The first few days hasn't been all that exciting, since all first and second years are required to take, reading and writing, mathematics, and history, so all I did was sit in class and earnestly listen to the lessons, I think to myself while listening about the founding of the Golden empire a time where all the human kingdoms were united under King Lundberg.
"this is actually interesting, I only learned about demon history, since Mistress Isabelle didn't think it was useful to learn about human history."
while writing down some notes, I over hear someone whisper behind me.
"yeah, totally, that dark skinned guy doesn't stand a chance against Halvine Laconia."
I sigh.
"well there is no avoiding that subject since, it's the only exciting news that has been spreading throughout the academy."
professor Quill pause his lecture as the bell rings.
"alright class we will continue reading about the Golden Empire on monday, I stand up from study chair to stretch my arms and legs.
"can't wait to learn more about the Golden Empire."
after leaving class, Ryan ambushes me by placing his hand on my shoulder.
"pretty boring class huh brother?"
I respond.
"I wouldn't say that, I find it interesting."
he sighs and changes the subject.
"tomorrow is the big fight, how are you feeling?"
I reply, feeling nervous even though I'm confident on my abilities and because I know all to well that I can't underestimate anyone.
"yeah, but there is no backing down now."
I think to myself.
"I've never backed down from any challenge, even if it meant getting my ass kicked or being on death's doorstep."
he grins.
"well look at the bright side, if you lose, you'll be part of the prestigious Laconia family, and let me tell you they are an interesting bunch."
he waves goodbye.
"see you tomorrow, I've got some chores to do, since I'm the new guy in the Laconia household."
I wave.
"good luck."
I think to myself.
"it still surprises me how much he changed, over these last few years."
I smile genuinely.
"I'm proud of him."
I then get interrupted by devil herself Halvine, who
stares into my eyes with hers.
"nice smile, and here I thought you were an unemotional monster."
I sigh.
"you need something? I already accepted your challenge why are you bothering me?"
she pouts.
"I guess that is what I get for trying to pay you a compliment."
I mumble to myself, and felt a bit of guilt since she sounded like she was being sincere.
"damn these human feelings of mine."
I apologize.
"sorry, for taking all of my past frustrations and experiences out on you, it was childish of me."
she gets taken aback by my apology and replies with smug expression.
"I agree, but that apology won't get you out of our duel tomorrow."
my face turns sour and start regretting for apologizing even if I meant it.
"you know what, I take back my apology, this is what I get for showing concern about what I said."
she looks down to the ground with a face filled with guilt, and has her armed partially crossed.
"sorry."
I walk away, not wanting to fall for her tricks.
"whatever I'll see you tomorrow."
I return to the Lionheart mansion, and keep my interactions with the household to a minimum since I want to keep myself focused to tomorrow's duel."
I finish all my homework assignments and head stsraight to bed, I then wake up in the middle of a snowy dark forest, I shudder because of the cold and ask myself.
"where am I?"
while I struggle to walk, I check my surroundings and can barely make out the shapes of trees in the darkness, but then two red glowing eyes take form in the distance between two trees, I stare directly into it's eyes and cold piercing sensation runs through my heart, causing me to wake up in a cold sweat, I gasp for air while thinking to myself.
"what the fuck was that? I never had a dream like that before."
I get up and walk into the personal bathroom that comes with each room still feeling groggy.
"I'm glad that these bedrooms have their bathrooms."
I turn on the water and jump into the bathtub as soon as it fills up.
"thank the gods for the man who invented plumbing."
feeling refreshed from the bath, I change into my uniform and head downstairs, where the Lionheart household are all having breakfast together, I greet them and leave the mansion without saying a word to them.
"I need to keep all distractions out of my head if Halvine is really strong."
I head straight to the Hultan Arena where I spot a huge group of students wearing The Laconia family crest, a basic human face with pointy ears, and a tree with branches extending out in wild patterns as a background piece on there uniform capes.
"I wasn't expecting them to come early."
a male with blonde slick backed hair, green eyes, pointy ears and a slender figure looks spots me staring at them, he then grabs Halvine by her wrist and drags her to me.
"Darius I presume?"
I nod.
"what is it to you?"
he sneers.
"ah yes, Halvine did mention your terrible attitude and big mouth of yours."
I ask.
"so what made you want to talk to me?"
he rubs his chin, while checking me from head to toe.
"just wondering on what came over mother, that she would pay for tuition here, and so far I'm not impressed with what I'm seeing."
I respond.
"so you just wanted to shit talk huh?"
I chuckle.
"good, then my victory over Halvine will bring me sweet joy."
displeased with what I'm saying, he responds.
"insulting the Laconia family will bring you nothing but pain, even if my mother is fond of you."
he then continues.
"oh and you probably have no idea what's going on, but after Halvine challenged you, our parents went to visit you kind mother Melani."
I ask feeling bothered with what he said.
"what for?"
he grins.
"did you really think that messing with the Laconia family, would not incur our wrath."
I try to hold back my anger, in my thoughts.
"I don't give a shit about this Laconia family, only the fact that they are using my sweet and kind mother makes me unbelievable furious."
he notices how angry that made and continues to poke and prod.
"it is a shame that her foolish son, dragged her into a life filled with pain."
Halvine who has her head lowered, lifts her head and finally speaks up.
"Leonard he gets the message you are taking things too far."
he shakes his head in disappointment at her.
"this is why we are in this predicament my dear little sister, you allowed a filthy dark skinned commoner like him mouth off to you and disrespect you."
he then scoffs at her.
"you are complete disgrace to the Laconia Family name."
she lowers her head and whimpers.
"you are right I'm sorry, brother."
my anger continues to rise, I grit my teeth trying to prevent my bloodlust from activating.
"this is between your family and me, my mother has nothing to do with this, I swear if I find out she was hurt, I'll personally hunt down all of you Laconia trash!"
he gets taken aback with my threat and yells at the others.
"get over here, it's time to teach this fucker a lesson, about fucking with the Laconia family."
as they all arrive completely outnumbering me, I notice Ryan who among them, mouthing to me.
"bro, I got your back."
as they all prepare to attack, except for Halvine who is distraught about this whole situation, I think about my mother.
"please be okay mom, and forgive me for what I'm about to do."
I stop holding back and let loose of my bloodlust, and as the power flows through I slowly breathe in and out and said with my speech slowed due to the bloodlust.
"you will all fall by my hands."
some if them stand there frozen in fear, while others are on the ground in the fetal position crying, my now red bloodlust eyes stares straight into Leonard, who is on his knees shivering in fear, he mutters.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it."
Halvine who seems to be the one of the few, alongside Ryan who are still standing, but are still shaken up by the fear aura of my bloodlust, I then think to myself.
"humans aren't used to bloodlust at this point in time since Demon-Human are slowly getting recruited by the Demon Generals, but soon in the future, they'll overcome the fear it causes."
Halvine looks at me with a pleading look on her face, I relax a little since the fear aura requires anger to keep it going, I then slowly approach Halvine slowly breathe in and out at every step I take, but she doesn't allow herself to get intimidated, and as I stand face to face with her, she said.
"my brother was lying about feeling the wrath of our family, but it is true that my mom and dad went to visit your mother, to make sure she is taken care of and that is all."
upon hearing that I smile and get out of my bloodlust mode, I then ask.
"are you sure my mom is okay?"
she nods.
"yes, my brother was just trying to scare you into apologizing but he too things too far."
she sighs.
"if anything forgive him and punish me in his stead since I'm the cause of this."
I respond while face palming.
"no it's fine, I don't care what happens to me, it was just the thought of my mother being in danger sent me over the edge."
I think to myself.
"it is the similar protective feeling I used to get when it came to Mistress Isabelle, except my mother is an actual good person."
I shake my head and weep from the inside.
"the old me would be rolling over his grave if he saw me like this."
I place my hand on Halvine's shoulder and said sternly.
"we're good, just don't play around like that with me, or you'll find a side of me that will give you nightmares."
she sighs in relief.
"alright I understand."
everyone who were on the ground, cautiously stand up and didn't dare make a move, Halvine then said to them.
"relax guys, we're just talking."
she smiles at me.
"now I see why mom wanted you, and was even going as far as to pay for your tuition entirely."
she lowers her head in shame.
"I can't believe that I was a complete bitch when I first saw you."
she shakes he head.
"even when my mom always lectured me to never
judge people by their appearances, I chose to ignore her and now I ruined any chance of you joining the Laconia family."
I respond sympathetically.
"sometimes we got to learn the hard way, think of this as a lesson that you should learn from moving forward."
Ryan who looks like he was a little bit out of it, recovers and approaches me.
"holy shit bro, what kind of insane power was that!? it almost made me shit myself."
Halvine gives him the stink eye, he laughs.
"excuse my language lady Halvine."
Leonard walks up to his sister and me and said.
"I took things too far and I apologize."
he then whispers something to Halvine, in which she nods.
"yeah I agree."
she looks to me.
"well Darius, so that I don't risk shaming my family by losing, my brother advised me to cancel the match and I agree with him."
I ask dumbfounded.
"just like that? won't they get disappointed that there won't be a match anymore."
she shrugs her shoulders.
"oh well, it's not our problem anymore."
Leonard then shouts to the group.
"let's go home guys, we're done here!"
Halvine sighs and smiles warmly for the first time.
"I hope it's not too late for us to be friends."
I respond feeling a skip in my heart.
"uh sure."
Ryan nudges me with his elbow and teases me.
"someone is in love."
I reply with killing intent.
"they won't find your body."
he runs away playful while I chase him.
"I was kidding Darius."