Chapter 1

"I was too busy yesterday, Xavier," my childhood friend, Isabelle Nelmes, said. "Connor's shoes didn't fit him. I was delayed when I took him to change them."

She sat on the living room couch and offered a peeled apple to my brother, Connor Sayles. She then grabbed a tissue and languidly wiped her hands. Her voice was calm when she spoke.

I stood at the door and took in the harmonious air in the living room around the four of them.

Dad was reading the newspaper, while Mom was peeling oranges for Connor. My sister, Hannah Sayles, was checking Borealin's weather on Connor's behalf. Meanwhile, Isabelle, who had promised to pick me up for dinner the day before, was gazing affectionately at Connor.

"It's fine," I said as I took off my shoes and walked over to the coffee table.

Hannah frowned as she placed her phone down. "What's with the attitude, Xavier? Isabelle's explaining the situation to you out of the goodness of her heart. You're a grown man. Why are you showing us attitude?"

Mom patted the back of her hand, saying, "Don't berate Xavier so much. He just came back."

She then turned to look at me. "Connor has had a weak constitution since he was a child, Xavier. He'll definitely have trouble lasting through Borealin University's orientation. Isabelle was just trying to take care of him. You're his brother. Don't be so petty."

I looked at Mom and calmly said, "I'm not mad."

Connor shot me a timid look as he bit into his apple. "Are you mad at me because I stole Isabelle from you, Xavier? Perhaps I should just go by myself—"

"No," Isabelle said, interrupting him before turning to look at me. "You're very independent, Xavier. You won't have any trouble going to Borealin and completing the registration. Connor's not like you. He's more sensitive. He won't be able to do it without me by his side."

She used the gentlest voice to break the promise that she initially made to me as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

I nodded. "Alright."

Isabelle was briefly stunned.

In the past, I would have gotten into a fight with her with reddened eyes if we were in this sort of situation. However, what she didn't know was that when someone became utterly disappointed, they would even lose the will to start an argument.

"I came back to take the family registry," I said as I looked at Dad. "The university needs a copy of it."

Dad didn't even bother lifting his head as he pointed at one of the TV cabinet's drawers. "It's there. Grab it yourself. Put it back once you're done making your copies. Connor's also going to need it when he files his paperwork in the next two days."

I walked over to the TV cabinet, pulled open the drawer, and slipped the family registry into my bag. "I'll be going now."

"Wait," Isabelle called out to me as she rose to her feet. "Let's have dinner together later. Consider it my compensation to you."

"Didn't you say that you were going to help me pick out a suitcase tonight, Isabelle?" Connor asked, tugging on her sleeve.

Isabelle patted his hand and said, "We can go after dinner. Don't worry."

As I looked at her, I gently shook my head and said, "No need. I have other business to attend to."

I then turned around, pushed the door open, and left the house. I heard Hannah scoff right before the door clicked shut behind me.

"His temper is getting worse by the day. Just leave him be."

I didn't look back and continued making my way downstairs. The blazing sunlight stung my eyes. I brushed my fingers against the family registry in my bag. I was the only one who knew that I had no plans to return it.

I placed the family registry on the table after returning to my rented apartment. Just then, my phone vibrated. Isabelle had sent me a message.

"Are you still mad?" she asked. "Connor hurt his feet because of his shoes yesterday. I couldn't just abandon him. You were always so understanding in the past."

I stared at the words on the screen, but I didn't reply.

I was only understanding in the past because I knew that by behaving that way, I would win Isabelle's and my family's favor. However, I gradually realized that they believed that I deserved to endure hardship because I was understanding.

I tapped on my school's academic affairs system. The page showed that I had been accepted into Borealin University. I tapped on the button at the bottom of the page that allowed me to change campuses.

"You have requested to transfer to Warreno University. Please click 'Yes' to confirm your selection."

Warreno University was located in the northwest, thousands of miles away from here. The classes were extremely tough, but it had a national-level research lab.

Most importantly, Isabelle and Connor wouldn't be there.

I tapped on the "Yes" button without any hesitation.