When the servants left, Juno said with a mocking voice:

«Good morning, master!» - Then her pleasant voice like gentle murmur of a crystal clear brook sounded concerned. – «Will you bring your pretty student up to speed? Why do you need birds? You aren't going to eat them alive, are you? I never know what you're going to do…»

Kyon stretched sweetly and gave the beautiful angel a nasty glance. – «Ha! Don't even think about it. I am saying you ny-thing.»

Juno snorted, visibly displeased, and then laughed loudly. – «I know! You want to tie yourself to the birds and go for a fly! Stupid master. Why don't ask me? One nice kick and you get to experience the thrill of free fall.» - She flashed him a mocking grin.

Kyon remembered all her plotting and scheming. Recently, the little devil had become too cheeky. He should put this spiteful little minx in her place, she had been pus.h.i.+ng it too hard. Kyon was desperate to get his hands on her.

«I'm waiting for you in the elite training building after dinner.» - There was an undisguised desire in his voice to hurt the little devil.

Juno's happy smile instantly turned icy cold. The last thing she wanted was to get more severe injuries, giving her body unbearable pain, leaving her in a state of hopeless despair, realizing her weakness and helplessness. She longed to avenge her a.s.sistant for becoming her half-relative, but she hadn't done anything except for mocking him and showing her pa.s.sive aggression.

Juno looked Kyon up and down, giving him a withering look. Then she silently left his room, flas.h.i.+ng her slender legs.

Kyon looked at the birds, crunched his fingers and proceeded to transform the poor creatures into zombies with the help of Synergy. The formation on their foreheads sent and received Synergy at a distance of almost two hundred kilometers (about 125 mi). They demanded constant recharge, which meant if Kyon moved away from them far enough, they would become helpless victims of any predator, unless, of course, they died of hunger. But with Kyon's development, the distance of the signal reception would only increase.

Twenty-five out of the fifty creatures had turned into Kyon's miniature copies ruled by Synergy. They moved at his command. He could feel everything they experienced from smell to the sense of balance. He could read their memories. Synergy made it possible for Kyon to acquire inconspicuous live spies. An ideal tool for surveillance.

Kyon opened the window and released the birds to gather important information he needed to seize power. However... The word "seize" is too strong. It would be rather a swift rise on the ladder of power, something that other hard workers could only dream of.

His heart filled with an inspiring feeling of delight. Each bird soaring in the sky gave Kyon a sensation of his own flight.

He spent the day practicing the advanced grade of the earth and gathering information about the ruling elite of the Department of Law.

Late in the afternoon, Kyon headed to the elite training building. Stephanie was waiting for him at the entrance. They had made an appointment in the morning.

«You're an hour late! Shame on you!» - She complained.

«Your training outfit is embarra.s.sing! Do you always show up in a short skirt and stockings for practice? What have you been doing for an hour?» - Kyon made a snide comment, putting his wrist to the circle. The door to the room opened.

Stephanie looked guilty:

«My servants haven't finished the laundry yet, and my training outfit isn't ready...»

Kyon rolled his eyes.

«By the way, your papers will be ready tomorrow.»

«Great.» - He replied impa.s.sively.

Kyon stood in front of the girl and clenched his fists. - «Attack me quickly. We have little time before Juno comes.»

«Lady Juno is coming here?» - Stephanie got upset for a moment, then she attacked him at once. The training began.

A minute later, Kyon lost it. – «To the h.e.l.l with you, can't you fight properly?!»

«Sorry, I'm embarra.s.sed…» - She said, rubbing her nose.

Five minutes later, Kyon got angry. He tripped her, climbed on top of her and locked her leg painfully. – «Stop moving like a child. You're wasting my precious time.»

«Ouch! Sorry! I am sorry!» - Stephanie squealed pitifully.

Kyon gritted his teeth. The stupid girl had a nerve! Was she really so naive as to think she could seduce him?! She behaved like a clumsy monkey. Stephanie had no instincts or up-bringing to help her move gracefully. At least, she was no wh.o.r.e or he would have kicked her out in disgust. She kept flas.h.i.+ng her a.s.sets, sticking out her a.s.s, striking all sorts of random poses, making her eyes at him builds its eyes. Anything to get Kyon's attention and appreciation. It was just ridiculous.

Ten minutes later, Stephanie had trouble breathing. It was so embarra.s.sing. Why did he paw the princess like she was the love of his life, and was behaving now like an inveterate hypocrite? Wasn't he a jerk? Well, the inaccessible Kara was incomparably better, but she was also a hot dish available at the moment! Only the blind wouldn't see the hints she was giving him! Stephany couldn't act any more bolder or she would lose all her dignity. Although, her honor was nothing against a promising husband who was going to be the elite of the empire one day. Heavenly geniuses were as rare as a phoenix feather! She had to get one by any means.

Stephanie tried to summon all her courage to no avail. She looked into Kyon's calm eyes and asked herself: {Why can't I be more persistent? I have to take control of the situation! He is four years younger than me! Moreover, he's underdeveloped. Guys love strong girls.} - She made her decision and confidently moved forward.

«What's wrong?» - Kyon asked when he saw she had no fighting spirit.

Stefania approached him at the distance of an outstretched arm, put her hand on his cheek, closed her eyes and moved forward. She felt something salty with her lips. She opened her eyes and saw his hand!

«What are you doin?» - Kyon asked coldly.

«Uhm… I wanted to thank you for the training! Here!» - She reached for him again, puckered up.

Kyon sighed and turned his cheek to her. Stephanie sucked like a leech. She was bloodthirsty.

«Am I interrupting anything, sweethearts?» - They suddenly heard Juno's melodic but cold voice.

The charming girl flaunted her tight-fitting black training outfit.

Kyon pushed Stephanie away and acted like nothing had happened.

Stephanie blushed and bowed slightly to Juno. – «I'm sorry, my lady! I was thanking your brother for the practice... Don't get me wrong!»

When Juno heard the hated word, her beautiful face turned even colder, it seemed to turn into marble. – «We need to talk.»

«Yes, my lady.» - Stephanie nodded and hurried to the door.

Juno came up to Kyon and told him, avoiding looking into his eyes:

«Take your wiretap off and give me more freedom. I need to talk with her.»

«What are going to talk about?» - Kyon was really curious.

«About you! I will tell her that you're a match made in heaven! Please!» - She said in a harsh voice that sounded like a threat.

Kyon smiled and took the bug she had on her all the time out of her pocket. He said the code that gave her maximum of freedom with the exception of some key points.

Juno left the room in silence. There was a soundproof barrier in the hall, she did not worry that Kyon might eavesdrop.

Stephanie was waiting outside, visibly nervous. She had never had a chance to talk with the patriarch's granddaughter, the most important person in the family. The patriarch himself thinks so, and his word is the law. No one would lay a finger on Juno. She was more important than any elder.

«What do you want to talk about, my lady?» - She asked with a respectful smile.

«Kneel.»

Stephanie's eyes widened. Did Juno really tell her to kneel?

«What did you say?..»

«I told you to kneel before me. You have to obey to my orders, I stand above you.» - Juno ordered.

Stephanie was stunned. No one had never talked to her like that! The Stones had always thought carefully what to say to the elder's daughter! Why was the little lady like that? Juno must have had a wrong idea that she was trying to seduce the brother and was demanding a legitimate apology.

«Don't get me wrong, my lady… I am not making plans with your brother! I just thanked him for the training. I will never happen again! Please forgive me!»

The word "brother" was like a stone in Juno's heart. – «Don't make me say it again, or my grandad will throw you out of the family.»

Stephanie winced. She was frightened even to look at thуis stranger with an icy cold voice. She obeyed at once. Stephanie knelt with a guilty look. She sincerely regretted about what had happened. It was a shame Juno had caught them in a compromising situation. Stephanie had to apologize.

~smack~

Juno gave Stephanie a slap with her snow-white hand.

«I will destroy you if you ever call him my brother again.» - Juno said through her gritted teeth. She didn't sound her age at all. She sounded like a strict woman who wouldn't tolerate any nonsense.

Stephanie's jaw dropped. This unexpected turn of events had left her speechless. The first conversation with young lady Stone didn't get off on the right foot.

«Stay away from him.» - Juno whispered threateningly and went inside the training hall.