Ronin could not piece out the whole dream completely, but one thing was clear.

The first to appear was the Academy, so he must start with that. Then, he must find this person. The one who mentioned ‘metamorphism’.

And finally…..

He must gain Cermin Drychspiel’s trust.

He felt disgusted by that f-word that Cermin called him in that dream. So much so that it would annoy him like a buzzing bug in his ear, repeating and repeating in his head.

“Why do I have to be his f… f….. Ugh.” He grumbled, holding his head. “Either way, first things first. I must go to the Academy.”

And he only has one ticket to go there.

Maellan was coming to visit again in five days’ time since the dream.

Whenever he visits, he always looked his best. Well, he had always been the dandy type that likes to dress up a lot, but he increasingly dressed better and better through the years. He would bring flowers and bread and fruits carefully arranged in a basket.

But the curious thing was, his two younger siblings never received this basket.

What they received were gifts from his satchel, this plain bag hanging over his shoulder. Since it was not for them…._.

There was only one person it was for.

Ronin rolled his eyes when he saw Maellan hand the basket to a blushing Cholie. “Childish romance.”

Maellan was wearing a white little hat and tipped it to him and Belladonna who were waiting at the patio. “Hello, Bella! Ronin!”

“Donna.” Belladonna corrected, no longer smiling and greeting her brother as brightly as before.

“Ah, Donna. Lovely.” The eldest brother continued smiling and reached out for a hug.

Both brother and sister stepped back. He merely chuckled at this.

“Oh, come on. You wouldn’t even give your brother a nice little hug?”

Belladonna was the first to deliver the news of her own aversion.

“Father told me that you were keeping Zeuxis.” She said with folded arms. “Is that true?”

Maellan’s smile faltered a little at this. Then, he sighed.

“Yes. It is true.” He admitted very easily. He was not one to lie.

He doesn’t like lying at all, so he must have figured they would find out sooner or later.

“But I told you what he did during my birthday.” Belladonna frowned. “Why would you let someone like that live with you? Are you seeking death?”

“Zeuxis have…. problems. But they could have been avoided if only Father paid attention to him.” Maellan said, with a bit of passive anger in his tone. “He is changing.”

“Changing. He has not changed yet after all these years?” Belladonna raised an eyebrow.

Ronin found himself grinning at his sister suddenly having a gall like this. Her hatred for Zeuxis must be strong enough to make her let go of her former shy personality. Possibly along with whatever Freja had been telling her during tea time.

Freja must have become some sort of female mentor for her, a stand-in for her deceased mother.

Ronin approved of this change for her. ‘Hatred is good. It can really change people tremendously, become the fuel that keeps them running.’

Maellan seemed to be incapable of showing hatred, or at least, he was very good at suppressing it. And he seemed to be only capable of having hatred for his father.

“Zeuxis is still your brother, Donna. Our brother. Of course, I would forgive his slights towards me, he is family. And he does apologize.”

He then turned to the side, glaring at something. “Unlike a certain someone.”

Ronin followed his line of sight. It was Duke Taevas and Mavretri practicing swordsmanship far over the grassy yard.

He had always been finding excuses or any activity like this whenever Maellan arrives. This time, he said to the butler that he needed to keep his aging bones exercised or they might turn to ashes.

But Ronin knew very well that it was just him being avoidant again to his rebellious eldest son.

Belladonna shrugged. “Well, I’ll wait for him to apologize to me, then. I’m a reasonable girl, that’s all I ask.”

She sat down on the usual chair they have over the patio to have their usual chat over tea. “That is, if he could step down from his high pride pedestal and apologize to his younger sister. Sincerely and genuinely.”

Maellan beamed at this and nodded. “I’ll try and convince him.”

“I doubt you would be able to.” Ronin scoffed.

“I will also ask him to apologize for the troubles he had caused you, Ronin.” Mellan ruffled his hair.

They also both sat down beside Belladonna, and a servant laid down their tea and biscuits for them. As he was about to pour tea into their cups, Maellan stopped him and smiled.

“I’ll take care of it. Thank you very much for your service.” He poured tea for himself and his siblings.

Maellan then finished and rubbed his hands together. “Let us talk about lighter topics for now, alright? I have only arrived after all. Tell me how you two have been.”

“Good.” Belladonna answered plainly, still upset with Maellan for keeping Zeuxis around.

“Good.” Ronin just drank his tea, keeping only one thing in mind for this visit.

He did not hesitate to ask. “How was the Academy, brother?”

“The Academy takes care of me very well. Professor Vyrill and I are progressing on our research. I have brought some copies for you as well, as you have mentioned interest in them.” Maellan took out scrolls from his satchel.

“Yes, yes… Very interesting papers.” Ronin only gave them half a glance. “But I would like to ask more about how you managed to bring Zeuxis there despite not passing his Triannum test.”

“A friend of mine told me that is called ‘nepotism’.” Belladonna frowned as she sipped tea. “Using your connections to bring others to a position of power in an unethical way.”

Maellan chuckled and denied this accusation. “Haha, it was not nepotism. I had Zeuxis enter a… new project. Funded by the Spire of Scholars. He was to assist in the library during his free time and sometimes help clean up around the school.”

Ronin’s eyes widened at this. “So he basically became a working student?”

“No, no, it’s not work… It’s voluntary aid. As thanks for the Academy’s generosity.” Maellan seemed to naively believe this.

‘Hah, I bet it took a lot of convincing for Zeuxis to take up that offer.’ Ronin thought in his head.

“And this volunteer project….. do you think I could also get accepted in it when I get pass my Triannum?”

Maellan sighed, setting up his cup.

“I believe I could have, but…”

“Not anymore. The project was discontinued not too long ago due to some incident and….. Zeuxis was also kicked out. Now the Academy would no longer be accepting any student at all that does not pass the Triannum test.”

“I still have him staying with me in my room, but he was to be transferred to a Schoola. Though it is taking me a while to convince him to do so, as he wanted nothing to do with studying anymore.”

Belladonna scoffed at this. “Typical brutish behavior from a boy.”

Ronin’s lips turned into a straight line at this. ‘Of course. Leave it up to Zeuxis to fuck up even being a working student.’

But now…. He must find another way to get into the Academy.