12 Who really need to know, and who wasn't.

Not too long after I seen the carriage, I heard someone opening the door as I am having my break looking around the academy from the balcony. Then after few minutes of rustling the figure come to balcony.

"Brother Zein. Good evening."

"Sigh... Good evening Reiya."

"Please take care of me in the future."

"... That is going to be hard."

As I expected it Reiya. Taking care of him is going to be hard.

"Why so?"

"You do know how bad my reputation is. I never thought you going to be living here when we talk before."

"Eh, I only decided to living here when I arrive at our academy facilities, also I don't care about what those people say."

"Sigh... You didn't care, but it won't be good for your family. You better not act close with me in front of the other housemate"

He silence when he heard my reasoning. Before opening his mouth once again.

"But we will make our own circle tho. It doesn't matter, I will just let them think what they want. Our family won't say anything too, since they already know your secret tho."

"That is... Correct I guess. Sigh.. then please take care of me too."

"Of course, you're already like my brother for real!"

"Seriously what is wrong with you guys siblings."

"We just have a positive mind attitude from our roots."

He laugh as he said those. I can only agree in silence. These siblings is the only one that never see me in bad way even all those years. They keep their warms even after my cold and bad behavior.

"Then won't you sit down?"

"Sure. So what are you doing brother Zein?"

"Hmmm, taking a break after trying something."

"Oh, magic experiment?"

"Kind of, it more like trying something that our race rarely able to do."

"It really a magic experiment then."

While we talk Sai suddenly appeared and prepare a tea for us. From the smells it seem like Ceylon Tea. He do those as he realized there is no one else here. We sip our glass as we continue talking.

"Then how was the result brother Zein?"

"Disappointing. Also stop calling me brother in the academy. We only got one year difference too."

"I understand. Why is it disappointing?"

"The results is really bad and inefficient. It much better if I just hurl a beginner magic."

"Eh? What kind of magic did you even try?"

"Body strengthening. There rarely anyone of our people could used it, it make me curious why, and the results is unsatisfactory. I could utilized it like how beastman race did."

"Whoa... I heard even channeling the mana inside our body is hard. Brother could even cast it? That already a great feat."

"Inside our body?"

"Hmm, I heard from my family magic teacher, that they channel their mana inside and activating more of their body potential with it."

"That's it! I was wrong this entire time."

"Eh?"

He got bewildered face as I suddenly shout.

"All this time I was channeling the magic to surrounding my body from the outside, not the other way around."

I try it immediately, channelling my mana through all my veins and muscle. This is it... I could feel my body potential increasing by 20 percent with one point of mana. Although some mana seeping out my body, it much more efficient then before. Ah, that is the reason they said the beastman got covered in mana. It because of the mana leaks from their pores. Hmm... But this is still not as efficient as I thought, with this rate of leaking, I could only hold on for 5 minutes with one point of mana. Reiya got slacked jaw when he see the mana leaks.

"A-amazing brother... You could do that!"

I wave my hand as I smile, and stoping the magic.

"It because your advice. It wasn't as difficult as you think. I would teach you later on."

"Really?! Yahoo!!"

He jumped up when he heard me, he is indeed like a kids.

"Oi, you should stopping that. Act like an adult, you want Elsa to take you as an adult so stop that "

"Ah... Right"

He sit-down bashfully, as he realized his reaction. Then we continue our talk until someone else come in. When we look back, it was Willam. One of Elsa circle of friends in Demeter. He look at both of us, then come over. He throw a glance at me before look straight to Reiya.

"It been a while Reiya."

"Ah, brother William. Indeed it been awhile. How have have you been?"

"I am doing great, although not as great as your sister Elsa. What about you? What are you doing here?"

"That good to hear, I am doing alright. I am going to live here, so of course I am here."

"What a good news. Then I will look forward to it."

"Please do take care of me."

"Of course I will. Then please excuse me for awhile. I need to unpacking my belongings."

"Sure."

He left us just like that and going to his room. Reiya then frown as he look at me.

"Why he didn't greet you?"

"Isn't it normal? That why I said those before."

I chuckled as Reiya sighing. After a couple of minutes, Willam come back and sit down near Reiya. He sending me a glance to leave them alone. I snort at him without moving. His facial expressions didn't change, although he changed his gaze to Reiya.

"Ah, Reiya congratulations for you admission in our academy."

"Thank you brother William."

"Then as a senior, I should teach you few things about our academy."

He then explaining about class and teacher, dinner lounge, events and the academy circle. Actually this circle is more like extracurricular of students. They make a circle then do some activities after class. I already understand what he wants to say, and it finally come after he explaining the circle. Also I could see Reiya already lose his interest since he knew already where this conversation going to go.

"That is why our circle is great."

"Indeed as expected of sister."

"Yeah, then Reiya you would join us right?"

"My apologies brother Willam, but I already plan to join other circle."

"You did? Which circle? I know most of our academy circle, I could tell you how are they."

Hearing that make Reiya frown, he glance at me for a blink. Hmmm? I got a bad feeling.

"Yes, I would like to join Ramgeraad!"

"Ramgeraad? This is the first time I heard that circle."

This time it Willam turn to frown. I want to face palming myself. I stare at Reiya ridiculing. Seriously this kid... He just combined our family name... Looking at me, Reiya grin playfully. My...

"Yes, me and brother Zein plan to made it just now."

Fuck... He does it! William frown and look at me furiously.

"What is the meaning of this Dageraad! You want to pull an innocent boy to your rotten lair!"

I sigh in my mind while keeping a poker face. No, more like I make a mocking face.

"What a manner young master Laitlis. Did your family never teach that it wasn't proper to shout?"

I scoffed at him, making him stand up at once.

"Don't talk about my manner with your rotten behavior. Don't you dare lead him to your shitty circle."

"Hahaha, young master Laitlis I never knew you are such a jester. I never ask him to join me, even if I lead him to joining me, it wasn't your place to rule him out? Are you his parents? Sibling? Even if you're his siblings it still wasn't your place to stop him from joining my circle. Did Demeter change their policy when I wasn't around? I heard Demeter is a circle that considering the freedom of their member as something important. It is his freedom to choose whichever circle he wanted to joining. I never thought Demeter is such a circle that forcing a student to join them."

His face goes red as I mock him with sarcastic remarks. He stomp off from the balcony as he couldn't retort my words. Looking at him slamming his door, I chuckled while Reiya amaze.

"Whoa, I never seen brother Willam face goes that red."

"Because no one ever shame him to silence like that. I know he disgusted at me when he see me. Now do you understand how bad is it associating with me?"

"Eh, it cool! Your tongue is sharp brother Zein."

He praise me with honest look, I could feel my face go hotter. How did this siblings could said those praise with straight face! I faking cough, to hide my embarrassment.

"...I told you to stop calling me that. Also..."

I grip his face with my mother speciality iron grip. Sai which standing behind us come suddenly. Looking at Sai, Reiya wave his hand at once to him.

"Owowowow.... Brother Zein... It hurts."

After gripping him for awhile I released him. Of course it didn't as hurtful as Reiya make it look. He caress his cheek when I released him.

"That is your punishment for doing something without any discussion."

"But... We planned to do that!"

"... I never agreed about you announcing it, also that name sounds stupid."

"Eh, it sound cool though. Ramgeraad!"

I stare at him with many kind intention. He wave both of his hands at me, truth to be told his body potential should be around mine. So, he should be able to shrugged my hand off before.

"Fine fine, it was my fault. Then what should we call it?"

"Sigh... Anything without Dageraad and Rames."

"Ummm..."

He goes in deep thought, honestly there is many kind of legends in this world. Like Greek and Norse mythology.

"Then what about Syn?"

Syn one of Norse mythology figure, a goddess that guard the door of the hall and shut people off if they aren't allowed to enter. Her name also used for denial, hmmm. Somehow that is quite good name. Since I was a denial before, while this guy almost walk my path just to denied her sister treatment.

"That good. It kinda suit us."

"I know right? Then we should ask permission from the academy right away."

"Easy boy there still 5 days away until ceremonies."

"It only 5 days... We should admit it so we could recruit people by the ceremonies."

"... It won't work either way, with my reputation remember."

When I say that Reiya finally realized how hard it would be. We continue our small talk afterwards as we look at a stream of students coming to the dormitory. Then by the evening Rum come back. So do our other housemate which goes straight to their room.

The last housemate Rick finally arrived before dinner. He is a grey haired man with tough look, and buffed body. He is around 6' 8" tall, with sharp eyes, he is the successor of Mangroves Lamwin which located near our kingdom border. He is someone that majoring in knighthood, as a future commander of our kingdom border against Gahare Sultanate. He look tired, which normal since their family territory is 20 days away from the capital with carriage. So when he goes back at the summer break, half of his vacation was inside the carriage. He is a serious, righteous and honest person. He despise my behavior but I never felt him despising me as a person. He is the third strongest knight of our years, he kinda unlucky since he met Lein last year on the preliminary round is duel competition.

He glance at both of us then looking at me surprised. He walk over to balcony, then gaze upon me.

"You come back?"

"Yes."

"Right where is my manners. Good evening Zein, and Reiya. Hmm, what a rare combination."

"Good evening to you too, brother Rick."

He nods at Reiya reply, before looking back at me.

"Then where have you been?"

"At our family territory."

He creasing his brow hearing my answer.

"That wasn't the answer I am looking for. Before your accident where have you been? You didn't even left a note."

"... Would it be called running away if I left a note? What does it matter to you?"

At that time Zack figure could be seen from behind with a glass of water.

"Right, it doesn't matter for the high and mighty young master Dageraad where he has been. I told you Rick, you are wasting your time."

"Quiet Zack, it my conversation with Zein. Could you told me about that Zein?"

I keep my silence while looking at them bewildered.

"Sigh, Rick he is hopeless. Your worry is useless for him. Come, I'll help you with your belongings."

Zack drag Rick off the balcony to their room. I could see that Rick got dejected, while he shaking his head. I snap my fingers and Rum come immediately.

"Could you explain it to me?"

"As your wish young master. Young master Rick was searching for you after you are missing for 2 days. He following your track until the port city Walles. He returns to the academy after 2 weeks searching."

I frown when I heard Rum explanation. This is kind of unexpected, Zein, Zein many people worries of you. But you never realized it before. Sigh... I guess I owe him an apology.

"Rum, give a letter of invitation to Rick butler Pon. Write to Rick I am waiting for him at his usual training spot after dinners."

"As you wish young master."

He walking away, and goes to Rick butler.

"Can I join?"

"You better not, but I can't help it if you was walking around the surrounding after we done our talk."

"Hahaha. Then I guess I'll take a walk tonight."

"Do as you want, I need to do something now."

With that I goes back to my room, I could see a grin on Reiya. When I got inside Silva look at me before continue reading his book. I laid on the bed as waiting for dinner. Somehow I want to tease him.

"Hey Riko.."

He give me a silent treatment.

"Riko hey... What you doing?"

"..."

"Oh come on, don't give me the cold shoulder."

"... Can't you see I am studying young master Dageraad?"

"Hey just called me big bro like you used to do."

He flinched at my words, then turning his head to me.

"What do you mean, I never called you that."

"Eh, you called me that back then. 'Don't leave me big bro, the cockro—"

"Not the cockroaches please!"

He flinched once again when he realized what he said.

"You..."

"I told you already I am him."

"No, no, no that just a dream. After that conversation I was woke up laying on the ground and you aren't there. Also you just arrived today!"

"Oh come on. How did I know then if it only a dream."

"That... This also might only a dream, I fallen asleep as I studying. That's right, this must be it."

"You hate me that much? I like you tho, so won't you come back to our territory after we graduate. I'll give you a good offer for your wage."

"... Not a chance Dageraad."

I walk over to him as I pout.

"Boo, I thought you would help Lein in territory management. She kinda bad at those."

"Of course I would love to help her. But not you."

"Fine, fine then I would told Lein to recruit you immediately."

"No, I don't need your assistance."

"Sigh... Fine, anyway your calculations on mana for the magic in third line is wrong. It off by 0.5, since you forget to count the item magic resistance, the loss of mana while engraving, also the engraving effect could be better if you used Sieg engraving technique. His technique is much better in accessories then using Alph technique. Well see you later Jack."

"I told you I... What?"

He look back at his works, as I walk away. From inside our room I could hear him shouting my name. Making the other goes out to check him up, only Rick looking at me with curiosity before joining the other. I walk away, as I goes over to outside. Rum following me silently. The cafeteria look like a huge hall, with thousand of table, also a private corner for the noble. The noble corner still empty, since it quite early for dinner. The servant there look at me curiously since I hardly come here.

"How may I help you young master..."

"Don't mind my name."

I give him a look at my membership card, before seat on the edge. He follow me without any other words.

"Just serve me some sandwiches and salad."

I said those before he could give me the menu. He bow down the step away.

"Hey Rum. You doesn't need to bring food anymore, also just come over every 3 days to wash my clothes."

"I understand young master. I will focus on the capital manor after the ceremonies."

"Ah, just give me the report weekly. It not like I ever read your reports of the manor before."

"I understand."

After waiting for few minutes, the servant come back with my food. I eat it slowly, before leaving for my appointment with Rick. When I arrive he already waiting for me there. Hmm, this still early, since our appointment should be after dinner. I look at Rum, he still wear the poker face.

"You have come."

"Did I make you waiting? I thought it should be after dinner."

He chuckling, before answering my questions.

"You already eat your dinner. So it wasn't wrong."

"I mean dinner generally. Sigh... Should we go outside then?"

"No need. I am really curious about what do you want to talk about."

"I see. Straight to the point as usual."

I sit down by the grass near the artificial lake, he follow suit and sit beside me.

"I owe you an apology for making you worried."

He look at me, before shaking his head.

"You don't need to, it as you said this evening that it wasn't my matter."

"Still tho, I should say it. I apologized for what I did before, also thank you for trying to find me."

Hearing my answer he laughed out loud.

"Hahahahaha, now this is weird. Where is that shitty noble act of yours?"

"Sigh, I decided to put it away. At least in front of those people that really care."

"I see, so you finally think I really care about you? Although you were wrong since most of our childhood friends really care about you."

"You better not say anything to them then."

"Even your sister and Fran?"

"Lein already know. While Fran... I don't think you will see him again."

He surprised when he heard me.

"What happened to him?!"

"Nothing bad, just... Hmmm ... Back to the real Fran."

He frown hearing my answer.

"Real Fran as in?"

"Literally as what I said. You will find out by the ceremonies I guess."

"Then, I'll wait for it. You make it seems so mysterious. Anyway why did you change your mind?"

"Nothing much, just realized how stupid I was."

"Then, why are you warning me not to told the other?"

"Because it troublesome, and I kinda like this bad reputation."

He snort at my answer.

"You like being an outcast, that weird man."

"Oh come on, it much better than getting surrounded anywhere you go. Like how you, Lein, Fran, Elsa, Zack and the other. You guys never got a privacy."

"Now you making it seems great. Anyway welcome back Zein."

"Thanks buddy."

"But what are you planning? That commotion from before and also I heard you going to make your own circle."

"That circle things is for that guy behind the bush."

When I pointing a random bush, Reiya come out from behind it.

"Oh, what coincidence..."

"Stop bullshiting Reiya, we all know you've been there the entire time."

"Hahaha, and here you said don't tell anyone to me."

"Oi, bucket head. His family already found out all of it, since we stayed the night at Duke Rames manors before."

"Who do you called bucket head?! Are you asking for a fight?"

"Anyway back to the topic."

With that Reiya explaining about his circumstances, and our plan.

"In the end that because I blurted out."

"I see, I see... That soft Zein is back aahh..."

"Damn it, how did the conclusion become like that!"

"Come and bite me then. It my conclusion why does it matter to you?"

We staring at each other.

"Anyway what did you do to Silva? He keep mumbling how could he? This must be a dream"

"Hahaha, he is fun to tease indeed."

"What? Did you sexually harassed him?"

"Are you crazy?! No way! I only ask him to work for our family after he graduate. But he keep declining saying he doesn't need my assistance. So I walk over to him and pointing his wrong at his studies."

"You pointed his wrong? He was studying an intermediate enhancing theories. Impossible."

"Brother Rick, you never knew how smart brother Zein is. Even my brother asking him to do magic research with him."

"What did you say?"

I stare at Reiya at once, he then goes hiding behind Rick big body.

"Brother Rick help, he going to rip my stomach apart."

"No, did you say this Zein got an offer to help in magic research?"

"Not just a small magic research, it a major one that going to be a ground breaking thesis"

I roll my eyes at Reiya, which keep leaking my secret.

"Do you trust this kids nonsense?"

"I trust him after looking at your response. Relax Reiya, I would safe you if this bad leader of your bullying you."

"Whoa, I just got a reliable backing"

"Do you believe I won't beat you two to dead?!"

"Come bite me then. It been a long time since our last spar!"

"Damn it you beast!"

"Huh, it sounds like a praise in my ear. Those beastman got a strong body!"

"Let's see your magic resistance than."

We start bickering once again.

"Anyway it good to see you back on your feet."

"Tsk, stop saying a disgusting words."

"Ow, cold Zein is back."

"Damned bucket head."

"Fight me!"

Reiya laughing on his belly, as he keep listening at our conversation.

"Then let's go our separate ways. Don't you act close to me bucket head!"

"Huh? Who want to be close with you."

"Hahahaha, you guys really got a great relationship."

I goes back to our dorm as they goes to cafeteria for dinner. How did I go back? Teleporting of course, perfectly standing beside my bed. Making Silva that changing his clothes agape.

"Whoa Jack, I never thought under your shirt was such a great body."

"How... How did you suddenly appeared?!"

"Hey... It not like this is your first time changing clothes in front of me. Except I never look at you tho. Damn yours a little bigger than mine."

Looking at my gaze he hide his nether regions.

"What the fuck Dageraad! Are you fucking ghost."

"Oh come on, you should relax once in a while. It not like you lose anything."

He dumbfounded at my response, before changing his clothes faster. Then he brings his work to me at once.

"Now explain it to me... Which part is wrong."

"Oi, I can't see it if you put it on my face."

He finally realized that he push it too close to my face. He then give it to me, as I took a seat on my bed.

"Hmmm... The first part is about the material, as stated here the material is bronze. Even though the book said it vaguely, you could found the clue based on the price. Since it Impossible to make a ring with other materials with this amount of budget. So it either bronze or iron, but it stated that this material found on the west of our continent so definitely bronze. Since there is no iron deposit on the west, and that is the reason why you're on the material magic resistance. Although the other calculation seems correct, you didn't include the mana loss when engraving. Sometime we forgotten that not the entire process is fully efficient while engraving. The mana efficiency when engraving bronze should be around 96, so there is 4 percent of waste, which you didn't include. The last part is, you must remember that Alph main job is a blacksmith not an accessory artisan. His magic engraving is used for weapon, armor and shield not an accessory. While Sieg is accessory artisan. That is my explanation."

He was dumbfounded once again after hearing my words.

"How... How did you able to..."

"Simple, I am smarter than how I make me look like."

"Then this entire time..."

"I just don't want to be famous. Well it not like I could surpassed Lein before. Maybe you don't know, but when we are 11 years old the second place in theories of our school is always me, while Lein is the first of course. That why I finally give up, after 3 years head to head against her I broke down. I decided to just play around and scoring barely passable."

"I-impossible..."

"Did you ever seen me read a book before?"

"... No."

"There you go. I never read a book this entire time, and I pass every exam barely."

"... Then this entire time... If you ever try..."

"Honestly, I could reach top ten easily only in theories tho."

He kneel down without any strength... Okay, this is weird, I don't mean to break him... He stare at me furiously.

"Why.... Why are you wasting your talent?!"

"Hey... I told you I got my circumstances."

"Then this entire time... My spot in theories..."

"No, no, no it your. Since I never plan to be one."

"What the fuck Dageraad! Are you looking down on me?"

"... No I am not. Honestly I never plan to show you any of this, unfortunately you found me 5 days ago. So why should I hide it from you again? You're a good seed for our territory too."

"... That magic from before... That definitely an advance space magic, or even higher."

"Ah... Honestly I don't know what level it is, since I never read any book about space magic."

"... Tell me honestly, if I fight against you with pure magic, could I even win?"

He look at me resolutely.

"Sigh... Why asking something you already know?"

"Is it a no?"

"No, even with hand to hand combat still a no. Right now, students that could win against me in the academy with magic is none. No one I guess."

"Then why are you break down?"

"Because I was weak before. I only able to do this after near death experience after all."

"... What did happen on your run 4 months ago."

"That one is a secret. Anyway you are a great student Silva, I could assure you about that. While I am just a lazy noble that want to laze around right now. No sarcasm intended."

"... I need a clear air."

"Ah, please don't tell anyone what you see."

I said those before he left the room.

"I got it."

He walk out while being dejected. It must be shock for him, it understandable since the lowest scorer in his mind become a genius suddenly. It much better like this, since I don't need to hide my teleportation from him. Because it troublesome to sneak away every time I used it. Also he would found it sooner or later. I sleep right away afterwards.