Chapter 29 - Preparation (2)

While I am close to Noel, I am much closer to Noah. We've spent time together much longer since we're closer in age and he didn't become a knight at an early age much like Noel did.

And even when he did become a knight, he didn't stay that much in the castle despite being assigned to the Second Division. He was on the lower level of the Division, so he had the liberty to not be on duty in the castle too much. But now years later, he's as busy as Noel.

"Noah, you're adorable when you worry for Nera." Noel spouted.

Noel being too honest is just plain funny. We saw Noah's ears and face have an obvious blush as he had fairer skin than the both of us.

"What the-- I'm leaving!" Noah stomped his way out of the training grounds and inside the mansion.

"You shouldn't have told him that." I giggled and lightly punched Noel's arm.

"But he really is adorable, you agree, right?"

"Yeah... That's why it's fun to fight with him."

"But that's because you're always being dumb."

My jaw dropped as I slowly turn my head to look at Noel.

"Says you?!"

"Yeah. You're both my adorable siblings," Noel patted my head and walked inside the house. He gestured his head to tell me to follow him. "How are you going to tell this to father though?"

"Uhm."

"Nera." Noel stopped on his tracks and glared at me. "Don't tell me..."

"Alright, I won't!" I said before sprinting away from him.

Futile but at least, I tried. He easily ran in front of me and caught me by my torso. He carried me on his shoulders, like a sack of rice, and brought me to our father's office.

"Put me down!"

"I will. If you tell father about it."

"I was going to! Eventually..."

We arrived in front of his door and Noel knocked.

"Father, it's me, Noel."

"Come in."

He came in, still carrying me. I just gave up to struggle out of his grip and let myself dangle. Our father stared at me and then to Noel.

"...Care to explain?"

"Nera would."

I groaned and hit Noel's back. He put me down and I frowned at him. He avoided my stare and crossed his arms.

"So, Nera. What is this?"

"Uh..."

Sigh, I can't lie to my father... I'll just tell him what I did to both Noel and Noah.

Much to my surprise, my father didn't have the same reactions.

"Do whatever you want. I believe in you," He waved his hand. "No matter what the result is, you'll always be a Ponterise."

I grinned at my father.

"Aren't you too soft on her, father?"

I heard him sigh then look at Noel with a tired look. "What can I do? If she's already told us she's going to do it, she probably already has."

Oops. I have. I'm already a month late at telling them this decision. My father really knows me well.

I smirked and faced Noel. "Ha!"

"Just make sure to be careful."

"Of course, father."

Noel sighed in defeat. "I guess you're right."

***

Noel told me that he had suggested the exercises that I taught him and Noah to the Captain of the First Division. Unfortunately, they didn't believe a word he said and without physical evidence of the book, they just wouldn't accept it.

"Exercises only for the body wouldn't help anything. Give us solid proof, we'll believe you." They said.

Knowing my brother, he wouldn't back down from this.

Noel proposed something to them. Noel told the First Division that I was doing the exercises that we supposedly found in our library. Keeping his promise, he didn't tell them that I was the one who 'discovered' it and told the people in the First Division that the three of us did.

Noah helped with the proposal that Noel wanted to make.

And then they told me, that the First Division had a condition. If I had a score higher than 90%, they would implement the exercises in the Fourth Division.

I was surprised at this when they told me about it but Noah spoke before I could.

"Just think of it as another challenge. Wouldn't you be proud to prove those old men wrong?"

I scoffed. Of course, I did. They don't deliberately know it but, they insulted the truth in Jessica's world, that exercises can also enhance your body. It's a truth that I know very well since I've routinely done it in my past life and in this past month.

"Yeah, I'll be sure to show them."

"And with this proposal, Noah and I also agreed that we should follow the routine you also do," Noel spoke.

Even though the two of them were doubtful at first, they also did the exercises in their own time. They had their own menu in the Second Division yet, they still found the time to maintain their bodies with the exercises.

Aura really is a powerful thing.

They soon noticed their bodies getting stronger even with the small amount of body-building exercises I suggested they do.

I was excited to see what it had done to my body too so I asked them for a spar.

I am definitely weaker than the two of them, despite also turning off their auras, but we could all tell that I had improved.

"I really doubted you, Nera. But I can't believe this worked." Noah stated. I smirked at him and shrugged.

"You'll ace this test!" Noel patted my head.

Joyful at his compliment, I grinned back. I'll show them, for sure!