Cassis and his companions arrived at Ben Ranislav’s house soon enough. Waiting for them at the door were Ben, his mother—whom they had already met at City Hall—and his father. They greeted the trio warmly and ushered them into the living room, where an inviting spread of drinks had been set out.
Arianna and Liam had agreed beforehand that Cassis should lead the discussion. He knew Ben best, after all. Once everyone was settled, Cassis began.
“Thank you for taking the time to meet with us,” he said, addressing Ben’s parents. “I realize this offer might seem a bit sudden, but I genuinely believe it has merit. A friend of ours, who works in social media, mentioned that we could not only earn money but also provide a great service to people with this project.”
He took a moment to gauge their reactions before continuing.
“We want to create a website that compiles Sapphire’s revelations, offering some basic knowledge for free while reserving more advanced information for paid membership tiers. There would also be an exclusive VIP section with even rarer insights. To make this happen, I need someone I can trust to build and maintain the site. Hiring an outsider isn’t an option—it’s sensitive information and would cost a lot. That’s when I remembered Ben.” He glanced at his former student with a small grin. “After all, you did manage to hack the school’s homepage.”
Ben practically beamed with excitement, while his father looked thoughtful. His mother, however, remained unreadable, her pleasant smile betraying nothing.
Mr. Ranislav finally broke the silence. “From what I know of my son’s skills, he can certainly maintain a website. With my assistance, he should also be able to build one and secure it properly. But what about compensation?”
Cassis relaxed slightly. If Ben’s father was willing to help, then that meant he saw the website’s potential too.
“As I mentioned, we don’t have much money right now,” Cassis admitted. “We could offer Ben a fixed salary for maintaining the site, plus a one-time bonus for creating and securing it. Alternatively, we could offer him a percentage of the website’s earnings.”
Mr. Ranislav’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “And what percentage would that be?”
The negotiation began in earnest. Cassis and Mr. Ranislav discussed potential earnings, risks, and responsibilities in detail. Arianna and Liam mostly observed, only chiming in occasionally to support Cassis’s points. Eventually, they reached an agreement:
- Mr. Ranislav and Ben would develop and secure the website for a one-time payment.
- Ben would handle ongoing maintenance, with occasional assistance from his father.
- In return, they would receive 20% of the website’s earnings as compensation.
- Mr Ranislav would take care of the website’s security if necessary
- The contract would last for one year, after which terms would be renegotiated.
By the end of it, everyone seemed satisfied.
With the formalities settled, Mrs. Ranislav posed a question. “What exactly qualifies as basic knowledge?”
Cassis launched into an explanation, detailing various topics: class choices at level 5, skills and spells, mana theory, awakener and monster rankings, dungeons, wild areas, mutated creatures, professions, and even patrons. The Ranislav family listened with wide eyes.
“All of that is just basic knowledge?” Mr. Ranislav asked in disbelief. “Then what counts as advanced?”
Cassis smiled knowingly. “For starters, the guild system. Then we have advanced classes, class evolution requirements, specialized training guides, hidden methods for acquiring skills and spells, in-depth dungeon reports, and hopefully, as our community grows, new discoveries shared by our members.”
Mr. Ranislav leaned back, clearly impressed. “And you have someone lined up to handle marketing and promotion?”
“Yes,” Cassis confirmed. “We have someone who understands social media and outreach.”
At that moment, Arianna spoke up.
“You know,” she said thoughtfully, “another piece of basic knowledge should be how awakeners over a certain age will reverse-age once they reach level 5, stopping around their late thirties by level 20. And that sick people will gradually be healed, with full recovery by level 10.”
Mrs. Ranislav’s expression sharpened. “Are you sure about that?”
Arianna nodded firmly. “Yes. I paid special attention to that because… my father died of cancer. If he had been given the chance to awaken, he might have survived.”
Her fists clenched at the memory.
Cassis reached out, resting a comforting hand on her shoulder. She didn’t say anything, but she leaned slightly into the touch. He wondered how she must have felt when through her screen she saw sick people in his world be healed by a miraculous system while her father was slowly dying. They practically got a second lease on life – if they survived the levelling.
The room was quiet for a moment. Then, Mrs. Ranislav gave a slow, thoughtful nod.
“Then,” she said, voice softer than before, “this might be more important than I realized. If I may, I would like to suggest an addition on your website.”
Cassis gestured for her to continue.
Mrs Ranislav smiled: “This basic information may save a lot more lives that you think. Not only the sick people will feel thankful to you but also their loved ones. Many will probably want to repay you as most people don’t like living in debt. Please make a donations section.”
Cassis thought about that idea. It had merit if such people really existed. He doubted it. But they wouldn’t lose anything by including that section. Arianna also nodded. “Alright. We’ll add that.”
With the negotiations settled, they proceeded to the bank, where Cassis and Arianna opened a shared account for their website. Arianna also set up her own personal account, a step toward financial independence, though she had no salary to pay into it yet. Once the formalities were completed, they drove to the Vallendale branch of the Justice for Children organization, arriving precisely at 4 PM.
Liam appeared unusually nervous, though Cassis’s mind was occupied with other concerns. As they stepped inside, Liam approached the front desk and informed the secretary of their appointment with Camden O’Clery. She greeted him with a warm smile before directing them to the elevators, letting them know that Mr. O’Clery was expecting them on the seventh floor.
When the doors slid open, they were met by a man in his early thirties, clad in a well-tailored dark blue suit. Though shorter than Cassis, he was broad-shouldered and solidly built. His expression was open and welcoming as he greeted them.
“Good to see you, Liam. And you must be Mr. Walker and Mrs. Sloan—pleasure to meet you. My name is Camden O’Clery.”
Arianna returned his smile. “Since you’re a friend of Liam’s, please just call me Arianna.”
Camden’s grin widened. “Then please, call me Camden.”
Cassis noted the way Camden’s eyes lingered on Arianna and fought the urge to frown. He maintained his composure, offering a polite nod. “Cassis is fine.”
Camden gestured for them to follow him. Arianna and Liam walked behind Cassis and he heard her whisper to Liam: “Damn Liam, that is one fine man. He’s hot. Just were did you find him?” Cassis frowned. Sure, Camden was attractive but he didn’t think Arianna would be into him. Camden led them into his office. Once they were all seated, he leaned forward, eyes glinting with curiosity.
“Liam mentioned you had a proposal involving children, but he kept the details vague. He insisted I wait until this meeting to hear it in full. I must admit, I’m intrigued. As you likely know, our organization works tirelessly to ensure children have what they need to grow up safely and well. And in light of recent events, you three are practically heroes to us for making that world announcement happen.” His expression turned expectant. “So—what else can you help us with?”
Liam shifted uncomfortably. “Camden, I told you—‘heroes’ is a bit of a stretch. We just did our best to protect a baby. No one could have predicted how the system would respond.”
Camden chuckled. “That’s exactly what a hero would say.”
Liam groaned, blushing slightly, while Camden laughed at his reaction. Arianna smiled at their exchange, but a question lingered in Cassis’ mind—how exactly did Liam know this man? Camden appeared nearly a decade older, and Cassis doubted their connection came from Liam’s usual social circles. Then again, friendships could take unexpected forms, and it was clear from their dynamic that Liam trusted Camden enough to joke with him.
Arianna shifted the conversation forward. “We haven’t shared this with anyone yet, but as a reward for saving Baby Jessica, we received more than just the world announcement and the system’s ‘protection’ of children.” She paused, her expression darkening. “Now that we know exactly how that ‘protection’ works, I’d rather call it ‘forced survival.’”
Camden nodded solemnly. He had undoubtedly heard of the system’s unwavering enforcement of children’s safety.
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Arianna continued, reaching into her inventory and withdrawing the experience-sharing bracelet. “We also received this.” She extended it toward Camden. “Please, read the item description.”
Camden took the bracelet and did as she asked. As his eyes scanned the details, his fingers tightened around the object, his entire body going rigid. When he looked up again, his gaze was sharp, almost disbelieving.
“Yes,” Arianna said quietly. “That was our reaction too. This bracelet could give millions—possibly even billions—of teenagers an advantage when they turn 14 years old. But there’s a problem.” She met his eyes. “It binds to its owner.”
At Camden’s confused frown, Liam clarified, “Only one awakener can use it. Once bound, no one else can benefit from it.”
Understanding dawned on Camden, his expression shifting from amazement to contemplation. “That means you can’t wear them yourselves.”
Cassis nodded. “Exactly. We need to continue levelling and preparing for frontline battles. But that leaves us with the question—who do we entrust with this gift and responsibility?”
Camden exhaled, considering the weight of their words. “How many do you have?”
“Nine,” Arianna answered. “Everyone who fought in our first battle received one.”
Camden’s gaze sharpened. He finally understood why they had come to him. “You believe our organization can handle this?”
Cassis leaned forward. “We did our research. We need people who will do what is best for the children—not for themselves. People who won’t be bribed into reserving these for the privileged few. People who won’t manipulate the teenagers into fighting for their own interests afterward.”
Camden’s expression turned grim. “You’re right to be cautious. Corruption exists even in organizations built to do good.”
Liam, who had remained mostly quiet until now, spoke up, his voice firm. “That’s why I thought of you first. You’re the most trustworthy person I know.”
For a moment, Camden softened, clearly moved by Liam’s words. But he quickly straightened, his expression turning professional. “First of all, thank you for trusting me with this. But I can’t make this decision alone. This would be an enormous responsibility—one that carries both great potential and great risk. I need to consult the board before making any promises.”
They nodded in understanding. Something of this magnitude required careful consideration.
Camden picked up the phone. “Tell the board we have an emergency meeting in thirty minutes… No, it can’t wait.”
He then looked at Arianna. “Can I take this one with me?”
Arianna hesitated, clearly reluctant. Cassis was about to decline on her behalf when Liam interjected. “I’ll go with Camden and hold onto the bracelet myself.”
That compromise satisfied everyone. Camden nodded, leading Liam toward the boardroom while Cassis and Arianna were directed to a waiting area.
As they watched them leave, Arianna sighed. “Now all we can do is wait.”
Cassis leaned back, crossing his arms. “Let’s hope the board has the same sense of integrity Camden does.” The next few hours would decide the fate of millions.
While they waited, Cassis and Arianna spoke quietly about their upcoming plans. Tomorrow, they would begin training the soldiers—a task that loomed large before them. Brice had informed Cassis that they would be picked up from his flat by car and taken to a training facility at Fort Vale. They needed to pack for a week. The conversation then shifted to their hopes for the website, their uncertainties about how it would be received, and their cautious optimism about working with Camden’s organization.
Cassis found himself glancing at Arianna, a flicker of amusement sparking in his mind. He leaned in slightly and asked, “So, do you want to work with this organization because it’s so great, or because Camden is hot?”
Arianna’s eyes widened in horror. “You heard that?”
“Of course I heard that.”
She groaned, burying her face in her hands. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
He smirked, enjoying the moment, burying his other unpleasant feelings beneath his humour. “Oh? And how did you mean it?”
Then Arianna turned the conversation around. She looked at him sharply. “Why do you ask?” Then she sat up straight, a big grin stretching across her face. “You’re jealous.”
It was a statement. He immediately denied it. “No.”
Although inside he knew the answer was Yes.
Her grin became wider. “Don’t worry, it’s cute. But I wouldn’t date him. After all he’s Liam’s … friend.”
Cassis frowned. Just what did that have to do with anything? And why was there a strange pause? Before he could think more on it, Arianna continued, her voice lower and a lot sweeter than he had expected. “And I have you already.”
How did she do that? She took his insecurity, his jealousy, called him out on it and then soothed the edges. The anger inside him quieted at once and he started smiling.
He wanted to tell her how much this meant to him. “I—”
A sudden, thunderous BAM echoed through the hallway, followed by a furious shout:
“What the hell were you thinking?!”
Cassis and Arianna spun toward the sound. That was Camden’s voice. Without hesitation, they bolted around the corner, arriving just in time to witness Camden gripping Liam’s shoulders, shoving him back against the wall. He leaned in, his expression dark and menacing.
Rage exploded in Cassis’s chest. How dare he lay hands on his little brother?
Before logic could intervene, Cassis tackled Camden. He held back—he didn’t want to kill the man or cause serious damage—but still, the force of impact sent Camden staggering back several meters. The man managed to stay on his feet, though his stance was tense, his expression burning with fury.
“What the hell, Cassis?” Camden growled.
Cassis was ready to fight, ready to break him—until Camden spoke his next words.
“He put on the bracelet.”
The world stilled.
Cassis turned, his gaze locking onto Liam. He barely noticed Camden anymore, the only thing in his vision now was that cursed bracelet gleaming on his brother’s wrist.
“Take it off. Now.” His voice was low, lethal.
Liam’s expression faltered, but Cassis barely registered it. His mind reeled, the past surging forward like a tidal wave. He saw the other timeline—the one where he had lost everything. No family. No friends. Eventually, not even Arianna. He saw himself alone.
No.
He refused to let that happen.
A deep, primal panic clawed at his chest as he stepped toward Liam, fully prepared to tear the damn thing off himself.
Camden suddenly moved, positioning himself between them.
Cassis stopped just short of colliding with him, their eyes locking. A challenge.
Camden was bracing himself, clearly aware he had no chance of stopping him. Cassis felt nothing but cold, unwavering determination. If Camden wanted to stand in his way, so be it. He had killed before. He would kill again if he had to.
His voice was pure steel. “Step aside. I’m going to break that damn bracelet. If I have to, I’ll go through you.”
Camden didn’t move. His jaw clenched, but his voice remained calm. “You can’t.”
Cassis’s fingers curled into fists. “Try me.”
Camden exhaled sharply. “I also think it’s a stupid decision, but it’s Liam’s decision. You need to respect that.”
Cassis laughed, but there was no humour in it. “Oh? And who the hell are you to tell me that? I’m his big brother. It’s my job to protect him—even from himself.”
There was a long, heavy pause.
Liam was staring at him like he didn’t recognize him.
Then Camden straightened, looking Cassis dead in the eye, and said something that shattered everything.
“I’m his lover. It’s also my job to take care of him.”
Cassis froze.
The words barely registered. They made no sense. Not in this world. Not in any world.
“Since when?” His voice was flat.
“A year now,” Camden answered.
More rage.
Cassis felt it surging, a wildfire threatening to consume him. “And how old are you, exactly?”
A pause. “Thirty-two.”
More rage.
That bastard.
Liam had been twenty-two when they met. Twenty-two to his thirty-one. Liam, his na?ve little brother who had been bullied in middle school and had then developed social anxiety because of that. Liam who had only just become an adult.
Cassis saw red again. Camden had taken advantage of him. Manipulated him. Maybe even pushed him into putting on that damn bracelet. And he had just let Liam walk off with that bastard.
He stepped forward, ready to rip Camden apart—
Suddenly, arms encircled him from behind.
A soft voice, gentle and grounding, whispered against his ear.
“Don’t, Cassis. Don’t. Wake up. Come on. It’s okay. We’re still here. I’m still here.”
Arianna.
The world didn’t snap back all at once. But slowly—painfully—the red haze began to recede.
Cassis focused on Arianna, who was plastered against his back, her arms wrapped tightly around his stomach. Her presence was grounding, her hands warm against him as she whispered reassurances.
We’re safe. We’re all alive.
He exhaled shakily and closed his eyes, pressing his hands gently over hers. He let himself breathe, let the tension bleed from his muscles as her voice steadied him. Slowly, the rage dulled, retreating into the depths of his mind. If not for her…
When he finally opened his eyes, Camden and Liam had stepped back. Camden still stood in front of Liam, his stance wary, his body a shield between them.
Good, Cassis thought, approving of the caution.
Liam, however, looked… shaken. Not just scared of him, but scared for him. The realization sent a wave of shame crashing over Cassis.
How could I let the rage take control like that?
If not for Arianna…
Sensing he had regained control, Arianna released him. The absence of her touch left him feeling bereft, but in the same breath, she moved beside him, slipping her hand into his and threading their fingers together. Cassis held on tightly. Right now, she was his rock. His reminder that they had already changed the future, that he could keep changing it.
He forced himself to meet Camden’s gaze, then Liam’s.
“Sorry.”
Then he looked away again, the weight of his own actions pressing down on him.
Liam hesitated, then asked softly, “Cas… are you alright?”
Cassis nodded. “Yeah. Sorry. I’m sorry, Camden. Liam. I know it’s your decision to wear the bracelet, but… Liam, please think it over again. You won’t be able to protect yourself in the future. What if you die?”
Liam swallowed hard, but then something in his expression changed. A quiet, steady determination flickered in his eyes—one Cassis had rarely seen before.
“The board wasn’t convinced about using the bracelet. No one volunteered to wear it, and I know just how much good it will do, so… I volunteered.”
Cassis clenched his jaw.
Liam continued, “We’ll need to show them that it works. I think Matteo would be a good first test, don’t you?”
Cassis barely processed that before Liam added, a teasing smile playing on his lips, “As for not being able to protect myself—then my big brother will just have to protect me. Like old times.”
Something inside Cassis cracked.
Like old times.
He thought back to Liam’s middle school years—the years when he had been mercilessly bullied. For his love of art, for not being “tough” enough, for simply being himself. Looking back now, Cassis realized the bullies had thrown slurs at him too, ones he hadn’t really cared about at the time.
Liam had suffered in silence for months. Cassis, in high school then, hadn’t noticed until the day Liam refused to go to school. That was when everything came to light.
They had tried everything—meetings with teachers, complaints to the administration, even discussions with the bullies’ parents. Nothing changed.
So, Cassis had taken matters into his own hands.
He had found the ringleaders—older boys, a year ahead of Liam. He had visited them after school, had made sure they knew his name, his face, his fists. He had been tall for his age, stronger than them, and when he beat them down, he made sure they cried.
Then, standing over them, he had given them a warning.
If you ever so much as look at Liam again, I will come back. And next time, you won’t be able to walk home.
After that, things had been fine. Liam could breathe again. And now somehow Liam knew all of this. He knew.
And he was counting on him again. Cassis’s heart twisted.
He exhaled. “Alright. I’ll protect you, then.”
Then, after a pause, he sighed. “I know I don’t have a say in who you date, but… he’s kind of old for you, isn’t he? You’re barely an adult.”
Liam groaned, rolling his eyes. “Bro, I’m twenty-three. I’m a master’s student. I’m not an innocent little virgin.”
Cassis nearly choked. Well. That was something he really didn’t need to hear.
Arianna snickered beside him.
He ran a hand over his face. “Alright. Sorry. Again.”
Then he exhaled, suddenly feeling exhausted. “I think I need some time to process this. Ari, I’ll go wait for you in the car, okay?”
She studied him for a moment, concern in her eyes. He knew she wanted to say something, to reassure him, but he just… needed time.
Finally, she nodded.
Cassis turned and walked away, his mind still spinning.