The Alchemists

FIVE YEARS LATER

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The two teenagers were laughing when they came out of the school gate. Their faces looked very similar, making people immediately guess that they were siblings or even twins.

Both had striking appearances, with long platinum blonde hair and deep blue eyes. The girl was stunningly beautiful with natural red lips, a pair of big round eyes, cute small nose, and long hair down to her waist in braided pigtails, looking carefree and laidback.

The boy had a very handsome face, long hair down to his neck that looked disheveled, but instead made him look really cool. Their similar looking eyes gave off indifference toward their surroundings.

"Uhm ... hello, Big brother Altair ..."

Their steps halted when suddenly a teenage girl in the same school uniform as they showed up before them. The girl was quite pretty with a thin layer of makeup and long, curly hair. Her expression was a mix of shy and nervous.

"Are you talking to me?" asked the young man, pointing his nose.

The girl pointed at the teenage boy with a red face. "I want to talk to you..."

Vega just rolled her eyes and continued walking after hissing, "Don't stay long. I'm hungry."

Altair only smiled faintly and nodded. He immediately crossed his arms on his c.h.e.s.t and asked the teenage girl, what was her purpose of stopping him outside of school.

"What is it?" he asked with a probing look.

"Uhm ... I just want to give you this ..." The girl quickly took a box out of her bag and handed it to Altair. "It's nothing big. I just wanted to give this present to you. My family traveled to Switzerland last weekend and I brought chocolate for you."

"Why, thank you." Altair took the chocolate from his fan's hand and held it up with a smile. "I'll share it with my sister. See you around."

He then walked away, leaving the girl staring at him with round eyes. Not long after, Altair had managed to reach Vega who was standing waiting for him at the end of the road while toying with her nails.

"Oh, that was fast," Vega commented when she saw the arrival of her brother. "What did you get this time?"

"Chocolate from Switzerland," Altair said with a chuckle. "Her family spent their weekend in Switzerland and she wanted to give me chocolate from there."

Vega burst into laughter. She felt so amused that she had to hold her waist and lean on a tree on the side of the road.

"Gosh ... apparently a rich kid this time," scoffed the girl. "They spent their weekend in Switzerland ... hahahahaha. How fancy!"

Altair pulled his sister and ruffled her hair, "Sush... don't let anyone hear you."

"Ahaha .. yes, sorry, I'm so amused. She thought, by showing off her wealth, she would be able to attract Altair Medici's heart ..." Vega said with a big smile. "If only she knew who we really are."

"Shhh ... let's go home. We promised Dad to stop by the shop to get vegetables for dinner, right?"

Vega nodded. She then took her brother's hand and they continued their journey home together. Their apartment was not far from the school. For the past two years, they had lived with Nicolae in his apartment because Altair and Vega insisted on experiencing life as ordinary teenagers.

Aleksis, who grew up with no friends, apart from her siblings, understood that her two children really needed the environment and relationsh.i.p.s with their peers. That's why she agreed to let Altair and Vega enter regular high school.

Both entered school using their real names, Altair Medici and Vega Medici with Nicolae Medici as their legal guardian. Their famous father, Alaric Rhionen Medici was now known as Elios Linden, so they felt it would be very difficult to hide their identities if they both use the last name Linden.

Altair and Vega's appearances were very similar to their father's, and they were worried that this similarities, coupled with Linden's last name, would make many people suspect their real identities.

So they entered high school using the name Medici. The two of them stayed with Nicolae in his apartment during school days and returned to their biological parents' mansion on weekends. This was important so that their classmates did not suspect the two.

Every day, both of them will go to school and go home on foot, to get them used to living a healthy and active lifestyle. Of course, personal bodyguards were always watching over them because their overprotective fathers didn't want to risk their safety.

No one at school knew who they really were, so Altair and Vega could live a normal teenagers' life. They studied, made friends, socialized, played with their school friends, and enjoyed life as regular people.

Even without the last name Linden, Altair and Vega had attracted a lot of attention with their unique appearances. Countless classmates and juniors were confessing their love to Altair, and conversely, classmates and seniors confessing their love to Vega.

Events like what happened today was a normal occurrence for them.

"But speaking of Switzerland, I miss going to Basel," Altair said as he stepped into the supermarket and picked up a shopping basket.

"Ahaha ... do you miss the Little Monkey?" Vega asked while walking towards the fresh organic vegetable section. She took several types of vegetables and put them in a basket held by her brother.

"Her name is Jean-Marie. She hates being called Little Monkey," Altair blurted.

"Hahaha ..." Vega was always happy to tease Altair about Jean-Marie's business. This girl they were talking about was her brother's first love.

They first met Jean-Marie seven years ago at their parents' wedding. Jean-Marie was the daughter of their grandmother's best friend. She was called Little Monkey by her parents because she was very active, naughty, and couldn't stay still - just like a little monkey.

Now that she was growing up, Jean-Marie hated her nickname and insisted that all must call her by her real name. As a good friend, Altair would always support her.

"I just talked to her yesterday, Jean-Marie is going to Paris for work next month. Maybe we will be able to meet her there," Altair said happily. "So many fashion houses want her to model their products."

Since the beginning of this year, Jean-Marie finally began to follow in her father's footsteps. He used to work as a supermodel when he was young. Three weeks ago they even saw a picture of Jean-Marie in a magazine.

"Is that so? So, she is booked for a job in Paris next month? Then you two are indeed fated. We will also go to Paris for the study trip," Vega said enthusiastically.

Altair nodded, looking very pleased. "Looks like we can meet her there."

Seeing her brother's happy face, Vega could not help but be nosy. "So .. when is the wedding?"

Altair only rolled his eyes at Vega's words. "I'm still 16, duh ..."

Vega just laughed at Altair's words and went back to choosing vegetables and fruits to put in the basket. They annoyed each other throughout the shopping spree until finally everything they needed was collected in the basket. Once they got everything, Altair and Vega went to the cashier to pay.

"Such nice weather today!" Altair said as he looked at the sky as soon as they left the supermarket while carrying a shopping bag.

"Yeah ... it's a beautiful day," Vega commented. They hurried home to Nicolae's apartment so they could eat lunch with their father.