12 Chapter 12: Dining Hall

"-So you had a dream about dying on the day before graduation by the hands of your own brother because you kidnapped some commoner he took interest to, traveled to another world where carriages move on their own and you grew up to become some medicinal scholar, proceeded to die because you overworked yourself to death, and the last time you were here Royce dies, Finneas rats you out and then exiles himself."

"-He was exiled by his household and remained in a villa by the countryside, but yes-"

"-And I leave the academy to live a sad, uneducated, and lonely merchant's life. Is this correct?"

A pause.

"Yes."

Tybalt and Finneas stare at Neo intently with a scrutinizing gaze.

"It's all true." Neo insists.

Tybalt shared a look with Finneas.

Finally, he sighs. "Sounds like a crazy dream, Naza, but I don't think any of this is going to happen."

"You don't believe me?"

Oh shit, he sounds so sad.

Before Neo can start the waterworks again, in front of EVERY student in this dining hall, Tybalt quickly tries to cut it off at the seams. There were many people looking at their table and it would be bad if they were to cause a scene in public.

"Okay, say that we believe you." He prompts. "If the dream is true, then we can just do something that would throw the events leading to our ruins off course, right?"

"En."

"But we also need proof that the events are going to happen."

He sees Naza tilt his head, looking confused. "Like what?"

The look Finneas shoots him is very judgemental, but the emotionally constipated bastard wouldn't understand even after the previous breakdown.

Tybalt coughs. "We can wait for the first event that triggered everything. Personally, I doubt a commoner would be smart enough to enter the school, but who knows?" He shrugs. "Naza, I highly doubt either of us will leave you to die. Royce, too. He might be a bit... trashy, but he means well. Besides, since you decided to change for the better, and I sorely hope you do, Finneas and I will support you on this."

"You will?"

"I am?"

"We are." Tybalt glares at Finneas.

Now it was Finneas' turn to butt in, only because Tybalt was starting to be smothering. Sly and cunning, his ass. This guy is mother-in-law material.

"It's not like anything has happened yet." His gruff tone of voice catches Neo's attention. "You can tell that dream to fuck off and stop dicking around with your behavior. I don't mind you tossing away the whole scummy troublemaking bullshit you have going for you, but if you're going to act like some sad martyr, you can fuck off with it and suck its-ow!"

Tybalt steps on Finneas' foot with the sharp heel of his shoes. He glares at the other before turning back to Neo, who was starting to look bewildered. "What Finny means to say is to not worry about the dream. As long as you decide to do better, we're sure everything will be okay, yeah?"

A small, little smile stretched across the pale face of Neo. "Alright," he nods, "alright."

They don't talk much after that. The waiter comes with their food.

Having lived a more frugal life in the modern world, Neo had forgotten that the Noble Academy dining hall was less like a school cafeteria and more like fine-dining. Students order their food via waiters and waitresses and chefs prepare them in the back. From a foodie's point of view, the food at Noble Academy is rated as one of the best eateries in the kingdom.

Looking down at his cream soup and bread that no doubt is worth more than a few dozen gold coins--and it tasted good. Like, really good--those ratings are very true.

"So what should we call you now?"

"Huh?"

Tybalt points his fork at him, an expression of interest appearing on his face.

"You mentioned being called another name in that world of yours. What is it?"

Neo shyly looks away. "It doesn't matter to me."

The boy huffs. "I know that, but it would be good to know."

Finneas nods in agreement.

After a long time, with Neo looking like he was fighting with himself and clearly losing to whatever half is winning, he finally utters what his two companions desire to know.

"... Neo..."

"Pardon?"

Neo blushed at the enthusiastic stares of both boys. He looks at his soup intently. "I went by Neo." He says quietly. "Doctor Neo Overland." He shuts up after that, his focus turned to his soup as if it was the most interesting thing in the world, better than sliced bread, although slice bread isn't really a thing yet in this world.

"Doctor?"

"That's what they called medical scholars or researchers. They're also titles for healers, herbalists, and normal scholars, but we mainly associate them with healers." Neo explains, feeling mildly embarrassed by their interest.

Tybalt looked almost amused, although Neo wasn't sure why. Finneas also looked as confused as he was.

"What is it?"

"Did you even realize that you abbreviated your own name?"

Ah.

Neo grew flustered and smiled nervously. "Nazareth Everette Odum is a bit of a mouthful..."

"So you turned it into a three-letter name. Isn't that right, Neo?" Tybalt teased, his grin stretching into a Cheshire smile.

Neo sighs. "You can still call me Naza, Tybalt. I implore you to, actually. Names don't make a difference to me and only help to divide who I am and who I was. In the end, I am still myself, and there's nothing wrong with that."

He was going on a self-righteous tangent, but it was the truth. Neo could give two shits on what he must be called. When it comes down to it, he, himself, is still a single person.

Both Tybalt and Finneas appeared surprised. An awkward silence reigned, so Neo went back to his soup.

However, Tybalt still had one last thing to say.

"Then," His face is kinder and less like the sly and cunning look he usually dons, "it's good to have you back, Naza."

Sure, for he and Finneas, they have seen Naza before the weekend. But perhaps for Naza, it has been years.

Despite it all, including his somewhat treacherous role as a spy for Aurelion--and he doesn't doubt that Naza doesn't know, especially if that dream of his holds to be true--, Tybalt was still willing to welcome the boy back.

"En."

The three of them went back to eating in peaceful quietude.

"Brother."

Oho, what an unusual sight. The second Young Master of the Odum Family is making trouble with his older brother. And look, he even brought his friends with him.

The dining hall grew quiet.

Neo just wants to eat in peace.

He raised his head from his soup and saw that ice-cube brother of his standing there imperiously. The younger boy was followed by his group of people, consisting of well-known figures within the academy.

All of them were familiar faces, ranging between the ages of fourteen and fifteen. Neo is surprised by how young they look. The confrontation between him and Aurelion grew more volatile in his third year. He only saw them as fierce youths, no longer children after all that he had put them through.

Neo's gaze met with a pair of eyes, comparable to amber gold. The striking white hair, the soft smile, and the unmistakably kind aura were traits that Neo remembers. Only one person in the royal family is currently in the Senior department of the Academy. Neo is most familiar with this boy out of anyone else because he is Aurelion's closest companion.

Crown Prince Serian Lupus Romulus, the oldest child of the Emperor and Empress. He is the most capable prince to take the throne, and one of the many people Neo has offended in the past.

Not that he really cared at the time. Nazareth had wanted his younger brother gone. Even with a prince by Aurelion's side, he didn't care. If they got in his way, he would just try to fight them as well.

Nazareth was just a little idiot with no real goals. The only thing that kept him moving was the idea of killing Aurelion. Revenge, resentment, retribution, he had been trying to die without knowing it.

Neo often contemplated "what will I do after that?" and be left without an answer. Aurelion was just an anchor that kept him alive. He was something to focus on. In reality, all Neo wanted was to die.

He didn't want to be taken back to the Odum household. He didn't want to be a young master. He had no need for siblings, and he definitely had no need for a family. The only thing he ever loved was his mummy, and when she died, his spirit died with her.

Living two lifetimes, Neo has racked up enough regrets to be his new anchor. He wants to change things. He wants to repent and make up for all that he has done. For once, Neo desires to be happy.

"-rother... Brother..."

The sound of Aurelion's voice snaps him out of his musing. Neo sees the irritated expression on his brother's face, minuscule, but any Odum can spot it. Even now, he knows this brat best, and by the little wrinkle that has now been smoothed out between his brow, Neo knows that his mood is rather irked.

"I'm sorry," He apologizes first, "Is there something that you need, Aurelion?"

The other just stares at him for a long while, prolonging an awkward atmosphere, until finally, "You've been crying."

Neo touches the corner of his eye. He isn't surprised that his eyes were still slightly swollen, but why is it of any concern to his brother?

"I have." He answered honestly.

The acknowledgment brought surprise onto the faces of his brother's companions, but they remained quiet behind Aurelion.

Aurelion was undeterred, nor showed a hint of anything. "Why?" He bit out.

Neo raised a brow. Sighing to himself, Neo placed down his spoon and wiped his mouth daintily with a serviette. He turned fully to face Aurelion with a blank expression, devoid of any hints for how he was feeling.

"I don't think that's any of your concern, little brother." He catches the flinch as he calls Aurelion by the title. "I shed a few tears and got over it. What is it that you want with me?"

For a second, it looked like Aurelion was thinking hard about this question.

"Father told me to remind you to break ties with those that are beneath us."

Neo wasn't sure what he meant by this at first, but then he recalled the conversation he had with his father during breakfast a few days back.

Ah, yes. The shady noble families.

At this time he came into contact with them and made a few exchanges for favors. Of course, it was all for the sake of terrorizing Aurelion, but since that is no longer his agenda, Neo would have to cut off all interactions with them. By being in contact with these people, it will only lead him to ruins.

"Thank you for the reminder, Aurelion. I will do so as soon as I can."

A flash of wonder partook Aurelion's expression, but Neo did not notice, too busy thinking of ways to cut off those shady noble families.

After observing his brother these past few days, he still can't figure out what's going on with this guy.

"Will that be all?"

Aurelion was dragged from his thoughts by Neo's voice.

"Yes." He complies.

"Alright."

Neo stands from his chair.

"Done already, Naza?" Tybalt asked.

Neo nods. "Finish without me. I'll go out to get some air."

Before he leaves, he gives Tybalt a look. "I also appreciate that you don't say anything." To which both Aurelion and Tybalt got the meaning.

Aurelion watched as his brother left the dining hall on his own. The red ribbon swayed with every step he took and Aurelion suddenly wanted to tug at it.

"Lione?"

Sapphire blue eyes met amber gold. Aurelion turned stone-faced once more as his gaze fell on a boy with striking white hair.

"Shall we go?"

When Crown Prince Serian first met the heir of the Odum Household at the age of seven, he discovered a world filled with danger and brotherly feuds. Not only had he gained a play-mate and study-mate, but he also became a part of something large and dangerous. Having long acknowledged the risk of being beside Aurelion, Serian stuck close because he wanted a friend. Aurelion is the future duke of the Odum Dukedom. Loyal, trustworthy, and reliable. Not even the illegitimate Odum bastard could scare him off.

Until now. Not that Serian would ever admit it, but a nice Nazareth Odum is a terrifying Nazareth Odum. He has never seen this side of the well-known scummy troublemaker, but not that he has caught a glimpse, Serian can't read him anymore. Is a scheme, or a plot against the?

There's also the thing about Aurelion. Serian glances at his friend, only to see the expressionless face beheld with a dazed look.

Whatever that scummy-troublemaker did to his friend, Serian dearly hopes Aurelion will turn back to normal soon.

"As you wish, your highness."

Subservient as ever, Aurelion replies to Serian in an even tone of voice.