Aureus Eldian (POV)

“My lords, please,” I called out with great breath, tapping my spoon at the side of my wine glass. “Despite this being a brilliant dinner and fine evening as any could be, I’m sure you all know I have not simply summoned you here to indulge in the confections of my home chef’s cooking.” A light chuckle spread throughout the table of men, however, the silence returned as I raised my hand, and a more serious tone became present. I had sent for all of the lords of the Kingdom to meet in Dorivier, and tonight, BlueShadow Palace. Each and every one of them sat straight with renown, covered from head to toe with their tailored suits and badges of honor pinned at their chests. Even the captain of the Elven Royal army - Ser Athrow Ranvier - stood embellished in his shining armaments at the door of the room next to Horus. The presence of every lord here signified that this was a serious meeting regarding the future of Zarendal, and the looks on their faces reflected their concern. “Regretfully, I have received a message.” I continued. “A threat? A warning? I cannot say for sure, but no matter what the messenger's intentions were, It has raised caution in my heart.” The men began to murmur amongst themselves, squirming at what I could have meant. The voices of about thirty people sitting around the long black quartz table muffled together creating a sea of questions and slight unease.

“My king, forgive me,” Lord Onus spoke up from the rest of them. The middle-aged man was a skinny, frail thing, but tall and lanky, sitting high above the other lords next to him. “Are you saying that someone has anonymously sent you an ambiguous letter that suggests threat? Or are you saying you believe one of us to be this culprit.”

The room sat still when he finished speaking, eyes all watching me as they waited for a reply. Lord Onus was a paranoid man, always has been and I believe he always will be. It was because of that paranoia and skepticism that he has remained a steadfast member of the aristocracy. Cutting off weeds he believed to be harmful before they could grow, most people saw his actions as cruelty but others saw them as decisive.

“No, forgive me, my Lord,” I said. “I suppose I ought to be more clear with my words. It is not one of you that I speak of. I do not even speak of an Elf for that matter.”

“What are you saying, Your Grace?” Lord Verlil blurted out. “Do you mean to say that an individual from another kingdom threatens you directly?” His voice was thick and loud, you could hear his anger rising along with it too.

“Not just any kingdom, my lord,” a scowl began to form on my face, “But from the worst lands, the untrustworthy soil that sprouts liars and killers, the wretches who breed and bring life with hardships but take it away with ease, the descendants of The Usurper himself that stay in their cursed castles across the Parallax ocean. The Humans.” My words were harsh, and I intended for them to be so. The humans were the reason for this animosity I held toward them. What they had done to my ancestors, betraying the trust of my people when we were to join our kingdoms to become one through the marriage of Prince Aurelius Elidan and Princess Delilah Porlov. And now, they have come again. Somehow, passed through our borders in a time of peace, and made a fool of me in my own house.

“It cannot be,” One of the lords blurted out as the rest of them fell into a commotion. There had always been some conflict between the lords of my court and a multitude of problems that arose with their conflict. However, in the face of a common enemy, they could put all their differences aside for a time, and focus their anger. No one would be able to tell they had a dislike for each other. I raised my hand to quell their rampant noises, their silence came slowly after and I stared them all in the eye.

“My lords, I did not ask you to come here so that we may rant and express feelings of distaste. Lumerick is undergoing change, and I believe as the heads of Zaredal, we should discuss it together. My concern with this message is not because I think we should plan for an attack, but simply because I do not know what to make of it. Your council is what I wish to hear the most right now.”

“Your Grace, so we might infer, what did this . . . messenger say exactly? What was his name, did he come on behalf of King Solomon?” Lord Teal asked. His white suit pressed against the quartz as he leaned in on the table, and his built figure filled his clothing like a well-trained man wearing armor.

“Well, as for his name, he told me it was Dean Lucintroph.” They glanced at each other with shock, taken aback at the name. “However, I am hesitant to believe him. Though he looked the part, I cannot say for certain if it is the same Dean Lucintroph that we all know who is placed on the Senary Council.”

“That is troubling,” Lord Onus replied. “Very troubling. I would not say it’s smart to assume this man to be anyone other than Dean Lucintroph. However, if it truly is him, how can we say that this is not a message from King Solomon himself?”

“That’s the thing, he claimed he was not here on a Royal call, he even said that King Solomon had no knowledge of his attendance in Zarendal. He told me that there would come a time when Sunderland would ask something of Zarendal and that it would be in our best interest to accept their offer. In fact, it seemed as if he insisted that we wouldn’t have a choice.”

Lord Verlil scoffed loudly, his chest out and his head held high, “Do they take us for fools? This man intends to provide Zarendal with an ultimatum and expects that we will just sit by and accept their terms?” His palm smacked the hard table below him, “The maggots and hawks will eat my flesh before I conform to the terms of a Human. Let alone Dean Lucintroph.” Some of the other lords around him nodded their heads in agreement and made grunts of approval. “I swear it by the five gods of the moon.”

“Calm yourselves,” Lord Teal interrupted their sounds of unison. “We don’t even know the contents of these terms they intend to provide us with, and you are already raring to fight against it?” He smacked his lips in disapproval, “Please, let's not be so barbaric. Should we be cautious? Yes. Should we be ready to start a war? No!” He exclaimed. “However, there is nothing wrong with being ready to defend ourselves. Besides, I’m sure you may already know this, Your Grace,” He said turning away from the other men and facing me at the end of the table. “ Word is that Hailion Chrysor has re-established the Giant royal army. As you said, this continent is undergoing change, and I believe it would be foolish of us to sit by and do nothing about it.”

“I agree!” Lord Verlil blurted out. “I too want to do something about this, I will not sit by while Zarendal gets pushed around because of the acts of other kings. And when it comes to war, I too will be ready to fight back.” He said. The wild beast inside of him was ever rarely calm. He had a reputation for a quick temper and a thirst for blood. “It's been almost two hundred and fifty years since the Royal war. The men have gotten soft and their sons delicate as the snowy lands they were born in. Training them is the least we should do to restore the honor of the elven kingdom and prepare for the unknown.”

“You say you agree with me, Lord Verlil, but the difference I see is that you are expecting a war to come, while I am thinking of how we can avoid one.” Lord Teal said. “Your Grace, I am not against the notion of preparing our men for a potential battle, but I weigh my preferences on the side that avoids bloodshed completely. After all, what is the point in restoring honor to our kingdom, if only the survivors will be there to see it.” He said glaring at Lord Verlil. The man had his hands balled up into a fist, and his hard face contorted into a deeper frown.

“Yes, I had been thinking similarly, the army has become quite lackluster. Even the city guards seem to spend most of their days in pubs than they do in the field training. But it raises another problem. We haven't the numbers to fight a battle against the Humans or the Giants, let alone both.”

“There is an easy fix to solve that problem, Your Grace.” All eyes turned to face Lord Teal. He laid his palms against the table and smiled at all of us. “We all know it, ever since the Royal war ended and the lower elves were established, the army has been greatly diminished since the time of Prince Aurelius Elidan. However . . .”

“Watch what you say next, Lord Teal.” Lord Verlil stood from his chair, staring down at the other man. Everyone knew what Lord Teal was inferring. Of course, the specifics would come soon, but it would involve the lower elves. Using them in someway, and rewarding them in another.

“ . . . I’m only saying, that if we were to use the lower elves and train them up as soldiers, we would have more than enough men for three wars. Tell me, what is the population of Dorivier?” he said looking around the table.

“Approximately six hundred thousand, more or less,” Horus spoke up from the door.

“And only around one-tenth of that number are men who have been trained and are armed and ready to fight for our defense in the entire kingdom, spread throughout all the different cities and lands of Zarendal. However, just this one city has enough people to completely overwhelm our entire trained fighting force. If we were to use the able bodies, men, boys at the age of sixteen, and any women who would like to, we could create an army of a similar size to the one our ancestors had in the past, if not greater.”

“You can kill me before I fight next to a lower elf. I have more respect for myself and my ancestors than to do something so disgraceful.” Lord Verili argued again.

“Well, then we might as well just kill you know!” Lord Teal’s voice rang loud in the room. His patience was running thin. “All you do is go against whatever I say, if it does come to defending our kingdom, we cannot do so with only sixty thousand men.”

“I have heard enough!” I said firmly. “It's getting late. We will discuss more of this tomorrow, my lords. Please.”

The men got up from their seats and dipped their heads before leaving the room. I called for Lord Teal to stay, along with Ser Athrow and Lord Onus. The rest of them made their way out and Horus closed the door behind them. Leaving us the room to ourselves.

I sat back in my chair, Lord Teal and Lord Onus stood as they knew I had no plan to hold them for long. I stared at my lords deeply, especially Lord Teal. I tried to look for any expression or lie that could be seen on his face. The lower elves had no rights, and there was no honor in using the descendants of traitors to form an army. Perhaps he had another plan under the one he proposed. The only other person who I knew had spoken of the lower elves as if they had some value or use was Uriel, and it seemed our views couldn’t be any more different.

“Do you stand by what you said?”

“About using the people to fight? Yes, Your Grace,” he said.

“The Lower Elves.” The man sitting next to me corrected. “They are not people of the elven kingdom, because they do not represent us. Call them what they are.” My younger brother, Seldon, was as hard-faced and stern as ever. He stayed seated in his chair through the entire meeting and did not rise when the other lords had left the room.

“Forgive me, Lord Seldon. However, we could use them to our benefit. If all that messenger said is true, if he was truly threatening us into some sort of deal that we cannot refuse. We will need the the aid of the lower elves to fight for us if it comes to war. And their help will be mandatory if Halion Chrysor is planning something himself.”

I turned to my brother and Lord Onus. They were the ones whom I trusted the most aside from Horus. “What do you think?”

They both glanced at each other, and Lord Onus held his tongue as he allowed my brother to speak. “Lord Verlil is a fool if he thinks we can defend this kingdom from the Humans, Giants, or any damn army that is determined to attack us. They say that King Solomon has one hundred and fifty thousand men in Haulburn alone, not including all the other cities in Sunderland that have thousands of men ready to fight at the call of the king. Now that the Giant army has returned, King Hailion’s forces grow exponentially by the day. We cannot defend anything with a mere sixty thousand men against those behemoths. Though it may be distasteful, it may even be disrespectful in the light of our ancestors. But the lower elves will be needed if we want to do anything.”

“I would have to agree, Your Grace.” Lord Onus said. “However, the only question that comes to my mind is how we would intend to make the lower elves fight for us.”

“He is the king, you make it sound as if they have a choice?” Lord Teal interjected.

“Their ancestors were given an order by the king during their time, and they chose not to fight for him. What makes you think that they would fight for us now? For the past two centuries, the Higher elves have barely associated themselves with the lower. Why would they willingly fight for someone they barely know?”

“We can make them,” Lord Teal replied. “Use whatever force is needed to get them to do as they're told.”

Lord Onus scoffed, “And who do you intend to use to enforce the rules on these people? Aren’t you the one who said that we only have sixty thousand trained men? I am no mathematician, but if Dorivier alone has six hundred thousand citizens, and we know that almost up to ninety percent of that number is lower elves, their is nothing stopping them from fighting back against us. That would leave us with the same problem the nobles of Zarendal faced during the Royal War. An enemy coming from the outside, while their own people also revolted against them.”

“So what would you have me do?” I asked.

“Your Grace, If I may,” Ser Athrow spoke up from across the room. The captain of the Elven royal army stood in his silver-plated garments, a blue arc stone resting in the center of his embellished breastplate, and a sword stuck tightly at his waistbelt. His curly blonde hair parted down the middle, showing his sharp face with piercing black eyes that portrayed his strength. He was a handsome man, most would see his features and assume him haughty, however, the knight was more humble than any other could be. I nodded at him, and he spoke his mind.

“During the Royale war, my family name had no renown, we were simple commoners, and the head of our house used to work in the Jasper mines just outside of Linconvale - a collector of precious stones many called him. However, after my family took up arms and fought for their country in the battle, the king rewarded our family with the status of nobility. Now, it doesn’t matter where you go, the Ranvier name is known all over the continent,” He said with a faint smile. “I’m not suggesting that you do something as drastic as grant nobility, but perhaps, you bring back the working class?”

The two lords stared at him with disbelief, however, the knight didn’t waver in the face of men like Elowin Teal or Carthin Onus. He had expressed his apathy towards them and the other lords in the past, and I assume he didn't care much about them now. Amongst the silent stares, my brother turned to face the young man with a daunting grin on his face.

“Brave of you to suggest something so bold,” he said looking at the blonde knight in the eyes. Seldon was one of the few lords that Athrow respected, simply because of the fact that he was a trained fighter himself. Since he is my younger brother, he never expected to rule, so he spent most of his time as a young man training and improving in his arcin abilities when we weren't being taught the ways of the aristocracy. “Or have you forgotten, Ser, what their ancestors did to our kingdom in a time of need? What your ancestors had to do in their place?” He said.

“I have not forgotten, my lord. However, when I walk through the streets of Doriveir and see a young child suffering, starving on the cold ground, I don’t look at him and say he deserves it because of something his ancestors did. Perhaps the punishment was just at the time, but we’ve left generations in poverty simply because of the sins of people they never knew. The other kingdoms look at us as brutal for how we treat the lower elves. I believe that in order to restore honor of Zarendal in the eyes of everyone, it begins with them.” He argued. “Of course, we would not tell them of the reward if they choose to fight, but only give it to them afterward, so that only those who truly wish to serve the kingdom will be praised.”

The knight kept eye contact with my brother, his face stern and his posture upright. My brother glared back at him, and just when I thought he would lash out and berate the young man, he smirked and let out a deep chuckle. He turned to face me, “I agree with his proposition.”

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Lord Teal and Onus looked at him with surprise, he even had me taken aback by his reaction, He stood up from his seat and finished his gulped down the rest of the water in his cup. He had refused to drink wine. “As I said, we need the lower elves to assist us if we want to defend our kingdom. I am not against how we go about it, whip them in the streets for all I care, as long we get it done that's all that matters. Besides, there is no harm in throwing a bone to the dog after he's done good work.” He set down his glass and turned to me. “Nevertheless, you should still ponder on this a while longer, Your Grace. This is no small matter, do not be hasty in making a decision,” he said. Bowing his head and pointing to the door he asked to be dismissed, and I nodded in response allowing my brother to leave. He said his farewells to the lords and left the room with quick steps.

The other lords left shortly afterward, and only Horus and I remained in the dining hall. I sat back in my chair and sighed deeply while gulping down some wine into my belly. There was a time when I craved the thought of situations like these. Having to make a decision that would change the fate of the kingdom. Holding the power and authority to call my people to arms and prepare for something big. However, now that I actually sit in this position, I wish I could go back to the days of my ignorant fantasizing.

“Shall I clear your things, Your Grace?” Horus asked while clearing the other Lord's utensils. It was a job for the kitchen staff, but he insisted that he have something to do.

“No,” I said. “I plan to stay up a little while longer.”

Elex Vinspear (POV)

Leo and I sat idly by the desk we requested to be placed in Chrollo’s medical room throughout his care, I watched him as he spread Morsom’s diary and the translation booklet side by side in an attempt to decipher their contents. We came to a vote earlier that Christina should return back to the dungeon as she wasn’t really needed here, and despite her hesitance and initial refusal to do so, she eventually gave in. Of course, not without letting us know that she would come back to fill us in on how things were going in the dungeon, or she would at least send someone else. It was an unusual feeling to tell the princess what to do, especially now that she had decided to submit herself under Leo’s rule as the group leader, I’m sure it was a humbling experience for her.

Chrollo’s condition had gotten better as time went on. The specialist had arrived early in the morning a few days back and had begun working on healing him ever since. Apparently, the reason he took so long to get here was that the man was traveling from one of the far cities in Sunderland, and on top of that, he was a demon who specialized in demon anatomy. He knew the ins and outs of Chrollo’s body better than any other doctor here in the Gala. He would come to visit Chrollo once or twice every day for about two hours, attempting to help regulate his mana flow and taking blood samples every now and then. At first, we thought the treatment wasn’t working, as when the doctors were away late during the night, Chrollo would exhibit twitching and even vocal spasms. It started as just plain, meaningless groans, but he started to blurt out words such as “Father, Father,” in an unsettling tone. This played into one of the reasons why Christina didn’t want to leave, but the specialists reassured us by saying that it only meant he was slowly regaining consciousness. And so, we trusted the man. He was the only person who could help Chrollo, so making assumptions without the input of a medical professional would be irrational.

“Interesting,” Leo said whilst looking down at the books. “See, the writer - Morsom - seems to think that the door to Rosh’s cell can never be opened.” his voice rang high with intrigue but much less than a few days ago as his face displayed weariness.

“Perhaps he just couldn’t find the keys, or get past the mongrels?” I suggested.

He looked up at me with disappointment, “No, that’s ridiculous,” he said.

“How so?”

“The mongrels and the Imp were only there because the Ruins made it so. We all know that the dungeons add obstacles and determine their difficulty depending on the capabilities of the individuals who enter them. Meaning, that there were no Imps or Mongrels before our arrival.” he explained, looking back down at his books. “I wouldn’t be surprised if the dungeon even added extra rooms and floors.”

“So then, what would make him think that the cell cannot be opened?” I said curiously.

He put down the books and leaned back in his chair, pondering to himself for a minute while letting out a wide yawn. “Well, let's see. The dungeons - as far as I know - depending on the setting you're placed in, don’t just add random obstacles. In our situation, it seems we were placed in a world that didn’t have creatures dedicated to guarding the keys. The ruined creatures we fought just happened to be there. Meaning, that if Morsom wanted to open the cell before the dungeon could alter things along with our arrival, he would have had to face different obstacles that didn’t include mongrels and Imps, right?.” I nodded in agreement. “However, for us, the dungeon only increases the difficulty of the obstacles that already existed in Morsom’s time in accordance with our capabilities. So, the difficulty of everything we faced is relative to what Morsom faced . . . more or less.” He explained. “And with all honesty, we’ve been able to get past these obstacles with a decent effort. Don’t get me wrong, we certainly had our struggles, clearly,” He said indicating to my shoulder and Chrollo lying in bed. “But the dungeon makes these obstacles depending on us, meaning it’s within our ability to complete them. Since the dungeon wouldn’t have done anything to Morsom’s world before we arrived, it's reasonable to say that he was probably able to get past any obstacles that obtained whatever he needed to open the cell.”

“You mean the keys, right?”

“Well, it could have been anything. The keys could simply be another creation of the dungeon itself.”

“Hmm,” I sighed. “But this still doesn’t answer the question as to why he thinks it's not possible to open the cell?” I said. “Read out what you’ve translated.”

Leo took his notes that he had written on a spare piece of paper, “I’ll just skip ahead to where it's written.” he said, and I nodded with approval.

“Morsom says, ‘If time really has washed away all things, then I pray to El Gibhor,’ - whoever that is, - ‘that no one ever comes across this place, lest their curiosity consumes them. However, if you do, then know this, the prison of The Fallen One cannot be opened. Many have tried, and all have failed.’ That's it.” he finished.

“The fallen one? El Gibhor?” I repeated with wonder.

“My translation may be a bit off, but that’s the general message,” Leo said sheepishly. “The Fallen one clearly hints at Rosh, while I’m not sure who El Gibhor is.”

I thought hard to myself, slowly realizing the obvious implications of what the writer could have meant. The obvious implication that Leo was too smart to not notice, and was simply ignoring or choosing to think otherwise.

“Leo, don’t you think that he may be saying the cell shouldn’t be opened?” I asked.

He sighed, rubbing his hands over his eyes, “Hmm, I thought so too, but he says that many have tried and all have failed, suggesting that people were unsuccessful in past attempts to open it.” he explained. “That doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be opened, but it does imply that it can’t be opened, or couldn’t,” he corrected himself. “But I digress. We already know what we have to do. I’m simply looking through this book for my own amusement, Elex. Once the others have found the final key and set Rosh free, I’ll return it to the dungeon.”

“A waste of time then,” I said.

He scoffed, “Hardly. What makes you say that? I'm actually learning things here.” his voice became louder slightly, perhaps I had stricken a nerve. “I’ve learned of Morsom's past, his people, where he comes from, his home city, and his worries of that city. I’ve learned more than anyone else here!” He exclaimed.

“But what have you learned of Rosh?” I said gently.

His voice choked him, and he lowered his gaze down to his books and began to read again. “I will read on,” he said. “Though our knowledge of him is futile, all that matters is we set him free.”

Leo knew that what he was saying was wrong, because I knew what he was saying was wrong. Rosh is of the utmost importance in our journey into the ruins. It would be dishonest to regard him as nothing more than a small piece of a puzzle. “So you don’t think that more knowledge of the very person we plan to set free is important?”

“How do you expect me to find the knowledge you want, Elex?” he snapped at me. “I’m the one translating this book, I’m the one who’s making the decision for the group, I’m the one who’s been pushed out of their comfort zone. Me. What have you done?”

I looked at him as he spoke. Perhaps, the ruins were taking a toll on him. We had forcefully made him the leader of our group, though if he didn’t want the responsibility, he did a good job at hiding his dissatisfaction. Leo was an individual who excelled behind a desk, not in the field, and definitely not now within the Ruins. The things we had encountered in the tower may have shocked him more than he let people believe. Only now that I request more from him, is he finally beginning to crack. I would have apologized, but Leo isn’t a fool, he knows the responsibility he bears for being our group leader. So I just let him rant. When he was done, I told him what I was doing in the tower that night he saw me.

“I spoke to Rosh,” I said hesitantly.

“You what?” he replied, taken aback.

“I spoke with Rosh, that’s what I’ve done,” I repeated. “After I woke up from the fight with the Imp, I went to speak with him, alone.”

“That’s what you were doing in the tower?” he said calmly. “I had suspected as much, but why? I thought I was to be the only one to speak with him.”

“Well, I figured I’d catch him by surprise. A different person and a different voice can trigger different responses. So I hoped I would get just that.”

“And did you learn anything?”

“He told me of his past. He spoke of his father, and how he ended up in the cell. Told me of how the people wrongfully accused him of a disaster that fell upon the land and imprisoned him lest he cause something else.”

“So he is innocent?” Leo said sitting back in his chair. “He was blamed for something out of his control, and our goal is to set him free. Makes sense.”

“I didn’t believe him,” I said bluntly with a scoff.

Leo sighed, “Of course you didn’t. You’re always skeptical when it comes to him.”

“Leo, it doesn’t make sense,” I raised my voice. “Why would he be imprisoned for something the people had accused him of doing, and now, hundreds - if not thousands - of years later, there is an entire order - the Shandlas - who dedicate their lives to setting him free? And if that truly is the case, what’s taken them so long?”

“So you think, everything he told you was a lie?”

“Not everything,” I said. “But a desperate prisoner will always lie to secure their freedom.”

Leo got up from his chair and stretched his body as if he had just woken up from an endless sleep. It was then that I saw the baggy dark circles forming under his eyes and the sluggishness in his posture from fatigue. He was tired.

“Let's say you are right,” he said. “It doesn't matter if you or Morsom think that his cell shouldn’t be opened. Our goal for completing the dungeon is to do just that and unless you can think of another objective, I’m going to continue down this path.”

“I’m not saying that we shouldn’t open his cell, I’m saying that we should be wary of what happens after we do so. I just wanted to know your thoughts on what I’ve learned.”

“It’s simple,” he shrugged. “I continue to translate and see if anything Rosh has told you lines up with what Morsom has written about him. The only difference this time is that you will help me. You’re the one who’s built for this adventuring stuff, you could gain a thing or two from learning the language of the Ruins.” he finished while putting a jacket over his black training kit clothes.

“Where are you going?” I asked.

“To get some food, why don’t you come with me?”

“Chrollo,” I said.

“He’ll be fine Elex. Let's go.”

As we walked through the medical section of the Gala and made our way to our School camping site, we ran into Professor Hall, who called out and stopped us as we headed to the shopping area.

“Elex, Leo!” He said while taking a brisk jog to catch us. “I heard one of your group members was injured, is everything ok? I would have come to see you sooner, but Professor Swine has been on my case for some time this past week. Guess I’ve not been such a good guardian teacher.”

“It’s fine, sir. He’s being treated in the medical area,” Leo explained.

“Thank Arcinose,” he glanced down at my arm. “Elex, what happened?”

“I was injured as well, sir, nothing too serious,” I reassured him.

“I’m sorry, Elex. It seems a lot of you are getting injured. I don’t mean to insult, but I didn’t think that a beta dungeon would be of any trouble to you. After all, the other professors speak highly of your arcin capabilities.”

“Well, I guess I still have much to learn. We were quite reckless to be fair.” I explained.

Professor Gillot mentioned that certain creatures shouldn’t have been in our dungeon in the first place, but it felt sour to use that as an excuse. Chrollo and I are the only ones to blame for our injuries. We were too reckless about how we approached the Imp, and because of that, he now rests unconscious in his bed, and I stand here with my arms bound in a sling.

A large commotion of talking and laughter erupted behind us in the school camping area. Despite it being mostly empty, the only tents set up were those that the teachers used. As we all turned our heads to look at where the noise came from, a large group of students were walking together, talking and laughing with one another.

“What going on?” Leo asked. “Why are they all out here.”

“Ah yes, apparently it’s the fastest time any school group from Haulburn Academy has defeated a beta dungeon.” Professor Hall commended. “All the other professors were astonished at that group's work, they were even rewarded a trip out of school campus into the city to see a viewing at the theatre.”

“But it's only been four months,?” I said in disbelief.

“Well,” the professor shrugged, “Prodigies like that only show up so often, I guess.”

“That's just the encouragement we need,” Leo responded sarcastically.

I watched the group members just with one another, all of them with wide smiles on their faces and not a scratch in sight on their bodies. Among the group, a familiar-faced boy with dark hair glanced back at us, and the smirk that formed on his face at the site of me, made my stomach turn. Caesar had always made me feel that way. Sick. I had never seen him in action, however, word of his talents traveled fast around campus. Ashton was no different, the huge Giant-blooded boy, walked next to his friend, taking no notice of our presence. I could feel the glare of Ceasar’s eyes on my shoulder, and seemed as if he pierced right through it, causing it to sting badly. It almost felt as if it had really begun to throb just from the effect of his eyes. The way his mouth spread wider at me only increased the pain, and for the first time in a while, I felt ashamed. Caesar was nothing to me, I don’t know why he alone could make me feel this way. I didn’t enjoy this at all. But I knew he did.

“Where is it you two were headed anyway?” The professor asked, stealing my attention.

“To find something to eat before we head to bed,” Leo replied with another exaggerated yawn. Probably the biggest one he had done all day.

“Don’t bother yourselves, I’ll go and get you both something. I’ve had a good time in the shopping district, and I know where to find some hidden treats.” The professor offered with a smile.

We accepted humbly and returned to the medical section where Chrollo lay. As we approached, I saw a familiar figure, a tall man draped in ragged black clothing with a hood covering his head. Another person wearing a black suit was not too far ahead of him. They seemed to be walking past the medical rooms and were just at Chrollo’s section when I spotted them. It was the same man Leo and I had seen when we came to the Gala before.

“Hey!” I called out, and the man turned to face us. I couldn’t quite see his face, he never exactly looked at us, but still spoke to us as if he were. “What are you doing here?”

“Just making my way out,” he replied. “And what about you? Some trouble in the dungeons?”

“No!” I said reluctantly. I don’t know why I lied, but I did.

“Your arm would tell a different story,” he said. “And I’m sure if that kid woke up, he would say the same. Don’t lie to me, he wears the same clothing as you. The same clothing as all the other kids I’ve seen here. The dungeon you entered, it was too hard for you.”

“That’s not true, we just made some bad decisions.” I said.

He almost seemed to chuckle at my words. “So, it's not that it was too difficult, but you were too stupid.”

I didn’t know how to reply. I looked to Leo for help, but he just stood in silence, watching. The man turned his body to fully face me, but his head was still down and slightly covered.

“Sometimes, when your opponent has you on the ropes or seems to have gained a technical advantage on you, the best thing to do isn't to think about it, but to simply let loose,” he said. “If you know that you are stronger than the obstacle you face, just unleash your strength, don’t hold back.” He finished before turning away to join the man in a suit and walk away.

Leo scoffed under his breath and said something in return. I couldn’t quite hear it, but I’m sure it was insulting. He seemed to have something personal against the man. We sat back at the table with Morsom’s diary and the translation booklet together and prepared for a long night.

“Why did you even bother speaking to him?” Leo asked.

“I don’t know,” I said. “I just felt like I had to.”