three; reynolds residence life (part one)

After the four hundred people left the Colosseum, Kaiser and Kiara tallied the amount of badges the remaining ones held. And in the case of a tie, the two would just make the tied ones have an arm-wrestling session to test the two's strength.

...In the end, the thousand slots were filled up at the end of the day.

Afterwards, Kaiser and Kiara announced the second stage's location and time. It was set for the [Central Plaza] of the [Capital] at lunch time.

The Central Plaza was the entertainment industry's location. It had multiple play areas for children and adults alike. The only downside was that it was pretty expensive...

Anyway, the remaining thousand couldn't help but question the location of the second stage.

~

Aerron and Aerol arrived at their residence by nightfall.

"Mm, I don't think that tired me enough." Aerron commented, looking at his brother.

"Yeah, I agree. Wanna have a quick spar?" Aerol asked.

"No, thanks. I'll just go home now. See you," Aerron turned and left while waving at his brother.

"See you, Aerra." Aerol whispered softly to Aerron, who was already far away...

~

Aerra ran quickly, hoping to reach her destination quickly. Since she was at home, she decided to allow her close family members to call her as she is.

Actually, Duke Reynolds has a total of five wives, each bearing a child or children of their own.

There was the first wife, who actually died five years ago, who has a son.

The second wife, who is alive, has two.

The third wife has two, one dead.

The fourth wife is the mother of Aerra and Aerol.

And the fifth wife, known as the favored wife, has three.

Let's just say that Duke Reynolds is an... unreadable individual.

Aerra and Aerol have a bad relationship with the others. This is mainly because of their mother's status as commoner, and the other wives have a bad view on commoners in general.

Though, the public knows about their mother and them, they only gained knowledge of the twins when they were both seven. It was agreed between Duke Reynolds and their mother that the knowledge of the twin's existence was to be kept secret until their seventh birthday. And it was.

"...Mother!"

Aerra entered a small pavilion, and went straight for her mother, Lily's room. She was lying on her bed, reading a little book. She took off her glasses and put it on her nightstand.

"Aerra," Lily murmured. "Welcome back." She smiled.

Aerra ran to her mother and hugged her tightly. "I'm back, mother! How are you?" She looked at her mother.

"I'm fine. Where's Aerol? You didn't leave your older brother behind, did you?"

Aerra chuckled. "Of course not, mother. He just has his duties as a potential heir to the [Duke] title."

"Really? I thought he said it was only until last week... That little brat."

The two laughed, both aware that Lily was only kidding.

"Jokes aside, how did your examination go? Nothing too bad, I hope," Lily asked with a smile.

...Aerra immediately put on a smug face. "We passed the first stage with flying colors!"

"Hahaha, of course you did. You're his children, after all."

"But we're your children before that, mother!" Aerra retorted.

Well, let's just say that Aerra and Aerol had... daddy issues? They weren't too keen on having him as their father from their tenth birthday. They realized some... problematic issues he had.

"...Yes, my child." Lily was shocked to hear her child say that. Aerra never really showed her issues in front of her mother, it would just be awkward. She knew how much her mother loved her father, even if he had multiple wives and problematic issues. Aerra and Aerol found that strange, but shrugged it off. Their mother was a gentle person, she must love their father with her heart then.

"Anyway, mother. I'll be going out to train again later. Don't forget to take your medicine." Aerra reminded her mother.

"Yes. You and Aerol would nag me otherwise." She chuckled.

Aerra smiled. "Alright, then. I'll be off now, bye mother!"

Thus, she turned and left as she did with Aerol.

~

Aerra walked to the training grounds of their pavilion. She continued practicing her swordsmanship and magi.

This continued for two hours, and soon enough, Aerra was panting on the ground.

"This was more tiring than I thought," she whispered. "...But even with this, I still can't beat Aerol in swordsmanship! Ack, what should I do?!"

She racked her brain for answers, but she couldn't think of anything but to practice.

"Argh, I'll just think more later. It's dinnertime." She stood up and did her after-training routine.

~

Lily was seen eating in the dining room of their pavilion. She was eating alone, with no maids on standby. The food wasn't cooked by Lily, though, some maids just sent it over.

...This was the difference in treatment, most likely done by the other wives. The other wives were supposed to be equal in Duke Reynolds's residence, but it was clear that the other wives couldn't stand the idea of Lily's existence.

Aerra entered the dining room and sat down beside her mother.

"Good evening, mother! Aerol hasn't arrived yet?" Aerra asked.

Lily shook her head. "No. Is he always this late?"

"No, he usually comes back an hour earlier, actually..."

The two thought for a moment, but let the thought go. Aerol would come back soon, they thought. He is Aerol, after all. The carefree family member of theirs.

"So, mother, what did you do today?" Aerra asked Lily.

"Nothing much, dear. I stayed in bed, ate, and read. It's the same dull routine." Lily laughed. "It's nothing compared to your and Aerol's daily lives."

"Hahah! I guess so."

The two continued talking about their day, mostly on the exams. And soon, Aerol arrived too.

"Mother! You're up." Aerol said. The two looked at him and greeted him.

"How were your classes?" Lily asked. "It took you longer than usual to arrive home," she added.

"Yeah, Duke Reynolds told us some things after classes," he sighed. "It was nothing too bad, so don't worry mother."

"What did he tell you?" Aerra asked Aerol, eating some of her dinner.

"The usual. What a duke needs and does, and just more information on being a duke." Aerol shrugged and sat down beside Aerra.

"Oh, okay. That's it?"

"Mhm," Aerol replied softly. He grabbed some food through a spoon and started eating.

The dinner continued just like that, with no disturbances happening. They chatted in between, sharing some jokes here and there like a normal family. Except, this family was not normal in the least.

~

Next day came quickly, and most contestants were gathered at the Central Plaza's entrance.

Aerron and Aerol sat beside each other, eating a sweet snack.

"What time is it now?" Aerron asked.

Aerol checked his pocketwatch. "Mm, it's twelve now. The examiners should be here by now."

And just like Aerol said, the examiners suddenly appeared.

This time, it was only one examiner. It was a female.

"Good afternoon, contestants! Are you all ready for the second stage? 'Cuz I am! Hehe. Follow me and we'll reach the entrance~ Don't get lost, okay?" The examiner said. She was a small female, around the height of a ten year old. She had indigo colored hair, and scarlet eyes.

"Isn't she weird, Aerol? What adult is that short, anyway?" Aerron asked his brother in a questioning manner.

"I'm sure she has her reason. Let's go," Aerol replied. Despite his words, he was also questioning the examiner.

"Oh, right! I am Tiana, your second stage examiner and the tenth General!~"

...It was these words that caused everyone, but one, to freeze in place.

...This pipsqueak was a General? Sure she was tenth, but she was nonetheless a General!

One of the only twelve generals of this kingdom! The strongest twelve of the Spade Kingdom! Who wouldn't freeze in place after such things were said?!

"So this is a General, huh?" Aerron and Aerol whispered to each other. They were now pumped up for the second stage! They were excited to see what type of stage the tenth General made for them.

And the one that didn't know who she was, scratched his head and wondered why the others suddenly changed their attitude.

"Why'd everyone change expressions...?"

The person whispered under his breath.