
"It's true that using the Phoenix powers you have can have consequences, but I didn't know it would be that. Look on the bright side, within the possibilities it's the nicest consequence."
'What were the other consequences?
"Well look, there was the possibility of burning yourself, or even losing your eyesight from using your abilities."
'Aaaaaaaah!!! And you're telling me this now!'
"Easy, easy. One of my functions is to act as a regulator of your power, so that you use an exact amount of power so that such things don't happen to you. This is a great start, as I understand it's one of the big concerns your ancients had that caused big problems among the little ones."
Arlen sighed, this caused him even more problems, how could he explain that? It was really something serious because he didn't quite know what was going on or the consequences of what it was, so he didn't know to what extent he could count on, or trust them completely.
Arlen sighed and started talking to Kevin.
—Kevin, I don't know how to explain this because it's something I don't even know. —Kevin looked at Arlen curiously. —I know it must be hard to believe, but I'm discovering myself, I'm learning about myself and this is something new for me too. I don't know what I am, what blood I have, I don't know anything... I'm sorry for not knowing how to give an answer.
—Arlen, my name is Kevin Ball, I come from a family that only survives if it is near water. My family is under the rule of the Wolf family. I have never had many friends, but I think you are the first one I can call a friend without hesitation, you know that. Thank you for trusting, know that you can always count on me, so stop worrying ok?
Arlen smiled when he heard that.
—Ok, and thank you, and know, Kevin Ball, that you can count on me too.
Kevin walked over to Arlen.
—Well, come on, you'll have to explain it to the others too.
—How are they doing?
—Well, Caleb is a little cold about these things, but I think he's waiting for you before he decides anything. Laia I think he thinks you're a weirdo. And, well, Olivia and I haven't had a chance to talk yet.
—What about that?
—Apparently there's a student who is a son of someone important in the Wolfs and who has decided not to keep his ass away from her at all. So it's almost impossible to talk to her at all.
Arlen thought that would be a problem, especially if he wanted to explain what happened to Olivia smoothly and without false understandings, as Arlen still got nervous around people he didn't know.
By the time Arlen and Kevin arrived at the training camp, Caleb and Laia were taking a break before classes started. Lately several people were approaching Caleb and the rest of the heirs to talk to them, but the attempts with the White heir were mostly short conversations that came to nothing. Just as the two friends arrived at the training camp a boy approached Caleb.
[Erling Keng.
Awaken State: Novice (I).]
Arlen saw that it was someone without great power, but it was interesting how people hang out with people with power to at least try to get attention. Arlen took advantage of the fact that he had activated the ability to check the level of his friends.
[Kevin Ball.
Awaken State: Novice (II).
[Laia West.
Awaken State: Novice (I)].
[Caleb White.
Awaken State: Veteran (I)].
It was the first time Arlen noticed the great difference in power Caleb had over the rest of them.
'Edgar, what level would I be at?'
"Currently at [Novice (I)]."
That comment left him a bit in shock, but it was true that Arlen had only just started a little over a month ago.
—Come on Arlen, it looks like that kid is already gone. I really wonder what Caleb must say to make those conversations last so short. Unbelievable.
Arlen laughed after Kevin's comment as they approached where Caleb and Laia were.
—Look who has arrived.
Arlen greeted the other two after Kevin's welcome.
—Good morning guys, how are you?
—Very well —said Caleb as he stood up—. And you, how are you?
—Also fine ---
—What did you do Arlen? How did you heal Olivia?
Laia's words weren't loud, she wasn't shouting, but they were serious and firm. She was asking, but she was really forcing Arlen to answer and based on the tone, she had made it clear that she wanted a clear answer.
Arlen swallowed saliva hoping that what he said would be enough.
—I'm not clear on that, I'm sorry. It's something to do with my bloodline, but my family is dead.
—And how did you learn to do that?
—I just felt I could do it, really.
Laia was stunned by the answer.
—Are you kidding me? Do you think I'm stupid or something?
—I'm serious, Laia.
—Agh, I'll pass.
Laia started walking in the opposite direction to where the other students were.
—Let her be, she's just nervous and a little helpless because she can't do anything. —Caleb said as he watched Laia walk away. —I'm glad to see you well. Although it's surprising what you did the other day, even with the marks you had.
—That's what Kevin told me, I didn't know that's what happened to me when I did that.
—Have you done it before? Aaaah —said Caleb as if it dawned on him—,you healed Kevin.
—That's right —Kevin said with a smile that Arlen didn't quite understand.
—Well, I guess you haven't talked to Olivia yet, have you?
—No.
—She's got that bodyguard now, so it's going to be hard to find a moment. They've even allowed him to join our classes so he can keep an eye on her.
—Really?
—Yeah, plus, that man is number 4, right behind me. He must be strong.
—Whatever, I just want to talk to her. I don't think he has to be on top of her all the time, do I?
Caleb put a hand on Arlen's shoulder as he gave a thumbs up.
—Good luck. Now let's get to the class we have, or are you going to stay on vacation?
—Ha, so afraid I'll catch you, White heir.
Caleb made a smile that caused Kevin and Arlen to cringe a little.
—Try it any time. —And he continued onward.
—Sometimes he gets those faces and it's scary.
Arlen nodded to Kevin, but they both followed a little later.
Just as they were passing by the group someone said something that caught Arlen's attention.
—That boy was from the heir group, but he had been in the infirmary for a few days, just like the Wolf heiress. Did they have a fight?
—Maybe they had a fight?
—Does he belong to any family? Maybe the White family?
—It doesn't ring a bell, has he joined now?
The comments were growing and that was something that Arle found annoying, rather self-conscious. It reminded him of when people commented behind his back how weak he was, when behind his back people made plans to ridicule him.
He felt a bead of cold sweat run down his forehead as he lightened his pace. He was afraid of what was happening, he wanted to run away from that situation. Suddenly he felt a palm grab his shoulder.
—Arlen, calm down.
It was Kevin who had a surprised expression on his face. Arlen noticed how he was sweating and how nervous he was.
—Arlen —Kevin repeated his name to calm him down—. They're just whispers, don't listen to them. You know what you did, don't let those whispers get the better of you.
Arlen listened and decided to breathe. He knew he had done nothing wrong, he had saved a friend, he had nothing to worry about. Just in the crowd a voice rose to calm the tide of murmurs that were generated.
—That boy's name is Arlen, and he saved my life! I will not have lies told about him. Now everyone, to your classes!
Olivia's voice surprised everyone who unhesitatingly heeded the words of the Wolf heiress, but Olivia's words raised more questions in everyone's head that would reach the ears of the other heirs.
But that was not important now.When at last the training field they were in emptied, Olivia ran out to where Caleb, Kevin and Arlen were, leaving her bodyguard behind and when she arrived she jumped on Arlen and gave him a hug that surprised everyone present, including Arlen who became even more nervous.
—What ---
—Thank you for saving my life.
That relaxed Arlen who returned the hug and replied:
—And I would do it again.
Everyone in the room fell silent as Olivia and Arlen melted into a big hug.