Ajax Slader reached a fair distance into the Lost Woods. He made sure no one was around. With gritted teeth he slammed his fist into the nearest tree, leaving a crater in the wood.
"You got me this time, Arthur Night.", he said after calming down. He was dancing in the palm of that guy.
He thought only Leah Stelian posed a threat. He should be careful of Arthur Night, maybe even more than the leader of Class C.
"You seem frustrated.", Someone spoke. Ajax quickly turned around and his expression hardened when he saw who it was,
"Jason Kain. The biggest enigma of Cardinal Academy.", he said.
The second-year smiled, "I've been called a lot of things. An enigma isn't one of them."
"What are your intentions?", Ajax asked.
"What do you mean? I just came to see the new ally of our class.", Jason answered with a shrug. Ajax raised an eyebrow.
"Your skills and power are on par with Aaron Cadis, yet you chose to remain in Special Class A. I don't understand your logic over that decision."
Jason laughed, "Well, you are right about that."
"Just what are your intentions?", Ajax asked again.
Jason looked straight at him, "I want to see how things go out."
"What a weird reason.", Ajax can see that he was telling the truth. But he didn't understand why Jason came over to meet him. "Did you have another reason to see me?", he asked.
"Oh yeah.", Jason said as he was reminded of the reason, "I am here to give you a warning."
"I am overlooking the recent attack on Special Class A but you better not repeat it. But if you pull a similar stunt next time. I won't be forgiving.", he said in a calm voice.
Ajax got chills when he heard those words. He gulped. It will not be a good idea to cross Jason Kain.
"You do realize that I am not the one who orchestrated everything.", he spoke carefully.
Jason nodded, "I know. But you did take the bait and carry on with the attack. So this is a warning from an upperclassman."
With these words, darkness surrounded him and he disappeared like smoke.
Ajax let out a breath he wasn't aware he was holding in. He never understood Jason Kain's intentions and he believes he never will.
He looked in the direction of the academy building and shook his head. He must prepare to face Arthur Night in the Battle Festival.
*******
Arthur gazed outside his window as he relaxed on his chair. His body is sore from fighting Minerva. He absentmindedly twirled a small arrow made up of liquid magia between his fingers.
He had practiced daily and can now manipulate liquid magia to a greater extent. Given another week and he will be able to reach the level of Seventeen.
He sighed. Today was an eventful day. His meeting with Ajax, the Battle Festival training, and the transfer student's arrival happened so fast.
"Very interesting.", he remarked. His thoughts went to their new friend, Vanessa Dracule.
She had introduced herself as a vampire and was a year younger than him. Like other higher vampires, she has the Blood attribute and he feels like she is well experienced in battle.
He wonders if it was a twist of fate, but Vanessa's room is beside him. Unlike their previous dorm, there are no separate sections for boys and girls. But they have no complaints. The rooms are bigger and more comfortable than their old ones. They even have big couches.
There was a knock on his door. "Are you free, Arthur?", a familiar voice asked.
He quickly put the liquid magia into the vial, "Yep. You can enter.", he said.
The door opened and Arthur welcomed Gray and Claire into his room. They looked around, taking in their surroundings. Arthur prefers a neat space to live in, unlike his brother who is always getting chased by Alice for his unkempt room.
"So. What's up?", he asked as the girls made themselves comfortable on the couch. Claire glanced at Gray before speaking.
"It's about our new classmate."
"Vanessa?", he asked, wondering what could be odd about her, and looked at his wall behind which is Vanessa's room.
"It's fine. Minerva is showing her around the dorm.", Claire said, noticing his gaze. "So what is it about her?", Arthur asked.
"Well, according to Gray, our new classmate has the presence of a mighty vampire.", Claire said.
He looked at Gray who nodded, "I felt a bit overwhelmed when she stood in front of us.", she clenched her fist, "I felt like I should bow to her."
Arthur frowned, "You're saying she's like a divine being or royalty?"
She nodded, "But I've never heard of any royal family among vampires by the name of Dracule. The only ones close to that are the Stelians and my family."
"Could Dracule be an ancient name?". he asked.
Claire cut in, "Actually, it is. I've read about ancient families in the library and remember seeing the name Dracule among them."
"What did you find out?", Arthur laced his fingers.
"The Dracule family was a prominent one among vampires. Their power was on par with the Arken Families.", she shook her head, "No. The power of the Dracules was perhaps even greater."
Arthur whistled, "Damn. So why have we not heard of them?"
Claire shrugged, "The same reason we don't know what happened 3000 years ago."
"Ah.", he looked at Gray, "So Vanessa is a descendant of a powerful family. It looks like you will have a good friend. She also has the Blood attribute and might help you to control your abilities."
"Really?", she asked hopefully. Arthur and Claire nodded, "Well it is possible as long as my hot-headed sister doesn't challenge her to a duel and embarrass us.", the latter sighed.
Gray and Arthur understood what she meant. Flare Dragnia is always itching to fight strong opponents. After learning about Gray's Catharsis, she constantly asked for a duel.
Gray being Gray, has not accepted the request yet.
Arthur knows it won't be long before the young Dragnia has her eyes on him.
He sighed, "We'll cross that bridge when it comes. Let's observe for the time being. Vanessa just came to the academy. She might surprise us.", he said with a smile.
They talked for some time and then the girls returned to their rooms. Arthur looked at the clock, it was almost time for dinner. Someone knocked on his door again.
"I'm coming!", he said, thinking it was time for dinner. He opened the door and found Vanessa standing in front of it. She wore a simple white dress and had a smile on her face, "Hello. You're Arthur, right?
He was taken aback but quickly recovered, "Yeah. That's me."
"Minerva asked me to fetch you for dinner."
"Ah yes. I was about to come.", Arthur tied back his hair. Vanessa gazed at him, "You are an interesting guy.", she remarked.
Arthur grinned, "Is this your first time meeting a warlock without an attribute?"
She shrugged, "Actually, yes. But you didn't let that bring you down. You have enhanced your body and magia control."
She raised her eyebrows, "And your wits enable you to be one step ahead of your opponent."
Arthur knew where she was heading, "You've heard everything in the cafe."
Vanessa's smile did not change, "It was an ingenious plan to get Class B to ally with you. Ajax Slader is not an easy opponent yet you got him dancing in the palm of your hand. You also prefer to remain hidden, the best person for that is Minerva, a genius herself."
"Correct me if I am wrong. The reason why you stay hidden is that people might get shocked by these feats when they are accomplished by someone that society had labeled as a defective warlock."
She continued, not giving Arthur time to interrupt, "But this won't be long. You intend to shatter those misconceptions about you soon. In the Grand Battle Festival and you chose Ajax for bringing out your strength."
Arthur was speechless. This girl had thoroughly seen through him. As Gray said, she had an air of power around her that is so intense that despite not being a vampire, Arthur wants to bow down to her.
"Vanessa. I would like to ask something.", he said.
"What is it?"
"Are you royalty?", he asked, looking her in the eyes. She was unfazed and laughed, "You guys have very good intuitions."
"The answer is yes. I am royalty or was. The Dracule family was very prominent back then but now it's just me. I am the last living descendant of the Dracules.", she said with a sad smile.
"Oh. I am sorry.", Arthur felt that he touched on a painful topic.
"It's fine. Anyway. We should go down for dinner or Minerva will be jumping to conclusions.", she turned around. "Yeah. Good idea.", Arthur nodded and was about to follow her when a soft jingle caught his attention.
"Um. Vanessa, would you mind going ahead? I have something to take care of.", he smiled, "I'll follow in a minute."
Vanessa looked at him and nodded, "Very well. We'll be waiting.", she went down the stairs. Arthur went back into his room and took out a small ball, the soft jingle playing out of it.
It was a communication orb crafted with a sound stone as the core. They come in pairs and people use them to communicate with each other wherever they are in the world.
He was given an orb by Alice so they can stay in touch. He touched a button on the orb and Alice's voice spoke.
"Hey, Arthur. I hope you are enjoying the academy."
He smiled, "Yeah sis. I haven't died yet."
She chuckled, "How's the training?".
"Well. Minerva tried to kill me today.", he said with a smile.
"Ah, the usual."
"How's Allistair?", he asked. His brother rarely tells what he's up to and both Arthur and Alice get worried. "He's at the manor right now, getting ready for a new mission.", Alice answered.
"Ah. Busy as always. Anyway. What's with the sudden call at this time? And where were you for the whole week?", he wasn't able to get in contact with her. Some of her missions would result in lots of days without contact from her.
He wasn't particularly worried. Alice Night is one of the strongest Captains of the Cardinal Knights but he is still a bit concerned.
"Oh, I was down in Ethereos for monitoring duty along with Jade Aria."
"Just what were you doing in that hellscape?", Arthur asked. He only knows about Lower Arken from what he learned and it scared the heck out of him.
"Sorry Arthur. It's top secret.", she said apologetically. "Ah yes. I called you now to say that I'll be visiting Cardinal Academy tomorrow."
Arthur almost dropped the orb, "You're visiting tomorrow?"
"Yep. I have to personally submit a report to the Cardinal. Is there a problem?"
He can imagine Alice narrowing her eyes. "Nope. I'll be sure to greet you when you arrive and show you my progress."
"No need to greet me. I will be coming to your dorm after taking care of things with the Cardinal. I also want to meet your instructors, especially instructor Seventeen.", she said.
Well, the instructors are supposed to meet the families of the students so it won't be a problem.
He hopes.