"Lilith," Jaylen spoke out, his voice flat and distant, carried a mixture of recognition.
Lilith, her expression a mask of bemusement tinged with concern, fixed her gaze on her cousin, her words measured as she sought answers. "Jaylen, what's going on here?"
At her direct question, Jaylen shrugged before signaling to Sarah, silently imploring her to take the lead in addressing Lilith's inquiries.
Stepping forward, Sarah's posture radiated confidence as she crossed her arms in a display of assertiveness. "These fools disrespected the proud lineage of the vampire race,"
"So I had to put them in their place." Her voice rang out with conviction, echoing through the now-quiet cafeteria as she asserted her authority in defense of their shared heritage.
Lilith's sigh hung in the air, a precursor to the reprimand she was about to deliver to Sarah. "Sarah, I understand where you're coming from, but you can't just—"
Her words were abruptly cut off by the interruption of the girl standing beside her "No, Lilith, she's 100% in the right,".
The girl interjected, her voice unwavering. "We should put these fools in their place."
Lilith's surprise was evident as she turned to her friend, her expression a mixture of disbelief and resignation. "Huh, not you too, Xoneia,"
Lilith murmured under her breath, her tone tinged with disappointment. "We don't need two muscle-brained vampires right now."
As the conversation unfolded, Jaylen observed the exchange with keen interest, his perceptive gaze catching the nuances of the interaction. "You're the girl from orientation with the mesmerizing eyes,"
"Yep, that's me," Xoneia confirmed with a nod, a hint of pride evident in her demeanor. "My vampiric family's lineage boasts stronger charm abilities, but still not as potent as Princess Sarah's."
Jaylen's realization dawned slowly as he processed Xoneia's revelation. "I didn't even realize you were a vampire," he admitted, his surprise evident in his tone.
Xoneia offered a small smile, her expression tinged with amusement.
"It's because I was using a spell to hide my fangs, as some races are scared of vampires," she explained, gesturing towards some individuals in the crowd who regarded her and Sarah with traces of fear.
"Let's focus on the issue at hand," Lilith's clear voice cut through her tone firm yet measured. Drawing everyone's attention back
Turning her attention specifically to the second years involved, Lilith's gaze bore into them with unwavering intensity.
"Jason, explain yourselves. What led to this altercation?" Her words hung in the air, a silent demand for accountability as she awaited their response.
As Lilith's gaze bore into Jason's, the air seemed to still be around them, tension crackling between them like static electricity.
With a barely audible huff, Jason met her stare before turning on his heel and walking away, his departure accompanied by a passing remark that hung in the air like a whispered threat. "This time, Lilith, I'll walk away, but don't think it will happen again."
As Jason and his cohorts retreated from the scene, a nearby lackey couldn't help but voice his confusion and concern. "Boss, are we just going to walk away without doing anything?" he questioned, his uncertainty evident in his tone.
But Jason's response was dismissive, his voice carrying a chilling certainty as he addressed the lackey. "It won't matter,"
With one final glance back at the scene of the altercation, he offered a menacing grin before disappearing beyond the doors of the cafeteria.
As the echoes of their departure faded away, a palpable tension lingered in the air, a silent reminder of the conflicts yet to come. But for now, the cafeteria fell into a hushed calm, the brief clash between first and second years leaving behind a lingering sense of unease and uncertainty.
Lilith turned to the other three and asked "Well you three any other grievances"
Lilith's question hung in the air, her gaze shifting from one of Jaylen, Brandon, and Sarah to the next. A subtle smile played on her lips, a silent invitation for any further grievances to be aired.
But Sarah, sensing the weight of Lilith's presence, remained silent, her earlier impulse to speak quelled by the subtle threat in Lilith's smile.
Brandon, ever diplomatic, spoke up, his voice steady despite the undercurrent of tension lingering in the air. "We'll just get our food and head back to our table,"
Sarah and Jaylen nodded in agreement, silently echoing Brandon's sentiment as they followed his lead.
"Really? We'll join you then," Lilith declared with a sense of finality, her tone leaving no room for argument as she fell into step beside them.
Together, they made their way to the food stations, selecting their meals before returning to the table Brandon and Jaylen had claimed earlier.
As they settled into their seats, a heavy silence descended upon the table, broken only by the rhythmic clinking of cutlery against plates.
"Hey have you guys decided what clubs and Fractions you'd be joining." Lilith's question shattered the quiet ambiance that had settled over the table, prompting Brandon to respond with a query of his own.
"Hmm... I know what clubs are, but what are fractions?" Brandon inquired, his tone betraying a genuine interest in understanding this new aspect of their school life.
Setting her cutlery down with a soft clink, Lilith reached for a handkerchief to dab at her mouth before addressing Brandon's question. "Oh, sorry, I forgot they would explain that to first years tomorrow," she admitted with a small apologetic smile.
"To start, factions are groups of people working towards a similar goal or who are like-minded in some way." Taking a sip of water to moisten her throat, Lilith allowed her companions a moment to process the information before elaborating further.
"There are plenty of benefits to being in a faction, such as additional support for a plethora of matters," she explained, her voice measured and composed.
"But there are some downsides, too, like not being able to join certain clubs or having less free time to yourself."
Her words hung in the air, the implications sinking in as they considered the potential implications of joining a faction. Around the table, the trio exchanged thoughtful glances, silently weighing the pros and cons of this new aspect of their academic journey.
Sarah's thoughtful pause was met with a contemplative silence as she mulled over the implications of joining a faction. "Hm... I see. It seems fractions aren't the best," she finally responded, her tone reflecting her reservations.
"And besides, how could it compare to any of our families?"
Xoneia interjected, offering further clarification on the matter. "Wait, something Lilith forgot to mention is that fractions continue after you graduate,"
"So you already have a group you work with when doing missions and other assignments around The Common Empires," she added, her voice carrying a note of significance.
Jaylen, finishing the last bite of his meal, chimed in with his own thoughts. "That's cool, but still, I wouldn't want to work under some group that's weaker than my own family,"
"Maybe I can create my own, but I'm going to wait until my third year," he admitted, his words tinged with a hint of ambition.
Brandon and Sarah nodded in agreement, their expressions reflecting a shared sentiment. After all, why would they align themselves with a force weaker than their own families, especially when their families were the strongest on the planet?
The notion of forging their own path and maintaining their familial legacies held a powerful allure that resonated deeply with each of them.
"Well, if that's the case, then you can just join the fraction made by our families until then," Lilith suggested, her tone carrying a note of encouragement.
"I'll do that then. As for clubs, I'll see if anything grabs my attention," Jaylen responded after taking a sip of water, his decision made with a sense of resolve.
With a decisive movement, Jaylen rose from his seat, his departure announced to the group. "I'm going to head out first. I'm going to train,"
"Oh wait," Lilith called out suddenly, halting Jaylen in his tracks.
"I heard you used Your Shadow Vanguard state, Do you think that was wise you won't be able to use it again for six months?" Lilith inquired, her tone full of concern
"Hm, he won't be able to use that form again!" Sarah gasped, her voice nearly bursting into a shout.
Lilith nodded briefly before speaking, "I shouldn't be saying this, but the real name of that form is the shadow lord form. All members of the higher echelon of the Orpheus family can use it even those adopted into the family can use it after a special ritual"
"But what's different about Jaylen's form and the one everyone else uses is Jaylen can't use it whenever he wants and needs his sword to access it, along with a different appearance."
"Ehem Lilith," Jaylen cut in sharply, his expression hardening like stone.
"You shouldn't be reviling family secrets so easily, especially of our strongest technique." With a chilling stare, he delivered his reprimand, leaving no room for defiance.
"I won't reveal anymore," Lilith said before adding.
"I'll come get you when Aunt Mell gets here," Before she resumed eating her meal.
Hearing Lilith's assurance, Jaylen offered a wave before walking off. The rest of the group watched him go, their thoughts lingering on the decisions and opportunities that lay ahead.