The Children Of Thalia

Deals

"I'm Ansel Elias Clive, second-year student of Helder Academy. Greetings!"

"..............."

He repeated his introduction again. It's been the seventh time in two weeks. I wonder why.

Oh, right, probably because I've been ignoring it for two weeks.

Even now, I prefer to pull my hood over my face and walk away as if nothing happened. Unfortunately, this red-haired young man was more persistent than I had expected.

"Hey-hey, I've introduced myself properly, right? Why don't you introduce yourself?"

In fact, seven times he introduced himself, seven times he was wrong in introducing himself. There are many unwritten cultures in Thalia, one of which is about introductions. A person puts his right hand on his left chest, then bends gently while introducing himself in a low voice. It was courtesy here, I'm sure a big, well-known school like Helder would have taught it, but I couldn't see that from the way this young man behaved.

"What do you want today?" I asked, trying to be more tart. But the young man looked relaxed as if he was facing a boy.

"Oh, come on, don't be like that. Aren't we familiar? We've been together two weeks, haven't we?"

Honestly, it makes me want to hit him in the face right now. But I know it's useless, because I tried it once and failed. He has incredible reflexes. As expected of someone like him.

"My name is you don't know."

"Because you never introduced yourself even though I've done it many times. That's rude, you know?"

"It's rude to assume you're doing your manners right when it's wrong."

The young man breathed in panic. His malaise is visible from the gestures of his hands and eyes that throw a glance, make me wonder if he is not aware of it or deliberately acting stupid to make me off guard?

"really. Oh, that's so presumptuous." He then stood up straight. The right hand was affixed to the left chest, the back was bent slightly, the look of the eyes immediately looked at me like a soul's laugh. "I'm Ansel Elias Clive, Helder's second-year student. Hello to you."

Oh, goddamn. He really did it right. Now it would be rude for me not to pack it. Putting my hands on my chest, bending over, I introduced myself.

"Theodore Radley, Junior High Polaris. Hello to you."

He grinned, creepy. My job to reintroduce myself is done, now just get out of here as soon as possible.

But this young man followed me like a dog's tail.

"Tell me what you want."

The young man's eyes widened as if he had been waiting for me to ask. "Well nah nah nah! You're finally curious! You see, I'm Helder's student looking for a talented candidate, and I see you-"

"No way." I replied, before he finished his words. I already know what he wants. It's been two weeks since he followed me until I almost called the police. His daily routine was always the same: offering me entry to Helder.

"Rejected lag!!!!" He screamed while laughing. I stared with my eyes slightly squinted.

He's healthy, right?

"Aren't you supposed to have class?"

"Take a leave of duty. I'm a member of the security division, the Wild Dogs secret squad. You finally interested in that?"

Yeah, like it's true. Although it is true that it is very smart to tell the existence of secret squads on outsiders not involved, especially I am just an ordinary Junior High School child.

"What kind of job would make you take two weeks off?"

"It's obvious, isn't it?" his index finger pointed at me. "Give you an offer in person!"

Just be right.

"Please go, I'll be late for class."

Luckily the bus was visible. This young man was persistent, but had never followed me to school. He usually gives up until the bus stop, which makes me calmer. Get on the bus, and I can rest my ears from the sound that was like a disturbing chirp for two weeks.

"You got the letter, didn't you? The gold invitation card."

My steps stopped suddenly. I was wrong, today was worse.

"What do you mean?" ask me while turning around.

"The same suppositories that make your eye bags thicken these days."

He even noticed it, huh?

"If so, then why?"

"That means Helder admits you too."

"Fortunately for me?"

"You're recognized Helder."

It will have no end. I better ignore it again.

"It's none of your business. The invitation is just an invitation, there is no obligation for me to accept."

"It's a pity." the young man's tone changed. Like regretting something. "Don't worry, I'll be there if you change your mind!"

He's still persistent as it turns out. I didn't answer. I mean want to, actually. I'm still trying to be a good kid who knows how to be polite, but I've been giving the same answer to his offer for the past two weeks. It is strange for me to see him still persistent offer like a salesman who is pursuing sales targets, even though he is just an ordinary student.

Little did I feel sorry for helping him two weeks ago. I know that every time I do, there will be consequences. Our parlour father has explained that over and over again. When I took the step to help a young man who was surrounded by thugs two weeks ago, I thought I could just pass after him as usual, but that young man was more annoying than I expected. He's from Helder.

Helder Academy is located in Leanzea, one of the largest cities in the Republic of Thalia. There is no one in this country who does not know the school. The most famous, most modern, most qualified school in all of Thalia. The entrance exam alone eliminated 90% of participants, with one seat contested by around five hundred people. The kids in my class always talk about Helder when they start a conversation about high school.

That's why, when I first turned down the redhead's offer, the expression on his face was completely as expected. He was surprised, excited, asked me again about my answer four times until he realized that I was a strange child.

I'm not trying to deny. I admit that I am "weird". I'm a receiver, I have a gift «Reflector» that can reflect any attack energy I can touch, but I'm the only one who doesn't fill "Helder" as a high school of hope. I remember the teachers asking me about it. I often win math and junior programming competitions. That's my way of making money, actually, but the teachers think I'm collecting achievements to get into Helder. I don't blame them for taking quick guesses, I explain everything until they understand.

"But is it necessary to get to that one?"

She-who-asked was a girl with shoulder-length purplish hair, sitting in front of me while drinking boba in a big glass. He is Lee, the older half-brother of three months. The most dangerous in the home.

"The teachers were astonished, too, to the point of asking me to persuade him slowly."

He-the-continuing is a young man. Sitting in front, next to Lee. He's also a half-brother, a month older than me. He's Val, the best karateka in Polaris. His body was large conspicuously, with jet-black shiny hair. His pretentious attitude was clearly visible from him who opened an old literature book in a crowded canteen like now.

"Oh, you were asked that too?" asked the girl, glancing at the young man next to her.

"People who knew Theo, were all asked the same task."

"And you know right away that it's useless, right?" I said while eating the dumplings I deliberately kept for the end.

Lee glued his gaze to me, squinted his eyes, saying with a slight swing of his lips. "Why do you think we call you a rock, ha?"

"I call it persistent." I answered briefly, making him even more upset.

"That's it, Lee," Val closes the book, calming the impatient Lee. "Even the teacher gave up persuading him."

"I haven't."

The answer is really Lee.

"You don't know? Theo even got Helder's invitation letter."

Hey, Val.

"Why you-"

"Why would I know?" Val cuts, looks at me sharply. "We slept in the same room, Theo. I know you hid a big envelope under the bed. Grey envelope with silver sticker. Why do you think I don't know?"

No, I've known since she found out. Val is not just a muscle brain, he's smart. She must have known I received Helder's invitation letter for the entrance exam. I just didn't expect him to talk about it here, when Lee was at the same table.

Just look at it now. Like a lioness, Lee glared at me who immediately threw a glance in the other direction.

"Theeooo, can you explain that???"

Shit, Val. I'll reply you later.

"It doesn't mean I want to hide it, I'm just confused where to explain it from." I took a breath, trying to sort out everything I had to explain. "Before she died, my mother told me to take care of Lizzy. I promise I'll take care of Lizzy, at least until she's independent. Lizzy is now the only one of my family left, and my only wish is for her to live happily. That'sthat's all. I'm afraid Lizzy will be alone if I go to Helder."

I'm not lying. Lizzy was the only family I had left after my mother left us. He's my real brother, four years adrift. He is often sickly. The doctor said, his body is weaker than the bodies of ordinary children, which is why I am worried. Helder is an academy with dorms, which means I have to stay there, leaving Lizzy who goes to school here.

"You know that Lizzy has us, right?" lee responded. I knew he would say that.

"I knew. From the beginning I knew it. All the children in the parlors were brothers, but this matter was different. My promise to mom is to take care of Lizzy, I don't want to break my promise by leaving her."

Lee-who had since seemed impatient, now sat back with his mouth closed. Good, my explanation means that it's enough for him.

"On that matter, I can't say much either." Lee said, sounding disappointed.

The problem now is Val.

"Is it true that's all?" Ask Val. "Are you sure there's no other reason?"

Shit, Val. Why do you have to be so sharp?

"Theoo, are you still hiding something?"

And now Lee was also starting to get curious. Now I have no choice but to explain.

"really. There is one more main reason. But I can't explain it just yet, it's gonna be a long story."

"News! I have no business after this!" Tell Lee to come back impatient, but unfortunately, or profit for me because I have business.

"No, look at this." I showed them the notes on my phone. "I have a two-hour work schedule. Maybe I'll be back later in the afternoon."

Upon seeing it, Lee immediately clearly showed a face full of disappointment. He was indeed the most expressive among the three of us, the oldest brothers in the parlour.

"When are you going to tell me?" Ask Lee.

"When. Anyway, my story is not an interesting story. Our dad asked me to talk later in the afternoon, so I guess that's enough."

"Dad will probably say the same thing as we said." Sela Val's. Yeah, I agree. Our father might ask me to leave Lizzy with him, while I go to Helder. But maybe I can explain my main reason.

"Maybe."

...* * * * *...