"lisha! What are you doing? Isn't the dungeon open now, let's go." I spoke to her mindlessly of those listening to me.
"kaen! I-I'm s-so..." she spoke timidly and meekly towards my direction while keeping her face planted towards the sight of the ground by her feet.
"it's ok lisha, I understand, you don't have to say anything at all." A little curl towards the ends of my mouth form, showing gratitude towards her effort.
No one else at least tried to do what she has done just now, for the very least I'm grateful. It may have been a bit harsh and cruel on my end to say that she would have chosen Roem's proposal, even after him pushing her so arrogantly and aggressively to the grassy floor.
But I just met her, literally just a few minutes before. Of course I've seen her before every now and then in class and throughout the academy. She keeps to herself just like how I do, that was the only reason that made my mind pay a bit of attention towards her direction.
You could say sympathy at its finest.
"a-are you sure you're fine with that?" she expresses in an emotional tone, finally bringing her eyesight up and locking on with my own.
"yes, I'm absolutely sure, you don't need to worry for my sake. Let's just do our very best today. what do you think about that, doable yes?" Raising my right fist and clenching it as hard as I can, showing my absolute determination.
She seemed as if she was at the breaking point at completely bawling her eyes out with tears, but she didn't. She kept strong, clenching her own fist in the midst of it. Simply nodding a 'yes' in my previous statement.
"alright let's head towards the entrance then, we can find that 'roem' as we go" lisha and myself began heading towards the centre of the dungeon grounds, where the entry gates are located.
In the middle, countless bodies of experienced learners and students gathered around the very middle of the academy. Entering at a few groups at a time. The entrance looked much older and much ominously looking compared to the other distinguishable features of Leuvras academy.
Various student all dressed uniquely towards their own regarded best talents and traits, some with swords and axes while others have staffs and bows, many having much more dazzling stylish armour and clothing pieces.
This is more like an iconic all-rounder fashion show than an actual assessment.
Upon approaching the entrance, he crowds of people became larger and thicken, eventually forming into a three lines going to three stands that had all examiners and lecturers assessing all the groups coming and entering.
Eventually, we came across roem again, he was waiting for his 'lackeys' to come apparently. How I know this, well my ears are more-keener than of others. However, this time it was different neither one of us said a word to each other, including lisha.
While waited in line for admittance, he occasionally tried to speak to lisha. I couldn't tell if she gave him the cold shoulder or spoke very softly, mainly because I was behind the two the whole time. Him taking the lead at the front and lisha partway between us.
It was most unpleasant, not the fact that I was shun to the back corner, but the mere action that he'd glare at me whenever he tried to pursue a 'conversation' with lady lisha. (sarcasm…do I have to say it?)
Elsewhere…
Away from the academy, somewhere in the depths of leuvras. In a room desolate and colourless, full of ominous and evil lingering throughout the air. A man laid wait, on a throne fit for kings. Shrouded in shadow and darkness.
Knock* knock* knock*
"Enter." The mysterious man commanded.
Enter a man, tall along with a sharp jawline. Black shoes, a folded up to the elbow white sheet and silver legwear. A symbol tattooed behind his left palm, the letter S designed in an ancient dialect appeared.
Through the door and upon closing, he approached the man who sat on the throne. No less than 10 feet away, he stopped his graceful walk, and dropped his left knee to the cold floor. Simultaneously, bringing his right hand clenched into a fist to where his is situated and the left towards his bare back.
Constantly keeping his killer gaze towards the red inducing cold ground.
"My lord" He spoke in calm and centralised voice.
"Have you done what I've asked, Sliere." He pressed on in a deep and demonic voice.
"No my lord, however I have injured him." He spoke less confidently than before.
"injured? That's not what I asked of you. Is there a reason why you couldn't eliminate him?" He spoke while bringing his right hand to his chin.
"Yes my lord, I witnessed something indeed noteworthy." Sweat formed into beads slowly dropped down sliere's face.
"Tell me, what was it that prevented you from accomplishing your mission." Fiercely gazing at sliere intent.
"My lord, while I was finishing my mission, a boy no less than twenty years old caught my attention. He stood firmly and grounded himself in the crowd, even while there was panic and fear throughout the area. These alone wouldn't have been nearly enough to be able to notice a simple everyday adolescent wondering by, if I wasn't already using my dark magic fear hunt to instigate the crowd into fear and chaos." He explained thoroughly leaving no details a miss.
"so you're telling me a boy, was able to 'resist' your magic?" he asked with a hint of humour in his voice.
"Yes my lord, no everyday person could be able to withstand my spell without completely falling to the floor in despair." He reassured himself.
"hmm. Interesting, very interesting. Perhaps there is more to him in the shadows than in the light, do some investigations on him, see whatever he hides and bring it to me."
"Yes my lord" sliere received his new mission and exited from the way he came in.
In the darkness, there laid a man on the throne. He gazed behind his left palm, thoroughly inspecting every inch of his palm whitish skin. There it began to form, just how light formed in darkness. A blueish glow came about and enveloped his hand. Slowly, glowing blue specks of black emerged from the skin and combined into a symbol similar to the one slierer had.
A letter S glowing in a blue light. Majestic and mysterious all the same.
"Interesting indeed" a silent grin overlapped his face, one that had no remorse or mercy within.