Chapter 42

[Third Person's PoV]

'One month, I have given her one full month for her to come and atleast acknowledge her mistakes. But I think that was wishful thinking on my part.' Thought Cid as he exited the Mitsugoshi Company, making his way towards the school.

Just when he was to entered he was block by a hand that reached out infront of him.

"Hey, wait a minute. You're Cid Kagenou, right? Do you have a few seconds?, I want to talk to you about something important"

The person who stopped Cid from advancing was none other then Iris Midgar the first princess of the Midgard Kingdom.

[Pics of Iris]

"I'm in a hurry, I have to meet someone right now before they run away" Said Cid wondering why the princess would even stop him. The only thing he could think of, that would have any significant is his daily sparing sessions with her sister. But he didn't think that would really warrant her attention.

It would caused her to investigate him, not stop him in middle of his walk.

"I promise it'll be quick" said Iris confidently

"*sighhh* Fine, I guess I could spare you a few minutes"

Iris just nodded "First off I want to thank you for being friends with my sister, due to her upbringing she rarely had the chance to make actual friends. So thank you for that and thank you for helping her grow stronger as well."

"Friends is really pushing it but you're welcome I guess"

"As for the other thing... I want you to join the Crimson Knights"

Cid simply raised an eyebrow at the invitation 'It looks like she started her recruitment process earlier than expected, I wonder why? The Crimson Knights were formed during Alexia's kidnapping, I wonder just what happened for her to start this early'

"And What is this Crimson Knights thing you are asking me to join"

Iris still maintaining her serious expression says with a small smile "It all started with your sister actually. After she defeated me, easily in fact, I realized something. I realized that I'm still too weak to protect my Kingdom. If I want to make sure that my Kingdom is safe, I needed help.

So I started gathering people under me of like mindness, people that care about this Kingdom. The Crimson Knights, they would technically be the public enforcement that keeps order to the public and helps them in time of need.

And I would like you to join, I have heard of strength. I heard that no matter how many students challenged you, you always prevail, that your strength is like no other. I even heard praises from Alexia herself.

Which I should also thank you for that as well, thanks to you my sister has been opening up to me more."

Cid looked at Iris who had her fist infront of her as she proclaimed her ideals and without even thinking about it replied "Don't wanna"

Iris who had held her fist and was clearly satisfied with her speech, slowly blinked as she looked at Cid "Excuse me?"

Cid just shrugged his shoulder "I said I don't wanna. It seemed like a hassle"

"Why?, what could be nobler than serving the kingdom you love?"

'Maybe staying away from your patriotic self' Cid thought. "I could think of multitude of things"

"Could you at least give me a reason why you refuse to join"

"I just don't see the appeal, I'm more into growing stronger than helping people i don't know, so if I join your little knight group I feel like my time training would be cut short.

I'm not saying that what you're doing isn't great. It's just not for me"

Iris then gained a stunned expression "Isn't that really selfish to just be thinking about yourself?"

Cid just looked deep into her eyes as he asked "And what's wrong with that"

"What?" Iris asked

"What's wrong with being selfish. Just cause I'm thinking about myself and putting my wants infront of others, I'm suddenly the bad guy or something?" Cid asked

Iris then sighs "Well no"

Cid nodded "Good. Now if you don't mind I have an irresponsible sister to catch" Cid didn't even wait for her reply and went to find his sister.

Iris just stood outside the school still bewildered about what just happened 'sighhhh, it looks like I'm not getting neither of siblings. Claire said that she would only join if I managed to convince her brother to join. But based on what we just discussed it seemed very unlikely.

I'll have to keep an eye on them. Their strength is dangerous if I don't monitor them correctly. Especially Cid, even though I was the princess he didn't show an ounce of respect towards me.'

Iris though wasn't going to give up, she'll get both of the Kagenou siblings to join. Even if it's the last thing she'll do. And with that she went on her way, coming up with a plan.

Meanwhile Cid started to spread his senses widely looking for Claire's mana signature. Once he got a reading he closely followed it. When he did he found her having lunch with a group of girls.

Quietly Cid appeared behind her undected. When h appeared the girls that were chatting with Claire quickly turned quiet and started shaking slightly when they say his irritated expression.

Claire seeing her friends quiet down saw a shadow looming over her.

"Sighhhhh.... he's behind me isn't he" Claire asked her friends who nodded their head slowly.

Claire just breathed out before quickly turning around and facing Cid "Well if It isn't my most beloved, handsome, powerful, nicest, and favorite brother in the whole wide world. What can I do for you" Claire spouted with a wide smile and a happy-go-lucky expression.

Cid just looked at her unimpressed "I'll give you five seconds to run"

Claire didn't even waste a second and skedaddled out of there.

Cid just looked at her friends...who were all a part of Shadow Garden and pointed his finger at them with narrowed eyes "You guys better not have been involved in this mess"

They all just shook their head not wanting to get in trouble with their boss.

Cid just nodded accepting their answers "...that has been 5 seconds, she's dead when I catch her"

Cid then started running to where Claire ran through following her path. Maneuvering his way through students Cid started to catch up with her very quickly.

While running away Claire looked back and saw Cid right behind her which caused her to scream "WAAAAAAHHHHH, STOP CHASING ME! WILL YOU STOP IF I APOLOGIZE"

Cid didn't answer and quickly caught up with her. When he caught up he grabbed Claire's cranium in a vice grip and tighten his grip making her cry out in pain. "Owie, owie, owie, I'm sorry, owie owie owie."

Cid just looked at her coldly while they were being looked at by the nearby students watching their antics like they were watching a play.

"I shouldn't have used you as a shield" said Claire between her cries of pain

Cid just squeezed tighter "What else?"

Claire trying to make him release her said with teary eyes "I shouldn't have thrown you with all the responsibility of having to fight all of my suitors and not even talked to you about it. I genuinely feel bad okay, I'm sorry"

Cid just sighed as he released her head. Claire just started rubbing the sides of her head "What if you made me bald you bastard"

Cid narrowed his eyes when he heard her "What was that?"

Which quickly shut Claire up "Nothing, I didn't say anything you must be hearing things. Has fighting all my suitors gave you an injury that made it hard of hearing. Now I'm starting to feel really bad"

"Sighh no but fighting them did make me realize how sad your existence is. They all just want to date you for your looks and not your personality. What a poor pitiful soul you are."

"*scoffs* like I need their approval"

Cid just put on an expression like he was about to cry "You are now deluding yourself into thinking that."

Claire just gained a pissed expression as she went and kicked Cid in the shins but instead of Cid being the one in pain it was Claire. She was hopping on one foot as she loudly said "Just want are you made off. Did you really enhanced yourself with magic at the last moment to hurt me. Your so cruel."

"Then ask for my permission next time you plan to use me as shield"

Claire and Cid just continued to bicker with each while everyone just looked at them in confusion and awe not almost not believing what they saw.

Due to how they act when they are separated it was hard to believe they were the same person when they saw them acting like that together.