William's laughter startled his mother and brother. "You serious? Haven't you been paying attention to anything I've said?" He held up the metal ball with pride. "This alcatech can break down paths."

"Theoretically," William added.

His mother's voice was laced with restrained anger. "Are you suggesting we steal from other houses? Do you think we would stoop so low?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm suggesting," William shifted from side to side. "I misspoke. It can't tell you how an entire path works. That would be amazing, but I doubt anything like that exists. Maybe I could create another device that analyzes paths and simulates alchemy techniques based on the data. Yes, that's definitely possible. As I was saying, this device can analyze a technique from a path and tell you the essence used and how it was formed... theoretically."

William could hear his mother grinding her teeth.

"So," Jacob said, his voice dripping with contempt, "this is your plan to steal from other houses? Do you have no honor? I can't believe we share the same blood, the same mother and father. It's a disgrace."

William just looked at him with a dry expression. Jacob's anger flared, and wind and water essence began to swirl around him.

Sarah straightened and pointed at William with a look of superiority. "Edward Magnus founded this house on the principle of hard work and the rewards of honor and respect."

William laughed even harder, surprising everyone again. "Edward Magnus was a thief. He stole the streamline path from House Nightbrace. They claim everyone stole their path, but they're right. Their house predates ours by at least two generations." William tilted his head with a smirk. "So, all that honor nonsense, Sarah, is total crap. Our house isn't that honorable in the first place."

William's mind raced as he grasped the grass. He no longer saw his mother, only the sky. He tried to breathe, but only wheezing escaped his lips. He saw his brother looming over him, moving like a blur. "Oh," he said.

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Jacob shouted, "You dare disrespect our founder and our mother? You dare speak to her like that!"

William turned out to be his brother and thought back to the first time he got a massage. "I wonder if I can get one," he thought. "My back has been killing me working in that forge non-stop. It's really bruised my muscles." William gave a big smile. "Why can I taste metal in my mouth? Oh yeah, this fool is punching me. Why can't I feel my face?"

Jacob's hand rose, ready to deliver a final, powerful blow, but a hand grabbed his wrist, throwing him back.

"I said stop, didn't you hear me, Jacob?" Sarah said.

Jacob landed on his feet, the green grass now stained brown. "You defend this ungrateful boy, Mother?"

"You went too far, Jacob," Sarah said, her voice sounding like a tiger holding back its fury. "You could have killed him." Her voice softened. "Despite William's flaws," she emphasized, "he is still your brother." She knelt down and gently lifted William's head, laying it on her lap. Her eyes widened in surprise. "You're still conscious?"

"I have a tough head," he giggled.

"Shut up," she replied, a small smile playing on her lips.

William's gaze shifted to his brother, and he could see the rage in his eyes, as well as the scarlet trickle of blood from his injured hand.

"Drink this," Sarah said. William's eyes shifted back to his mother, who held a small vial of glowing green essence. He opened his mouth, and she poured it down his throat. A taste of strawberry and mint filled his mouth. He extended his tongue, making a frown as if he were tasting one of the most bitter things in his life.

"Why are you making that face, William? I know it's not bitter. I personally made that healing medicine. Unless this one is bad, but..." She gave William a look, examining his injuries. As she watched them heal, she gave his face a pinch, eliciting a yelp from him. He instantly stood up, some of the redness from his face dripping onto the floor and his mother's clothes.

"I don't understand this, Mother," Jacob shouted. Breeze started to build around him, his ears flowing side to side. "Why did you heal him, Mom? He disrespected you and our entire house. He should feel some pain for what he said. Why do you constantly look out for this ungrateful brat?"

William snapped his fingers. "Jacob, Jacob, simple because I'm better than you. She knows it. That's why she always heals me."

"Here we go again," Sarah said.

William prepared himself. He was surprised before, but not this time. This time, he would prepare himself for whatever came. And just like that, a punch landed right on his face. Pain shot through his face. He tasted metallic again and could even feel one of his teeth loosen. But he gave his brother a bloody grin, with a click of his tongue almost like calling a dog. He said, "Who taught you how to punch your mom?"