Chapter : 672

"Jasmin was in the kitchen," Ken continued lazily. "The kitchen was safe. But she was too close to the danger. The bad guys in the capital do not care about caterers. They do not care about innocent bystanders. If they decide to blow up another building, they will not check to see who is inside."

Ken shoved his free hand deep into his pocket. He drooped his shoulders again. He delivered a very quiet, very cryptic warning.

"The board is shifting rapidly, Dad," Ken stated. He used flawless, casual logic. "The players are making massive moves. The political crossfire is getting out of control. We need to watch her movements very closely. We cannot let her wander around the Inner City blindly. The nobles play dirty games right now. The streets are not safe for normal students."

Brandon listened to every single word.

He did not ask Ken how he knew about the danger. He did not ask Ken for specific details about the explosions. He did not question his son's sudden, serious insight. Brandon just looked at the young man sitting in the folding chair. He saw the wrinkled suit. He saw the messy black hair. He saw the lazy posture.

But Brandon understood the hidden message perfectly. He knew Ken saw the world very clearly. He knew his son was far more observant than anyone else realized.

Brandon slowly reeled in his fishing line. The reel clicked softly. Click. Click. Click. The empty hook popped out of the water. He rested the pole against his chair.

He leaned forward. He rested his rough, calloused hands on his knees. He looked out at the flowing river. The deep lines on his face looked more pronounced in the shade. He looked tired. He looked like a man carrying a very old, very large secret.

"You are right, Ken," Brandon said quietly. His voice carried a profound, serious undertone. "The capital is no longer safe for her to wander around. The shadows are growing too large. The powerful factions are ignoring the rules."

Ken did not say anything. He just ate another potato chip. He waited for his father to continue.

Brandon let out a very long, deep sigh. The sigh sounded like it came from the bottom of his soul. He stared at the moving water. He seemed lost in a very distant memory.

"I wanted to wait," Brandon murmured softly. He shook his head slowly. "I wanted her to just focus on her university exams. I wanted her to study math and science. I wanted her to have a normal, boring life. I wanted to protect her from the complicated reality of this world."

Brandon turned his head. He looked directly at Ken. His eyes were full of a quiet, immense resolve.

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"But the situation is too volatile now," Brandon stated firmly. He did not use any magic words. He did not mention spells or monsters. He spoke with simple, absolute certainty. "Ignorance is no longer a shield. If she does not understand the board, she will get caught in a trap."

Ken stopped chewing. He met his father's gaze. He did not drop his lazy smile. He just listened.

"The time has come," Brandon declared quietly. He placed his hand firmly on the armrest of his chair. He made a massive, life-changing decision. "We have to tell her. We cannot hide it anymore. It is finally time to reveal our family's true, hidden background to Jasmin."

---

A few days passed since the chaotic battle at the Royal Gala. The capital city slowly returned to normal. The loud politicians stopped yelling. The broken windows were finally fixed. The 13th Unit estate enjoyed a very peaceful afternoon.

Elma stood in the living room of the estate. The blonde swordswoman from the 16th Unit wore her spotless white and gold uniform. Her golden curls bounced slightly. She held a large, beautifully decorated pink pastry box in her hands. A shiny gold ribbon tied the box closed.

Sayma opened the front door earlier and let her inside. Now, Elma looked around the warm, cozy room. Her face was slightly pink. She spotted Ken immediately.

Ken Eliot sat on the long fabric sofa. He wore his baggy gray sweatpants. He wore an oversized white t-shirt. He sagged his shoulders as far as they could possibly go. He watched the magical screen on the wall. He played a simple, colorful video game. He pressed the buttons on his controller very slowly.

"I brought pastries," Elma announced clearly.

Ken paused his game instantly. He dropped the plastic controller onto the soft cushion. He looked at the pink box. His sleepy dark eyes lit up with joy.

"Pastries are the ultimate treasure," Ken said lazily. He pointed a finger at the box. "Please tell me you brought strawberry tarts. Strawberry tarts heal all my video game damage. My character is very low on health."

Elma smiled a bright, nervous smile. She walked over to the wooden coffee table. She set the box down carefully. She unties the shiny gold ribbon. She opened the cardboard lid. A sweet, delicious smell filled the entire living room. The scent of sugar and fresh fruit floated through the air.

"I brought strawberry tarts," Elma confirmed happily. "I also brought chocolate eclairs. And I bought vanilla cream puffs. I visited the best bakery in the Inner City. I stood in line for an hour."

"You are an legend, Elma," Ken cheered happily. He leaned forward. He reached into the box. He grabbed a bright red strawberry tart. He took a massive bite. He chewed it slowly. He closed his eyes in bliss. "This is a masterpiece. The pastry chef deserves a shiny gold medal. I will write them a thank you letter."

The other elite girls gathered around the coffee table. The living room felt very warm and safe.

Naomi sat down next to Ken on the sofa. She wore simple dark pants and a soft green shirt. She did not cross her arms. She did not scowl. She smiled a gentle, relaxed smile. She reached into the box. She picked up a vanilla cream puff. She took a small, polite bite.

"This is really good, Elma," Naomi praised softly. She turned her head and looked at Ken. Ken had a large red crumb on his chin. Naomi did not yell at him. She did not call him a slacker. She simply picked up a clean white napkin from the table. She handed the napkin to him quietly. Her green eyes looked very kind.

Ken took the napkin. He wiped his chin. "Thanks, Naomi. I am a massive crumb magnet today. The crumbs are attacking me."

Naomi chuckled softly. "You are always a crumb magnet, Ken. Just eat over a plate."

Laxmi ran into the room. The fire user wore bright orange shorts and a yellow shirt. She saw the open pastry box. She cheered loudly. She grabbed two chocolate eclairs. She stuffed them both into her mouth at the exact same time.