Izik frowned against the rim of his cold glass, his eyes staring at the huge dining hall of Bizevau that was surprisingly big enough to hold five of its faction. Currently, there's a party held in celebration of a successful end of a school year as if the academy didn't make them suffer through their final examinations. Bizevau was the most prestigious academy in the Empire of Serene. In fact, it's the only academy that provides education for five designations.
He fought the urge to roll his eyes when he saw a Hunter table glancing over their table before laughing obnoxiously. Izik will never understand why people can't be decent and just keep their insulting thoughts to themselves. The world's population was made of 70% Laics or people with no mana paths and couldn't use any form of magic.
If you think of it, Izik doesn't know why some Hunters feel the need to look down on Laics. After all, Laics were the very people they vowed to protect. It's stupid, he thought as he chugged down his cold drink.
Standing up, Izik excused himself from his classmates and friends. "I'll just get some fresh air," they all just waved him goodbye while talking about something that he stopped listening to when he determined it was just another nonsense. Fixing his cape and his faction badge, Izik darted towards the banquet hall exit.
Usually, he doesn't really mind any other designations looking down on them. Maybe he was still tired from pulling all-nighters for their final examination that he was easily ticked.
When someone reaches the age of 7 they will have an awakening that will determine their designation. Some will be awakened into Hunters who are able to use offensive and defensive magic. They are powerful which allows them to hunt and kill monsters and close dungeons, however, despite the power they have they were unable to control their mana and would need help from Guides for the rest of their lives unless they want to risk being a Fallen.
Others were awakened as Guides or as what Izik calls the /Hunter Tamers/. The Guides' sole purpose was to regulate or balance the mana of Hunters, making sure that they can use their magic without suffering any of the awful consequences.
There's no single Guide in history that was able to use his mana for combative purposes.
If Izik has a choice that was the designation he will never ever dream to have. To be a Guide meant you will be stuck with helping Hunters. You would be obligated to assist Hunters as mandated by an Imperial Law. Not to mention the trouble of the high possibility that a Hunter would be obsessing over a Guide. When a Hunter and Guide's compatibility was high it sometimes drive the Hunter completely insane. They become obsessed with their Guide. The numerous stories of Hunters killing their Guides were enough to make Izik's stomach churn.
Being an Acolyte would be infinitely better than being a Guide. At least if he was an Acolyte he has the ability to help everyone. Acolytes were holders of the purest mana paths that granted them the ability to heal people. The only downside of being an Acolyte was they were never allowed to use their mana in anything than to help and heal because if they do, even just a hint of malicious intent could turn them into Heretics. Izik had never seen a Heretic before but based on the descriptions he read and heard, he would never dream of seeing one.
To be a Restorer was one of Izik's distant and unobtainable dreams. Restorers were the ones given the magical ability to restore places that were destroyed using their mana. Since he was a kid, Izik had always loved architectural designs. He was fascinated by buildings, palaces, churches, and the craftsmanship that was involved in making those. During his awakening, Izik remembered praying to the gods to let him be a Restorer. He wanted nothing but to preserve and restore buildings and rebuild towns destroyed by monsters.
To say he was disappointed was the understatement of the century.
Izik stopped a sigh from escaping his lips as he turned to a corner and began to jog. His feet had long memorized the main building and knew the spots that should be empty at the moment. Part of loving architecture was being able to easily memorize the blueprints of the buildings. Entering the library, Izik climbed to the third floor with ease before darting to the end of the room where a door to an isolated small balcony was waiting.
His brows furrowed deep when he saw the door slightly open. Did someone discover one of his /secret hideout/? Stealthily, Izik moved closer to the door as he reach for the handle he heard voices.
"Is it because you are a candidate to be a Crown Prince?"
/Crown Prince?/
Izik raised an eyebrow. He was not big on politics however he had to still study it to pass his classes on Empire History and Government and Laws. There were seven Crown Prince candidates from the seven duke houses, and all of them, or at least most of them were studying in Bizevau. Izik was not really someone who was into rumors and gossip, however, he couldn't help but be curious about who among the seven candidates it was.
"No, whether I am a Crown Prince candidate or not," a pause. "I am just not fucking interested in you." Izik could hear the smirk in his voice that it made him physically wince. This man sure ha a foul mouth for a noble and he was even a Crown Prince candidate on top of that.
There were seconds of silence. "You are an asshole, you know that? Why do you always do this to me? I've done nothing but love you. I gave you everything! I gave you all my firsts." Izik felt like he needed to leave right there and then, however, his body seemed unable to move.
"I didn't ask for them, you are the one who wanted to do those, I just gave you what you wanted."
What an asshole, Izik thought.
This woman should just leave and just forget whoever he was. Who the fuck cares if he was a Crown Prince candidate or if he's from a dukedom, that guy was nothing but an asshole and she should not really waste her time, feelings, and tears on him.
"I know you are just saying that because you know that if you become the Emperor you can't have a wife or child but I am okay with being just your concubine!"
Okay, Izik blinked. Maybe she does really love him but does she really have to stoop that low for him? What's so great about this guy? Not counting his status or whatever his designation was.
"I know you are doing this on purpose. I know that deep down everything we shared is important to you Xa—"
"Oi," Izik jolted in his place when he heard the loud voice from the balcony. "Get the fuck out here!" his eyes widened, was this Prince referring to him? "Yes, dammit, you who's standing by the door, get the fuck out here." That immediately triggered Izik's sense of fight or flight. Being involved with nobles had been nothing but pain in the ass. His one year stay in the academy was more than enough proof of that.
Maybe he will make it if he runs?
Would it be considered a crime if he disobeyed this Prince?
Of course, it was, Izik thought. He may be born from a Baron who couldn't keep it under his pants that he fathered so many unaccounted children, but he's still a commoner in status and if it's not for his mysterious sponsor he won't be in Bizevau. He wouldn't even dream of it.
Taking a deep breath, Izik pulled the door open and walked out to the balcony. There, he almost covered his eyes as he was welcomed by two of the most beautiful people that studied in Bizevau. One look and he easily recognized Adeline Auguste. She was popular not only for being beautiful with perfect features, long silver hair, and huge purple eyes but because she was one of the most powerful Restorers currently studying in the academy. She's also a daughter of a rich marquess.
As far as Izik knew, Adeline turned down numerous men and proposal that she was coined untouchable and unobtainable by many.
To think that this woman who was held by high regards of everyone was begging for a man's affection was an unbelievable sight for him.
Izik's eyes then darted to the man towering next to her—blond hair, red sharp eyes, and handsome feature. This man was oozing with authority that no one will ever question his status. He was the definition of nobility through and through. The intimidating air around him was enough to tell you, he's not one you can mess with. Izik had been studying in Bizevau for a year yet this was the first time he saw Xanthe Soleil.
Xanthe Soleil was the strongest candidate to be the next Crown Prince but more than that, he was named the strongest Hunter. It was said that his mana and magical abilities were twice stronger as the current Emperor.
And that was a feat on its own not when the current Emperor was named the most powerful Hunter for the last century.
Izik was hoping to at least see Ezekiel Mainas instead of this guy.
"Who are you?" Adeline demanded. Izik would rather be somewhere than deal with this but what choice does he really have at this point. It was annoying especially he didn't really meant for him to eavesdrop on their conversation. He was simply seeking a quiet place to stay.
Calm down, Izik repeated over and over in his head as he bowed down and greeted them. "Good evening, my lady and your highness," he put a practiced smile on. "I would like to apologize, It's not my intention to listen to your conversation..."
He could think of the few things that could happen to him because of this and maybe if he was lucky enough he'll only get an expulsion with his head still in its rightful place.
As he predicted, Adeline was not really convinced by what he said while Xanthe looked... simply uninterested. "Did the Nostel send you here?" Adeline probed.
Nostel? How Izik wishes he could have such a connection but again, he's nothing but a commoner.
"This is a simple misunderstanding, Lady Auguste. I am just here because I wanted to take a break from the party and I thought this place is not occupied." He then bowed down. "Again, I would like to apologize. Rest assured that whatever I heard, I will keep it in confidence."
"How can we even tru—" Adeline stopped what she was saying when Xanthe let out an annoyed groan, walking towards Izik. The Laic kept his composure despite the fact that he was filled with dread inside. He kept his head down, ignoring the way Xanthe was boring holes through his head with his intense stare. God, he hated that this guy was so much taller than him. Why the hell was he so huge?
Clenching his fists tight, Izik looked up to Xanthe, meeting his eyes. He'll beg. He'll beg if he has to. Izik can't let all his hard work go for naught just because of this. "My lor—"
Green eyes widened as he stared back at Xanthe's red ones, his body froze at the feeling of Xanthe's lips against his own, his huge hands cupping his face. Adeline placed a hand over her mouth as Xanthe pulled Izik closer, kissing him deeper.
Izik was in complete disbelief.
What the fuck just happened?