15 Chapter 15: Library

"Rainier, can you look for the notes that Great Uncle Nuriel took on the studies of water elements? Particularly the one on herbal plants and Rhine Empire's native medicinal floras--I believe he made one for the Hangul Kingdom and the Francois Republic, so be careful not to mix that up."

"Certainly, Young Master." Light footsteps made their way up to the second level of the library, the wooden stairs creaking ever so slightly.

"I believe it's on the left side of the shelf where Uncle Nuriel's journals are kept, it should be marked as such. His journals are also roughly bound together, so they should be easy to spot." Neo called out, his eyes rooted on the pages before him. He was sitting primly on the old, library sofa.

Rainier had complied, although he was quite confused at the descriptive details. Finding the shelf, he easily brought out the requested journal.

It's been a couple of weeks since Neo came back to this world. Lots of things are both familiar yet unrecognizable. His relationship with the Odums has become mutually peaceful, with neither side desiring any conflict with each other. The previous lackeys--his friends--are becoming his closest companions in the academy, and most importantly, he and Royce are mending their friendship one step at a time.

Of course, things are still relatively rough. Neo hasn't made any other friends other than the ones who he has always surrounded himself with. Even now, he is able to surprise Tybalt and Finneas with his behavior. It is a blessing that the two of them believed him when he recounted his experiences in that modern world as simply being a traumatic dream.

Due to the environment that Neo is slowly building around him, people have come to notice that the illegitimate Odum has been acting rather oddly. The past scummy troublemaker is quiet, and at first, it was unsettling. But then, as they got used to the friendly boy, things began to change...

Staying out of trouble, not trying to kill, maim, threaten, or bully people, and being sincere when Neo is able to help a classmate hasn't bored any fruit, lately. He felt that his reputation is still at its worst.

A week after he came back, his classmates still kept looking at him weirdly. These stares have increased as time went on. Neo is afraid that changing so drastically has earned him more ire and suspicion. Whenever he manages to assist someone, or simply greet them (being polite is important, after all), the looks multiply. It's like being trapped in a cave of serpents.

Reputation isn't truly his reason for being considerate. He didn't want his help to come out as something selfish. Two lifetimes have taught him this.

But still, with the entire school's attention mainly focused on his every move--he was infamous, after all--Neo fears that he will be attacked by someone eventually.

Nobility has always been cutthroat. They always go for the weak. After he silently stepped down from the wicked pedestal, no doubt that revenge would come for him.

Thankfully, Royce, Finneas, and Tybalt seemingly converged around him whenever they can. Is it just him, or have they been tightening the circle recently? Was it because he tried protecting Eliza Chutoriaru when she tripped and fell down the stairs? Aish, that day was rough. Royce had to send him to the infirmary. There he was, all bruised up, and what he earns is suspicious staring from half the female population in the academy. Did they think he pushed her?

Albeit it is uncomfortable being so tightly compressed by taller people (Royce and Tybalt are giants)--and truly, he appreciates their trust in him (being so close with a spider-like him is a risk, you know?)--, but he doesn't want anyone to get in trouble if someone snaps and tries to beat him up in the halls. At the very least, if he was ever going to get a beating, they should invite him to an area with fewer people. He will accept whatever they have to offer with grace.

Recently, he has also taken to hanging around the manor library and the western garden to stave off boredom. There is only so much that schoolwork can appease. After nearly three decades of living with advanced technology, digressing back to this era makes him miss his cellphone.

He read a lot on his phone during off days when he was still Dr. Overland. It was easier to carry around, and he felt books were a hassle to lug around.

But now, the cell phone doesn't exist.

Which is why he is currently in the library.

For a while now, Neo wanted to build a greenhouse near the manor. Since the Odum family has so much land, he was hoping to request a small plot of it for his project. He had already handed in his request to his father the day before, and he is now waiting for Gareth's response.

Of course, if Gareth denies his request, Neo had planned to keep herbal plants within his bedroom and balcony.

He really wanted to study medicine again.

Being such a workaholic in the past, his desire to relearn medicine was beginning to bother him. Withdrawal symptoms were evident, and he was just itching to do something, like research. And helping people. Through research.

Originally, he had taken these weeks as a short vacation, but having held the record of most-vacation-days-unused in his research facility, he doesn't want such a leisurely and lazy lifestyle.

Godammit, he wanted to work! Just let him, already!

He doesn't want to waste his life doing nothing, even if it's his third lifetime.

"Is this the one, Young Master?"

"Yes, thank you."

Rainier returns with the journal he had requested and Neo takes it gratefully.

The relationship between him and Rainier has also softened, only slightly, but the servant has every right to be guarded. Just recently, he's managed to convince the man that he prefers seeing his eyes, scars, and all-- "Only if you're comfortable, Rainier, please don't push yourself because of me."--, and managed to get the servant to take off the ribbon in his presence.

Another reason as to why he desperately wants to focus on the study of medicinal plants and the construction of a greenhouse is to find a cure for Rainier's scar. Since the markings are both painfully deep and black, from the brand on the ribbon he had given him, whenever Neo sees it, all he can think about is guilt.

The memories are so old. What did he use to make that brand mark back then?

"Young Master?"

Rainier watched as Neo unconsciously reached out toward him.

Neo freezes in place and promptly drops the outstretched hand. He shakes his head and then looks up at the man.

"No, it's nothing." The youth reminds himself that Rainier is not a pet project to satiate his own arrogance. He shouldn't be so confident when he was the one who put those marks there.

"If you say so, Young Master-"

"Rainier, can you come closer?"

The question came out so quickly and so quietly that Rainier had to strain his years. Obviously, the youth was rather embarrassed, but the determined look on his face was cute enough. This Young Master of his had a strong attitude change in recent times. Rainier secretly hopes that he doesn't change back.

"As you wish, Young Master."

The servant approaches him, standing tall and facing him with a look of curiosity.

Neo makes a waving motion, encouraging the other to take a knee.

The man does so without question.

Slowly, Neo reaches out with both hands.

Rainier sees a pair of pale hands, delicate and smooth, coming towards him. Before he could properly react, the Young Master had both hands on his face.

The first thing he realizes is how cold those hands were, which drew a worry feeling that was buried deep inside him. He hasn't felt this concern for the Young Master until now, recently, since the day the Young Master cut his hair. It was both strange, and a bit gut-wrenching.

Rainier did not notice the parallel between his current trust of Nazareth Odum and the one before he was marked. Neo did. Wasn't it just a few years ago when he put on a ribbon and felt his Young Master's hands on his face before the brand activated?

Neo does not count the morning he first woke up. Rainier hasn't trusted him like this for a long time.

"Young Master?"

There was silence between them. Rainier felt those fingers trace the scars. They followed the pattern and smoothed out the slightly wrinkled furrow between his brow.

It was quiet and awkward. Neo tried not to make any eye contact with Rainier, his focus drawn mainly to the markings. If he could pinpoint how they were made, he can also find a way to slowly erase them. In the modern world, there are serums to erase acne scars and the like. Of course, laser proves to be the most superior form of scar treatment, but seeing as making a laser is somewhat impossible in this world, Neo would have to go into the field of dermatology for some time.

Rainier could see black, thick eyelashes around vermillion eyes. Doe-like and innocent came to mind, an interesting comparison seeing as the Young Master has never been innocent in the first. He had always felt that they looked like venomous spiders, until now.

The door flies open.

"Brother..."

Footsteps strode past the threshold, and then, paused.

"What are you doing?"

Shaken by a newcomer's voice, Neo drops his hand. Both he and Rainier look at the door.

Standing there like a glacier was Aurelion, his sapphire blue eyes narrowed a little more than usual as his gaze fell on Neo's hands.

"Aurelion."

Neo stands up to greet this brother of his, a soft smile making it to his face.

Aurelion frowns in turn, stepping inside at a brisk pace.

He comes closer and stands in front of Neo, unintentionally (or was intentional?) cutting in between Rainier and his older brother.

"Rainier, go prepare tea and snacks." He orders sternly.

The man bows to the boy and stands from his kneeling position. Begrudgingly, he complies.

"Yes, Master Aurelion."

But before the servant leaves, Neo stops him.

"Can you also add in some cakes? Particularly the ones from yesterday? I really liked them..."

A soft smile. "Of course, Young Master. I'll be sure to prepare all your favorites."

"Thank you!"

"It is my pleasure."

Aurelion can already feel the oncoming headache and irritation. He shouldn't be feeling like this at the age of fifteen, but if this older brother of his can open his goddamn eyes and look around for a change, they wouldn't come to this point.

A few weeks ago, if someone were to have told him that his brother, Nazareth Odum, the school's scummy troublemaker, the infamous bastard child of the Odum Household, Whoreson, Trash, Worst-Than-Trash, the man plotting his demise with over thirty assassination attempts at hand, had suddenly changed into this, Aurelion would kindly tell them to fuck off with a straight face before secretly plotting their deaths behind their backs (who said he was the benevolent one? He just didn't give a shit).

The first week, he had thought his brother had something up his sleeve. There's always something up his sleeve. He was getting ready for whatever Nazareth threw at him.

Until the staring started. It was like the whole school suddenly noticed this new messiah that descended from heaven. Messiah? Pfft. Messiah, his ass. All he's seeing is a moron with an idiotic smile, who eats too many cakes, and drinks too many bitter things.

From the rumors that Aurelion managed to gather, his brother had some sort of dream and decided to change for the better.

Helping people in need, smiling all the time, greeting people, being kind, in general. Like a normal, human being.

So why is everyone treating him like a rare animal? Suddenly being nice does not grant you endanger species status, people. That's how normal people behave!

Of course, Nazareth Odum being kind and polite can be rather disarming, but anyone can be like him if they just desire to be.

"I dropped my eraser and he picked it up and gave it to me. With a smile! What a saint!" Was what a subordinate of his had told him during the report. Aurelion had felt his vein burst as he yelled at him. "Was that the eraser you were using as you were writing this intel? About him?!"

"Yes?"

Needless to say, that subordinate moved classes.

At first, Aurelion had thought it was all bullshit. But as time went on, it seems this wasn't the case.

He stalked--ehem--observed his brother from a distance. If it weren't for the three companions that his brother has surrounded him at all times, protecting him, monopolizing him, touching him, being buddy-buddy with him, Royce's moon eyes as he stares (he needs to gouge those), and Tybalt's arms (he swears, if that idiot swings an arm over his brother's shoulder one more time-), his older brother might have been swarmed by his newfound admirers.

And don't forget when he fell down that staircase protecting that Eliza girl. He had not been pleased to see his older brother in the infirmary because of a large bruise covering half his black and shoulder. After that day, the female admirers increased by a lot.

It's a matter of time when the engagement letters come, but that is only, only, if his older brother's nice behavior reaches outside the perimeter of the school. He shouldn't be worried. A mere few weeks have gone by. Things can't change this quickly, right?

No noble house would want a bastard son of the Odum Ducal to marry into their families, right? Right?! Not to mention, his brother's abilities are rather ordinary. He studies well, but there isn't anything notable. Things should be safe for now. The suitors won't be a problem. He's right, isn't he?

For a moment, Aurelion had to close his eyes. Why are the people in the academy so shallow?

All Nazareth had to do was be nice, and it results in this! Within an entire month, he became the darling of the school. How is that even possible? If his brother hasn't sworn off evil scheming as a hobby, this would be a good time to take over the school. This emerging idiot can order his admirers to suffocate him via mobbing and he is sure his death would be put off as a tragic accident rather than an assassination.

Honestly, not even he and Guinivere had such problems. They were all Odums, so what was the difference?

"If I may, Master Aurelion, you and Lady Guinevere have features that are similar to Mistress Vespera and the temperament of your father. Young Master Nazareth differs from that greatly." Was what Rainier had told him.

He gets it, alright? He and his sister have the face of an ax-murderer. Thank you, mother. Your face has saved us, once again. Unlike the smiling idiot, their admirers can only admire from a distance. And at the very least, neither of them need bodyguards to prevent harassment.

Somewhere in the mansion, Vespera sneezes. The action was quick, Gareth barely noticed. He felt rather disappointed.

"Are you alright, my love?"

She stares chillingly out the window, one hand with a glass of champagne Gareth had poured for her. She takes a sip.

"Yes. Aurelion must be thinking about me."

Now, a chill runs up Gareth's spine.

As much as he loves his wife, her ax-murderer resting face was showing a displeased expression.

"I imagine it is because he misses your presence, yes?"

Vespera doesn't respond to that. She's used up her word count for the day.

Back in the library, Aurelion felt that he offended someone. Strange. He ignores the feeling in favor of his older brother.

Neo made room for Aurelion on the sofa and patted it lightly in encouragement.

"So, what is it that you want to tell me?"