After the battles concluded and the professor dismissed everyone to rest, Austin and Lucian walked peacefully outside the arena.
The tension from the duels had settled, but their quiet moment was soon interrupted.
Aidan, ever the opportunist, saw his chance.
"Walking away so casually, huh?" His voice dripped with mockery. "What do you expect when you're too weak to even resonate with a staff?"
A few students who had witnessed his earlier performance against an Archon began nodding in agreement, emboldened by his confidence.
"And now, challenging you to a duel wouldn't even do me any good since you don't have a staff. Tch, tch."
Austin didn't react. He simply glanced at Aidan, unimpressed, before continuing on his way. "Are you done talking?" he asked flatly.
The lack of response infuriated Aidan. His expression twisted, and he swung his fist toward Austin.
But before the punch could land—
Thwap!
—A palm intercepted the strike.
"It's Egbert."
The students fell into hushed whispers as they recognized him—the one who had nearly defeated an Archon.
Aidan scowled, stepping back. "And what's your problem?"
Egbert lowered his staff slightly but kept his stance firm. "I don't like cowards who pick fights thinking they've already won," he said, his voice cool and unwavering.
Aidan's eyes narrowed. "And why do you care? What's your relationship with him?"
The answer came without hesitation. "He's my brother."
A stunned silence followed.
"But… they don't even look alike."
That was when someone blurted out what everyone was beginning to suspect.
"Austin must be adopted."
"Yeah, that could explain it."
The moment those words left the student's mouth, the murmur turned into full-fledged gossip.
The idea spread too easily, as if it had been obvious all along.
Egbert's grip on his staff tightened. "Say that again," he growled.
He stepped forward and was about to challenge Aidan to a duel, but before he could, Austin placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't," Austin said calmly.
Still furious, Egbert clenched his jaw but relented.
Without another word, he grabbed Austin's wrist and dragged him toward a secluded area, with Lucian following close behind.
"Where are you going?" Aidan called out to Lucian.
"Leave us alone if you don't want to get hurt," Egbert responded, assuming Aidan was referring to him.
"Tch. That pathetic weakling, sticking like a parasite," Aidan whispered as he spat on the ground.
***
Just as they arrived in a secluded corner with Lucian following closely behind, Egbert's ecpression darkened with concern.
Lucian watched the both of them with worry.
Egbert spun around, his frustration evident. "Why did you stop me?"
"I just don't want any unnecessary attention," Austin replied casually.
"Do you really think you can live peacefully with your background and personality? We both know you can't."
"Stop it, Egbert."
"Why would you just stand there and let him talk down to you like that when we both know you're stronger?" His voice was sharp with disbelief.
"Umm..." Lucian wanted to start explaining.
Then his eyes flicked to Lucian. "And who's this guy following us around?
"I-I'm Lucian, Austin's—"
"He looks like Aidan," Egbert cut him short.
Austin glanced at Lucian before responding flatly, "He's just my roommate."
Lucian stiffened at the words, but he quickly masked his hurt. Without a word, he stepped back, letting the two talk.
Austin crossed his arms. "Proving I'm stronger doesn't benefit me right now. I just want peace of mind, Egbert."
"So that's why you accepted his challenge the day before the Placement Ceremony?" Egbert retorted sarcastically. "Make it make sense."
Lucian took the excuse to step away. "I'll give you both some space," he muttered before walking off.
Austin and Egbert watched as Lucian disappeared down the hall.
As soon as he was far enough, Egbert leaned in slightly and whispered, "Are they brothers?"
"They're twins."
"What?! Why are you letting Aidan's twin brother stick around you?"
Austin exhaled, rubbing his temple. "Their relationship isn't good. Aidan… he physically abuses Lucian."
Egbert's brows furrowed, and he clicked his tongue in irritation. "That's none of your concern!"
"I didn't even do anything. The last thing I knew, he was already following me around."
Egbert clicked his tongue, his frustration mounting. "See? This is exactly what I mean. You're getting dragged into their mess."
Austin sighed. "I didn't ask to be involved."
"And yet, here you are," Egbert shot back.
"If you really want peace of mind, then stay away from them," Egbert yelled before narrowing his eyes.
Before Austin could respond, his gaze flickered toward the hallway where Lucian had been standing moments ago.
He was gone.
Egbert sighed but quickly shifted the conversation. "Listen, we can't waste this chance that our uncle gave us to start over. A new life, away from him."
Austin's eyes darkened. "Him?"
"You know who I mean," Egbert said through gritted teeth.
Austin clenched his fists. "Our father is just brokenhearted."
Egbert's expression twisted. "Brokenhearted?" His voice was bitter. "Is that what you call it? We were chased out of our home because of that damn heartbreak." Then, his tone softened, his voice almost cracking. "He's not the only heartbroken. Why did he have to take it out on us? Or is it because I'm not his real son?"
Austin remained silent, watching as Egbert tried to steady his breathing.
A voice suddenly interrupted them. "Do you still hate your father?"
Both turned sharply to see Professor Fuchs standing a few steps away, his expression unreadable.
Egbert stiffened. "Uncle…"
Fuchs crossed his arms. "It's normal to feel that way, but—"
"—But nothing," Egbert cut him off, his voice clipped. "I don't want to hear it." Without another word, he turned on his heel and stormed away.
Austin and Professor Fuchs sighed in unison.
"I can't blame him," Austin muttered, his voice carrying a weight far beyond his years.
Professor Fuchs raised a brow before chuckling. "You sound like an old man, you know that?"
Austin blinked, a brief flicker of surprise crossing his face before he quickly schooled his expression.
The professor's laughter only grew at his reaction. "Now that was unexpected."
"What's unexpected?" Austin played innocence.
Professor Fuchs let out a breath, shaking his head with a smirk. "Enough about all that. How are you finding the academy so far?"
Austin shrugged. "It's… manageable."
"Manageable?" The professor raised an eyebrow. "That's all? No complaints? No mischief?"
Austin huffed a small laugh. "I think I have enough people trying to start trouble with me already."
Fuchs chuckled. "Fair enough. But you should enjoy it while you can. Academy life is one of the few times you get to learn, fight, and grow without the weight of the real world pressing down on you."
There was a wistfulness in his tone, as if he were reminiscing about days long gone.