Chapter 158: Chapter 157 : The Twins

The Merchant Association.

It was one of the four Pillar factions, responsible for stabilising and maintaining Inis’ economy. When one thought of the faction, the Merchant Pillars naturally came to mind.

They, along with the Merchant Circle, were the leaders of the faction. Each Merchant Pillar dominated a key industry, with a few early Merchant Pillars dominating several. They were known throughout Inis as the wealthiest people in the world, with each Merchant Pillar, said to possess nation-level wealth and power. Should they decide to, nations and economies could be destroyed with a single word from them. They were just that powerful.

There were currently nine Merchant Pillars. This number wasn’t fixed though. There were initially three Merchant Pillars but over time, more and more Merchant Pillars came to be as new industries emerged.

The Merchant Pillars were scattered across Inis, but not evenly. Most chose to congregate at the Lavalsay Archipelago, where the first Merchant Pillars had made their start.

The cluster of islands was designated as the official residence of the Merchant Pillars/Merchant Association. With it housing the most powerful people in the world, the archipelago was a paradise beyond compare.

Equally impressive was its security. Elite powerhouses were as common as the white sands that decorated the islands’ various beaches. No one dared to have thoughts of attacking these islands. The super elites lived comfortably here, far removed from the problems that plagued the rest of the world.

Skye Evans was one such elite. However, this lax lifestyle of his would soon be coming to an end…as his father currently explained.

“You’ll be heading to the Hunter Academy,” Elmer Evans said from behind his desk.

Skye’s eyes flickered. He had been wondering why he was suddenly summoned to his father’s office, but hearing the words, he was floored. “Ah um, for a visit?” he said, feigning ignorance.

Elmer flashed a smile in response before saying, “Yes…a three-year-long visit.”

“No way! I’m not going. I like it here,” Skye protested.

“Aha, I don’t doubt that,” the 8th Merchant Pillar chuckled. “I’m sure you do. Living life like a wastrel chasing skirts and throwing money around all day every day, yes yes, that would be lovely,” Elmer said, shaking his head slightly.

His son had lived a pampered lifestyle, merely indulging himself in pleasure day in and day out. He and his wife couldn’t be called the best of parents for allowing things to reach this point but both of them were extremely busy.

They travelled around the world frequently, running their various businesses and projects with a hands-on approach. They were both merchants to their core and lost themselves in their various tasks, neglecting their children and allowing them to do as they pleased.

Elmer’s words weren’t to be misconstrued though. He wasn’t especially disappointed in his son. Elmer saw a lot of his younger self - and current self - in his son so he couldn’t find it in himself to rebuke Skye too harshly.

When he was younger, he did exactly as Skye did - no, compared to him, his son’s behaviour was far tamer. He smiled wryly as he remembered those glorious bygone days.

Skye kept silent at his father’s words; they were the truth after all.

“What’s worse is that this behaviour continued after you awakened your power. You know, you’re a Mimic right, a future elite powerhouse? The Hunter Academy will do you well. Not only will it rectify your shiftless ways, but many influential powers are there, especially this year with Violet’s announcement. I don’t expect you to come back as a powerhouse or a skilled elite, just forge some connections - actual connections,” Elmer squinted as he repeated, ”not just those at the hip.”

The blonde-haired blue-eyed young man played innocent at the comment, merely scratching his cheek while averting his gaze.

Elmer shrugged. “Anyway, you’re leaving in three days, say your farewells…though, from the rumours, three days might not be enough to bid farewell to all the girls you’ve been stringing along.”

An awkward look flashed on Skye’s face at these words.

The Merchant Pillar shook his head. “Picking flowers in a greenhouse, and wallflowers at that…you’ll quickly grow tired of it, son. I did at around your age. No challenge, no satisfaction. Wildflowers are much more fulfilling, much more.”

“So what, mom’s a wildflower?”

“Indeed,” Elmer nodded at once. He reclined back and shut his eyes. Images of his beautiful wife surfaced in his mind, causing his face to curl into a satisfied smile. “She’s a rose like no other.”

“A rose like no other,” Skye repeated with a crinkled forehead. “No doubt,” he followed up with a bitter smile, “what rose is all thorns. Where are the petals at?”

“Ahaha, there’s definitely petals to be found, my boy.” Skye’s face scrunched up at the imagery his father’s tone inspired. “Also,” Elmer continued, “the thorns are the best part,” he said in a soft voice, a subtle smile on his face.

“Urgh, aah please no more,” Skye groaned and even shut his ears with his hands at his imagination’s doing.

Elmer chuckled. “Very well then, let’s return to the previous topic.”

“Urgh,” Skye groaned once again. “I’m not going.”

The Merchant Pillar raised an amused brow. He moved to speak but stopped himself as he caught sight of the new arrival.

“Just give up, Skye.”

Skye turned around and showed an annoyed look at the speaker of these words, his twin sister.

Twins they were, but identical they were not. Different sexes aside, they didn’t even look alike. While both attractive in their own right, the twins’ hair and eye colour were different.

Where Skye had blue eyes and short curly blonde hair like his father, his twin sister had shoulder-length orangy-hazel-coloured hair and amber-coloured eyes like her mother. The unnatural difference could be attributed to their Mother’s inheritance potion’s doing.

Charlotte’s eyes met his gaze without blinking or backing down and repeated. “Just give up.”

“As if. Don’t butt in sis, this doesn’t concern you.”

The beauty smiled and lightly shook her head. “You couldn’t be more wrong, little brother. Anything that concerns you, concerns me. Also…I’m the one who made the suggestion.”

“Huh, you did?” Skye’s eyes widened.

“She did,” Elmer confirmed.

“You…why?” he asked in disbelief.

“A number of reasons…” She approached and naturally wrapped her arm around Skye’s shoulder before pulling him in close. The familiar ‘hold’ instantly caused the air Mimic to shrink somewhat. In gaming terms, Skye had been hit by a massive debuff that reduced all his stats by half. Charlotte noted this change and showed a satisfied look before continuing. “...with several of them being for your sake.”

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“My sake?” Skye asked confused.

“Yep. Mom’s super pissed at you, you know” Charlotte said slowly, emphasising every word. “Your various exploits haven’t gone unnoticed. Word is she was planning to send you to Setsuna to become a Guardian.”

“Setsuna?!” Skye’s heart jolted in his chest.

The Setsuna Guardians were known to have one of the harshest training regiments in the world. The militarised nation, tasked with defending against a possible demon invasion was the furthest thing from fun or lavish. To Skye, the place was his worst nightmare. His face paled as he imagined the possibility of being sent there.

Charlotte nodded. “When I first heard this, my heart bled for you. My twin suffering this way, I wouldn’t allow it, I couldn’t. I knew how hard it would be for you and so proposed an alternative, the Hunter Academy. You’ll have to train, but it’s far less gruelling and challenging than anything at Setsuna. Plus, you’ll have me by your side if things get tough. Your lifestyle won’t change either. There’ll be plenty of things to keep you entertained and no shortage of beauties for you to romance and such.”

Skye’s body eased up at the words. Charlotte felt this clearly but decided to give one last nudge.

She shut her eyes and sighed before continuing. “I had to engage in a fierce battle with mom…but eventually, I got her to agree to my proposal. I spared you the horror and torment of Setsuna…aren’t I just the best older sister ever,” she said, stressing the last bit, even nodding to herself.

“Ah…you are,” Skye said after a few seconds of delay, realisation and appreciation showing on his face.

Charlotte nodded with a soft smile on her face. She then released him and patted his back. “Go on then, we don’t have much time left. Start packing.”

“Ah, yes. I’ll be off then.”

Skye hurried off with these words, but not before giving his father and sister one last glance each.

Now alone, the pair of father and daughter traded conspiratorial smiles.

[Just as planned,] Charlotte communicated after connecting to her father.

Elmer smiled. [Indeed, good work darling. That boy needs a push or he’ll laze around here forever. Though, using your mother like that…]

[The role fit…and it’s not like I could use you, you’re too much of a pushover.]

Elmer chuckled. [I can’t deny that.]

The false dichotomy…was false.

Elmer and Erona had no intentions of forcefully sending Skye to Setsuna or the Hunter Academy.

They, again, weren’t too opposed to their son’s lifestyle. Skye spent a lot of money and fooled around, but he knew where the limits lay. He had a good head on his shoulders, not losing himself in his status and wealth as many scions did. He was intelligent, cordial and charming…as his many lovers could attest to.

Elmer and Erona were of the mind that he would eventually get bored, and do something more productive. Though even if he didn’t, they wouldn’t mind. The reason for this stance was due to Charlotte’s existence.

Had Skye been their only child, they would have been far more strict. The Merchant Pillar title needed to be inherited, and couldn’t fall to anyone. Skye, as he currently was, was totally unfit for the role. Luckily for him, he had a very capable sister who would inherit it.

Where Skye took after his father, Charlotte took after her mother. Just like Erona, she was beautiful, fierce, confident, competitive, goal-driven, manipulative, and an Onic Master. These traits served her well and cemented her status as the next 8th Merchant Pillar in her parents’ minds.

Charlotte wasn’t just a younger version of Erona though; she had much in common with her father, and by extension, Skye. Most importantly, just like them, she had a pleasure-driven personality and hedonistic tendencies.

Charlotte’s wealth and status had allowed her to experience many different pleasures over her not-quite-short-but-not-quite-long life. Slowly but surely though, these pleasures began losing their lustre. Six months ago, she hit a hard wall called boredom. She wanted something else, something new, something exciting.

For a while, she was searching for said something, and then it struck her…like lightning. Word of Violet’s intention to enrol in the Hunter Academy made the rounds. Hearing about it, Charlotte’s eyes lit up with lights of various colours and then, like so many others, hopped on the bandwagon and enrolled as well. She was hopeful that the Hunter Academy would provide the new stimulation that she so desperately craved.

She had been patiently waiting for months now. The thought to bring Skye along came immediately following her decision. Her brother was her best friend, the one person she could share pretty much anything with, so leaving him behind wasn’t an option in her mind. She’d drag him by force if she had to. Thankfully, non-forceful methods had proven successful.

Charlotte approached the desk. Her eyes fell on the multicoloured cube at the edge and flicked at it with her finger. [Well done, you finally solved it.]

[Unfortunately not…that’s Skye’s doing,] Elmer admitted with a bitter smile.

[Hmm, not surprising. He’s pretty good, can even juggle and solve it at the same time.] Charlotte grabbed hold of the cube and began fiddling with it.

Elmer sighed. [And I’m sure that was to impress some girl. Haa, if he focused his ability on other areas, the matter of the next Merchant Pillar might be up for debate.]

[You’re not wrong, though, personally, I like Skye the way he is…here you go,] Charlotte said as she placed the now chaotically-coloured cube back on the desk.

She cut the telepathic connection and turned around. “I’ve got to say my farewells as well, so I’ll be off.”

“Charlotte, one last thing.”

“Hm?” She paused her steps and glanced back.

Elmer picked up the Rubik’s Cube and tossed it up. “Word is, a Pather will be enrolling this year as well.”

Charlotte’s eyes lit. “Really?” she asked, excitement jumping on her expression.

“Really. It’s the latest news making the rounds…well, for those at the top at least. Everyone’s scurrying to get more information. He’ll be enrolling in the same Academy as you, and goes by the name Ralf Fawkes. I don’t care about other people, but if you can, try to befriend him and learn more about his faction.”

“Will do,” she said with a smile. In truth, if the Pather was as interesting as she believed them to be, she’d have done so regardless. Elmer understood this about her before making the request.

“On your way then.”

The Evans twins would soon head to the Hunter Academy. An unforgettable string of experiences awaited them there.

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