News of a boy capable of answering advanced questions in history class spread faster than fire through dry grass.
The academy corridors, usually filled with chatter about assignments or teenage romance, now buzzed with one hot topic: "Kazien's Genius Brother."
It didn't take long for that curiosity to turn into a wave of people. When break time arrived, the door to Class 1-D seemed to become an exhibition gate. Students from other classes, and even upperclassmen, flocked to the scene.
"That's him!" exclaimed a student from Class 1-E.
"I heard he answered questions that even second-year students struggle with." another student shouted.
"Hey, what's your name? Are you really Kazien's brother?" asked a female student.
One by one, unfamiliar faces appeared at the doorway; some even dared to step inside to say hello or just to get a closer look at Arken. The crowd grew denser by the minute.
Arken, who had been so confident when facing the history map earlier, now shrank back. Seeing so many pairs of eyes staring at him with such intensity made him feel cornered.
What is happening? Why are so many people in this academy approaching and introducing themselves to me like this?
His shoulders tensed. Instinctively, he shifted and hugged Kazien's arm tightly, hiding part of his face behind his brother's academy uniform to seek protection.
Kazien sensed his brother's tension. He smiled understandingly, then placed his hand on top of Arken's head, stroking his fine brown hair gently to calm him down.
"You can relax, Arken. No one is going to hurt you here. They are just curious about you." whispered Kazien in a soothing tone.
Hearing his brother's very reassuring words, Arken's heartbeat slowly returned to normal. He let out a long breath. Although his hand still held onto his brother's arm as an anchor for courage, Arken began to respond to the students' greetings with a polite smile.
Meanwhile, the commotion wasn't limited to the student corridors. In the teachers' room, which was supposed to be quiet, the topic of conversation among the instructors was no different.
Several teachers in the closed room were discussing Arken.
Dania Rolvold had just sat down in her chair when Orlando, the magic teacher and one of the royal mages, approached her with a face that was serious yet full of curiosity.
"Ms. Dania, is the rumor true? That Kazien's brother... I mean, Young Master Arken Altavis, who is only thirteen years old, was able to answer your questions?" Orlando whispered quietly.
Dania set her cup down firmly. "It is the reality, Mr. Orlando! That child was extremely focused while listening to my explanation. And what happened next was that he correctly answered the question I gave the class. His memory is sharp, just like his brother's."
Orlando stroked his thin beard. "Does the Altavis family truly possess a level of intelligence above the average of everyone in this kingdom? Their genetics are truly terrifying."
Dania nodded slowly, her gaze drifting. "Perhaps! It also reminded me of Selena Altavis. Do you remember? At that time, she was the best student this academy ever had."
"Of course I remember. But it is such a shame that she suddenly decided to withdraw during her second year as a student at the academy." Orlando replied with a tone of concern and regret.
"You are right, Mr. Orlando. That surprised us all too."
To this day, Selena Altavis's withdrawal remains a mystery to the dean and the teaching staff at the academy. However, only the Altavis family keeps the key to the truth behind Selena's departure from the academy tightly locked away.
On the top floor of the main building, Dean Claus Velger stood facing the large window, gazing at the expanse of blue sky adorned with white clouds. As the leader of the academy, he was one of the few people who knew exactly who Kazien, Allen, and Arken really were.
"Hahaha. The Altavis family truly never ceases to surprise me!" he mumbled to the gently blowing wind.
His thoughts drifted to the events of five days ago. "Kazien exposed the crimes of the nobles from the Delfilian family. Now, his younger brother is causing a stir in this academy."
Claus shook his head in admiration. "His brother, who just turned thirteen, was actually able to answer questions from a homeroom teacher of Dania's caliber. I am certain Kazien has a plan by letting his brother show off his genius, even while keeping their family name hidden."
The Dean smiled with relief. The heavy burden on his shoulders felt a little lighter since the arrival of these young Altavises.
"For some reason, I feel like Kazien Altavis is going to shake this academy up again. Will he expose the corruption of another noble family untouchable by the law, or is there another surprise? I will be waiting for it."
The bell rang, and lessons resumed.
And once again, Arken became the center of attention because of his brainpower. He was able to answer every question the teacher gave him correctly, leaving his brother's classmates gaping in awe.
Kazien looked at his brother with a warm gaze. Pride swelled in his chest.
"You truly are a brother to be proud of!"
Arken felt happy hearing that praise. Filled with joy, he hugged his brother from the side.
"Brother Kazien is greater than me. Hehehe."
Alvin and Allen, who were sitting near them, also couldn't hide their pride in Arken.
"You're so smart!" praised Alvin sincerely.
"Yeah, you're really smart!" added Allen.
Arken smiled happily at both of them. But then...
"Brother..." Arken called out suddenly, his eyes sparkling.
"Yes, what is it, Arken?" asked Kazien curiously.
"At what age can I become an academy student?"
"You can become an academy student when you are thirteen or fourteen years old!" answered Kazien.
"Really? Does that mean this year I can be a student at this academy?"
Kazien nodded with pure happiness, and Arken smiled broadly. He couldn't wait for that day to arrive.
But suddenly, Arken leaned his lips close to Kazien's ear and whispered, "When we arrive at the mansion later, I will give you a gift that you will remember forever!"
Kazien raised an eyebrow. "What is it? If it's a gift from you, I will certainly accept it with pleasure."
"Hehehe. Just wait!"
Seeing the expression of happiness on his brother's face, Kazien felt his heart warm, yet ache at the same time. He could only wait patiently until they returned to the mansion.
I don't care about the gift, Kazien thought. Just seeing his face smiling with such happiness is enough to satisfy me. I always want to see the smile on his cute face.
But at the same time, it made his chest feel tight. The memory of that unavoidable, cruel fate returned to haunt him.
The death that will approach this cute brother of mine crossed my mind again...
His heart screamed, yet his face was forced to show a happy smile.
However, that mask didn't work on Alvin and Allen. Thanks to the contract of eternity, they knew exactly what Kazien was feeling.
I'm sure he's remembering the death Arken will experience in the future. But if he's so afraid of losing Arken, why doesn't he just make a contract of eternity with him?
Allen, too, looked at his cousin's face with a complicated gaze.
If Kazien really wants to be with Arken forever and is that afraid of losing him, why doesn't he make him immortal too? Is it because Alvin and I haven't given our approval yet?
Classes at the academy ended. Arken walked out of the academy grounds with a beaming face, happy to have been given the chance to taste his brother's school world.
Once they arrived inside the mansion, which was closed off from the outside world, a place where they could be themselves without hiding their identities, Arken immediately took action.
He pushed his older brother's body until he fell back onto the soft sofa in the living room, then without hesitation, climbed up and sat on his lap.
Kazien was confused by his brother's behavior, which was suddenly aggressive yet spoiled.
"What's wrong? Why are you—"
Kazien's words were cut off.
Mwah!
Arken landed a soft kiss on his brother's lips. His arms hugged Kazien's neck tightly, delivering the gift he had promised to his brother.