Marco VI

Little Rupert was a bubbly fosterling with a wont for peril and adventure. Lucas, when he used to not know better, had been the same. Innocent and clueless, Rupert approached Lucas despite his attendants' warnings. Not long after, they became inseparable, always together in trouble. Marco could not remember his face anymore. But there was no way to forget the convulsing shape of his body slumped on the ground even if Marco had wanted to.

"Yes." Marco answered without batting an eye. Grandfather attempted to cover it up, saying the poor kid died on the road. His mischief had led him to a den of bears. Indeed, he looked as if he was mauled by a beast. But the Ruperts refused to believe it, not when there were more than ten witnesses and not all of them could keep their mouths shut. Not in front of gold coins.

Philip looked pensively at the tea served to him. "I see, I see now. That saves me a lot of time investigating. But that still doesn't really make everything certain."

"Then you're saying —"

"The artifact in Father Pietro's grave is intact. As pure as the day it was put there. If your brother had come within ten yards, then he had not shown any devilish energy or malice towards Father Pietro's grave. That's what it means."

Marco breathed a sigh of relief. "Then my brother is free of guilt of this tragedy."

"Not so fast. Ivan and Greg might give up on this because they're only after Father Pietro's cause of death. It being an accident appears undeniable. They cannot prosecute any suspects, because there was not a shred of evidence. But I am after your brother's true nature. I am going to unmask him. Whether you stand in my way or assist me matters not."

"Why go at such length? He's innocent. He couldn't have killed him if he bore no malice to him. You've checked the artifact yourself."

Philip puffed a long draft from his pipe. "Call it instinct. Mind you, I've worked in this field for more than half my life. Sometimes people don't need malice to kill, young lord."

It was a simple question to ask Lucas. Whether he did kill the reverend. Yet Marco could not bring himself to do it. He left Philip to finish his tea.

He wanted to buy Lucas some parchments and ink. He would also need a uniform but the Academy would provide it. All the while, Marco was praying he wasn't making a mistake.

"Marco," someone called. A lady with raven hair and a warm smile. An air of overconfidence about her. Catherine. "Have you been waiting for so long?" She tipped her sunhat to reveal her azure-blue eyes, bluer than Marco's, brighter too.

"No, not really. I met with somebody," Marco answered.

"Oooh, my heart," she swooned, clutching her chest as though hurt, "Did you meet with your mistress?"

"Quit it. The people would think you're my fiancé."

"Look at your face. You'll lose your hair even before your thirties at this rate. Kugh," she grimaced. "Well anyway, you'll just grow them back with your holy gift. How convenient." She acted jealous.

"That's not how it works, Cat."

"Oh indeed. I remember some bishops are bald. And not by choice because who would be bald by choice, right?"

Indeed, the preservation of youth was a power afforded to a few. A specific requirement was required to obtain it as well.

"What happened to your cheek?" She pressed it, grazing the scar and the swollen bruise. 

"A mark of hard work. I was training."

"You never stop huh. We better hurry up then, let's get some supplies."

Cat hopped cheerfully ahead of him, her skirt flapping below her knees. "There's a store here. Their papers are scented."

They ended up buying more than they intended. "Well now you won't run out of parchment and ink for two years," Catherine said, munching on a cake they bought at her favorite pastry.

"These are not all for me," taking a bite from his own cake.

"You're giving some to me? No thanks, I'm good. What I want from you is a flower. Buy me one," she said, tilting her head adorably.

"Not to you. For my brother, he's coming to school with me," he clarified.

"Uck," she choked. Coughing, she jabbed at his arm. "Can you warn me before you say that."

"Why? It's not like talking about him is taboo. He's my brother, you know."

"Hmph, but are you really taking him to Demach? You can't just ask for the Academy to admit him, you fool. With its reputation and all."

"Aye, he needs to pass the test."

"If he has holy power as abundant as yours, then he wouldn't need a passing grade on a written test."

But Lucas doesn't have holy power. What he had was something… mysterious.

"The test is his only chance. I taught him Mathematics the best I can for a day or two, but he had been learning on his own with nobody to teach him. How can he catch up to those lords and ladies and scholars. I'm not even sure if he would finish half the test."

Marco had to admit, it seemed beyond hope.

"It's futile then."

"Not with your power. I need your holy power, Catherine." He looked at her endearingly, hoping his looks would sway her if she truly even had a shred of affection for him.

Her brows furrowed. "YOU WANT TO CHEAT?"

"Lower your voice!"

"You want to cheat!" She whispered with the same intensity, "You, the shining star of Demach, will cheat the aptitude exam for your little brother! Oh my Lord of Goodness, you've just become a hundredfold more appealing to me."

"Then will you help him?" With her gift of faultless memory, she could ensure Lucas's passing grade. That was of course if Lucas was diligent to at least learn eighty percent of the questions that Catherine had memorized flawlessly. The Academy barely altered the questions.

"No," she replied with a flick of a finger.

It felt like a huge boulder got tied to his heart, yanking it deep into hopelessness. "But you said..."

"You're bright so I know you've thought of this, but I'm going to say it anyway. Let's say he passes, what then? Are you also going to cheat all his classes, all his practicals, all his upcoming exams?"

Marco stared at the parchment that might all go to waste. "I believe we can just weather through it. I can teach him some more, while he's already inside."

"You're really sacrificing so much for him, huh?" She put down the empty plate, wiping the spoon clean with her mouth.

"I just want him to experience school even if only for a brief moment. It might not last, but at least he has the chance to go."

She fell into deep thought.

He spoke, "But I guess what you said is true. It's pointless. Without your power, how will he get through the test? Let's just return all these parchments. The kind old lady would be sad though. But what can we do?"

"Hmph, don't act cutesy, it doesn't suit you," she scorned him.

He gave her a cold stare.

"Alright, for you my friend, I'll do it."

"You're an angel!"

She smirked suddenly, "But grant me one wish."

"What?" He did not like the sound of her.

"You'll do one thing I demand without question. Just one wish."

He reeled away from her, disgusted.

Her cheeks turned pink. "It's not what you think, you pervert. Just you wait!"

Truth. Lumen Veritatis told him.

"Alright, I trust you. Then, we should start tomorrow. Mother would be thrilled to see you." But not after she learns what you have come for.