"Go on, you wanted to tell me something since coming back. Spending so much effort to entertain me must also be tiring." Being seen through by her, Anqing wasn't too shocked and spilled the gates without a filter. "My friends tried to convince me to not choose sides recklessly since neutral ground was neutral for a reason. Even after I told them I want to be by you for my own reasons they still think you're too dangerous." Anqing ponders lightly, "They left after I said I would continue taking your side during Military school, so I assume they will ignore me for a good while." He said this light-heartedly. Farrah was a bit impressed with how calm he was even after making his friends dissatisfied with him over a random person. She tilts her head at him as if trying to see through the person's thoughts.
"You are not heartbroken at the thought of parting ways with that one called Zhang Qi?" Anqing rubs the back of his neck and reveals a weary smile "It's not that I am not reluctant. After all, it's hard to find someone as sincere as them these days considering I am from a military family. But my brother always taught me not to invest too deeply into friendships from Aniala Academy. People tend to change as they grow up and there's nothing you can do about that." And Zhang Qi and Jing Tian just grew up a bit more densely than I first assumed.
Glancing at the lean beauty on his arm, Anqing admits to himself silently. Though, it's understandable that they think I've been charmed by a vixen at first glance. Wang-Mu who had gone back to people-watching felt his gaze upon her face and furrowed her brow sending him an annoyed look. "You are blaming me?" "Of course not. I just can't stop wondering how an eye mutant like you could go unnoticed for so long."
Wang-Mu was as straightforward as always, answering with alienation and irritation. "Keep wondering." Not taking her words to heart he finally spotted his older brother speaking with another professor in the corner of the room. His gold Aniala by his side radiating in a regal way. To be honest, Anqing wasn't looking that hard in the first place otherwise he would have spotted the man right away. But now that he made eye contact, he knew he couldn't delay greeting him any longer and gradually made his way through the room toward him. Farrah being pulled along didn't express much of an opinion with being led.
"Older brother." Anqing lightly lowers his head with a bright grin not showing any of the reluctance he had earlier. Jia-Hao raised a hand to knock the younger man's head with a scowl surprising his colleagues as the strict lieutenant hardly did anything to break character. "Are you stupid? How could you let those friends of yours cause such a fuss? Are you trying to lose me face? To try and fight an examinee is embarrassing not only for the school's dignity but that person's IQ! If that's not ridiculous enough a scout had the audacity to interrupt a greeting between two Aniala warriors? Absurd!"
Jia-Hao's face became a bit red due to anger while Anqing pitifully lowered his head further rubbing the sore spot and sending his older brother an aggravated look. Jia-Hao still had some decorum and merely ended the scolding for now with a warning. "Come to my office afterward, I'll teach you later." Turning to his colleagues he apologizes sensibly for showing them such a scene which they waved away hurriedly with a smile praising the man for his fairness. It was the first time Farrah met such a two-faced family so she couldn't help but find many similarities between the childish Anqing and the strict Jia-Hao in how they handled things. Anqing was truly aggravated though, his brother hit him for real just now! As to how his brother knew what happened so fast.
If a gathering like this wasn't monitored by military personnel when it was a military school it'd be shocking, honestly. Farrah, noticing him rub his head with grievances felt a smile curling upon her lips she quickly suppressed. What Jin-Hao said was also justified, who else would dare to scold or find fault in Anqing afterward? This was also to protect his brother and solidify both their images. Jin-Hao didn't publically embarrass Anqing brainlessly, he was a Lieutenant but he didn't play favorites making him more likable. From the reactions of the other professors, they seemed to buy his act so Farrah admired how deeply he managed to hide himself for so many years.
Anqing who was used to his brother's brilliance and admirers wanted to hide himself as he had no wish to be treated like a child anymore. Farrah felt the young man lean over to whisper to her as discreetly as possible. "Wang-Mu, this way." Nudging Farrah lightly he attempted to take her away only to be stopped by his older brother's damning glance and choked on his spit. "Where do you think you're going? Don't tell me you want to run away after speaking only two or three words with me?"
The lieutenant turned a narrow glare at Anqing who had frozen then tried flattering him with a grin and the innocent widening of his eyes. "Older brother-" Although he still appears unconvinced, his stern expression still softened with a bit of helplessness. This brat. Farrah thought that just now, Jin-Hao was showing his true nature and speaking real words from the heart. For the briefest of seconds, a blurry handsome face with silver eyes flutters in her memories. A gentle smile and love in his eyes, looking down at her from above while a calloused hand rubbed her hair fondly. But it was only for a second before the warmth and care of her master replaced the memory and she was filled with some longing for her master again.
Jin-Hao and two others timely glanced at the young woman whose spiritual essence showed hints of emotional disturbance before settling on its own. They quietly accessed the hard to ignore Farrah who appeared indifferent on the surface and didn't try to interject with any of their conversations at all. Although they all felt it was incredible to encounter such a person, even if they wanted to acquaint themselves it was impossible with her current status. Finding such a stunning and talented warrior Aniala really made people's hearts hesitant. But not only was she still a young examinee she was also acquainted with Liutenut's younger brother. Those who wanted to pull her into a good mentorship could only swallow their greed and stare at her from a distance.
They had no doubts such a brilliant talent would easily breeze through the exam. Jin-Hao finally had the chance to study this stranger who had been half-hazard pulled onto their ship by his younger brother. Although he was grateful for her saving his brother, there was still a big jump from being a savior to being on the same side. Anqing was his silly younger brother, but he was still a smart person who wouldn't associate with someone at random. There must be more to her than her strength that drew him in. Farrah raised her eyes only a tad bit and managed to meet his scrutiny with apathy.
She didn't bother to smile at him before looking away like she was bored with the whole situation. Her glass empty, Farrah licked her lips without realizing her actions made people who were already peeking at her quietly move their gaze onto her thin lips that glistened seductively afterward. More than a few gulps fill the room when the ocean eye mutant in a subtle but domineering manner nudges Anqnig by her side to get her another. Anqing didn't dare to neglect her even in front of his brother. Taking her empty glass to replace it with the full one a waiter nearby was already prepared for. Jin-Hao watched their familiar actions silently with neither judgment nor disdain. So other people were even more convinced that the examinee was familiar with their family.
Although the drinks tasted good, they were still incomparable to the drinks made in Liu Muwan's bar. Anqing could tell her energy and attention were waning, and reminded of the woman's hobbies at night he glanced at the time and made an excuse to leave. "Older brother I still have to study for class, so I'll leave first." Jin-Hao didn't make things hard for him this time and dismissed him after casting a lingering glance on Farrah who didn't seem to have much of an opinion. "...Escort her home safely." Anqing was a bit surprised and so were Jin-Hao's colleagues, as Jin-Hao had broken the tradition and acknowledged the examinee's presence.
Their desire to covet Farrah sizzled out completely, having no hope now as this was Jin-Hao's way of telling them all she wasn't someone they could even carelessly desire. Anqing felt a bit complicated deep down. When he peeked at Wang-Mu she appeared indifferent as always so he also calmed down and answered positively to his brother's words. As they made their way out, more people than those professors stared at the ocean-eyed mutant on his arm who paid no attention to the world around her. Despite her wearing an impassive and lovely appearance, they had no chance to meet her and know her name.
They could only sigh at the lost opportunity. Farrah was never one to hold in praise or criticism. Seeing the way Jin-Hao handled the banquet from the very second of his arrival to their departure, her favorable impression of the other Aniala was rather high. "Your brother, he deserves his position." This praise wasn't something he expected, but it was something he agreed with wholeheartedly. So Anqing was only taken aback for a second before smiling softly and acquiescing to her comment, his eyes shining with pride. "I know."
The academy was not lacking in talents, what they lacked were people like Jin-Hao who held the charisma and diligence of a true soldier despite being tempted by several sides. The one who held such a man's loyalty, Farrah couldn't help but want to know who they were. But from her knowledge and Anqing's admittance, he too didn't know who his brother pledged his allegiance to but this backer must not be small. There are only six generals who currently control the military. Two neutral and not as well known but their contributions wouldn't be called small. The other three were in a power struggle so it was normal they were more well known by the students.
However, those three were too busy with resources and territory so the students were more concerned with the higher-ranked soldiers under those Aniala legends who were actively recruiting for their banners. Most of the families who lived here were neutral though. So it can be said to be a relatively safe place to send young Anialas who knew nothing about the Adult Aniala world here. And the last general? Anqing never mentioned him, and neither did the others. Even if she held a smidgen of curiosity towards them she wouldn't waste time on someone who didn't have anything to offer her. And the opportunity to learn his identity would come eventually when she entered the academy anyway so she was in no rush to learn. Farrah brushes a stray hair back and pauses in her actions before decidedly releasing her long black hair to the wind.
Anqnig turns away to not be slapped by the surprisingly florescent-looking hair and sweet smell that wafts into the air around her after being set free. "Do you use perfume?" Farrah sent him a side glance and saw he was genuinely curious about her maintenance. "No." So it's her shampoo or her natural scent? He would be stupid to ask this since it's obvious humans could never inherently smell as sweet as a fresh dew drop. But for some reason, he felt that if Wang-Mu wanted to, there wasn't anything she couldn't achieve. So chalking it up to good maintenance he dismisses the topic to discuss more important matters. As he closed the door behind him, he saw Wang-Mu become more unrestrained, and accidentally her dress ridden up while she crossed her legs.
Averting his eyes he lays his outer jacket over her lap before she can fully lean back lazily. "Although the professors here won't try to openly poach you for a student, the other trainees will still try to become friends with you. As I said before, mutants are extremely desirable. Older brother's protection can only do so much." She waves his concern away, and Anqing hesitates before asking her bluntly since it seems she no longer wants to discuss her nearing future in the school. "Do you go to that bar often?" Wang-Mu's glowing eyes roam over his casual and curious gaze.
"Reason." Anqing knew this was her permission for him to continue on the subject and his expression visibly brightens. "Can I go with you today?" "No." The light in his eyes died but she didn't care. The entertainment district was no place for someone like Anqing, he was someone from a strict military family with an older brother who was a Lieutenant. Being associated with her was enough to make others second guess his intentions when she entered his school. If someone who was even a little familiar with well-known Aniala families spotted and recognized him in that place it wouldn't look good.
Although she could guess his more in-depth intentions in wanting to go with her, the potential losses weren't worth the minor gains in comparison to him remaining on this side of society without mixing with the others. She doubts she needed to explain why, however just in case he was more naive than she first assumes she opens her mouth to grace him with a warning. "Your brother worked hard for his position. Mixing yourself with the people in the entertainment district will do you no good, it's better to be less greedy and do what you're best at here." Anqing's eyes flicker lightly and he stayed tight-lipped for once in contemplative silence.
It's already hard enough to keep up two faces, she was right that he was greedy in wanting power in a world other than the one he was born in. It's not that he didn't know that as well, he just wanted to test his luck in asking. Feeling disappointed but having already guessed the outcome before asking Anqing sighs appearing pitiful to Wang-Mu. "I know, I just wanted to ask once." This admittance spoke volumes, and Farrah after receiving his assurance no longer paid attention to his previous request. "Then at least give me a notice in advance if you are met with troublesome things there so I can be prepared for whatever comes next."
She rose a brow at him so he explained further "Chances of running into high-ranking people who graduated from military school is increased there. I need to give them a proper lie when they connect the dots." Wang-Mu would make a splash in Aniala society, he had no doubts about that. So it was inevitable she would attract powerful people too when the day she entered the school came. Farrah didn't need to think too hard and answered him half-heartedly. "Just tell them I'm in a rebellious phase after running away from family in the capital." He ponders this lightly, then asks her worriedly "Then what shall I tell my older brother when I meet with him later? He won't buy that explanation like the rest."
Brushing her finger against her wrist Farrah's response was even more nonchalant than the previous. Her gaze fixed firmly on the passing scenery below them, uncaring of his protests or anyone else's opinions. "The truth. That you have no idea where I came from."