Alfred treaded wearily through the dimly lit corridor, his steps echoing softly against the stone walls. The persistent hunger gnawed at his senses, sapping his energy and leaving him in a perpetual state of sluggishness.
As he navigated the corridor's twists and turns, a distant murmur caught his attention—whispers that seemed to dance on the edges of his awareness.
Ahead of him, a cluster of students had gathered, their heads bowed together in secretive conversation.
Their hushed voices wove through the air, carrying with them a sense of intrigue and mystery. Alfred's curiosity was piqued, his sluggishness momentarily forgotten as he drew closer to the group.
"Have any of you seen Frank today?" questioned one of the students, his voice tinged with a note of concern.
"No, he seems to have vanished without a word," replied another, his tone heavy with uncertainty.
Alfred's steps faltered as he overheard their conversation. The mention of a missing student, Frank, ignited a spark of curiosity within him. He listened intently, his ears attuned to the words exchanged between the students.
"Could he have managed to break out of here?" speculated another voice, an undertone of disbelief woven into the words. "I heard there was another kid who escaped not too long ago."
"These are just rumors, after all," one of the students chimed in, his voice colored with uncertainty. "Considering the nature of this place, it's more likely that he got…" he makes a face.
"What is that supposed to be?" another questioned, a furrow etching his brow.
"Yeah, I don't quite understand it either," echoed another voice, both puzzled and intrigued.
The cadet who had made the baffled expression seemed on the verge of bursting forth with an explanation, a flood of thoughts ready to spill from his lips.
Yet, their conversation abruptly ceased as they collectively noticed Alfred's approach. The group fell into an uneasy silence and stillness.
Their eyes, filled with wariness, locked onto Alfred as he walked past them. The hushed exchange left a residue of tension in the air, a testament to the uncertainty that hung over the academy's inhabitants.
As Alfred moved forward, he could feel the weight of their gazes lingering on his back.
****
In his characteristic pose, Talos lay upon his bed, his limbs arranged as if in peaceful repose. His hands crossed over his chest held contrasting instruments of both danger and defense—an elegantly curved dagger in one hand, a pistol with an air of lethality in the other.
Amidst the quiet, a curious sound permeated the room, an insistent rhythm that interrupted Talos's slumber. Slowly, his features stirred, his brow furrowing in response to the increasing proximity of the noise.
As the chewing sounds grew more pronounced, his eyes snapped open, alert and wary. Swiftly, he moved into action, his instincts guiding him to point his knife and the pistol on the source of the intrusion.
The face that greeted his heightened senses was a mischievous one, belonging to none other than Alfred. The young cadet stood before him, a half-eaten piece of dry meat in hand.
A smile played upon Alfred's lips as he munched on the sustenance, seemingly undisturbed by the tension he'd roused. "I'm glad I found you awake," he offered, his tone tinged with amusement.
Talos's expression conveyed his irritation as he lowered his raised weapons. "Do you have a death wish, kid?" he questioned, a hint of exasperation edging his words. "You eating my jerky?"
Undeterred by Talos's reaction, Alfred continued to chew, his grin unyielding. "Don't be like that. I missed you," he replied, the sentiment genuine despite the playful glint in his eyes.
With a heavy sigh, Talos reclined back onto his bed, one hand coming up to rub at his temple in an attempt to alleviate the residual frustration. "Why did Belze had to run away that direction?" he mused aloud, his tone reflecting vexation.
Alfred's gaze momentarily drifted, his chewing slowing as a thought crossed his mind. He swallowed his mouthful and addressed Talos, his voice more serious now. "Oh, that reminds me… did you manage to find his tracks?"
Talos's expression turned somber, his features taking on a more intense focus. "No, I lost him," he admitted with a hint of frustration. "But he will appear again, don't you worry. And that time, I'm going to take his head."
A determined glint shone in Alfred's eyes as he continued, his resolve palpable. "I want to be ready to fight him when that happens. I need you to train me, so I can control my angel blood power. I used to be able to harness it, but not anymore."
"What your mother tell you? Become strong, so you can save everyone, not become strong to take revenge. Let me take care of it" says Talos.
Talos's expression softened as he regarded Alfred, the gravity of the request not lost on him. "I've heard about your situation," he said, his tone more considerate. "But I don't have much time to spare right now. I'll be embarking on a mission soon…"
A brief pause lingered in the air before Talos's lips curved into a thoughtful smile. "Actually, I know someone who might be able to assist you."
****
Talos and Alfred entered a spacious room, its walls lined with shelves upon shelves of books.
The air was thick with the scent of aged paper, and the atmosphere was a whirlwind of organized chaos. Papers were strewn across the floor, creating a maze of knowledge waiting to be organized.
Amidst this library-esque chaos, a young woman diligently gathered the scattered papers. She had long, dark hair that cascaded down her back, and despite the burn scars that marred her face, her features held an air of quiet beauty.
Upon spotting Talos, the girl - Lola - straightened with a slight jump, a mixture of surprise and respect evident in her gaze. "How can I help you, headsman?" she inquired.
Talos's gaze was focused yet gentle as he addressed her. "Oh, Lola, where is your master? I have a favor to ask of him."
Lola's expression shifted as she replied, her tone respectful. "Master Wanzi is asleep. He mentioned being exhausted from a full day of teaching," she explained.
Talos pondered for a moment, his hand resting thoughtfully on his chin. "I wouldn't want to disturb his slumber. That is important," he mused.
His attention then turned to Alfred, and he motioned towards the young man. "In that case, please take care of Alfred until he wakes. He needs to learn to control his power. He consumed angel blood, albeit accidentally."
Lola's surprise was evident as she processed the information. "He survived consuming angel blood?" she asked, a mixture of disbelief and curiosity in her tone.
Already moving towards the exit, Talos glanced back at Lola before closing the door behind him. "I'm counting on you," he said before disappearing down the corridor.
Left alone with Alfred, Lola regarded him with mild annoyance. The room's disarray seemed to reflect her current state of mind. "I don't have time to babysit. You can leave," she offered bluntly, her tone suggesting she had better things to do.
Alfred, still chewing on a piece of dry meat, simply shook his head in response. "No, I can wait," he declared, his tone casual.
Lola's frustration grew evident as she approached him, their faces coming close to each other in the confined space. She seemed taller than Alfred, her mature figure and dark hair framing her features.
With a mixture of determination and concern, Lola began speaking rapidly. "I have a lot of work to do. I need to organize everything before my master wakes up. He'll likely not have time to teach you, given his overwhelming workload that leaves him with minimal time for—"
Her words were abruptly cut off as Alfred held out a carrot to her, his bright smile unwavering. The unexpected offering caught Lola off guard, her lips parting in surprise.
Alfred, with his signature grin, extended a carrot towards her. "Stress isn't good for beauty, thats my mother always told me," he said.
The gesture caught Lola off guard, her cheeks flushing with a sudden rush of warmth. She hesitated, seemingly taken aback. "But—uh, well..." she stammered, her words stumbling.
Lola stood there, clutching the carrot to her chest with a mixture of surprise and a growing smile. It was a simple act, a gesture of kindness that she had rarely experienced.
As a servant, she was accustomed to anonymity, so receiving a gift touched her in unexpected ways. A single tear welled in her eye, a testament to the happiness she felt in that fleeting moment.
But even as she was lost in the warmth of the moment, she failed to notice that Alfred had moved past her, heading toward another door.
As Alfred confidently kicked open the door to the bedchamber, the room was cast in sudden illumination.
Inside, Wanzi stirred from his sleep, his eyes adjusting to the dimness of the room. His gaze locked onto Alfred, who stood in the doorway like a figure bathed in light. Lola rushed forward, tugging at Alfred's clothes, her gestures desperate to prevent any further disturbance.
But Alfred's grin remained resolute. "Teach me!" he exclaimed with undeniable enthusiasm, his voice echoing in the room.