CHAPTER 80: RECONSIDER

"Are you sure this is okay?"

It was the seventh time their father had asked that question.

And once again, Arthur gave the same reply.

"Yes. You won’t be needed during the assessment. No matter how it goes, I’ll come home—either to collect my things or... to deliver the bad news."

He said it gently, but firmly.

Their father’s fever had gone down a little, but he was still weak. Maybe it was the sudden weather change. Or maybe he was just tired—too tired.

Arthur didn’t want to argue. He was already helping his father into the carriage that would take them to the Teleportation Portal.

Kevin, standing nearby, had also been stubborn about staying behind.

"I’ll be with him, Dad," he said. "At least trust me that much."

Those words made Aston fall silent. He knew his eldest son was responsible—always had been—but leaving Arthur now, during one of the biggest moments of his life... didn’t sit right.

They rode slowly toward the portal. It wasn’t far, but Arthur insisted on the carriage. He didn’t want their father exposed to the cold wind.

If it weren’t for the assessment tomorrow, Arthur would’ve personally gone all the way to Westmere to see him off. But there was always a chance that something unexpected might happen—something that could delay his return to the academy.

And for that reason, the two elders had told him not to go.

"Okay then, take care, you two," Aston said, resting his hands on his sons’ shoulders.

Arthur nodded. "We will. So you make it home safely too—and do what Mum says."

Aston winced at the thought of his wife’s scolding.

"Understood. Best of luck, Art. Make us proud."

He stepped into the teleportation center, grateful that it wasn’t crowded.

Arthur and Kevin turned and began walking back toward the inn where Arthur was staying.

Kevin wasn’t in his school uniform—just a pair of dark trousers and a white shirt.

After a few moments of silence, Kevin spoke. "Want me to tell you what tomorrow’s assessment might be?"

Arthur hummed. "Only if you think I can’t handle it."

Kevin gave a wry smile. "Just say you’re arrogant."

Arthur smirked. "I have the strength to back my arrogance."

This time, Kevin laughed. "I missed this narcissism." People around him either admired him too much or looked at him with open dislike. The real connection was rare.

So having his brother here... felt good.

"Did you meet her?" Kevin asked casually.

Arthur raised a brow. "Who?"

Kevin grinned. "The girl who had a crush on you at first sight. I know she’s here."

Arthur was baffled. "You still remember that?"

"You remember it too—means she’s still on your mind."

The fact was that Kevin couldn’t forget about her because she was one of the main characters. And to think she would show curiosity towards Arthur was just... mind-wobbling.

"There is nothing between us and we didn’t talk. Stop getting any funny ideas." Arthur sighed.

Kevin grinned and continued to tease him until they reached the inn and found a familiar person standing there.

Arthur blinked in confusion, "Your Highness?"

Standing there was the same Princess he met a few years ago when their family was invited to the capital.

"I thought I should motivate you a little before the assessment." She said with a soft smile.

Kevin approached her, softly holding her hand, and asked a few things in a whisper.

Anastasia nodded and shook her head to answer him.

Arthur intentionally ignored them, not wanting to listen to what he was not supposed to.

Once they were done, Kevin asked, "Shall we have dinner together?"

Arthur shrugged, "Sure. You choose the place."

Naturally, the two of them knew better about this town than him.

They brought Arthur to an eatery that was nearly packed.

Thankfully, they weren’t loud so once the trio were seated they were able to converse without raising their voices,

"So, how is it going?" Arthur was the first one to ask, glancing at their connected hands.

Anastasia blushed while the President seemed slightly embarrassed too.

"A-Ah...I mentioned it before but I will formally introduce her to you," Kevin took the role, "Arthur, this is Anna...my girlfriend. And Anna, he is my little brother Arthur."

Arthur and Anastasia smiled at each other before the latter began, "Your brother loves to talk about you."

Arthur hummed, "He doesn’t talk about himself?"

Anastasia’s lips curled in grief, "Barely...all he says about himself is that he was average in everything he did."

Arthur grinned, "Then you are in for a surprise. I can tell you some of his deeds, which normally an ’average’ can’t accomplish. For starters, when he saved a maiden from a bunch of bandits."

"Umm...guys...is it important to talk about this?" A red-faced, panicking Kevin intervened.

Anastasia complained, "Stay out of this, Kevin. You don’t talk much generally, always in your President mode." Turning back to the black-haired teenager, she smiled, "This is between me and my brother-in-law."

That last term got Arthur by surprise, "Ho~it seems I am not informed of something major here."

Anastasia blushed and glanced at Kevin.

The blond one also found himself cornered...feeling helpless.

In the end, Arthur eased up the mood by calling for the waiter, "Mushroom soup, bread, lasagna, and whatever best nonalcoholic drink you serve."

The waiter nodded and walked away.

In the meantime, the couple seemed to have calmed down

Arthur changed the topic, knowing going back there would put them under stress, "What is the best score of physical assessment to this date?"

Kevin inwardly thanked his brother for his thoughtfulness before he informed him, "The name is Richard Ravenstien. Ages ago, he set the record which is still not broken. He scored seven hundred and eleven from eight hundred points which sounds impossible to me. But there are records so there is no point in denying it."

"Hmm?" Arthur was curious, "How difficult are these trials?"

"Very," Anastasia exclaimed, leaning forward, "They test everything: strength, endurance, speed, and magic. You either will fail or give your best only to be scored average. I scored just slightly above four hundred."

Arthur was amazed at the information before he turned towards his brother, "What about you?"

Kevin shrugged, "Around five hundred-ish?"

Anastasia rolled her eyes, "Why are you being modest around your brother?" She turned towards Arthur and told him, "He was recruited by the council for his assessment marks." With a grin, she added, "He scored six hundred and forty-three—ranking at the top."

Kevin sighed, "It’s nothing much...and I know Arthur will break my record for sure. Heck, I think he might even challenge the legendary scorer as well."

"I don’t think so," Arthur interjected, and added with a shrug, "I won’t be trying too hard. I just need to enter the school."

Anastasia was stunned while Kevin frowned.

"That reminds me, Art...why did you not answer all the questions?"

Arthur breathed out audibly, "It was a hassle being shown near the top. So I saved myself from the needless labor of writing those last few questions."

"Eh? So you mean you intentionally scored lower than you actually could have?" Anastasia was shocked beyond belief.

Every single person, including her brother, decides to give their all during these trials. And here...he was taking it so nonchalantly!

Kevin knew his brother well enough to tell what was on his mind. He didn’t want to draw attention, and that’s why he might underperform during the physical assessment, too.

Resting his arms on the table, Kevin seriously told him, "Art...you need to understand that the school divides the students based on their results. You might get pushed into a class where you don’t want to be. A class which would be more focused on training than actual field work just because they would deem you not being prepared for actual combat."

Arthur frowned slightly, hearing him intently.

Kevin continued, "Based on your results, your teachers and class would be assigned. Those who didn’t perform well in assessment get majorly stuck in friendly spars and all. And I am sure you don’t want to live your next three years in sheltered surroundings."

"Hell no!" Arthur instantly responded.

Kevin nodded, "Then listen to my advice, and don’t hold back tomorrow. Just because you don’t want attention on you, you can’t risk your future. You are here to learn and grow so let them know that through your actions."

Arthur took a deep breath and nodded...now seriously re-considering his choices.

Kevin didn’t speak after that and soon the food arrived.

Anastasia was purely in awe to see how close they really were.

Despite how mature Arthur seemed, he carefully listened to his elder brother’s words rather than dismissing his thoughts. And the way Kevin is concerned about Arthur’s future made her sigh in admiration.

They ate dinner while exchanging light words and talking about casual things.

Not so long after, Arthur returned to his room and decided to rest.

Tomorrow...might be the day when he would announce his arrival to the world.

******

A/N:- Thank you for choosing my work