Siblings

His family's house was a small mansion.

The building was well-furnished, with a garden at both the front and the back.

As he got closer to the entrance, he became more reluctant to continue forward.

His relationship with his family had deteriorated in the last two years. Most of it was because of his decision to lead a different path than his family had intended.

As Leo deliberated over this matter, bad memories of shouting and yelling came into his mind. But that was all over now.

In the end, he decided to pay his respects to his family with one more visit.

He walked to the gate and saw the family's butler bowing to him at the entrance.

----------

"I'm home." Leo called out after stepping through the double doors. He immediately noticed his parents standing there, waiting for him.

"Hm, welcome back." was all his father used to reply.

There wasn't much enthusiasm in the man's voice. Instead, it was emotionless and neutral.

Leo and his father hadn't spoken much to each other since their last argument.

In the past year, they've been using the minimal amount of necessary dialogue when interacting in the house.

After his father, his mother had greeted him with a smile on her face. However, one could see she was a little strained. She had tried to reconcile the relationship between her son and husband, but it still remained distant.

"Welcome back honey!" she said, "How was your last day at the academy?"

"It was great," Leo responded in a casual tone, "The headmaster gave us a wonderful goodbye party to celebrate our graduation."

"Oh, how delightful."

Suddenly, a little boy bolted between the two parents and rushed right into Leo.

"OOF!" was all that came from Leo's mouth as he was hit in the stomach.

"You're finally home!" said a young excited voice.

The voice came from Leo's younger sibling, James. His little brother had a similar appearance to Leo, though his face looked softer and more optimistic. James was currently ten years old.

"Ho-how, how was your own last school day, James?" Leo struggled to breathe out as he tried to reduce his abdominal pain.

"Great! I completed all my assignments and was praised by every teacher!" little James replied while still hugging Leo's waist.

"James," Leo's mother said with a stern expression, "It's impolite to tackle your brother every time he comes back. You might injure him one day."

"Okay..." James said sadly. He slowly removed his arms unwillingly.

Leo rubbed his belly as he smelled something delicious.

"Today we're going to celebrate your graduation day." said his mother after noticing her son sniffing in the air.

"It's going to include all our favorite foods!" James excitedly yelled in an adorable voice.

Seeing his brother jumping up and down after saying that, Leo felt a little guilty. He will soon have to leave this place, and it might be a while before he can see his family again.

----------

After dinner was finished, Leo brought James to the backyard and played with him using magic. He mostly used spells related to water and air so as to not hurt his younger sibling.

This went on for hours, with James becoming too thrilled to want to go back inside.

It was only after Leo said that his mana was exhausted did his little brother finally agree to stop playing.

As they were cleaning up the backyard, they eventually heard their mother's voice calling for them to sleep.

Once back home, Leo brushed his teeth with his little brother before tucking him into bed.

"Leo," James called out, as Leo went to turn off the lights, "Can't we hang out longer tomorrow?"

Leo stopped moving as he reached over for the light switch and hesitated over how to answer.

"I'm sorry," after some time, Leo replied in a soft voice, "I have other things I need to take care of now."

"You mean you're going to leave soon right?"

Leo carefully looked at James. He could see his brother had already closed his eyes, but he could tell that he was trying not to cry.

"I need to travel to other places," Leo tried to explain, "To find the right job for me."

When he saw his brother's nose scrunched up slightly and sniffed, Leo hurriedly attempted to soothe him.

"Don't worry," Leo promised, "Once I've completed my business, I'll make sure to visit some day. I won't be gone forever."

James sniffed again when he heard those words, but he still managed to compose himself.

"Alright," he quietly said, "Then... I'll wait for you."

"Hm. Don't worry, I'll prepare some good stories for you once I'm done."

The lights were then closed.

----------

Walking to his room, Leo saw that the walls no longer had any wires sticking out.

'Dad must have made some new renovations while I was gone,' he thought.

His family's home had constantly been upgraded with certain products his father had bought thanks to his business.

Most of it would be related to the Belmont family, as they had invented many products that could be used by ordinary people.

One such was electricity, which helped their family to no longer have to rely on candles or expensive magic lights.

Thinking of this, Leo's mind wandered to the past.

Growing up from a young age, he had originally considered being a merchant just like his father.

Seeing all the interesting products his father would bring back, Leo grew more and more fascinated with their family business.

In time, he had begun to study economics in an attempt to understand trading. But after a few years, he had grown less interested in a life that only sought to make profits. Especially when it involves using products made by other people.

What had really interested Leo was not the trade, but the products themselves. Although being an accomplished merchant would've allowed him to come into much contact with them, it would never truly have allowed him to appreciate their wonders and beauty.

'Perhaps this is why I came to like enchanting objects.' Leo mused.

After getting to understand himself better, Leo had come to desire a different life than what his father had intended.

They got into some fights when this had been revealed to his family.

Leo had argued that he would never truly become an accomplished merchant, and that his interests lied elsewhere.

His father had argued that he would let his son inherit the family business, so even if he wasn't talented he could still lead a comfortable life. He had also argued that following one's dreams is a very reckless decision, and that it could eventually cost him his life.

It wasn't that Leo did not understand. In the next few years, he endlessly worried over how his future may end up, and if he would one day die poor and alone.

However, while Leo appreciated his father's concerns and expectations, he ultimately decided to live the life he wanted.

He wasn't going to be reckless. Every decision he'll make will be careful and thought out. And perhaps, if it doesn't work out, he might choose a more ordinary career.

After telling his father of his resolve, it had formed a rift between them.

Now that he was grown up and had the means to take care of himself, Leo would have to be on his own.

He got to his room and quietly slept on his bed.

----------

It was evening when Jeffrey returned home in his luxurious carriage.

He walked out the door and saw his family's mansion open its gates for him.

Servants soon rushed out and helped unload his baggage from the carriage. They each greeted him cheerfully when they passed by.

"Good evening, my lord."

"Good evening, my lord,"

"My lord, how was your day?"

Jeffrey nodded to each of them and responded politely to their greetings. He had long since given up trying to convince them to address him by his first name. Now, he can only treat them professionally.

Jeffrey took large steps towards the Quinn mansion.

He noticed his butler coming out to open the front door for him.

"Where are my parents?" Jeffrey asked him.

"They are out on important business, sir." his butler replied. There was a hint of an apology on his expression.

Jeffrey was disappointed at hearing that but did not let it show on his face. Instead, he continued conversing.

"Is there anyone else in my family that's here?"

"There is," his butler said, "Your older sister has just returned from her training in the capital."

"Ah," Jeffrey looked a little weary, "So she completed it early."

After hesitating at the front door, he then reluctantly walked inside the mansion.

His family home was grand in size, and was decorated with an assortment of paintings, sculptures, and artifacts. Most of which depicted things related to war.

The Quinn family had established itself on heroic feats in Bavalon's military campaigns. They had been regularly awarded by the kingdom's Crown.

Even after many years, they are still on good terms with the royal family.

In these past generations, the Quinn family would always seek to have their heir be adept in military combat. Hence, they are often sent to Bavalon's capital city for education.

As he kept climbing up the stairs to the second floor, he immediately saw that his older sister, Dora Quinn, was waiting for him.

She was as tall as him, with red hair that seemed to glow like fire in the light. Her appearance was mature and she was most certainly a beauty that would turn many heads. However, Jeffrey would always note at noble parties that many of the males preferred to stay a distance away from Dora.

He couldn't blame them. While his sister definitely had the looks, her expression was often always stoic, to the point it was cold.

There was a strong presence surrounding her, something she always had when they were growing up as children.

"You're late." Dora said when she saw her little brother.