"It's really..exciting."

Jayden's mouth was agape as he watched all the familiars compete on the racetrack.

"It's a shame you can't join Jayden. You don't have any familiar."

I said that even though I knew he had one.

"A-Ah.."

Jayden stuttered at my words.

I knew what he was thinking.

What if they find me?

What if they attack the academy to kill me?

What if they find my brother?

What if they kill him or my friends?

He was afraid of endangering the people close to him by revealing his familiar which was the only clue left when he escaped death with his younger brother.

'They' were hitmen who received the order to erase Jayden's entire family.

But these were no ordinary hitmen.

They were part of the most dangerous organization in the world, [Caishen].

An organization composed of the most powerful hitmen.

They were neutral in politics, religion, and everything else.

Once they receive a contract, they don't ask anything about the reason and proceed to fulfill the contract. They were ruthless and dangerous.

There were only a few cases of failure, and in those cases, the hitman would kill himself to not give any information. But as said, once they receive a contract, they will do everything in their power to fulfill it, even if it takes years.

Such an organization received a peculiar contract seven years ago.

Because of that contract, Jayden lost his parents and sister. Just when he was about to be killed along with his younger brother, a little beast saved him and gave Jayden a portion of its power. The four hitmen died on the spot; the last one escaped.

That little beast remained with Jayden all those years and became close to him. Of course, if Jayden reveals his familiar, his true name and identity will be revealed as well.

[Caishen] will send new hitmen to kill him for good this time. He didn't give a damn about him, but what about his sick brother?

..and he couldn't even fight them back.

Jayden might have grown stronger, but it was nothing against the mighty [Caishen].

You could argue that there was nothing to think about.

Why was he hesitating between a simple club for entertainment and his and his brother's life. The answer should be obvious. But it wasn't that simple.

Integrating the Familiars Battle Club gives a lot of advantages.

It was a place to train and progress with your familiar.

Experts from the academy would look after your familiar.

..and lastly, you will be able to form a bond contract.

You can't form a bond contract alone.

You needed the assistance of an extremely competent person, and there were only a few people like that. One of them was a teacher in the academy and was also the teacher responsible for the Familiars Battle Club. Once you met a few requirements, the teacher, Seiptor, would agree to assist you in carrying out a bond contract, greatly increasing your strength on the occasion.

Years ago, Jayden only beat the hitmen because his familiar sacrificed its lifeforce to cast a powerful attack. The repercussions were enormous. The bond contract will repair everything, even its compatibility.

It was a hard choice for Jayden.

In the game, Jayden will choose not to join the club, thus slowing down his growth until he gains the support of a Monarch.

But I had a solution for that.

The faster Jayden became strong, the better the chance of a happy ending.

"I know you have a problem, Jayden."

"!"

Jayden turned toward me with a stupefied expression.

"You know, I'm the son of a Duke. I can provide you with any help so.."

"..."

"You just have to say it, and I will help you. I'm your friend, remember."

I smiled like a best friend would.

[<Such acting prowess.>]

'Thanks.'

I lied but I just needed him to reveal to me his problem so I could propose to him my idea

"Edward.."

Jayden looked at me, touched by my lies.

He hesitated for a long minute before opening his mouth.

"I-I have a problem y-yeah. You see I have a familiar as well-"

"What?!"

I cut him off, utterly shocked.historical

Gimme my award already.

-Ding!

[Congratulations! New Title Obtained!]

[Will Smith!]

"..."

I didn't expect that.

"Y-Yeah! Sorry, I just couldn't tell you guys.."

"I'm listening."

I said with a comprehensive smile.

Then Jayden proceeded to narrate everything that happened in his past.

He was really naive to tell me everything.

I could just be a bastard and report him to [Caishen] and receive a prime as a reward.

Anyway, I listened to him while changing my expressions from sad when he mentioned his parents' deaths to anger when it came to the hitmen.

[<You are really..beyond redemption.>]

[As a Main Antagonist, he has a stone heart, it is given.]

Shut up, you two.

I already gave him my condolences when I played the game. It was enough, and I needed to stay focused.

"...."

A silence lingered as I acted as if I was digesting all the information.

"So..you are afraid of dying and..leaving your brother alone?"

"In summary, yes."

Jayden nodded.

"Should I call you Reinhart now?"

I asked with a smile.

"Oh, leave it, Edward. Just call me Jayden as always."

Jayden was embarrassed when I called him by his true name.

Now that he had become a little relaxed..

"I may have a solution for you."

"..."

Jayden remained silent.

He remained silent because he didn't know what to say.

"First, your brother is safe, right? They shouldn't find him?"

"Yeah. As long as I am alive."

Jayden nodded.

"Okay. Listen."

I took a deep breath.

"Keep it secret, okay?"

I nodded, satisfied when Jayden promised.

I knew this guy would never break a promise he made.

I looked around me.

We were seated on a bench, and nobody was around. They were all drawn by the numerous beasts wandering around.

Once everything was clear, I spoke.

"We, who inherited the Falkrona bloodline, have something called Wings Krona."

"Wings Krona?"

"Yeah, it's one of the most potent lifesavers our God bestowed upon us at birth. It can save your life two times, and it can also annihilate any enemies near you."

"Are you serious..?"

"Why would I lie to you?"

I snorted.

"I am revealing a family secret, you know?"

"S-Sorry..I was just shocked."

I shrugged and continued.

"You understand what I mean? Even if they try to kill you, they will have to do it three times. After the first failure, they will misunderstand that the powerful Falkrona house is protecting you, thus delaying their attacks. They will doubt and wonder if it's worth sacrificing so many people for you. You will have a few months to form your bond contract and solidify your stance. In the end, they will be the ones losing. The academy will also protect you once understanding your potential and that you are threatened."

All I said were wild speculations, but the gullible Jayden will believe me.

I wasn't tricking him.

I was just now offering my biggest protection to him.

Because without him, this kingdom and I would be doomed.

Jayden needed to be alive.

"W-Why are you going that far..for me?"

Jayden was on the verge of crying now.

[<If you confess to him now, he will without doubt say yes.>]

Why would I confess to a dude?!

I am into girls!

"W-Well, you are my first friend."

I started to bullshit my way out of this mess.

"You didn't look at me like others.."

What the hell am I blabbering about?

[<It really feels like a confession.>]

Don't disturb me, useless Goddess!

"I see..thanks.."

Jayden scratched his neck, obviously embarrassed by my embarrassing words.

"...but what about you? You could be in danger.."

Still not enough?!

"Well, why would I be in danger when I have a strong and reliable friend at my side."

-Ding!

[Congratulations! New Title Obtained!]

[Brad Pitt!]

My smile started to twitch a lot.

At this point, I just threw friendship words one after another. If Miranda or Aurora saw me right now, they would be shocked enough to wonder if this was not a parallel world.

I repeated to Jayden that I was his friend, it was normal, and that my family would definitely defend him, which would never happen with my shitty father!

That guy gave Simon my heir status shamelessly and without hesitation. I can't imagine what he'll think of me once he will know that I gave Jayden my wings for free out of "friendship." 'Frienship' is something that my shitty father will never believe when it concerns me! Hell would freeze before my father believes that!

The cherry on top was that all of my family members will soon be aware of this.

I'm not just talking about my father, sister, and aunt!

No!

All my uncles and aunts who are far away, fortunately.

My father will become the laughing stock of my family because of me.

Will I feel guilty?

Hell no!

Will I feel happy?

Hell yeah!

"Edward.."

As I started to rejoice about seeing my father's cramped face, Jayden finally recovered from all my lies about friendship and its power.

"Yeah..of course I will be there if you are in danger."

"You will join the club with me then?"

"You have a familiar?

Jayden asked, surprised.

"I have my ways to get one."

I smiled and reached out my fist.

-Ding!

[Congratulations! New Title Obtained!]

'Jarvis! Stop that damn thing!'

"Yes, let's join."

Jayden bumped my fist with his own and grinned.

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My bad I forgot....

[!] KLEAH TOYREAS' PROFILE and REF ILLUSTRATION have been added in the [HEROINE] auxiliary chapter!