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???, 2149
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“Mael, you will not become part of our research institute.” The voice in front of me said in a firm tone. Those were the first words I was greeted with when she invited me to visit.
As I stand in front of the entrance, not even being given the time to enter, as though to form a barrier between the two rooms, I stand there dumbfounded at the sudden words directed at me.
“Uhm, Phidelle, where is this coming from? And why so suddenly?” After recovering from the shock, I direct the question at the woman in front of me. Despite how casual I wanted to come across when saying this, the slight shakiness in my voice betrayed that effort. If she noticed, she didn’t pay it any heed. Instead, she continues to look straight at me with unflinching eyes as she proceeds to elaborate.
“To be frank, out of all the people in the clan, and especially out of everyone in this generation, you are the most suitable candidate to become a part of my team. You are not only a diligent and knowledgeable student, but you are also full of genuine curiosity, our research included. Since the day you learned to walk, I can barely recall times when you didn’t visit. Not to mention, you are a very responsible fellow who understands the importance of this institute. However, no matter how much potential you have, I still cannot, in good faith, consider you one of us. At least, not the way you are right now.” She says, unflinching.
Despite the praise she just gave me, the tone in her voice didn’t give off nearly the same amount of warmth as her words did. It was neither a show of compassion nor was it one of contempt. In fact, it was hauntingly neutral. It's just an observation without any feelings attached to it.
“This research is too important, Mael. I can neither risk it leaking elsewhere nor can I entrust it to someone undeserving of my trust. Especially not to someone like you.” The sudden coldness in her voice was spine-chilling, and her eyes abruptly gleamed with hostility. Never have I seen her act this way. Despite the sudden fear I currently experience, it felt to me like those words, that hostility, weren’t directed at me.
As though she looked right past me. At someone else.
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3rd September 2149
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My eyes promptly open as I take in my surroundings.
“It’s my room,” I mumble, followed by a sigh. Since that meeting, I have often dreamed of this exchange between Phidelle and me, trying to figure out what she meant by that. I still get a headache whenever I try to wrap my head around it.
“Hey, Mael, wake up already.” I hear an annoyed voice outside my room.
“I’m awake, Aiden, you can come in.” I mumble as I massage my forehead, trying and failing to alleviate the headache from my dream. The lack of proper sleep made the words come out a bit rougher, although no comment on that was made. Instead, the door opens, revealing a young boy, with pale grey hair and dressed in training gear. My younger brother, Aiden.
“Good morning, now get up.” The tone in Aiden’s voice dripping with annoyance. “Isn’t it about time, that you quit sleeping in? Fix your sleep schedule already.” He complains.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
“If you consider, waking up at 06:30 in the morning, to be “sleeping in, I'm afraid I will have to remain a repeat offender. Sorry, but some of us need proper sleep to function.” I retort. “I’m not in charge helping in the training hall like you, after all. If the need to do the opposite doesn't exist, I would like to sleep properly.
“Unfortunately for you,” A familiar voice outside the room suddenly emerges. The owner of the voice enters the room completely uninvited. A girl with messy, long hair, the colour honey brown. She is clothed in a white training gear and a pink string jacket tied to her waist. “You have your own duties. In fact, I came to retrieve you for that purpose!” The girl’s loud and cheerful voice booms inside the room, a devilish grin plastered all over her face.
“Zyana…” Startled, I shouted her name in a squeaky voice. I feel my face getting warmer, too.
This is Zyana, my friend since childhood and daughter to the chief of the Salviga’s research institute.
“Must you always barge in unannounced? I didn’t even get out of bed yet!” I complain, suddenly feeling very embarrassed. Although, at this point, I shouldn’t be fazed by this, considering how often this happens with her around.
“Come now, Mael, after all this time together, I’m basically a member of this house! The same applies to you, considering how often you visit our institute, my home, mind you. You practically live there.” She points out. “We’re family at this point, right, Aiden?” A cheesy statement, I still cannot help but blush at. She elbows him, hoping to get an agreement out of him.
“Sure.” He replies promptly, a hint of sarcasm escaping the words. “Anyway, Mael, get going already. Especially if you’re not going to any help around her. I still need to help father setting up the training devices, so scram. That includes you, too, Zyana.” He glares at both of us.
“Aiden, you should learn to be more polite about your animosity. Are you being so hostile because I might snatch up your position as headmaster?” She provokes jokingly, provoking a grunt from him.
“You’re being awfully arrogant, today, I see. You shouldn’t be so premature, you know…” He mumbles.
The active hostility, exhibited by both, makes me sigh, exasperated. “They seem to have forgotten that I’m here…” I'm thinking to myself.
“Anyway, we will be leaving, Aiden, don’t worry. I just came to pick up Mael. We’ll be visiting Izel, after all!” She says, to loosen the tension.
I reply. “Alright. Meet me outside. I’ll go get ready.”
“Sure thing!” She replies loosely, as she prepares to march out.
“You're going to visit that girl again? You should really stop associating with her. She’s not worth the trouble. Just because our families arranged it, doesn’t mean you need to visit her as often as you do.” Aiden sighs, to which I glare at him in response as he flinches.
“Aiden, watch what you say.” I say in a threatening tone.
“Izel is a dear friend to us, no matter what you say. We visit her out of our own volition, Aiden. The family arrangements play no part in this, understood?” Zyana replies firmly, yet gently, as she places a hand on Aiden's shoulder.
Aiden doesn’t say anything in response and leaves the room with a huff.
Zyana snickers at that.
“You shouldn’t lose your temper like that, Mael. You know, he just cares about you and the rest of this family. No matter how immature his perspective is, he just wants to prevent needless harm.” She says to me, with a faint smile, which calms me down a bit.
“I know. It would be nice if he learned to watch his mouth, though.” I sigh, exhausted. “Go ahead, I’ll meet you in ten minutes downstairs.” I exclaim.
“Roger.” she chuckles.
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Character Profile
Name: Mael Qinz
Born: 15th April 2134
Description: Son to the headmaster of the Salvigan training hall.
Likes: Reading books, studying history, horror stories
Dislikes: Martial arts (mostly due to Zyana's influence), competitiveness (also mostly because of Zyana)
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Character Profile
Name: Zyana Demir
Born: 3rd May 2134
Description: Daughter to head of the Salvigan research institute
Likes: Martial arts, physical training, competitiveness
Dislikes: Reading, anything romance related
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Character Profile
Name: Aiden Qinz
Born: 12th December 2138
Description: Son and next heir to the headmaster of Salvigan training hall
Likes: Martial Arts, tea brewing
Dislikes: Zyana (rivalry), horror stories