Chapter 87: That's it
Aurora put up a finger, "One, it isn't normal that an eight-year-old can be so talented in cooking that you can do things that are of a higher level. It isn't a simple make batter and bake. Take your souffle, for example. That's hard. You, my dear Fleur, you're a Master. You have mastered the techniques."
"Two," Aurora continued, "You actually adapt difficult recipes and make it easy for children to do. Something complicated becomes simplified, and you even change some ingredients that aren't easy to get here and the taste is not compromised."
"Three," Aurora said but was interrupted by Fleur.
"That's not my credit," Fleur said quickly, "It's Ziad."
Aurora blinked and looked at Fleur, who blinked back (mimicking her) and then laughed.
"Ziad studies the culture and geography of the place where the cuisine I am interested in," Fleur explained, "And then he analyses the weather and soil composition, plus does research on the source of the ingredients. He then tells me which alternatives are viable for the recipe and then I experiment."
Fleur scratched her head and then turned to look at Ziad, who wasn't paying attention to them (or pretended not to).
"And all this time, I thought he was studying the origins of his bride candidates," Aurora said, "Still waters run deep."
"Of course," Fleur said with a proud smile, "He's my brother, after all."
"Yeah, gentle and kind," Aurora replied, then jerked her thumb behind to her brother who had switched to another video about street fighting, "Unlike my muscle-bound brain brother here, who is crass in comparison."
"Need I remind you," Alex said, his eyes not moving from the computer screen, "I'm only eight years old. Your description is hardly appropriate."
It wasn't to say that he didn't have muscles, but none that could be seen. His body was still developing, after all.
"True," Aurora agreed easily, "I'll repeat that when you're 14 then. Or maybe 12, since you'll hardly change. In our group, Ziad will be the gentlemanly scholar like Uncle Sam while you'll be the dumb jock."
"Needless to say," Fleur said, saying it anyway, "There was no dumb jock in our parent's group."
Alex just rolled his eyes at that and replied, "While Fleur will be the delicate Princess like Auntie Kay while you? Huh. Tinfoil that serves to make her brighter since you're so crude."
Aurora snorted, "In your dreams. I, my dear brother, am bright enough on my own and the Smith genes aren't lacking. Side-by-side with Fleur, we complement each other. You and Ziad? Total opposites."
"Total opposites meaning, we bring out the best about each other when we stand side-by-side," Alex retorted.
Ziad rubbed the space between his eyebrows listening to the banter between the twins. For the umpteenth time, he wondered why Alex and Aurora couldn't be like how Uncle Kyle and Auntie Kay were like. Baba had told him how close those two were and were always showing sibling love and support for each other.
He sighed inwardly and continued to ignore them.
He knew that the twins had a deep love for each other and this was their 'unique' way of showing it. He knew, undoubtedly, if push comes to shove, they would defend the other unconditionally.
It was just hard having to listen to them 'argue' this way.
Like little kids …
Ziad shook his head and almost face palmed himself.
They *were* little kids.
He sighed, feeling like an old man all of the sudden.
✿ Author posts on WN and neovel ✿
The next day, Krauss focused on Isaura and let the Fantastic Four be. He figured he'd give them a week to play before putting his foot down.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy … but playing too much wasn't good either. There had to be a balance! A balance!
The last thing Krauss wanted was for such a good seed to wither and die.
Left to their own devices, naturally the Fantastic Four would take out their laptops and play. The others looked at them with envy, but what could they do?
Nothing.
They still had their own schoolwork to finish and looking at the pile next to them, it wouldn't be anytime soon.
At least, Isaura seemed to be studying so that was something. Perhaps the Fantastic Four got special treatment since the creation of the class - and the funding for it for the next five years - was borne by the Smiths.
It must be nice to be rich.
The Fantastic Four had no idea what were on the minds of their classmates and even if they knew, they wouldn't be bothered with it.
First, because they couldn't control people's minds - or mouth.
Second, what is fake can't be true - and what is true can't be fake.
However, the second aspect was difficult to do when it came to the Internet. When tehre is enough public opinion and momentum from the keyboard warriors, what was fake can become true.
As such, the Smiths basically controlled the content that was available on the Internet. Despite that, the Elite Five knew that nothing can truly be controlled and that the children should not be swaddled too much.
They couldn't protect them forever and the best protection was always having a strong foundation in order to face the storm.
Thus, these were little lessons that had been ingrained into the kids from a very young age so that they wouldn't be too affected by what was online.
That, and the knowledge that they had strong support from friends and family.
So right now, the Fantastic Four were oblivious to the things that were happening in the dark that their parents were doing to protect them as they grew up; so they could continue to learn and grow.
Alex at this moment, was not interested in doing up more research on street fighting.
He furtively glanced at Isaura who was happily sitting next to Teacher Krauss, her face seeming to be shining from the reflection of the screen.
Which wasn't good, really. One's eyes could be spoilt that way.
Even with that brief glance, he could see how happy she was as she was smiling so widely, and her little legs were swinging non-stop as her finger clacked over the keyboards.
Alex reached into his bag and took out a glasses case and walked over to Isaura.
Teacher Krauss, seeing Alex approaching, stopped what he was doing and looked up at him, "Yes, Alex?"
Alex stood next to Isaura and handed her the case, saying, "This is for you."
Isaura, who had stopped long ago upon noticing Alex, looked at him with wide eyes, "For me?"
Alex nodded.
"Really? For me?!" Isaura squealed, and jumped down from her chair, taking the case, "But why? It's not my birthday!"
"Do I need a reason?" Alex asked.
Isaura shook her head vigorously, hugging the case to her chest, "No no no! No need! No need!"
Alex raised an eyebrow, "Aren't you going to open it?"
It wasn't wrapped, and one could clearly see that it had to contain glasses, yet, Isaura treated it like it was some undiscovered treasure.
She nodded and carefully pried the case open, her eyes becoming wider and her mouth forming a huge 'O'.
There was real expectation and happiness in those eyes, and even though it was as something simple as glasses, she looked so excited.
It wasn't fake, or put on, just to make him feel happy for giving her something.
Looking at her pure reaction, Alex couldn't help but think that Isaura really looked like a puppy that got a new toy.
That pure joy over something so simple.
She gasped as she took out the plain-looking glasses, which were black-rimmed and round, and put them on her face, "I'm Harry Potter!"
Then share frowned, "No, wait. I'm a girl. So I'm Harriet Potter!"
She giggled and twirled around, waving her hand as if she had a wand in it.
Alex pursed his lips and put his hand on her shoulder, effectively stopping her from twirling.
"It's for you to use when you are at the computer, or on your phone," Alex explained, "It's anti-blue-light filter glasses. The frame is made with flexible and durable silicone material, so it's soft and skin safe. It will not slip easily."
"The lenses have an anti-glare coating and are focused to block the energy light of 420nm," Alex continued, then looked at Teacher Krauss, saying, "Blue light is a type of short-wavelength light emitted at high energy from the sun, LEDs and digital screens. In the visible light spectrum, the shortest wavelength and highest energy light fall between 400 - 420nm. The light in this part of the spectrum is particularly harmful, as it can pass through the cornea and directly reach the retina. Thus, prolonged exposure can damage light-sensitive cells and cause greater oxidative stress."
Krauss nodded, knowing about such glasses but this was the first time he had heard such a detailed explanation of it.
His impression of Alex rose again, thinking that it really was a shame he was simply watching videos of fighting. His resolution to get him to do something leaning towards the science field intensified.
Meanwhile, Isaura, the one who was wearing the glasses happily, was practically 'dancing' on the chair as she chanted, "I'm Harriet Potter! Expecto Patronum!"
Alex raised his eyebrows and turned to look at Isaura, this time, focusing on what was on the computer.
Ah.
So that was it.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
PsyberRose
PsyberRose Ooopsie. A bit late. Apologies (trying not to say sorry a lot but meh. Failing badly. Sigh).
Thank you for the votes and comments! I'm sure everyone has also guessed what Isaura skill is at, right?
heh
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