Reborn As Noble

After the emotional farewell, the brothers slowly composed themselves. Marcellus and Cedric, regaining their usual cheeky energy, walked over to Javier with wide grins on their faces.

Pretending to hug him, Marcellus placed a firm hand on Javier’s shoulder. ”Little brother,” he began in a mock-sincere tone.

”Yes?” Javier replied, already suspicious of their intentions.

”Got more money?” Cedric chimed in, grinning slyly.

Javier groaned, rubbing his temples. ”Ugh! I already gave you both some last night. And don’t think I didn’t see Father handing your expenses to Lithia and Meira earlier.”

”Aw, c’mon, little brother. Just a bit more,” Marcellus pleaded, leaning in dramatically.

”Yeah, just a small loan for your favorite elder brothers,” Cedric added, flashing a charming smile.

”Haaaa... fine...” Javier sighed in defeat, digging into his magic storage to retrieve a small pouch of gold coins. He handed it over reluctantly. ”Here.”

”Woohoo!!!” Marcellus and Cedric cheered in unison, high-fiving each other.

”I’m going to treat my maids and myself with this!” Marcellus declared triumphantly.

”Same here!” Cedric said, jingling the coins in the pouch with excitement.

”Brother.”

”Hmm? What now, little brother?” Marcellus asked, still grinning as he examined the pouch of gold Javier had given him.

Javier didn’t respond at first; instead, he reached into his magic storage with a flick of his hand and pulled out two intricately designed bracelets. The mithril bands gleamed in the sunlight, and faint engravings of protective runes shimmered across their surfaces.

”Here,” Javier said firmly, handing one to each brother. ”Wear these. And don’t even think about selling them. If you do, don’t ever ask me for money again.”

Marcellus held the bracelet up, inspecting the craftsmanship. ”Oh! This has a nice design! Where’d you get this?”

”Don’t ask, just wear it,” Javier said, crossing his arms.

”Oho~ someone’s turning into Father,” Cedric teased, slipping the bracelet onto his wrist. ”Scaryyyy~”

”Hmph,” Javier huffed, though his stern expression softened slightly as he watched them put the bracelets on.

Marcellus turned the band around his wrist, noticing the faint magical aura. ”This is... pretty good. Is this enchanted, little brother?”

”It’s just... for protection,” Javier said, looking away nonchalantly. ”You’re both important, so... yeah.”

Marcellus and Cedric exchanged glances and smiled. ”Thanks, little brother,” Cedric said sincerely, ruffling Javier’s hair.

”Yeah, thanks,” Marcellus added, his tone softer than usual. ”Guess you do care about us after all.”

”Don’t push it,” Javier muttered, swatting their hands away with a faint grin.

Nearby, Liana and Gloria watched the interaction with warm smiles. ”Young Master really has a good heart,” Liana said softly.

”Indeed,” Gloria agreed, her voice teasing. ”Though he’d never admit it outright.”

No one knew, except Javier himself, that the bracelets he had given to his brothers were uniquely crafted by him. Using his magic crafting skill, he had embedded them with a powerful barrier enchantment and an enhancement spell to boost the wearer’s strength and defense.

”Little brother,” Marcellus said, adjusting the bracelet on his wrist. ”Don’t cause too much trouble at the event.”

”Yeah, yeah...” Javier replied, waving his hand dismissively.

Marcellus grinned, stepping back and placing his hands on his hips in an exaggerated pose. ”We’re off now. Behave, Javier.” His tone mimicked their father’s stern authority, drawing an amused glance from Cedric.

Cedric immediately followed suit, folding his arms and lowering his voice to imitate Garius. ”Don’t cause too much trouble,” he said, narrowing his eyes as if scolding.

”Hmph, you two sound ridiculous,” Javier smirked, turning away to hide his amusement. ”Just go already.”

”Take care, little brother,” Marcellus added with a laugh, giving Javier a pat on the shoulder before walking off.

”See you soon,” Cedric said, grinning as he joined Marcellus.

As they left, Liana leaned toward Javier and whispered, ”They care about you, Young Master.”

”Hmph... they’re just loud freeloaders,” Javier muttered, though his smirk betrayed the affection he held for his brothers.

”Now we should go to school,” Liana reminded him as they walked toward Buddy and Pikko. ”You have the battleground event today as the only one from Class F who qualified.”

”Yeah, yeah,” Javier replied nonchalantly, stretching his arms. ”I don’t plan on winning anyway. Too much effort.”

As they continued walking, Javier turned his gaze to Liana, curiosity flickering in his eyes. ”By the way, Liana?”

”Yes, Young Master?”

”What did Father tell you when he called you before breakfast?”

Liana hesitated for a moment, her expression calm but thoughtful. ”Hmm? Oh... Lord Garius said I should withdraw from the escort bracket.”

”Huh? Why?” Javier asked, raising an eyebrow.

”I don’t know what happened,” Liana admitted evenly. ”But a command is a command, and I must follow it.”

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”Oh...” Javier muttered, scratching his head.

From the side, Gloria chuckled softly, her serene smile revealing nothing. ”Now, Young Master,” she said, her tone light but firm, ”we should prepare. The crowd will be waiting for your grand entrance.”

”Haa... fine,” Javier sighed dramatically, though a faint smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. ”Let’s get this over with.”

”Buddy!!”

Buddy squawked loudly, rushing toward Javier with excitement, while Pikko followed calmly, her silver-tinted feathers gleaming in the sunlight.

”Ahhh! I forgot!!” Javier suddenly exclaimed, slapping his forehead.

”Hmm? What now, Young Master?” Liana asked, tilting her head.

”Gloria doesn’t have a Pekko!”

Gloria smirked knowingly, folding her arms. ”Ara~ I seem to remember a certain young master promising me a Pekko before.”

Liana shook her head with a small smile. ”Haa...”

”Sorry, Gloria,” Javier said sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. ”When we get back to the Armand region, I’ll buy you one.”

”Oh nooo~” Gloria teased, pressing a hand to her cheek dramatically. ”I’ll be the only one riding a boring horse while a certain someone enjoys riding her Pekko.” She cast a teasing glance at Liana, whose smile remained calm but a little strained.

With a playful glint in her eyes, Gloria leaned toward Javier. ”For now, I will ride it with young masterrrr...” she said, her gaze sliding back to Liana as if daring her to object.

”Gloria...” Liana sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose but keeping her voice steady. ”Let’s just go, shall we?”

”Ara~ jealous?” Gloria whispered softly, earning a sharp but amused glare from Liana.

Gloria gracefully mounted Buddy, settling behind Javier and wrapping her arms around him securely. With a mischievous smirk, she pressed Javier’s head gently against her chest while glancing at Liana.

”Ara~ how cozy this is,” Gloria said teasingly, her voice light and playful.

”Young master!” Liana called out, her eyes narrowing as she stood beside Pikko, her pout evident. ”This is why we need to get her a Pekko soon!”

”Err... umm...” Javier stammered, trying to pull his head away but failing. ”Y-yeah, definitely need to get her one... very soon!”

Gloria let out a soft chuckle, clearly enjoying the moment. ”No rush, Young Master~” she said with a wink toward Liana. ”I’m perfectly fine like this.”

”Haa...” Liana sighed, mounting Pikko. ”Let’s just go already, Young Master.”

”Yes! Let’s go!” Javier said quickly, eager to escape the awkwardness.

( End of Chapter )