Moon 433 POV
Valencia Nocturna had arrived at the academy. I watched the kids turn silent in her graceful presence.
It was a pitiful sight. Controlled by her charisma and fueled by lust, they were all enticed by her beauty.
Except one.
As I was about to leave, a kid with his hood up also turned to leave.
'He escaped her presence so quickly?'
Intrigued, I watched him from a distance as he got on a hoverboard and went to a hotel before turning back after a quick glance at the prices.
He looked at his watch, and to my surprise, he contacted 'Lunar Auction.'
As a company, we didn't just auction items but could ensure things like safety or specific requests.
That was the reason I was here—to ensure Valencia arrived safely at the academy.
I was here anyway, so I thought, 'Might as well greet the new client.'
Curious, I swept him into my shadowy grasp before seating him in a dark room with two chairs and a table in the middle.
I was a B+ ranker on the verge of stepping through to A rank, yet he gave me an indescribable feeling—a feeling of good opportunity and money.
And once again, my instincts proved me right. But not in the way I had thought.
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Aeron POV
Wisped away by the darkness, I opened my eyes to be greeted by the sight of a dark room with one light bulb floating and two chairs with a table in between.
Unperturbed, I seated myself on one of the chairs, waiting for the cloaked figure with a tophat to also take a seat.
Noticing my apparent disregard, he cocked his head to the side in what seemed like amusement before sitting down.
I couldn't see anything but the brown eyes that tried to discern my moves and thoughts.
A silvery voice rang out in the silent room.
"I am the customer service representative you requested. You may address me as 'Moon 433.' How may I be of service, young patron?"
Uncovering my hooded face, I directly said,
"I wish to put the SS rank item Dragon's Essence on auction and to discuss the terms of the payment."
The room went back to a comfortable silence for a couple of seconds before the person in front of me was replaced with a much larger, cloaked figure with auburn eyes and brown hair.
The presence that weighed down on me increased many folds.
'Were there always this many S-ranks?'
Though weaker than the Sakura Sanity, he was without a doubt S-rank.
"I am known as Moon 7. Please show me the item you wish to sell, and we can begin to discuss... terms."
It was impossible to hide the presence of an SS rank item, so I stored it in an aura-concealing jar that Lucen had given me.
As I took it out, I did not fail to notice the flash of intensity in those auburn eyes. Without hesitation, I said,
"10%"
"20% with Prem-"
"10%"
15% with a free Premium membership, and for everything you sell, we will only take 20% for life, and all requests will be done with utmost secrecy.
".....Deal"
A premium membership costs ten million credits per month, making it a worthwhile deal.
They would be able to guess that my rank cap was higher than SS, but no information would be spread unless someone offered something worth 20% more than the Dragon's Essence for my information.
And even with that, they most likely still wouldn't share my information, knowing my potential.
When the miasma began to spread, Ashyn increased everyone's rank cap by one WHOLE rank, so the essence was worth less, but now I would most likely get around five billion credits as the miasma had yet to spread.
With slight embarrassment and a clenched jaw, I activated Poker's gaze and said,
''Could you give me a couple thousand credits first?"
"We have put a hundred thousand in your account already, young patron. Is there anything else I can help you with?"
"Take me to the cheapest hotel closest to the academy, please."
I replied in my monotonous voice. I blinked and opened my eyes to see myself in front of a hotel: 1500 for a night.
Turning off Poker's gaze, I panted in slight exhaustion, shielding always the blush that had filled my cheeks, putting on my hood.
I shook my head and rested for the night.
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Moon 7 POV
'I couldn't lose him' was the first thought that sprang to my head. If he was willing to sell Dragon's essence without a shred of emotion, his potential must be SSS.
My eyes glinted with determination as I tried to pry him of secrets from his current self. Grey eyes and the blackest of hair were all I could discover.
'A mystery to be unraveled' was all that I could conclude.
'Where did such handsome and promising young talent derive from? A secluded master?'
I sent a team to gather and stop any information from spreading while he kept driving a hard bargain.
It didn't matter much though, as money was not of concern as your rank increased.
Agreeing, he suddenly shifted in presence. His eyes, previously filled with greedy intents, changed to one of apathy as he stared at me. A faint aura of oppression pressed against my mind.
''Could you give me a couple thousand credits first?"
"We have put a hundred thousand in your account already, young patron. Is there anything else I can help you with?"
"Take me to the cheapest hotel closest to the academy, please."
Moments later, I was informed his name was Aeron Araxys, brother to No. 3 of the new third year's Fleur Araxys.
'What was that? How did he pressure me like that? A skill? Doing that as an E rank...'
Only more and more questions filled my mind. I pursed my lips.
'Aeron Araxys.....'
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Fleur Araxys POV
My brother was useless in the sense that the highest rank he could ever reach was {B}.
He was a scrawny little kid who messed around a lot. My parents didn't care for someone so pathetic and weak.
Usually, neither would I, but something about his gray eyes called for a freedom that I liked.
So I took care of him. In a different way.
I was rude to him in a way I wouldn't show myself in public.
I always 'bullied' him to let him know I was much stronger than him.
I secretly sent him funds that I told him were given by the Council for his lack of strength.
Aery wouldn't get far in life, but I wanted him to live without the burdens the strong had.
I genuinely hoped he would enjoy his short and sweet life, seen in those gray eyes that seemed to always seek liberation.
He knew the real and the fake me at the same time and for that,
'I will always, forever love him, my little Aery.'
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Though I loved him, it seemed he still hadn't learned his lesson for being late.
The right side of my cheek trembled in impatience as the time closed in on 10 am, and I still couldn't see him.
I was perched against a tree in the Academy Park: Elrior Gardens, and it was already 9.53 am.
'Where was he?!'
Very few classmates were around, and those who knew me waved and smiled, so I waved and forced a smile back, responding with a bright, "Good morning!"
My parents were always strict on my reputation as an Araxys with an SS rank cap, and I was instructed to make sure Aery would also be a dignified person.
No one would know him in the first place, as I didn't plan for people to know he was my brother, creating unnecessary pressure on him.
After all, he didn't have the traditional white silver hair of the Araxys, so it could be done.
As the time closed to 10, my patience grew thin, and I was about to call him. I was mainly excited to see him after 2 years, but I replaced it with anger and annoyance as I changed my tone of voice.
"Hey sis"
A hooded figure stood in front of me with beautiful gray eyes and a black mask.
He was a tad bit taller than me, and his voice was slightly husky, but it sounded pleasant to my ears.
I stood still for a bit, gathering my thoughts, looking down, and forcing away the flush of embarrassment from my cheeks.
"You twat. We are the Araxys. Our reputation is always at stake, and you can't even be punctual. Do you need me to knock off your head or are you too disabled to understand what I say?''
I was happy but confused as to why he had his hood up and stood before me in such shabby clothes.
'I had forgotten to give him 'council' money!!!'
''Sorry, sis, I overslept."
His gray eyes had changed, and rather than seeking freedom, he seemed to yearn for it—a need like an addict with a lack of drugs.
It was mesmerizing.
His eyes didn't contain the fear they used to in the past, and for that, I felt a slight relief.
But I wondered how he got over the trauma.
I sighed.
"We are going to buy a new suit for your ceremony tomorrow and clean your disgusting attire up."
I continued,
"Appearing before me in this filth. Where did you get such courage from?"
Rather than shying away from my gaze of feigned disgust and contempt like usual, he stood there staring straight into my eyes like a vacuum sucking me in.
I punched him in the stomach, and he groaned but stood up quickly.
'When did his body develop so well?'
He replied,
"I managed to get some money, sis, and I can buy things on my own."
"Yeah, you can buy a punch and two kicks. Just shut up and follow me. Don't talk to me, and we will take the back alleys. I am ashamed to be seen with you, Aer-Aeron."
I scoffed inwardly.
'Money from where Tryna acts up in front of me.'
The area around the academy was called Rellinnes, an area roughly the same size as cities where students and staff could relax, have fun, and buy essentials with their credits.
We approached a remote tailor shop to the extreme east of Rellinnes. It was cheap, and the items tailored were of good quality.
The Araxys family was running low on funds. We had a guild called Exaurare (pronounced Ex-wa-ree), meaning in Latin, to soar, yet our guild, which used to be Platinum, had dropped to a barely qualifying silver guild due to member skirmishes and rebellions.
The guilds were ranked: amethyst, diamond, platinum, gold, then silver, and bronze.
They were ranked depending on the number of specified rankers and demons slain, with the top 10 all being in Amethyst-ranked guilds.
The shop owner greeted me. I put on another fake smile and asked him politely,
"Please, could you fix up my brother for the ceremony tomorrow?"
"No problem, young miss."
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Aeron Pov
'She was rude, and she was hiding something.' was what I summed up.
'I would give her one chance.'
I still didn't know my sister's name, but I addressed her as 'sis' even though I didn't want to.
There was a twinge of fear for unknown reasons in my body, perhaps past trauma, but I ignored it.
Though occasionally my hands would tremble.
When she punched me, it came as a surprise, but I didn't feel any discontent or pain as I knew only the powerful ruled.
I didn't even feel the punch, and it felt like nothing compared to The Pink Plethora, but I faked a groan.
I still didn't know much about my family, but I noticed I was not respected there.
'Did we have a guild?'
Even here, my family must have thought about us as benefits and how useful we were.
Surprisingly, I felt nothing. It was within expectations, as that was how the world worked.
After being measured, I put on the night-black blazer and black trousers. The shirt was the exact same shade as my eyes, each color carefully complementing my appearance.
I left the changing room and presented myself quickly, hoping for this day to finish soon.
I still haven't done my training routine, but it could wait. But my main priority was planning my next steps for the hero's party and buying my weapons.
"So, sis, how is it?"
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Fleur Araxys POV
I stood there gawking at him. No wonder he wore a mask and with his hood up.
His gray eyes remained mysterious under his jet-black bangs. The suit accentuated his physique with his two buttons undone.
White alabaster skin that was dainty and clear of blemishes, he stood there nonchalantly with his neck showing and two thin collarbones that seemed precious and priceless.
It was perfection.
His charm stat must have been around S rank.
Now it was going to be even harder to protect him from the slimy whores that would want to make him their toys because he was weak would be countless.
"So, sis, how is it?"
Breaking out of my reverie and forcing away the slight blush I managed to stutter,
"It's alright, I guess, but you can only wear it tomorrow at the ceremony. Change back, put on your mask, and go home by yourself. I don't want to be seen with you. And when we are in the academy, don't talk to me either, unless you want to be beaten again, yes?"
"Sure."
Filled with slight disappointment, I left the shop in a hurry and thought about how we wouldn't talk to each other for a while now... but I could still see his eyes.
Filled with resolve,
'It's for the best,' I thought. 'For him and for me.'
'I can still text him and call him and... and...'
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Aeron POV
The staff and my sister stared at me, looking at my face.
Those looks—I had seen them before.
Looks of admiration.
My head was hit with nausea, and a huge wave of disgust overwhelmed my senses.
I didn't show any of it and stood there in silence, hands sweating in my pockets clenched as they stared.
Trying to control myself, I could barely hear my sister's words.
"Change back-------youur mask------ Go home-----I don't want to be seen with you----don't talk to me either, unless you want to be beaten again, yes."
'It seems even in both lives, only reputation and usefulness matter' I thought bitterly.
'I have been too lax of late, lowering my guard too much.
I hardened my resolve before replying with a short,
"Sure"
'Chances shouldn't be given but earned, even if it is family.'
She left the shop quickly after paying, while the staff stood there, still admiring. I felt repulsed by their gazes and left after having my clothes changed.
'It's fine if the world doesn't change, but I must change for myself and my goals'
After hooding up and masking myself, I asked the locals to call a local blacksmith.
I was on a tight schedule and would need to buy the weapons rather than a custom-made one. After some walking, which earned me some looks as the others were all hovering around, I was greeted by another seemingly run-down shop.
Entering, a musky smell of beer and metal washed over me making me cough and cover my nose, even through the mask.
There was an old man with a leather apron was beating the molten metal in an energetic way for his age.
I cleared my throat,
"I am here to buy weapons for the way of the Daishō."
The sound of metal clanging froze, and the old man also froze mid-swing before putting on his thick spectacles and turning around to examine me.
"I will use the katana individually in public while practicing dual-wielding privately, so no one will know."
A croaky voice spat, "Another brainless fool thinking he can dual-wield. What makes you think I would sell my weapons to a suicidal halfwit?"
"Freedom." Once again, the only sound that echoed in the room were the flames in the background.
His low rambling had stopped, and his eyes, which were nearly blind, stared at me, swirling in memories.
He passed me a black stone, mumbling,
"Hold it"
As soon as I touched it, the stone shattered into dust with not a speck left.
"EX" It was a statement, not a question.
Tensing, I raised my arms, activating Poker's Gaze and Blooming, my first ability. Still silent, he stood there and turned around before tossing me...two handles?
"These beauties are called Raijin for the katana and Fujin for the wakizashi. When holding it, they will turn on by your will if you manage to master them. They are sentient and too yearn to be free to unleash their powers. Try, and if you cannot, don't think of dual-wielding again."
I looked at the two handles that lay unmoving in my hand. De-activating Poker's Gaze, I whispered,
"Let loose Raijin, Fujin."
I asked, "Does your yearn beat mine?" before inducing Poker's Gaze to maximum output and tapping into my little mana reserves, gritting my teeth. Immediately exhaustion overcame me, forcing me to drop the handles.
The small shop shook slightly, but the old man stood there with his arms still crossed before snickering.
I was panting once again due to stretching my capacity thin.
"Another fool."
As he was about to take the handles off the floor, a small spark shocked his calloused hands, and a sharp wind pushed him back. He stood there unaffected as the two handles floated back into my grasp.
He sighed before clearing his throat apologetically.
"I apologize and take them for free."
I glanced at his eyes, which had turned weary but at the same time brighter. His voice turned soft and slightly subservient.
"They have been bound to you. As of now, they are E-rank items and will reach C-rank by passively ingesting mana, but when they do find a blacksmith who may be willing to upgrade them, it will take them about a year to get there, so you have time."
I didn't say anything and continued to stare at the cold handles that hummed slightly.
"Don't try to change weapons. They will kill you if you try, and honestly, you fit them perfectly, longing for the same things. The previous owner sought the wrong thing, causing him to implode."
"Thanks a lot, Mr.?"
"I do not deserve to share my name with the person chosen by those two beauties. All I ask is to take care of yourself and them. And to never regret again."
He continued.
"After all, regrets are also burdens."
Leaving the shop, I mulled over his words,
'No regrets?... I could only try.'
Fp:1753 --->2753
(Raijin: Japanese God of thunder Fujin: Japanese God of wind)