The sun blazed with such intensity that it felt unbearably hot.
"The weather is really something… I can't believe we stayed there for that long," Davi said as the twins made their way home.
"That's true… Wait, isn't that Old Man Frank?" Russell asked, squinting ahead.
"Hey! Old man!" Russell called out.
"Hoho… Young lads! I see you're doing fine, eh?" Old Man Frank replied, smiling as he walked toward them.
"I believe you've heard the news, right?" the old man asked.
"Yes, we have. In fact, we just came from the Merchants' Guild," Russell said, showing him their tokens.
"That's good… I just finished my registration at the Holy Church," the old man said.
"Do you know where and when the exam will start?" Davi asked suddenly, catching the old man off guard.
Old Man Frank was used to Russell being the more open one, so Davi's question surprised him.
"About that… I heard the exams will begin at 12 noon tomorrow, at the outskirts of the kingdom just before Ashwood Forest. People are already heading there, setting up tents to get the best spots," the old man said.
"Ashwood? Why that far? What happened to administering the exam here in the capital?" Russell protested.
His funds were almost completely drained 150 bronze rubies for the inn, 40 for clothes, and 50 for registration.
That added up to over 240 bronze rubies spent in under two days.
Now, he was left with just 67 bronze rubies and wasn't eager to spend more.
"It's really not that far just a two-hour walk from the city gates, even less if you take a caravan. Besides, the exam is tomorrow. There's still time to make your way there," the old man advised.
"Any idea what the exam will be like?" Davi asked.
"That… I'm not entitled to say," the old man answered after some hesitation.
Davi's eyes flickered with suspicion.
"This old man isn't as simple as he seems… Could his title as a magic acolyte be fake? Something doesn't feel right," Davi thought.
"It's fine. I just wanted to be prepared. If that's the case, we'll be on our way. We have to train to perform better in the exams," Davi said.
"That would be for the best," the old man replied, then continued on his way.
Their journey back was silent.
Once they arrived at the inn and locked their room door, Davi finally spoke.
"Russell, you told me once that Old Man Frank has always taken care of us, right? In fact, you said he was the one who found us when we arrived in the slums, lost and clueless… Is that true?" Davi asked.
Russell paused, sensing something off in Davi's tone.
"Y-yeah… Why?" he asked.
"I don't know why, but… I have a bad feeling," Davi admitted.
"Maybe it's because I've been betrayed so many times before that I can already see the patterns forming." He continued.
"It just doesn't sit right with me… He's done so much for us even though we're not related. Then there's the shock in his voice when he found out I was well and awakened. Even when I showed my abilities back at the caravan, I sensed something strange in his tone."
"I know this might sound ungrateful, but… there's no such thing as a free meal in this world. I think the old man is hiding something. It doesn't add up his class as a mere magic acolyte, his respected status as an alchemist, and the fact that he likely knows what the exam is about but won't say."
Russell listened quietly.
He knew his brother didn't make baseless claims. But at the same time, the old man was like a father figure to them.
Still, Davi was his twin his last blood. That alone made him pause.
"So what are you suggesting? I absolutely hate what you're implying, but I want to hear your conclusion. Just remember he's the one who gave us the pills that helped cure your sickness. Most of them were either on credit or free. I can't stand hearing you be ungrateful, not after all he's done for us!" Russell said, his voice tinged with anger.
Davi's eyes widened in horror.
He hadn't considered the emotional damage this truth might cause, but he had learned to trust his instincts.
"Why does it feel like the old man was involved in the death of the former owner of this body?
What if the so-called restoration pills were actually poison meant to kill him? I think he knows something about our origins… I'm certain of it.
But how do I convince Russell without revealing I'm not who he thinks I am?"
An idea formed.
"I didn't want to say this, but… what if I told you those pills were actually poison?" Davi said.
"No way! Davi, stop! I won't tolerate this anymore!" Russell snapped. He wanted to listen, but he felt torn.
His blood or a stranger?
"You can't shut me up," Davi said.
"The very day I awakened the same day those treasure rumors started that was the first time the poison was suppressed, allowing the Nen to finally flow around me. I didn't tell you because I didn't understand it then."
"I've thought about this a lot. I'm not asking you to fight him just avoid him. That way, no one gets hurt. It's a win-win."
"Damn, I'm such a genius," Davi thought.
Russell's emotions were in turmoil a raging tsunami of guilt and disbelief.
"So I've been poisoning my brother this whole time?" he thought, his legs buckling as he collapsed to the floor.
A part of him wanted to deny everything, but deep down, he knew Davi was telling the truth.
He had never felt so foolish… or so hateful.
But as the guilt consumed him, something new took its place resolve.
"I will kill you, Old Man!" Russell vowed inwardly.
Davi, unaware of the damage he'd caused in trying to warn his brother, continued.
The two brothers spoke for hours after that.
They discussed how to be cautious and observant around the old man without raising suspicion.
They also planned how to prepare for the exam and increase their chances of success.
Soon, they threw themselves into intense training, leaving their room only to get food.
While Davi completed his system missions, time flew by…
And in a blink, the day of the exam arrived
A day that would determine their fate.