"Things were different when we were young," Esimo said, voice almost faint at the latter part of his statement, gaze distant, melancholic.

Kailen listened silently.

"We were innocent at the time. When we saw each other, it was just two siblings meeting, sharing the bond of family."

Esimo sighed deeply, then continued, "But things changed as we grew." His brows creased. "My elder sister — she got insecure. She said I should swear some sort of allegiance to her, that I should promise to never get involved in the matters of clan concerning our parent's inheritance."

Kailen sighed. This pattern, of friends and family turning on one another for power, was not surprising. When power was involved, people would do anything sometimes.

Inasmuch as he wouldn't harm his loved ones as long as none of them turned on him, he had to admit he would not hesitate to resort to any means to eliminate anyone that stood in his path, to the top — a goal to become untouchable, omnipotent so that himself and his loved ones would not dangle in the palms of others.

He asked Esimo, curious, though he knew the answer. "Did you?"

"Why would I?" Before Kailen could misunderstand, he added, "Don't get me wrong. I didn't reject her because I wanted the family fortune."

"I rejected her because she wanted me to sign a rune oath to serve her, and be available whenever she needed me, even to the point of death." Esimo chuckled, pupils reflecting Kailen's expression — that of surprise.

"Naturally I objectively stated before her and the entire clan that I wanted nothing to do with clan politics and had given up on the competition for family inheritance. Yet, she harbored suspicion towards me. She thought I had some scheme at play, to take the inheritance from her, and deemed that the reason why I rejected her. But in the clan, there was nothing she could openly do to me. She tried assassinations, but they didn't work, because our parents intercepted, since I had openly declared I had no interest in clan matters and even signed a rune oath to not get involved." Esimo continued, "I want to travel the vast universe and become powerful. Being tied to clan politics, and some service to someone that will brand me some sort of slave unconditionally to her is not something that aligns with my goals."

"That's why you rejected her, because it would limit you, bear you down and shackle you," Kailen commented, in realization.

He added, "Naturally she deemed your rejection defiance, despite signing a rune oath. However she couldn't eliminate you in the clan because of your parent's protection. So she planned to utilize the academy to get rid of you, since your parents are not here to protect you."

Esimo nodded, his gesture confirming Kailen's words. "Her hatred towards me is quite puzzling at times because even if I had decided to compete for the family fortune with her, the fact that she's an experienced rank 0 blacksmith, is enough to have given her more of an advantage for candidacy than me, since that's one of the cores of our family — blacksmithery, unlike me, who gave up on the craft, until you guys chose me as the blacksmith leader of the club."

"Sorry you had to go through such a rough time, man." Kailen lightly patted him on the shoulder.

Esimo nodded. "Thanks, man."

"Did you quit blacksmithery because of her?"

Esimo chuckled at Kailen's question. "Obviously not. I simply found it a waste of time, and it was not as enjoyable compared to combat."

Kailen knew he was not telling a lie here. He nodded, he leaned softly into the plush chair then sighed, gaze directed upwards. "Well, now that you've actually begun blacksmithery again, she has more of a reason to think her suspicions concerning you secretly plotting against her is grounded."

With Esimo scratching his chin at his words, and nodding a second later in understanding, Kailen continued, "I mean… After all, you said it's one of the cores of the family and it makes one favorable for the inheritance. Also, the fact that you took a rune oath to not get involved in clan matters, as genuine as it is, strangely, did not convince your stupid sister. I mean, even I am quite careful and skeptical about trust but a rune oath, seals the deal. But it seems her desire to get rid of you has exceeded her reasoning. So right now that you have resumed blacksmithery, she's more wary of you than at anytime."

"Fair point," Esimo added.

"She's gonna die in the society wars anyway. With your capabilities as a Black Flask, it's inevitable," he casually stated the inevitable death of his sister — no flicker of sadness revealed to Kailen as he spoke.

"You ain't sad about her dying?" Kailen chuckled.

Esimo scoffed. "We both know I don't care about her, and you are asking this question out of curiosity."

Kailen shrugged, chuckling lightly. "True."

Esimo shook his head at his behavior, then said, "The moment she implemented her assassination ploys against me, we ceased to be siblings." His forehead creased lightly, eyes revealed nonchalance and ruthlessness as he added, "Even if her head hangs around a teleportation gate, I don't care."

Kailen nodded. Esimo's personality was to his liking.

"So when are you guys gonna tell the group you two are officially an item?"

Kailen's question caused Esimo to suddenly spit out the Champaign. "How did you find out?" he asked, with disbelief on his face as he casually wiped the champagne stains from mouth with a napkin, courtesy of noble mannerisms.

Kailen sighed helplessly. A mocking grin appeared on his face, one Esimo clearly felt annoyed about. Just when he was about to say something, Kailen made a gesture for him to hold it, then spoke, "Everyone knows."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh… I don't mean the whole academy but, the society leaders, we all know."

Esimo had an expression on his face that clearly gave it away that he wanted to know how everyone found out about him and Everlong. Kailen patted his back mockingly. "In fact Lian Yu and the others contacted me on my way here about how you and Everlong trying to act like we are ignorant children is making you both look like clowns. I mean clearly, we may not see you two spending intimate time together but your mannerisms around each other in public seem to carry some sort of tension lately."

Esimo almost staggered and fell at Kailen's mockery. The light pat made him feel like his world was going around in circles.

He raised his hands in surrender. "I feel so ashamed right now."

"You're welcome," Kailen said sincerely.

Esimo looked at him strangely.

Kailen said, acting innocently, "What?"

"I said I feel ashamed and you expected me to thank you for it?"

"What did you expect? I just saved you two from digging your own grave by keeping your relationship a secret. The others were planning on asking you two playful questions about where you both were, during what time, and what not. Had you lied to them and the lies had piled up… oh man…" Kailen seemed gleeful even, thinking of the outcome. "We'd be roasted by everyone, especially that Pan Halfoy and Miranda."

"Good you realised. Didn't tell you anything."

"Yeah whatever. It's not like you aren't enjoying this Kailen."

"Heh, anyway don't you think we need to appraise your first weapon?" Kailen asked.

******

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