8 Chapter 8

Offering to kill my siblings came out to be unexpected, yet I found myself agreeing. Are all espers this daring and brazen? Worst of all, shame erupted from me as I found myself disgustingly giddy and hopeful at such notion.

I glanced at my bitten wrist, a documentation of our contract. The unexpected pain from the snake bite lingered but I was more shocked at the sudden appearance of Ophi. The black tattoo of a curling snake wrapped around my arm but there was new unprecedented inkling of power burning inside my gut.

"You have the same powers as I do now, brat. It's just that they won't be as powerful as mine, but no less weak either." She quickly gave me a smirk, the kind of smile that soaked coldness into my bones yet strangely made me satisfied. "Be proud of yourself, brat. Once you have better control of your magic, you may have dual abilities or your body will instinctively clash and kill you..." she muttered and shrugged as if was a small matter.

That was no small matter, especially when dread started to pool in my guts. I'm starting to feel she did it on purpose knowing we were heading towards the academy's diner. I was glad that today was the day off or else we'd garner the attention of most students if not all at the sudden sight of a foreigner alongside me.

Black hair and equally black eyes were rare in this part of the continent alongside her oriental facial features. Furthermore, she was quite beautiful despite her vulgar mouth and brash attitude which was a whole 180 degree when her face looked gentle and delicate. Maybe it was the face paint she put on in the morning or the way she carried herself in an elegant manner.

"Not bad," she breathed out glancing up at the floating chandeliers and then to the marble tiles. Bright light streamed in from the tall glass pane on the side and the long tables stretched out in the dinning hall.

I guided her to the serving station, where I started to pile bits of food onto my plate, time from time sneaking glances at her. The food here must be very different from and probably not up to her standards, yet I was slightly shocked that she took the initiative to grab a bit of everything.

She took note of my astonished expression and merely rose a brow, "Trying new food," she simply stated.

Only a couple of students were eating lunch, but not many of them paid heed to our presence since they were busy drowning themselves in their food and books. I led us to a place near secluded and near the door in case something bad erupts. It was a long time since I've eaten in the dining hall and mostly resigned myself to take the food and quickly leave, but today was special since I had to formally introduce this place to my guest.

I took a small nibble into the soft bread with goose cream and took a sip from the Tuartara spirit while observing my companion in front of me. She did not make a face but from time to time raise her brows in bewilderment.

Curious I asked, "Is it any good?" to which she hummed it was alright. I tried to make small chat with her, despite not associating with many people due to my lack of talent, but today I felt more courageous.

As we continued eating in a pregnant silence, my eyes wandered around the dining hall, until the sight of two familiar figures caused me to involuntary drop the last bit of bread.

"Is there something wrong?" one of her brows arched, trailing after the two figures.

Why were they here today? They should have been back at the manor. Cold sweat started to form on my back and the air around me became a bit stuffy. I only hoped they would not notice me, but the devil was truly at my side, as the inevitable started to happen.

"Well, I didn't expect our dear brother to be eating here," a sickly saccharine voice resonated in the dinning hall. "Aren't you going to greet your dear little sister?" she chuckled while twirling a strand of her strawberry pink hair.

I gave a quick glance at Ran, disappointed that she remained impassive continuing to eat her fill as if a conversation did not suddenly appear.

"Ooo, who is this?" my half-sister pointed at Ran, causing her to pause and slowly turn around.

Ran gave a small smile, the type of fake innocent smile. "The name is Ran. Please to make your acquaintances."

Sylvia blanked at the sudden sight of Ran, before recomposing herself. Sylvia and Leo rarely encountered people who looked outside of the continent and redirected their questioning gazes towards me.

"How did my failure of a brother become acquainted with you?" Sylvia questioned before bursting out into laughter, "I never would have imagined that in a million of years, the scum of our family would dare interact with someone else."

The vicious words no longer hurt me, but the condescending meaning lingering in her words about Ran was unacceptable. As if the tattoo acknowledged my rising anger, my arm started to tingle in warmth.

Ran narrowed her eyes at me instantly dissipating the burning feeling in my heart, "Why can't your brother hang out with someone like me? I'd rather hang out with him than with someone like you."

"What!" Sylvia's face twisted as vicious as her words. Her initial dainty and refined look was torn to shreds which I had to commend Ran for. Not many people were able to be graced with such amazing spiteful looks since Sylvia was as fake as the headmaster's hair. Maybe since I was with Ran, did she not hesitate to lump Ran as my partner in crime?

Ran gave another mocking smile, still brilliant in hiding her cunning self, "I do not associate myself with loud, ugly, and flat-chested girls," she slowly enunciated like a bloody knife sinking into my half-sister's skin.

"You bitch!" The plates flew before crashing against the wall as the surrounding air whipped around us.

As I blocked my eyes with my arm as to not get any flying debris into my eyes and to prevent my face from getting cut from the wind magic, my eyes widened at the beaming figure of my partner.

A dreadful shiver erupted from my whole being.