Javis pushed the entrance door open and let Maloc and Arian pass inside.
As soon as Arian entered, he heard screams and murmurs. He wasn't sure what he had expected from the academy's dining hall. Still, somehow he had imagined the students here would behave similarly to the ones in the beast academy he had attended.
He remembered that back then, all students quietly took their assigned places, waited until the food was delivered, and then ate while silently talking to other students.
Here, in this run-down school, there was complete chaos.
People were pushing each other, some were shouting, others were laughing and some teachers tried to bring back order, but failed since the students ignored them.
Like barbarians, Arian thought with disgust and looked around him.
Normally, when someone saw him, they would bow or even fall to their knees but at the very least they would make way for him. Here, everyone ignored him. His guards had to come forward and make a way for him, while at the same time guarding him from the chaos.
Maloc went in front of them, trying to push through the students, in order to get to the other side of the hall, where the table for the teachers was located.
He screamed that he was Prince Arian's deputy and that the students should make way for His Highness, but his voice was drowned in the noise.
He turned around, his face flushed red from anger. "Where the hell is teacher Javis? Can he not teach his students some ounce of respect? Or at least basic manners. Such behavior is unacceptable!"
Arian also looked around. He couldn't see the teacher, so he suspected he had fallen back or had to attend to different matters. Maybe he tried to calm down the students as well.
Just as the prince wanted to answer by giving his deputy orders in sign language, Maloc suddenly swayed sideways.
Before Arian could ask what was wrong the deputy's eyes rolled back and he fell to the floor.
Arian couldn't help but let out a surprised yelp, unable to contain his emotionless facade.
What in the name of gods had just happened?
He needed a moment to realize some student had thrown a metal bowl, which accidentally hit Maloc, knocking him unconscious.
Arian had never thought a dining hall, during the time were students ate breakfast, could be so dangerous. He suddenly regretted wanting to appear casual.
I should have taken all ten guards with me. Four don't seem enough to guarantee my safety here.
Even though his guards were alarmed, drawing their long silver swords, the prince didn't feel at ease.
Although this sudden action seemed to finally scare the students, since they all stared at Arain's party in shock, before they hurriedly made room for them to pass through, the chaos and violence hadn't died down completely.
Instead, Arian only got a better look at a fight that was taking place in the middle of the dining hall.
Two boys, with noticeable muscles, hit each other. Around them stood several people. But instead of stopping them these students only encouraged them. It seemed like there were two parties, each having a champion who they supported in the fight.
Both boys were bleeding. One had curly blonde hair and blood was seeping out of his nose, while his knuckles were scraped up from constantly delivering punches to the other guy. The other one looked slightly younger with messy brown hair. His trousers had holes which were stained from blood and there was a big abrasion on his forehead.
The two of them groaned, clearly in pain, yet neither of them thought about giving up. The blonde one chuckled slightly before he suddenly grabbed the messy brown hair of the other one and pushed the boy's head down onto a shabby dining table.
The guy protested and struggled. It was pointless, though, his forehead hit the table with full force.
He tried to get up, but the other one pressed him down.
Feverishly the brown haired guy tried to get a hold of something. His hands moved over the table before they grabbed a mug.
Without hesitating the boy threw the mug. But because his head was pressed into the table, his movement was limited and his aim was messy. The blonde guy didn't even have to dodge because the cup missed him completely. Instead, it fell into the crowd and some innocent bystander let out a groan of pain.
The two guards next to Arian immediately tensed and moved protectively in front of him.
He realized there were only two guards protecting him now, as the other two had hurried over to Maloc, making sure he was okay.
The prince himself was too shocked to do anything. He was just agasted with the behavior the students displayed.
Had nobody thought them decorum?
Did he end up at an asylum instead of a school?
"Dude, relax, nothing's happening", a voice said as a hand suddenly padded him on the shoulder.
Arian tensed up.
Mentally he even jumped out of his wheelchair right then and there.
Of course, in real life, he couldn't. Instead, he shuddered.
Someone touched him.
Someone actually touched him.
He turned his head and looked at a bone-thin guy with tanned skin and ash-blonde hair.
Then Prince Arian watched in horror as the scum from the outskirts leisurely wrapped his arm around Arian's shoulders.
The prince was too stunned to speak.
This guy was courting death. There was no other explanation for his action.
He dared to touch a prince, from a divine bloodline, the son of the holy emperor.
Arian was so baffled, that he couldn't do anything, he only stared at the guy who smiled at him.
This guy wasn't a noble, Arian wasn't even sure if he was an official citizen, yet someone like him touched the prince like it was the most normal thing in the world.
Arian was so disgusted he was about to vomit.
At that moment, his guards finally realized that their prince got harassed and one of them immediately pulled the guy away from Arian, pressing him onto the ground.
The guy was so perplexed he didn't even resist, only when another guard came over and pointed his sword at the guy's head, did he tense up.
There was fear and incomprehension written all over his face.
Finally, Arian thought pleased, just like you deserved. Took you long enough to realize your place.
Touching a member of the royal family was a crime which punishment was death. Arian couldn't wait to see the bad-mannered guy lose his head.
Just as the prince imagined this scene, he heard a loud noise. It came from where the other two fought.
Arian turned his attention back to these two ruffians.
Some of the dining tables and chairs had fallen over and the one with brown hair lay on the floor.
He looked close to passing out.
Just as the blonde guy was about to deliver the final blow, a small beast landed in front of him.
It looked like a bunny, just that it possessed wings as well.
When the blond-haired boy saw the beast, he stopped. His expression showed even a hint of fear.
What, don't tell me such a small animal scares you? Arian was amused as the guy made a few steps back as if he didn't want to get too close to the principal's mystical beast.
It looks like he has never seen a real mystical beast. I wonder what he would do if he saw the mystical beasts that lived in the capital, the prince pondered.
Then, a small smile found its way onto his lips.
Actually, I know what he would do. He would piss himself in fear.
Amused from his thoughts the prince watched, as some teachers finally managed to get through the crowd of students.
Three of them immediately took care of the student lying on the floor, while the fourth teacher restrained the blonde student.
The fifth, the principal himself, watched everyone with a gaze, that made the students cower in fear.
"This is enough!", teacher Javis said with a stern voice that didn't allow any protest.
Finally, after what felt like ages, the hall turned quiet.
Arian was surprised such a thing was even possible.
He was somewhat relieved that these students still had a little bit of dignity and were not complete brainless monsters. At the same time, he was excited for what punishment awaited them.
After all, lecturing scum was always one of Arian's favorite activities.