The next day, Eosian was notified that he was under restrictions and must answer to Admiral Alyssa.
Eosian said, "What is this?"
Aile said, "What else were you expecting?"
Nior said, "Yeah, you've been a pretty big meanie to everyone since you are a godkin and all."
Eosian said, "It isn't that bad."
Aile said, "You literally called a noble a commoner and a commoner a nobody."
Eosian said, "Isn't that a good thing?"
Normally, yes, but right now, no. Aile said, "We should get you to apologize to Admiral Alyssa, your sister."
Eosian said, "Yeah, but I really do hate that half-breed."
Aile said, "Apologize. And that half-breed is the Fleet Admiral and your sister's boyfriend. Not to mention, if they get married, he will become your brother-in-law."
Eosian said, "Don't remind me. That idiot—I want to punch him in the face."
Aile said, "But didn't he save your little life?"
Eosian said, "And that's why I'm not murdering him."
Nior said, "But didn't he kick you in the nuts, nyaa?"
Eosian said, "Ummm, that—"
Aile said, "Stop with the pride, or your future half-breed brother-in-law will kick you in the nuts to ensure that by the time we get married, you can't have kids."
Eosian said, "It wasn't that bad."
Aile said, "You were literally screaming, 'My nuts! My nuts! My family jewels! I can't have kids anymore!' And he kicked you down there just once for almost getting yourself killed. And you better be thankful he was there, otherwise there would have been no one for you to beg for your life, and Skelos would have sliced you in two in the Abyssal Zone."
Eosian said, "That was two years ago. Plus, we are stronger now. We can take on Skelos together."
Aile said, "That's the point. Liebe took on Skelos alone, and that was two years ago. And he is far stronger now—he literally clashed with the strongest godkin on equal footing."
Eosian said, "All I'm saying is, does it really matter? Commoner, noble, or royalty—they are still below us godkins. So why should we care?"
Aile said, "Now I understand why the Fleet Admiral kicked you in the nuts."
Nior said, "I agree, nya."
Eosian said, "Why?"
Aile said, "Look there, Admiral Alyssa."
As Eosian looked away, Aile kicked him in the nuts and said, "That was for being a dumbass, arrogant idiot, my dear boyfriend."
Nior said, "Aile is scary, Nior."
Eosian said, "My nuts! My fragile nuts! My family jewels!"
Aile said, "Now behave, or I will do it again."
Eosian said, "Please forgive me."
Later that day, as Eosian went to the admirals' dorms while Liebe and Alyssa were on their date and just returning, Eosian said, "Sis, can we talk?"
Alyssa said, "Well, it depends. Is it the life advice kind of talk, or the one where you need me to bail you out, or the type where you need to talk about your feelings, or the kind where you ended up wasting your allowance and now need help financially to get drunk?"
Eosian said, "Somehow, all of them."
Liebe said, "Then how about I help? Here is a pouch of zero gold coins. Should be enough for the rest of the month since it's December 21st and all."
Eosian said, "No one asked you, half-breed."
Alyssa said, "If you ran over your allowance, right now Liebe is your best hope."
Eosian said, "Fine, I will accept. Half-breed."
Liebe said, "Nope. Nicely, please."
Eosian said, "No way in hell."
Alyssa said, "If you need help, don't use 'half-breed,' and put emphasis on 'please.'"
Eosian said, "Please, Liebe, help."
Liebe said, "Of course," as he threw the pouch of coins. "Well, have fun. But not the wrong kind."
Eosian said, "Okay."
Liebe said, "I guess I will let your brother-sister conversation continue. Have fun," as Liebe left.
Alyssa said, "Now, what do you need help with?"
Eosian said, "Sis, what is this? Why am I under interrogation? What did I do? There must be some kind of mistake."
Alyssa said, "I see."
Eosian said, "See what?"
Alyssa said, "I can't bail you out. Not now."
Eosian said, "Why? Just because someone said something, you are turning against me?"
Alyssa said, "No, I'm doing what's best for everyone."
Eosian said, "What does that mean? Bring me to justice?"
Alyssa shook her head. "No. And no, justice doesn't exist in our dictionary. I'm doing what I believe is right. You hurt your friends with your words."
Eosian said, "What? Nior and Aile are still my friends."
Alyssa said, "Are you sure?"
Eosian said, "Yeah," as he called them. When they picked up, Eosian said, "Nior, Aile, tell Sis that we are still friends."
As Alyssa took the communicator, Aile said, "Admiral, we apologize for Eosian's behavior. We apologize. We have tried to stop him, but he wouldn't listen."
Alyssa said, "Are you still his friends?"
Aile said, "I'm not sure anymore."
Alyssa said, "I see. And please be present tomorrow for Eosian's trial."
Aile said, "Understood, ma'am," as the call was disconnected.
Alyssa said, "You see, Eosian? You gain nothing by looking down on others. You may think standing above can help, but unless you try to forget the difference, you'll never be friends."
Eosian said, "Why, Sis? Why do you want to suspend me and then spend Christmas having fun?"
Alyssa shook her head again and said, "No, Eosian. You are my brother. What happened is my fault too, for not being there for you. I will atone with you. In self-exile, I will also be under house arrest during Christmas."
As Eosian went away, Licht said, "Well, that was something."
Alyssa said, "Guess so."
Licht said, "What now?"
Alyssa said, "I don't know. I know what to do now. Why is he like this?"
Licht said, "Kids these days, am I right?"
Alyssa said, "Don't know."
Licht said, "Maybe try asking him, you know? Like, why does he have to prove he is better than everyone?"
Alyssa said, "Okay, then."
The next day, as Eosian, Aile, and Nior arrived, they were led to Alyssa's office. As they entered, Eosian said, "What is this, Sis?"
Alyssa said, "As of right now, I am an admiral, and you will address me as such. Vice Admiral Eosian Bouduin."
Eosian said, "Of course, ma'am."
Alyssa said, "Sit down. And your trial begins now. This bell will ring every time you tell a lie. Is that understood?"
Eosian said, "Yes, ma'am."
As the three of them sat down, Alyssa said, "Look at this file of your complaints." It was a file of more than 45 pages. As Eosian looked through it, it was all complaints from his classmates. There were pages from Aile and Nior.
Eosian said, "Why, ma'am?"
Alyssa said, "Any idea why this file exists?"
Eosian said, "No, I don't."
Alyssa said, "Confess to your idiocy, and I promise to go easy on you."
Eosian said, "I don't, ma'am." Yet the bell didn't ring.
Alyssa said, "Do you look down upon others?"
Eosian said, "No." And the bell rang.
Alyssa said, "Why?"
Eosian said, "As a godkin, it's my right. I'm above half-breeds, commoners, nobles, and even royalty."
Alyssa said, "That is not the way."
Eosian said, "Ma'am, you may have forgotten our status, but I have not."
Alyssa said, "No, you are wrong. Looking down upon others never makes you bigger. It just lowers your heart."
Eosian said, "I disagree, ma'am."
Alyssa said, "Why? Why are you so hell-bent on your status?"
Eosian said, "Because that's the only thing I know. What difference does it make?"
Aile said, "Eosian, stop."
Nior said, "Please stop, Eosian."
Eosian said, "I must do this. No matter what. This is what Mother has taught me."
Seeing this, Aile and Nior said, "Please."
Alyssa realized the bell didn't ring during what he was saying. As she stepped out of her seat, and as it looked like she was about to slap him, she hugged him and said, "I'm sorry I wasn't there to show you the way. But this isn't right. Apologizing doesn't lower your status; it heals the heart."
Eosian said, "Then why, Sis? Why?"
Alyssa let go, and Eosian said, "I understand." As his eyes filled with tears, he said, "I'm sorry, Sis, for the trouble. Nior, Aile, I'm sorry. I know it must be hard being with me. I will apologize and let go."
Alyssa said, "Good. Now that you have confessed, you are suspended for 5 weeks, 6 days, and 23 hours."
Nior whispered, "All that for shortening the suspension by an hour?"
Aile said, "Well, it is an admiral's decision. Who are we to doubt it?"
Eosian said, "Huh? All that for an hour?"
Alyssa said, "That should be plenty of time to reflect on what you did."
Eosian said, "I finally see. Okay, then."
Alyssa said, "Also, your homework for these 5 weeks: try writing apology letters to everyone here. Since you can't leave your dorms, I will send someone to collect them. Here, take the file."
Eosian said, "Thank you, ma'am," as he left.
Aile and Nior said, "Thank you, ma'am."
Alyssa said, "Sure."
Later, Alyssa went to Mia's dorm room and knocked.
Mia said, "Coming!" As Mia opened the door, she said, "Admiral! Why are you here, ma'am?" as she saluted.
Alyssa said, "No need for that."
Mia said, "Ma'am, why are you here?"
Alyssa said, "Well, I came to apologize. As an admiral who couldn't look over her subordinates, and as a big sister."
Mia said, "I'm grateful, ma'am. I got his letter of apology today."
Alyssa said, "Good to see. By the way, I wanted to ask you something."
Mia said, "Of course, ma'am."
Alyssa said, "Want to join my team and come to the World Championships?"
Mia said, "Me, ma'am?"
Alyssa said, "Yeah, you."
Mia said, "But I'm just a commoner."
Alyssa said, "Yet you did the right thing. So yeah, want to become a vice admiral?"
Mia said, "Of course, ma'am."
Alyssa said, "Well, it's official then. See you at training tomorrow, 10 a.m., Admiral Dorms."
Mia said, "Ma'am, are you sure?"
Alyssa said, "Yeah, I am. But again, I also have this letter from Licht. You can also become a vice admiral under him and join his team. Your choice. Well, here is the letter from Licht, and here is mine. BTW, for Licht's team, you get a very, very, very lame golden yellow, and for my team, we have blue."
Mia said, "I see. Is it okay if I give my answer tomorrow?"
Alyssa said, "Sure."