Lennox's body jolted upright, a pained scream escaping his lips as he grappled with the sudden shock. Sweat coated his skin, and his breaths came in ragged gasps as he surveyed the room, a blend of modern technology and ancient artifacts adorning the space. Despite his trembling, he found himself miraculously free from injury, a wave of relief washing over him before curiosity and suspicion crept in.
As he tentatively explored his healed body, Lennox's senses were on high alert, his gaze darting around the room. The sound of the door opening drew his attention, and he watched as
The man stood at 5'8" with neat black hair and brown eyes. His uniform consisted of a fitted, long-sleeved tunic made of flame-resistant fabric in shades of red, orange, and gold. Over the tunic, he wore a sleeveless, hooded cloak with a high collar and angular edges, reminiscent of flickering flames. The cloak bore the house emblem of a blazing flame with the words "Ignite the Future."
On the other hand, the woman stood at 5'6" with short orange hair a black black glasses covering her blue eyes. Her uniform comprised a form-fitting, sleeveless tunic with a high neckline, paired with a sleeveless vest. She wore leggings to complete the ensemble.
The man exuded confidence and intelligence, while the woman appeared intelligent, determined, and elegant.
"Good, you're awake. We almost lost you there," the man said with a friendly smile, a hint of relief in his tone.
Lennox regarded the newcomers cautiously, his muscles tense, ready for a fight if necessary. "What happened?" he demanded, his eyes scanning the room. "Who are you, and where am I?"
Though the man and woman seemed pleasant enough, Lennox couldn't shake the feeling of apprehension. Memories of past betrayals and deception flooded his mind, and he instinctively clenched his fists, his gaze flickering between the two strangers.
"I'm Roran, and this is Leonora. You're at the House of Ignistris," Roran introduced, his voice calm and reassuring.
"The House of Ignistris," Lennox repeated softly, his mind racing as he recalled snippets from his readings. The name sparked recognition a group of Nexarc students focused on harnessing the elemental power of fire, fostering leadership qualities, and participating in fiery activities know for win many competitions between other Nexarc house but recently started to decline.
Lennox's brow furrowed as he processed the information. "Does anyone else know that I'm here?" he questioned, his voice laced with suspicion.
Roran shook his head, indicating that no one else was aware of Lennox's presence.
Lennox couldn't help but think of Kira and Theo, wondering if they were aware of his whereabouts. He pushed aside the thought for the moment, focusing on the present.
Leonora adjusted her glasses, her eyes glinting with a hint of reassurance. "By the way you're looking at us, I just want to assure you that you're safe. We have no grudge or reason to harm you. Why would we go through the trouble of healing you if we had ill intentions?" she explained.
Her words resonated with Lennox, but he couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. Glancing down at himself, he noticed the unfamiliar, yet comfortable clothing he now wore. The realization that someone had changed his clothes startled him, but he pushed the thought aside, focusing on more pressing matters.
Turning his attention back to Roran and Leonora, Lennox inquired, "How long have I been out?"
"Only two days, plus with the use of a Mid-grade healing pill, your recovery was expedited," Roran explained.
So, what happened was that Alexander was about to kill you, but luckily our house champion Sylas was passing by on a mission. Knowing Alexander, he managed to save you before it happened," Leonora explained slowly.
Lennox felt a surge of anger coursing through him, a fiery rage that threatened to consume him whole. He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palm, the pressure almost drawing blood. "Damn it, Alexander, Gabriel! Just wait, I will make you regret what you did to me," he vowed, his voice laced with venom, before forcibly reigning in his emotions. With a deep breath, he pushed himself up from the bed, determination etched into every line of his face. "Thank you for saving and healing me. I will return this life-saving grace one day."
Roran's smile held a hint of cunning as he suggested, "How about joining our house? We're comprised solely of fire users."
Lennox's gaze flickered between Roran and Leonora, his mind whirring with conflicting thoughts and emotions. He took a moment to consider his response, weighing the offer against the desires that burned within him. "No, thanks. Maybe in the future," he finally replied, his tone firm yet tinged with a hint of hesitation.
The reason Lennox rejected was mainly because he didn't want to be tied down anymore. He had felt held back for most of his life, especially after his sister wasn't there with him anymore. Even though the academy provided structure, it also restricted him. He felt he could achieve more if he could explore other realms. However, deep down, he still felt weak. Despite all his training, he found himself easily beaten, and that thought lingered in the back of his mind.
Roran's panic was palpable as Lennox firmly rejected his offer, his desperation evident in the way his hands trembled slightly. But it was Leonora's whispered assurance that caught Lennox's attention, igniting a spark of intrigue in his eyes as he glanced at her, silently questioning her words.
"If you join, I will deal with the Gabriel situation for you. With this house, you will be protected," Roran hastily added, his voice tinged with urgency as he sought to sway Lennox's decision, his eyes pleading for understanding.
Lennox remained resolute, his rejection unwavering. "Still no. I will deal with Alexander and Gabriel on my own," he stated firmly.
Disappointment etched across Roran's face as he sighed heavily, his expression crestfallen. "At least tell me why you won't join. If possible, we can show you the benefits of joining the house," he implored, his voice tinged with a hint of desperation.
Lennox paused for a moment, considering Roran's plea before nodding slowly. "What are the benefits?" he finally asked, his curiosity piqued despite his initial reluctance.
"Come, let me show you while we talk," Roran said, gesturing towards the door as Lennox followed him slowly, his footsteps echoing in the corridor.
As they walked, Lennox observed over fifty other Nexarc students dressed similarly to Roran and Leonora. They greeted Roran with happiness.
Roran's tone shifted to one of sadness as he shared a glimpse into Alaxadar's past. "You know, Alexander wasn't always like this. He was our previous house champion. Yeah, he was arrogant and all he was good, but after meeting Gabriel, he changed. He never told us why, so he left," Roran explained, a hint of sorrow in his voice.
Lennox couldn't shake the feeling that there was something deeply wrong with Gabriel, a thought that lingered in the back of his mind.
As they reached a large glass enclosure, Lennox's eyes widened in surprise as he witnessed a lone student battling against users of water, earth, and air, managing to hold his ground against them all.
"This is the Pyrokinetic Training Grounds," Leonora explained. "Specially designed arenas with controlled environments for practicing fire-based techniques and spells. The time flow inside is different from outside. A month of practice here equals only five days outside."
Lennox was astonished by this revelation, realizing the immense opportunities that lay within the house, from Flameforging Workshops to Elemental Laboratories. The sheer scale of the house's facilities left him awestruck.
In a chamber filled with extreme heat, Lennox pushed aside the glass meant to contain the fiery atmosphere. Inside, a girl stood within a ring of fire, her fists clenched as she trembled and sweated profusely.
"This is the Inferno Chambers," Leonora explained, adjusting her glasses. "Intense heat chambers where Nexarc undergo endurance training and learn to withstand extreme temperatures."
Roran observed Lennox's surprised expression, anticipation evident in his eyes as he awaited a response. "Now that you've seen all the benefits, will you join the house?" he inquired eagerly.
Lennox considered the intense training environment before him, recognizing its potential benefits despite its challenging nature. "I will have to think about it," he replied, keeping his options open.
Although Roran was disappointed by Lennox's indecision, he acknowledged that it was better than an outright refusal."Thank you for considering it."
"Thank you for the clothes. I'll return them when I have time. Now, bye. I've been away for a while, and my friends are definitely worried," Lennox said preparing to leave the house.
Roran waved his hand. "Well, you don't have to... you know what, come back when you have time," he said, his hand stopping mid-air. He smirked inwardly, thinking, ;Now he has a reason to return.;
As Lennox made his way out, two men rushed into the house, their expressions frantic and their bodies covered in sweat.
"President Roran, something bad has happened," one of the men said urgently.
Roran's worry was evident as he questioned them. "What happened? Speak quickly," he demanded.
"The Madam Plague has resurfaced, and it's worse than before," the man explained hastily.
With a sense of dread washing over him, Roran turned pale, his lips trembling in shock. He quickly dashed out of the house, followed closely by Leonora and the other men. Despite not fully understanding the situation, Lennox felt compelled to follow, sensing the gravity of the situation.