Chapter 373: Siblings and Secrets (1/2)

While the decorated general and the not-so-young Master Leon had their first dinner discussion and ended up shaking hands no matter to the General's growing inner turmoil about the topic, in the not so pleasant district of the city, in the Slums another steadily growing family was also attending their own event.

Aiden, Lily, and her two four-legged guardians have managed to arrive without difficulties after taking care of the small nuisance of Master Balun and his goons. While they were not aware, their actions caused huge waves to ripple and shock the neighborhood, eventually reaching the ears of the higher echelons.

Albeit oblivious to it, a certain prominent figure once again will be thrown into a setback, making him even more determined to claim victory in the upcoming war games…

Going back to Aiden and his group, after arriving at the magically disguised mansion, they spent a bountiful dinner with everyone present. While they focused mostly on their plans, they ultimately agreed to settle the matter with the upcoming battle first before doing anything else. The city was already in an alerted state, it would be unwise and ultimately futile to try anything for the time being.

Also, while Aiden was agitated and wanted to just simply use the easiest and most direct method to free up his friend, as well as Drake and Scarlet's little brother, he was once again reassured that nothing would happen to Cole for the short term other than being forced to study enclosed somewhere deeper in the academy grounds.

In the end, he agreed to go with the approach they have already agreed on previously: Go to the Annual Academy Entrance Exams at the beginning of the next year and try to gain admittance as students.

During their talk, Aiden though couldn't be certain, he felt as if his Master, Number 3's gaze have changed since the last time they met. She had a strange, complex, heavy look in her eyes whenever she looked at him. It wasn't hostile, but it carried a mystery Aiden couldn't decipher… at least, for the time being.

After the talk and dinner, he visited the still unconscious Naybeah with Scarlet and Sara leading the way, the rest followed shortly behind. Seeing the peaceful look in her eyes, and the much better but still pretty beat-down state of her body, Aiden could finally relax. She was getting better, improving day by day. While it was still unknown when she would wake up, he could finally be sure of her eventual recovery.

Eventually, the dinner came to an end. When Aiden was getting ready to leave with Drake and Scarlet back to the inn for the night, Lily suddenly came to them with Sam and Biggy in tow.

”Brother, I will be also staying with you in the inn.” She exclaimed with a bright exciting glee coloring her face.

Aiden didn't even try to argue with her, as after just a brief look at her determined gaze and bright smile, it was clearly obvious he would be fighting a losing battle. Instead, he nodded, asking about the others instead.

”What about Granny and Master? Will they return?”

”Only I will return home this time dearie.” Coming from the corridor, the raggedy old lady suddenly appeared, turning her wrinkled, gently smiling face towards this adopted (grand) son of his.

”Huh?” Surprised by what she said, Aiden looked at her with a confused gaze. ”What about Master then? Is she not going with you?”

”No, not this time.” Granny shook her head, the smile not leaving her expression. ”She still has some stuff to do, and has decided to help her twin sister a bit.” She explained, walking over to the youths.

”Still, don't expect her to be with you tomorrow. She is quite a hard-headed individual and will at most follow your progress from afar…” She sighed, shaking her head before slowly strutting towards the entrance.

She opened the door, but before stepping out, she turned her head sideways taking one more look at her two adopted grandchildren. Although she was smiling, her eyes were telling a different story. Before they could turn blurry, she averted her gaze and sighed. Looking away, she faced the dark night, before stepping out of the building.

”Stay safe children! Don't forget about your Granny, no matter how high you soar in the future, okay?”

Before Aiden and Lily could snap out of their daze and speak up, Granny's slowly receding back vanished in the night. What was shocking was that even Aiden couldn't tell where she went. One second he could feel her presence and in the next as if she was never there in the first place, she vanished from sight…

”What the…” Both of them exclaimed with a shocked expression, running after her but failing to find any trace of her.

—

Leaning against the metal rails of the balcony upstairs, Number 3 followed the group as they left, steadily walking to leave the Slums and towards the inn to rest for the night.