The academy had several clubs, each competing in different disciplines—sports, magic, technology, even physical combat.
These clubs would occasionally compete to claim the Student Council Presidency, and whoever won would get their leader appointed as student council president, and resources for all the members for the winning club.
Most of these were magical practice resources and more.
While other clubs vied for the title, Obsidian Roar, the club representing House Obsidian, held a permanent position of authority, given their family's legacy as the academy's founding members.
And the generous gift they had offered in founding the academy, it was the only club that represented a certain family while in the academy.
Pyris had no issue with his mother's choice, given that he had already planned to join the family club, but the way she'd done it made him chuckle.
She always did love pulling strings from behind the scenes, never one to ask for permission when it came to family matters.
"But why did she sign you up for Tech and Business Management classes?" Aurelia grumbled, annoyed on her brother's behalf. "You've been learning that since you were five! It's not like you need more training in running our family's business."
The academy, though known for its magical expertise, prided itself on creating well-rounded individuals.
It didn't just train battle-hardened warriors and magic prodigies; it shaped future leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators.
The curriculum encompassed everything from cutting-edge technology to the fine arts—cinematography, music, even fashion.
The goal was simple: to prepare students for a world where magic was just one of many tools for survival. The Academy stood at the center of both the magical and normal worlds, creating a bridge between them.
"It's a given, really," Pyris shrugged. "I've been studying business management for years. At this point, I could run our company without breaking a sweat. And tech? Well, that's more of a passion of mine." His eyes lit up with excitement as they continued walking through the academy's wide halls. "I didn't tell you, did I?"
Aurelia raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. "Tell me what?"
"This phone," Pyris said, holding up his sleek device. Its transparent glass frame shimmered in the light, giving off a futuristic vibe. "It was my idea! Now it's one of Obsidian Tech's top-selling products."
"Really?" Aurelia feigned surprise, though she was well aware of her brother's technological prowess. "I had no idea," she teased.
"Come on, I'm serious! It's not just any phone—it has a neural-link interface, no one could ever come up with that but me. Now you can control it with your thoughts!" Pyris couldn't help but boast.
"Mother only helped with the coding because, well, she's the genius when it comes to neurology and body systems. But when it comes to the tech side of things, I'm ahead of her. Not to brag, but I designed the interface that made it all possible."
Aurelia smirked, amused by her brother's enthusiasm. "Yeah, I remember Mother mentioning how you helped her with ARGO, that new VRMMORPG."
"Yup!" Pyris nodded proudly.
"I worked mostly on the helmets. Mother handled the neural link to make it immersive, but the hardware? That's all me. ARGO is going to be one of the biggest things our family ever created. We've already struck a deal with the Human Imperial family, and trust me, that deal alone is worth more than my car." He smirked.
"Honestly, the car was probably just a thank-you gift from Mum."
At the mention of the Human Imperial family, Aurelia's expression changed. "Wait, the Human Imperial family? Why would they be involved? I can understand them wanting ARGO for their own purposes, but why would they partner with us?"
Flick!
"Ouch!" Aurelia rubbed her forehead, pouting as Pyris flicked her gently. "That's top-secret information, big sister!" he said playfully.
"Come on, please tell me," Aurelia begged, her voice soft and pleading. She clung to his arm, her wide eyes looking up at him with an exaggerated pout. "Please?"
Pyris couldn't help but smile at his sister's antics.
"How can I say no when you're being this adorable?" He gently patted her head, and Aurelia leaned into his hand, closing her eyes with a content smile.
The other students in the hallway stared, wide-eyed at the siblings. Though none dared to speak, it was obvious they were astonished by the scene unfolding before them. Aurelia's public display of affection, combined with her usually cold demeanor, left them stunned.
And while they had all seen Pyris's entrance and noted his otherworldly good looks, they hadn't yet gotten a proper read on him.
Unlike his fierce sister, Pyris appeared approachable, at least on the surface.
Still, the Obsidian name carried weight. Every student present knew better than to provoke one of House Obsidian's heirs.
They'd heard the stories of Aurelia's legendary temper. Most had seen firsthand how she could obliterate anyone who dared cross her, and they had no desire to be the next target.
"So, are you going to tell me?" Aurelia asked again, pulling her brother's arm closer.
Pyris sighed, giving in. "Fine, fine. It's nothing that important, honestly. The Human Emperor has a lot of children, and he wants to give them an advantage over the other royal families.
"What better way than training them with both magic and modern technology? The Emperor struck a deal with Mum to get access to ARGO, and we're expecting even more deals from them soon. But Mum, being Mum, doesn't care about their politics—she only cares about their money. And so do I, I'm planning something big!"
Aurelia's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Wait, are we going to build something out of this?" She had heard of this ambition of his before.
Pyris grinned. "Actually, I'm planning to use the profits to build a vacation home. A little getaway for myself."
Sitting nearby, a young woman overheard their conversation, her ears perking up at the mention of a vacation home. She couldn't help but listen closely, intrigued by what she was hearing.
"I want in!" Aurelia declared, her excitement growing. "I can help!"
Pyris smirked. "Oh, really? Well, if you want in, there's one condition." He pointed to his cheek, teasing her with a mischievous smile.
Understanding the unspoken request, Aurelia rolled her eyes but leaned in to give her brother a quick peck on the cheek. "There, happy now?"
"Welcome aboard!" Pyris said with a laugh. "But here's the catch—we'll need to get Mum to foot the bill."
Aurelia frowned, confused. "But we've got more than enough money to build a vacation home without involving her. Why do we need her?"
"Because," Pyris explained, grinning slyly, "it's not just about the money. It's about payback for signing me up for all these extra classes without asking and yesterday. Consider it revenge."
Aurelia chuckled, shaking her head. "You know money doesn't bother her, right? She's got more treasure than she knows what to do with. You could drain a fortune from her, and she wouldn't even notice."
Pyris nodded. "True, but imagine if her two precious children left home and decided to live off the money they 'borrowed' from her? That might get her attention."
Aurelia's eyes lit up with mischief. "I like it! I'm all in!"
The girl sitting nearby, who had been eavesdropping the entire time, smiled to herself.
The conversation between the siblings was far more interesting than anything she had expected to overhear today.