"You're an idiot. So what?"
Michael's words thundered in Kaleb's ears. His mouth opened slightly but no words came out.
"Do you think your family would like that you're throwing a tantrum and ruin their image, just because you lost a small, private competition? I doubt that they would love to see you gambling either," Michael added, his voice growing colder with each spoken word.
"Your actions are childish and so is your attitude. I cannot believe that you're already 17 years old. You act more immature than some 5-year-old children!"
Michael was a little bit disappointed. Except for Kaleb's bad first impression, Michael thought that the young man from the Zenovia family might have a better personality and some brains. Unfortunately, that didn't seem to be the case.
Kaleb, who was already boiling in anger, couldn't control his emotions anymore. He took a stride closer to Michael with blazing flames of hatred flickering in his eyes.
It looked like Kaleb was about to pounce on Michael.
'He knows that I'm an Awakened Lord…did he forget that just now?'
At that moment – just before Kaleb could do something he would regret later – the clicking sound of heels rang through everyone's ears from farther away. It sounded like someone was running inside from the other side of the room.
It looked like someone had arrived at the entrance of the auditorium when everyone was focused on the final round of the archer competition.
At first, everyone thought that the principal, or other teachers, who had left earlier to talk amongst each other, had returned upon hearing the commotion Kaleb made.
However, that was not the case at all.
It was a woman with a captivating appearance. She radiated a beauty that demanded attention.
However, that was not all.
With her long black hair, piercing ocean-blue eyes, sharp and confident gaze, and a hint of a mischievous smile, the beautiful woman exuded an irresistible combination of fierceness and allure. Her movements were sharp, yet elegant. She looked confident and unapproachable as she stepped closer to the crowd with her gaze fixated on one point.
The woman wore casual clothes, but that didn't hide her beauty in the slightest.
A single glance was enough to stir envy in the hearts of the women and cause the men's hearts to skip a beat.
But Michael was just confused as he looked at the beauty.
'What is she doing here?'
It was Alice Zenovia, living up to the nickname he gave her; fierce beauty.
While the others stared at her in awe, Kaleb started to shiver.
There was not a single trace left of his domineering attitude from a few seconds ago.
"Sis, w-what are you doing here?" He stuttered, feeling stupefied.
Kaleb didn't expect to meet his sister today. Why was she in the Golden Sun province? Did their parents tell her to drag him home?
However, Alice ignored her brother. She walked past him and stopped only when she was in front of Michael.
"What's the use of telling me that you won't enter the Origin Expanse for a while when you're not online to answer my messages, either way?" She asked him, placing her hands on her hips.
Michael opened the messenger where he saw several messages from Alice. Only now did he recall that he didn't look at the messenger after he told her that he would be online for a while.
In fact, Michael had only said that to appease her because he felt guilty for being angry at Alice earlier for beating around the bush when she told him about the Saphirelake Military Academy's benefits.
He had felt guilt-ridden, which disappeared only after he told her that he wouldn't return to the Origin Expanse for a while.
"Oops," Michael mumbled while scratching the back of his head sheepishly.
What was the use of telling her that he wouldn't enter the Origin Expanse if he wasn't online, in the first place?
"OOPS?! You bastard!" Alice's anger flared up seeing how nonchalant he acted.
She had only a little freetime now that the aptitude assessment of the Saphirelake Military Academy was about to start, but she spent most of it providing Michael with enough detailed information and helping him despite her busy schedule. All of this was just to make sure that he wouldn't miss the aptitude assessment.
And so far, he had not given her a certain answer. Would he appear for the assessment test, or would he ditch her?
Michael couldn't suppress a smile when he thought about his attitude toward Alice.
"Stop smiling like that, yo–..." Alice shouted before Michael interrupted her, "I'll come on the 20th, don't worry."
Alice shut her mouth and tilted her head as if she was trying to process his words.
A moment later, an "Oh…" escaped her lips.
Her anger dissipated in the next instance and a smile appeared on her face.
"That's great! It is good that you finally listened to my advice. Seems like my hard work finally paid off!" She mused to herself while patting his shoulder.
"By the way, I saw your last shot. Your archery skills are pretty good. Looks like your Soultrait is quite compatible with archery."
Michael was still unsure why Alice Zenovia paid so much attention to him, and why she was so adamant about him joining the Saphirelake Military Camp, but that was something he could find out when the time was ripe. He was sure that he wouldn't receive a satisfying answer if he were to ask right now.
However, Michael was fine with that. He didn't get any bad vibes from her. That was the most important.
'It's not like she gains anything if I join the Saphirelake Military Academy,' He told himself, '...I guess?'
"If you saw the last shot, you must have seen what happened after that as well, right?" Michael asked suddenly, "Is that stingy brat really your brother? You guys are so different…"
Michael didn't intend to praise Alice and mock her brother in the same line, but she seemed to take his words as a compliment. She pulled her hair back and smiled smugly.
"That idiot is my brother, unfortunately," She acknowledged.
A glint flashed in Michael's eyes and the corner of his lip curled up a bit.
"In that case, you might solve this issue," He said, explaining the situation of the archer competition, the bet and the contract they'd signed.
Michael displayed the contract for her to read and waited patiently for her verdict.
He read Alice's face, and how her expression contorted as she glanced through the clauses.
That was when he knew.
He had successfully changed the topic from the Saphirelake Military Academy to something far more important; Kaleb and the debt he owed him!
Since Alice was already here, he might as well use her to get his money's worth!
Kaleb stared at Michael in utter confusion. His head flicked to his sister and his expression contorted.
'What the hell is going on, right now? Are they acquaintances? How do they know each other? Didn't everyone say that Michael hailed from an ordinary background?'
One confusing question after another formed in Kaleb's mind, but there was no answer.
His confusion grew, and so did his worry.
After all, he didn't want to face his sister's fury.
Kaleb's lips parted, and he was about to say something when his sister's head turned in his direction.
It was as if time slowed down all of a sudden.
Kaleb realized at this moment…he had fucked up!