The final bell rang, its echo reverberating through the polished halls of St. Liora's Academy.

Students spilled out of classrooms in lively clusters, filling the corridors with a symphony of chatter, laughter, and the rustling of their crisp uniforms.

Outside the school gates, a line of sleek luxury cars idled patiently, ready to whisk their young masters away.

Parents dressed in fashionable clothes, with noble temperaments, hugged their children and opened the doors for them.

Chauffeurs in matching black suits opened doors as students filed in one by one, the courtyard buzzing with youthful energy and excitement.

Amidst this lively atmosphere Liz and her friends walked gracefully out of the school gates, talking and laughing among themselves.

"So what about 'Shadow Breakers'? Sounds cool, right?" Dylan proposed loudly as they approached the gates.

Clara scrunched up her nose in disapproval. "That sounds too edgy! We're not villains from a comic book."

Mina giggled between fits of laughter. "What about 'Dragonhearts'? It feels more heroic!"

Hugo shook his head decisively. "Too cliché! Half the guilds in online RPGs already use that name!"

Liz rolled her eyes dramatically, hands on her hips. "You guys are hopeless! We can't even settle on a name if we want to be a team?"

Their playful banter spilled into the street as they walked out together, until suddenly… silence fell over the crowd nearby.

A sleek black car pulled up,a striking contrast to the others,with paint that gleamed like onyx under the setting sun and an imposing design that commanded attention.

The Osborn crest shimmered faintly on its hood like a badge of honor.

The rear door swung open with a smooth elegance, revealing a tall figure cloaked in black it was Arthur.

He stepped out of the car like a shadow cutting through the warm afternoon light, his trench coat brushing against his legs as he straightened up.

The breeze tousled his dark hair, and his cold, unreadable eyes scanned the courtyard.

For a fleeting moment, the usual buzz of after-school chatter faded into silence. Students exchanged whispers filled with curiosity and apprehension.

"Who is that guy?"

"He looks kind of terrifying."

"No way… is he here to pick someone up?"

When Liz saw Arthur stepping out of the car, she froze for just half a heartbeat and then her face exploded into a radiant smile that could rival the sun.

"Big brother!" she shouted at the top of her lungs, her voice ringing clear across the schoolyard.

Her friends turned in shock as Liz dashed forward. Before Arthur could brace himself, she leapt into his arms, wrapping around him like an excited octopus.

A faint twitch crossed Arthur's lips, almost resembling a smile,though it seemed like smiling was a rare feat for him.

Yet somehow, his usually icy gaze softened just enough to leave those watching in disbelief that this imposing figure could exude warmth.

"You came to get me!" Liz exclaimed joyfully, squeezing his neck tightly.

Arthur's hand settled gently on her shoulder, steadying her small frame. "You're quite heavy," he muttered calmly but with just a hint of humor in his tone.

Her friends stood there frozen, jaws nearly dropping in astonishment.

"Is this really Liz's brother?" Leo whispered incredulously.

"I had no idea she even had a brother," Mina added wide-eyed.

"He looks like he walked right out of an action movie… but way scarier," Clara murmured behind her glasses.

Still clinging to Arthur like he was her personal superhero, Liz turned to her friends and beamed proudly. "Everyone, meet my big brother Arthur!"

As Arthur gently set her down, his gaze shifted toward the small group of nervous teens.

At first glance, he radiated an aura that felt intimidating,like storm clouds gathering overhead,but then he offered them a slight nod and spoke in a low yet steady voice.

"Thank you," he said earnestly. "For looking after my sister."

His words were polite but carried an undeniable weight,as if casual conversations weren't something he often engaged in.

The five friends exchanged quick glances before stammering their responses.

"N-no problem at all!" Hugo managed to squeak out.

"She's always with us anyway," Mina chimed in quickly.

A subtle curve graced Arthur's lips. "Liz can be… quite the handful."

Liz puffed out her cheeks playfully. "Hey!"

Laughter bubbled nervously among them as they realized that perhaps Arthur wasn't as cold as he'd initially seemed.

Liz tugged on Arthur's sleeve, her voice ringing out with excitement, "He's the best brother in the world!"

For a heartbeat, Arthur froze, his expression a mix of surprise and something harder to read.

But as he looked down at her, his eyes softened just a bit.

"You really exaggerate," he replied quietly, a hint of warmth creeping into his tone.

The moment was fleeting. Liz turned back to her friends, waving enthusiastically.

"See you tomorrow!" she called out.

"Bye, Liz!" they echoed, still sneaking curious glances at Arthur as if trying to decode the mystery behind his calm demeanor.

Arthur guided Liz into their sleek car. The door closed with a thud, muffled by the plush interior.

As they pulled away from the school gates, her friends stood watching in awe, their whispers trailing behind like echoes of admiration.

Inside the car, Liz leaned back with a satisfied grin plastered across her face.

She swung her legs playfully and declared, "Big brother came to pick me up today! I told you...you're the best!"

Arthur glanced over at her; his expression remained composed but there was that faint trace of a smile lingering on his lips,a rare gem that made moments like these feel special.

For him, such instances were brief but invaluable. For Liz? It was everything.

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The Osborn car glided effortlessly through the evening streets of Zenith City which was alive with energy.

Towering glass skyscrapers sparkled under the fading light, while bustling streets thrummed with pedestrians hurrying home or spilling into vibrant shops and cozy eateries.

Neon billboards flashed their colorful advertisements, showcasing the latest gadgets, perfumes, and entertainment shows that beckoned passersby.

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