Arlan suddenly stopped and turned towards Kael.
This time, there was no trace of his previous playfulness on his face.
He stared into Kael’s eyes, with both his hands on top of Kael’s shoulders as he leaned forward.
Gulp
Kael, who was stuck in this situation, gulped as he then looked into Arlan’s eyes and,
“I do not swing that way.
It is not you, it is me.”
He answered in a tone as respectful as possible.
“What…?”
Arlan’s mouth twitched as he strengthened his hold on Kael’s shoulder in anger.
“Using force will not change my mind, nor my sexuality, Arlan. But don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.
That was very brave of you.”
Again, the Commander’s mouth twitched in annoyance.
“You little brat, if you hadn’t done what you did today, I would have punched you right in the face.”
“It wouldn’t have been the first time you would have done that.”
Kael shrugged.
“Also, you punch like a little girl, so that isn’t exactly a threat.”
“…”
Arlan just stared at Kael in silence.
This time, he didn’t feel annoyed or frustrated, rather,
“Learn to receive someone’s gratitude, you brat. Stop trying to change the topic with your stupid jokes.
You are the Hero.
This won’t be the first time someone will thank you.”
“…”
Kael turned silent.
He didn’t think the Gorilla Man would catch on.
“Really, thank you for standing up for Elira today. You did that when even I didn’t have the guts to stand up for my sister. I am ashamed, and at the same time, I am proud.
I am proud to have someone like you as my student.”
Arlan spoke, then a light smile appeared on his face and,
“And I am proud to have someone like you as a friend.
Again, thank you.”
“Dude, that’s so gay.”
Kael muttered as he stepped away from him and continued to walk, leaving Arlan behind.
“What are you thanking me for? I just did what I was supposed to do.”
“Oh, come on! How hard is it to receive gratitude!? Why do you act like an inexpressive old man!?”
Arlan snapped as he followed behind him and then,
“I didn’t do it for your gratitude, you know.”
Kael muttered, his voice lower than usual.
“I did it because I didn’t like how she was being belittled.”
Arlan paused.
“You are not the only one who thinks of me as a friend, you know? I am the same.
I consider the two of you as my friends, my closest friends, and…
Probably the only people I can trust.”
Saying those words, Kael walked away, not waiting for Arlan.
The commander stood there in silence. For some reason, the brat’s words felt… heavier than normal.
It didn’t take long for Arlan to realize it.
‘Something happened during the test.’
Kael sounded… vulnerable.
And alone.
Something that worried Arlan.
“Oi! Wait, you brat!”
For now, however, Arlan decided to rush towards him. He quickly caught up to his friend, and a few seconds later,
“What’s with the sneaking out? Are you two planning to elope or something?”
Elira appeared behind them.
She then stared at her brother and,
“I am telling you, if you decide to betray Sister Lyria, I’ll be on her side.”
“You would pick a stone if the choice was between me and that stone. Your words don’t matter.”
Arlan’s response was quick.
“Of course. Who in her right mind would pick you?”
Elira answered in disgust as her eyes fell on Kael, who quickly stepped away from the man.
“What were you two doing anyways?”
“I invited Kael to our house for dinner tomorrow.”
Arlan spoke.
Kael turned towards him and raised his eyebrow. Arlan, however, completely ignored him and stared at his sister.
“Oh, sure.
We have a lot of food. I don’t mind if we share some with the needy.”
Elira nodded as she grinned at Kael.
“Oh, you should definitely share some food from your portion.”
Kael nodded as he stared at the Court Mage’s waist and,
“Clearly, you have been eating a lot.”
“Pfftt!”
Arlan laughed out loud.
“What did you say!?”
Elira, on the other hand, snapped.
“Oh? Was I not supposed to say it?”
Kael questioned as he glanced at Arlan.
“I have tried giving her hints, but she ignores them all. I think she does it purposefully.
She doesn’t exercise, nor does she move more than she has to. She eats all day, and that book of hers, she reads that thing all day as if it is some sort of holy grail. She has practically memorized every line of it.
It is obvious that would have an effect on her body.”
Arlan sighed like a tired older brother who was exhausted by his little sister’s antics.
“She will get better eventually.”
Kael nodded like a true friend.
“I do not see that happening.”
“Well, I was also just saying it for the sake of saying it.
She’s beyond redemption.”
The two continued to converse, and Elira, who heard them talk, had clenched her fists in anger and was prepared to burn the two of them alive.
However, before she could do so, she heard some footsteps.
The rest of the people were here as well.
The three of them nodded at each other and moved towards the Arena.
Elira, who was now walking with Kael, suddenly spoke with a solemn look on her face.
“You don’t have to do this, you know?
It would have been fine if the opponent was someone at your level, but that Sergeant is a Fourth Stage Warrior.
They clearly know how strong you are and brought someone strong enough to defeat you. You are the Hero. You have no need to take part in these political games.
If you say the word, I’ll stop the ba—”
“You know I can see how strong the people who challenge me are, correct?”
Before the Court Mage could complete, Kael questioned with a light smile on his face. Discover more stories at My Virtual Library Empire
Elira turned towards him with a frown, and he continued,
“I was the one who accepted the challenge. You think I would choose a battle I would lose?”
“Are you sayi—”
“Look forward to it.”
Kael just smiled as he walked forward, and the siblings stared at each other with shocked looks on their faces.
‘Did this monster get… even stronger?’
