CHAPTER 113: BROTHER SMILES AND SENIOR SISTER.

The moment Aris joined them, Aramith immediately flagged him as the talkative type.

He’d even prepared his mind to evade some of the questions he suspected the boy would throw at him, but even as they approached the end of their trek, Aris hadn’t shown any curiosity.

The only thing he mentioned was that they had to reach the two people they were now approaching.

Aramith weighed things and realized Aris wouldn’t pry, so he asked him about where they were going.

Aris looked at him and Mozrael. "You’re not familiar with the place?"

"No," Aramith answered.

"So you’re not from around here?" Aris asked again.

Aramith hesitated for a moment. How he answered the question could mean a lot. Aris may have the appearance of a very plain, unassuming character, but Aramith noticed a lot from those eyes. He looked very intelligent, having the eyes of one who observes details.

This wasn’t the average person who would just accept an answer and move on.

"We had an older woman who guided us here, but she left us and told us we needed to finish the rest of the journey without her," he explained gently and calmly.

"I see," Aris said. He brushed his chin. "If that’s the case, then it makes a lot more sense," he muttered.

"Okay, boss. You see those two over there?" He pointed ahead. "We just need to get to them, and they will lead us to the academy. I know the entrance exam would be easy for someone like you. Though I wonder how it will be."

Aramith understood the subtle hint he was hiding.

That simple statement was a way of asking if they knew about the entrance exam.

"Unfortunately, we know even less than you do," Aramith replied.

"Ah, of course, no one would ever know the way they conduct their exams, haha," he scratched his head, laughing as they approached the two figures. They looked a few years older than them were.

"Congratulations," the female said disdainfully. "You’re the last to arrive," she looked at them one by one, then continued when her eyes came back to land on Aris. "And you’re late. Go away, you can come back next year."

"Don’t be so hard on them, they’re just kids," the male said gently. He sounded nice, but the fact that he called them kids when he was only a few years older stung.

The girl rolled her eyes. "You’re always so soft, and that’s why things don’t work out for you."

"Now then, don’t talk like that in front of your juniors," he said with a very friendly smile. It was so genuine, it made them like him on the spot.

He’s such a nice guy.

He’s such a nice guy.

He’s such a nice guy.

But someone didn’t mind. The girl’s head snapped at him.

"Juniors? Look at them. This is their first impression, and it’s just pure lateness. No one has ever been this late before, so don’t call them juniors when they won’t pass the exam."

The three felt wronged that she said that in front of them.

But Brother Smiles just chuckled. "Don’t talk like that. I mean, even you managed to pass, right?

He’s not a nice guy.

He’s not a nice guy.

He’s not a nice guy.

A vein popped on her head instantly.

"What?"

But he ignored her and stepped closer to them.

"Did you walk out of a painting? You’re very attractive," he said smoothly.

[Straight to the point.]

Mozrael took a small step behind Aramith.

I like your eyes, you two. Very odd colours," he continued.

"Thank you?" Aramith replied uncomfortably.

[I do hope he’s straight]

He nodded knowingly, ignoring the force that looked like it was about to explode behind him.

"Just look how clean you look. I can already tell you’re from a very prestigious background. Too bad you’re here," he gave a solemn sigh.

His comment dug up terrible memories for both of them, and Mozrale held Aramith’s hand for comfort. But Aramith didn’t understand him.

Too bad we’re here? What’s that supposed to mean?

"You have definitely paid a fortune to get this, but it has to end now," he said, looking Aramith in the eyes now. His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes in this moment.

"What has to end?" Aramith asked carefully.

"Don’t worry, I’ll let you take any necessary belongings you feel will be urgent. Then your senior sister here will accompany your servant back to safety."

Servant?

Brother Smiles looked at Aris and smiled. "Don’t worry, you’ll be in safe hands. Senior sister here will take you back home safely. You can put your life in her hands," he said politely.

It was in that moment that Aramith understood the peculiarity of their situation and how it caused this misunderstanding.

Just take a bird’s eye view of things. Aramitha nd Mozrael wore fine clothes, and their skin was as healthy as ever. Though Aramith’s skin naturally had a pale hue, it still looked very healthy.

Aris, on the other hand, looked wretched and covered in dust. His dirt-colored hair and torn clothes made him look even worse.

Also, the large bag he carried, coupled with the fact that Aramith and Mozrael didn’t hold any items, finalized the misunderstanding that Aris was their servant.

"Boss, I think they’re confused," Aris suddenly spoke

Don’t call me boss! Are you blind and deaf?

Aramith’s head jerked toward Aris with shocking speed.

Are you doing this on purpose?

"He is not our servant. We just met him on our way here," Aramith said.

"We didn’t just meet; my life belongs to you, boss!" Aris added.

"Stop talking like that, you’re only making things difficult, can’t you see?"

Brother Smiles frowned a little now.

"If you don’t know where you are, let me make one thing clear," he said.

Well, we don’t know where we are, honestly, Aramith thought

Brother Smiles raised a finger.

"Even if you descended from the sky, we do not treat anyone special. You are not allowed to sneak your servant into the institution under any circumstances. If you try to make things complicated, we will have to use force, and I won’t be merciful to any of you. You will bleed," he threatened.

At the mention of using such methods, Aramith’s gaze shifted, turning dangerous.

Mozrael’s hand tightened on Aramith’s wrist. "Careful. He’s trying to provoke you," she whispered so low only he heard. "It’s just a misunderstanding. Just talk to them," she said.

Aramith sighed, realizing he was about to make a mistake. "Sorry, I was—"

"I know," Mozrael cut in softly.

Aramith decided to explain things to him, but before he opened his mouth, Aris stepped forward and bowed.

"I’m very sorry. I think my choice of words has caused a misunderstanding!"

This caught everyone off guard, but Brother Smiles recovered quickly.

"A misunderstanding?" He asked.

Senior sister frowned. She didn’t have a good temper.

"Are you trying to deceive us? You said it yourself, did you not?"

Aris remained bowed as he replied. "Apologies again, but if you are to recall correctly, my first words were that you seemed to have confused things. I wanted to clear that up."

She scoffed. "That may be true, but from the way you address him, how else do you expect us to understand things?"

"Yes, that is my fault again for causing you more trouble, seniors."

Aris remained bowed. His voice was steady, but Aramith didn’t miss the tightness behind it. "I only call him boss because he saved me when I had no hope. I owe him my life. That’s all."

The place became quiet. Aramith and Mozrael did not expect this turn of events, and Aris’ way of dealing with this misunderstanding was out of the blue.

Brother Smiles nodded after a moment of thought.

"That works as a plausible excuse, but if what you say is true, why are they so spotless and carry nothing. They couldn’t have possibly made it this far without any supplies, right?"

Without hesitating, Aris took off his bag and dropped it in front of him.

This is wrong. Aramith took a step, but Aris begged him to stop.

"Sorry, boss, let me deal with this. It’s my fault."

Aramith didn’t press further, and this act on Aris’s side earned Aramith’s respect.

"Well then, don’t mind me," Brother Smiles said and proceeded to search the bag. Most of it came out as junk. The boy was a scavenger.

Brother Smilles nodded after thoroughly searching the bag.

"Well, these indeed belong to you, but what of you two?" He turned to Aramith and Mozrael.

"Can you explain how it is you were able to make it all the way here and still look like you just came out of a sot spring?"

[That isn’t wrong. They did come out of a hot spring not too long ago.]

"An older friend accompanied us here," Aramith said.

"But where is she then?" Brother Smiles asked.

"She believes it is better we deal with the rest of the matters on our own. And I prefer to keep personal matters personal." There was an edge to the way he finished his words.

Brother Smiles eyes him carefully.

"Understood then. You may all go. If you end up being liars, there are others who will deal with you."

He stepped aside, raising a hand to silence Senior Sister, and with the other, he cast a stone on the ground, opening a portal for them.

Aramith nodded, and they stepped inside without another word. This time, Aris was behind as Aramith led the way.

"I hope we meet again sometime," Brother Smiles said as the portal closed behind them.