Inside a dark, secluded room at the academy, two hooded figures were whispering to each other. Their long, black capes blended with the environment, only having a white emblem clearly visible in the middle.

A reversed pyramid, numerous black appeared cracks all over it, and finally, a snake was coiling all around it.

"My lord, the preparations for the plan are going on smoothly. So far none noticed our presence, our forces in the fifth academy are undetected."

The man that just spoke slightly bowed in respect toward the imposing man that was standing in front of him.

"Very well, I am pleased with your report. Call the one responsible for the sixth academy, with him we would be able to cover half of the academies under the council.

None shall impede our truth. These fools, indulging in the warmth of their curses!

Feeding on their own limbs, increasing the burden our kind must bear!

But we won't back down, we won't forsake our deformities!"

The speech only a madman could make, in a state of visible madness, said figure, hiding in the dark, was the source of inspiration for all their followers.

"Your orders shall be executed, our liege will is our will!"

Going back to the lodgings of the damned, a heated discussion was currently being held.

The red-haired monk, Nestor, was now loudly confronting what he thought to be an intruder. His room, his peace, and rest were being threatened by this 'menace'.

Blond ruffled hair, light brown eyes, a square jaw, and an arched expression. The invader had a strangely red shaded skin, resembling someone that forgot to put on the sun cream before going to the beach.

The man was fairly young, looking to be in his early thirties, although not as much as Nestor, who appeared to be in his mid-twenties.

'Is he a thug? Maybe a robber, how could he be so rude while talking to a total stranger.'

As if to prove his theory, the thug in question kept on going with his brutish behavior.

"What? You fucker do you find me funny, wanna give it a go, dick head?

That's how a man should resolve their troubles, with their fists! Don't have the guts to uh? Well then piss off my room!"

Besides the plain provocations, Nestor wasn't flustered at all. Only he was initially taken aback, but as a former monk, it was hard for him to suddenly pick up a fight.

'However, this doesn't mean that I'll simply give in, let's see if you can use your brain as well as your fists.'

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Thinking this, Nestor got up from his bed a looked the thug straight in the eye.

"You see, I have gone a long way without resting before coming here. A real man-

As rude as he was, the man butted in, halting Nestor only after a few words.

"It doesn't matter you fuck, what I want is action, I'm not a pussy like you!"

A bit taken aback by the crude words of the thug, Nestor took on a heavy breath and resumed what he was saying before. Only with a much higher volume and speed, to avoid being interrupted once again.

"Please, let me finish. As I was saying... a real man would never, purposely, pick up a fight with someone that is in a bad shape. Otherwise, how could he have a true contest of strength, everybody knows that.

I, Nestor, as a man through and through, challenge you to a duel to decide which one of us would be taking this room for himself. We will be fighting each other a week from now, at the training grounds of the academy.

Our witness will be our instructor at the academy, I believe you being humanoid means that Captain Cole is your physical instructor as well."

With a dumbstruck expression, the guys looked at Nestor while wiggling his head a bit, before speaking again.

"Oh! Straight face! Right, I forgot about him. My teacher insisted on me taking physical training too, even if my fists are already perfect as they are.

Yes sure, the guy could vouch for us, that prick is stronger than it seems. Fuck it! Whatever we'll do as you said, don't cower behind your mum after I'll beat your arse for good!

Or I'll beat her too, but in a different way of course, hehe."

The gangster's provocations started to get even on the monk's nerves, thus Nestor decided that it would be better to finally sleep.

While asleep, an unknown period had already passed. Nestor slowly woke up, removing the white blankets from over his body.

He had taken off his thick black trousers and leather jacket, he had carefully avoided touching the bed with his feet too. As they were quite dirty from all the walking he did the day before.

He took a glance at the room and immediately notice that he was almost in total darkness. Only a little candle was lit on the other side of the room.

Remembering it not being so dark when he first arrived, this must have been done by the thug.

'Maybe a lit ambiance disturbs his sleep? I've heard of such cases indeed.

I too prefer to sleep in the dark, but I was too tired to even care. Anyway, Linneo didn't come knocking on my door, so I should have still time before we meet. I'll inspect the room and see if I can take a shower somehow.

I'm a bit troubled about our duel though. I felt that it was inevitable with the kind of person this man is.

One weak is too little for me to become a fighter, however, I felt that more than that and he wouldn't have accepted my conditions.

I could have a shot If I somehow could obtain soul powers, or whatever they call them.

I was a diligent scholar, after all, I think I have better chances at that than this brute.'

While immersed in his thoughts, Nestor searched the wall on the other side of the bed, looking for a switch of some sort.

He finally found it, suddenly a bright white light emanated from above so that he could finally observe the room.

Near the entrance where positioned their two beds, distanced a bit more than a meter between each other, a nightstand stood on the side of each one.

Right in front of the beds, a large wooden desk was positioned adjacent to a wall. Right behind it was a dark wooden chair.

Continuing the room was a small dining table, as well as two chairs, positioned one in front of the other. A few other pieces of furniture, as well as two little shelves, were present in the room.

There wasn't any real kitchen, nor a proper zone to cook, not even a fireplace could be seen.

Fortunately enough, Nestor found a small door leading to a bathroom. There he saw his beloved toilet, these wonders of mankind were a real blessing. He used the first one near the training grounds of the academy.

Finally, he caught sight of the shower he would use and a small sink on the side.

'I better win the fight, this room they gave us isn't lacking at all. I'll also have to ask Miss Terasa why?

Wasn't this supposed to be my room?'