The sound of rain intensified as it pounded the cave roof, turning the ground outside into a thick, sloshing mire. Inside, the only noise was the crackling of the dying fire and the labored breathing of the students scattered around Damian. The once quiet shelter had transformed into a battlefield, leaving a scene of carnage and intimidation.
Damian stood in the center, blood dripping from his hands and face, his eyes burning with fury. His entire body ached, but the adrenaline rushing through his veins kept him upright. He glared at Nathaniel Valencrown, who still stood at the edge of the cave, untouched and unbothered by the scene unfolding before him.
Nathaniel's platinum blond hair shimmered in the low firelight, and the calm smile never left his face. He almost looked amused, like this had been nothing but entertainment for him. Damian's heart pounded in his chest.
There were still three minutes left on the clock Nathaniel had set. The rest of the students, once confident and eager to beat Damian down, were now scattered around the cave, clutching their wounds and avoiding his gaze. None of them had expected him to fight like a cornered animal.
Nathaniel's calm, composed voice cut through the silence. "You surprise me, Damian Cade."
Damian straightened up, his eyes never leaving Nathaniel. He didn't respond, his body too tired, too raw to engage in mind games.
Nathaniel took a step forward, his red eyes glinting. "Most people break under pressure. But not you. You fight like a beast. It's… interesting."
"Is this over?" Damian growled, his fists clenching at his sides.
Nathaniel paused, as if considering it for a moment. Then, his smile widened. "No. Not quite."
Damian's body tensed as Nathaniel finally entered the center of the cave, stepping over the fallen bodies of his own classmates. His presence was overwhelming, an invisible weight pressing down on everyone in the cave. The other students were too afraid to meet his gaze, shrinking back into the shadows, hoping to be forgotten.
Nathaniel stopped just a few feet away from Damian, his aura radiating power. "I promised you ten minutes," he said softly. "And I always keep my promises."
Without warning, Nathaniel moved.
He was fast—faster than anyone Damian had ever faced. In the blink of an eye, Nathaniel was upon him, his fist slamming into Damian's gut with a force that knocked the wind from his lungs. Damian staggered back, barely managing to stay on his feet as pain shot through his body.
Nathaniel didn't give him a chance to recover. He followed up with a kick to Damian's side, sending him crashing into the cave wall. The impact rattled Damian's bones, and for a moment, everything went blurry. He tried to push himself up, but Nathaniel was already there, grabbing him by the throat and lifting him off the ground with ease.
Damian gasped for air, his hands clawing at Nathaniel's grip, but it was like trying to break free from steel.
Nathaniel's red eyes glowed in the dim light, his smile still present as he squeezed tighter. "You're not bad, Damian. But you're nowhere near my level."
Damian's vision blurred as he struggled to breathe. His mind raced, searching for a way out, but the strength in Nathaniel's grip was overwhelming. His aura flickered weakly around him, unable to fully manifest in his exhausted state.
Just when Damian thought his lungs would burst, Nathaniel spoke again, his voice a low, chilling murmur. "I could kill you right now, and no one would care. A lowborn like you? It's almost expected. But… I have a better idea."
He loosened his grip slightly, just enough for Damian to suck in a ragged breath.
Nathaniel's smile turned dark as he leaned in closer. "How about becoming my hound? A dog loyal only to me, obeying my every command without question. In my name, Nathaniel Valencrown, I swear… I hereby declare Damian Cade, a lowborn, to be my hound. What do you say, Damian Cade? Do you accept my offer?"
Damian's eyes widened in rage. His entire body trembled with fury as he struggled against Nathaniel's grip. "I'd rather die," he spat through clenched teeth, his voice hoarse.
Nathaniel's eyes gleamed with sadistic amusement. "Such a shame about your brother, though… ooohh are you thinking in your head how I know about the little incident of your brother. Damian Cade son of Allistair and Liana Cade has a younger brother named Ewan such a shame if something were to happen to your family right. "
Damian's fury exploded. His hands clawed at Nathaniel's grip as he tried to break free, his mind clouded with rage at the mention of his brother. He kicked and struggled, but Nathaniel only tightened his hold, enjoying every second of Damian's futile efforts.
Nathaniel's smile grew wider. "You're just like your brother, aren't you? Weak. Desperate."
Damian's vision blurred as his strength began to wane, his hands slowly dropping to his sides. For a moment, it felt like everything was slipping away.
Then, just as suddenly as he had grabbed him, Nathaniel unclenched his hand, letting Damian fall to the ground in a heap. Damian gasped for air, clutching his throat as his lungs fought to fill with oxygen. His vision swam, but the rage in his heart burned brighter than ever.
Nathaniel stood over him, his expression calm, almost bored. "What's your answer, Damian?" he asked softly, his voice devoid of any warmth.
Damian, still struggling for breath, slowly lowered his head, his body trembling with both exhaustion and fury. His hands pressed against the dirt beneath him as he bowed, almost prostrating himself before Nathaniel.
Nathaniel's smile returned as he looked down at Damian, the sight of his submission clearly satisfying him. "Well, good enough," he said with a mocking laugh. "Hahaha… Yes, I think you'll do nicely."
"The badge from all of these students are yours can't have my subordinate getting a mediocore rank"
The other students, still reeling from the scene they had witnessed, remained silent, too terrified to speak. The fire crackled quietly in the background as the rain continued to pour outside, the sound of thunder echoing through the cave.
Nathaniel turned and began to walk toward the cave entrance, his presence looming like a dark cloud. "Remember, Damian. From now on, you are mine. And if you ever think about defying me… I'll make sure you regret it."
With those parting words, Nathaniel disappeared into the night, leaving Damian kneeling on the ground, his body battered and his spirit torn.