As Elior arrived home with his family, he immediately went to his room.
Looking around the room he had once left behind for the Academy.
The room had remained the same —just as neat as he had left it.
Elior dropped the things he brought from school and arranged them neatly in his wardrobe.
After arranging his wardrobe, Elior carefully laid Kurotsume beside his bed while sliding the Eidolon sigil under his pillow.
Both weapons glowed faintly like they had life in them for a few seconds.
"I need a shower"
As Elior soaked in the bath, he let his mind drift
'So much has happened… huh'
The thoughts of the Astralis Massacre flashed before his eyes as the water continued to pour
Yet—
The killings of the masked individual and teacher Moren who had orchestrated everything
'It was the right thing'
Those were the thoughts Elior had been telling himself ever since that day
Yet-
At night, they clung onto him every night
In the showers, on the roads, in his dreams.
Those killings which Elior had claimed were for the greater good clung onto him like glue
This was the reason Elior personally acquired the skill 'CROWN OF LOGIC' as a way to suppress them.
"Got to get my act together"
Elior thought to himself as he smashed his smashed his fist against the shower wall.
"Home huh"
Elior's thoughts drifted back to his real family as he smiled solemnly
He had promised them that he would save this world but after all this, what did Elior—or rather, Liam—want?
"I think I would just want to join my real family in death"
"...."
Silence lingered for a while as Elior stared at the ceiling before stepping out of the bath
Wearing a simple black shirt and shorts, Elior walked towards the dining room
The whole family was there waiting for Elior as food was being dished
"Oh, good timing Elior" Alaric said in a stern voice as he gestured Elior to sit with them
"Thank you, father,"
Elior said as he sat down
While Seraphine dished Elior food, Elior spoke quietly
"Thank you"
"You're welcome"
Seraphine replied with a cheerful smile.
Elior ate quietly while Arin played with her food, reminding him of Jeanne.
'So cute'
"So, Lyra, how do you find the student council president work?"
"Is it troubling?"
Alaric asked as he studied Lyra for a second
Dropping her fork on the table, Lyra stared at Alaric with a faint smile on her face
"Not at all father, I would actually say it has been light work"
"That is nice, expected of my dependable daughter"
Alaric said with a smile as Seraphine smiled back warmly
Lyra's eyes literally beamed with joy at her father's comment
"What of you, Elior?"
All eyes turned towards Elior who was just staring at his food carefully
"Um, exams were fine and I studied hard this time, apart from that, school has been school"
The whole dining room was silent afterwards
"Elior, would you like to join any faction of some sort while in the Academy" Alaric asked
'?'
"Ah"
Elior said rubbing his chin while the family looked puzzled
'Ah factions, how could I forget'
Factions
Invisible forces that pushed events forward like unseen hands on the pieces of a grand chessboard.
One faction had the potential to control armies and political influence.
Another gathered intelligence and secrets, trading information like currency.
Others hid in the shadows, manipulating conflicts before they even began.
Individually, each faction pursued its own goals.
But together, they created a delicate balance that held the world together.
A balance built on rivalry, ambition, and alliances.
The Academy implemented this with the help of the Union who saw this as a way to foster growth for students who were destined to protect the world in the future either as kids or adults.
However, Elior did not have any plans of getting involved in faction politics.
It was probably due to the fact that Elior didn't want to be involved in the politics surrounding it
Conflicts between factions easily occurred and Aiden suffered a lot of backlashes due to this as he created unnecessary enemies in the novel.
Elior wasn't sure if his father would be pleased if he said no.
"Um, I will think about it"
Alaric stared at Elior for a few seconds before responding "Good"
'Always putting me on edge'
As the whole family continued munching on their food
Elior asked Lyra a question
"Hey Lyra, I was wondering if you could spar with me?"
"Spar with you?"
Lyra responded as she was clearly intrigued
"Yeah, I got some things I want to try and need to make some improvements"
"Yeah, little bro. I've got time."
*Whoosh*
A wave of dread enveloped the dining table as Elior felt it making the hairs on his skin stand on end.
"Darling, did I just hear you want to spar with Lyra?"
Turning to his right side instinctively, Elior could see his mother holding her glass of wine wearing a deadly smile on her face
"Honey, did you say you want to train"
*GULP*
Elior turned to look at his father and his sister for some backup but to his surprise, both feigned ignorance
'Traitors'
As Elior lay down on his bed at night, he recollected some of his thoughts
'god, she could have killed me'
'Is she really just an Adept ranked'
*Knock Knock*
Hearing the knock on his door, Elior snapped out of his thoughts
"You can come in"
Entering inside was Lyra who wore a black overall gown.
"How nice of you to show up, traitor"
Elior said with a displeased face
"Me, traitor?"
Lyra said with a surprised face
"Don't make me spell it out for you"
"Okay little bro, you got me"
"You know how mom can be, I really did not want to be the scapegoat in that situation"
Elior stared for a second
"So, you think that your own brother would fit the bill perfectly"
"More or less"
"You are making very easy for me not to forgive you"
"So, shoo away"
Elior said flapping his hands like Lyra was a fly
"I can make it up to you"
Lyra said while walking out
"I'm listening"
Lyra's footstep halted as she turned and flashed a smirk
Elior just casually rolled his eyes
"Let's meet at the training grounds very early in the morning tomorrow"
"Yeah"