The next morning...
Before taking any action towards his goals, Vicente accompanied his sister to the Academy of Stars with the intention of enrolling her for the following year.
The current academic year would end in two more months. Following the vacations, it would be time for the commencement of a new academic period.
Given that he couldn't trust the people who had worked for his father, Vicente couldn't leave his little sister in anyone else's care. So, the best he could do was to register Nina at the academy and wait for the next academic period to begin.
And so, Vicente spent the early morning hours registering his sister at the academy desk, a place where he had been a few times in the past 6 years.
He met some of his teachers but didn't spend much time talking to anyone other than the staff who was responsible for registering the new students.
"Okay, Nina Fuller is now officially registered. You must pay the annual fee one week prior to the start of her classes to confirm her enrollment," a middle-aged woman informed Vicente after believing the story he had told to justify the absence of their parents.
After being informed about this, Vicente thanked that woman and departed, promising to return one week before the start of classes for the next academic year.
"Where are we going now, big brother?" asked Nina while they walked out of the academy.
Vicente quickly wrote what he intended to do on a piece of paper and showed it to her.
'We are going to visit a friend. But, Nina, don't forget what I told you last night. Don't talk about our situation to anyone.
Then tell me again, what should you say when people ask about our parents?'
The little girl read that and looked at her brother's face, "They are away taking care of big sister Lauren."
Vice smiled at her and continued carrying her in his arms.
After a few minutes of walking, they arrived at Rory's house.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Rory, it's me, Vicente," he called out, hoping his old friend was still around.
Rory was the person he trusted the most, the only one he had confided in regarding his plans for the future. As such, before he began to deal with matters concerning his father's group, Vicente wanted to know from Rory what his intentions were.
"Vicente?" A slightly childish but much deeper voice compared to the one from months ago was heard from the inside of that house, with a hint of surprise and joy ladened in it.
"Man, I thought you had given up!" Rory said, sporting a smile on his face as he opened the front door of his house.
"Never," Vicente stated, noticing Rory's curious gaze on the little black-haired girl in his arms. "I'll explain what's going on, but before I do, can I come in?"
"Of course! I was just about to invite you in for something to eat." He took a step back and made way for these two to get in.
"By the way, are you alone?" Vicente asked.
"Hmm, my mother leaves really early for work. You know how she is," Rory commented as he led them to the kitchen.
When they arrived in the kitchen, they were greeted with a breakfast spread that featured several different dishes, with many options for just one child.
Rory's mother, a former prostitute, tried to make up for her son for his origin in various different ways. Among them, she never punished him for his actions, always prepared bountiful meals, and constantly gave him the freedom to choose whatever he wanted to do.
Seeing the feast before her, Nina licked her lips in anticipation, hungry because her brother was not a good cook.
Vicente smiled, put his sister down on a chair, and let her eat whatever she desired to, even without asking Rory.
He then turned to Rory, his expression growing serious.
"A lot of things have happened, and as much as I still plan to go ahead with those things that I have already shared with you, some of its aspects will change, and maybe it won't interest you."
"It doesn't matter. I am with you. We're brothers, Vice," Rory responded enthusiastically, eager to become a part of whatever path his friend chose and work alongside him.
"Hmm, but before you can commit, you need to know what you'll be getting yourself into."
"Okay. What happened?"
Vicente didn't intend to share that with many people at the moment. That was also the reason behind his advice to Nina. However, it was different for Rory.
Vicente closed his eyes and said, "My mother and father have passed away."
Upon hearing this, the expression on Rory's face changed considerably, shifting from curiosity from just a moment ago to emotions that children should not show.
"What?" he exclaimed, abruptly standing up, shocked to hear the news. "That... Vice, I'm so sorry. What happened?"
"When we were traveling, my family was unintentionally involved in a battle among experts. One of the attacks from those experts resulted in my mother's death." Vicente said, looking into Rory's eyes, revealing all the hatred he felt towards those people.
"I witnessed my mother being smashed, Rory."
Rory clenched his fists, his teeth gritted in anger.
He may not have been particularly close to Kate, but as Vice's mother, he held great respect for her.
Vicente loved his mother deeply, and Rory was well aware of this. Realizing that his friend had to witness his own mother being killed, this boy couldn't help but feel bad for his friend.
His eyes narrowed, and his voice deepened, "Is that how Mister Andrew died too?"
"No, my father survived, along with my sisters and me. However, Lauren lost her sight, and Nina became deaf as a result of that battle," Vicente said, looking at his sister, who was engrossed in eating with a radiant smile on her face.
Fasting was a particular joy for a glutton like Nina.
At that moment, she had managed to even forget some of the darkness of her life which she had been facing for the past few months.
Rory also looked at that little girl while frowning his eyebrows, "It can't be... Nina, Lauren..."
"But our misfortune didn't end there, Rory. When my sister awakened her magical powers, she was taken by strange people who I don't know.
Her ability was above average. I suppose that's why they targeted her.
Then, on that same day, my father passed away, coinciding with Lauren's abduction," Vicente finished his unlucky story, his demeanor remaining composed despite the apparent seething hatred that could be seen in his eyes.
"That's horrible... I didn't expect something like this could happen to you, man," Rory spoke, turning to Vicente and feeling some indescribable emotions. He was uncertain how he would have acted if he was in Vicente's shoes.
Rory had no father and no siblings. It was just him and his mother. But even if he felt ashamed of her, he loved her deeply, and the thought of losing her filled his heart with dread.
But Vicente had practically lost his entire family in a matter of months!
"Because of that, I need to make slight adjustments to my previous plans," Vicente stated seriously. "Now I need to avenge them. What happened to my parents and my sister cannot go unanswered like this. I will bring justice to them even if it costs me my life!"
Rory heard this and understood why Vice wanted to talk to him first.
"So, you need to make up your mind. If you continue to stand by my side, you will have to face unimaginable problems. The people I intended to face are definitely not weak by any means, Rory.
However, understand that if you are not willing, I will not blame you. What I ask is really heavy.
I don't want you to feel obligated to join me just because of our previous promise."
Rory closed his eyes and declared, "Vice, there is nothing to reconsider. I want to join your family now more than ever!
Those bastards who are responsible for doing this to your parents and sisters deserve to die to compensate for their actions!"
As he said this, he extended one of his hands to Vicente.
The two friends shook hands with each other, resolute in this path that lay ahead for them.