"So, how come you've caused trouble a day after you arrived?" The smile on Raela's face from a moment ago had vanished, replaced with a terrifyingly cold stare.
"I wasn't the cause. They were simply mad at the fact that Liz was accompanying me to meet you and decided to teach me a lesson. I agreed to their proposal but when things didn't go their way, they went for backups." Seth answered, acting like he was unaware of her gaze as he continued to eat.
"Oh, is that so?" Her smile returned.
"Yes. You should know I hate trouble." Seth answered, bits of food flying out of his mouth as he spoke.
Raela was silent for a moment before she replied. "I don't know about that. Remember when you…"
"Here, you should try this!" Seth stuck some marinated pork chops in her mouth before she went further.
The others just stared at the awkward conversation between the two siblings. Their actions were even more bizarre.
Seth didn't want her bringing his past here and she understood immediately.
"Hmm! It's delicious. Why have I never eaten this?" She asked the ladies that seemed to follow her wherever she went.
"I'm afraid it's a new item on the menu." One of the ladies answered. She was in charge of every food Raela ate so she knew most of the items on the menu.
"I see." She took another piece of the pork from the plate.
"By the way, you should be getting prepared for the class conquest." Raela had a serious expression and Seth knew it.
"Class Conquest? What's that?" Seth asked, showing a trace of interest.
Liz who had been quiet the entire time took the liberty to explain. "It's an annual competition hosted at the beginning of each session where classmates compete to see who comes out in the top five and gets to lead the whole class for the next year. That's not the main thing about the competition though. They get to represent the entire class for a class ranking along with other students from the same year of admission that reside in other classes."
"Sounds like a lot of stress." Seth shrugged. He wanted to live a peaceful life without stress but this conquest was already looking stress filled.
"It comes with a few perks though. You get to represent the class in whatever they do, there's a weekly contribution that comes into your pocket and a few more things." Taro joined the conversation too.
Seth's ear perked up when he heard of the contribution that would make its way into his pocket but he still didn't want to join in on the stress.
"I'll pass." He said after weighing the money and the level of power he would be revealing if he contested. If he drew too much attention, his peaceful life would be over.
"I'm sure you have what it takes to come out on top." Raela winked at her younger brother.
"No, I don't." Seth responded immediately.
"Tch. You're weak." Raela clicked her tongue.
"That's why I have you for protection." He said with twinkling eyes.
"Fine, fine. You can lean on me for a while." Raela said, raising her head proudly.
"But you'll have to participate. It's mandatory that every student participates. If you plan to fail right after the competition begins, that's fine." Raela informed her 'weak' little brother.
"Then I guess I'll do my best." Seth replied.
'Although it guarantees a peaceful life for a year, failing at the start makes me look weak as hell.'
"Good. Then I hope to see you representing your class after the conquest ends." Raela was already smiling. Although she didn't know his power level, she was certain he would end at the top.
She had her plans for Seth but Seth had different plans.
"Do you plan on joining my faction?" Raela changed the topic.
"No." Seth was straightforward.
"In the institute, our relationship as brother and sister means almost nothing but if you join my faction, I can protect you as you are a member of my faction." Raela explained.
"Okay then. I'll join." As long as she would be able to protect him, nothing else really mattered.
"Great. I have a class in about fifteen minutes so I'll take my leave now. If you want to see me later, Liz lives in the same dorm as me. You can get to me through her. Liz, look after him for me." Raela stood up to leave.
"Yes, my lady." Liz answered with an enthusiastic smile.
'Great, you're leaving me in her care. Expect more trouble.' Seth scratched his hair.
"Then I'll see you later." Seth bid her goodbye as she walked away, followed behind by her three loyal followers.
"When's the next class?" Seth asked after his sister and her escorts had completely left.
"An hour from now," Taro answered.
Seth had only taken a look at the first class he was having today since it was late. He planned to end the class, have breakfast and return to the dorm but his plans had been massively altered.
Luckily, he met a roommate of his.
The class conquest wouldn't be starting for a while since this session was yet to end and the conquest only happened at the beginning of a new session.
They still had two months left before the end of the session and another month for a break.
"I've had enough. Let's head somewhere else. Probably the library." Seth stood up together with the others.
"Sure." Taro didn't mind being a tour guide to this new roommate. He was already liking him just from the fact that he had brought him to the cafeteria.
"Why the library though?" Liz seemed interested.
"I plan to know more about the institute as well as its history." Seth answered honestly.
"I see. Then is it okay if I accompany you?" She asked.
"Feel free. Someone already went ahead and made you watch over me." Seth shrugged as he followed behind Taro who was leading him to the library.
'The first large library I'll be visiting this time. I hope it has great content.' Seth thought as he walked off.
"Ah, who were those people that either got beaten or ran away from my sister?" Seth recalled as they dashed away with terror on their face.
"They belonged to the same faction as the ones you choked unconscious. They were the seniors of the faction. Fortunately, their leader didn't think too much to come personally or it would've been a fight between your sister and him." Liz explained since she was better at things like this.
"I see. Taro…"
"Hmm?" Taro turned back to Seth.
"What faction do you belong to?" Seth asked.
"None. I didn't think of joining anyone." Taro replied.
"Then how about you join my sister's? You'll be treated just like me." Seth tried convincing Taro.
He thought for a moment before replying. "Sure."
Seth smiled. Although Taro acted simple and weak, his mana core was densely packed to the brim. For a First Year student, Taro was a terrifying existence. Not to a monster like Seth though. No, he was a terrifying existence to normal people. Seth was never normal.