As Harris walked alongside Alex, enjoying the sights and sounds of the bustling streets, his world suddenly collided with a familiar figure in a sharp business suit accompanied by his retinue. Harris's heart sank as he gazed up to meet the disdainful gaze of his older brother, Oliver.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't my dear little brother Harris. What a pity! The brother of Oliver Harley is walking in these streets with his low-class friends." Said, Oliver
Harris clenched his fists, bristling with indignation, but before he could respond, Alex stepped forward with unwavering determination. "Enough, whoever you are." Alex came forward.
With a contemptuous gesture, Oliver pointed accusingly at Alex, assigning blame for Harris's perceived social standing. "Blame your father for not giving you the part in his property," said Oliver
Frustration boiled within Harris as Oliver's taunts cut deep, but before he could react, Alex seized Oliver's hand and with a swift motion, flung him skyward.
Harris watched in disbelief as Oliver's body arced through the sky, his transformation into a fearsome werewolf beginning to take shape. "Alex, what have you done?!" Harris exclaimed.
The crowd gasped in shock as Oliver's form shifted, but to their amazement, he retained control, suppressing the beast within and remaining in human form. "You... you little brat! How dare you!" said Oliver.
In the bustling marketplace, Harris leaned in close to Alex, his voice barely audible over the din of the crowd.
"I'll handle Oliver," Harris whispered, slipping some money into Alex's hand before gently nudging him into the throng of people. Alex glanced back at Harris, a mixture of uncertainty and determination in his eyes, before disappearing into the bustling market.
Turning his attention to his brother, Harris squared his shoulders, his expression a mix of frustration and resentment.
"You always had it easy, didn't you?" Harris began, his voice tinged with bitterness. "While I was the one who took care of Dad, who tended to his emotional needs, you just did whatever pleased you. And when Dad passed away, you swooped in to claim everything for yourself."
Oliver's response was a mocking raise of his eyebrows, his lips curling into a smirk.
"Where's your bodyguard, Harris?" Oliver taunted, his laughter echoing through the crowded street. "Run off to tattle on me, have you? Thinking of suing me? That's laughable."
Ignoring Oliver's taunts, Harris held his ground, determined to assert himself in the face of his brother's arrogance. But before he could respond, Oliver turned to his assistant, eager to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the crowded streets.
Meanwhile, as Harris confronted his brother, Alex sought solace in the quiet sanctuary of a nearby bookstore. However, his moment of solitude was short-lived as an old man with thick goggles regarded him with an unsettling familiarity.
"I've seen you before," the old man remarked, his voice gruff yet strangely knowing. Alex's confusion deepened at the unexpected recognition. In a town where he was only known to his close friends, how could this stranger possibly know him?
That old man stood up and took out the book "Alexander the Great" he gave it to Alex and said "Don't you look like this person" With his shaking hands he gave that book to Alex.
As Alex held the book "Alexander the Great" in his hands, a shiver ran down his spine. The old man's words resonated with him, stirring an inexplicable feeling within. With trembling hands, the old man offered him the book, his gaze searching Alex's face for recognition.
The old man's words echoed in Alex's mind as he held the book in his hands, feeling an inexplicable connection to the figure depicted on its cover. With a nod of thanks to the old man, Alex tucked the book under his arm and hurried out of the bookstore, the weight of the book pressing against his side as he navigated the crowded streets.
As Alex emerged from the bustling marketplace, he spotted Harris, who appeared relieved but slightly winded. Harris's expression softened as he approached Alex, concern evident in his eyes.
"I was worried when I couldn't find you," Harris admitted, his voice tinged with relief as they fell into step together.
With a quick glance around, Alex surreptitiously slipped the book behind him, not yet ready to share his discovery. As they walked, the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the cobblestone streets as evening descended.
Eventually, Harris and Alex arrived back at Kylan's home, where they found Zede and Kylan deep in conversation, their expressions grave. Sensing the tension in the air, Harris and Alex exchanged worried glances before joining their friends, eager to hear what had transpired during their absence.
As Alex silently ascended to his room, Harris couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about his friend's behavior ever since they left the bookstore. However, with other pressing matters on his mind, Harris pushed aside his concerns for the time being and settled beside Zede and Kylan.
"What happened?" Harris inquired, noting the comically worried expressions on his friends' faces.
Zede let out a heavy sigh before reluctantly revealing the news. "Aayam gave us three days of full-time detention at SSHQ, starting from tomorrow," he explained, his tone laced with resignation. "We're going to have to take care of Alex by ourselves during that time."
Harris's eyebrows furrowed in concern as he absorbed the severity of the punishment. "Three days of detention?" he echoed, realizing the challenges they would face without Zede and Kylan's support.
Zede nodded gravely. "Yes, and Alex will need someone to watch over him," he added, his voice tinged with worry.
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Harris nodded solemnly. "I'll take care of him," he promised, determined to ensure Alex's safety while navigating their upcoming challenges alone. With a shared sense of responsibility, the trio braced themselves for the difficult days ahead, knowing that they would need to rely on each other more than ever before.