Inside a residence within the castle, Ewan was recounting to his aunt and uncle the incident of Aidan's essence Gem robbery. His voice fluctuated between incredulity and a touch of fear as he detailed how Aidan had single-handedly blocked the academy's main gate, extorting essence Gems from his fellow students.
"Can you believe it? Aidan stood there, bold as brass, demanding essence Gems from anyone who wished to pass. It's unheard of!" Ewan's eyes were wide, still processing the audacity of his brother's actions.
His aunt and uncle exchanged glances, disbelief etched on their faces. "Aidan did this? All by himself?" his uncle asked, skepticism lacing his tone. The thought of the quiet boy they knew resorting to such measures seemed far-fetched.
The aunt reveled in the situation, "That rascal Aidan, extorting others is one thing, but to think he wouldn't spare even his own brother. Such heartlessness! But with such a grave mistake, he's likely to be expelled from the academy soon."
"Enough from you," the uncle sighed before turning to Ewan, "You've lost an essence gem, but it's just one; it doesn't matter. This matter doesn't concern you; go focus on your cultivation. With your talent, becoming the first mid-level ascender is highly probable. Don't waste your gifts."
"Yes," Ewan replied, burdened with thoughts as he withdrew.
Watching Ewan leave the room, the aunt couldn't contain her glee, "darling, we've cut off Aidan's allowance. That little rascal couldn't restrain himself and has made a big mistake this time! Daring to brawl in front of the academy gate and extort others is like challenging the elders. I'd say his expulsion is almost certain."
Yet, the uncle shook his head, "You're oversimplifying things. Aidan won't be expelled, perhaps he won't face any punishment at all."
"Why not?" the aunt asked, puzzled.
The uncle sneered, "Fighting is encouraged as long as it doesn't lead to serious consequences. Did any student die in this fight? No."
The aunt, still unconvinced, protested, "How can you be so sure? Fights can always lead to accidents."
The uncle closed his eyes, leaning back, "You're being naive. Do you think the academy elders are just for show? When did the guards intervene? Their late intervention means the situation was under control. If there had been serious injuries, they would've stepped in much sooner, not waited until the end."
"You're not a Ascendant; you wouldn't understand. The academy doesn't prohibit, and even encourages, student conflicts. Frequent fights aid combat skills, and some students even forge strong friendships through them. The elders won't pursue this matter; it's become customary. Anyone trying to protect their kin excessively would be breaking this tradition."
The aunt was flabbergasted and resentfully said, "So Aidan gets away with a significant amount of essence gems without any repercussions? With such resources, his cultivation will greatly benefit."
The uncle opened his eyes, his face clouded, "What else can we do? Do you expect me to personally take back his essence gems? It seems it's time we had a proper talk with him."
Within the rules of the castle, it's explicitly stated that the son, upon reaching the age of eighteen, is eligible to inherit the family estate.
Aidan's parents have passed away, leaving behind a substantial inheritance currently "managed" by his aunt and uncle.
If Aidan, like Ewan, keep been adopted by his aunt and uncle, he would have no right to this inheritance.
"But, darling, given that Aidan clearly intends to declare independence at eighteen, what shall we do?" the aunt asked, her tone anxious at the thought of the inheritance.
"Hmph, since he harbors malicious intentions, he cannot blame us for what comes next. If we catch him in a significant mistake before he declares independence, and expel him from the family, we can strip him of his right to the inheritance," the uncle declared coldly.
And so, three days passed.
The uproar caused by Aidan's acts of robbery and extortion did not spread or escalate; instead, it showed signs of gradually dying down. No elder broke the rules to personally seek out Aidan for retribution, and the academy elders, for their part, turned a blind eye to the matter.
During this time, two or three youths, dissatisfied with having their essence gems forcefully taken, challenged Aidan anew. However, after Aidan easily defeated them, everyone came to realize that without diligent practice in martial arts, they stood no chance against him.
This sparked a wave of fervor among the youths to rigorously train their basic combat skills. The martial arts instructor was overjoyed; he had never seen a cohort of students so passionate and dedicated to mastering basic martial techniques. Previously, during his lessons, the students would show little interest, yawning throughout. Now, they were eager and enthusiastic, constantly seeking guidance.
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...
"I've been training my close combat skills rigorously for over ten days, yet in less than 10 seconds of fighting Aidan, I was knocked out again. What a disgrace, a total disgrace!" Tristan, with a bruised face and swollen nose, lamented as he returned home. His older sister, Elara who had just returned from a mission outside the castle, was startled to find her brother in such a state, her heart aching at the sight.
"What happened to you, Tristan?" she asked, her voice laced with concern as she rushed to his side, carefully examining his injuries. Her hands, skilled from years of training and missions, were gentle yet firm as she assessed the damage.
Elara stood as a commanding presence, her stature tall and robust, a figure that could easily be mistaken for a man at a glance. Her height and build were uncommon among the women of their community, lending her an imposing air that matched her status as a distinguished female general. Her features, while stern and rugged, bore the marks of countless battles, each scar a testament to her courage and resilience in the face of adversity.
Her eyes, sharp and penetrating, seemed to reflect the myriad of struggles and victories she had experienced, a silent testament to her unwavering determination. Her hair was kept short, a practical choice that suited the demands of her vocation, and it framed her face in a way that accentuated her pronounced jawline and high cheekbones.
Despite her masculine appearance, there was an undeniable grace in the way she moved, a fluidity that spoke of her skill and agility as a warrior. Her arms, strong and defined, were the result of rigorous training, capable of wielding weapons with precision and strength.
Tristan, feeling both the physical pain from his defeat and the sting of his wounded pride, hesitated. The thought of confessing his failure to his sister, whom he admired and looked up to, weighed heavily on him. But the care in her eyes and the safety of their home coaxed the words out of him.
"I challenged Aidan... and lost, again," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper, his gaze fixed on the ground.
His sister sighed, a mix of frustration and empathy coloring her expression. She knew too well the competitive spirit that drove Tristan, the desire to prove himself, and the harsh realities of their world where strength was paramount.
"Come here," she said softly, guiding him to sit. She fetched some ointments and began to treat his bruises with practiced ease. "You know, losing is not the end. It's a lesson, Tristan. Aidan might be strong, but that doesn't mean you can't surpass him one day. What matters is how you rise after you fall."
Her words were soothing, and Tristan couldn't help but feel a little better. The warmth of his sister's care, the way she didn't scold him for picking fights but instead encouraged him to learn from them, filled him with gratitude.
"I just... I want to be strong, like you," Tristan admitted, his voice steadying as he looked up at his sister.
She smiled, her hands pausing for a moment as she met his gaze. "And you will be. But strength isn't just about winning fights, Tristan. It's about facing your failures, learning from them, and becoming better. Remember, I wasn't always the warrior I am today. It took time, practice, and a lot of lessons from my own defeats."
The room was filled with a comforting silence as she finished treating his injuries. Tristan felt a renewed sense of determination, his earlier shame slowly dissipating. The bond between them, strengthened by shared struggles and understanding, was a reminder that in their challenging world, family was a source of unparalleled support and love.
"Thanks, sis," he said, a genuine smile breaking through his bruised face.
"Anytime, little brother. Now, let's get you cleaned up and fed. Tomorrow's another day, and you'll need your strength," she replied, her actions echoing her words, as they moved together towards the heart of their home.
Returning to her room, Elara's demeanor shifted from warmth to cold determination. The thought of someone bullying her brother stirred a protective fury within her. "This Aidan has gone too far in bullying my brother. I'll make sure he regrets it!" she resolved, her usual cheerful and nurturing personality giving way to that of a seasoned warrior's resolve.
Elara, renowned for her commanding presence and formidable skills, was not someone to cross lightly. Standing tall, with a physique that could easily be mistaken for a man's due to her imposing stature and strength, she embodied the spirit of a true general. Her reputation on the battlefield was unmatched, her leadership inspiring loyalty and admiration from her peers.
Yet, it was the familial bonds that truly defined her. The love and protection she offered Tristan were as fierce as her prowess in combat. Now, with her brother wronged, Elara's sense of justice and duty melded with her personal stake in the matter, fueling her determination to confront Aidan.
As she began to plot her next steps, her mind raced with strategies not just to reprimand Aidan but to teach him a lesson in humility and respect—one that he would not soon forget. Her resolve was clear: no one messes with her family and gets away with it. In this moment, Elara was more than just a sister; she was a formidable force poised to right the wrongs inflicted upon her kin, her actions soon to remind everyone why she was both respected and feared.