During the following week and days, Enrico completed all of his family's training and even grew closer to his siblings during that time, making it possible for him to prevent them from becoming villains.
'The only problem is that Titanza and Matteo are hard to really figure out. All I know is that they want to use me.'
[I really don't trust those two at all.]
'You're doing the right thing.'
Enrico packed his clothes to take to Astrong, since today was the day before vacation ended, and exactly the day Angela had said to meet with the returned king and Virelle. To make matters worse, he didn't even know if anyone else would be there.
'We had many weeks… how's the pact?'
[We finished it some time ago. I just didn't tell you because you were focused on training.]
Putting his bag over his shoulder, Enrico left the room where Angela was waiting. During those weeks, she traveled to speak with Virelle about Enrico's training in that family and then returned.
'She didn't say much about Titanza's training, my brother's and sister's. She only made a sour face about Matteo's training.'
[Of course. He's insane. Who makes their own son fight on platforms with lava below, against seven Nartheis stronger than you? And another thing—how the hell does he have all that under the mansion?]
Her words made Enrico remember the last training where he almost died if not for Matteo pulling him out. That lunatic even showed a bored expression because Enrico didn't pass the test.
'I like training, but that guy is irritating.'
Accompanied by Angela to the door, he saw Platina waiting for him already inside the family carriage. They would both go together since she had matters to settle as class president.
"Lady Platina."
She turned her face away as if she didn't want to talk to him. Maybe because throughout those days, she still hadn't managed to convince him to call her big sister. Sighing, he turned to see the rest of the family approaching. The first to speak was Matteo.
"Your training is over for now, but your level is good, so climb the rank."
"That is my plan, Lord Matteo."
"Make good use of my weapon training, my son."
"Of course, mother."
Titanza stopped speaking and turned her face away, just like Platina, which made Enrico avert his gaze to Valerio, who raised two fingers in farewell. Enrico returned the gesture.
"Brother, I got some more magic books, so study them well."
"I expected nothing less from my little sister."
Receiving the gift from Taíra, Enrico patted her head, which made her smile shyly. Over the weeks, she had gotten used to Enrico being so pleasant, and even when no one was around, she called him big brother.
"When you hear about me in a few days, I'll already be at a higher rank."
"I hope so."
Waving to everyone, he said goodbye and entered the carriage, where Angela was already sitting on the other side. Enrico sat next to Platina, who stayed silent the entire ride.
'This is uncomfortable… System, what kind of story did you create?'
[Instead of just creating a story, we decided to make a small change that didn't affect much: we made Enrico take the other path instead of going where Chalés thought he would.]
'So as I thought, he was killed as soon as he left Astrong Academy.'
Surprisingly, they managed to alter the story a little, but as they said, it wouldn't change much since Enrico was never really strong and must have been expelled from the family.
'I shouldn't expect more from those constellations.'
[Well, it was one in particular that has a certain power over time. Let's say she was the one keeping the original Enrico alive until the end of the world, and the rest you'll learn later.]
He didn't know what would happen when this pact took effect, so he felt uneasy, because they had done something outrageous… so…
'What will be the price?'
[…Let's say the original Enrico may occasionally appear in your body, so you'll have to be careful that he doesn't try to take it back.]
Upon hearing this, a feeling of uncertainty surrounded Enrico. He didn't even have proof that his body was controlled that time against Tilios, and now this. Inside him, the shadowy Enrico in his panther form opened his eyes and smiled.
"As if I'd let that happen. He can stay calm, because I'll trap him in the void… I can even use this to my advantage to pretend to be the original…"
His smile grew wider, for now he had a new door to slip out of from time to time. Maybe not much, since it still meant mental battles, but it was still good.
'I just need to fight with all my strength.'
Back with Enrico, he decided to fight with everything he had to prevent that. So he set that feeling aside and looked at Platina, who still hadn't said a word after hours.
"Young master, Lady Platina—we have arrived."
Seeing Sanos and Astrong again after an entire month, his heart beat faster at the thought of challenging those ranked above him—and the first, of course, would be Alenya, rank 6.
"We need to go to the room where Lady Virelle is, so let's head to the castle."
"Alright."
Looking back as he stepped out of the carriage, he saw Platina sigh. Then, she finally gave him a taste of the words she so wanted to hear, though on a smaller scale.
"Goodbye, sister. Be careful in the third year."
Enrico followed Angela while Platina's head turned in surprise and her eyes sparkled. It wasn't what she wanted, but it was something.
"Goodbye, little brother. See you later."