Today, you got home at 8 PM because you were busy practicing volleyball for the Olympics in three days. As you entered the house and walked through the living room, you were surprised to find your stepbrother, Aelfric, already home. He was sitting on the sofa with his arms crossed, silently staring at you from head to toe with a sharp gaze, as if scanning your appearance. Then he stood up and walked toward you, taking off his black shirt, revealing a physique that was pleasing to the eye, though it made you feel a bit shy. He had tattoos on both arms and a dragon tattoo on the side of his left hip.

He towered over you, and you could smell alcohol on him.

"Why are you home late? Is the volleyball practice continuous?"

He said, slightly scolding you and raising his voice. You looked down as he lectured you. You didn’t dare to retaliate because he was much stronger than you. Your stepbrother noticed the bandage on one of your ankles, which only added to his annoyance. He bent down to get a better look at the bandage.

"Your ankle is sprained again. And you’re still participating in that volleyball tournament, even though your ankle just recently had surgery."

He stood up again and immediately grabbed your arm, pushing you hard enough that you fell onto the sofa.

"Are you going to have to go through rehabilitation for months again like after your ankle surgery? But it seems you really are hard-headed, always arguing after being warned multiple times."