I stood at the edge of my balcony, admiring the town of Chaslern. It was a quaint little settlement, with low rise brick dwellings, topped with slant roofs and narrow chimneys. The air crusty with vibrant warmth and sunkissed happiness. It was untouched with malice, instead filtered with compassion.

I watched the cathedral at the center, which was sending ripples of bell chimes, indicating mid day. A daily custom there to admin rule and time over the subjects.

The cathedral also happened to hold absolute power over the mayor of the town, a given for being more authoritative for its materialistic defenses against the night crawlers.

I frowned, chugging down a glass of fine wine.

The night crawlers had been a problem since centuries back, not abiding by the rules and customs, always robbing and killing people. It was tough, living together with them.

The society was divided, with night crawlers and the day crawlers.

The day being ruled by men and the night by them, the creatures of the other world. Vampires, werewolves, fairies, witches, warlocks, etc, etc, always made themselves known to others.

The two communities did not partake in fights as of late, but there was still a thick tension among the people, even after all these years.

The government did its all to protect its people, the day council protecting men and the night council protecting those creatures. It was a difficult task, to keep two worlds separated and nobody could blame them. Humans did not like the night crawlers  and the night crawlers did not like the humans.

Just a year back a pact had been signed for 'The bill' to pass, which clearly stated the words 'growing together', so it was only a matter of time before every organisation whether supporting day or night crawler would unite together into one. The separation was not healthy anymore, so the people would have to compromise.

Men and creatures would work together, which had only been something told in fairy tales to young children, to make them less phobic towards the upcoming generation. Because people were sick of fights, wars and battles. It was now a time of independence, a new age.

And where was I?

Stuck with a potential mafia life.

I grumbled to myself, checking the time. It was almost 1 pm, I had to attend the lunch meet with father. A huge burden currently.

I never wanted to be a part of his life, never wanted enemies to haunt my every step and definitely never wanted the responsibility he was forcing upon me. But sadly my brother ran away with some woman, afraid that he would have to face father's wrath, which wasn't a delicacy anyone wanted to taste, not when it involved guns.

Who knows, my father might kill someone by mistake, it was that stupid.

"Ruya, your father is here," I heard Sian say, his presence by the balcony door, not intruding but recognizable.

"I will be there shortly, please tell him to wait. He can at least do that."

Sian was hesitant, his shuffling feet indicative enough, but I did not look back to be guilt tripped into going, I was stubborn to a great degree.

When I was sure I was left alone, I breathed a sigh of relief. Sian was the only member I trusted with my life, the rest were too mafia like, their minds corrupted to the core.

But again, I still couldn't be safe around Sian, he wasn't corrupt but self righteous to a fault. He believed that the government was wrong for us men, and the only way one could practice healthy life was to do what one wanted, meaning he loved his freedom.

And being my father's personal favorite, he was biased towards the mafia life, he loved the cruelty and the bloodshed. It was something I had always been weary of, but Sian was somehow dependable despite his bend morals.

He kept his promises and was good with keeping secrets even if his outgoing personality stated otherwise.

I took a long look at the buzzing town life before leaving. Something told me it was going to be a long meeting.

--

Lunch with a parent should be happy and relaxing, but with a gang leader of a parent, it always ended up in chaos.

I bit back a retort when father joked about my stiff stature, it was funny to him.

Well if it wasn't for his gun on the table or for his big burly bodyguards, I would have been slightly more relaxed.

Sian was there, but he was loyal to my father, a shame.

"How is your school going, I heard you ranked number one in your batch."

He was making small talk and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, somebody from his circle must have suggested him the idea or maybe someone complemented me to get into his good graces. Whatever the case, I was finding it hilarious.

"I am doing good, it will be my last year."

He took a bite from his raspy cherries, the juice dripping down the end of his lips. It was disgusting.

"You will be turning 18 soon, what are your plans for the future?" he asked me politely, as if he cared about my preferences. For him it was all about power and business, he never had cared for his family, his money going to other underground causes, funding shady business in the black market.

Because of his lack of passion, mother died an unhealthy death, riddled with various viruses because of a witch's curse. And since then I hated both the witches and my father, who was worse, not even visiting mother because he feared he would catch her 'dirty diseases'.

I clenched my fist tightly, not answering the man who sat in front of me. His handsome figure not at all appeasing.

"I asked you a question lad." His voice dulled at the edges, warning me to continue.

When I kept eating my pancake, he got pissed, growling at Sian, "The hell have you been teaching him? He has become more childish, like an ignorant fool."

I slammed my fist on the table, silencing the man with a glare, "Stop shouting at him, he did nothing wrong, you are the one at fault."

A silence fell over the table, it was astounding how silence could be that heavy.

My father glared back, "Learn to cooperate son or you will see yourself in some ditch."

That was how he talked to me, degrading me all the time. Barely even flinching the way his words dripped with venom and disgust, as if I was the one who wronged him.

"No wonder brother left you, you are a di*k."

In an instant he pulled his gun at me, not even blinking twice, it was a clear warning, one that would result in bloodshed.

I could feel Sian restless behind me, definitely conflicted on his views. I pitied him, he never liked being put into the spot, it actually pained him physically, before he turned off his emotions and went berserk. Like really, Sian was one strange character.

"You won't kill me." I was sure of it. If living with my father had taught me something, it was the politics. And I knew he needed an heir for his throne, it was a necessity, because without the heir, a mafia was vulnerable, and so was his gang.

"You don't test me Ruya, I would really pull the trigger if you keep insulting me."

He was sincere, and it was sad.

I sighed, "Put it down already, I will do as you say."

He smiled slightly after hearing it, his hands faltering, "Alright but know this, the next time you cross me, you won't live again to see the world, and I would be left with no choice but to go after your brother."

I nodded stiffly, my consideration for my brother was the only thing keeping me here, because if I died, my father would definitely kill my brother's family and bring him back here forcefully.

Yes my brother had kids, Sian had told me once last year, he had two daughters, one was a year old while the other was already four.

And I didn't have a heart to destroy them, it just wasn't in my conscience.

"Well?" I asked bitterly.

He smirked, enjoying my frustration. "You will be leaving for this academy once you are done with your school. It is called Rynderg. It tolerates both the day and the nights crawlers."

"And why would I attend it?"

"The courses they teach are beneficial for your growth. And being close to those creatures will give you an insight to how they live and what is there weakness. We as a mafia barely get such a big chance. But I saw your result, you are eligible."

Wow, the man was low, it was cruel how I had to see him every week, hear his bullsh*t for all it was worth.

"And where is this Rynard uni?"

"Rynderg," he pressed, his food long since forgotten, "We will help you get in, the accommodations are costly even for me, but it is our golden opportunity to unfold their clan secrets. Even with my connections I barely know much about their workings, we know how to kill them, but learning of their clan will help in the long run."

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"You still didn't say where it is."

He smiled, making me shiver with anxiousness.

"It is in Silverstay, the city of Silver."

I felt Sian stiffen behind me.

Shit. That was just insane, humans never went there, because it was infested with night crawlers, their people.

"Afraid?" he asked with amusement.

"You are kidding."

He grinned, "No I am not, but don't worry, the dorms for the students are safe, you wouldn't be the only human there, but you don't need to wonder around that sordid place, they have arrangements. And with that bill passed just last year, the academy is welcoming aspiring day crawlers even if it was initially adjusted just for night crawlers."

"What if I say no." I spoke after some thought.

"There isn't any option for you. Be ready, the moment your school ends, you leave."

I sighed, there was no chance for me to escape now, I already felt trapped. "What courses would I be opting for?"

The man shrugged, "Your choice, I will let you have at least that much joy, before I plunge you deep into our mafia world." He then cackled, as if he found himself funny.

Again, I felt nothing but revulsion towards him. "Then shall I leave now?"

The feast wasn't over yet, but I had no stomach to digest anything, my gut was feeling sick with anxiety over the inevitable.

"Settle down, we have more to discuss."

"About what," I tried not to snap at him.

"The weapons you will be keeping with you, and your hand to hand combat training with Sian. I do not want you to die there, you have to survive and come back in one piece."

I grimaced, I always loathed combat training with Sian, not that he went rough on me, but I just didn't like to physically strain myself. Although knowing all the tricks went in my favour.

"Sian will teach you whatever he can, but I want results before you leave."

"Fine."

"And Sian will be going with you, so you two better learn to accommodate, I am not spending extra. Tight budget is something you will have to become familiar with."

"Really, how expensive is this Academy?"

Father frowned, "I am paying 40,000 Riches for you, don't disappoint me."

I did a double take, 1000 Riches itself was an amount no daily passerby ever saw in life, it took years to collect that amount in this tough world. And father was paying 40,000 Riches? Where was the money even coming from, I hesitated to ask, afraid to learn of something I didn't want to.

"Now, let's talk about your daily routine."

--

The talk with father had went downhill for sure, our points not matching and nor our views on the system and methods. By the end of the afternoon, all we did was argue and threaten.

I took in a deep breath, feeling out of sorts already. 

Sian was sitting next to me as he read some newspaper, his phone blinking with messages he kept ignoring.

I watched the small fan rotating above us, creaking with each rotation. The weather was warmer today, but slightly uncomfortable. "You are two years older than me right, Sian?"

"Yes, so you better call me brother." He mumbled, engrossed in his daily dose of articles. I never knew what interested him so. All his articles ever talked about was murder and theft. Well maybe I knew what was so interesting.

I shivered absently. Suddenly feeling cold.

"When are we going to start my training?"

"Tonight, it is best to get adjusted with the dark."

I sighed, "Will you leave your newspaper for a while? I am trying to talk to you here."

Sian barely shifted, still squinting at the words with all his attention.

"What is even written in there." I asked finally frustrated.

"About your academy. Rynderg."

That made me pause, as I leaned in to see for myself. There was a picture of the campus and I had to calm my nerves down before taking a gulp. It was as I had predicted, threatening and dangerous. All dark and obtuse.

Something straight out of a Goth Poster for Halloween.

"It is just a poster Ruya, I am sure the real thing isn't like this." Sian comforted me, "Academies like these actually don't want unwanted visitors, so they attempt to make the advertisement look threatening. It is their way of saying, 'come on your own accord, we won't take responsibility if you died here.' It is actually kind of a warning but also an invitation for the strong."

I didn't want to panic, but my situation looked worse minute by minute. "I have never hated my father this much before, if it wasn't for him, I would be living happily with some girlfriend or something."

It was true that I had many female admirers in school, they liked my confidence and of course, the money. They didn't know that I was a Mafia's son, but they rarely cared. Being handsome also went in my favor, no harm there.

Sian snorted, "Like that girl Serena, I never liked her."

"Of course you didn't" I snapped, "she rejected your proposal twice."

Sian pouted, "But I was just joking, I didn't really want her to suck my di*k, it was just a proposal for furthering our relationship."

"That is the problem with you, whenever you take a liking to someone, you ask whether she wants your di*k, I mean don't you know that it is kind of offensive to normal people. If you want anyone to entertain you like that, just go to a bar or something. Make use of that face of yours."

Sian rolled his eyes, "Don't lecture me, I know I come out as a cheap lecher but I am a part of the country renowned mafia gang, I do stuff worse than just murder. So I want to be frank with my behave, as frank as I can be."

"And I see where it takes you."

"Stop mocking me."

"Fine, fine, but I am anxious, and I think it would be best if we go shopping. I need clothes which I can wear for the Academy. Did father say whether they have uniforms or allow casuals?"

"He did leave a pamphlet for us to take a look at," Sian got up to get to the drawer section, pulling out a boxed compartment to search. "I kept the stuff here somewhere, let me see."

"Found it?" I asked a while later, getting tired of his grumbling and ruffling.

"Yeah, but I can't find the smaller one, which had introductions about the staff and all."

"Just let me take a look at the one you did find."

Sian was dubious but then with one plea of my eyes, he gave up, coming back to take his seat next to me. Making himself comfortable, he shuffled through the pages, opening the first page eagerly.

I leaned in again to read it as Sian worded it aloud.

~~

["A greeting to everyone who showed interest in our Academy, Rynderg. Based on the upper land of Silverstay, we are part of the grandeur of ancient relics of Septims. Being organised by the Government's Night Council itself, we poses the strongest academic records, from being the safest to the most loyal government based structure. We practice clean clear cut views and no outsider has access to our archives.

With the bill being passed for the harmony of the two community, we are taking steps to invite day crawlers into our realm of magic, where they would be guided by the best our academy could offer. Also, we follow the same rules as our sub branch academy Riverin, which happens to be very famous among both the day and the night crawlers.

We are patient but strict, outgoing but reserved. We take in only the finest, and if you are reading this pamphlet, then you are already one of ours, for we don't reveal our secrets to just anyone."]

~~

I glared at the letters, "When did father approach them, I am sure he submitted my school records already. That is why I am being invited."

"True," Sian spoke, "but this other sub branch of their's, I know about Riverin, it was the first academy to ever let both the community co-exist. It's certificate was as valuable as one's life, it is still revered to

"But?" I knew there was something else, something he wasn't telling me.

He gave in, "Well if the rumors are correct, then they practiced the wings concept."

My eyes widened, I had heard of that term before. It was where the night crawlers would take in humans under their wing, guard them and protect them, but also take something in return. Most of the times it was blood for vampires, sex for werewolves, valuables for witches, etc. It was shameful and a very dangerous bargain.

"Are you sure Sian?"

"Not really, but if human students take up some creature as their leader, then they are safer, so I think it can be."

"I am already affiliated with the mafia because of my father, I don't want another trouble like that. I won't ever do the mistake of going under someone's wing. I am my own person, I won't be a slave to anyone."

"That is what I am afraid of," Sian insisted, "if that system applies there, then you will have to chose someone's side. Most people chose werewolf or vampire. They are the strongest in their community."

"But the payment is high, I don't want a bloodsucker to ruin my life or a sex hungry fanatic to disgrace my body."

"IF they practice wings concept, which is just a theory," Sian shrugged, "then I am sure you will be under great danger, because an unmarked human can possibly unsettle them."

I snorted, "Unsettle my ass, I am not becoming a part of their cult, it is a modern death sentence. Imprisonment!"

"Then what will you do?" Sian looked bothered.

"I will make my own stupid rules, make my own group of people, I am the son of a mafia, it does amounts to something."

Sian shook his head, "Mafias maybe powerful, but only when in their own habitat. Out there you would be vulnerable."

"Then train me to the best of your ability."

"Alright, you win. But don't worry, I will be there to guard you, if something does go wrong."

"I was expecting that." I grinned.

"Let's read what's next." He said indicating the pamphlet, which was still there with us.

We turned the page and I analysed the face of the man who owned Rynderg. He looked stout and healthy, a straight sign of his respected status, also, he looked like a very serious... Man?

"Is he a night crawler or a day one."

Sian frowned, "I don't know, but I believe he is a night crawler, though he looks very human. You never know, night crawlers have started to look like us these days."

I nodded slowly, taking in the looks. "I can feel him from the picture itself, he seems very strict and..."

"Intimidating?" Sian supplied, to which I nodded.

~~

["Bangshi (Founder Chairman)

"I congratulate all those who are interested in joining our Academy, it is an honor to serve the younger generation and introduce them with newer opportunities and teachings. I believe in equality and justice. So I also respect those who have strong morals and righteous beliefs."

~

Stubbornly Strong and Sincere by Soul, we create our own Persona."]

~~

I groaned, "Why am I feeling like this man is going to be a big problem for me? Look at his ignorant arrogant talk."

"He is the Founder," Sian pressed with a sarcastic tone, "of course he would spout nonsense. You cannot expect him to say, 'Hello my dear students, you don't know but I am eating your money and throwing you into a death pit called Rynderg.' He has his cut decided for him."

I threw up my hands in exasperation, "Well, if it is already decided I am going to suffer, why not hurry through this thing, I cannot sit here any longer, it will eat me up."

Sian went along with me, turning the page.

~~

["Before you join the classes, please ensure to come along three days prior, for the selection of course and combat choice. Your dormitory will be decided on spot.

Here are the following courses you can opt for:

Day Scholars : 

Arts

Sciences

Technical

Field

Combat

Humanities

Commerce

Medical

Night Scholars :

Science

Community

Econ

Combat

Medical

Further details would be provided after the choice has been made. The courses can be changed in future depending on your performances and skills."]

~~

So there weren't many options. "What's up with this shortage of courses."

Sian hummed, "They have given a broader scope, I am sure we will be able to figure things out later. But just curious, what are you going to opt for?"

"Arts, I am good at that. If the subject is related to painting and stuff, I don't know what Arts they are talking about though."

"There is just one other page left," Sian told me, flipping the page again.

~~

["A few rules are necessary to follow :

Though we do not adhere to strict uniform code, we also do not condone nudity and/or any form of exposure. 

Illicit drug usage and open sexual act may lead to severe punishment or in worst case scenario, the student may get expelled permanently.

Criminal offenses are strictly prohibited and action would be taken against them according to the law.

Any form of bullying is against the conduct of Academy and will lead to punishment.

Weapon inside campus is allowed for self defense and combat training, but using them for scuffled and fights is prohibited."]

~~

"That's it?" I asked baffled.

"What else do you want, I do not see why it would be shocking. Almost all the academies have similar rules and regulations." Sian did not find anything odd in it, but I did.

"We are going to be a part of their community Sian, I thought there would be some other rules, like don't anger werewolves, or don't throw garlic at Vampires, all I see here is human equivalent rules."

Sian rolled his eyes, "Don't be stupid, they won't jot down those life hacks for you, you have to be clever about it when you actually start your academy. Not everything comes in ink."

I still wasn't satisfied but it did seem safer now then earlier, it didn't seem like the campus was for rogues anymore. "Then what shall we do now?"

"We wait and I train you. Good that you took self defense that year."

I snorted, "Yeah, but I have already forgotten most of it, I have been busy with school these days."

"The school or the girls."

"The school," I snapped.

"Well, take advantage of your free time then, you won't be getting any in the future."

I sighed but agreed.

"And you know," Sian added, "I have heard that night crawlers don't mind same sex relationships, so you-"

"Shut up," I scowled, "I am not interested in guys." It was repulsive.

He shrugged, "I know, but there is that option. I was just stating the fact."

"Right."