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"Hey, little Ironheart, how are you?"

Just as Emeric was going to eat his lunch, a voice interrupted his meal.

"Tch. Get lost." Emeric clicked his tongue in annoyance. But the voice didn't reply.

"Ah, what are we eating for lunch?" The owner of the voice asked again while taking a seat on the opposite side of Emeric.

Emeric clenched his fist and looked up. A flicker of surprise flashed across his face when he saw the figure. "You, what are you doing here?"

"Huh? What? Can't I meet my friend's little brother?" The figure, Hardin, chuckled picking up some of the meat from Emeric's plate. "Hmm, delicious."

"..." Emeric's eyelids twitched, barely holding his anger. "What do you want?"

"What do I want? Money, women, and fame, I presume?" Hardin's tone was teasing, but there was a glint of mischief in his eyes as he continued to help himself to Emeric's food.

Emeric scowled, pushing his plate away to prevent Hardin from taking more. "I highly doubt you came all this way just to bother me."

Hardin shrugged nonchalantly, leaning back in his chair with a grin. "Maybe I did. Or maybe I just wanted to see how my little Ironheart is doing."

Emeric rolled his eyes at the nickname, a reminder of his older brother's influence on his peers. "Cut the act, Hardin. You didn't come here to chat."

Hardin's grin widened. "You're right, as always. I actually came to talk business."

Emeric raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. "Business?"

"Yeah, business." Hardin leaned forward, his expression turning serious. "I heard that you were defeated by that Adrian guy. I even heard rumors about him stealing your crush, Princess Aria."

"Hey, don't go too far." Emeric held Hardin by his collars at the mention of Aria.

Hardin chuckled, unfazed by Emeric's sudden aggression. "Relax, Ironheart, I'm just messing with you."

Emeric released his grip, his expression still tense. "So, what's this business you're talking about?"

Hardin leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms casually. "I have a proposition for you. You see, I have a little... plan in mind, and I need your help to complete it."

"And believe me, it will be more beneficial to you than me."

"..." Emeric didn't say anything, pondering whether to accept. "Ok, I'll hear you out first."

"Good, but this isn't a good place to talk, so let's talk somewhere more private, ok?"

"...Then, let me finish my meal first."

"Oh, of course, I can even help you to finish it."

"Don't you dare touch my food?"

"Heh, stingy. Rowan always treats me, yet his brother... Sigh..."

"..." Emeric didn't speak, savoring his meal. He wasn't that much of an idiot to fall to such taunts continuously.

"Ah, speak of the devil, here comes my dinner." Hardin chuckled. "I will take my leave then."

"..." Emeric didn't speak again but heightened his senses.

"Look, it's Senior Rowan, so handsome."

"His grey hair and deep eyes look unique and cool."

"!" Emeric's hands froze. 'Is brother here?'

He looked in the direction nearby students were looking and noticed his brother talking with Adrian and his group while laughing and smiling.

'B-Brother... W-Why is he talking with that guy? And in that way?'

Emeric suddenly felt his heart clench with a mix of emotions—confusion, jealousy, and a hint of betrayal. He watched as Rowan interacted with Adrian and his team, his expression warm and friendly. It was a stark contrast to the strained relationship between Emeric and Adrian.

As his thoughts raced, Emeric couldn't help but feel a pang of envy toward Adrian. Not only had he defeated him and Rowan in combat, but now it seemed he had also managed to win over Rowan as well.

'Is he going to steal my brother away too?' He didn't notice his thought becoming disoriented. 'Just like how he stole Aria from me?'

'That basta*d!' He clenched his teeth, his fists clenching. Emeric's mind raced with conflicting emotions as he watched his brother interact with Adrian and his team. The warmth and camaraderie between them only fueled his sense of jealousy and betrayal. It felt as if Adrian was encroaching on yet another aspect of his life, stealing away his brother's attention and admiration.

Just then he noticed Hardin appearing beside them, with the same smiley face. He quickly greeted them and took a seat.

'!'

As Hardin appeared beside them with the same disarming smile, Emeric's internal turmoil only intensified. 'T-that basta*d too!'

Shatter-! Shatter-!

"Hmm..."

He shifted his gaze to his hands which were bleeding while holding the broken glass.

Emeric's grip tightened on the shattered glass, his knuckles turning white as he tried to regain control of his emotions. The pain from the cuts on his hand served as a stark reminder of the turmoil raging within him.

"Are you okay?" A concerned voice broke through his haze of anger and confusion.

Emeric looked up to see a pink-haired girl standing beside him, her expression filled with genuine concern.

"I'm fine, Lyra," Emeric muttered, his voice strained. He quickly released his grip on the glass, ignoring the stinging pain in his hand.

The girl, Lyra frowned, her concern deepening. "That doesn't look fine. Let me help you."

Before Emeric could protest, she reached out and gently took hold of his injured hand. Emeric tensed, his instincts screaming at him to pull away, but something in Lyra's touch made him hesitate.

Lyra examined the cuts carefully, her touch surprisingly gentle. "They're not too deep, but you should clean and bandage them properly."

Emeric glanced at her, his gaze softening slightly at her kindness. "Thanks, Lyra."

She smiled warmly, her blue eyes meeting his. "No problem. Just be more careful next time, okay?"

"..." Emeric was silent for a moment. Then he replied in a cold voice. "Ok. I'm leaving."

"Huh?" Lyra was left confused and worried as Emeric stood up and left his steps heavy. 'W-What happened to him? Why did become cold just now?'

Alas, she couldn't notice the ethereal grey fog hovering above Emeric's head. Well, even if she did, she wouldn't know what it was, unless she had Adrian's knowledge...