Chapter 27: The Strongest DUO

Aaron smiled.

However, his brother immediately averted his gaze, wearing an expression of complete disinterest.

Aaron’s smile froze.

’Ouch. That’s cold. It’s been three years.’

He stared at Damien for another moment, wondering whether his brother genuinely hadn’t recognized him or simply couldn’t be bothered to acknowledge his presence.

Before he could dwell on it any further, he noticed Natasha casting him a quick, knowing glance. Apparently, she had grown uncomfortable with the short boy’s presence.

Without saying a word, she turned around and walked away.

Aaron watched her leave with a calm expression.

He had no idea where she was going, but one thing was certain.

She wasn’t coming back anytime soon. He glanced sideways at the little boy.

’She definitely won’t be coming back as long as this guy is around me.’

With that thought, Aaron drew in a deep breath.

He was still watching Natasha disappear into the crowd when—

A face suddenly popped up directly in front of him.

"Woaah!" Aaron instinctively recoiled.

The short boy stared at him gleefully for a moment, seemingly pleased with his reaction, before cheerfully introducing himself.

"Hi! I’m Finn. That damsel... She’s your friend, right?"

Aaron gave him a brief glance ignoring the question, he shifted his attention back towards Damien. His brother was still stealing glances at the blue-haired girl.

With total disinterest, he finally muttered.

"No... Not really. She is not my friend."

Finn nodded sagely, as though he had just received some important information.

He then glanced towards where had just passed to leave his sight and muttered under his breath.

"Su-Such a beauty."

Aaron’s expression stiffened.

’What’s the deal with this perverted kid?’

Finn inhaled deeply.

After a few seconds, he shifted his attention back to Aaron and casually remarked:

"Oh! You’re checking Kelly out."

Aaron turned towards him with a frown.

"Who’s Kelly?"

Finn stared at him expressionlessly.

"The girl with the blue hair. The one you’ve been looking at."

Aaron blinked.

Then, with genuine surprise, he asked:

"You know her?"

Finn maintained his gaze for a moment.

"Know her?"

A short chuckle escaped his lips before his expression twisted into a somewhat bitter smile.

"I’ve fought her. And trust me, you don’t want a chick like that."

Aaron’s eyebrows shot up.

’I knew looks could be deceiving. But wait...’

Something suddenly clicked.

It finally made sense.

Damien had been watching her ever since Aaron arrived at the estate. He had repeatedly stolen glances in her direction, and even now, his attention seemed almost entirely occupied by her.

Aaron should have known his brother wouldn’t be so fixated on just any random girl.

The last girl Damien had shown an interest in was an outrageously powerful, feral Awakened with red hair. His brother clearly had a preference.

Powerful women.

Aaron shifted his gaze towards Damien once again, this time with a newfound understanding.

’So that’s what it is.’

Before he could draw any further conclusions, Finn’s voice interrupted his thoughts.

"I didn’t get your name, chump."

Aaron briefly glanced at him.

"It’s Aaron."

There was a short silence.

Finn seemed content with the introduction, but Aaron’s curiosity had already been piqued.

He glanced towards Kelly again.

"Kelly... How strong is she?"

Finn immediately turned towards him. His eyes widened in disbelief.

"What!? You really don’t know her? I thought you were joking!"

Aaron’s eye twitched.

"I wasn’t lying or joking. I really don’t know her."

Finn stared at him for a few seconds, seemingly trying to determine whether he was being serious.

Eventually, he shrugged.

"She’s the general’s daughter and has been preparing for this moment all her life."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"She’s strong. Very strong."

Aaron listened attentively.

Finn seemed to recall something and added with a hint of sarcasm:

"In fact, rumors’ about her talent have been flying around for quite some time. Most people believe she’s talented enough to become the next big thing. They consider her the prodigy of this generation."

Aaron let out an impressed whistle.

’Prodigy? There’s another powerful teenager being talked about aside from my numb-headed brother.’

He shifted his attention towards Kelly again.

As though sensing his gaze, the blue-haired girl suddenly cast him a quick sideways glance.

Their eyes almost met. Aaron immediately looked away.

’She knows I’m staring.’

He cleared his throat slightly before returning his attention to Finn.

"I might be wrong, but I get the feeling you don’t really agree with what most people think about her."

Finn’s lips curled into a smile.

"Actually... I do."

Aaron raised an eyebrow.

Before he could question the boy’s rather confusing response, Finn casually placed a palm on his shoulder and pulled him closer.

Given their considerable difference in height, the gesture looked rather amusing.

Finn leaned towards him and lowered his voice.

"You see that white-haired dude over there?"

Aaron tilted his shoulders slightly, trying to accommodate the boy’s height difference, before squinting in the direction Finn was indicating.

"Which dude?"

"The white-haired guy leaning against the tree."

Finn attempted to point with his head.

Aaron followed his gaze.

Far away from the main gathering, a lone figure stood beneath the shade of a tree.

He was a tall, lean young man with an athletic build. His white hair stood out rather conspicuously against the greenery surrounding him, while his relaxed posture suggested he had little interest in the activities taking place around the field.

Like Kelly, he was among the handful of students who weren’t wearing an academy uniform.

He stood alone, leaning against the tree with an almost indifferent expression.

Aaron studied him briefly before raising an eyebrow.

"Is he with us?"

Finn withdrew his hand from Aaron’s shoulder.

A satisfied smile spread across his childish face.

"Of course he is."

Aaron observed the lone white haired guy once again.

"Then why is he standing so far away."

Finn Shrugged.

"I don’t know. Probably Superiority complex."

He stared silently for a while, then added:

"But what I do know for certain is that no one here is stronger or more talented than that Dude."

His face hardened in concentration.

"His name is Tommy Warian. He is from the Warian family, basically the strongest family in human history."