PoV Sean

Today was a normal day. Work on the paperwork, then go home and practice. There hasn't been a noticeable gain in two weeks. It looks like I've finally reached the level 3 limit. I hope I can breakthrough.

While I was still in the clouds, there was a knock on the door.

-Boss. We've got a problem here -I recognized the owner of the voice right away. He was my assistant.

-Come in. -When he heard my permission, he came into the room. -What's the matter? Did something happen?

-Not a big deal, but still. You sent Murad to the Brainless, isn't it?

-Yes. And?

-The problem is, we found Murad in the slums.

-What!? Did Brainless throw him out?

-Unknown. But he doesn't say anything but he wasn't Murad. He's sitting in the waiting room right now.

-Bring him in.

-One moment - The assistant left and in 10 seconds returned with Murad.

Comparing his face with the face from memory, I noticed. Exactly the same. Only the hair is a little longer. It's definitely Murad.

-Murad. How did you end up here?

-I'm not Murad.

- ...- What the? -Stop joking, Murad. Better explain how you ended up in the slums.

-I'm telling you. I'm not Murad. I'm Mirad. Murad is my ... brother. Yes ... brother.

-Mirad?- I looked at him again. Again compared him with Murad from memory. Definitely. They are the same. Ranging from physique to face and behavior. Even twins have differences! Small, but still there! But here they are completely identical

- Yes.

-Then why didn't Murad talk about you?

-Why he should? -He bowed his head. Just like Murad did.

-Alright. I can only ask you what Murad knows. Do you know who I am?

-no.

-Do you know who the lord of these lands is?

- no.

- The name of my gang?

- No.

- Do you know who we are?

-We are citizens of the Monhimouerian Empires.

-Alright. Where did you grow up?

-I was born in a swamp and grew up in a forest.

-How old are you?

-Six months.

- ...- Absolutely identically stupid answer. -Okay, aren't you wondering where your brother is?

- no.

-Okay then. Assistant!

- Yes, boss.

-Put him in the break room for now. I need to think about it.

-As you say, boss.

As soon as the assistant took Mu ... Mirad away. I began to think. Looks like Murad had a twin brother. With which it is absolutely identical. If Murad and Mirad were put in front of me, I wouldn't be able to identify them. Or maybe my memory is just failing me? No. My memory is good enough to remember my childhood in every detail, but I can't remember the face of someone I met less than a month ago?

What should I do with it? Hard to decide. For the sake of accuracy, it looks like I have to go to Murad's castle.

…

I stared at Murad intently. It looks like Mirad. In everything. Maybe one of them is an evil spirit who pretends to be a twin brother? Nah, spirits with such strength prefer stronger ones, at least level 8. Yes, and I do not remember that such evil spirits ever exist. It is better not to call a priest on such a case.

-Then, what do you think I should do with Mirad?

-Maybe what you wanted with me? -Murad replied.

-Hm. I'll send him for training and then for the smuggling group. And then... yes, that can be arranged.

Having decided this, I returned home. I have a lot to do. I Hope Mirad is good at surviving. He'd be very useful

...

PoV Nick

For the next week, I thought a lot about Murad's words. A family bound not by blood but by soul. Those who will not consider me useless, a burden. Is that even possible? How can someone start liking me so much? My family? Just my sister. But she will soon be taken far away... in the end, for the father, we are only a burden from which for some reason he does not get rid.

Besides my sister, I have only Murad. I'm not sure what to think of him. He is just quiet and often asks about different things. Those words of his stuck deep in me. It's like I finally got a direction where I can move. Where I can be accepted, where I won't be a burden.

But still. Should I try to go in this direction? I'm just an ordinary person, probably without talent. Should I try to get into politics? Maybe I can work my way up to a diplomat. Dreams. Just dreams.

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I'll be realistic. The father can give a certain amount. But he will not finance such a thing. As well as whether he will support me if I decide to become a teacher or a librarian. The low nobility of the family will not allow me to become a diplomat, I can become a teacher, but I will not be able to teach the high-born, and I will not have enough money for a librarian. Maybe if my brother marries someone noble enough ... no. It will improve the situation of his children, but not my.

Again I have to think about all this. And again, the most attractive thing was the life of the scum of the family. A burden.

I gritted my teeth, my eyes getting red. No way! This will only prove that the family's words are true! That I'm just a burden. And I don't... no... I'm really a burden right now. My brother, at my age, has already begun to contact the nobles and act in the interests of the family. I'll never be as skilled as he was...

*Sigh*, I need a distraction. I looked at Murad. Usually, if I don't read him books and we don't play, he just finds a place to sit down and just closes his eyes. As if his attention is no longer focused on the body, hovering somewhere far away.

-Murad. Can I ask you something?

-...Of course. -Murad raised his head and looked me in the eye as he said that. Eyes that don't seem to want to live. I pushed those thoughts away.

-Can I trust you? Can I call you a friend? Call someone with whom I can experience both grief and joy?

Murad thought for a moment and said:

-Give me a minute.- After saying that, he closed his eyes again and down his head.

He began to think. Does this mean that he is seriously thinking about this issue? I hope so.

…

Nick's question made me think about it seriously. It is difficult for me to solve this issue alone. I need to ask Nevie's opinion.

..

I entered the inner world of Nevie. It's a little dark. Not like that time, but still, it's dark. I quickly found Nevi. She was sitting in the corner of her cottage, her head hanging down. The house is the same as the one where she lived with her parents. I walked over to Nevie and spoke softly to her.

-Nevie.

The world seemed to shake. The darkness began to descend and the light began to dawn. After the darkness had completely disappeared, she looked at me and asked with a smile.

-What's the matter, Murad? Is something wrong?

I explained the situation to her. She thought for a moment and asked.

-So. Do you want to attach him as well as me?

-I'm more inclined to be for than against. But I'm not sure. Why should I add it? Because I like him? He asked me if he could call me someone with whom he could experience both grief and joy. This is already more than just Like. This is ... already a strong friendship. Or family... The family bonded not by blood but by soul.

-I... I think I understand what you try to say. Does that mean you want him to be a family member for you? The one you're going to protect?

-Protect? Hmm ... no. I will not defend him, I will support him. We will go through all the difficulties together. As long as it doesn't threaten his life. Yes. I should attach it.

-Wait! Are you going to lure him here and then attach him?

-Yes. And?

-Don't do it ok? You're hurting others doing it. Better just tell him what you want to do and make it clear what's going to happen. It's much better than doing it.

I began to think about it. Perhaps her words make sense. After all, she understands more than I do.

...

PoV Nick

I've been waiting for a response for several minutes. Finally, Murad raised his head and said

-I can only say yes after we become truly bonded. For it, you need to go to the forest in that direction. After that, we will become a family. Kindred by soul. Kindred spirits. Do you agree?

This is ... an unexpected answer. What should I say? I have a feeling that this will affect my whole life. Maybe I should say no. No! There's already someone I can trust. Why would I look for others? What if I don't find such people?

-I... I agree.