Chapter 28: HOW DARE YOU!

Aaron raised his eyebrows in surprise and stared more intently at the white-haired young man.

The latter was still leaning against the tree, seemingly oblivious to the numerous students gathered across the field. His posture was relaxed, almost lazy, and there was an unmistakable air of indifference about him.

Yet, after hearing Finn’s explanation, Aaron couldn’t help but regard him differently.

A member of a family of generational warriors.

And not just any family.

One that served the Royal Family.

Meanwhile, Finn continued explaining.

"He’s from a family of generational warriors. A family that works exclusively for the Royal Family."

"The Royal Family..." Aaron repeated, his voice carrying a hint of amazement.

He was familiar with the name.

Having lived in this world long enough, and possessing knowledge from his previous life, Aaron was well aware of the extraordinary influence wielded by the Royal Family.

In fact, their authority and influence far exceeded that of the government.

They rarely interfered directly with the world’s established structure, preferring to remain behind the scenes and make subtle decisions that could influence entire nations.

Their existence was almost mythical to ordinary citizens.

And those who had the privilege of serving the Royal Family were hardly ordinary themselves.

Only the elites could hope to work for the royal bloodline.

Aaron returned his attention to the white-haired young man.

’A product of generations of warriors...’

He couldn’t help but wonder just how formidable someone born into such a family could become.

"Uhmm..."

Finn suddenly interrupted his thoughts.

"I don’t know why, but that talented Goldilock boy has been staring at you for quite some time now."

Aaron’s expression changed slightly.

He spared Damien a glance.

Sure enough, his elder brother was looking directly at him.

Their eyes met.

Neither of them looked away immediately.

Aaron remained silent for a moment before casually returning his attention to Finn.

However, the little boy’s expression had changed.

His eyebrows were slightly knitted, and there was a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

"What did you say your name was again?"

Aaron glanced at him.

"Aaron."

Finn tilted his head, seemingly unsatisfied with the answer.

"Your family name?"

Aaron raised an eyebrow.

"Goldilock. Aaron Goldilock."

Finn nodded slowly.

Something about his expression changed.

The playful smile that had constantly adorned his childish face disappeared, replaced by an unusual look of seriousness.

He remained quiet for a few seconds before asking:

"Is Damien your cousin?"

Aaron chuckled lightly.

"He’s my elder brother. Same father."

Finn’s expression remained unchanged.

"Oh."

Aaron regarded him briefly.

He found the boy’s sudden change in demeanor rather peculiar, but he didn’t particularly care to investigate.

Instead, he turned towards him with a faint smile.

"Nice meeting you, Finn..."

He paused deliberately.

"Blade?"

"Blade. Finn Blade."

Finn answered with a blank stare.

His voice was noticeably less enthusiastic than before.

Aaron noticed the sudden change but decided not to dwell on it.

"Well, I’ll see you another time. I have some catching up to do with my brother before the Awakening process begins."

Finn said nothing.

He merely nodded slightly, maintaining his unusually blank expression.

Aaron gave him one final glance before turning around.

He had no idea what had suddenly gotten into the little rascal, but it wasn’t particularly important.

He had more pressing matters to attend to.

His elder brother, for instance.

Under the bright afternoon sunlight, Aaron walked purposefully towards the tall, muscular blond man seated on the stone slab.

With every step, he became increasingly aware of the attention he was attracting.

It wasn’t particularly surprising.

Damien wasn’t just another student.

He was the best combatant in Ravstas Academy’s third year, a student whose reputation had spread beyond the academy’s walls.

Approaching someone like him so casually was bound to attract attention.

And Aaron, who looked considerably younger than most of the students present, was certainly an unusual sight.

Several students began whispering among themselves.

Some recognized him as the unfamiliar boy who had been moving around the gathering without an academy uniform.

Others simply wondered what business someone so young could possibly have with Damien.

Aaron ignored them. Eventually, he stopped directly in front of his elder brother.

For a brief moment, he looked up at the considerably taller figure.

Then he put on his most cheerful expression.

"Hi, Big Brother. Missed me?"

Damien stared at him.

His expression remained completely unchanged.

"Why are you here?"

Aaron’s smile twitched. He sighed.

’Three years. Three whole years, and this is how you welcome me?’

He sighed.

"You haven’t changed a bit. Still as uncaring as ever."

Damien frowned slightly.

"Why are you here?"

Aaron stared at him for a moment.

Then he shrugged.

"To obviously take the Awakening test."

A faint chuckle escaped Damien’s lips. It wasn’t a particularly pleasant sound.

Instead, he looked at Aaron with an almost condescending expression.

"Only special students are allowed to take the test without attending an academy."

He paused briefly.

"You’re not special."

Aaron raised an eyebrow. Rather than getting offended, he found the remark somewhat amusing.

"That’s harsh. I spent time with Velma, and she taught me a few things. I’m special."

At the mention of Velma’s name, Damien’s expression twitched. It was subtle.

So subtle that someone unfamiliar with him might have missed it.

But Aaron noticed.

"Velma was never special."

Damien’s voice carried an unusual degree of contempt.

He narrowed his eyes slightly.

"I don’t know how she managed to deceive everyone, but I recently discovered that she was merely someone who awakened without undergoing the Awakening ceremony."

Aaron’s expression changed slightly.

Before he could respond, Damien shifted his gaze. Towards the blue-haired girl.

Aaron followed his brother’s line of sight.

Unlike before, Kelly was now looking directly at the two of them.

Her expression remained calm, and there wasn’t the slightest indication that she was particularly interested in their conversation.

Nevertheless, her attention was unmistakably fixed on them.

Aaron regarded her for a moment before returning his gaze to Damien.

"Why do you say so?"

Damien shifted his attention back to him.

"Because I know so."