"Can we join you?"
Ahzure asked with a polite smile.
"Of course," Aesther tried not to glance at Ezrahl, "Is something special today?"
The recent times they met were already unusual as both Ahzure and Ezrahl were required to take missions and be out of Alkazar most of the time.
"Kind of," he responded.
Meanwhile, Hazel's slightly widened gaze was upon Noah. Just then, she hastily excused herself and left back to her team.
Her pace was uneven she even staggered a few times.
Aesther was dumbfounded, Noah just found that funny and obliviously chuckled.
He took the seat next to her, and Ezrahl took the one furthest, while Ahzure naturally sat beside her.
"We have a little change in our missions," he explained placing his plate down, "The Alpha decided it would be better for us to help in the mid-term evaluations."
Aesther could only respond with a nod as her heart sank a little.
She did not want to make any assumptions so soon.
But the mid-term evaluations were for all junior disciples.
Aesther was one of them. So was Ezrahl. But he shouldn't be required for the evaluations since he was knighted. Ahzure, on the other hand, was older than both of them. His rank was even higher, of an astral knight.
He was naturally not going to be part of evaluations as a disciple.
In the mid-term evaluations, all disciples were assigned to a team and under the guardianship of some of the strongest warriors of Alkazar.
However…
"Are you two," Aesther uneasily glanced between Ahzure and Ezrahl, "going to be in the same team?"
Ezrahl did not bother responding, focusing on slicing his meat with a knife. Ahzure nodded, appearing rather pleased.
Her throat became dry.
All of sudden, the bustling chatters of the disciples fell into light whispers and murmurs.
A large figure entered through the gates, his cloak sweeping over the the wind and expressions darker and grim than ever.
Kazmir even had some stains of blood over his face but he apparently didn't care for anything else and walked straight inside the hall after returning from the council, and a possible battle.
He climbed the dais and turned towards the disciples.
There was an utter silence by this time.
His gaze scurried through the hall and finally settled where Aesther was. She felt her heartbeats stumble by the intensity of that look.
"Noah Rannulf," the alpha's voice echoed through the silence, "Stop hiding."
Aesther glanced at Noah but he was gone.
She couldn't believe how stealthy he was. Noah was from the small but famed clan of Rannulf.
His name alone caused all eyes to turn their way.
Ahzure gestured towards one of the large potted plants.
Noah was barely hidden there, preparing to sneak away when he was discovered already. He clenched his jaw and glared back at Ahzure without caring to hide his look of pure resentment.
Aesther silently cursed inside her mind.
Ahzure must have realized Noah's true identity and stopped him from leaving the castle. He was always supposed to enter Alkazar. But in her former life, Aesther remembered Noah easily escaping to a different city.
He was strictly against being in Alkazar; a castle ruled by the Alpha, known for its brutal ways to forge young warriors.
"Get out of there," the Alpha commanded in an overbearing voice, "You are officially a disciple of Alkazar now. Beware of the rules of conduct."
Noah returned to the table while sulking.
"Since Noah has arrived at such a crucial time, there won't be any possible team for him." The Alpha added.
But everyone born as an alpha was required to be in a team.
"From henceforth," Kazmir said, "Ahzure Islwyn will be the guardian of Noah Rannulf. Ezrahl Dragomir and the luna will be the other two members."
Aesther's face turned pale.
The gathered disciples burst into hushed whispers that were barely hushed. Everyone saw the arrangement as unfair.
Kazmir's scowl deepened at this, "Silence!"
The silence ensued right away.
"What is the matter?" Kazmir's furious gaze looked far from being in the mood to listen to anything.
Nigel hesitantly stood up and spoke after the alpha gave him a brief nod.
"Umm-my lord. I do not object to your decision since someone as wise as your grace is bound to be right. However, I somehow understand the worries of other disciples."
A few low groans came from his obvious flattery but Nigel continued unaffected.
"Noah carries the blood of one of the strongest warriors. Everyone knows about him, and his parents. Sir Ahzure is the last of fae and blessed with the unique lost magic," his brows creased as he continued, "Meanwhile Ezrahl is the prodigy of dragons, and Her Grace is the luna…this ―this arrangement, it is too overpowered. Some disciples fear they will be at a huge disadvantage―"
"Fear?" Kazmir bitterly laughed, "Do not think like pathetic cowards. What is this disadvantage you speak of? Every team is assigned evaluation missions according to their strength! Stop whining like pups and report to your guardians for missions!"
Thus, the breakfast time came to an abrupt end.
Aesther flinched at his loud voice.
This man had some serious temper issues. She quickly gulped down the remaining of her soup and planned the follow others out but Ahzure asked her to stay.
"We will get our mission here," he said with a sigh.
Noah stammered after seeing someone as loud as Kazmir, "I-Is he going to give us m-missions? This dude will get us killed! I don't even want to be with you guys―besides Rose, of course, she is cool―"
Ahzure raised a brow, "Stop being overly familiar with the luna."
"Stop being overly rude." Noah scoffed.
The gentle nature of Ahzure had never been used to such remarks. His eyes slightly widened in surprise and Aesther found herself at a loss for words. She was never the mediator, Ahzure was.
Noah moved closer to her as if she had any say in all of this, "Can you please ask that old man to at least give me some time to adjust? You two are related!"
"Err," Aesther was confused, "Not—"
"Bollocks!" Noah groaned under his breath.
Aesther smiled, impressed because that caused Ezrahl to dumbfoundedly glance at Noah. Swearing too was forbidden.
"Noah," Ahzure sighed, clearly holding himself back, "You need to be careful here. Recklessness is only punished, and so is the lack of discipline."
"sO iS tHe lAcK oF dIscIpliNe," Noah chuckled bitterly, "This is why I never wanted to be here! Is there anything you guys even allow―"
His words and breaths were both silenced the moment a knife stopped too close to his throat.
Aesther froze.
Ahzure tried, "Ezrahl―"
But the dragon paid them no attention. His cold dark eyes dangerously settled over Noah, and he replied in a frighteningly calm voice.
"Duel is allowed," Ezrahl slightly tilted his head.