Lex's POV
5 years old
It's now been eight months since the day my world expanded beyond my expectations.
In those months, Leon and I kicked our training into high gear, and with Leon no longer requiring being forced to participate, we were soaking up what we were taught like sponges.
Our birthday that year was much like the many before it: a small dinner where we had a little more meat with the entire family
(not counting Zola, Rutart, and Merce, who spent more time in the capital than here and yet refused for us to use the mansion in their absence).
Thinking about the rest of the family, I couldn't help but look back at the mansion through the windows.
Leon's POV
Seeing Lex's listless expression as he gazed at the mansion, I couldn't help but remember the conversation we had with Nick ten months ago.
*Flashback: Ten months ago*
It was one of the rare months of having Nick at home, because he was on break from apprentice school
—a place where you are trained to have a strong body to receive artificial grace.
Having finished that day's duties and getting ready to turn in for the day,
Lex asked Nick a question that brought my own depression to the forefront again.
"So, um, why do the others get to stay in the main house while we're hidden away inside this shed?"Nick looked at Lex like he was an idiot for asking such a simple question.
"Because Lady Zola despises us. It's nothing new, so I don't get why you're complaining about it now."
"Does she hate us so much because we're not her kids?"
"Ha, you can't expect much, being the illegitimate sons of her husband's mistress. Shouldn't you be more worried about training and studying? Otherwise, you might not get married at the academy."When he said that, my heart stung because it brought what I tried to deny before my eyes.
"Haaa, it wouldn't matter if we were beastmen, because we would have it easier becoming someone's paramour."
"No, that can't be right; men must have some respect. You would think that with us being the kingdom's guardians..." But life's a bitch.Nick was shocked by that statement.
"Women have all the power in this kingdom. Worse, normal men like you, Leon, and I don't get any respect."To that, all I could say was, "Stupid Otome Game."
"What was that, Leon?" Oh, he heard me.
"It's nothing, Brother Nick."With that, I looked at Lex, who seemed to have lost all hope in life. Me and Nick looked at him with expressions that said, "Don't worry, buddy, we have all been there." I gave him a shoulder pat with a stray tear in my eye.
Lex's POV
Day of Departure for the Capital
At the dingy port of our floating island, we awaited the ship Father had called for.Looking out beyond the horizon,
I spotted a ship. (It was one of the cheapest models out there, but that was when I fell in love with machinery.)
The moment we stepped onto the ship, I could hardly hold myself back. I wanted to understand all of it: how it was made, how it works, and how to easily break it.
But it seemed we were restricted from some areas of the vessel, so I had no choice but to resort to asking my old man, who would be accompanying us to the capital (the rest could not come because we could not afford the fees for all of us).
And surprisingly, it turned out that he had worked part-time at a shipyard during his four years at the academy.
So the five-day journey, I spent it learning all I could about ships.
*Five days later*
We're finally here: the Holfort Capital. I would like to say that we did a bit of sightseeing, but all we did was rush for the temple.
And when we got there, before we could appreciate the scenery (as it turns out, we had paid for a same-day return service because we couldn't afford to stay in the capital, and the ship would be leaving in a few hours), we were ushered inside.
After hours of waiting in a queue with children of the same age and their families, we headed for the seven giant gates where children got in, and after a minute or two, they would leave with dejected looks on their faces.
As Leon's and my turn came up, we were led to different doors, as it turns out the door you went through is of no consequence.
"See you on the other side, brother," I said to Leon as we headed to different doors/gates.All he did was wave me off with a smile.
When I entered my assigned room, I saw a giant stone that stood more than twice as tall as I was, and a nun who directed me to touch the stone.
When I did (at the same time Leon is touching his own),
I blacked out. (They both did.)