Sora was a typical campus sweetheart, whose grace and supremacy awed the people when they saw him in person. There wasn't any student who hadn't heard about the campus prince. The respect he received was uncharted.
Even the professors loved him and always fawned at his skills and prowess in academic field.
There wasn't a day when his highness wasn't called upon by the needy and praised by the seniors.
His tall height was one feature that unsettled many when they stood next to him, so that meant Sora was lucky even in terms of his physical attributes. And as if a birth right, his sharp features, thin lips and the pale beauty, gave away a certain frost which attracted people despite their resistance.
His intense blue gaze locked with his friend, as they sat ideally to chat and gossip about the student council. Of which he was the current president.
A years had passed and he was quite happy with where he was.
"I heard they are organizing a fest by the end of the year," His friend, Rizel, stated energetically, although his gaze was intense and unwavering as they stared back at him.
The huge green field that sat in front of them, was surrounded by each four side, with huge grey fortresses, that could be passed as the modern day castle.
The campus had four separate blocks, and each block had its own facilities, the only common space was the central green field which Sora and his friend were currently staring at.
Their gazes absently noting the scattered crowd of students, wearing grey and white uniforms, which was the standard dress code for everyday use. The breeze was mellow and the sun was still young.
"I won't be there for the fest, master gave me an assignment which has to be done separately."
Rizel nodded, turning to look at his friend whose hair sparkled silver under the rays, the strands long and silky, tied behind into a single loose ponytail.
If he wasn't familiar with the beauty of his friend, then he would have been struck still in awe, the President of the Student council was really immaculate, royal and magnificent, like the imperial jade finely polished.
"Has your master told you anything regarding me?" Sora asked Rizel, still not really immersed into the subject, his mind seemingly floating in his own world.
Rizel nodded, trying not to think too much about the soft and gentle voice which would lull even the rowdiest of bunches into a deep sleep. Sora had that effect on people, it was inevitable.
"My master told me not to meddle in your business and keep the council running in your stead when you are absent," Rizel recalled, "not that I wasn't planning on it."
Sora nodded, "Good," he stood up from the stone bench that was placed right below the protruded canopy of grey slabs jutting out from the old styled fortress wall, favoring the cold morning look.
Shivering slightly, Sora rubbed his palms on his arms, the sound of crisp clothes getting rubbed, drifting towards Rizel.
Sora was apparently the best dress student in their campus, not even a crease could be seen on his ironed white shirt or trousers, and the grey heavy cape reaching over till his torso, cleanly covered the plainness of the uniform.
If one was to rank Sora's appearance in the campus, he would be the first one to be entered in the register.
Rizel sighed internally, he often got Jealous of his friend when he thought too much about the difference in them. While Rizel was the flat and common kind, Sora was too extravagant in looks. When they walked together, their auras clashed rather badly.
Alas, the popularity also had a backlash as he watched several girls in a group of four, strutting over to them from the open corridor that faced the central Field. They weren't a bunch of fangirls, but one of those rival teams who always competed with Sora whenever they could find an opening.
Rizel noted that Sora wasn't happy to see these girls, but quickly morphed his displeasure with a blank face instead, the switch genuinely deserving awards. If he was as experienced in the art of reserving his emotions, he would have achieved great rewards form his master, since his course was basically related to infiltration into the enemy camp as a spy.
Yet, he was more expressive than even the dumber ones. And it was like a thorn in his side, always prickling his conscience.
"What can I do for you, Miss Rose."
Rose was the height of feminism, everything about her was bold and clear, as a set of grey eyes and blond hair highlighted her cute features. She was not easily subdued by any and if Sora wasn't her enemy, Rizel would have even considered proposing to her, he really liked strong young women.
"No need for that hospitality Sora, you know what I have come for."
Her appearance had actually called the attention of the bystanders and now everyone was curious as to what she was planning, a hush falling over the onlookers who couldn't be more than 30. Still, the number was enough to spread rumors like fire and Sora wondered how far Rose would go to corrupt his image if she got the chance.
"You wanted to challenge me for the president seat."
Rizel's eyes widened as he quickly looked over at the challenger, the girl simply unfazed by the shock of the viewers and the frost in Sora's words. It wasn't really that abrupt though, since everyone knew how desired the throne was, anyone with even half a brain would not stay still and watch some junior take away their target. And that is what had happened with Rose, she was a year senior than Sora and since Sora was a sophomore, his enthronement had caused ripple the day he received the badge.
Rizel darted his eyes to see the small silver badge resting at the base of the shirt's collar that Sora wore, the glint of the metal very obvious in the sudden tension filled surrounding.
"I will not consent to your request, you know that Miss Rose."
The girl sneered, which looked quite ugly on her pretty face, "How dare you keep repeating my name like that, you should be calling me Senior Rose, or ma'am, not Miss Rose."
Sora looked rather unchallenged, "So?" his aloof reaction was enough to make even Rizel pissed, when he wasn't even the one who was at the receiving end.
It was known that a Council's president wasn't required to follow hierarchy, since they were the top most on the pyramid in the student body. So him calling her 'Miss Rose' was quite normal, however, for a senior, being called in such a manner was a total disrespect even if the one not following the order was a Student President.
"You cannot refuse my request each time, you-"
Sora cleared his throat, the gesture stopping Rose from saying anything further, as if struck by thunder, and Rizel understood why, since Sora used his enchantments to silence her vocal cords, effectively showing his status as her superior, "You will bring me a formal challenge letter, and if given the grant, I will fight you, but without a base, stop rushing at me like some immature goon."
Rizel frowned, really worrying with how much Sora could get away with, since even a President wouldn't be so shameless as to keep ruffling the wrong feathers, waiting to get backstabbed.
But at the end of the day, Rose and her group had no choice but to depart and the onlookers, after having their fill, quickly dispersed under the scrutiny of the president.
Rizel thought that this whole scenario was rather exhausting and one look at Sora told him he felt the same.
So even if it was a Saturday and their classes started after 1 in the afternoon, Rizel still felt that relaxing in the class was much better than getting caught by some impending doom looking for trouble. So taking his friend's arms in his, he dragged the man upstairs until they reached their study hall on the third floor.
The corridor sunlit and the breeze stronger.
The array of classes arranged one after the other were conditioned with a very normal layout, that everyone saw in any common Academy, and it wasn't much innovative. Still, the fact that this academy was the famed Silver Sect, even the simplistic layout was made to be worshiped. The walls were all patterned with silver murals and even the study halls were all huge, like a mini opera house.
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Sora and Rizel both walked up for their class, planning to relax on their cozy seats, but a senior staff suddenly came to a halt with them and asked them to meet Master Xui and Master Kellan as soon as they could.
Master Kellan was Sora's master, while Master Xui was Rizel's. Both of them were best of friends and so even their disciples were expected to be on a friendly term. Thankfully Rizel considered public relations an important factor in reaching his goal, thus he was always glued to Sora even after the classes finished.
"We will be there soon, thank you for the message."
The staff nodded and left the corridor in a rush, as if delayed over something.
"It would have been good if the only study we were to do was given by our masters, yet, we are taught by the professors as well, and that consumes so much time."
Sora knew that Rizel wasn't a stingy man, but he couldn't help himself from asking, "Why are you so restless today."
Rizel deflated on hearing the question, he knew that now Sora wouldn't let him go until he gave him the answer, so considering his weak fortitude against his friend's rapid fire round, he gave in sullenly, "My master gave me so much to work upon that I couldn't finish the assignments that we were given in class."
"I see, so you can copy mine."
"R-Really?" Rizel was moved.
"Why not."
In their campus, their master and professors were two different set of powers. And the student had to endure both of them even if they were dying.
The Master's task was to help their Disciples grow into young fine specimens, while the professors imparted those basic knowledge that a master left out due to their laziness to teach.
Although the world was changing and technology had hit the market, the master and disciple rule ran strong despite the obsolete value of it.
In their world, enchanters, mages, warriors, demons, angels, and other beings ruled the government. While the enchanters were considered the lowest in the strata, the Demons and angels were highly revered to.
So in such a world where people worked with core energies and mantras, the older practices were regarded superior. And hence, the Silver Sect, was considered one of the best academy out there that students actually fought for.
Sora himself had to endure great pains, just to enter the academy, so no wonder he did not give up on his desire to reach the top.
However, no mountain could be climbed if there was no slope, thus it was a given that Sora had to cross the obstacle to reach the top. And in their case, the obstacle was none other than the Demon boy and dark horse, Jeha, the only other person in their campus who could dethrone Sora. But thankfully, his taste wasn't towards the Council, rather he rarely took part in those internal matters.
And Sora believed that despite the lack of interest Jeha showed for the Council seat, he was not just a name which was whispered among the students, so it was his goal to outshine even the Demon, since his pride as an enchanter was on stake.
If an enchanter could win over a demon, then... how would people react?
So previously last year, due to lack of knowledge, Sora hadn't known about the annually held competition which their campus organised each year, and he hadn't participated in it due to missed luck. But this year he would prove himself to all and sit on the highest throne there was for a student, he would win the competition.
Rizel was in his own merry world, not having any inkling to the thoughts of his friend, because if he did, he would have laughed at the absurd amount of stubbornness and immaturity exhibited by their president.
It was not positive to have such targets set where winning was difficult, yet Sora was very much determined to prove his worth to the world and even if Rizel had known, he couldn't have done anything, since Sora was like a headstrong snake, would keep on hissing until the enemy retreated back.
~~
Their classes started after 1, and as time drawled out, Rizel grew more and more sleepy, almost falling asleep in front of the professor. And this professor was a tough one, he taught them etiquette lessons, and if his fierce gaze ever found anybody slouching, an electric rod would lash out from his hand and the amount of pain inflicted on the target would keep them miserable for an entire week.
The wooden furnished study hall was big enough for a few hundred students to sit together at one go, yet the only drawback seemed to be the amount of space given between each row, it would eventually be walked upon by the professors, and it gave the student no leniency to even slouch.
If here Rizel was dreading the class, Sora was in his own world, wondering how he was going to fish out the courage to go and interact with the Evening scholars. He wasn't afraid of them, but he also did not find them friendly.
Right before the classes had resumed, a senior from the potion batch had met with him and asked him to collect the names of those who were interested in the summer camp which would be held next month. The responsibility fell upon the Student council to arrange a list of names and forward it to the Activity department. Thus, the senior's visit wasn't uncalled for.
The main issue lied in Sora's thought process, he was really not eager to interact with a bunch of misfits.
Their campus, like many others, had two time tables, for two batches of students. The day scholars would be people like him, the enchanters, mages, witches, healers, dwarfs, elves, etc. While the evening scholars were the folks who came out at night. Werewolf, Vampire, Demons, Fairies, etc.
The day scholars studied from 8 to 4, while the evening scholars had their scheduled timetable from 5 to 1 at night.
Since Enchanters were more ordinary, and in majority, their value was greatly degraded and they were often made fun of. And the evening scholars were nasty creatures, they were too oppressive and their hearts were dark.
To even speak to them, very few in the day scholar batch had the courage to do so. And since he was a president, it would be very shameful to get ridiculed by the evening community.
"...Sora, what do you say the answer would be?"
Hearing his name getting called, Sora's attention snapped on the black board at the front, where the professor had written a few heavy words of wisdom.
He had been lost in thoughts so he wasn't aware of what the question had been, and his mind supplied that the professor was also well aware of it.
Sighing he hung his head and got up to bow, "I am sorry Professor Meng, I did not hear the question, my mind has been heavy with slight sickness since morning."
Lying was an art he was good at, and after years of practice, he was very assured that his words were effective, it even earned him a few looks of sympathy form his fellow batch mates.
And as suspected, due to his track record and performance since the past year, the professor took pity on him, "Since that seems to be the case," he spoke gently, his gaze softer, "I will overlook the matter, but if you do the same mistake again, be prepared for the punishment."
Sora nodded and without further show, sat back down as the professor continued with the lessons.
What he didn't know was that a girl sitting behind him was rather clever and had seen through his act. The girl clenched her fist angrily and huffed, in her mind she was wondering why such a person would be so respected, her Vampire boyfriend was right, the new president was nothing but a con artist.
Her boyfriend did tell her how he hated Sora, but she had been doubtful, however, after seeing the falseness of his, she thought she had made a mistake earlier.
It would have been nothing, since she knew people lied and cheated all the time, so such practice was not really a big deal, but before the professor had called Sora, he had targeted her first, and when she wasn't able to answer correctly, he had asked her to stay back, so that he could give her a lashing.
The professor was very strict, so a lashing would be given to anyone who would fail to answer his question, be it a girl or a boy, but what made her mad, was the treatment he gave Sora. What was about Sora that even the strictest of professor would melt into a puddle?
Her humiliation was nothing to laugh at, it was surely biased.
And Sora, who was still in his own musings, wasn't able to catch the malice directed at him.
~~
The sun was slowly turning red when the classes ended and the students were relieved.
Sora and Rizel had met their masters before the class started, so they didn't have any new tasks set upon them. The only eye sore was the white blank page folded in his palm into a small chit. It was fluttering even when they crossed a particularly airy bridge that connected the second block to the first one.
"Do you need me for anything or should I go?" Rizel asked Sora, hinting at a permission to leave, it was very obvious how tired he was.
So Sora took pity on him, "You can go, just tell me if any member of the council is free."
Since Rizel was also part of the council, his position was also revered by many people, so he was always aware of who was where, or who was doing what at what time. And it was convenient for Sora, since their academy didn't allow internet, phones and cables, the only other way of communication was rumors, letters, mouth to mouth verbal news and direct meet up.
"At this time every council member would be busy with their own chores, but if you want I can arrange someone to help you out."
"I want someone to make a visit to the evening dorm and list down the names of those who would want to do summer camp." Sora spoke the matter briefly, despite knowing that no council member was courageous enough to do that.
The disparity between the Day Scholars and the Evening scholars was huge.
"I don't think anyone would be willing on their own," Rizel stuttered, clearly turning pale, "But if you order them..." he left the sentence blank, but his words were clear.
If Sora wanted to enforce his will, the members would acknowledge him, but if he did not do that, nobody had the guts to actually step foot into the evening scholar dorm.
Sora had an inkling as to what will happen if he went there by himself, his status as a president would surely be ridiculed, but if he tagged along with someone, he would first have to force the person to go with him. No matter what angle he took, the future didn't look bright.
"Rizel," he stated the name knowing his friend already knew what the call was for.
"Yes," a quivery voice spoke back.
Sora wasn't evil, but at the moment he felt like Rizel was really cursing him to hell, "Don't be afraid, they will listen to you, you just have to go, take down the names, or give the list to someone to sort out the names. You know that if I go there alone then my name would be tarnished."
Rizel knew, however he was feeling rather unhappy with the sacrificial arrangement.
"You do know that no matter what they think, a president's work is never questioned?"
Rizel wasn't one to cower, but he had seen all sorts of things in the evening dorms, and he wasn't willing to experience it again.
Sora sighed in his mind, since most seniors were his rivals, the ones in his council were like him, young and junior. Their energy cores weren't fully developed and so their reasons for fearing the evening scholars were well given.
The academy had rules for everything, but internal matter between the students were often ignored.
"Then I will go there alone," Sora stated, coldly facing the path ahead, "You can have your leave."
This is what Sora wanted to end, his own subordinates feared the evening community, and even if he would order them around, the fear wouldn't disperse so easily.
Whatever the case, he decided to suck up his pride and go.