“WHAT are you doing here, Brother Hil?” Ash asked, as if finally realizing that it was unusual for Hildred to suddenly appear here.

“I have a business with your roommate,” Hildred said before flicking Ash’s forehead.  “And don’t call me ‘Brother’ while you’re here at the academy.  Address me properly, okay?”

Ash held his flicked forehead, obviously dissatisfied by the other’s move.  But still said at the end, “Yes, Sir.”

Hildred turned to Reas.  “If you’re done eating, come with me.  Wulf wants to talk to you about that matter yesterday.”

Reas first thought when he heard that was, ‘aren’t you also not properly addressing someone who’s technically your superior?’.  But that’s not really any of his business.  So, he simply stood up and nodded, telling the other that he understood.

Ash also suddenly stood up.  “Can I come too?”

Reas glanced at the other.  Ash looked particularly excited, as if he knew that if he went with them, he could watch a good ‘show’.

Hildred put his hands on Ash’s shoulders and pushed him back down on his seat without much force.  He then smiled and said, “No.”

Ash wanted to complain but the other already turned his back to him and started to walk towards the exit of the cafeteria.

“Can you take care of my food tray?” Reas asked, pertaining on depositing it to the area where the dirty dishes should be deposit.  “Thanks!”

And then, before the other could say anything, he had already trotted after Hildred.  Of course, he did not miss what Ash said after;

“Leaving like this and even asking me to put your tray away, if you have a conscience, you really must let me meet your brother.”

Reas decided to ignore that and just continued walking.

“I suggest you don’t feel too softhearted and decided to bring Ash with you tomorrow.  I was not lying earlier.  He and his older brother already made plans to meet,” Hildred said after they walked out of the cafeteria.

What he said earlier was indeed not a lie.  Lele had been looking forward to having dinner with Ash.  It’s probably so he could give his gift to the other for passing the week-long training of the academy.  That guy might act more like a strict ‘parent’ towards Ash rather than an older brother, but in truth, he really cared and adored this younger brother of his. 

“I’m not planning to,” Reas said.

Hildred glanced back at the other and a teasing smile appeared on his lips.  “Is it because you’re afraid that Ash will fall in love at first sight with your brother?”

Reas only gave the other a sideway glance and refused to entertain his question.

Hildred’s smile widened and just continued, not caring if Reas would respond to him or not.  “You don’t have to worry about that happening.  Although Astrid indeed has phenomenal beauty, not everyone would be fascinated by it.  But the most important reason, Ash, that kid, already has a childhood sweetheart.”

Although from what he heard, this ‘childhood sweetheart’ suddenly disappeared one day.  Based on Ash’s personality, he expected that the kid would ask Lele or any member of the Fenris Squad he was closed to to help him find the whereabouts of the person. 

But to everyone’s surprise, Ash did not do any of that.  They respected that decision and didn’t interfere.  According to Lele, this puppy love was probably just a phase that’s why they shouldn’t really worry too much.  After all, Ash was still young.  He hadn’t even yet passed 20 years of age.  There’s still about 250 years in his life.  What could he really know about love?

Hildred didn’t think so though.  He knew the look of someone who had fallen hard for another person.  How could he not when he could see it in front of the mirror every day?  And he also saw that look on Ash.

But just like Lele, he chose not to interfere.  After all, it’s not any of his business.

Reas was actually taken aback when he heard what Hildred said.  That guy, Ash, actually had a childhood sweetheart?  Although he knew that the other had a higher EQ than him, he couldn’t believe that he had already reached the point of having that kind of relationship. 

But he quickly recovered.  It’s not really something uncommon.  So, he shouldn’t be too surprised.  It just so happened that Ash was ahead of some people their age in the relationship department.  Just look at him, at his age, he had never thought of that. 

And then, as if his mind was playing tricks on him, a certain guy with dirty blond hair and a pair of dark brown eyes appeared in his thoughts out of nowhere.  He was startled and immediately shook his head in an attempt to also shake whatever the hell that was. 

  Soon, he didn’t have time to think about anything because they had arrived at the temporary office the academy provided for the general. 

Hildred swiped an ID card on the door and it opened.  He walked inside and Reas followed.  Inside, they found the general sitting behind a desk and another person standing in front of it – Cyrus Lancaster.

Reas didn’t bother to glance at the latter and just also stood in front of the desk.  “Sir,” he called, respectfully.

He actually didn’t think that he would really come to a point where he would use such a tone in speaking with the general.  But this past week, he had to agree and reluctantly accept that the other was indeed a good soldier.  No, not just good but the best there was.

Despite all his negative opinion about the other, he couldn’t take that away from him.  The general should be given the respect he deserved.  Especially in this kind of setting.  Where he was an aspiring soldier and the other was his superior.

Wulfric nodded and quietly glanced at the two teenagers standing in front of him.

“You probably already know why I called the two of you here,” he started..  “Let’s begin discussing what happened yesterday.”

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