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Chapter 15: Familial Feeling

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“It’s time, sister.”

“Yeah, steady, lil’ sister.”

“I will.”

The bang sound again resounded. It’s the twin’s turn.

As number 219 and 220, they went together in one line.

They passed the tunnel and stutter steps. On the balance beam, Liliana shook, yet she kept herself low and hands spread. Looking at it, it was as if she held the pose of an eagle spreading its wings.

Thiana stopped, eyes turned to her. She also kept low and spread her hands. The two started to move one step at a time. At one glance, it was as though Liliana copied her sister’s every step.

At another glance, their steps overlapped. Sometimes it seemed Thiana was the one following.

When they passed the balance beam, they continued together. They were in different line, yet it was as if they were acting as one.

‘Krone’s tips worked well.’

They rejoiced within. The beam was difficult to balance, but they managed without a fall.

Observing them, the sister’s action raised eyebrows. Yet seeing that they were twins, they received not much rebuke. They went past the obstacles steadily, at quite a good pace.

Then the swinging logs. Their agility was not much, yet they were nimble. They moved in unison.

Passing through the first two, stopping in between. The logs brushed through them, yet they kept calm.

Having rather slim physique paid off.

After catching their breath in the middle, they went on with the same approach. They moved together, running up onto the hill. Thiana could run faster, but she adjusted her speed for her little sister.

Anyone could see the sisters’ intent clearly now.

“They moved together?”

“So it’s like that… They’re twins afterall.”

“Isn’t that a bit childish?”

“Do they realize they’re slowing down each other?”

The judges raised eyebrows. Medron started to speak with the others.

“They’re twins. Who’s their father?”

“Sir, it was Sir Reynar Arlance…”

Kent was astonished, passing a paper to Medron. Natalia took a glance as well, seemingly interested.

“The Lightning Lance? For real?”

“Yes, Sir. They’re from his town, shared his similar affinity too.”

“And none of us was notified?”

“It seems the soldiers dealing with registration didn’t know their background.”

“Can’t blame them. We did tell them to treat everyone the same.”

Medron turned to the twins. They ran together at a similar pace up the hill run, stopping to catch their breath before the wall climb. They climbed the wall and passed the flying fox at the same time.

Under the monkey bar, Liliana’s muscle sore, thus her grip loosened. She failed to keep her hand on, falling. As she fell, she clenched her arms and legs tightly together.

Splash!

“Liliana!”

Without hesitation, Thiana let go of her grip, adopting the similar position for the fall.

After the splash, she got up to the surface, searching for her sister. Liliana got to the surface soon, coughing. Thiana went close to help, yet Liliana held out her hand. If she helped her, she would be disqualified. Thus, she could only stay by her side, ensuring that she stabilized herself.

The other candidates could not believe what they saw. They knew the sisters intended to go together, but for Thiana to let go without hesitation…

“For real?”

“These sisters are too sweet.”

“They can’t be a knight. Not with such a soft heart.”

“Aii, I don’t know to criticize or praise.”

At the end of their side, there was someone who had no surprise at all.

“So it’s the middle.”

Krone expected this. The twins’ did not train their muscle enough, so it could not be avoided. Even Thiana might fall soon, so her letting go would not be a waste.

“Instead, her non-hesitation would…”

He eyed the judges; they seemed to be discussing, yet did not turn their eyes away from the candidates. From his position, he could only make out some sense of what they were talking about.

“It seemed their late father had some fame.”

After they went up the land and caught their breath, their continued. Drenched, they made their way to the next obstacles. Being wet made their boots slippery, thus they brushed their sole on the ground, getting as much dry ground as possible.

From there, they passed the obstacles. On the Wall Transverse, they put their forearms and moved using them to the side. They continued with the sandbag. As they passed through the judges, Medron and the knights looked at them carefully, carving their image into their mind.

“Children of an immortal hero, ahh…”

“The comradeship they showed, remind me of his story.”

“Never leave your comrade behind, ah.”

With the balance beam being the difficult part of the test, they slowed down. Adhering to Krone’s advice, they lowered their stance, moving by only lifting their feet close to the beam’s surface.

Passing the sandbag, they caught their breath first, soon climbed the rope wall. It was not high, thus they managed. Passing the underground hole, they finished their race with the rope pool.

They slithered their hand on the rope, and with the momentum, landed safely.

"Sis!"

"We made it!"

They embraced each other, glad that this torturous test was over. Thiana had tears in her eyes, while Liliana sniffed, crying in contentment.

"Hm..."

The two timekeepers for them looked at each other. Their mouth made movement, and that was enough for them to confirm.

“Thiana Arlance, fourth place, 6 minutes, 42 seconds!”

“Liliana Arlance, fourth place, 6 minutes, 42 seconds!”

They arrived at the same time.

Hearing this, many nodded. Witnessing the twins’ adoration to each other, they gave them a clap, even with their terrible time. Looks of warmth overwhelmed the whole place; the sisters reminded many of their own siblings.

Soon, staff members brought them to the medical attendants.

…

“Well done girls.”

Krone observed them from afar. He was glad he was able to keep this trait of him, enabling him to observe things all around in vivid details. He could even see Thiana and Liliana’s tears from there, how water still dripped from their hair, and how their wet white clothes clenched tightly to their body… Err, let’s not go into that.

“You did well, very well.”

Even with their physical limitation, they had shown their determination. The performance was lacking, but Krone was satisfied. He noticed Athea’s movement.

The twins’ performance gained her attention, and she kept her eyes on them.

It was far, so Krone wondered how much details she could see. Nevertheless, now that she opened her eyes, he continued his deeds.

‘Second steps series; second formation.’

He stepped into crouching position, with his spear by his side. He waved his spear from the bottom to up high, stepped eight times. While his spear was up, he waved it around. While doing so, he kept on hopping in strange step patterns, centralized in one position.

Athea had a look of surprise. Her disinterested eyes turned sharp, keeping her gaze on him.

‘Not a coincidence.’

She got up, immediately walking straight to him. Her steps were resolute, signifying her style. The first time Krone met her, she seemed like a straight-up obedient girl, respecting the staff member. She had no hesitation to apologize back then.

However, it seemed she was not so simple.

‘Old noble… No, old Royal Houses are a pain to deal with.’

She stopped in front of him. Before this, she clearly avoided others. Now however, she clearly in direct confrontation with him. Since they were far away from others, they could only see them stand opposite to each other.

Her eyes locked with his. Along with her red hair and red padded armors, her eyes showed dread. It was as if she was the red phoenix herself, staring at her prey.

She was standing, he was sitting.

“…Who are you?”

“Krone Kozak. You ought to know already.”

“Not that, your real name.”

“That is my real name.”

She went silent. She had sharp eyes, almost as if she was going to confront him. He was worried she might be the type to explode into fury, but it seemed her temperament was tempered. She just preferred direct approach.

“I saw you. What Arte are you practicing?”

“It’s one my brother taught me.”

“Your brother?”

“Yeah, my brother.”

He was not lying. In the frontline during the war, close comrades were akin to brothers and sisters. It might even be closer than the real one. He had saved this comrade of him, even when he risked getting killed. Their chance of survival was slim, normal people would abandon him already.

He did not.

Due to this, they became as close as brothers. He even taught him his family’s secret Arte; the Flamme Vyrusha. Since his family already collapsed, he became the family head and had the authority, so he said.

This ancient Arte tempered one’s affinity with fire, and was evidently effective against enemy mobs. It was really hard to practice, and hard to master.

After twelve years in the frontline together, he fell in the battle against the accursed Knight Beasts. It happened under his command, two years before the last Grand Rift appeared.

That day, Krone shed tears. That day, he cared not being manly. He had lost many brothers before, but this one was as close to him as Shurran and Juanna.

In honour of him, he used this Arte to take down so many mob beasts around Shurran’s territory, earning him so many cores. Every time he did, he remembered him.

He was his brother.

No one can deny that.

“Your brother’s name?”

“Sorry, I can’t say.”

“Why not?”

“Well, first of all, you might know him.”

“Oh?”

With his revelation, Athea had an inkling that he knew something. Her red eyes stared him deep, yet it was not one of amorism.

“So Kozak’s not your real name?”

“You’re free to think that, but I’ve never heard my brother mentioning Rhemon before.”

Since she had asked, it was a good time as any for him to counter. She was not surprised; knowing it was possible he knew her name from the first test, since her test was witnessed by many.

She went silent, her eyes went down.

‘Jackpot?’

Seeing her eyes wavered, he decided to pull back his punches.

“Or perhaps I’m too young to know some things. Please don’t be offended, sister.”

“You…”

He tried to vaguely use the expression. Kharlussia had a loose use of brother or sister, but usually, you would not call someone out of the family as brother or sister.

Your cousins, yes.

But to a stranger? Absolutely not.

He wondered her response.

‘Would she refute, angry or…?’

She again locked eyes with him. She knitted her eyes, and breathed in.

“You don’t have to call me sister. You’re right; it would be strange if you’ve heard the name Rhemon before.”

She turned, intending to walk away.

“Excuse me for bothering.”

“Wait!”

Krone stopped her. It seemed there were some things too much for her to discuss. However, to interact with someone like her next time, might be a little difficult. Since she voluntarily came to confront him, he needed to make full use of it.

Being so close to her just now, Krone noticed her fiery red eyes. It was shining, akin to burning fire. He finally remembered crucial information.

Such crucial information!

She turned back to him, locking eyes. It seemed it was her habit; to see people eye to eye when interacting.

“Mind if I ask something?”

“Go ahead.”

“You didn’t master third steps?”

“Ahh.”

She placed her hand on her mouth, as if stopping herself from gasping. Krone continued;

“You stopped short, at second steps?”

“You can tell?”

“Yes, I can tell. But, it seemed you ought to practice it for six, seven years already. The effect…”

Usually, one ought to reach third steps within five years. This was to prevent the inner burning from ravaging you. The Flamme Vyrusha Arte was a complicated Arte, with nine series called steps. The first two steps were quite easy, enabling children to use it and polished their affinity.

The third steps were a bit tricky, requiring an able master to guide youngsters in the family to master it faster. Mastering the third steps enabled them to rank as practitioner; with the ability to suppress the burning fire.

“I…”

“Is it painful?”

She was silent for a moment, soon nodded. They both went into silence. Krone had a funny feeling. This information was crucial. The fact that she had yet to master third steps, yet came here meant that she had no better choice.

That was his chance! A huge chance!

Krone had no doubt about his assessment. This girl Athea was not having a problem with talent or putting in hard work. Not mastering third steps by her age, fifteen or so, and came here, clearly meant one thing;

‘She had no master!’

How was that possible?

A scion from an ancient Royal Family, had no master in their most powerful Arte?

All these information left him with some theories. The most possible one would be that;

‘She’s a daughter of a mistress… not concubine, but mistress.’

Even concubine had some rights within the family, but not mistress. Even concubine had some family background, but not mistress. Thus, after the family head lost interest in the mistress, she ran out of her luck. Mistress had no right, their children had no right. When her luck ran out, they were placed in a remote family villa or somewhere.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Krone detested such practice.

‘Damn. If you love a lady, love till the end!’

Of course, this was just his theory. It could very well be another case of inner political struggle. He kept looking at her, waiting for her to open up. Even after a while, she still did not speak.

Krone kept the urge to open his mouth.

‘You need to wait, let her ask!’

He told himself. He just stood up, his spear to his side. He made it obvious he was waiting for her, waiting for her to tell him more, or asked for his help. Standing face to face, he observed her. Her red eyes glimmered, she wanted to say something, but kept it in several times.

“…I can’t.”

After a while, she finally opened up.

“What?”

“I can’t go back.”

“I see.”

Krone confirmed one truth; she had no family backing. Even if you came from an ancient Royal Family, if the family abandoned you, what good would it do? Worse still, if a jealous or hateful wife decided to go to the extreme, your life would only be miserable.

A Flamme Vyrusha user came from an ancient Royal Family; the Merr Vyrusha, or Red Phoenix family. As once the ruler of a large nation, they held enourmous power. After being annexed by the empire a thousand years in the past, the family became integrated into the imperial system; becoming one of its important pillars.

After the fall of the Imperial family, the Merr Vyrusha family decided to quell the rebellion in their territory by denouncing their Royal Rights. In the calm after the denouncement, they silently got rid of the leading agitators through accidents. Throughout the time, they kept their powerful personal army, but in public it seemed they already gave the ruling rights to the commoners. People were unaware that these so-called commoners were loyal to them.

What they did enabled them to survive the hard time.

After waiting long enough, he sighed. During this time, he had wanted her to make her move, but it seemed never coming. He remembered he should not speak more, but then decided to hold out his left hand.

It was a gesture.

A helping hand.

A powerful gesture.

A gesture could very well be more powerful than words. He kept his palm up, hinting her of his offer to help. He nodded, light smile on his face.

I will help you with the third steps.

Looking at his unspoken offer, she pondered. She shook her head.

“I can’t go back.”

“Then don’t.”

He kept his palm open, not moving. He gave her plenty of time to make the decision. Eye to eye, she asked;

“You can help?”

He nodded.

“Any condition?”

He shook his head.

“What was it, for you?”

Hearing this, he smiled wide, as if containing deeper meaning.

“Do you need a reason, to help a family?”

“No strings attached?”

“No, I promised. You keep your secret. I gave my word.”

He kept his eyes unshaken.

Seeing this, she blinked.

A pleasant smell reached her, invading her inside.

Waves of energizing current, moved within her.

Her legs felt weary, heart drumming.

Her tummy felt funny, as if moving.

‘What’s this, this feeling?’

It was strange. She knew people were not to be trusted. She had decided that she would not give trust to anyone so readily. She had decided to be resolute, unwavering.

However, this boy!

This boy, with unshaken eyes!

There was a subtle attraction from him.

Something not quite clear, yet that something gave her confidence.

Her body reacted.

She started to breathe heavily, lightly moaning.

This feeling, so unfair!

‘The Alpha Male trait should be working in full now.’

Krone knew.

He acted as best as possible, to make his new Grand Trait to be in full working mode.

In his previous engagements, it was working as well.

Now however, knowing the girl in front of him, he acted accordingly.

That allowed his trait working in full motion, in full effectiveness.

‘A girl who decided to be strong; by herself, if necessary. Someone like this, love being alone? Yeah, right. She would crave strong companion more than anyone!’

With his eyes full on her, her body reacted without her consent.

She felt tingling feeling within, stimulating, pleasing.

This type of feeling, made her craved for more.

Of course, this seemed unnatural.

But what trait was it that caused this?

It was a Grand Trait!

Something so rare that even he, Shurran’s ace, could not get his hands on it before.

‘What eyes…’

She could not stand it anymore. The eyes were staring at her, as if tearing down all her guard.

She was left fully vulnerable, open. Her hands now rested on her knees, while she struggled to keep standing. He made her felt weak, needy.

Yet in contrary, she did not detest it.

She had a feeling, that this boy would not mistreat her.

Her right hand moved to his opened left.

Grasping the palm, she gripped it tightly.

From afar, people were intrigued. Just what the hell was that, they wondered.

The image struck them. An image of a girl in red, one hand on her knee, one on the boy’s hand; as if accepting his invitation.

Remembering how he addressed her before, she weakly uttered;

“T-take care of me, brother…”

“Yeah, leave it to me, sister…”

This simple conversation today, changed her life forever.

…

'I won't let you down, ever.'

Krone remembered the one he called brother, as if patting his back.

===== Chapter 15 End ======