"THE PRACTICAL EXAMINATION for the sword course examinees has come to a conclusion. You brats can either leave now, or rest and stay to watch the others. Do what you want. The spear course will be having their practical exam next." Yahto announced, and groans were heard from the ground. It was coming from the other sword course examinees.
"I'm definitely a fail."
"Maybe I should try my luck again."
"On your next life, that is."
"Yes, on my next incarnation."
"We might get luckier on our next lives."
"That was exhausting, Professor is a monster."
"He's merciless, but he probably went easy on us."
And many more murmurs. Many of them were immediately depressed thinking that they might not have done good enough to pass, and some thinks they did their best. It was given for them to be a little anxious, since this is the Golden Crown Academy. Although, some are exemptions.
"Haaah.." Hades shameless yawned, making their heads turn to him. He noticed their stares and smiles at them. "I couldn't sleep well last night and now I'm drained, thus I'm a little sleepy." He said, loud enough for him to hear, and they were filled with disbelief and confusion as to why he feel the need to explain. But some were annoyed by his actions, seeing it as arrogance.
"Hah! It must feel good to know that you're passing, that's why you're so relaxed!" A man, possibly of noble lineage, stepped up and started lashing out his frustration, but Hades was unfazed, not even his smile twitched.
"Well, who wouldn't feel good if you focused on making results and know you that did your best? Only overconfident fools who did nothing else but complain wouldn't." Hades stated, his eyes not leaving the man in front of him. Some people were struck on the right nerve by Hades' words, some including Silver and Professor Yahto were shocked and taken aback by that bold statement, while Rufus who was near... was shaking as he held back his laugh.
'He seriously said it! Well, someone had to point it out.' Rufus thought to himself, close to bursting.
"You insolent scoundrel...!" The man became red in frustration and shame, but Hades gasps too unrealistically, as if mocking him.
"Oh, did I say anything wrong? I'm just a lowly commoner, forgive me for having no manners." Hades says, and smiles again, but his eyes weren't smiling. "… at the very least, I'm not stupid enough to be acting rash in front of an imperial prince." Just after saying that, the man tensed up, and glanced next to Hades, where Silver is standing.
'He deliberately used my position as a scapegoat. He's more cunning than I thought he'd be, but I do commend him for drawing the line and avoiding the fight immediately', Silver thought to himself and sighed as he glanced to the man. Their eyes met, and the man was completely overpowered by those golden eyes.
He immediately bowed, he started sweating more. "P-Please forgive my rash actions, Your Highness." He stammered, and was close to trembling completely. Hades watched the two with sharp eyes.
Grimes Imperial Family, the sole rulers of the Grimes Empire. They have the second oldest lineage here in the Empire that started 60 generations ago. Other than having extreme talent in whatever they devote to do and in leadership, they carry terrifying tyrannical tendencies that no one would even dare to start a rebellion. The 61st generation is particularly ruthless and sensitive, and Silver is the third member of that generation… but…
"Watch yourself." Silver simply stated, handing his wooden sword to Hades. "I'll be leaving, see you soon." He said his goodbyes to Hades and left immediately.
… he only acts offended if it involves his younger sister.
Hades sighs as he walked pass the man to place the wooden swords back to the sidelines. Not long, he stood next to Rufus who had finally calmed down. "You're not leaving yet?" He asked the white haired lad.
"I'll stay, you still owe me dinner. Livia will come by here herself later." Hades replied, his eyes glancing up to the corridor where most of the spectators are staying. There, he saw a familiar smiling face of a brunette woman of eighteen years. She was looking directly at him, and even waved her hand when their eyes met.
'So, she was the one I've felt watching me the whole time.' Hades found himself smiling back at her, and after that she simply left. Before Rufus could notice, Hades glanced back to the grounds and simply watched.
Meanwhile, the brunette walked down the hallway to the exit. She was humming a happy tune, her smile not leaving her lips.
'It seems the young lord has been doing well, his results are as clear as the day. I can't wait to notify Father and Brother Clory.' She was filled with excitement for her friend, Hades.
Lost in a thought, she walked paying the people around her no mind, even when the young imperial prince walked pass her to the change room. Silver came to a halt and turned back to the lady. As he watched her back, he felt a throbbing sensation in his chest, but he doesn't know why.
Silver sighs. 'Let's not think of that. She's waiting for me', he thought to himself. He changed his clothes and left the training grounds quietly.
Only a few minutes of walking, Silver arrived by the next department dormitory building, the Medicine Department. Examinees who saw him gave way as to show respect, while some still bothered themselves by bowing despite not meeting eyes. He didn't mind the attention, he's almost immune to it by now. Just as he arrived by the path to department's tower , his eyes caught her immediately. She had just left the tower.
Golden eyes like his, flawless and soft pale pink skin that makes you hesitate to even touch it, and natural red hair that reached pass her knees. She can easily be spotted with all those features, and she is Silver's younger sister. The imperial princess approached him, a gentle smile forming her lips.
"You're done already? How was your practical examination, Brother?" She asks, curiosity was shown in her eyes. Silver couldn't contain his smile.
He thought of what happened a few moments ago, "The sword course was the first to take the exam, and… it was a good experience." He answers as she takes hold of his arm. The twins started walking while carrying on their conversation.
"I heard a rumor," The younger sister's voice became lower, enough for his older brother to hear. "… the one who taught Slate Winchester and Rose Calvery when they were students here in the academy, has returned after resigning eight years ago, and as a new professor." Silver fell silent for a moment, he hasn't heard the name of a knight he admired for a long while.
"… yes, he is back." Silver confirms. The princess was quick to notice his change of mood, it's amazing that she does since Silver is barely readable. Or is it because they're twins? They were always together, barely even parting away from each other.
"The examinees for my department was less than a hundred, and all of them kept their distance from me. I guess… even here, making friends is out of the question." She wore a hopeless smile as she uttered those words, and Silver simply watched. Everyone thinks that the youngest children are the most spoiled among the family, and they are, but it doesn't actually apply to the two of them, particularly… to her.
' "You must always, always protect your younger sister, understood?" '
His father's voice rang in his ear, it was as clear as day. From the moment she was born, her life was already in danger. As someone who will always be by her side, Silver was tasked an important job.
"Don't worry, we're in the academy… and I'm always here to protect you." Although indifferent, Silver meant what he said… but he didn't know how much his words weighed on her.
"Of course, I know you will, Brother."
TIME PASSED LIKE a breeze and eventually, the evening dawned. Almost every examinee had already left the academy, while Hades and Rufus stood outside the Art Department Training Hall. The silence was unbearable and they've been suffering for a whole hour. Livia still haven't finished her practical exam, the art department examinees mentioned that her practical exam was mostly verbal, and most of them suffered because of her.
"It's been an hour." Hades mumbled lowly.
"There aren't even examinees left in here." Rufus then sighs.
"I'm starving, Rufus." Hades whines apathetically.
"I am too, but let's wait a bit-" Before Rufus could finish his sentence, a female voice interrupted him.
"Huh? What in the world are you doing here?" It was Livia, of course. She had a brow arched, and a gaze filled with confusion. Rufus snapped right after catching a glimpse of her apathetic expression.
"About time you finished! We wanted to invite you out for dinner, but you didn't show up even after our practical exam was done! We've been waiting out here for sixty seven minutes!" He yelled at her, but Livia was completely unbothered, while Hades became speechless.
'He said to wait, but he's more impatient than I am', Hades thought to himself and sighed, hopeless. "Let's just head out, it's getting dark." He called for the two, and just as he did, Livia and Rufus were already walking to him as if nothing happened.
As the three of them walked in silence, Hades couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt creeping in the corners of his heart. For someone with tainted hands, spending a normal day with his peers feels more like a sin. It was unavoidable, he is still a human with insignificant feelings. He tried to be numb to these kind of temptations to live a normal life, but he can only go so far.
Hades looks up to the sky of the dawning evening, stars were starting to get more visible. His family, the Winchester, flashed in his mind as he thought of what they might think of him now. He was no longer the weak child who couldn't protect his own family in times of need, he's become who he envisioned himself to be, a knight of revenge.
Are they proud? Are they disappointed? Hades wasn't sure, since even the Winchester made ruthless actions themselves in the past that showcased their superiority. Thus, he doubts he could've become any different from how he is now. Then, what's to be guilty about?
Hades wished to be friends with them, genuinely, but he can't, he should never. All for the sake of his revenge. The fact that he even thought of living normally after his revenge is stupid of him. Who would want to be friends with a person such as himself if they learn of his goals to commit treason? Only a fool would.
"Where should we eat?" Rufus asked.
"I don't know, it's your treat. You chose." Hades replied.
"How about your Father's pub?" Livia suggests.
"Ah, should I cook then?" Rufus brought up with a small smile, and Hades remembers.
"Oh, right. I'd forgotten you almost took culinary." He says.
"You've never tried it before, Hades? It's annoyingly great." Livia mentions.
"He's that good?" Arching a brow, Hades asked.
"Of course I am!" Rufus proudly proclaimed, but the two fell silent as they stared at him. Slowly his bright eyes became blank, annoyed of their reaction. "I'm going to make you eat your words."
"But we didn't even say anything—"
"Silence!"