Cornered Rex

*Bzzt* *Bzzt* *Bzzt*

*Tkc*

A fair yet course palm tapped the top of the alarm clock, stopping the agonizing ring. The hour hand had just touched 5 in the morning. Rubbing his eyes, Rex yawned softly. Sliding his lower body out of the blanket, he sat quietly for a while. His thoughts wandered. He would involuntarily recall yesterday's training. No matter how hard he tried to place his appointed young master on a pedestal, willing to believe that his future potential is the thing that would surpass the current him, Rex never imagined it to be so...

Weird.

"Brother, wake up. It's already 5."

Rex spoke calmly. Loose strands of his hair fell over his forehead and framed the side of his face. A few strands looked exiled from his head itself, twisted and turned so far away that it was hard to imagine how they could be pulled into a simple pony.

"5 more minutes," Lex groaned softly and turned around.

Not saying anything further, Rex stood up and walked towards the washroom.

The quarter the twin chose was a small one despite all the lavish guest rooms present. Instead of sleeping in a single bed, the twins had separate beds with a small nightstand in the middle that only had one alarm clock on top of it.

In front was a dresser with various cosmetics set on top of it. And hanging from the wall was a sizeable mirror.

Before entering the washroom, Rex looked towards Lex again and counted till 5 in his head.

"Brother, five minutes are up."

"... Fine."

With that, Rex entered the washroom.

It never occurred to Reed that to maintain their presence, in terms of clothing, physique, and the necessary charm of being butlers belonging to one of the founding families, the twins had to maintain their appearances all the time using various cosmetics and training regime. Their day started from 5 in the morning, and even 4 am during weekends.

On the other hand, the family members themselves aren't treated too strictly. In fact, the members were kept too independent.

After taking care of his business and a bathe, Rex wiped his body off and wore his outfit— A black t-shirt and a pair of black sweatpants. His usually formal shoes were replaced by a pair of white sports shoes. He then quietly sat on the edge of the bed after tying his hair using a rubber band temporarily.

For the next ten minutes, he waited for Lex and once they were both done, they walked out of their quarters. Their quarters were built within the basement. Alongside their quarters was a laboratory that Reed had yet to visit. In fact, he had made a mental note to stay away from the place after learning the kind of experiments usually carried out within after seeing the types of research conducted by the past innovative members of the family.

Neither did he have any knowledge, he also lacked certain mental stability for it.

Not paying any attention to the locked laboratory, the twins walked up the stairs and then exited the house.

To think that such a cold and refreshing dawn would turn into a gruesome summer noon later made Lex sigh internally.

The twins stood in front of each other and continued to gaze at each other indifferently.

"Brother, are you going to tell me what happened in training? You are tickling my curious bone," Lex finally revealed a smile. He did not look sleepy any longer.

"You have to be there," Rex stated.

"I cannot be present in the next four noons," Lex shook his head.

"Then it is not necessary for you to understand it right now. Your presence certainly wouldn't change the outcome," Rex slowly crouched and raised his hand closer to his torso.

"I see," Lex smiled and suddenly pounced forward. His body extremely quick and his punch instantly stopping one centimeter away from Rex's face. Yet, the younger twin didn't move at all. His eyes still staring at the fist. The creams they utilized couldn't hide a few marks now. The reason why butlers are expected to wear gloves in the first place is to hide their course hands.

"I didn't say start," Rex stated without blinking.

"And yet I moved. How amazing it is, don't you think, Brother?" Lex whispered gently.

Without saying anymore, Rex moved his head forward and let the tip of his nose touch Lex's fist. The moment he did that, his body moved like a phantom, twisting around the fist and pulled downwards with the momentum further carrying him up and his fist straight to Lex's chin before he stopped.

Both of them locked their eyes and the next moment, a small smirk touched both of their lips.

The twin's morning routine— Brotherly scuffle.

---

"Sir, in four days, I will have completely absorbed the resources of a rank 1 totem base. The estimated value is close to 40,000 dollars. There is one issue, however."

Lex looked at Reed eating and spoke softly. He and Rex themselves had breakfast set in front of them as they ate.

'40,000...' Reed grew dazed.

"What do you mean when you say— resources?"

Reed was barely close to tackling the basic concepts required to understand more and more species. He knew that he would need a lot of time to memorize everything in front of him currently so he wasn't really anxious anymore. Not after the little incident with Rex yesterday.

"The civilians who have never entered the totem base think that the totems are in itself the most precious treasure. In a way, they aren't wrong. But within the totem base, many forms of natural resources can be seen. That is why, in a team, Tamers appreciate the presence of someone with a more resourceful background that can identify such resources."

Realization dawned on Reed's expression.

"Professions!"

"Yes, Sir. Any professional needs to be able to identify the resources used in one's craft. So, professionals are valued among the tamers."

"I see," Reed closed his eyes involuntarily, still slightly sleepy.

He had so many questions but most of them would be answered as he continued to persevere through his studies.

"And what of this issue?" Reed inquired curiously.

"The totem, sir. Would you like me to persevere the totem for you? It is an earthen totem whose skill will be revealed in a day or two."

Reed blinked.

'Previously, I would have agreed in an instant... but Totems can be purchased. To think that they could be purchased... Wait...'

"Does the estimation of 40,000 also include the totem?"

"Yes, Sir."

Reed fell into a moral dilemma.

Either he could trust Lex and believe that the total really amounts to an amount of around 40,000, or, he could let his greed and paranoia get the better of him.

To Reed's mind, the latter option sounded far convenient and easier, too.

'But what different am I than a lazy gold-digging bitch, then?' Reed questioned himself.

He was being fed, for god's sake.

He didn't have to wash dishes.

He didn't have to take out the trash. No, the way he was living at this moment— he 'is' the trash.

Not to mention that there was already another item sent towards him through the 6-month special panel.

"I wouldn't require a totem at this point," Reed finally spoke up. "Anyway, when will you leave?"

"In an hour, sir."

"This late?" Reed blinked curiously. By now, yesterday, Lex was already out.

"Yes. I wish to prepare lunch and dinner before leaving. The take-out isn't the healthy option, Sir."

Rex and Reed glanced towards each other.

"Why not take this hour to clear some of my doubts? With your help, I'll have a quicker time understanding the books in the study," Reed inquired.

Lex's smile turned stiff before nodded slightly.

"Of course, Sir. It will be my honor."

With that, Lex only left after Reed completely understood the basic concept of totems and bloodlines.

This only made Reed look towards Lex.

"Lex, before you return, purchase four potted Fiddle-leaf Figs for me. Remember, I don't want anything else. Just the fiddle-leaf figs."

"Yes, sir."

With that, Lex left and Reed sighed slightly the moment he heard another set of knocks.

'There it is...'

Reed genuinely had complicated emotions about the next part of his day.

"Yes?"

"Young master, this is Rex. Are you prepared for your combat practice?"

"Give me a few minutes to change. I'll meet you downstairs," Reed pursed his lips.

Then, he let out Cinnamon and Crimson.

Crimson covered the majority of the study while Reed looked at the sleeping Cinnamon.

'Now I know that I can't reveal Crimson until finding an appropriate time... but Cinnamon can be revealed as a pet. I don't need to tell them if she's contracted or not. Whatever conclusion the two of them come up with shouldn't matter to him... so let's start with Rex. He's more even-minded than Lex,' Reed picked Cinnamon, making her shift uncomfortable until she finally woke up.

"Graaooow!" She yowled and glared towards Reed.

Let a cat sleep, brother!

'No can't do,' Reed glanced at Cinnamon and tried to convey his thoughts using the connection as if knowing what she was thinking.

She was a cat after all, what could possibly be more worrying to her than sleep? Unplanned pregnancy?

In a few minutes, Reed wore a simple shirt, one of his old ones, and a pair of shorts. He then proceeded to wear a pair of brand new sports shoes and then set downstairs with Cinnamon in his hands.

"Rex, is there a chance that an animal can get inside the house?" Reed inquired loudly while stepping down the stairs.

"No, young master. The house is specifically protected against totem beasts. Such safe houses are prepared in batches by one of the elders of the family and they leave appropriate, automated protection against any kind of ill-intending beast," Rex replied while walking towards the stair from the door of the house.

As he looked towards Reed, his expression stiffened slightly.

"Is that so? Then how did this little guy enter the house?" Reed with an innocent and curious expression. This wasn't going to be his first time tricking the twins so felt no guilt as he laid down the responsibility on the family.

"I don't know, young master. But please, let me take this beast from you. I'm sure that someone must have leaked information about you and intends to harm you. We need to—"

As Rex began to ramble on— which was surprising since he has always been a quiet guy...

'Until I ask him to speak... oh... he's that kind of guy...' Reed curled his lips.

"This is just a cat," Reed interjected and stroked Cinnamon's head with a smile, "Aren't you? You cutie."

"Meoowww!"

Cinnamon knew jack-shit about the situation.

"But young master," Rex tried to persuade Reed but found his skills lacking as Reed looked at him with a slightly amused smile.

"A cat won't hurt us. Let's get to training and... don't use your totem beasts against this innocent little creature. Just because it's happening behind my back won't be good enough for your or mine conscience."

"Young Master..." Rex revealed a troubled expression.

"Are you saying that if this cat tried to attack me, you won't be enough to protect me and thus, are taking the measure to eradicate someone based on pure speculation?"

This was extremely hypocritical of Reed since he had practically shot his supposed ex based on pure speculation. But hey, Rex didn't know, right? And even though Reed wasn't entirely shameless, he still was enough to just poke at someone's weak spots and tease them.

"Young master, you will be only harmed over my dead body."

"Well, what's the point of having you if I can still be harmed?" Reed inquired as he passed Rex.

This time, Rex didn't speak. Instead, he continued to gaze at the staircase with a blank expression.

"Come on. After this, we'll start playing Lord of War 4. The both of us will switch after losing one life each."

"Understood, Young Master," Rex suddenly bowed deeply but Reed was already walking out of the door by this point.

***

A/N: Please give this novel an honest review if it is to your liking and power stones to support it.