Standing with a smug smirk, his hands in the air, a young man around their age faced them—his hair thin and light golden, coupled with hazel eyes.

“Yep, it’s been a while, huh?” he said, lowering his hands and putting them into his tracksuit's pockets.

Ayame sheathed her sword with an annoyed click. She had been riled up over nothing. It was just the spoiled rich kid whom they were forcefully made to hang out with when they were children. Though, in some ways, she would rather take on an actual opponent or monster than Yior; that’s how much she despised him.

“It has, I guess,” Genkai responded, putting on a more friendly tone than Ayame could ever fake. “Since we were seven, right?”

Yior shook his head. “Nah, once after as well. But I guess you guys wouldn’t remember since it was a rather difficult time for you both.”

Yior's insinuation made Genkai’s fake smile slowly vanish, no matter how hard he tried to keep it. At first, Ayame wasn’t sure what their old ‘friend’ meant by that, but as she dug into her memories, she regretted it.

“By the look on your faces, you must have realized what I mean.” Regardless of knowing the situation they were in back then, Yior put on an almost mocking expression, and it disgusted Ayame more than she could describe. Almost instinctively, she reached for her sword again as raw memories raced through her mind, only to stop when Genkai cleared his throat. It was evident he had felt her anger.

“Yeah, you and your family were summoned by the court to give your testimonies on the person our father was. And if my memory serves me right, your family was one of the very few that denied the allegations of his domestic abuse and sexual assault.”

Ayame didn’t know how he did it... she didn’t know how her brother could stay so calm and collected when faced with the individual who took the side of their father—no, that monster.

“Hmm... I’m not too sure. I was quite young at the time, so I don’t remember the context all that well.” Yior frowned as he looked up at the sky, thinking. However, Ayame could tell he was faking it. He knew very well.

“Well, it’s quite true indeed,” Genkai said with a grin, but his eyes remained cold. “Your family were big business partners with my father. If he suddenly went to prison, that would mean your family would suffer a substantial financial and political loss. His connections with other political individuals and companies would go down the drain. Any family would want to keep that relationship running.”

The arrogance on Yior’s face slowly melted into an annoyed, deadpan expression, the air suddenly shifting. Yet Yior managed to keep his composure.

“Ah yes, now that you mention it, I do believe you’re correct. But you must keep in mind that my family was speaking honestly, solely on their own experiences with him. It’s not their fault they had no bad first-hand encounters. Hopefully, you don’t hold a grudge against me for that. I had no say in it. I was only eight back then, after all.”

“Oh, of course not. I don’t form my grudges simply by association,” Genkai assured with a quick wave of his hand. “I form them by experiences. And it so happens that I recall you slandering my sister, framing her as a liar who only wanted attention.”

Ayame remembered. It was shortly before the court began, and both of them had overheard Yior talking with one of his family members, calling Ayame a liar and worse. She didn’t fully remember exactly what he had said, since Genkai had put his hands over her ears. All she remembered was being so hurt that she began doubting herself—as if she had been at fault.

What if she was making everything into a big deal? What if it was normal to be abused the way she was? Was she simply complaining? Was she the problem? Those were just some of her thoughts when Yior blamed her.

However, as always... her brother—

“Yes...” Yior admitted with a cold glare. “You also happened to punch me in the face after overhearing our conversation.”

Just like always... her brother always stood up for her.

“Ah yes, now that you mention it, I do believe you’re correct,” Genkai mimicked Yior’s words. “Hopefully, you don’t hold a grudge against me. I was only nine back then, after all.” He smiled widely, chuckling.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

Yior didn’t follow Genkai with a light-hearted chuckle, nor did he pretend to be unbothered.

Now Ayame was glad she had never opened her mouth to speak so far. Genkai was far better in these situations than she was.

“Now, now, no need to look so fierce,” Genkai mused. “Anyway, let’s get down to business. What would you like to discuss with us aside from our past? I find it hard to believe we just happened to bump into each other in this large forest. Also, where is your team?”

Yior cleared his throat, undoubtedly trying to control his annoyance from Genkai’s sly remarks.

“Quite perceptive, aren’t you? Yes, I wish to speak with you about a rumor I've been hearing. Oh, and as for my team, three of them are currently out there battling monsters for points. The other two decided to forfeit once Mr. Asashi gave them the opportunity. I’m actually quite glad– because they were weak. It just lessened the burden for my worthy teammates. Since I’ve been gifted with both Sight and Hearing, it’s quite difficult to find people up to my level, ya know?”

That was news to Ayame. She hadn’t known he had two Senses. However, there was no way she could have known, as they had lost contact with him before kids usually started awakening their powers.

“A rumor, you say? What is it?” Genkai completely ignored Yior’s brag about his Senses, which seemed to irk him immensely. Acknowledgment and attention were exactly what he craved, so it was best to deprive him of the pleasure.

“You... never mind,” Yior gave a tired sigh. “Yes, a rumor. I’d like to know if you have any specifics on it.”

Genkai raised his brow. “Aren’t we too old to be gossiping?”

“I would agree under normal circumstances, but this one is quite interesting. And from what I hear, it could grow quite serious if it escalates.”

Ayame gave her brother a skeptical glance before facing the arrogant rich kid. “Alright, spit it out.”

Smiling with an amused twinkle in his eye, Yior bowed slightly. “Glad you could make time with your very busy schedule. As for the rumor, have you seen a person named Sen Ano before?”

The twins froze. This wasn’t the question they were prepared to answer—no, this wasn’t a question she was prepared for. Ayame had told her brother about her meeting with Sen back on the train, confirming that his suspicion was most likely true. But more importantly, she didn’t understand why Yior was interested in Sen—someone who hadn’t stood out at all in the challenge.

“And why would you like to know?” Genkai questioned, keeping a neutral face.

Yior scoffed. “Hmph, I knew you wouldn’t give me a straight answer. Alright then, what if I told you that the person you may or may not know is in grave danger?”

Danger? What the hell is that supposed to mean? Ayame swallowed her words. More importantly, how the hell do you know who he is? But she couldn’t just say that; if she did, it would be a confession of association. Her mind was racing.

“Grave danger? Why?” Genkai said flatly.

“Because the rumors say that he’s...” Yior paused before grinning. “Senseless.”

...

“Never heard of him.”

“Oh really? Even though you both were spotted talking together before the second challenge started?” Yior asked.

Ayame went silent, the wind howling above the trees, making them rustle ominously. The darkness in the depths of the forest grew all too noticeable, sending an uneasy shiver down her body. The only thing she could blurt out was, “How did you know?”

Yior answered simply with a shrug. “As I said, it’s just a rumor. You’d be surprised how quickly news travels around here. It only takes one person to light a match for a whole forest to burn down. And once the damage is done, it’s impossible to uncover where it started...”

“When and who started this rumor? And why would he be in danger?” Ayame demanded.

Yior sighed. “I guess my metaphor didn’t come across all too well. I told you, I don’t know who started the rumor.”

“For fuck's sake, you’re useless!” Ayame snapped. “At least tell us why he would be in danger! Can you at least answer that simple question?” She marched toward him, a throbbing vein on her forehead, before stopping just inches from his face. “Let me reintroduce myself, because a lot has changed since the last time we met.”

Ayame unsheathed her katana, its blade reflecting the sun’s light as it veered toward Yior’s head. The arrogance that once plastered his face was now replaced with pure dread. However, Ayame’s blade never made contact. Instead, it stopped a mere inch from his ear. The scare was enough to shock the rich boy into silence—a nervous drop of sweat trailing down his chin.

“Now, now... let’s not let our emotions get the best of us—”

“Why. Would. He. Be. In. Danger?” Ayame coldly asked again, her blade edging closer.

“Listen, I’m not too sure myself. But there are some radical people out there. People who wouldn’t mind harming another just because they’re different. We live in a messed-up world.”

“Rich, coming from you.”

“Oh come on, I’m bad, but I’m not that bad.”

After what seemed like an eternity of staring him down, she finally lowered her katana with an exhale.

“Alright, get out of my sight,” she ordered, her eyes flickering with the light of her Sense.

Yior cleared his throat. “Well, this was a lovely reunion, wasn’t it?”

“Very.”

He didn’t try pressing further. He had gotten the information he wanted from her reaction. But before he could disappear into the depths of the forest again, Genkai called out to him.

“Before you go, let me ask you one thing you must know...”

Yior abruptly stopped, but he didn’t even attempt to turn around to face them again. “What?”

“When did you hear it?” Genkai asked. “The rumor...”

...

Yior turned around and told them truthfully, not a single error detectable in his voice—and yet, it sounded like a complete lie.

“Before the academy even opened its doors...”