"Don't act big when you are alone, Rezal. Want to be a hero now? Pfft, go on."
The maroon-haired boy stepped forward, raising his chin to show his dominance.
Rezal chuckled slowly at the act.
'So immature.'
"Haa, you make my appetite go away just by hearing your voice, Gurwein. Could you and your underlings cause a ruckus somewhere else? This place is a place to eat, not create trouble like some bunch of monkeys."
"Oi, oi, watch what you are talking about."
The twin stepped forward, pushing his shoulders as an act of intimidation.
"Brother is right. Mind your own business, Nuribenstin."
"Rezal, Rezal, you could have stepped aside, but why would you come out like a hero? Trying to get all of these people on your side? Putting up a facade of justice? Since when has Young Master Nuribenstin cared about justice?"
Gurwein stepped forward, bending down to whisper in Rezal's ear while holding his shoulder considering he was taller than the pink-haired boy.
"In the end, you will be the dog of the emperor, just like your father, killing people as instructed. Is that justice in your dictionary?"
Gurwein glanced at Rezal from his peripheral view. He carved a mocking smile when he saw Rezal's face contort into a rage. He wanted to laugh when he saw the change.
Whoever has not heard about the rumours of the Knight Captain of the Imperial Family, Raihan Nuribenstin, also known as the rabid dog with blood eyes of the Emperor?
Known to be a slaughterer during the war, he once became a soldier after he graduated from the academy until he filled in the title of Knight Captain himself. The only knight to ever serve directly under the current emperor since his first time on the throne.
His enemies were never in a position to be sent back if they ever encountered him. If his enemies saw his red eyes on the battlefield, that would be the last thing they remembered. The blood covering him was what circulated among the knights whenever they remembered the war against the invader of their foe's empire.
The Red War. That was the title given, as stated in the history books of Dradgim. At the young age of 19, Raihan Nuribenstin was officially appointed as the knight captain and commander of Dradgim.
The nickname rabid dog with blood eyes has stuck since then. The rumours from their foe, who has been defeated, and the knights in the empire itself. Also to be said, he would slaughter anyone if he was ordered by the emperor.
In short, Gurwein wanted to say Rezal's father was put on a leash and was controlled by the emperor to do anything, even the vilest things.
"You must be aware that you are walking on someone else's land, Gurwein."
Rezal grabbed the hand on his shoulder before he put pressure on his hold. Gurwein's face contorted into a frown.
"A visitor must respect the owner. Do you think you have been walking on our land and could spew your bullshit anywhere? Do it on your own."
"Let go!"
"Oh, my bad, you can't. You are just a disappointment to your father. A puppy who wishes to be seen by the owner with the constant barking to prove himself to be a better dog like your older brother."
"Why you—!"
Gurwein pulled away from Rezal's hold to see the fingermark on his wrist.
"I'll kill you."
"I don't fear a puppy who barks but doesn't bite."
He then looked at the back of Gurwein, where the twin was standing, like an idiot.
"Is that why you chose them as your dogs? To look superior?"
He raised his chin with an indifferent face.
"Fucking pathetic."
"You dare—!"
A punch almost landed on his face, but Rezal dodged it swiftly. The twin also came to strike a punch at him, but he managed to handle them quickly. In the end, the three boys were groaning on the floor.
"You will pay for this, Rezal!"
The three scurried away from the cafeteria. The other students let out a breath of relief; finally, the troublemaker was out of their sight.
"Go on, there are more people who want to eat. Move your legs."
"Young Master Rezal, you can take the food first!"
The boy who was kicked is now making way for him. The girl stood beside the boy with a timid look.
"It's fine, my friend just at the back there. Enjoy your food."
Rezal walked back towards Michael.
"Is this normal?"
"Once a week, sometimes once a month. I can't predict when they will make trouble."
Like they have a schedule to create trouble today. His first day was really full of drama.
×××××
"Brother!"
"Raisa."
"Come sit with us."
"It's fine; I'm with someone right now."
Raisa looked at Michael.
"Would you like to sit with me and my friend? There are just the two of us also; there is no table left to sit at."
Michael looked at Rezal; his head shook slightly, indicating that he should reject the offer.
"Why not? I'm fine with that."
Rezal's eyes widened with the betrayal before his sister hugged his arm and pulled him towards her table.
"Great, let's go."
Arriving at the table, he sees his sister's friend, whom he is familiar with. The blond-haired girl smiled at him, and he replied with the same gesture.
"Don't be shy. It was just so long that we did not eat together. I hope you don't mind, em...."
"Shuu Orion. Just call me Shuu."
"Right, Young Master Shuu."
"Shuu is fine. I'm not a noble, young lady."
"Ah, is that so? Then, feel free to call me by my name too. I suppose you are my brother's friend. My name is Raisa Nuribenstin. Nice to meet you."
"The feeling is mutual, Lady Raisa."
Raisa was about to correct his way of calling her, but when she saw the smile, she knew he would be hard to convince.
"Anyway, this is my friend."
"Hello, I'm Nasharis Kristafall. Please don't be too formal with me."
Michael widened his eyes slightly when he heard the surname. He hadn't thought of meeting a princess here.
"Ah yes. Nice to meet you, Lady Nasharis."
"Likewise."
"Hm, what do you want, Raisa?"
Rezal, who had been quiet, started to question his sister while putting the food in his mouth, munching on the meat in a hurry but in a cautious manner while eyeing her.
"I just want to eat with you; stop accusing me that I will do something bad."
"Just asking."
Michael began to eat. Sometimes, glancing over at Rezal and Raisa's interaction, it seems more like Raisa is the one asking questions while Rezal answers her patiently.
The princess was also included in their conversation; she would chuckle when Raisa was fuming over her dissatisfaction with Rezal's answer to her question.
"You are the special exam student, right?"
He raised his head from his plate, taking the napkin to wipe the sauce from his lips before he opened his mouth to reply.
"Yes, I am."
"I heard the exam was tough. What did you do in the exam?"
"A normal one. I need to undergo the written and physical exams. The written exam included history, mathematical questions, and more. I might say all subjects were included in one paper."
"That must be hard. I can't even bear to sit for a paper on one subject, but to answer a paper on all subjects is insane."
"I agree with Raisa. You must study hard for the exam."
He smiled.
"I guess. Books have everything I need; I just use what I have learned from them. It was quite easy if you understood the questions."
Raisa gasped.
"I would never say it was easy to write an exam. How about your physical exam?"
"It was based on eliminating the other contestants. I am the last one among the contestants, and after that, I am required to have a duel with one of the knights."
"Isn't that too much to use a knight for?"
"It was a special exam; if the academy wanted to test its students, this was the best way to determine the enrollment of the new student. Moreover, the academy must want the students to show their capability; thus, it was a requirement. It could be that the principal just wants to see your strength; you might be accepted even if you lose."
Nasharis voiced her thoughts. She looked around the table to see everyone's eyes on her before she meekly looked down.
"That was just my opinion. Anyway, congratulations on passing, Mr. Shuu."
He smiled and thanked her.
"You must have defeated the knight, right? That's why the rumours about the principal taking a liking to you are true. You are really strong!"
"The old man was playing favourites. I am strong too."
"I'm not talking about you, brother."
He glared at her.
"Oh, but I have a question, Shuu. Why did you suddenly take the special exam? You look young; you could be young around our age, but I don't think that was the case. Could you be older? Considering your mature look."
Michael looked into their curious eyes. Raisa was the one asking the question, but the other two were also intrigued to know. A smile grazed his face.
"I am sixteen currently."
The three have a shocked expression. Why are they so shocked? He is not looking too old or too young, right? He made sure to check the mirror to confirm his disguise was on before he went to class just now. He rubbed his neck to feel the chain of the necklace, and the necklace was still there.
"Why are you so surprised?"
Raisa shook her head, her hands flailing around.
"No, no, this makes me more intrigued about why you enrolled in the academy now. Why not enrol normally?"
"That's right, you do seem mature, Mr. Shuu. I suspected you to be around Young Master Rezal's age or a year older than him."
"Right, I thought so too. Fortunately, you are younger than me."
'Fortunately?'
He was confused by the statement.
"Tell me, why did you enrol in the academy now?"
"Actually, I was sick before."
Yes, he repeated the story he told the principal and his professors. When he indulged more in his story, their faces twisted into pitiful ones.
"You have a really nice brother. Unlike mine."
"Shut up, Raisa."
They ended up talking more regarding various topics; more specifically, he was asked many questions by Raisa. Rezal sometimes interrupted his sister to avoid her asking too much, but that turned into their small bickering. They went back to their dorms at 10.
×××××
He closed the door before he locked it. The silence in the room managed to make him feel extra lonely after the lively situation he was in just now.
He opened the curtain to the balcony before he slid the door, making the night wind come inside the room. He switched on the nightlight before he went into the bathroom to refresh himself.
Taking his time in the hot tub before he went out in his pyjamas. He dried his hair with the towel before he took a seat at the edge of the bed.
"I... met with them today."
His voice echoed in the room. He let out a breath-like laugh.
"They are fine. They look so fine after so many years."
He brushed his hair before he looked down at the towel in his hand.
"...I'm glad."
His voice trembled slightly.