"Sniff….sniff…"

Tears continued to slide out of Janet's eyes while her mother tried to comfort her. The tiny bit of hope that she had for Victor was crushed when the message of the accident came. The ambulance had been attacked and Victor had vanished into thin air.

"It's not your fault….don't blame yourself…" Her mother said as she hugged her and patted her back.

Janet still seemed to be believing that it all started because of her encounter with Max. If she hadn't done something like that, things may not have ended the way they did.

"Do you want me to talk to your father about it? He will make sure that the person is properly punished…" She asked with a worried look on her face. To her, Janet's well being was of the most importance.

"No…." Janet shook her head. She felt that it wasn't Max's fault. He had made it clear from the very beginning that he would be fighting with all he had and there was no reason to hold back in a fight. If someone was to blame then it would be Victor for not yielding on time and fighting to the death.....and herself for causing all of this...

….

Lithiya walked towards Janet's room. She had heard about the incident from eldest sister and came to know that Janet seemed to have been crying all day. She seemed to be blaming herself.

Suddenly, Lithiya's steps slowed as a person emerged from the corner and seemed to be walking towards her.

"Ah...if it isn't sister in law…" the man said with a smile as he walked up to her. "Isn't it a bit noisy today?"

"Yes, it sure is….a lot of people seemed to have time to be idling around after all…" Lithiya said as she looked at him. She really didn't like this second brother. There seemed to be something repulsive about him.

"Hahaha...you sure don't show mercy….but that is what I like about you…." The man said with a smile.

"Oh, yeah….I found something interesting….even though your birthday is not today...consider it as an advance present…" He further said as he tossed a chip towards her before walking away.

Lithiya looked at his back and then at the memory chip. She put the chip away in her storage pouch planning to look at it later, she wanted to see just what he was up to.

The man smiled as he continued to walk away, "It will be a good show to watch when she sees it….I can't wait for her to get exiled…."

"But, I have to give it to this nephew of mine….he doesn't die no matter what….even Rolv, that useless b*stard failed to kill him…..and it seems he even survived through the Arcane disaster….but...my dear nephew...you have walked straight into my playground this time…"

"It's going to be fun…." The man smiled with an evil intent….

….

Barnes Mansion, Capital.

"You haven't got anything to say?" Andre said as he looked at Lear through the giant screen. There was a smile on his face.

Lear really was afraid, nothing good occurred when his father smiled. He would usually be beaten up, that was for sure.

But, there wasn't any reason to fear today. He was miles away right now. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't possibly do anything to him.

"Is Mom alright?" Lear finally spoke with a calm look.

"You brat, shouldn't you ask about me first when I am here?" Ander said, quite displeased at the fact that he wasn't being cared for.

"Your voice already says you are too well to be cared for…" Lear casually replied.

"Oh...it seems you have learned to talk back quite a bit…" Ander said as his smile deepened.

'Ah...I almost said it without thinking…'

Lear forced a smile on his face as he looked at his father. Staying with Max and continuously arguing had indeed developed his mastery in the battle of words.

"So, you finally feel like telling me what you are up to?" Ander asked with interest all over his face. If it turned out to be something stupid as chasing a girl, he would be sure to whoop Lear's ass.

"No...I don't...I am here for something else…" Lear replied with a serious face.

Ander looked at him, it had been a while since he saw Lear like that. He couldn't remember when was the last time Lear looked so serious about something.

"Go ahead, I will listen at least….whether I can do anything for you is another matter…" Ander said with a smile.

Lear realized it was time, "I want you to save someone for me…"

"Save someone?" Ander frowned at the strange request.

"The day after tomorrow….there is a monthly meeting of the 12 Houses, there should be a trial in the agenda as well…"

Ander didn't seem to have checked it. Trial usually occurred only when something fell within the jurisdiction of the 12 Houses or both Association and the Union. So, it wasn't every time that something like that happened.

In this case, it was both the ways. Several members of different houses were involved. On the other hand, the Association had jurisdiction over the Academy while Union didn't seem to be backing down from the matter as they had received complaints from various sources regarding the incident and it was their duty to maintain the peace in the Capital.

Ander looked at his butler and he quickly checked it before passing the information to him.

"Hmm..I see.. but I don't see any reason to help him...we are a neutral house….and so are the Edwinson. It's better to avoid any enmity and stay peaceful with each other. I am sure others will be doing the same after all, one person isn't worth to further deteriorate things further. At least for us..." Ander said with a calm look as he gazed at Lear waiting for him to reply.

Lear looked back at him with a calm look in his eyes.

"..."

Ander slight turned his head and looked at Elder Olf calmly standing behind.

"Elder, I would like to have some alone time with him…" Ander said with a requesting tone.

"As you wish my Lord…"

With that, the Elder walked out of the room.

"Now then, what do you have to say?" Ander asked once again.

"He is totally worth it…." Lear said as he looked him straight in his eyes. "He is someone, who can't die here…."

"Those words don't sound to be reassuring enough….you don't expect me to convince me with that...." Ander said as he looked at him. Words alone weren't enough. Besides, it was unlikely that he would have any interest in any Max who was just a person with potential to grow strong. In the end, he was a single person after all and still had a long way to go and the most important, he was not the part of the House.

Lear looked at him creased brows, 'Would he believe me if I tell him about the second brother?'

'No, I can't….' Lear shook his head. He was his mother's favorite, his Eldest brother was his grandfather's favorite and his second brother was his father's favorite. That was how it happened, his elder brother was always with grams who loved as he was his first grand child. Second brother was adopted and due to his circumstances and Lear's father's guilt maybe....he was loved by him the most. When Lear came, his mother had made sure to not let anyone near him for sure....

It wasn't just about believing anymore...even if Ander did believe him….it would surely break his heart. Lear was fighting to protect his family, how could he hurt him with the bitter truth then….

"What's with that face, speak your mind already…" Ander said with scrunched brows as he saw Lear hesitating.

Lear looked at him and spoke with a calm look in his eyes, "I don't have anything more to say, but... I won't let him die until my last breath…."

Ander's face turned dark at Lear's declaration. He really wanted to take his words as bluff and jokes like all the other times but for some reason, he just couldn't convince himself.

"Don't make it sound so easy, death you say...do you even have the resolve?" Ander said, trying to frighten Lear who was turning around to leave.

Lear turned his head and revealed a slight smile, 'Resolve? I made that the moment I decided to follow him….'

Suddenly, Mana began to fluctuate around Lear and his eyes burned with resolved as his his moved his hand... the next instant, an explosion occurred…

"Boom!"

...

Lear walked out of the place only to see Elder Olf hurrying towards the communication room.

"I will be leaving, Elder. Thank you for allowing me to use the place today…" Lear made a slight bow and hurried out before the Elder could ask anything else.

Elder Olf could only look at Lear's back as he disappeared before turning around and entering the room. His face twitched as he looked at the sight in front of him.

The pillar towards the right was broken apart and the rods inside had somehow ended flying into the large screen making a huge gaping hole even through the wall behind.

…

On the other side, Barnes House….

"That brat….." Ander's face didn't look good at all. He clearly saw it, the side of his son which he had never seen before…..

This was bad….