“Brother!”

“Vince~!”

“Mother! Bell! You’ve arrived!” laughed Vincent in joy as he embraced them both. Gerald followed behind the pair with a hesitant smile on his face. “It’s nice to see you too, Gerald.”

“And I too, Brother.” Gerald politely answered.

“We came to stay here in the capital.” Catherine beamed as she scanned the surrounding gardens.

“Me too! Me too!” chimed Isabel.

“Then we can play whenever you feel like, Bell!”

“Uhuh!” Isabel giggled as Vincent picked her up and spun her around.

“Brother, were you perhaps just leaving to run an errand?” Gerald splashed cold water over the pleasant reunion.

“That’s correct,” answered Vincent as he gently let down the disappointed Isabel. “I’m just on my way to sign into my assigned housing on campus.”

“Assigned housing? Vince, are you leaving already?” Catherine asked worriedly.

“Yes. It’s mandatory that all Lancelot students stay on campus. Don’t worry Mom. I’m just in the city next door, so I can come to see you whenever you call.” Vincent delicately navigated around the subject. He felt like he was avoiding her.

“Is Brother going away again?” murmured Isabel as her eyes grew teary.

“Bell, do you want to come see where Brother is staying?” asked Vincent as he patted Isabel’s head.

“…”

“I’ll buy you a treat after you help Brother move into his new home!” Vincent revealed his genuine smile as he tried to appease the little girl.

“Okay~!” Isabel succumbed to his placating smile.

“Why don’t we enter and have a rest before we depart. You three must be tired after coming all this way.” He picked up Isabel and guided his mother and Gerald inside. His father, Zeke, had business elsewhere in the capital.

---

“Here you are, Student William. This is where you will be staying whilst you attend Lancelot.” The prefect announced, pointing at a small but well-kept house.

“W-wow, really?” William asked as he eyed his dorm.

“As per instructions, the top ten ranks within their year are entitled to individual housing. Please confirm that you’ve checked in.” The prefect presented a pen and documents.

“And all this is free?” questioned William.

“As a future member of the royal families’ royal knights, all fees for Lancelot’s facilities will be waived granted you successfully graduate within the allotted time. If you have any belongings, they will be delivered here later. Do you have any more questions?”

“I didn’t bring anything with me.” William shook his head.

“Then I will return. If you have any further questions, feel free to seek any prefect wearing this uniform. Good day, Student William.” The prefect professionally bowed and left.

“I still can’t believe I was able to pass the examinations…”

William was able to obtain an opportunity to take the examination with the recommendation letter from General Aster. His evaluation was excellent, and there was nothing wrong with his potential, but no matter how talented someone was, money was required to make the world move.

“I feel bad for turning down Sophia’s offer, but it would feel like I got close to her to take advantage of her status. It’s not right and unfair for her. I hope she understands.” William lamented over the memory of her painful expression when he refused her help. Just as he was mulling over her, another familiar face showed up.

“Brother~! Look! Look! Is that it?!” A little girl was skipping along while holding onto her brother’s hand. Anyone looking at the scene would feel their heart warm up a little only to have it freeze over when they saw the brother’s face.

The youth holding the little girl’s hand didn’t miss a beat when he saw William. The youth immediately smirked a bit when he saw William and narrowed his eyes before speaking.

“It’s you.” His tone remained chilly as he spoke, “Did you receive aid from Lady Sophia?” His eyes seemed like he was looking at trash. Upon mentioning the girl William was thinking about, William felt his face flush hot with embarrassment.

“Just so you know, I didn’t take her offer no matter what she said.” William assumed that Sophia and Vincent were close since he saw them together when he first met Sophia. “I earned this through my own effort.”

It was the first time he saw a different expression from Vincent. Vincent’s eyes widened for just a split second, but if it were an average person, they would’ve never noticed.

“Oh really? Do tell me, just how were you able to obtain your tuition?”

“Isn’t that…” The prefect that was left behind by the brother and sister duo finally caught up and adjusted his glasses when he saw William. “Oh my gods! That’s Student William; he scored second within the first year class. Second only to you, Student Vincent!” The prefect looked like he was in the presence of kings as he kneeled comically in worship!

“Brother, who’s that?” Isabel asked as she studied the heroic youth standing before them.

“He’s a very strong person, Bell. Stay away from him, okay?” answered Vincent, his tone containing a hint of mockery.

Isabel reacted like a singed kitten as she hid behind Vincent, “Okay, Brother.”

“I did not lie. I’ve received sponsorship from the crown. After graduating, I’ll receive a position in the Royal Knights.” William didn’t know why his face stung so much, nor did he felt why he had to explain himself.

“Oh, a royal knight? That’s… regrettable.” Vincent finally said as he lost interest and entered the neighboring house.

“Student William, don’t take it to heart. Being a Royal Knight is something every commoner wishes to achieve!” The prefect patted both of William’s shoulder as he ran in behind Vincent.

“Just… What do you mean by that?” growled William, he felt humiliation at Vincent’s word. “I worked so hard, put so much effort in myself, and now you tell me this?” He felt indignant, a part of him understood the meaning behind Vincent’s words, but the other part refused to acknowledge it.

---

“The story has already diverged from its original path. From now on it’ll be tougher to predict the future. That’s expected since I’m no longer the old Vincent, how can I expect that my different actions won’t result in different outcomes? If I had the strength, I would shoulder everything myself, but I’m not strong like William. I can only do things my way.”