“Arggh! Let me go!” The dwarf struggled, Dosto pinned him down.

“Dispel,” Dosto cast magic while he held his neck down.

The dwarf was weakened before they arrived, Roy and Rey’s effort wasn’t in vain. But the normal dispel only temporarily disabled the cursed mark. Dosto cast seal in addition. “Did that do it?” Dosto frowned.

“Hey, you dumb delinquent, are you hurt?” Svetlana said.

“No, and I’m not a delinquent! I’m the greatest mage of the Empire of Krieg! Rey von Unheim! Get that right!” He roared in protest.

“What, you’re from the Empire?” Roy frowned.

“Yes! I’m a soldier, and my grandfather sent me here to train me to become the greatest officer! No, a great general like him!”

“You murderers! Damn humans! Especially you dog!” The dwarf hissed.

“I thought you’re also from the Empire?”

“No, I’m from Ascion.”

Rey doubted his words, and he tried to get the truth for himself, he cast mid appraisal and saw his true identity.

“No wonder why you have such a ridiculous view. Prince.” Rey gripped his fist.

“Your father is going to regret trusting high elfs, trying to integrate them out of all races? Them? you choose them? You cannot trust a high elf!” Rey hissed.

“They’re people like us! They deserved a place, not just them but all of the other races!” Roy argued.

“After you conquered them? Do you think those high elf would just sit down and serve you? I’ll give you advice just like what grandfather taught me. Those high elf are going to take back what they think is theirs, they’re going to backstab you. Learn from history you dumb ignorant.”

“No wonder both of our countries' relationship is verged on collapse, you think us humans should boss other mortals around.” Roy gripped his fist.

“Third Era 1500, the Kingdom of Ascion and Telion established a free trade route on Telion Sea along with my country and others. Guess what happened next?The treaty was ephemeral.” Roy said. “They started to collect toll fees, and if they failed to do so they confiscated the goods. Then blockading Ascion, then escalated to war, we helped our cousin win that war by giving them what they needed. Then this is the current result: Ascion annexed most of their country, the royal family hanged, the high elf bites the dust.”

“They can't handle their greed, their ego. That was the latest betrayal, you want to hear every betrayal that happened in history? I can't believe your father got soft.”

“That was long ago! Do you think I don’t know that!” Roy said.

“Long ago? Your father was there, ask him the whole detail.”

“This proved that they're lesser beings using cheap dirty tricks. We are far more superior, they spoke our language right now, Roy. We saved this world from darkness, we created far more superior magic, now another breakthrough is going to take the continent, Prince.” Rey cast a burning cloak to prove a point.

“That doesn’t mean we have the right to dictate them!”

“If that’s how you want then your own champion was sent to kidnap me! Isn’t that a cheap underhanded move to make Ascion kneel!?”

“That’s impossible! Then you shouldn’t be here!” Rey said in disbelief.

“If it wasn’t for Ezekill stopping him, I wouldn't be here for sure.”

“If that’s true then it was to prevent bloodshed! Our emperor only wants us to be united again!”

“What a way to justify your country's action! If you want to talk about history then I’ll tell you why Ascion separated from Krieg!” Roy said. “The way Krieg rules was too iron fisted, you can’t own a business! The Empire is tightly controlled! A petty crime is punished with execution!”

“Okay that’s enough politics you two,” Svetlana sighed.

A loud stump could be heard, Svetlana looked at the direction of the loud stump. She saw Cir atop of Bran as he ran towards them.

“We’re here to back you up!” Bran said and stopped.

Cir jumped off from Bran. “Yo, Bran is such a nice horsy.”

“What happened, why so gloomy?” Cir asked.

“These two talked about how a high elf can't be trusted, another politics.” Svetlana sighed.

“No wonder, some of our guys are in a bad mood.” Cir said.

“Well, I hate Telionists too, and I have half the blood, my mom was involved with them and made our lives shittier than it is. The stigma is justified, they couldn't just wake up from reality the glorious high elf age was over. Instead they caused a lot of trouble.” Cir said.

Bran tapped Cir's shoulder to cheer him up. “Thanks buddy. But I'm fine, really.”

“Enough, before another mouth speaks politics.” Svetlana said as she waved her hands.

“Let me double check your wounds,” Svetlana said.

She brushed up Roy's hair and inspected his forehead, then Rey was next. Checked every possible injury.

“Hm, hm, hm all good drink this stamina potion. So you won't have an excuse to cut classes.” Svetlana forwarded her hands with a stamina potion.

Both gulped the potion empty, it tasted bitter, no honey just plain potion.

A few minutes of awkward silence from both of them. Rey realized that he was in the wrong, then decided to talk to him trying to mend with him.

“We have our differences but still, you saved me. I thank you for that.” Rey said. “I’m sorry for shouting.”

“I won’t shove your face with my views, and I still believe that we can get along despite the differences of our moralities, values and beliefs.” Roy said. “I accept your apology, and I’m also sorry for trying to make your belief simple when the complexity and the differences in our culture is not. We may be cousins but our cultures went separate ways.”

Stolen story; please report.

“A word befitting for a prince, wonderfully said.” Rey replied.

“Let’s just hope war won’t occur between our kingdom and empire.” Roy said.

“Yes, I don’t want to face you in battle but the chance is little, I’ll be called home and you’ll probably stay here for safety.” Roy said. “I’m a soldier of my home after all. And you’re an important heir.”

Ezekill woke up inside the infirmary, he grunted, Yui sat beside him, Elizabeth stood next to Yui. The Dark Elf leaned back from the door facing Ezekill, wondering what the hell happened. Gore was everywhere, the trimmed bloodied grass spread throughout the field with a chunk of guts, eyeballs, and a piece of hands and legs.

When she realized it was disgusting she felt her breakfast bursting out from her mouth but she held it together. She shook her head, as she tried to forget then she inhaled, and exhaled seeking answers.

“You’re finally awake, my name is Esora Shadrien.” She stretched her hands with the intention to shake with Ezekill.

“Ezekill Raylight,” he shook her hands.

“Ezekill, she has some questions about the situation you were in.” Yui said.

He nodded in reply.

“Then I’ll go ahead, tell me what happened in detail. If someone else found you first it could end badly, but since Elizabeth and I got here first, you had the best case scenario. If we weren’t then you would be suspected of murder, based upon the evidence surrounding you. And it could end up badly, said it twice.” Esora said.

He told her everything, and exactly matched Elizabeth’s story. Since it was so early there were few people around, but it got her thinking.

“How did no one hear you fighting?” Esora asked.

“I don’t know, I actually expected help from the noise we made.” Ezekill said.

“But no one heard…” Esora was deep in thought.

“The only thing I can think of that was a deliberate assassination attempt, magic might be used to block the noise, or made the fight entirely disappear.” Esora suggested.

“So it’s started, a few years too late I’m able to defend myself now.” Ezekill murmured.

“But why? Are you someone important?” Esora said.

“I’m cursed by a Shade lord nightmare. He wants me, that’s the only reason I can think of.” Ezekill sighed in depression, thinking about the future battles ahead.

“How is that even possible? Magnus University is basically a safe haven for anyone inside.” She said, “unless we got an insider… That could be a huge security breach, I have to tell Headmaster Walter get some rest, you’ll need it.”

This is bad news for sure, she thought.

She strolled towards the door, and yanked it open as she went outside she nodded and smiled upon him for luck.

“Hey, Elizabeth, is she the examiner you fought during the entrance exam?” Ezekill asked as he leaned back to his bed.

“Yes, why?”

“Well, that’s surprising you made up? The last time I saw her she was pissed with you.”

“Well, we did fight more after that.” Elizabeth smiled, reminiscing about the fun. She loved to duel.

“Had fun?” Ezekill giggled.

“Yeah a little bit, but I had more of a good time fighting you though.” Elizabeth said.

Yui quietly sat beside him, as Ezekill and Elizabeth conversed.

“Hi, Yui, I’m sorry I made you worried again. But how did you know?” Ezekill held her hands.

“Uhm I always know where you are,” her smile made Ezekill pain at ease.

“Uhm, Ezekill.” Yui said.

“Yes?” he looked at her brown topaz eyes.

“Please, take care of yourself, I-I don’t want to lose you. I can’t stop you but please reduce your recklessness.” Yui hugged Ezekill as she quietly sobbed.

“Fine, you can have him for now.” Elizabeth murmured.

“Getting all lovey dovey, I'll go to class now. Take your time Ez.” She sighed.

“Take care, Eli.” Ezekill waved at her when she walked towards the door to go to her class.

Elizabeth smiled, and continued to stroll.

Yui looked back, and towards left and right.

“We're alone now.” Yui gazed at Ezekill.

She blushed, and twirled her fingers. She moved closer, and closer to Ezekill.

“You want to do it? Here?” Ezekill said.

She nodded as her cheeks went red, and got closer to him. Ezekill could feel her warm breathing beneath his nose, the sweet soft peachy aroma of her perfume. Ezekill thought it was pleasant. Her chest pressed against his, she pulled Ezekill with both arms. Ezekill was pushed down. The sound of Yui’s heartbeat got faster, and faster. The excitement made her smooch Ezekill as she twisted her tongue around Ezekill’s tongue. Her lips were soft like silk, and pillowy. The taste of honeypie, and wine from her breakfast as they both closed their eyes to feel more of each other. Ezekill brushed his fingers through her soft black hair.

The romance put them in a trance-like state forgetting the surroundings, the door creaked open, someone got inside but they continued without care of the world. The witnesses were dazed by the scene, the curtains weren't closed, they forgot or didn’t bother to close it.

“What the fuck!” Roy and Rey said insync, in shock.

Ezekill gasped as he realized someone saw them, he pulled his lips out. Both were too noisy, and Ezekill was pulled out on his trance.

“What the heck are you doing here!” Ezekill shouted the first sentence he thought.

“Shit, sorry I didn’t know! I was told that the priest was here! I was going to buy potions!” Roy said.

“How about you, why the hell are you making up inside the infirmary!” Roy shouted in self-defense.

“Y-you fucker, I was injuried!” Ezekill said.

Roy immediately dashed out of the door, and pulled the shocked Rey.

“Did he just make out with his servant!?” Roy said in shock.

Rey was still processing the event, and couldn’t reply.

“Hello, how may I help you dear?” The priest said.

“Ah! I want to restock my potions, do you have a common healing potion? I prefer strawberry flavored ones.” Roy said.

“Hmm, follow me, you're facing the wrong door, that's a patient's room.” he replied.

“Snap out of it, Rey.” He sighed. “I said! Get back here!” Roy bonked his head to get him back to reality.

“They saw us Yui!” Ezekill covered his face in embarrassment.

“I’m sorry,” Yui said while giggling a bit.

“Why are you giggling, oh man.” Ezekill rubbed his face.

“You saw that other guy with blonde hair, he was in a state of shock. He just probably saw something like that for the first time in his life.” She giggled a bit.

“Yui! They’re my friends! My friends saw us! Oh man, they will tease me for sure!”

“Why are you worried? They saw that you’re more than a man compared to them.”

“Yui! I’m not, I treat them as my equal.” Ezekill sighed.

“Sorry,” Yui lowered her head.

“Ah, it’s fine, I just don’t want to think high and mighty to my friends just because I accomplished something that they didn’t.” Ezekill patted her head.

“I see, then it was my terrible mistake.” Yui said.

“Stop apologizing, let’s get out of here, I’m late again.”

“But you need rest…” Yui said.

“I’m fine now, thanks to you. Y-your kiss made me feel alive again.” Ezekill blushed.

“I can’t really stop you,” she sighed. “Take this with you, it’s a greater healing potion. I bought it from the priest since I know that I can’t do anything.” Yui took a satchel that housed the greater potions.

“You bought six of them?” Ezekill opened the satchel.

“Yes,” Yui said softly.

“You should go now, I love you Ezekill.” Yui’s gentle smile was shown, her brilliance made Ezekill heartbeat thump like a race horse on full throttle.

Ezekill and Yui left the infirmary and went in separate ways, Yui bowed her head as Ezekill left for school.

“I really have to become stronger, this isn’t earth, this place is full of dangerous monstrosities that could hurt Yui.” Ezekill gripped his fist held his head high, and continued to stroll.

Ezekill arrived at the classroom as expected he arrived late, everyone looked at the door when he got inside. Elena was there waving her hands while she rubbed her head signaling him to hurry up. She seemed exhausted.

“The only reason why I'm teaching this class is late. Ascionians really should stop their high horses, no that's not it, why am I blaming my apprentice? Ughh I have to deal with the demands of the King, stop buying the empire's goods? Why would Magnus University accept such demands? It would be their loss if Magnus stops operating on Ascion. And this Magnus keeps pestering me with her dirty work. Argh mortals.” She whined silently.

Elizabeth was surprised that he attended the class, Roy and Rey were there. Rey didn't cut classes as he saw Rey.

“So, where are we?” Elena said.

“This is such a headache, how are we going to report this to the headmasters?” Svetlana said, erratically walking back and forth inside the council room.

“Yes, one student died, this is going to ruin Magnus' reputation. We're going to report this to their parents soon.” Dosto sighed, rubbing his forehead.

“The most renowned magic university got infiltrated, and people died. Yeah, that's going to hit hard.” Cir said.

“We need to do something,” Dosto said.

“We need more manpower, someone capable.” Siesta said.

“I just got one person in mind.” Svetlana, stomping her feet, the pressure was getting her.

“And who's that?” Siesta replied.

“I saw him fight first hand, a kid who's a well-rounded battlemage. Ezekill Raylight.” Svetlana said.

“Oh, a Raylight.” Cir said.

“You know him?” Svetlana said.

“No, not him personally but his family's reputation among the Telionists. My mother once said a human clan that was very notorious, and a bloody warmonger who's always out for blood. She said that they ate the hearts of their victims.” Cir said. “Golden Lion's head with the sun's crown, they shit themselves when they saw that banner. Raylights are both feared and hated by them.”

“Oh, that's interesting.” Siesta said.

“Dos, I need you to write a letter for the dead student's family, but hold it for the meantime. We're going to mobilize the whole task force, and check every corner of this university.” Svetlana said. “Let's get to work, we should keep it quiet from the headmasters for now, they don't need another headache. If we truly fail to stop them, then there's no choice but to report them.” Svetlana said.

Siesta's face relaxed after Svetlana's announcement. They dispersed to do their tasks.

“Let's do our best to protect this univerCITY!” Bran suddenly shouted.

“I told you to be discreet, not to shake the council's nest.” A small enigmatic voice could be heard.

“It was unavoidable, priestess. When that stupid giant got caught. I had to use the dwarf to cause a ruckus, and it worked.” Another enigmatic voice replied.

“Explain why you sent a single nightmare? It was unnecessary.” The priestess tone trembled, she gripped her fist.

“Well, I thought we could eliminate him so you know we could use the armor for someone strong like, perhaps the headmaster?”

“You! You vastly underestimated him! And in daylight too! Why do you think I'm sending the power armor!?” The priestess was enraged.

“Well, if he's alive then my bad, give me another chance I'll see to it.” The enigmatic voice said.

“No, you won't waste another nightmare, stick to the plan. For now, manipulate the dwarf, make him confess he's the one getting us inside, and send the men discreetly!” Priestess said while she vanished.

The right hand of the priestess stood still, her vision gone dark as if everything froze when she got back to her senses, she was gone. “Scary,” she said as she gasped.