Staxius's expression changed.
"Excuse me, sir. Hey, can you hear me?"
A soft, innocent, and harmless voice caught his attention as he turned around. A little girl stood before him with blonde hair and rosy cheeks.
He knelt in front of her so their heights matched and spoke, "I am terribly sorry, young lady."
He paused briefly, watching for anything suspicious, then resumed.
"You've got my attention now. How may I be of service?" he asked in a soft, polite voice.
"Finally! I've been trying to speak to you for ages now. Can you tell me where the academy is? I'm supposed to meet up with my big brother. He starts school today," she replied calmly.
Approaching a stranger in this day and age wasn't smart. He wondered why a child like her would ever bother to talk to someone like him. Despite that, he remained as courteous as possible.
"Is that so? Your brother must be amazing."
His curiosity was piqued. Her dress looked expensive and well-tailored. She was bound to be the child of some powerful nobleman.
"Yes! He's the best brother ever. He's so strong no one can touch him. People say my brother is a hybrid or something," she boasted, unknowingly giving out information.
Staxius capitalized on her gullibility to gain something of value.
'A hybrid… this girl is from the nobility. There's a golden crest on her buttons, for god's sake. It's not wise to leave her here… but is it my job though? All I care about is getting my belly full. Whatever, I'll help her.'
He argued briefly with his conscience.
"Giving you directions will be hard, so instead, my lady, would you allow me to escort you to your beloved brother?" Staxius asked playfully.
Returning someone precious to someone rich was bound to bring a reward—some money to finally get food. That was the outcome he desired.
"You will? Thank you very much, sir," she said with a big smile.
Staxius held out his hand as if asking for a dance, then headed back toward the academy with a nobleman's daughter.
"I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Staxius Haggard. What about you?" he asked while retracing his steps.
"Oh! My name is Autumn Garnet. I can't wait to meet big brother Julius," she said, skipping joyfully.
"Rest assured, neither can I. I'm ecstatic."
His sarcasm was obvious, but the girl didn't know what sarcasm meant. The journey consisted of him being cynical yet approachable, while she boasted endlessly about her family and brother.
Back at the academy, Sophie was livid after discovering that Staxius had left without informing anyone. According to the staff, he had thanked everyone personally—even the cleaners.
He was strange. No one ever noticed the people who did the real hard work, yet this boy did. Everyone spoke about how friendly and pleasant he was. Seeing their reactions, Sophie's anger slowly subsided, but her duty to supervise him remained.
She questioned nearly everyone in an attempt to find him. Some claimed he went to the train station, others to the hangar, and some to the town square. With so many conflicting reports, Staxius vanished.
It then crossed her mind—maybe it was intentional. With his intellect, hiding his trail would be effortless.
Her admiration for him grew.
Picking at random, she headed to the train station.
The academy came into view again. Autumn was bursting with excitement as they approached. Outside, students with wealthy backgrounds gathered near the gymnasium.
Staxius stood out like white against black.
His clothes were torn, his pants stained with blood that hadn't washed out properly. Death stares followed him. Judgment was rampant—some thought he was a beggar, others a kidnapper, and some even whispered darker accusations. None dared say it aloud.
'Well, this is humiliating. You had one job—earn some money. Now you're dragging a noble child around. The stares… can you people be any more obnoxious?'
The murmurs made him cautious.
Autumn tugged his hand.
"What is it?" he asked, uneasy.
"It's my brother! Look, he's standing near the big tree," she said excitedly.
"Go meet him then. My job is complete, young lady. May you have a safe voyage."
He smiled.
Relieved, Staxius let go of her hand and turned back toward the town square.
His step was halted.
Autumn grabbed him from behind.
"Let me go, Autumn. My job is done. What else do you want from me?" he said quietly.
People stopped to watch. The stares intensified.
"Don't leave yet, mister. I like you. Please meet my brother with me."
Her voice trembled.
Annoyed, he knelt again.
"Listen, Autumn. Your family and I are very different. We can't be seen interacting."
"Why can't mister Staxius meet big brother Julius? I—I want you to…"
Tears welled up.
"Don't cry. This is for the best. I have to leave."
He stood and walked away.
Behind him, Autumn began crying loudly. The scene escalated. People assumed the worst.
She rushed forward and clung to his leg.
Awkward. It looked like abandonment.
Out of desperation, Staxius threw something at a nearby tree. It shook slightly, fruit falling down.
It was the only plan he had to stop her tears.
"What's causing all this ruckus?" someone asked.
"People say a guy's abandoning a little blonde girl," a bystander replied. "Pathetic."
"Blonde hair… Autumn?"
Julius dashed toward the scene.
"AUTUMN!"
Seeing his sister crying, Julius snapped. Without hesitation, he punched Staxius.
The impact sent him flying.
Autumn froze.
The crowd judged silently.
Staxius stood up calmly, without hatred or emotion. He shook his head in disappointment and tried to leave.
That gesture enraged Julius.
"How dare a lowly commoner touch my sister," Julius snarled. "Don't act smug with me."
Staxius shrugged and waved dismissively.
"I didn't do anything to your sister. She was lost. I helped her. If I wanted to kidnap her, I'd have done it already."
His words only provoked him further.
"You LOWBORN SCUM!"
Julius grabbed his collar.
"I can ruin your entire life. Know your place."
Staxius stayed silent.
Then—for a split second—he smirked.
That was enough.
Julius unleashed a brutal assault. Punch after punch. The crowd watched.
Autumn screamed.
"BROTHER, STOP!"
Security intervened.
"Take this man to the hospital immediately," a stern voice ordered. "And you—we'll talk after."
Staxius was carried away.
Even then, he smiled reassuringly at Autumn before passing out.
She cried harder.
Julius told her to be quiet.
Sophie was returning from the train station when she saw Staxius being taken away again.
She demanded answers.
All she learned was that a nobleman's son had beaten him.
Despite the class divide, Claireville Academy enforced equality.
Julius was placed under house arrest.
The incident would be judged by an instructor.
The trial was set for two days later.