Robert's face shifted from amusement to a more serious expression, his eyes narrowing slightly as he regarded Kieran. The laughter faded, replaced by a look of intense focus.
"Power, power, power," Robert said with an exaggerated sigh, shaking his head dramatically. "Why is everyone so obsessed with it? Can't anyone just enjoy a nice hobby, like knitting or birdwatching?"
Kieran's eyes widened, clearly not expecting such a response.
Robert continued, his tone now dripping with mock disappointment. "Seriously, Kieran, you're just like all the others. Always chasing after power. Do you ever stop and think about taking up yoga? Maybe join a book club? Trust me, it's a lot less stressful."
Kieran's expression hardened, but Robert's mockery persisted. "But no, you had to go with the whole 'end you' routine. Classic villain move. And here I was, hoping we could have a civilized chat about the merits of indoor plants. You know, they really brighten up a space."
Kieran's confidence faltered, clearly thrown off by Robert's unexpected humor. He opened his mouth to respond, but Robert cut him off sharply. "Save it. I don't want to hear your grandiose speeches about power and control. If you dare to follow me, you'll regret it."
Kieran's eyes flickered with uncertainty, and he hesitated. Despite knowing Robert's fear, he couldn't shake the nagging doubt that maybe, just maybe, Robert had a stronger ally. His knowledge of the Prince of Darkness was unnerving.
Robert's tone dropped to a chilling calm, his eyes boring into Kieran's with an intensity that left no room for doubt. "Listen carefully, Kieran. Step one foot behind me, and it will be the last step you ever take. I've seen enough of your kind to know how to end you in ways you can't even imagine."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in before continuing. "This isn't a game, and I'm not someone you can play with. If you value your existence, stay away."
With that, Robert turned and walked past Kieran, his movements deliberate and unhurried. The air seemed to crackle with tension as he approached the door, his presence exuding an aura of unyielding resolve.
Kieran stood frozen, his earlier bravado shaken. "You think you can just walk away, human?" he spat out, his voice trembling slightly. "I'm a third-class demon, not someone you can dismiss so easily."
But Robert didn't break stride or look back. As he exited the restroom, Kieran's voice echoed behind him. The demon was left standing there, anger and fear mingling as he realized just how outmatched he might be. How could Robert know so much? The thought gnawed at him, leaving him wondering if Robert truly had a stronger demon backing him.
Kieran slipped out of the academy under the cover of darkness, his movements swift and silent. He made his way to a secluded area deep within the forest that bordered the academy grounds. This was a place known only to a select few, a gathering spot for those who operated in the shadows.
As he approached the clearing, he saw the figures waiting for him. Two girls and three men, all cloaked in dark attire that blended seamlessly with the night. The first girl, with raven-black hair and piercing blue eyes, stood with an air of authority. She had a sharp, angular face and a predatory grace about her. The second girl, shorter with auburn hair tied back in a loose braid, had an aura of quiet intensity, her eyes scanning the surroundings with a keen awareness.
The three men varied in appearance but shared the same dangerous edge. The tallest of them, a muscular figure with a shaved head and a scar running down his left cheek, leaned against a tree, his arms crossed. The second man, slender and wiry, had a cunning look in his eyes and a slight smirk on his lips. The third man, who appeared older with graying hair and a rugged demeanor, exuded a calm but menacing presence.
Kieran nodded in greeting as he stepped into the circle. "We need to discuss our next move," he began, his voice low and urgent. "The man in black—we need to find him and recruit him to our cause."
The girl with raven-black hair spoke first, her tone decisive. "But the high-ranking knights are also looking for him. If they find him first, it could spell disaster for us."
Kieran's eyes narrowed, his expression resolute. "Exactly. That's why we have to move fast. If the knights want him, then he's valuable. We can't let them get to him before we do."
The older man with the graying hair nodded in agreement. "Agreed. Time is of the essence. We need to spread out, cover more ground, and use every resource at our disposal to track him down."
The group exchanged determined glances, understanding the gravity of their mission. With a final nod from Kieran, they dispersed into the night, each heading in a different direction, driven by the urgency of their task. The hunt for the man in black had begun, and failure was not an option.
Meanwhile, in another part of the academy, Silver was seated in front of her mirror, meticulously combing her silver hair. She couldn't help but chuckle to herself as she thought about the frantic search for the man in black.
"You know," she mused aloud to her reflection, her tone dripping with sarcasm, "this whole man in black fiasco is like a bad reality show. Everyone's out there, tearing the place apart like they're contestants on a bizarre scavenger hunt."
She continued combing her hair, the silver strands gleaming under the soft light. "I mean, really, he's probably just lounging somewhere, watching this circus unfold. 'Oh no, they're looking for me!'—he must be thinking he's the star of some epic drama. How dramatic can one guy get?"
Silver couldn't help but smile at the absurdity of it all. "If they only knew," she said with a smirk, "the man in black is probably just chilling, feet up, maybe even enjoying a snack while watching us all go nuts. It's like we're the cast of the worst detective show ever made."
Her own thoughts amused her as she finished combing her hair. She had no idea that the man in black was closer than anyone thought and that the true mystery was hiding in plain sight.