Chapter 17: Brothers

The next day was the beginning of the weekend. A majority of the children were at the gates, waiting for their guardians to pick them up. Some, like Derek, were visiting their friends' homes instead. The rest stayed at the Academy. Right now, Derek, Noah, and Lucas were standing together, waiting for Lucas's mother to arrive. Noah was joining them because he lived nearby.

Noah looked at the two and said, "So, what are you guys planning to do this weekend?"

Lucas said, "I don't know. We didn't make any plans per se. I was missing Mom, and Grandma is making lasagna, so that's something to look forward to."

Derek said, "Yeah. We'll probably play some video games—"

Lucas interrupted, "He means I'll destroy him while we play."

Noah said, "Well, lucky you. You get to stay home all weekend while I have to return to the Academy today."

Lucas said, "Perks of being in the Student Council."

Noah said, "It's probably better that I have to return today."

Derek asked, "Why?"

Noah sighed and said, "My Mom has been obsessed with one of those child fashion shows, so once every month, she takes me shopping. It's a nightmare. I have to try on hundreds of outfits, then she buys some of them, and then I'll have to do it all over again. Not to mention, Tracy is coming back today. She will make me try on all of the outfits that Mom buys."

The three of them shivered at the same time. Lucas said, "Thankfully, Mom hasn't done anything like that with me. I just keep her at bay by having Genie choose what clothes I buy. Then I send her the pics. Cute, handsome, I've sent her photos in all kinds of outfits."

Noah replied, "So that's why your wardrobe suited you so much. You had Genie choose. Hey, do you think that she would do the same for me?"

Lucas replied, "Sure, but you will have to pay her."

Derek interjected, "Bro, just don't do it."

Noah asked, "Why?"

Derek replied, "Her services are expensive."

Noah said, "Expensive as in?"

Derek replied, "As in, even I don't hire her unless I absolutely have to. I only do so on special occasions like the Annual Function. Not to mention, she designs most of those outfits herself."

Noah said, "You mean…"

Derek replied, "No, no, it's nothing like that. Her designs are completely worth it if you can afford them. I mean, just look at him."

He pointed at Lucas, who was wearing one of Geneviève's designs, something from her everyday casual series. And he looked good.

Noah started counting and said, "So she earns BP every time he uses her services and then once again because he is buying her designs?"

Derek said, "Yup. She is rich now. But Lucas still has to pay the most in taxes."

Lucas sighed. Noah said, "How much is it?"

Derek replied, "He pays 35%."

Lucas said, "I mean, I tried not to pay once, but it was too much work and would have gotten me a bunch of penalties."

Derek asked, "So which was it, too much work or the risk?"

Lucas smiled and replied, "Too much work."

Just then, they heard a voice from behind, "What was too much work?"

The trio turned around and saw Sienna. He hugged her and exclaimed, "Mom! You're here."

Sienna hugged him back and said, "Yeah, I'm here."

Sienna looked at Derek and Noah and said, "Hello, boys. How are you?"

They both replied, "We're great, Auntie Sienna. How are you?"

Sienna replied, "I'm great as well. Now, what is too much work?"

Derek and Noah glanced at each other and before Lucas could stop them, they said, "Evading taxes. Lucas was just telling us how he didn't evade taxes just because it was too much work. If it was easy, he would have done so."

Sienna stared at the duo talking about taxes as if it was the most normal thing for a ten-year-old. Then she stared at her son and said, "We will talk about this later, young man."

Lucas looked at the duo aggrievedly and said, "I thought we were brothers."

Derek said, "That is why we did it. Brothers prank each other, don't they, Noah?"

Noah replied, "Oh, you have no idea."

Then they both followed Sienna to her car, while Lucas was sulking. Sienna got in the driver's seat and started driving. While they were on their way, Sienna asked, "So, boys, how is school?"

Noah said, "It's great. We just learned about the Call."

Derek said, "Yeah, it's a good thing that we did. You know, the school hired a Golden Spirit Guide to teach us about the Call."

Sienna said, "Wow, a Golden Spirit Guide. That is impressive."

Although she was saying this, Lucas got the feeling that his mother wasn't all that impressed. Sienna asked, "So, have the two of you started experiencing the Call?"

Noah said, "I think so, yeah. I have been getting angrier lately for no reason."

Sienna hummed and said, "Angry, you say? Well, it could be the Call of the Berserk."

Noah asked, "The Call of the Berserk?"

Sienna nodded. She said, "Yeah. Tell you what. Start meditating every day. Let's see, what else can you do? Hmmm…right, are you guys drinking Veria Potions?"

Derek replied, "Every day."

Sienna said, "Then, Noah, work out more. Innate Talents related to the Call of the Berserk are often physically draining, so you will need a strong body to support it. Next time when you feel angry, work out."

Noah replied, "Thanks, Auntie Sienna. But how do you know all this?"

Sienna said, "I am a Gold Beast Tamer, so I picked up some things along the way. What about you, Derek?"

Derek said, "I can't sleep whenever it's a full moon."

Sienna asked, "What else? Does something happen on nights with a full moon?"

Derek thought about it and said, "I feel stronger, faster, more sensitive as well. And I feel…happy. It's difficult to put it into words. It's like I'm…finally home."

The boys suddenly felt the car come to a screeching halt and almost fell forward.