Evolution of the Ruined Heir

Malakai Von Sanguine stood before a full length mirror, trying to tame his accursed hair. Though, the constant ramblings of Valentine only seemed to add to his frustration.

"No, no! It’s too neat. Mess it up a little. You need to look like a bad boy. I’ve watched enough dramas to know the bad boys always get the women. The goody-two-shoes always end up alone in their rooms with a laptop, lotion, and an unhealthy amount of tissue paper on the floor."

Malakai frowned at his reflection. He knew what tissue and lotion were, but the last one was unfamiliar.

’Laptop?’ he asked.

"Yeah, you know. Something with a large screen and buttons that you watch things on."

’Ah, like the Life Guard. And our viewing centers.’ Malakai understood immediately, but a moment later, his frown deepened.

’But what are they watching that requires lotion and so much tissue?’

Valentine fell silent. Through their bond, Malakai could practically feel the sudden panic radiating from the man. Malakai’s eyes narrowed.

’Valentine? What aren’t you telling me?’

"N-nothing! Nothing at all. Haha..."

’Then answer the question.’

"Right. Of course. Well, you know... they use them for manly things."

Malakai’s frown deepened further.

’Manly things?’

Valentine swallowed. He wasn’t quite sure how to answer that. At one point, the answer would have been clear and obvious. The problem was that it suddenly didn’t feel right for a forty-plus-year-old man to be discussing this sort of thing with a fourteen-year-old. If anyone watching didn’t know any better, they would call him a pedophile.

After a moment, Valentine cleared his throat. "...Yes. You know, things men do."

’No, I don’t. What things?’

’You’re really not making this easy for me, Malakai!’ Valentine screamed internally in frustration. Somehow, Malakai still felt the frustration through their bond, and his eyes narrowed further.

’You’re hiding something from me, Valentine. We agreed there would be no secrets. Spill it.’

Valentine’s eyes widened in horror. However, as though the universe itself had heard his desperate pleas, a hesitant voice came from the other end of the room.

"M-Malakai... can I come out now?"

Malakai gave Valentine a look that clearly said this wasn’t over before turning toward the voice. At the far end, the wardrobe was slightly open, with Renlo hesitantly peeking out through the gap.

"Have you learned your lesson?" Malakai asked.

Renlo responded in a thoroughly defeated voice.

"...Yes. I promise I won’t hog the blankets, lie on top of you, or snore directly into your face again."

"And what happens if you break your promise?"

Renlo swallowed. "...I’ll let you punch me." He sounded so pitiful that Malakai was almost tempted to let the matter go. But then the memory of this morning resurfaced in his mind, and he shuddered.

’No. Never again.’ Shaking the thought away, he nodded.

"Alright. You can come out now."

Renlo released a heavy sigh of relief before slowly stepping out. He was clad in a black singlet, leaving his muscular, dark, beast-like limbs in full view. Countless training sessions under Malakai had left him considerably more toned, and his once-protruding belly was nowhere to be found.

One of his cheeks, however, was freakishly swollen and still visibly throbbing.

Waking up to find all the blankets gone, with Renlo sprawled over him and snoring directly into his face, Malakai hadn’t taken it lightly. The swollen cheek had been his little gift to his friend.

"You should get ready. We have breakfast in a few minutes."

Renlo stared at Malakai with a bitter look.

"...Has anyone ever told you that you’re a wicked person?"

"Plenty," Malakai said, turning back to the mirror. "I thought you knew this already."

"I knew, but not to this extent."

As though suddenly gaining courage, Renlo continued, "Besides, what happened to brotherly love? Two brothers sleeping on top of each other, sharing blankets, breathing into each other’s faces... I can’t think of a more beautiful bonding experience."

Malakai gave him a sidelong glance, not falling for the guilt trip.

"Keep your bad breath away from me."

Renlo clutched his chest as though the words had dealt him a physical blow. "...My breath does not stink."

"Tell that to my ruined nose."

Renlo immediately breathed into his palm and took a sniff. His face scrunched up almost instantly, and for a moment, he looked as though he might puke.

"Ugh! What the hell is that?!"

He quickly rushed into the bathroom and began scrubbing his teeth.

"Your breath." Malakai shook his head, his expression practically asking what the hell else he thought it was.

Once he was satisfied with his appearance, Malakai stepped away from the mirror and stood in front of Renlo.

"So, how do I look?"

Renlo blinked, clearly taken aback by the question.

"...You’re asking me?"

"Is there anyone else here?"

Valentine’s voice immediately echoed in his head.

’Wow. Rude...’

’Shut up. You know what I mean.’

"No, I know," Renlo said. "I’m just shocked you’re asking at all. Since when do you care what you look like?"

Renlo was right. And truthfully, Malakai still didn’t. The only reason he was putting this much effort into his appearance was because of the mission.

"There’s a first time for everything," he said. "Now answer the question."

"Apparently..." Realizing Malakai was serious, Renlo approached and began circling him as though he were some sort of priceless treasure being inspected before purchase.

Somehow, Malakai didn’t like being scrutinized like this. It made him feel strangely exposed, far more than he would have liked.

’Why is he looking at me like that?’

His frown had already begun to deepen when Renlo finally stopped in front of him, one hand resting thoughtfully against his chin.

"Wow, you actually look good! You look just like one of those bad boys in the movies that always gets the ladies. Yeah, I like it."

’Ha! See? See?! What did I tell you?’ Valentine immediately said.

Malakai nearly rolled his eyes.

There were movies in the Dome, but only the elites ever had the privilege of watching them, at least freely. As the grandson of a Scarlet Ten, one of the ten strongest members of the Sanguine Clan, Renlo had naturally been among those elites.

Well, he had been, to be more accurate.

In any case, it would seem as though Malakai was the only elite who somehow hadn’t seen any of these dramas.

Feeling a slight gloom at the thought, Malakai turned and studied his reflection in the mirror.

His captain’s jacket was slung loosely over his shoulders, leaving the black top beneath clinging tightly to his toned, muscular body. His crimson hair was slightly messy, and paired with his perpetual cold look and the Vita Weapons strapped to either side of his waist, he gave off a dangerous aura that, according to Valentine and Renlo, women apparently loved.

’Guard incoming.’

Nyx’s soft voice drifted into his ears, and Malakai slowly exhaled.

’It’s time.’

Today, for the sake of the mission, he would get closer to Mamush’s third child, Donna, and find out exactly what was going on with this family.

A moment later, a knock came from the door, followed by a respectful voice.

"Breakfast is ready, Ninth Vein. Master Mamush and Lady Onilia are awaiting your presence."

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