The entrance ceremony unfolded in a grand ballroom adorned with sparkling chandeliers and intricate tapestries depicting magical scenes. Wizards and witches of various ages and races mingled together, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere. Guests enjoyed delicious food and drinks as they engaged in conversation.
The ballroom came alive with enchanting displays of magic, elevating the ambiance to new heights. Dancers gracefully moved across the floor, their movements enhanced by spells of levitation and illusion. The room shimmered with a kaleidoscope of colors, captivating the senses and transporting everyone into a realm of wonder.
Oghoth The Green, a respected master of nature magic, took the stage to introduce both the new and returning students. However, many had already witnessed the thrilling tournament battles, either in person or through illusionary replays. The participants received well-deserved applause and recognition, and their achievements were celebrated by the gathered crowd.
Amidst the festivities, Altheack and Valicar were warmly welcomed by their fellow students. Greetings and playful challenges to duels filled the air, and jokes at the participant's expense. Valicar was given food and drink from the exotic to the mundane. One student, hailing from a prominent family on the eastern continent, even offered their family's connections to House Norail against the Empire, extending a gesture of support.
However, amidst the jubilant atmosphere, a figure stood out. Orion Wildwood, the wind elf whom Valicar had triumphed over in the tournament, surrounded himself with a group of students who displayed open animosity towards Valicar. Though his arm was in the process of regenerating through healing magic, its twisted appearance served as a reminder of their intense battle. Orion's resentful gaze burned with a lingering grudge.
Mike locked eyes with Orion, rising to the challenge. Across the room, he couldn't resist the temptation to taunt the man. "What the fuck are you looking at, you pathetic bitch? Need a hand?" Mike's words dripped with sarcasm, his taunting gestures directed at Orion's missing limb. Valicar's petite stature stood in stark contrast to their bold words, while their striking red and blue eyes and vibrant hair only served to enhance their imposing presence.
"Mike, will you please stop!" Sophia pleaded internally, her voice filled with frustration, as Orion and his posse approached.
Orion's eyes darkened, his anger simmering beneath the surface. The air grew still as he channeled magical energy, causing those nearby to sense the charged atmosphere. The tension in the room escalated, and all eyes turned to witness the impending clash.
"You don't belong here, you cheating imp," Orion spat, his voice seething with bitterness and resentment, their past battle fueling his words.
Before the situation could escalate further, a tree suddenly sprouted from the ground, its branches snaking out to restrain Orion. Oghoth, a commanding presence, intervened with a resounding voice. "All forms of offensive magic are strictly forbidden outside the dueling arena. If you have a score to settle, it can wait until the new students have completed orientation." Oghoth locked eyes with Orion, his gaze firm, before unceremoniously tossing him outside.
"See you later, Twiggy!" Mike couldn't resist another taunt, but before he could say more, Sophia physically restrained herself. She held back, preventing any further provocation.
Altheack, for the first time, looked visibly hurt by Valicar's words. Her expression softened with a mixture of disappointment and resignation. "Twiggy, huh?" she muttered, her voice tinged with sadness. "You are just like every other human from the Empire." With a heavy sigh, Altheack turned and walked away, leaving Valicar to reflect on their actions.
"What the fuck, Mike?" Sophia tried to gather her thoughts, realizing that they were drunk. "When the hell did we drink alcohol?" She struggled to remember amidst the haze of the evening. Out of all the glasses they had been handed, none had tasted like spirits. In their past life, going out drinking was a rare occurrence, as they had always avoided it due to Mike's aggressive tendencies when intoxicated. This was the first time in a long while that she had found herself feeling buzzed, and now she was experiencing the consequences. Sophia recalled the bar fights and chaotic nights that would often follow their drinking escapades, and she knew she had to get Mike out of there before things spiraled out of control.
"Oh, come on, Soph, lighten up," Mike slurred, his voice booming for everyone to hear. "It's a damn party, remember?" The one-sided conversation between Mike and Sophia echoed through the hallways as she clumsily searched for her room, clutching the orientation map and key they had received.
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"Mike, will you shut the fuck up? We sound like lunatics," Sophia pleaded, her words laced with frustration. But the alcohol had already taken its toll, impairing their judgment and heightening their recklessness.
Her once sharp mind was clouded by the alcohol, and she found herself lost in the labyrinthine corridors. Sophia stumbled along, bumping into walls and tripping over her own feet. Being drunk was proving to be a challenge she wasn't prepared for. As they stumbled past a tower made of crystal, they unexpectedly ran into Orion and his gang once again.
Before any words could be exchanged, Orion, fueled by bitterness and anger, launched a sucker punch, delivering a swift punch to Valicar's face, breaking their nose.
"Ow, what the fuck, dude?" Sophia cried out in pain, taken completely by surprise as she fell backward, landing on her ass. Mike's laughter rang out, fueled by the chaos of the moment.
"So, Twiggy, is it?" Orion mocked, mimicking the insult. Sophia caught off guard, could do nothing but watch as Orion's posse closed in.
"Come on, let me fight them, sis," Mike urged, his excitement for a brawl was evident in his voice.
"Come on, imp. No magic is allowed, so I'm gonna beat you like the imperial lapdog you are. We know you work for the empire, even if you pretend to be its enemy. You're nothing but a spy," Orion sneered, delivering a sharp kick to Valicar's ribs.
Sophia, exhausted and in pain, pleaded, "Just don't kill them, Mike." With a resigned acceptance, she relinquished control to her brother.
What followed was a one-sided battle. Orion, disadvantaged with his single arm, stood no chance against the formidable might of Valicar. Years of honed physical training and combat experience allowed Mike, to unleash their full potential, or damn near it even in their drunken state. Bones were broken, and vulnerable areas were targeted without mercy, crippling four of Orion's companions. The assailants had their resolve shattered in the face of Valicar's overwhelming strength, with no choice but to retreat.
However, victory came at a steep price. Valicar emerged from the confrontation battered and bruised, their body a canvas of cuts and bruises that testified to the ferocity of the fight. A missing tooth served as a painful reminder of the intense encounter, while their red eye swelled shut, a visible symbol of the brutality they had endured.
As the adrenaline subsided and the reality of the situation sank in, Mike's voice rang out triumphantly, a mix of satisfaction and defiance echoing through the corridor. "Yeah, I fucking said it! Fuck you, Twigs! Run back to your trees!" His words reverberated, punctuating the one-sided battle with a final declaration of triumph. "Did you see that drunken fist to that guy's balls!" Mike laughed, his amusement laced with a touch of sadistic delight. "Or when I poked that dude's eye! Classic!"
Sophia winced at the mention of the brutal tactics Mike had employed during the fight. She knew that their adversary had provoked them, but the excessive violence made her uneasy. "Let's just focus on finding our room, Mike," she said, her voice tinged with fatigue and concern.
Valicar, with their body aching and wounds throbbing, limped along the corridor. Sophia ran her tongue through the new gap in their teeth, tasting the metallic tang of blood. After what felt like an eternity of searching, they finally arrived at their room.
At first glance, the room appeared no different from the other students. However, as Valicar stepped inside, they sensed an immediate shift in the atmosphere. It was as if the room itself recognized their presence and responded with a surge of magical energy.
Before their eyes, the furnishings transformed into an enchanting and ethereal arrangement. The bed beckoned to them, offering solace and comfort. The room radiated with a soothing aura, brimming with the essence of healing magic. Grateful, they sank onto the inviting bed, finding solace in its comforting embrace. As they settled in, the room's restorative magic gently enveloped them, mending both body and soul with each passing moment.
Within this sanctuary, Sophia and Mike allowed themselves to surrender to the exhaustion that had accumulated through their shared experiences. Their consciousness merged, their thoughts intertwined, and they drifted into a peaceful sleep.
Exhausted and frustrated, Sophia mumbled, "We are never drinking again," as sleep claimed her. Memories of their chaotic first day in Helmhold lingered, leaving them battered physically and emotionally. In their shared consciousness, Mike chuckled softly, "We know that ain't true."
The next day, Sophia and Mike awoke with a feeling they hadn't experienced in nearly 14 years—a hangover. The bed still felt unsteady beneath them, a lingering reminder of their drunken escapades. As they groaned, Sophia couldn't help but voice her annoyance. "You're kind of an asshole, Mike."
Fortunately, it seemed that the restorative magic of the room had healed their physical injuries. However, the potency of whatever they had consumed the previous night was evident. They wondered if their drinks had been spiked or if they had unknowingly ingested some kind of magical concoction that had amplified their foolish behavior. Regardless, they had their first round of classes scheduled for the day.
Every first-year student had the same set of basic classes during the first semester before branching out into various fields of magic, excluding necromancy. However, Sophia and Mike had a hunch that there might be secret classes involving dark magic in the school. Their ultimate goal was to explore necromancy and eventually separate their souls after all.