Jaden's steps echoed within the white walls of the Burning Serpent Hotel as he made his way towards the lounge.

He soon reached the elevator, which opened with a soft chime as he and the pups entered it. The elevator shook slightly before it began descending. The elevator stopped and let out a soft chime once again. Its doors slid open, allowing them to exit.

He stepped out of the elevator, followed by the pups, and his gaze fell on Jamie, who stood beside Lane and Maria.

Jamie wore clothes similar to his, but his shirt was red, and his coat and pants featured red embroidery with the usual gold.

As he stepped near them, the corners of his lips arched up, taking the shape of a playful smirk.

"Looking good, heh?" He muttered as he ran a hand through his hair.

Jamie met his gaze briefly and answered with silence. Turning around, he spoke, "We should leave."

Jaden's smirk faltered, and he forced himself to smile as he thought.

'Bastard, he could at least reply to me!'

Maria chuckled, seeing Jaden acting like that, and stepped closer to him. She hugged his left hand and pressed her body against him before whispering in a hot, seductive voice.

"You're looking good... so good that I want a taste of you," she bit her lip, let out a hot breath and continued, "What do you think? Want to celebrate your joining the academy with Big sis?"

Jaden's face turned red, and imaginary smoke began to come out of his head. He parted his lips and spoke in a shaky voice.

"Th-th-th-thats not wh-wh-what I meant..."

"Hmm? You do not want to celebrate with me? Alone... at night?" She whispered once again, making his face turn even redder.

He instinctively covered his lower body with both hands as he spoke in a slightly louder voice.

"We-we sh-should get going otherwise we'll be late!!"

Maria's eyes widened upon seeing him acting like that, a smirk appeared on her lips as she whispered playfully, "What? Got a stiffy?"

Jaden let out a cough and quickly stepped away from her, and started walking out of the lounge, shouting—

"Let's go."

Hearing him, she let out a hearty chuckle and muttered, "Let's go."

Lane nodded, and they also began to step out of the hotel. However, Jamie suddenly spoke.

"Sister."

Maria halted her tracks and turned towards him with a tilted head as she spoke.

"What is it, my cute little brother?"

Jamie held her gaze for a moment before speaking, "Do not play with him... It won't be good for the house."

Her smile faded as she asked in a colder voice, "What are you talking about?"

He shook his head as he thought, 'She thinks I can not understand what she is trying to do.'

He closed the distance between them, his voice dropping to a cold whisper, "You see, my dear sister. Jaden was or is... the lover of the youngest daughter of the Moon duke... I simply do not want you to do something that may lead the moon to lose its calm."

Hearing him, the corners of her lips twisted upwards, forming a twisted smirk as she whispered mockingly, "Heh. I think it's time for those bastards to lose something of theirs, too, right?" Her voice turned heavy as she continued, "Just like how we did..."

Jaden's eyes turned heavy as he clenched his fists and added with a dark look on his face, "I do not want you to hurt my friends."

Maria shook her head after hearing him and turned around as she added, "Stop being so wishy-washy. We have to reach the academy before 10."

Jamie gave her a slight nod, and the trio began to walk. He suddenly felt someone grip his right hand. Turning around, his eyes fell on Lane, who was looking at him with a worried look. His eyes softened, and a smile appeared on his face as he mumbled, "I am fine, Lane."

After saying so, he tried to let go of her hand. However, Lane shook her head, and her grip tightened as their fingers locked with each other. She looked at him with intense eyes as she muttered, "I will not let you go... not again."

He looked into her eyes and gave her a faint smile, and nodded as he too tightened his grip on her hand.

At last, the trio began to step out of the hotel's lounge.

Jaden stood near the parking lot with a worried look as he helped a girl stand up.

"I am sorry for bumping into you!" He muttered as the pups looked at her from behind his legs.

The girl appeared to be the same age as he was. She had shoulder-length brown hair styled into a short, wavy bob with soft fringes. She was short, reaching up to his chest, and she wore a black long coat with golden embroidery and big brown glasses that covered her face.

The girl stood up and fidgeted with her fingers, her voice barely above a whisper, "I-I-It's alright, I also did not see you..."

'She is also joining the academy?' He questioned inwardly; he couldn't be sure because she didn't have the academy badge.

"Well, I would have liked to talk more, but I have to go." He added as he looked at the trio coming towards him.

The girl also looked at the trio and mumbled, "It's alright..."

Jaden gave her a slight smile and picked up the pups as he quickly walked over to the trio.

"What were you doing?" Jamie questioned with an annoyed look.

"I bumped into someone," Jaden answered, and turned to look at the girl, but to his surprise, she was already gone.

"Idiot," Jamie muttered, quickening his pace.

Jaden turned towards him with his mouth open wide, and the pups jumped from his hands. They gave him a stink eye and began to follow Jamie.

"What the hell?!"

______

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Goals

• 100 power stones = extra 1 chapter.

• 100 golden tickets = extra 1 chapter.

• 100 collections = extra 1 chapter.

• Golden Castle = extra 5 chapters.

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