Russell glanced around without changing his expression, his gaze lingering on his younger sister, who was bent over the long table recording something. Carpenter keenly sensed his gaze, immediately straightened up, and casually walked toward the family's secret tomes.
As she began pestering the custodian... insisting on seeing the section reserved for advanced apprentices... Russell helplessly scooped up several nearby family biographies. "Carpenter, stop making trouble. Just pick a few books and read them in a quiet room!
"What matters most now is broadening our horizons and calming our Mental Seas. There's no time left to learn anything new."
Carpenter stamped her foot unhappily, then walked over, grabbed several thick notebooks at random, and turned toward her meditation room.
Russell gave the custodian an apologetic smile, then clutched the notebooks to his chest and hurried away.
"That little brat... was that supposed to be an apology?" the custodian grumbled irritably. "He's the worst of the lot. Whenever Carpenter causes trouble, he comes out to clean up after her... he never stops that girl from doing something wrong, but he always stops other people from holding her accountable!"
An elderly voice chuckled gently. "It's always good for children to care for each other.
"Besides, Carpenter never does anything seriously wrong. If the little girl wants to wheedle a bit, let her~
"She's perfectly polite outside. We're family. Why be so hard on her?"
"Hah... so now I'm the one being difficult?" The custodian immediately grew annoyed. "You lot spoil those children rotten!
"But, speaking of which, why have so many people been coming to see those two lately?"
"There's something we have to do, despite the heavy cost... naturally, some people resent it. But they know there's no way to change things, so they keep trying to find some consolation in