A few days passed and the morns were never as bright as it was this day. It was no longer surprising to find most hallways of the manorial empty. A people walked by they remembered the morning talks they shared with their close ones who were away, either partaking on a mission that would last for months or transferring to the other manorial in Azuran for reassurance from the loneliness within the Leonile manor. It was comforting for them to be surrounded by more people.

"It sure is quiet here..." Jagra spoke as he walked in the hallways with Moulin and Ghana. Their heels clicked on the floor with their backs straightened as they walked, one of the results of Tessley's discipline. It was already days before their departure to Meian country and they were getting busier and anxious as they began to pack their belongings.

They all walked through the outdoor hallways of the manorial's entrance. The entrance door closed shy behind them.

"Have you already written your letters?" Jagra asked his friends as he stepped on the teleportation crystal almost impatiently.

Ghana replied along with a shrug, "Got no one to write to. Even if I did, It'll all be a waste of paper and ink in the end." She casually spoke as she stepped on the teleportation crystal.

Moulin knew very well that his friend was talking about her father. The man that had wanted to derive Ghana of her wishes. Moulin only patted her shoulder as he stepped beside her.

"What about you, Moulin?" Ghana asked, seeing the aphrodite's indifference to the question.

Moulin lowered his gaze as he glanced at Ghana with a smile. "I will be meeting my brother as we visit Azuran today. Perhaps, I will be coming back late."

Ghana and Jagra exchanged looks. They were aware of the position of Moulin's brother in Azuran. They were also aware of the commotion this brother had also caused during Moulin's Selection. Both threw Moulin a pitiful look. To have such an explosive brother, Moulin would need all the luck he can get if he was going to face his brother again.

"How punctual."

A voice shouted from afar. The three all turned their heads. As the figure entered their sights, they instantly silenced themselves, fixed their postures, and emptied their minds. The tall figure walked towards them with observant blue eyes filled with amusement.

Rowan walked over towards them with a smile, "Good. You should always be on your best behavior."

Discomfort squirmed inside both Ghana and Jagra. Ever since Rowan had arrived here in the manorial. They suffered under the intimidation that hid behind the senior sentinel's smile. Although they weren't the only sentinels partaking in the task to Meian, they felt that they suffered a bit more than the others.

Rowan's ability was quite ominous and provoking, or so some had thought. Every time Rowan would evaluate them of their capabilities, testing them of their strength to see if they were fit to join the group, Rowan always brought out the thoughts in their minds every time they made a mistake. It was unsettling and terrifying. The exposure brought out humiliation. For Ghana and Jagra, they were afraid.

However, what made them confused was that Rowan had never punished Moulin. They wondered if it was because Moulin was always attentive and excelled greatly in the evaluation or if it was because Rowan had a soft spot for Moulin. The latter was deemed impossible and unbelievable. Honestly, just because they saw Rowan always eyeing Moulin doesn't mean there was something...

"Moulin..." Rowan stepped on the crystal platform. He walked a few steps towards Moulin with a smile.

With a nod, Moulin backed away and made space for his leader as he greeted. "Sir."

Ghana furrowed her eyebrows as she tried not to think of anything. Was it her or was Sir Rowan acting so close with his friend. No matter how she looked at it, the man's actions were quite stalkerish.

Rowan snorted as he looked at Ghana from the corner of his eye. Ghana quickly tried to erase her thoughts, shaking her head.

"Alright, let us go." Rowan announced as he tossed a token, letting it fall to the platform beneath them with a sharp sound.

Ping!

They arrived in the central courtyard of Azuran within a second. A gust of wind immediately welcomes them, making Moulin slightly surprised. They began to hurriedly make their way towards the Azuran Leonile Headquarters.

It didn't take long for them to pass almost a hundred sentinels always glancing at their way as Rowan's group passed by them. Moulin's two friends were no longer bothered by their curious stares. They arrived at the Headquarters shortly without any interruptios. The reason was to meet up with the other squad members who voluntarily joined the mission.

There were about fifteen Leonile sentinels in Rowan's squad which already includes Moulin, Jagra, and Ghana. The meeting was brief as the others still had other things to do before their departure. Rowan shortly reminded them of the gathering with the sentinels of Dragor which would be held tomorrow.

"A genuine Aphrodite sentinel..."

"Shh, I heard he's the 16th ranking in the Guild Trials."

"Doesn't he look too... frail and vulnerable? He looks like a perfect victim of sexual assault."

"My friend says he's actually quite powerful!."

Moulin's ears quickly picked up the conversation of a group of sentinels whispering behind him. He only remained expressionless as he listened quietly. Little rumors and gossips don't really affect him.

"Dismissed." Rowan declared as he looked at every one of them. As the group began to disperse, Rowan turned to look at the three recruits.

"I'll give you until noon to do what you need to do. When you're finished, return here." He declared as his eyes coincidentally clashed with Moulin's. Rowan gave a warm smile as he turned to walk away with another sentinel.

Ghana shivered once Rowan had left them. She glanced at Jagra and Moulin with an anxious expression. "Honestly, I don't think I can survive a week under his leadership."

"Me neither. Although he's good-looking I can't seem to be at ease around him." Jagra nodded in agreement.

The two didn't know Rowan was trying to delve into their minds for any information about Moulin for they were the closest people around the silver-haired youth. Although Rowan had the Moulin's information report, he felt that it wasn't enough.

"I have to go..." Moulin said, grabbing Ghana and Jagra's attention.

Realizing that Moulin was going to go confront his brother, Ghana placed a hand on Moulin's shoulder. With a serious expression, she spoke to her friend, "Good luck, my friend."

"Mn..." Jagra nodded. "I hope you return..."

"...?"

Moulin blinked as he gave a faint smile to his two friends. After waving goodbye, he hurriedly left the Headquarters. His lithe figure passed through the gates. His braided silver hair swayed with his movements and he walked not caring about grace and elegance.

His beauteous figure was too eye-catching that most people already caught sight of him from afar. Although Moulin didn't give a care if there were malicious stares thrown at him, he wasn't too aware of it. He was thinking deeply about how he should explain it to Emlen without making the other blow up. His silver eyes dazzled under the light as he looked up. It looked as exquisite as diamonds.

Suddenly, the sound of rapid footsteps caught everyone's attention. A tall man suddenly strode through the crowd.

As Moulin walked, he heard the faint commotion but he didn't pay attention. His whole attention was focused on walking towards's the Elder guild where his second brother, Emlen, was. However, the footsteps grew loud. It entered Moulin's ears, indicating that the person was walking towards him at a rapid pace.

"Moulin..." A hand abruptly reached out to grab Moulin's shoulders.

Moulin's eyes narrowed dangerously as he abruptly stepped back, evading the hand intent to touch him. His movements were swift like a blade cutting through air. The man almost lost his footing as he missed grasping the shoulder of the young man. He stumbled forwards but quickly regained his balance. However, his recklessness was witnessed by many.

Moulin leaped back swiftly. He landed a few meters away from his attacker. His expression remained neutral even when he realized the identity of the man that attempted to touch him. However, in his heart, he was roaring with revenge.

Quade F*cking Accrius...

Moulin mentally snarled.

There was a supposedly desperate look on Quade's face. However, Moulin only restrained the urge spit on the man's face. Although he wasn't affected by this bastard's little tricks in the past, Moulin could not forgive him in the original Moulin's place. Oh, how he wanted to carve the name 'S C U M' on the bastard's face until it was bleeding and disfigured.

"M-Moulin..." Quade blinked confusingly, feeling a sense of anger when he noticed the looks people were giving him. He stood straight as he eyed the beautiful youth currently a few meters away from him. "Why did you avoid me? I wouldn't hurt you, you know that..."

Moulin only kept silent as he lifted his chin with a raised eyebrow as if he was trying to recall who the man was. He feigned surprise accompanied by a suppressed snort. This man really knows how to act. What a fool...

Although other people hadn't noticed Moulin's brief expressions, Quade certainly did. This made the nobleman quite startled. He secretly clenched his jaw with furrowed brows. Months ago, Moulin had disappeared. Almost announced as dead. Right after he was found, he made a tremendous change. This change also stirred the whole noble circle.

From the abrupt change of his lavish taste to earning him the praise of the imperial palace from his heroic performance in the midnight gardens, his foolish conceited title instantly vanished just like that. Now even acquiring the ability to sense his people, Moulin was even capable of dismissing worthless people in his household. Quade's hands had trembled violently. He grew anxious when Moulin had even earned the 16th standing of the guild trials. Such a prize! His fingers were itching. Like a panting dog, he placed his greedy ambitions on a pedestal. If there wasn't his fiancee, Maelina Gorianna, Quade would waste no time hooking Moulin around his finger!

However, the little fool had grown smart out of the blue. Quade had to be even smarter. Today, he'll make it that Moulin had approached him first.

Moulin smirked. Ah, the greedy eyes of an ambitious man. It was ridiculously amusing. Moulin narrowed his eyes. Does he think he was easy to play with? What an asshole!

"I apologize, Lord Accrius. I have other matters to attend." Moulin politely smiled as he turned around. As much as he wanted to scrape the bastard's face on the rocky stone-ground until he was skinned, Moulin didn't have time. He only has until noon to talk to his brother.

"W-wait!" Quad abruptly reached out to once again grab Moulin.

With a turn of his head, Moulin released his aura. The air chilled and heaviness engulfed Quade's chest. Moulin wasn't merciful. He ruthlessly directed all his oppression towards the man behind him. Although it took his all to manipulate it, Moulin didn't stop.

Wheezing and grabbing his throat as he felt air refusing to enter his lungs, Quade's knees wobbled as he struggled. He kept gulping and swallowing in desperation. A sharp sting heavily piercing his mind.

Moulin exposed a frightened expression as he stepped back. At the right moment, he withdraws his aura before anyone could suspect him attacking the nobleman. Silently, he raised a hand to his mouth as he leaned towards the man gasping for air.

"Y-you... Are you sick?"

As the word 'sick', entered the passing people's ears. They immediately backed away. The word was a trigger of fear. One of the results of the countless incidents of Kron. A loud commotion suddenly occurred with Quade at his center.

With frightened eyes, Quade immediately struggled to stabilize his breathing. Without a thought, he turned to Moulin with eyes riddled with hidden humiliation and deceit. "You little-"

A hand grasped Moulin's shoulder but this time, Moulin didn't react negatively. He looked behind him with a surprised expression. He was quite familiar with the scent.

"Moulin..." The deep voice brought an unexpected yet soothing comfort to Moulin as it entered his ears. Moulin was truly surprised.

"Eldest brother..." Moulin muttered with widened eyes.

Maxille smiled as he stared dotingly at his brother.