The sudden death of the oldest son of the Quintavious family spread like and wildfire. It was said that he was found dead in his burned down house.
The whole Quintavious family is mourning for his death and there were also many people that attended his funeral.
"How does it feel watching your own funeral?" a man spoke with his deep and serious voice. He was referring to Desmund who sat opposite to him.
"Very melancholy" Desmund replied.
"Doesn't seem so" the man replied, he was wearing a familiar black suit with an embroidered gold dragon on his shoulder that reached his arm. He was the Golden Dragon Mafia's consigliere, Collin Ivanov.
-Earlier-
"Si vis pacem, para bellum"
Desmund read the note with his low voice. Suddenly there's a click sound behind him, that sound he clearly knew what it was, it was a gun pointed at him.
"Such fine young man shouldn't butt in into adults' business" the man's voice was low and cold. Even though Desmund's back was facing him, he could feel the other side's extremely cold and penetrating gaze. That gaze isn't something that anyone could just possess, a gaze that only experienced people who have murdered countless lives own.
Desmund clearly understood the meaning behind his words, he shouldn't have dug informations about the Golden Dragon Mafia. The day he started collecting information he was sure they had already had their eyes set on him.
"I'm afraid it's my job and I'm paid to do so" Desmund replied maintaining his calm demeanour.
"Such bravery is a waste for a dying young man" Collin spoke as he held his gun closer to Desmund's head.
"However if you could successfully decipher those words we'll let you live and join the Mafia but if you can't then you'll just have to bid goodbye permanently, it's the rule" Collin added, the words he was referring to are the words written in the card.
"What if I could comprehend the words but I don't want to be a part of the Mafia would you let me live?" Desmund faced Collin with his sharp gaze.
"Young man you make me laugh, your words betrays what's exactly in your heart. Do you really want to continue being a part of the Royal family's dogs? Follow rules and laws spreading hypocrisy. You exactly knew you had a vast potential to be a part of something great and change the system yet you have to keep a low profile since someone serving under the Royal family can't outshine the heir of the throne" Collin laughed with mockingly.
"What makes you think you are better? Committing crimes here and there? Spending money and living in luxury that came from illegal means, killing and executing people as you wish" Desmund spoke as his fists tightened.
"We earn our money through illegal means and business but at least we obtain it with our own strength unlike you being paid with the money of the citizens that they had worked hard to receive so they can meet both their needs and ends but taken from them to pay as taxes. Only a quarter goes to make projects in the country and even exaggerating them to the people so they can see where their money goes but where did most of their money went? It's just too impossible to say that it just vanished into thin air, well of course most of it goes to pay for the Royal Family's expenses living in luxury. We kill because we had to, this is the underground society where only the strongest can survive. What? You expect us to compete using rainbows and flowers? The Underground society has also rules to follow, those who contradict them were instantly wiped out, what makes you think putting criminals in jail will make them have a change of heart? According to our records there are more number of people who contradicts your laws than the number of people who breaks the laws in the Underground society. Stop being delusional and see what's really true"
"If you want peace, prepare for war" Desmund coldly replied as he stared directly at Collin.
"You have my answer"
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Cadenza was busy hanging out with her cousin Lottie and spent her Sunday roaming around the city.
It was Monday the next morning and it's a big day for her since it'll be the start for the School Championship. Cadenza was woken up by her new butler Ford. She had to admit this guy was pretty good, he was able to manage the mansion very well and was able to fulfill his duties as a personal butler.
"Young Miss your breakfast is ready" Ford spoke as he finished buttoning Cadenza's uniform.
"Hmm"
Cadenza arrived earlier than she used to, she was supposed to meet up with the Headmaster and Soarin to prepare.
"Good luck to the both of you, I'm sure you'll do your best" the Headmaster reassured them.
"If not...there will be no exemption in the third quarterly exams" the Headmaster added with his threatening voice.
After a while the other students were gathered in the school grounds for a ceremonial speech as well as welcoming the students and faculties in other schools.
While the competing students in the Royal Academy were gathered in the student council office to be given an encouraging speech by the student council's President. Cadenza wasn't aware that Prince Illycht himself would be the one personally giving them the speech, her mind has been wandering off while the Headmaster has been instructing them.
All of them were lined up properly as ordered by the members of the student council.
"As one of the top 3 most prestigious schools in the whole 8 sectors we must do our best to preserve our reputation and give honor to our school. We mustn't disappoint all the students before us that did their best creating this pride and privileged we had as a proud student in the Royal Academy whom many people look up to. We may or not win this year's Championship at least we could say that we did our best and did not embarrass ourselves infront of so many audience present. As the student council President I entrust to you the honor of our school" Prince Illycht gave a speech that made the students' hearts burn in passion.
Cadenza rolled her eyes whoever is making that long and boring speech should stop. As Prince Illycht's figure passed infront of her Cadenza's body turned stiff.
It was a quick moment yet she was able to caught him looking at her for a quick second. Soarin was able to feel the sudden change in Cadenza's movements.
"Can similarly separate and create new states-"
"Political ideology" Cadenza immediately hit the red button and answered not giving a chance on the other competitors.
"A period in history in which various countries around the world transitioned fron agrarian and handicraft economies to economies driven by-"
"Industrial Revolution"
"Is generically, an improvised or written-out ornamental passage played or sung by a soloist or soloists, usually in a "free" rhythmic style, and often allowing virtuosic dis-"
"Cadenza" how could she not know the meaning of her own name.
Out of 50 questions Cadenza was able to answer all of them. The other competitors could only stand and be rooted to their place. How could they not? Before the announcer could even finish the questions Cadenza would immediately hit the red button and state her answer even Soarin wasn't as fast as her.
"For the last question worth 55 points"
The other competiting students had their ears perked up. If they were able to answer this last question there's still a chance to win.
"What does the 25th book of Odyssey contain?"
"According to history the epic tale was written only with 24 scrolls which translated into the 24 books and the 25th book doesn't exist" Cadenza replied calmly as she flashed her enemies with her bright and charming smile.
For the other competing students her smile was worth raining ten thousand arrows piercing through their body.
"Correct!" the announcer spoke.
"This is cheating!" one of the faculties from other schools shouted in protest.
"How could she possibly know all answers even before the questions are finished!" the faculty teacher continued to accuse Cadenza.
The other teachers calmly watch her as she accused the student, all they could do is watch Cadenza mockingly. The Faculty teacher came from one of the top 3 most prestigious schools, the Crystal Academy, which made her guts huge and her influence isn't small either which made her a prideful person.
Cadenza would love to walk down the stage and smack that woman to her heart's content. Unfortunately she had to maintain her reputation.
The Headmaster was about to speak up but Cadenza lowly raised her hand to stop him as she walked at the center and gave a polite smile before she bowed her head in respect. She looked at the name plate of the woman and smirked in her heart.
"Mrs. Fukui you are basically accusing a student with cheating without any evidence to prove your words also dirtying our school's reputation for the reason of not being able to score the contest. What you are doing now is a crime against the law which is, Slander, in which you could spend a few years of your life in jail. A teacher of a prestigious school dares to falsely accuse a student of a crime under the eyes of numerous witnesses because her students wasn't able to score a contest sounds very unreasonable" Cadenza spoke with her innocent yet dangerous tone.
Her words shocked all the people present. What a sharp tongue!
Mrs. Fukui was being pressured by Cadenza's gaze that she could barely retaliate.
"The...evidence is obvious!! How could you manage to answer all questions without even finishing the questions and answer them correctly. Isn't that way to suspicious!!" Mrs. Fukui angrily spoke.