Zenyph smiled fondly at her antics and followed his girlfriend towards the stairs heading downstairs to meet their roommates.
"About time you showed up," snapped Asura irritably as she glared angrily at Zenyph.
He didn't understand why she had to be such a mood killer so early in the morning.
Deciding it's best to focus his attention on his first day of class and his new roommates, he ignored her, "So how'd everyone sleep?" inquired Zenyph curiously
"I couldn't really sleep at all thanks to certain individuals," grumbled Audrey casting a sidelong glance toward Zenyph and Lynette
Lynette blushed brightly and looked away sheepishly embarrassed by their behavior.
"Were you guys having a slumber party? asked Alice innocently oblivious to their implications.
"Something along those lines," confirmed Zenyph smirking that earned him a jab from Audrey's elbow into his side.
Audrey sighed exasperatedly, "Anyway let's get this over with shall we?", proposed Audrey leading the others towards the academy grounds. Exiting out of the front door of their class' building, he was presented with a beautiful dark purple sky.
Various colored lights that had a similar likeness to stars, shone in the background. The absence of the three differently colored suns, reminded Zenyph of the time he went through the water portal and met Luciana and that crazy Goddess. As he passed through a series of corridors he remembered the time he spent in high school back on earth. They weren't pleasant memories yet they weren't terrible either. He opted to being more of a listener and occasionally contributing to the conversation. While he was debating how he should act in this university equivalent academy, the sound of a failed magic spell caught his newfound senses.
His instinct didn't warn him of any threat but he still decided to take peek. He looked outside the window and saw a hooded feminine figure dragging a body of a male while leaving behind a trail of red liquid. Zenyph noticed that the figure was dragging the body away from him
"Body guards? No way would my father offer any help. Nytio then? Even less likely. Mother? Maybe but highly unlikely. Who is this woman? What does she want? thought Zenyph.
"Zenyph?" a familiar soft voice asked from his right. Turning his head slightly Zenyph noticed the source.
"Sorry Lynette. My mind wandered somewhere. Let me guess you're asking what I'm staring at?" inquired Zenyph smiling
"Yeah. Are you okay?" asked Lynette worried that her master might be sick.
Zenyph shook his head negatively," I just felt something odd that's all. Don't worry I'm fine." reassured Zenyph patting her shoulder lightly," Now let us get back to our group before they leave us behind," joked Zenyph
Lynette nodded hesitantly before joining her companions.
The four friends continued to walk through the campus until they finally arrived at a giant stone building.
A sign above the entrance read,' Introduction to Nexus.' Inside was spacious room filled with desks arranged in rows facing frontward where stood Professor Gareth.
The instructor was an elderly man dressed neatly in a white coat. His short black hair was neatly combed back. He wore rectangular glasses perched upon his nose.
He smiled kindly upon their arrival.
He gestured towards the chairs situated behind his desk indicating for them to sit which each student took their respective seats without complaint.
Once everybody settled down Professor Gareth began speaking," Good day students of Class Alpha, I'm professor Gareth your homeroom teacher for the following year. For those of you curious." The professor stopped mid sentence as a ball of violet mana formed on his palms. "I'm violet mage so I do hope you students listen when I speak. Otherwise you will be punished accordingly." threatened the teacher
Zenyph felt chills run down his spine. He could practically smell the killing intent emanating from the elder mage. This person isn't someone to be trifled with, not yet at least, thought Zenyph.
"We'll started the day by going through some important information regarding the class rules." said as he violet mana covers his middle finger.
"You students belong to class Alpha, there are three other classes. Class Beta which quite frankly feels like a death sentence." remarked the professor with a smirk on his face.
"Class Zeta which houses the two royal prodigies of Everglen and and Pendragon. Lastly class Delta, which houses no one with an ounce of talent." said the professor as he finished writing the four names on the black wall.
Zenyph chuckled at this man's attitude. He was always fond of those that didn't care for social norms. "Professor can I ask a question."
Huff "You're already talking back? Go." responded the professor.
Zenyph stood up from his chair before asking, " What do you think about this class?" asked Zenyph.
The professor smirked. The man was smart and calculating as if he was trying to figure out whether Zenyph was worth answering or not. Finally after minutes of silence the professor answered.
"Well Zenyph Drakonhart you're the fourth prince of Eldritchia and son of Hina and Notos the dragon Emperor. You have a very interesting bloodline. Water dragons have many abilities and talents. But most importantly you are the weakest among your family."
Lynette frowned at this statement as did Alice and Audrey.
"You may be the son of the emperor but your brother is a demon and a monster. Your sister is a prodigy in magic. And your other siblings are all monsters in their own right. So I will tell you what I think. If you stop thinking with your dick you might reach blue" said the professor
The professor sighed tiredly before continuing " It means that unless something happens to change Zenyph's current standing. His life expectancy isn't long here."
Zenyph understood this man's meaning but didn't want to accept it.
He had plans. Plans to make himself stronger and to protect what was his
He wasn't about to let anyone threaten him or his newfound friends.
"Now enough questions. I have to introduce our class rep." said the professor as his aura flared.
"Asura Bloodthorne will be the class rep for the foreseeable future. Any problems?" inquired the professor
"No." responded everyone in unison excluding Alice who was confused.
"What does that mean?" whispered Alice.
Before Zenyph could answer the professor spoke.
"Excellent. Now let's get into the details." said the professor as his finger took on a shade of violet.
"Each class starts with 600 points. There should be 30 people in a class so each person's head is worth 20 points. Kill someone your class gets 20 and they lose 20 points. Killing someone from a higher class yields more point with the opposite if someone from a higher class kills you. The only exclusion is the unfortunate bounty holder, it transcends the boundaries of classes. If Zenyph dies the class will lose 200 points which puts the class points below the punishments threshold. The punishments depends on what week it is. It could be as brutal as having to sacrifice one of your own or a slap on the wrist. Regardless I do not recommend staying below the 450 points threshold." warned Professor Gareth
The class was in shock.
Zenyph's eyes narrowed at this. He didn't like the rules regarding the bounty. His death would practically only cost the class 50 points.
"Professor can't we remove the bounty?" asked a girl with blonde hair and green eyes.
"No it's permanent and there isn't anyway to lift it." stated the professor.
Zenyph's mind raced at a million miles per hour. He needed a plan. A plan to ensure survival and growth. But how could he do that? He didn't know anything about the other classes or what kind of people they housed. He needed to gather information and quick.
"This year there will be a change in the bounty system. Every month there will be a total of three bounties, one for each class year. The bounties for the current month is as follows." Said the professor as he wrote the names on the board.
"Zenyph Drakonhart: 2000 points, Celeste Luminara: 3000 Points, Aric Bloodthorne 5000 points." said the professor.
"What?!" shouted Audrey.
"Yes Miss Elvira. You heard correctly." said Professor Gareth with a smile on his face as if this was amusing.
"Why is Prince Zenyph worth the least?" inquired Asura.
Zenyph felt offended by Asura's remark yet didn't show his annoyance on his face.
"Prince Zenyph's value is less because his death will cost the class the least amount of points and his death is guaranteed. Miss Luminara on the other hand is worth a lot more due to her status as princess of the angels." explained the professor calmly.
"How do you know my death is guaranteed professor? I'm not dead yet am I?" challenged Zenyph
The professor chuckled before shaking his head.
"Moving on to the next point. If someone is killed within their class building points will be deducted from the killer's class. So prince Zenyph please do not attempt suicide." teased the professor with a grin.
Zenyph frowned. He hated this man. He hated the fact his life was in constant danger.
He hated the rules of the academy.
But most importantly he absolutely despised the fact that everyone was laughing at his predicament.
His anger boiled inside him.
"Enough." ordered a voice from within the classroom silencing the laughter.
Everyone turned towards the speaker who sat in the corner of the classroom. It was a short man, a dwarve to be exact. He was bald and had a thick black beard.
The professor raised a curious eyebrow before addressing him,"Prince Alaric Emberstone what do you need?" asked the man.
"This isn't funny professor nor should it be taken lightly. These are the lives of our classmates. They deserve respect. We are here to study magic and become great mages. We aren't soldiers or warriors. I suggest we move on to the next subject before someone loses control of his magic." scolded Alaric
Zenyph was surprised. He didn't expect anyone to speak up for him especially someone like the dwarf. He was intrigued by his character but he couldn't help but wonder why the dwarf would defend him despite not knowing each other. Was it because they were both royalty?
Or perhaps there was another reason behind the dwarf's kindness.
Either way he appreciated Alaric standing up to the professor.
"Thank you Prince Emberstone. Moving onto our final topic for today." said the professor.
"There will be two events every month that all students must participate in. This week you will receive a grimoire on a specific element. Study it, practice it and master it. You will be tested by the end of the week." explained the professor.
Zenyph nodded at this. He needed a strong foundation to build off. The more knowledge of magic and elements he possessed the better.
The professor continued, "This week's event will have the class split into groups of three." the professor made 30 magical cards appear out of thin air and gave it to the students.
"Those that have the same magic symbol and color will be in the same class."
After looking at his own card that had a blue skull ingrained in it, he instinctively looked to Lynette's card.
"Master?" questioned the maid.
He showed Lynette his skull card that was different than her rose card.
"I'm not in your group." stated Lynette with a frown.
Before he could say anything, Asura interrupted him.
"I'm stuck with the useless prince." whined Asura.
"Looks like I'm with you two." Whispered Alice hoping they wouldn't started bickering with each other.
Zenyph rolled his eyes at Asura while Alice smiled nervously at her.
Lynette pouted before turning away from the trio.
"At least I'm with Lynette." said Audrey energetically.
Professor Gareth cleared his throat gaining everyone's attention.
"Alright then let me give you the basics of the event. Each team will be teleported in the morning to a different part of the Nightborn Forest. You will have to survive the whole day there. That's it. Simple. Easy to understand. Except of course Abyssal creatures will be roaming the forest. No help will be given whatsoever. Try not to die." Smirked the professor.