Walker House, Capital.

Max calmly walked into Walker Mansion. It seems the servants were already informed about him and didn't stop him.

"So you are finally out?"

As Max was about to move upstairs, a voice interrupted him. He turned his head to see Lisa's brother, Kain, walking towards him.

He approached him with a smile on his face and Max's eyes widened as Kain put his hand over Max's shoulder acting like they had been long friends.

"Don't take the fight to heart...I honestly was just trying to calm things down….Brother-in-law…" Kain smiled as he dragged Max towards his room.

…

Max sat on the couch against Kain who kept on talking like they had been friends for years. This guy was easier to talk to than anyone else in this place...Max decided to ask him a few questions…

"Don't you guys suspect me? I might not be fit for your sister…"

Kain shook his head with a helpless smile, "Who cares at this point? I was honestly doubtful at first...but now...you are the only one choice. Besides, it's not like I can do anything about it...gramps is the one taking the calls…"

"What if I was against it? I mean you didn't know my thoughts from the start did you?" Max decided to probe.

"Well, gramps would have probably gone down on his knees to beg for your help….that's how much he loves her..." Kain replied after pondering a bit.

"Anyway, it's good that you share the same thought. If anything had happened to her because of your refusal, I would be the first one to tear you apart before my grandfather…." Kain replied with a smile.

Max couldn't laugh at that. This guy might have had a chance earlier but now, he could forget about it, especially after Max's breakthrough. But still Max could imagine this gramps of his being a source of trouble….

"What if Lisa has a change of mind? Will we break this thing then?" Max asked after a bit of hesitation, wondering if he was sounding weird.

"I can understand you feel insecure because of that sister of mine. But honestly, it will be over if she changes her mind….."

Max finally sighed in relief. It wouldn't be a problem in that case….

"But you should hope that never happens. I believe gramps wouldn't let you stay alive after that. Your presence might affect Lisa's life afterwards not to mention you surely would know things about Lisa….I bet he wouldn't be fond of it…"

'What kind of f*cked up reasoning do this people have? Why the hell am I the only one getting killed or torn apart!' Max felt a headache dealing with this bunch of people with severe complexes.

Sis-con, Daughter-Con, Granddaughter-con….. What kind of family was this?!!

But on a second thought.....It wasn't like Max could understand this reason for the overly affection….after what happened to Lisa during her childhood, it was not a surprise that they showed him with every bit of love they could do…

Max continued to talk to him until a certain topic was raised…

"I would love to see how Arcane would do with you in the All-Academy Competition this Time around…" Kain said with a smile.

"You praise me too much…" Max replied as he shook his head. He wasn't even sure if he could calmly participate this time around. Something was going behind the scene with someone….most likely the demons bringing the space crystals….

"Well...this time the tournament is being performed at a huge scale like never before…..I am sure you can make a name for yourself in it...nobody will dare to say anything when your relationship with Lisa will be publicly announced…." Kain replied with a calm voice.

"Large scale?"

"Yeah...the competition will be spread around the continent and the students will be travelling around. Each Academy will hold an event favorable to them….I just can't imagine the amount of resources being spent this time…." Kain replied with a hint of surprise in his voice.

"What are the events?" Max asked as he looked at him.

"No idea, every Academy will decide one on its own and it wouldn't be shared until the day of the event itself….besides, I doubt anyone has even decided anything as the announcement was only made recently…."

It was only recently announced, no wonder Max had no idea about it.

They talked a few more minutes before Max got out of his room, heading towards Lisa's room.

…

When Max entered the room, Janet was still present there talking with Lisa with a beautiful smile on his face, but the moment she noticed Max entering the smile immediately disappeared.

"Don't mind me…" Max said as he moved into the corner of the room but the awkward environment still continued.

Janet couldn't look Max in the eye. Even though she didn't want it, she couldn't deny that she didn't resent him.

"Come here, how can we not mind you…" Lisa called out to Max with a frown as he was about to enter the spirit world for training.

Max stared at her not knowing whether she really understood the fact that he had killed her cousin….technically his own as well though….

"I should leave…" Janet spoke as she got up to leave but Lisa held her back.

"Wait, I haven't introduced you to him…"

Max looked at the situation. It seemed Janet hadn't asked Lisa about him at all which was indeed a surprise for him.

As Max walked towards the bed, Lisa pointed at him and spoke with a cheerful voice, "This was a secret but I am letting you on since you already saw it…..he is Max, my good friend…"

She then looked at Max and spoke, "This is Janet, one of my best friends from childhood…"

'Isn't there only one best?' Max thought but didn't speak out, feeling It would be unnecessary.

Janet looked at Lisa, there was a bit of surprise but more confusion as well.

"I know….let me help you understand." Lisa said to Janet as she proceeded to explain.

"I met him in Arcane. We didn't have any interaction at first. But one day, I got kidnapped and he was the one from the rescuing forces to help me out…."

Max looked at Lisa while she glanced back at him with a prideful look as if she saying leave it to me....

Janet's eyes widened when she heard about it. But what had happened earlier….were they really only good friends? No, it had to be….after all when Lisa had gotten drunk, she had obviously shown interest towards the Axel guy….

Still to think Lisa would be close to a guy as she was with them….it was hard to believe…

"Will you be staying today?" Lisa suddenly turned her head to ask Max. There was a bit of expectation in her eyes, she was still scared of the nightmares. She hoped that Max would have a way of helping her.

Max nodded.

Janet who was looking at the scene was in a daze.

This was clearly beyond friendship….

"Good then….Janet you stay too. I can't expect to be alone with a guy after all. I am too hot after all…" Lisa said sticking her tongue out as she tried to get the awkward atmosphere out of the place.

"Hot? You are still too green….even if you beg me I won't touch you…." Max retorted supporting her idea of getting rid of the awkwardness.

After all, he would be happy to have another person here. He felt that if he stayed alone with Lisa in the room, he would really be sealing his fate with Lisa's gramps.

But it seems that his words were a little too hard for Lisa to take….as her hand whistled towards Max.

Max immediately grabbed her first and smiled, "Hmm….you want me to challenge me? Well, I have enough time on my hand….show me what you got? Let's take this out….."

He really wanted to see how much she had progressed. Besides, Max wanted to see her progress with stealth that he had taught her a while ago.

"N-No!" Lisa realised that she had just thrown herself in trouble's arms. But Max didn't give her an option to refuse as he pulled her along with him. He had already pretty much scanned the place and knew where the training grounds were….

A few minutes later….

Janet stared at the scene with horror as Max beat Lisa blue and black. But Lisa continued to fight back as she gritted her teeth. Her demeanor had really changed from back then….it was clear that she wanted to improve as well and even more so after recent events as she thought that all her nightmares were the signs of her losing control over her powers.

'Is she really Lisa? When did she become a Masochist?'