"Master, please don''t mind him," Dr. Zigmund exined hastily, breaking out in a cold sweat and forcing a smile. "This foolish boy..."


    "He''s my brother," Juniper interrupted calmly.


    "Brother?" Dr. Zigmund paused for a second before nodding. "When did you two be sworn siblings? Isn''t that against protocol?"


    He called Juniper ''Master'', and Harold was his student. By rights, he should call Juniper ''Grandmaster''. If they were sworn siblings... that would put him in a very awkward position.


    "My biological brother," Juniper rified.


    "Bio... biological brother?" Dr. Zigmund''s eyes widened as he looked back and forth between Juniper and Harold. He''d never heard that the Houstons had another child. Besides, they didn''t look anything alike.


    "That''s right." Fearing Dr. Zigmund''s brain might short-circuit, Harold stepped in to exin. "I''ve had some issues with the Houston family, but Juniper is indeed my youngest sister."


    "Youngest sister?" Dr. Zigmund stammered, his mind struggling to keep up.


    "Correct," Harold nodded with a smile. "Besides her, I have two brothers. I''l introduce you all someday when there''s time."


    Dr. Zigmund stood there, utterly dumbfounded. What was happening? He hadn''t seen Harold in a month, and somehow in that time, his student had be his Master''s brother?


    "So," Harold continued after rifying their rtionship, clearing his throat and deliberately lowering his voice, "if you ever think about using me as cheapbor again, making me water your flowers and tend your garden, I''ll just have to tell my little sister."


    "You—" Dr. Zigmund''s face darkened. He red at Harold, so angry his bald head seemed to gleam even brighter.


    ""''You'' what?" Harold grinned, looking quite pleased with himself. "I have a sister now!"


    "You brat!" Dr. Zigmund seethed through clenched teeth. "You''ve finally found someone to hide behind!"


    "What can I say?" Harold slung an arm around Dr. Zigmund''s shoulders. "I''m just very eager to improve, Professor."


    Dr. Zigmund shot him a frustrated look before turning his gaze back to Juniper, his expression instantly shifting to one of beaming delight.


    Juniper nced at him, the corner of her mouth twitching into an involuntary smile.


    After some light conversation,


    Hannah ushered everyone to the et diningzzed Harold about his


    dining room. At the table Dr.


    Zund


    training progress while they ate.


    "Master, do you think he has a chance of getting into the Global Medical Alliance Association?"


    It wasn''t easy, They tested theory, practical achievements, and even on-the-spot procedures. This year to make it even harder for applicants from the Orient Country, they''d


    added a Q&A session it was


    obvious Harold would be getting the


    toughest questions.


    Hearing Dr. Zigmund''s question, Harold also put down his fork and knife and looked toward Juniper.


    "Well..." Juniper took a bite of a small bread roll, her voice soft but firm. "If the


    process is fair and impartial, he shouldn''t have any problem."


    "That''s a relief," Dr. Zigmund said, clutching his chest.


    Then, Juniper''s voice cut in again, cool and sharp. "But do you really think they''ll be fair?"


    Dr. Zigmund''s smile froze on his face. Of course not. Not only would they be unfair, but they would do everything in their power to exclude anyone from the Orient Country


    "I''ll do my best in the time I have left," Harold said, his voice hoarse.


    He licked his chapped lips, dark circles visible under his eyes. He had already been pushing himself to his limits recently.