Chapter 1

"Reo, how's school?"

"Great!" I responded to my father's icy gaze.

I recited his scripted line in my mind as he slammed it into my ear: "Good, you are the one who will inherit the family's fortune. I will not tolerate any failure from you."

The atmosphere at the dinner table remained unchanged. My brother and I sat at a long table. My mother, who was only interested in my brother, was seated across from him. My father only talked about our family's influence as Sillimans, another failing business, and our large estate in the center of a hill. I was ready for this long supper to be over.

After dinner, I visited my brother Leo in his room and found him stressed out about his research.

"Are you getting tired of your hobbies, brother?" I asked. "You seem to be very enthusiastic about collecting these agimats."

"Hey, let's continue this conversation in a different realm," I said, trying to lighten the mood.

Brother Leo then asked me about my day.

"Hmmmm... You sound like father," I said with a laugh. "Anyways, I aced everything again, both exams and physical activities. But I'm finding it difficult to compete with Usman, the rank #2. He's so good that I can barely win in any physical activities that require agility and speed." I continued.

"I see. In that world, people with that kind of build are more likely to choose assassin jobs. Hmm, that means if arnis is included in our school's physical activities, I'm doomed to lose."

My brother told me about this assassin job where these people are extremely lethal when they wield weapons. He's a great storyteller, and I don't know if what he said is true, but I enjoy his company. He makes the house less suffocating.

My brother is difficult to understand. I used to resent him because all the toys and new clothes were bought for him, even though he was in a coma for five years. I couldn't understand why our parents would do that.

But then he woke up from the coma, and the first thing he said to me was, "I'm grateful to have you in my side." It melted my heart. I couldn't believe that my existence was capable of receiving gratitude. I felt important that day.

Sometimes, though, when he receives things, he puts on a fake smile. It makes my blood boil. I want to hug his neck. When it's food, he always knocks on my door and shares it with me.

Leo loved collecting talismans or agimats. He would buy them no matter how much they cost. He was obsessed with them. And he would spank my hands whenever I tried to touch them. I didn't mind these things anymore as long as I saw him having fun. I would turn a blind eye to my grudge because he was the only person who always talked to me and appreciated me, especially when I am on my knees.

Another morning came, and I had completed my daily routine. The first dining quest was done. Now I needed to gather strength for the next dining quest for the evening.

"Sigh... Breakfast was extremely exhausting... Hmmm..."

Every morning, I check the school's event board. Today, I saw that they're having a fencing activity. My school values sports, which I really enjoy. It helps me forget about my problems for a while. I tried playing video games, but I always feel lethargic afterwards. Video games are really not for me.

"I'm going to register for this fencing activity," I thought to myself.

Couple of week passed by, I learned a lot about fencing. I stand in front of everyone, facing my opponent. As expected, it's Usman. He's always the one who gets in my way.

"Usman, you never learn!" someone in the crowd shouts.

As I put on my mask, I glimpse right into Usman's eyes. He's hungry for victory. Every time we face off, I feel an immense pressure pushing me down. As if the gravity was on his side.

"The duel will be three sets of foil, each set lasting one minute. The goal is to score 10 points. Ready, set, go!" the referee signals.

With out a second thought I commenced an attack to Usman. He swings my offense upside down and counterattacks by bending his foil upward and hitting me in the back of my shoulder. He gets a point. It was lightning fast. I took a glimpse in the set clock. It happened in less than a mere second!

The match continues, and we reach the third set.

"Alright, last set. Usman has 9 points, and Reo has 4," the referee informs us.

"I need to hit Usman six more times in one minute to win. I've only scored 4 points in two minutes, so I'm in a really losing position."

"Ready, set, go!" the referee signals to start of the final round.

I bend my knee into an en garde stance, ready to strike. Usman doesn't hesitate. He lunges forward to hit me in the chest. My mind races, and I counter-attack with a heavy pinpoint to his chest. But Usman is too quick for me. He lands a hit in my lower torso.

Both of our masks light up, indicating that we both hit each other.

"Whistles! Point for Usman by right of way. Score: 10-4, Usman wins!" the referee proclaims.

"I lost? This is the first time I've ever lost an activity like this. Ten to four? That means my 100% was only 40% to Usman. Unbelievable! It was a one-sided match!"

As I stand there in shock, the entire gymnasium is silent.

"What the heck is that right of way? That's unfair! It should be 10-5, right?" someone from the crowd asks.

Usman keeps me busy that made me forgot about the right of way rule. In foil, if both players hit the target at the same time, the point goes to the player who took the initiative to attack. I look Usman in the eye and smile, congratulating him on his win.

"If you don't mean it from the bottom of your heart, you shouldn't say it," said Usman , his expression sour. "By the way, I won because you're slow as fudge."

On my way home, Questions linger in my mind. Did I gain weight? Is my body not strong enough? Did I overstudy the theories? Why am I so slow?

"The activity today wasn't fun at all!" I grumble to myself.