Kapitel 36: TAKING OFF

ARGENT put on a black trench coat. She stood in front of the full body mirror in her room and stared at her own reflection. What stared back at her was a tall teenage boy, with purple eyes covered by thick silver eyelashes and lips that has natural pink tint. She combed back her silver hair with her fingers. Even with this overly pretty face, no one would associate her with the word 'feminine'.

The one thing Argent was most worried about was the change of her body while growing up. That she would be more effeminate as years passed by. But it seemed that there was really nothing to be worried about. At the age of 14, she was already 178 centimeters. It could probably be attributed to the fact that the original owner's parents were both tall and that girls enter puberty much earlier than boys. At most, her height would probably stop at 180 centimeters.

Her height was probably the only thing that showed a significant change. Argent's body didn't show signs of developing any womanly curves. Her chest was completely flat. Well, not that flat but still couldn't be compared to other girls her age. A bit of binding and it was completely hidden. Also, because of her sword training, her muscles were firm and lean. Completely unlike the softness of other girls. So anyone who saw her would only see a tall teenage boy. Just as she wanted it.

The door to her room suddenly opened and in came her twin sister.

Aurum was wearing a pink lacy blouse and a floral knee-length skirt. Her golden hair was tied in two twin pigtails. She looked lovely as always. Unlike Argent, Aurum was the model of feminine grace. With statuesque figure and soft curves.

"Are you done, Brother?" Aurum asked.

"Yeah."

"Then let's go." She walked beside her brother and hooked her arm on Argent's.

Both of them walked out of Argent's room and went straight out the villa they're living in. The island currently has three villas. One for Argent and Aurum, another one for Felicia, and the last one for her Master. The twins started walking towards the lab.

"Brother, do we really have to go to that Shandra place?" Aurum suddenly asked. "I searched about it on [SkyNet]. There's basically nothing there. Not to mention, they're under the thumb of the Temple of Gaia."

"Exactly. Maybe by going there we could finally know why the Temple is so against Silver Corporation."

"Isn't it because they're just a bunch of prickly old men?"

Argent knocked on Aurum's head. "Nothing is ever that simple."

Besides if it's only because of the old beliefs of those priests, they wouldn't go as far as preventing the distribution of sPhones to places heavily connected to the Temple - like Shandra for example. Argent has long wanted to find out the reason why the Temple hated her company but she didn't have the free time to do it. Now, she could finally find the reason why.

Aurum pouted. She's been feeling dissatisfied since that interview she did with her brother came out. All the comments she read just annoyed her immensely. Wanting to marry her brother, hah, as if any of them have that qualification. Aurum just completely forgot that the brother she loved so much was a girl and that no matter what those people said, Argent would never marry someone of the same gender.

Aurum was against doing the interview since the beginning. Because she knew what kind of effect it would have. With her brother's outstanding looks and qualifications, everyone would definitely clamor for his attention. And she was right. But she also knew that Argent did it because they're going back to Albion. Her brother needed people to know that she's the founder of Silver Corporation, especially the aristocrats from Albion. Because once they go back, Argent would need to enter parliament. Being young and a NoGift, she would surely receive nothing but discrimination. But having Silver Corporation behind her back, she could at least have the capital to fight against them.

Aurum understood all that, but still. And now this Shandra thing. It just makes her more and more annoyed by the minute.

Argent patted her sister's head. "Don't pout. Just think of it as an adventure. Besides, this is a chance for you to practice your Gift."

"Hmm... fine."

Aurum could now use her Gift at A level. It's the result of her training and the guidance of the teachers in Starlight Academy. There was also the teacher that Uncle Jaxon hired to help her. But she seldom used it. Even now, she's still wearing the limiter her brother made for her. She knew that if she didn't try to practice more, then A level would be her limit. And she didn't want that. She wanted to reach her full potential, so she could assist her brother more. But even after so many years, there's still a part of her that fears the darkness she would read in the hearts of others.

She looked up at Argent. Well, no matter. As long as her brother was with her, she could overcome everything.

They reached the lab and went to the open hangar. Inside was a flying shuttle the same size as a private jet. In front of it was Felicia. She immediately walked towards them when she noticed their arrival.

"Young Lady, Young Lord, you're here," Felicia said. "Black and White is inside the shuttle."

"Felicia, are you really not going back with us?" Aurum asked instead.

"No, Young Lady. I still have a lot to do here. And I already went back two months ago. I'm sure Mum and Dad will forgive me if I don't go back with you this time."

"Or you just want to spend more time with Hattori," Aurum teased which made Felicia blushed.

"Aurum, don't tease Felicia," Argent gently scolded her sister who only grinned back at her. She turned to Felicia whose face was still as red as a ripe tomato. "Felicia, if you need any help, just ask White. She'll give you anything you need. And be sure to communicate with Finn."

"I know, Young Lord," Felicia answered, still trying to return her reddened face to normal. "And please, do be careful."

"You don't have to worry Felicia, I'll make sure to protect my brother."

Argent just shook her head and walked towards the shuttle. It's one of the vehicles she made. It could travel in long distance and was being powered by energy spars. She went inside, Aurum following behind her. Argent found White in the cockpit while Black was looking on behind her.

"Master!" Black called excitedly when she came in, throwing himself at her.

Aurum immediately pulled Black away from Argent. "Hey, you brat, how many times do I have to tell you not to hug my brother?"

"Master doesn't mind."

"But I do," Aurum countered.

"Aurum is such a spoilsport."

Argent ignored the two bickering children and went straight to White who stood up.

"Master, I already calibrated the engine's system. And I also finished updating your light brain," she said, handing her a small box.

Argent took the box and opened it, inside was a silver diamond stud. "Good job." She took the stud and put it on her right earlobe. "I leave everything here to you. Make sure to assist Felicia. And if there's a problem, contact me immediately."

"Yes, Master."

Argent turned to the other two. "Black, say goodbye to White."

"Master, can we really not bring White with us?" Black asked, blinking his large black eyes at her.

"No, I'm needed here more," White said, answering Black's question.

Black seemed to be saddened by that. But he immediately gained back his enthusiasm. "Okay. Then Black will make sure to record everything. Black will show it to you when we come back."

"Okay."

White got off the shuttle after that.

Argent sat down at the cockpit seat. "Sit, you two. We're taking off."

And Argent started the shuttle's engine.