Earlier that morning.
A young boy walked confidently through the large, exquisitely crafted corridors of a mansion easily ten times the size of Ender's. Soft rays of morning sunlight filtered through the large windows, casting a warm glow on his face.
His dark wavy hair was cut short, just as he liked it. His eyes were a striking crimson, filled with pride and a sharp confidence despite his age.
He wore a dark, skintight gambeson made of some strange material between wool and Kevlar, light steel gambraces built into the side of the forearms. His pants were of a similar material, hugging his skin comfortably without being cltoo cumbersome. A masterfully carved wooden sword hung at his side.
He passed a few maids on his way, who all stopped to bow, acknowledging the fifth heir of the Ashborn Clan.
"Greetings, young master Orion."
Yes, this boy was Orion Ashborn.
The fifth child and third son of the Ashborn family's patriarch. Born into a long line of warriors with the natural-born talent to match, he had always done what was expected of him.
He had trained hard, learned the arts of etiquette and domination and had been tested and tried in the unforgiving trials of the clan.
Sure it was hard, but nothing a Heir of the clan couldn't handle.
"After all, A true Ashborn is strong." He said confidently with a soft smile. "I was born into the great Ashborn Lineage, so naturally I'm better than even those so-called guards. Better than even you."
He turned his head slightly, smiling warmly at the girl walking half a step behind him.
"Isn't that right, Melody?"
"Yes, Lord Orion. Your greatness knows no bounds. A lowly tool such as myself couldn't possibly compare." She said emotionlessly, as if she were some robot.
She had short blue hair with deep grey eyes that seemed to swirl like smoke, as if a vast fog were contained within them.
Orion chuckled smugly as he headed towards the dining room.
"I wonder what's for breakfast."
Reaching a set of large oak doors, he merely kept walking, his identity already recognised by the hidden security features. The large doors swung open on their own, revealing an artistically decorated room where three people already sat eating.
Deus Ashborn. Second son. Third child.
Merinna Ashborn. First daughter. Second child.
And...
"I greet the beautiful and great matriarch." He said loudly with a grin, sliding into his reserved seat beside his mother.
Lady Annovelle Ashborn. Matriarch of the Ashborn Clan.
His mother smiled fondly, ruffling his hair as he pulled a plate of steaming toast towards himself faster than the maids could serve.
"Ah, gwud mowniy Dews, Melissa." He said through a mouthful of bread.
His sister barely looked up from her slice of juicy meat.
"Swallow it."
Orion obeyed instantly.
For a few minutes, the breakfast seemed almost perfect, just a normal family enjoying a hearty breakfast together.
Then suddenly, as the last of the plates were cleared by the maids, Orion was about to leave when a strange pressure gripped the room, taking away the warm atmosphere.
"Huh? Mom what's...wrong?" He turned and was shocked as he noticed a drop of blood on the white tablecloth. Annovelle clenched her fist so hard it was bleeding, yet his older siblings showed no reaction, both sitting down calmly at the table.
"Orion, sit."
He obeyed instantly despite his confusion.
"There's something I'd like to discuss with you."
***
Now.
Ender stood before a young boy with black hair and striking red eyes who stared at him with contempt. Half a step behind the boy was a group of five knights clad in full armour as well as...a little girl?
Meanwhile, he was seated in a wheelchair dressed in his casual clothes. Namely a simple white shirt, fitted cargo pants and a black jacket. Behind him stood Rinae and Lady Alice who drove the wheelchair. He understood Alice but didn't know why Rinae was here.
'Welp, since her mom's not complaining, I won't.'
His thoughts were interrupted as the boy spoke, his voice dripping with condescension.
"So, you're the blind, crippled bastard that dares to leech off the grace of father." The boy said, looking down on Ender with absolute disgust.
Hate. Hate Hate. Disgust. More hate.
Ender nearly gagged from the sheer amount of dislike the brat was emitting. He could even feel a similar mix of emotions from the brat's guards.
'Let's see...shock, curiousity, disappointment,...oh, jealousy? That's weird. Ah, there it is. Wow, that's a shit ton of hate. Especially from that girl.'
Unfortunately, there was no way for him to gain stats from the negative aura they were emitting, else he'd be aura farming.
Despite the lighthearted thought, he was actually sighing internally, already seeing where this was going.
Still, he had to play the part of an innocent and weak bastard son.
He put on his most sweet face and asked in a cheerful, innocent tone.
"Oh hello? Who are you?"
Yet despite his excessively innocent expression, the hatred in their hearts didn't waver one bit. Instead, the boy in front walked up to Ender until he towered over him, looking down on him like some ant.
"I am Orion Ashborn. Fifth son of the King of Burning, and young master of the clan Ashborn." His grin grew twisted as he stared Ender down. "But you can call me Big brother. Let's get along shall we?"
Ender looked at him with those innocent eyes of his and blinked.
"Uh, what's a big brother?"
Then Orion blinked. And blinked again.
Then he slowly backed up, turning to his convoy with a look like he was barely holding it in.
"Bwahahaha, Not only is he weak, he's braindead too? I'm actually worried for his sake." He laughed out loud, clutching his stomach at Ender's apparent stupidity.
Of course, just cause something was apparent didn't make it true.
"I'm in fact not braindead, you ugly-ass walking piece of dogshit. Take your corny-ass bullying somewhere else, I'm busy." He sighed, resting his head on his right palm dismissively.
The boy froze, his face blank as he struggled to process what "dogshit" meant.
"Dog...sheet?"
Ender cocked his head, seemingly realising how silent the room had gone.
"Wait, don't tell me you...don't know what dogshit is?"