During the following week, Enrico continued completing all the training sessions imposed by his family. Besides becoming stronger, he also managed to grow closer to his siblings, making it more likely that he would be able to prevent them from becoming villains in the future.
'The only problem is that Titanza and Matteo are difficult to figure out. I never know what they're really thinking. I'm only certain that they want to use me.'
[I really don't trust those two at all.]
'You're doing the right thing.'
Enrico was packing the clothes he would take to Astrong. It was the last day of vacation, and also the date Angela had arranged to meet with the king, who had already returned, and Virelle. To make matters worse, he didn't even know whether other people would be present at the meeting.
'We've spent several weeks on this. How's the pact going?'
[We finished it a while ago. I just didn't tell you because you were focused on your training.]
Placing his bag over his shoulder, Enrico left his room, where Angela was already waiting for him. During those weeks, she had traveled several times to talk to Virelle about Enrico's training at the family mansion and then returned to accompany him.
'From what I've noticed, she didn't say much about Titanza, Valerio, and Platina's training sessions. She only had a displeased expression when the subject was Matteo's training.'
[Of course! That man is a lunatic! Who makes his own son fight on rocks with lava underneath while facing more than seven Nartheis stronger than him? And another thing: how did that bastard manage to build all of that beneath the mansion?]
The System's words reminded Enrico of the last training session, during which he had nearly died. If Matteo hadn't taken him out of there, the situation might have ended much worse. To top it all off, that lunatic had even looked bored because Enrico hadn't managed to pass the test.
'I like training, but that guy is annoying.'
[Don't say you enjoyed that idiotic training session.]
Accompanied by Angela to the mansion's entrance, Enrico found Platina waiting inside the family carriage. The two would travel together since she also had matters to attend to as her class president.
"Miss Platina."
She turned her face away, as if she didn't want to talk to him. Perhaps she was still bothered by her failure to convince him to call her big sis during those weeks. Enrico sighed and, as he turned around, noticed the rest of the family approaching. Matteo was the first to speak.
"Your training is over for now, but your level is good. Now, climb the rankings."
"That's my plan, Mr. Matteo."
Titanza stepped a little closer to him.
"Keep using the methods I taught you for handling weapons, my son."
"Of course, Mother."
Titanza stopped speaking and turned her face away, adopting an expression similar to Platina's. Seeing that reaction, Enrico shifted his gaze to Valerio, who raised two fingers in a farewell gesture. He returned the gesture.
Taíra was the next to approach, moving even closer than her mother.
"Brother, I got you some more magic books. Study hard."
"I wouldn't expect anything less from my little sister."
After receiving the books from Taíra, Enrico stroked her hair, making her smile shyly. During those weeks, she had grown accustomed to the pleasant way her brother treated her. When they were alone, she had even started secretly calling him big bro.
"When you hear about me again, I'll already be higher in the rankings, even if only a few days have passed."
Matteo nodded, his eyes gleaming.
"I hope so."
After saying goodbye to everyone with a wave, Enrico entered the carriage, where Angela was already sitting on the opposite side. He settled down beside Platina, who remained silent throughout the journey. Since nothing was happening, he asked a few more questions about the pact.
'System, what kind of story did you create?'
[Instead of simply creating a story, we decided to make a small alteration that didn't greatly affect the events. We made Enrico follow the opposite path from the one Chalés had imagined he would take.]
'So, just as I thought, he was killed as soon as he left Astrong Academy.'
The surprising thing was that the Constellations had managed to alter the original story a little. However, as the System itself explained, that change shouldn't affect the final outcome very much. After all, the original Enrico had never been truly strong, and considering the previous events, he had probably ended up being expelled from the family.
'I shouldn't expect much from these Constellations.'
[Well, there was one in particular who used her time-related power. We could say that she was the one who kept the original Enrico alive until the end of the world. As for the rest, you'll find out when the time comes.]
Enrico didn't know what would happen when the pact came into effect, and that made him somewhat uneasy. After all, the Constellations had done something absurd, and he still didn't understand all the consequences.
'What's the price?'
[...We could say that the original Enrico will be able to appear in your body from time to time. Therefore, you need to be careful so that he doesn't try to take it back.]
Upon hearing that, Enrico felt a wave of uncertainty. He didn't even have proof that his body had been controlled during the fight against Tilios, and now he had to deal with the possibility that the original Enrico might reappear.
Inside his mind, the dark Enrico, in his panther form, opened his eyes and smiled.
"As if I'd let that happen. He can rest assured, because I'll trap him in the void... Besides, I can use this situation to my advantage and pretend to be the original when necessary."
His smile widened as he realized that this could provide him with a new way to escape his current condition from time to time. Perhaps he wouldn't have many opportunities, since he might still need to confront the original Enrico mentally, but even so, it was an interesting possibility.
'I just need to fight with all my strength.'
Back in his own thoughts, Enrico decided that he would do everything within his power to prevent that from happening. For now, he would set that concern aside and focus on the journey. Then, he looked at Platina, who continued not saying a single word, even after hours had passed.
"Young master, Miss Platina, we've arrived."
As he stepped out of the carriage, Enrico caught sight of Sanos and Astrong Academy after spending an entire month away from there. His heart quickened a little as he thought about the challenges awaiting him, especially the possibility of facing students ranked above him. The first on the list, of course, would be Alenya, who held sixth place.
"We need to go to the room where Miss Virelle is waiting for us. Let's head to the castle."
"All right."
Before moving away from the carriage, Enrico looked back and saw Platina sigh. Then, he decided to give her a small taste of the words she so desperately wanted to hear, although not quite in the way she wanted yet.
"Goodbye, sister. And be careful during your third year."
Enrico followed Angela, while Platina turned her head in surprise. Her eyes immediately lit up. It still wasn't what she really wanted to hear, but it was something.
"Goodbye, little brother! See you later!"
She waved lightly, a small smile forming on her face.