The Six Kingdoms

Evelyn raised an eyebrow as she heard him cursing. It finally felt like it was her Brother but she'd much rather look at actual evidence. Many of which pointed out that her brother — if he was still alive — had changed. Very abruptly. She didn't let the cursing affect her as she continued prodding, 

"Can you tell?"

Maximus gave her a side eye then ignored as he continued watching the news. There was an awkwardness in the air for some time with only the sound of news playing. The pets were in their own room, likely still sleeping in.

It was when he finished eating that Maximus opened his mouth, 

"I just felt like changing, you know. Not everything needs to have a reason. Can't a man change because he realized how he behaved and treated others?", it was said in such a serious tone that Evelyn almost believed him. Maximus continued,

"You don't need to be concerned with the details of where I was and what I was doing. What do you want my help with?"

Evelyn continued eating the noodles in her bowl, taking the time to deliberate over her words, likely thinking about his answer, or probably her earlier offer. When she finished eating, Maximus stood up and extended a hand towards her bowl, which she gave him after displaying an unbelievable look. 

Maximus got to cleaning the dishes, leaving Evelyn to think about the earlier conversation. He thought, 'I definitely couldn't have been able to continue acting like William. He was too despicable, the lowest of the trash. My goal is still to return to my original home. Who knows what happened after I transmigrated here. I have a loving mother and a reliable big brother, I wonder how they are. 

'Since I am here, I'll live just like who I am, not unnecessarily impersonate someone. If someone finds out, so be it. I can always make a run for it. Chuck it, I need to stop thinking so much. Who knows if anyone has a mind reading ability.'

After he was done with the dishes, Maximus washed his hands and sat on the sofa. Evelyn was sitting with her legs crossed, Ipad in her hand while reading something. She closed the tablet as soon as he sat down and asked,

"Would you like to sort information for me? I'll pay you for it."

Maximus turned his head away from the television and looked at her with narrowed eyes, "What kind of information?" 

Uncrossing her legs and browsing across her Ipad, she simply held out her tablet for him, and said, "This kind."

Maximus took the tablet and began reading through the stuff he had been handed,

"The history of Earth begins from the Six Kingdoms; they were rumored to have supernatural beings amidst them, which allowed them to keep a tight control over each of their own kingdoms.

"The Six Kingdoms each seemed to have their own supernatural ability, namely, Fire - Incendium, Water - Aquastrand, Air - Skylance, Earth - Terracrest, Dark - Nightfall, Light - Rayspark.

"For some reason, they didn't rule for long, instead retreating into the shadows and now prefer to control the world subtly.

"Their members are distributed throughout the world, controlling parts of the world, like politicians, singers, actors, influencers and also heads of hospitals, agencies, schools, universities, factories, companies, firms and many more."

After he took in the information, He glanced over at Evelyn who seemed to be anticipating his reaction. With an expressionless face, he said, "Some of it is common information, but I know for a fact that some of it is not. Why would you give me this information? And where did you get it from?"

It was her turn to smile, quoting his words from before, she said it in the same exact tone, "You don't need to be concerned with the details of where I got the information from and why do I want to give it to you. So? Do you want to begin sorting it out? There won't be much, hardly a few like this once every two or three weeks. You in?"

Maximus deliberated for a few seconds then replied, "Is there nothing else I need to do to obtain this kind of information? Also, if I am getting this amount of information once every two or three weeks, such a low amount of information doesn't even need to be segregated."

She gave a wide grin and replied, "Getting greedy aren't we?"

"Nope, just suspicious."

"I am just in a good mood. How about you consider some work I'll tell you to do when the time comes."

"Would you still give me this information if I say no?"

"Weren't you a changed man? I thought you won't take things for free."

Maximus realized she had been waiting for him to find something wrong with the work, like how it didn't even need any classification and management if it was so less. All just so she could give out her true request. If he had indeed changed into a better person like he said earlier, he would not take it for free and do the jobs. 

But was he indeed a good person? No. He only had a few set of principles to follow, everything else could be changed with circumstances. Like now. He wasn't a bad person but not a saint either. 

Plus, what were the guarantees that the information she gave would be true? It was up to him to filter it out. Whether he did the work for her or not, it didn't matter. She could control all the information. Hence, he would rather not work. He said,

"Just answer my question."

"Yes. I'll give you the information, maybe you might've gotten more if you did the work."

"Nope. Thanks"

Saying so he began changing into his jogging suit and woke up his pets. It was time to take them for a nice walk, maybe take a chance here and there to see how much they understand his instruction and the limit of their abilities.