The Emotional Upheavals

When the critique began, Fei was uncomfortable.

She didn't like how her master sat on the ground lifeless, like a doll; she didn't like how the old master was yelling at him; she didn't like how the old master threw papers at him either.

But the mutant struggled to make sense of her emotions. Although she was uncomfortable, she didn't want to go against Mr. Rochester, whom she deeply respected.

It wasn't as if her master would die from getting yelled at, right?

If he just endured a bit, everything will blow over, right?

But then, Fei saw Carlos' art portfolio that he lost a few weeks ago in Mr. Rochester's hands.

Her master had secretly learned how to draw from the internet, and whenever he was drawing, Fei had always been by his side.

She knew the look of relaxed bliss on his face when he was whole-heartedly focused on drawing, how happy he was when he was drawing.

She was always the first person he showed the completed art to, and while during the first few months that Carlos begun to draw, the work wasn't the most visually appealing, Carlos had undoubtedly tried his best.

And at this moment, Fei couldn't get his face beaming with pride out of her mind.

Each piece of art that slid out of the folder required hours of attention. The folder that held these pieces didn't only contain art, it contained the memories of the past five years.

One could see the different techniques applied and the different skill levels clearly on the pieces that were scattered on the ground.

Fei's eyes twitched a little when she saw her master's frantic eyes as he tried to collect everything that was on the floor.

Then, after enduring for so long, Carlos finally snapped back at his father.

"Why did you do this?" His voice had been so vulnerable like it would break at any given moment.

Everyone in the room was surprised.

Talking back to General Rochester was unprecedented. Even when you were facing injustice, you had to keep your thoughts to yourself.

It was proper to do that. It was an unspoken rule.

"Who are you to do this? Why can't I do what I want?"

As the boy continued to speak, his state seemed to become more unstable.

"I DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO BE BORN INTO THIS FAMILY!"

That was the end of it—the last part of the speech that the people in the room heard.

Both Eyrie and Carol were astounded.

It had never even occurred to Eyrie that her younger brother had thought this way. In her previous life, she knew that Carlos grew up to despise their father, but she had only thought that that was it.

But to think that he didn't even want to be part of this family…

Carol was subtly aware of Carlos' feelings, as she has had similar thoughts. But to think that he dared to say those words in front of their father…

She subconsciously curled her hands into fists and closed her eyes.

Fei hadn't thought much about those words besides their surface meaning. She just silently commended her master for standing up against the old master. By this time, she had to consciously control herself not to cross Mr. Rochester.

He is the old master, Fei. Don't be rash, she told herself.

But then, Mr. Rochester had rushed forward and raised his palm.

The mutant knew that position well.

The next moment was a blur.

By the time she regained consciousness, she was already holding the old master tightly by the wrist, restricting his movements.

"Mr. Rochester, even if you are the old master, please refrain from physically harming my master."

The air froze.

Stunned for a good second, Mr. Rochester widened his eyes.

After coming to his senses, he immediately pulled back his arm, his figure shaking uncontrollably at a thought that terrified him.

It wasn't just the shock that someone actually had the audacity to come forward to prevent him from doing something; there was something else.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, – or at least suppress his worries – the old master of the Rochester family backed away to the edge of his desk.

By this time, the oppressive aura that the man emanated had been retracted, allowing the boy that sat in a daze on the floor to finally take a breather.

Clearing his throat, the old master managed to croak out, "Leave. All of you."

No one moved.

"I SAID LEAVE! OR ELSE YOU WILL SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES," he bellowed, but the authority in his voice had all but completely disappeared.

Nonetheless, this time, the four people began moving at once.

Eyrie and Carol first bowed to their father before speeding out, one after the other, like mice in front of a lion.

Fei gently helped her master up, and together, they walked out the entrance.

There were many guards and servants outside, ready to charge in if anything went wrong.

Seeing the group of people come out, each and every one of them lowered their heads and stepped away to allow space for them to leave.

All was silent as Fei escorted Carlos to his room.

Only when the two finally reached the safety of his room did Carlos relax.

He buried his face into his bodyguard's shoulder.

"Fei, I… I… I only wanted to make him proud." The boy's voice was muffled.

Fei didn't understand what context her master talking in, but nevertheless, she nodded and patted him on the back. She learned from experience that this was useful in times like this.

"H-How did things become like this?" Her master hiccupped. "Why?"

"Am I worthless just b-because I'm not good at anything academic? Because I'm not good at math? B-Because the only thing I am good at is drawing?"

The mutant was at a loss as she felt the warm wetness of tears staining her clothes.