"I knew you'd screw up!" An enraged voice erupted with an aggressive tone.
Armstrong could be seen with his head bowed in a dejected manner as his older brother berates him furiously.
Later in the day, after his encounter with Romeo and Regina, he had come back home to report everything that transpired at the Tourist Centre to his Horde only to be met with ridicules and fury, most especially from his older brother.
"Your mission was simple." His older brother pointed out. "Get to Land Climax, detect and exploit it's weaknesses. You were not sent for an exploration of a stupid Tourist Center!" His older brother cursed under his breath as he glares viciously at Armstrong.
Had it been any other person, Armstrong would have refuted but this is his older brother. Only in his dreams could he stand up to him so even when he wants to speak up to defend his dignity, he could only swallow his words and allow his older brother to lash out at him to his heart content. Eventually, he believes his older brother would calm down.
However, while he humbly receive the harsh scoldings of his older brother, Armstrong's eyes gleamed with hatred and vengeance. Since he couldn't blame neither hit his older brother, he chooses to blame Romeo for all the ordeal he is passing through at that moment.
In his own opinion, if Romeo hadn't been so hard hearted and had made Armstrong discipline him, then Regina wouldn't have interfere and he wouldn't have incur the wrath of his older brother upon himself.
Moreover, he also blames Regina for the circumstances that he is passing through. Perhaps if she hadn't interfere in his matters with Romeo, he would have taken care of him and wouldn't have to stand before his brother to face such massive embarrassment.
Either ways, that pair of Lycan Carnal Shifter and Slum Outcast had both of their hands in the tribulation he is passing through at the hands of his older brother.
"Tell me, why did you stray from the mission that was assigned to you?" His older brother asks him while trying his best to keep cool as he took in a few breaths in and out.
"Uhm... Since I was assigned to infiltrate Land Climax so as to exploit their weaknesses, I figured that the best way to do so would be to first exploit the weakness in their heritage." Armstrong answers flimsily without maintaining eye contact with his older brother which caused a dark chuckle to erupt from his older brother's throat.
His older brother stopped laughing and coldly glares at Armstrong. "You figured? Exploit the weakness in their heritage?" The blood in his body began to boil as he clenched his fists in anger. "Would you listen to yourself? What does their heritage have to do with their weaknesses?" He asks through gritted teeth.
"You are a fool! You know that right?" His older brother said with a sneer. "Do you know the consequences of what you have done? Do you know the amount of trouble you have caused? If STRIVE is to catch wind of your failure, what do you think is going to happen then, uh?" His older brother gave him no time to answer any of the questions as he kept on bombarding Armstrong with a barrage of questions that even Armstrong doesn't know the answer to.
"Enough!" Suddenly, a loud authoritative voice rang out in the ears of the duo while drenching the word exchange around them in silence. "Lucian, what do you think you are doing?" The voice asked which caused his older brother to snap out of his frenzy as his temper immediately dies down.
Lucian reluctantly moves to the side of if the nan who spoke as he is the only one sitting in the living room where the word exchange is going on.
The trio were gathered in the living room of the manor bestowed to them by STRIVE. As expected of the aristocratic group of Elites, the living room is an epitome of luxury and innovation that redefines opulence and sophistication.
The living room is a unique blend of modern luxury with sleek lines and minimalist aesthetic covered in a neutral tone of grey with accents of rich wood and metallic finishes.
The flooring is of dark hardwood with area rugs and the walls are grey coloured with textured finishes and decorative molding. The ceiling is high with recessed lighting and crown molding.
The living room also features a biometric security system with facial and voice recognition, voice controlled thermostat and climate control with automated window treatments and integrated audio system.
The fireplace is designed with a stone surrounding and remote control, wet bar with wine fridge and ice maker, hidden storage compartments and secret rooms and private access to outdoor patio and garden. The living room also features hidden movie projector and screen, gaming station with console, VR headset and private reading nook with library and comfortable seating.
It is equipped with a recessed lighting, table lamps with USB ports, floor lamps with adjustable arms and LED strip lighting under the furniture and along the baseboards. Most of the features are voice controlled, courtesy of the smart automation system driven by AI recommendations.
The air is crisp and clean thanks to the nano scrubbers that helps to purify the air going into the room from outside. Since it is winter, the atmosphere in the living room is warm but oppressive and tense owing to the dangerous vibes given off by Lucian.
"I expected you to be wise, Lucian." The man said as he stares at his first born with a cold expression. "I expected you to treat the situation with wisdom and not foolishness." The man said with a scoff.
"I am sorry father." Lucian said apologetically with a bow.
The man sitting on the luxurious massage chair placed in the living room is not one to be trifled with. Being the Herdsire of the Horde Of Minotaurs, very few people dares to question his decisions and authority in the Horde.
The man looks like he is in his mid forties. With a long silky white hair that falls down his shoulders and accentuating his wide hairy eyebrows which held, under them, a pair of ocean blue eyes that gleams with a cold glint and a physique that most men would dream of, the man radiated an air of nobility along with an aura of bloodthirst, one that can only be accumulated after years of killings and deaths.
"The deed is done so there is no need to be crying over a spilled milk." The Herdsire's sharp voice rang out in the ears of his two sons. "What we should be looking for now is a way to undo the deed that has been done. A way to amend the mistake your brother made." The Herdsire concluded while casually glancing at Armstrong whose knees almost gave way.
"Father, what do you suggest that we should do?" Lucian is agitated and one could clearly sense the concern in the tone with which he used to speak and in the gaze his eyes held. "The last time I checked, STRIVE wouldn't take the matter of our failure lightly." Lucian concluded. A flicker of fear flashed in his eyes as he spoke.
"Leave STRIVE to me. I would take care of them." The Herdsire said calmly. "However, I think it is about time one of us learnt how to take care of himself." The Herdsire stated as he throws a casual glance at Armstrong who suddenly felt the intensity of his heart rising exponentially.
Judging by the look his father gave him, Armstrong could tell that he is about to be put in a situation that would be extremely disadvantageous to him. One that he wouldn't be able to handle.
"What do you mean, father?" Armstrong asks while forceful suppressing the uneasiness in his heart as he swallows the lump in his throat.
"It is high time you learn to be responsible. I am sending you to the Academy." The Herdsire stated as a matter of fact.
"What?!" Armstrong questioned, immediately earning a frown from his old man. "You can't do that!" Armstrong objected strongly in a high pitched tone.
For someone who grew up living as a parasite, Armstrong has never felt the need to be responsible as everything and anything he ever wanted were provided to him on a platter of gold. Using the influence of his Horde, Armstrong commands respect everywhere he steps his feet into.
Therefore, the idea of him having to be trained and responsible makes his skin crawls. He seriously objects to him being sent to school. He doesn't know what he would do if he is to leave his Horde as he solely relies on them, hence the anxiety he is feeling.
"I am your father and the Herdsire of this Horde. I am pretty sure I can do that." His father says with absolute authority. "So, it is either you accept my choices and respect them or you leave the Horde." His father stated much to the dismay of Armstrong.
If being sent away temporarily already makes him uncomfortable, Armstrong knows for sure that being away forever would mean the end of his survival. Dejectedly, he could only keep his gaze low and his head down while accepting his father's wishes reluctantly.
"That's what I thought." The Herdsire said before turning his attention to Lucian whose brows are narrowed as he watched the reaction of his younger brother. "Make sure to contact Aurora Academy before sending him there." The Herdsire instructed.
"Right away, father." Lucian affirms before leaving the living room to carry out his father instructions.
"Go and get ready. You are going to the Academy tomorrow morning." His father instructed causing Armstrong to leave the presence of his father with a heavy heart.
While some looks forward to seeing the next day, Armstrong felt that tomorrow would be a day that marks the beginning of several miseries that is to come his way.