The young man stood up from his chair with a smile. He had messy brown hair and eyes that shifted between amber and grey. He was lean and taller than Arthur and he had a calm expression on his face.
He held out his hand to Arthur, "I've been waiting to meet you."
Arthur shook hands and smiled back, "Me too. You are a remarkable person, Ajax."
His hunch was correct. Ajax is the representative of Class B and one of the few students who got the second rank in the entrance exam along with Arthur.
It is not uncommon in the academy that more than one person can hold the same rank in the exams.
He glanced at the girl who was with Ajax. He recognized her too, Leah Stelian, the representative of Class C and a child from the Stelian Arken Family.
She is a beautiful petite girl with silver hair and bright violet eyes. Both she and Ajax were in their uniforms. She just smiled and nodded at them in greeting.
Arthur was familiar with Leah as they see each other whenever the Stelians visited Night Manor. They aren't friends yet but he wishes to establish a bond.
He noticed that she was trembling and didn't stand up to greet them. He was not surprised, she is suffering from the presence that is affecting all vampires and half-bloods in the academy.
But unlike the others she is holding out pretty well, maybe a testament to her will and power, after all, she is one of the few who shares the first rank with Minerva.
Ajax shook hands with Minerva and the three of them sat down. Arthur found it odd to see the representatives of classes B and C together.
Class C maintained a neutral stance and treats everyone in the same way regardless of which class they are from. Arthur wondered how they managed to do that until he saw Leah.
With someone like her as their leader, Class C can take on any trouble. From what he heard from Alice, Leah is a natural leader and has a huge influence on the Stelian Family even at such a young age.
'This is going to be interesting.", he thought.
The waitress came over and they made their orders
"I haven't properly introduced myself. I am Ajax Slader.", the representative of Class B said with a calm smile.
"A charming name. I am Arthur Night.", Arthur responded in kind.
Ajax's eyes lit up, "You're from the Night Family? Does that mean you are related to Captain Alice Night?"
Arthur nodded, "Yeah. She is my sister."
"Must be good to have such an amazing sister.", Ajax remarked. Arthur just chuckled, "I don't know about that but she's scary at times."
He knows what is happening. Ajax is trying to obtain information through casual conversation, where the target would relax their guard by his friendly demeanor. A good tactic but wouldn't work on Arthur and Ajax knows it. He is testing the young Night.
Or maybe he is just curious.
"I've heard rumors that your sister is interested in Jack Raven. Is that true?", Ajax asked.
"That is pretty interesting.", Arthur leaned back on his chair. A neutral answer that would neither confirm nor disprove the rumors.
Of course, Alice likes Jack but Arthur chose not to answer that. He had confirmed that back in the Manor. But Alice doesn't want anyone else to know about it until the time was right. He intends to keep her at ease.
Plus, he doesn't want to be on the receiving end of her Light Needles. So that was his answer.
Ajax seemed satisfied with it and turned to Minerva, "What do you think about it since you're the sister of Captain Raven?"
She smiled, "Oh that would be good if it was true but my brother never tells me about his romantic life no matter how many times I pestered him. He and Alice were friends since childhood. The same can be said about me and Arthur."
Minerva wasn't surprised that Ajax knew she is a Raven. She and her brother are very similar in appearance unlike Arthur and his siblings.
She looked at the Class C rep, "I haven't seen you for a long time, Leah."
The young Stelian nodded, "I could say the same about you."
"You don't look too fine.", Arthur noted. Leah rubbed her arms, "I am not the only one affected. Every student with vampiric blood has been acting strange since morning. It is as if some powerful presence is affecting us."
Arthur and Minerva nodded, "We've noticed the presence and saw many vampires and half-bloods collapsed or passed out. I am amazed that you're able to hold your own."
Leah smiled, "It is a matter of willpower. Those without a strong will are the ones who passed out. They couldn't handle this pressure. But I can manage."
Ajax chuckled, "Now that's the Class C rep for you.", he looked at the three of them, "I am honored to be in the presence of three students from Arken Families. You guys are basically royalty."
The waitress brought their orders. Arthur had ordered the special black coffee which is popular in the Twin Stags. Minerva got herself a cup of blueberry tea, Ajax got himself some apple wine.
But it was Leah's drink that was most curious. It was a glass of crimson liquid. "Is that what I think it is?", Arthur asked, a bit unsettled.
"Oh don't worry. It is not.", she held up the glass, "This is a juice made from Blood Lily extract, a recent discovery and is a good substitute for blood.", she took a sip, "And the taste is amazing."
She put down the glass and sighed in relief, "The only way to cope with the effects of this mysterious presence is by drinking blood, something which we don't do often."
"Anyway.", Leah laced her fingers, "Let's go straight to the reason for this meeting."
Arthur nodded and raised his cup to Ajax before taking a sip, "You came up with a really clever plan. Pretty impressive. No wonder we share the same rank."
The representative of Class B smirked, "You are the impressive one, Arthur. You managed to see through it all and even made sure to grab my attention."
He leaned back, "I have heard rumors about that mysterious combat Warlock and also a student who doesn't have an attribute. Your confrontation with Class D enabled me to witness your abilities and after that, I had no doubt that you were the Trickster."
"You flatter me. But the one who saw through your plan was not just me. It was Minerva who filled the gaps in my reasoning. As to the claim of me being the Trickster, I am not denying it. People will realize it soon enough.", Arthur replied.
"But I am curious.", he looked at Leah, "Class C maintained a neutral stance. Why are you with Ajax?"
She just shrugged, "He asked me for a favor and I am here.", she looked at the guy beside her, "You owe me one."
"I know.", Ajax sighed and looked at Arthur, "I need her ability to ally with Special Class A.", he went straight to the point.
Minerva raised her eyebrows, "An alliance? After you used our class as a tool for suspending your classmates?"
Ajax didn't look apologetic, "It was necessary. Those guys would drag us down if I had left them at their own devices. A rude awakening was needed, and by the time they return, they will be easy to control.", he said calmly.
"What makes you so sure of that?", Minerva asked.
"Oh he is sure.", Arthur answered, "I had dealt an emotional blow to those guys. It will not be easy to recover from that. Looks like I unintentionally helped you. Or perhaps that too was in your calculations?", he gazed at Ajax.
He chuckled, "I admit. Your hunting them down definitely surprised me. But hear me out."
"The previous year's Special Class A formed a friendly bond with Class S through Jason Kain and Aaron Cadis and this year you guys became friends with Class A. These acts speak volumes about your capabilities."
"So the attack on our dorm was the final test?", Minerva guessed. Ajax nodded, "Indeed and I would like to establish a form of alliance between our classes."
"Of course, I will compensate you for the troubles you have faced because of me.", he offered.
Arthur crossed his arms, "How will you compensate? Your plan destroyed our dorm but we already have better accommodations, monetary compensation will not work, we already have more than enough."
Ajax doesn't want to make an enemy out of Special Class A. Doing so will also antagonize the seniors and also classes S and A. He is ready to pay a high price.
Arthur knows this because Ajax is someone who gets what he wants no matter the price and what he has to do. What a cunning and ruthless guy.
He smiled. The leader of Class B will be very useful to him.
"So. What is your offer?", he asked, looking interested. Minerva arched her eyebrows at him. He just smiled, 'You'll see soon enough.'
Ajax leaned forward, hands wrapped around his drink, "I will guarantee fair treatment for Special Class A in the Battle Festival."
"An interesting proposition.", Arthur noted.
"You might be aware of this. But in the past, Special Class A was unfairly treated in the Battle Festival by the other classes, so much that students from the class couldn't even participate.", Ajax said.
"Even after Cardinal Zephyrus became the Headmaster. There were some disruptions from a few classes, albeit, at a much lesser scale and there is no doubt be trouble for you in this Battle Festival too."
He spread out his arms, "I will personally make sure that you guys are treated fairly in the Festival and that no other class will disrupt you in the tournaments.", he looked at Leah who just shrugged.
"You don't have to worry about Class C making trouble. Even I would like to maintain a good relationship with Special Class A, considering that we know each other.", she assured them.
"So essentially, you are giving us protection in the Grand Battle Festival?", Arthur asked Ajax. He nodded.
"Indeed. I will even make sure that you guys can face students of Class B, especially the troublemakers who attacked your dorm in tournaments as part of your payback."
"So you are serving your classmates for slaughter to appease us? You are a heartless guy, Slader.", Minerva narrowed her eyes at him.
Ajax smiled dangerously, "I would appreciate it if you don't underestimate my class.", he warned.
"I could say the same thing about you.", Arthur replied cooly. "Your proposition is interesting. How about you add one more thing?", he asked.
"I'm listening."
"I would like to face you in the tournament, seeing as you were ultimately the one responsible for the attack. I want to see how strong you are and also beat the living daylight out of you. I will only accept your compensation if you agree to that.", Arthur said.
"That is a rather selfish request isn't it?", Ajax asked. "You can interpret it in any way you want.", was the reply.
He thought it over while Arthur casually sipped his coffee. "You must be prepared to get injured yourself if you are willing to ask your classmates to fight for you.", he said.
Arthur and Ajax looked at each other for a moment before the latter sighed, "Fine. I accept your challenge."
"Alright then.", Arthur smiled. He looked at Leah, "Bring out the contract. I believe that's why Ajax brought you here."
She smiled, "I am starting to love this side of you.", she exposed her fangs and bit her hand. She twirled her finger and the blood from the wound followed her actions.
{Blood Code: Blood Contract}
The blood swirled around and arranged itself into words and what looked like an actual contract.
"According to the contract, Special Class A shall accept the proposed compensation from Class B and an alliance between the two classes will be formed. If Class B doesn't fulfill their end of the deal, then things will turn nasty for them.". she said with a grimace.
All of them know that breaking a Blood Contract will not end well for the one who breaks it. They have heard enough stories of contract breakers who had misfortune after breaking a Blood Contract.
It is a powerful skill of blood users and so Arthur was surprised to see Leah use it. But he was more surprised as to the lengths Ajax has gone. He is ready to accept misfortune to form an alliance with them.
Arthur thought he had figured out Ajax Slader but it seems like there is more to the Class B representative than meets the eye.
'Just what are you playing at?'