Originally uploaded Jan 16, 2023

Art Pov

"Oi, wake up!" I shouted at my sleeping friend. Pounding his sternum, as if I was trying to resuscitate a corpse.

"Ack!" Elijah groaned

"You can't be late for the first day of school can you?" I yelled into his ear as he slumped out of bed.

"You couldn't have woken me up a bit more gently?" Elijah groaned again, rubbing his eyes.

"Oh? Would you have preferred if I was a pretty girl waking you up?" I joking batting my eyelashes.

"Gross, I'm going to wash up." Elijah said, making a mock vomiting gesture as he made his way to the bathroom.

"Brother, are you awake?" Ellie called out as she opened the door.

"Yeah, I'll be down when Elijah gets ready." I replied pointing back at the now closed bathroom door.

The uniform Xyrus had spent Elijah was the standard. Black blazer matching the black pants with white trimmings. As well as a black square-end tie with a single white strip, noting the wearer as a level one student.

Mine on the other hand consisted of a simple grey dress shirt. Along with a double-breasted military general style suit top, with dark navy and gold trim. Paired with the black overcoat with gold lining and black trousers to match, it clearly wasn't an uniform of a student. Fully dressing in my uniform and looking into the mirror, I couldn't help but be reminded of the dragon, Windsom's military-like uniform he always wore.

'Probably doesn't help the I have the complexion of the dragon.' I thought in my head, slightly disgusted that I resembled that Indrath envoy, while I tied my shoulder length blonde hair back into a pony tail with the bangs sweeping over my forehead.

Elijah soon got out of the bathroom as he hastily put on his uniform. He made it clear to me that this would be his debut in finding a girlfriend so he took great pride in how he looked, although always grumbling about my looks.

"Well, look at mister fancy over here with he dashing new uniform." Elijah taunted as he wore his glasses.

"You sure you made the right choice, Art? I can't believe you will be the assistant to the director. Just what kind of strings did you pull." Elijah added as he stood next to me in the mirror.

"You should ask the director herself sometimes. I'm sure she'll find my best friend interesting." I poked his sides.

"Anyway, keep up that snarky attitude with me and I'll have you expelled." I joked, well I took as a joke Elijah just stared back at me with horror.

"Please don't."

"I jest Elijah." I chuckled as I walked towards the door while he followed. Sylvie hopped on top of my head and her small claws dug into my scalp.

'Sylv, you can't ride on my head forever.'

'Don't wanna.' she chirped back as she found a comfortable position atop my head.

***

The ride to Xyrus Academy wasn't long, but the campus itself sparled before us. Elijah next to me, marvel at its size and grandeur.

"We have arrived, Master Arthur, Master Elijah." The driver opened the door for us and we stepped out.

"Smells same but better." Elijah said with a deep breath.

"Don't be stupid." I pushed my sightseeing friend forward as we followed the crowd of students walking on the wide marble path.

"Holy crap." Elijah's metaphorical jaw dropped as he looked up at the building in front of us. A massive white structure with runes etched over it.

"Come on hillbilly, can't keep drooling forever." I snapped Elijah back to his senses and walked towards the building alongside the other students.

Entering the building I turn to Elijah.

"This is where we part for now." I had told Elijah earlier that Director Cynthia had instructed me to join her backstage before the entrance ceremony. Most likely so duty of mine as assistant to the school director.

Elijah, more excited by the abundance of females didn't even look at me as he spoke.

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"Yeah, see you later!" And he was off. Probably to secure a seat next to some cute girl.

Making my way towards the back of the stage, there are several upper-class students and teacher walking around and talking amongst each other. Some students wearing the standard uniform while others wore the black uniforms of the Disciplinary Committee. I was looking around when a voice called out to me.

"Arthur, it's good to see you again. How much you have grown."

"It's good to see you again Director." I said with a slight bow.

"Oh no there is no need for that." she waved off my greeting.

"How are things going on your end." I asked softly, to not be heard by anymore passing by.

"The info you have given me has been useful and are ready to be relayed to the council when on your order." She replied to a more serious tone this time, casting a weak sound barrier around us.

Before we could continue a familiar elf rushed towards us.

"Art!" Tessia yelled as she reached us. Cynthia withdrew her spell and greeted the girl with a warm smile.

Tessia Eralith, the princess of Elenoir. As well as the future vessel of the legacy. She had grown into a beautiful young girl. Her long gunmetal grey hair with two braids tied together at the back of her head with two more braids that hung from behind her pointy ears. Paired with her gleaming teal eyes she was the model student for some.

But whenever I looked upon her face... I saw her. The legacy, all the friendly and kind emotions of the elf princess gone. Replaced by a stern expression full of determination and hatred. Her flawless hands and face tainted by the dirt and blood of countless lives, both lesser and asura.

When I first met her again as a child after Sylvia's death. I contemplated killing her right then and there. There would have been no witnesses, I could so easily get rid of one of Agrona's most important tool. It would have been trivial, she wouldn't have even seen it coming.

A part of me wanted to. To end her existence, to snuff out the embers that would grow into a monstrous fire. That part of me also blamed the legacy and by extension, Tessia for all the hardships in my life. She was the reason my life back at the orphanage with Miss Wilbeck was ripped away from me. As well as throwing herself upon my blade, never thinking of the consequences her actions would have on not only me but Elijah as well. The once good friend and brilliant inventor, consumed by rage and desperation as both of them were manipulated by Agrona.

Also the reason I was robbed of a peace even in death, Agrona taking my soul from my still then living body to be an anchor to bring the legacy to this world. The catalyst of my two hellish lives full of wrong decisions and regrets.

Yet, the other part of me. The more understanding and compassionate part of me. Understood that it wasn't her choice. She never wanted to be the legacy, to have uncontrollable power, to be used as the tool of war. This part of me justified my actions to rescue and grow close to her. The council and alliance between the three races were needed to face the upcoming war. The legacy was an useful tool to not only Agrona, but to my plans as well.

So I relented, letting her live, keeping a close eye on her. Becoming close to her to insure she would indeed become the appropriate vessel. But deep inside me there was a part of me that was a raging tempest of fire, every time I saw or even thought about her. The two different side were at odds with each other in what to do with Tess still to this day, and it was slowly eating away at my mind.

My thoughts were interrupted as Sylvie, now awake jumped into Tess' arms.

"Sylvie!" she squealed as she hugged her close.

'Mama!' Sylvie chirped as she cuddled up to Tess.

"Good to see that you are well princess, or should I call you student council president?" I joked.

Tessia chuckled at my words. "Good to see you too, you demon brat." she taunted, sticking out her tongue.

While training the Virion I had limited what I had shown of my skills, but I still needed to show him enough so he would trust and comply to my needs in the future. And with that came the unfortunate nickname.

"Yes yes, and you were a crybaby. Asking me to sleep with you in your tent at night cuz you were so scared." I taunted back, pulling down my bangs to hide behind them to imitate Tess' actions back then.

Tessia's face grew crimson. 'Ah crap, that probably sounded bad out of context to other people.' Embarrassed Tess quickly dropped Sylvie, turned and rushed away.

"I won't forget this Art!" She turned her head to shouted as she ran away.

'Well that could have gone better.' I thought in my head. Turning my attention back to Cynthia, she just looks at me with a smug smile.

"What?"

"Didn't know you had swoon the elf princess. You know I have heard some students call her the untouchable lunar goddess?" Cynthia jeered, obviously enjoying my discomfort and awkwardness.

I couldn't help but sigh. "Anyway what did you need me for?"

"I couldn't have someone like you as my assistant and not introduce him to the whole school." Cynthia simply replied.

'Well, there goes trying to live a quiet life at school.' I mentally sighted.

"Fine what do you want me to do?" I replied once again, just wanting to get this over with. I would have rather spent several months fighting in the Relictombs.

***

The massive auditorium was packed with students. The thousands of excited students chattered away, some with friends that they had come with together, some with people hey were meeting for the first time. On the stage was a single podium. I was standing just outside the view of the students at the side of the stage.

"Well, here goes nothing." I muttered. As I made my way up to the podium, my long overcoat gently fluttering as I walked.

By the time many of the first years noticed me approaching the podium, there were mummers.

"Wow look at him."

"Another good for nothing pretty boy."

"What is he doing on the stage?"

As I reached to podium I looked towards the students. Almost instantly I made out Lucas, with a uninterested look on his face as he sat cross-legged with his arm folded. Surrounded by other students that radiated similar unpleasant auras. Near the back I spotted Elijah, 'Of course he sat close to the girls.'

Gripping on the edges of the podium I lean forward slightly.

'Let's see if any of you are worth my time.'

Unleashing a tiny fraction of my will, the room goes silent instantly. Some students look at me with fear and disbelief, while some looked as if they were struggling to breath. The weaker ones were already on the floor gasping for air and clutching their chest and throats. I made sure to limit the pressure of my intent, I didn't want to kill these kids after all. But I needed to see who would be worth roping into my plans.

Noting some of the more talented and skilled students in my mind I opened my mouth to speak as I withheld my will.

"I welcome everyone here, the future leaders and scholars Dicathen, to this humble academy. I am Arthur Leywin, assistant director. But please just call me Arthur and do not be afraid to say hello or ask me questions when I'm around the campus. And now I'll introduce Director Goodsky and the Student Council that represents this academy."