129 Family Gathering 2

"I have enough mana to teleport somewhere else right now, but I want to rest in my home in peace." I let them know my conditions.

I really did have enough mana to go to the secret hideout in the first district. Although I would be dead for half the day after it consumed most of my mana, it was a viable option. With the location, there was no way they would be able to find me as quickly as they did now. But, there was the small possibility that my hideout would be discovered in the process, rendering its future useless.

"Ummm, I have to go to school now or I'll be late, so if you'll excuse me," Evan tried to excuse himself.

But there was no way I was going to let my shield leave. It was the only thing that made them keep up their appearances, otherwise they would have already dragged me to the first district by force. My grip got tighter as I pretended I didn't hear his request.

"Evan, this is your not-your-future brother-in-law and your two not-your-future cousins-in-law." I introduced them to each other.

Evan helplessly looked at me to let go, not knowing what else to do. The guests, who remembered that they never introduced themselves to Evan, started to introduce themselves out of politeness.

"I am Lucius de Suilett, the brother of your sister's fiancé and my cousins beside me are Julian de Pelargonium and Alex de Monete." Lucius took the lead.

Evan nodded his head like he was wondering why they only introduced their names. He didn't know how everyone knew almost everything about the other person with just their family names. In some ways, the first district had an unbreakable, strict hierarchy like the fifth district ruled by nobles and royalty.

"But, I really have to get going to school," Evan shouted before Lucius could start his next sentence after we all ignored his opinions in the midst of our trade.

Evan flushed in shades of red as he finally shook off my grasp. He ran out the door, fearing we would drag him back in our exchange again. And now my shield was officially gone. It was obvious how Alex and Julius would have Lucius' support. I was really on my own now.

So I tried to run after him, knowing it wouldn't do me any good if I continued to stay. But, of course, Alex pulled me back with his tight grip that wouldn't let go. At this rate, it would be hard to teleport to someplace without him. Maybe that was why Alex never let go, knowing that they would have the upper hand that way.

I crossed my arms as I sat back down on the sofa. Not even I had the strength to drag Alex around all over the place.

"We can do this the nice way or the hard way," Lucius started off.

"The nice way is where you willingly come with us back to the first district and the hard way is where we forcibly take you back, which would be hard for all of us," Lucius gave me a warning.

"I choose the nice way if Alex lets me go," I glared at Alex.

This mini family reunion between them was horrid as Alex looked at Lucius for his permission before he let me go. Lucius nodded his head to give him permission as I rubbed my red wrists to smoothen the pain. But, this timing was perfect to teleport away from here. If they knew me well like Luke, they would know that I almost never kept my word.

I smiled before teleporting away as I waved goodbye. However, instead of landing in my secret hideout in the first district, I was inside a large mansion. The wide room had its typical decorations of statues made from the most precious metals and rare paintings that covered its walls. The fluffiest chairs that were most likely customized to match the black walls were mostly all filled by people who were least expected to be seen.

I knew exactly where I was from the familiar layout. It unfortunately resembled one of Luke's many mansions as the layout of the remained the same. I was in the waiting room where its hosts received its guests before conducting their business.

When I turned behind, I found Jules who friendly waved alongside Alex who sat frowned in one of the chairs. But instead of finding only Lucius who likely planned the entire thing out, I found Belle, Yulee, and Shelly drinking tea together on the balcony like it wasn't something unusual. Luke was also in the same room as he sat in a chair beside Alex. He didn't look up from reading his book as if his concentration couldn't be hindered.

I knew I should've been more careful to make sure Lucius didn't alter my teleportation path. But, weren't they all supposed to be in school? Why were all of them gathered here? Was there an event I didn't know about?

"Isn't school about to start?" I placed my hands on my hips.