Lute felt a migraine starting to manifest. Even worse, it felt as if blood was going to hurl from his mouth at any moment. The reasoning behind this, sitting upon one of the beds in his dormitory was Elias Kaydriff.
‘How horrendous must my luck be? Of all the people, out of the thousands within the Fallen Tide Hall, why did my dorm mate have to be him? Couldn’t he have been placed with another snobbish pile of scum instead of me? Wait, does that mean I am a pile of snobbish scum?’
As he was reeling over such thoughts, Lute sensed a slight killing intent coming from in the dorm room. Obviously it was none other than Elias. He had placed his book down upon the nightstand next to his bed and was staring with a piercing gaze towards Lute, a look of disgust easily apparent upon his face.
Lute decided to pay no attention to the miniscule killing intent. Instead, he casually took light steps into the dormitory that was so small it was almost the size of a large closet; Lute would be able to easily reach from his bed to Elias’s bed. The room only had enough space for two small beds, two nightstands, and one shared closet. However, his thoughts were anything but tranquil.
‘Is it going to be endless conflict every day? Should I find other places to sleep? Perhaps I should just continue ignoring him? Or instead get to the root of the problem and make him indifferent towards me so that we can mutually ignore each other?’
Lute didn’t have many possessions, all he had was his talisman to enter the room, and the merit card he possessed, also, other than the few sets of robes he was to wear day to day and his jade slip showing that he was a member of the sect, he owned no other personal property. He didn’t dare put his talisman and merit card within his nightstand though. Since he wasn’t on good terms with Elias… no…. it could be considered downright hostile, Lute instead chose to keep them in his pockets at all times.
Lute sat down on his own bed, it was already nightfall, and he was simply assuming that all disciples had a curfew of sundown unless told otherwise. Still ignoring Elias, he looked at his own nightstand.
Reaching out, Lute picked up a book that was placed upon it. When he glanced at the title and then at Elias’s nightstand, he realized they were the same book provided to all new disciples, it was titled Fallen Tide Hall’s Catalog of General Information.
‘Interesting, although I received some information from Alda, since she doesn’t typically involve herself with the sect and even admitted to forgetting some information, this should go much more in depth.’
As Lute opened up to the first page and was about to read, he heard a cold voice from the right side of the room. Clearly Elias was annoyed at being ignored; perhaps he was never ignored throughout the entirety of his short life.
“You dare to just ignore me like this? Do you know who I am, I am Eli…”
Before he could finish spouting out his name, Lute sighed and cut him off. “Yes, you are Elias Kaydriff of the esteemed Kaydriff Household. I am a peasant who should be groveling at your feet and you seem to have a problem with the Windcross Household. Yeah, I get it, you don’t like me, but did it ever occur to you that people only answer you if you call them out, how are they supposed to know you want to talk otherwise? Did I miss anything… no… ok then, let’s agree to mutually ignore each other then since the dislike you have for me is a mutual feeling, I don’t like you that much either.”
Lute went back to reading the first page of his book in silence, Elias was just sitting on his bed with his mouth agape, strands of his long brown hair entering into it. He was shocked beyond all belief; there was no one, not even his Father spoke to him like this. It took him close to three minutes before he got his bearings straight.
His anger rising, the piercing gray eyes of his locked onto Lute once again, his killing intent easily recognizable. With a bony finger he pointed it at Lute as if it would pierce him.
“You have some nerve, if I so wanted, even with the Windcross Households protection I could have you head strung up outside of my house for all to see, it would be as easy as snapping my finger. But out of respect for Seren and her alone, I will spare your life.”
Lute lazily looked at Elias, however his eyes had a hint of murderous intent, Slaughter Aura began to slightly leak from his body. This tiny amount of Slaughter Aura easily eclipsed Elias’s Killing Intent and caused him to slightly tremble.
Even more lazily, Lute returned to reading his book; however his voice resounded coldly throughout the room as he read from his book. “Rule number four of the Fallen Tide Hall, all personal grudges must be resolved outside of the property of the Fallen Tide Hall, if the offenders are unable to both will be crippled by the sect. Rule number seven, no matter how influential, a noble is not allowed to exercise their families influence if within the sect or they will be expelled.”
Lute once again turned his head to Elias with a provoking smile that never reached his eyes, “You’ve already broke rule number seven. As for rule number four, I would gladly take this outside of the property of the Fallen Tide Hall, but I can’t promise that you will survive. Do you still want to continue?”
Lute retracted his Slaughter Aura within his body and waited for Elias to respond as he seemed to pierce into Elias’s soul with his eyes.
Elias gulped slightly, not only did he already break one of the rules; Lute was even willing to take this outside of the Fallen Tide Hall. Despite being arrogant, he wasn’t an uneducated imbecile as well, he could clearly feel danger signals coming from Lute, and he decided to listen to those signals lest it lead to something he would regret.
But what he remembered most, Lute was willing to fight him when he was still in the Foundational Qi Realm, but now he was in the Nascent Qi Realm. From some hearsay he heard from an Elder that he knew who was close to Elder Alda as a friend, although Lute made multiple breakthroughs at once, his foundation was incredibly stable so even though technically he rushed his cultivation, there was actually no demerits to what he did, this was what Elias feared most, he didn’t want to make enemies out of a monster of a cultivator, who could possibly be a genius that jumped cultivation levels to fight.
Despite how he portrayed an aura of arrogance and seemed to detest everything, Elias was actually quite shrewd. In this situation, danger signals kept going off in his mind which unlike most esteemed children born of high birth, he chose to listen to those signals instead of thinking his reputation would protect him.
“Fine, I will accept mutual silence between us.”
Elias then turned away from Lute and attempted to go to sleep but before he could, Lute called out to him.
Lute originally didn’t understand what Elias despised about him. However, after this interaction, he could make a guess since he was particularly adept at picking up the hidden meaning of words that people spoke. Seeing as how Elias backed off, it became apparent to Lute that although they would have a mutual silence where they ignored each other, he might be able to make sure it wasn’t an awkward atmosphere for the near future if what he thought Elias said was true or better yet, he might be able to get something from Elias, something dear to his heart, information about his family.
“It’s not necessarily that you don’t like me right? Instead, is it possible…. Do you like Seren; are you planning on courting her?”
As Lute spoke this with an aura of seriousness, he made sure with his intonations that he wasn’t trying to offend Elias. Despite how much he was annoyed by him, Lute tried to make a bridge between the two of them so that there wouldn’t be conflict in the future.
To Lute it was rather simple, even if he didn’t like a person, as long as there wasn’t conflict, then perhaps, just maybe he could speak amicably with them for a short period of time. The less people that wanted to slice his neck, the better off he would be. It was a rather simple but effective way to think.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Elias’s body went cold, the accuracy of Lute’s statement was right on the mark, so much so that he was terrified by the perception that Lute had. Slowly he turned over and sat up. Staring Lute directly in the eyes, this time he didn’t back down. Lute brought up a topic that they definitely couldn’t just let float about in the air.
With a hint of anger that he was trying to repress, Elias replied to Lute. “Yes, and what of it, we are the two largest noble houses in Fallen Tide City. Its’ only natural there would be a political marriage eventually. It hasn’t been announced but I am sure a few years in the future she will be betrothed to me. All the more, I actually do happen to like her and want to court her before then. But then I find you walking close and intimately with her, you who are nobody and you expect me to not get furious, we come from two completely different worlds.”
Lute listened carefully, hearing the root of the problem he wasn’t surprised. He didn’t know the proper etiquette of nobles, and Seren had wanted to chat with him, so naturally she walked side by side with him.
‘I guess to others that could be seen as an intimate relationship. I guess he is rather intelligent, we do come from two different worlds, for the first thirteen years of my life I was just some mortal living in a small impoverished village. But, it’s good I made some progress, at least for now he is trying to hold back his anger.’
Lute carefully thought of his next words before he actually said them, he didn’t want to lose all this progress he just made. If he was careful, Elias wouldn’t cause him problems in the near future and would instead aid him.
“I see this is all one large misunderstanding. I actually don’t have any romantic feeling towards Seren and as far as I am concerned you can have her. Her feeling towards me are only temporary, I saved her life not too long ago."
Elias’s eyes narrowed in anger, someone tried to take the life of the person he fell in love with? Killing intent then began to spew forth; however Lute was unfazed by it.
“What do you mean someone attempted to take her life? Do you truly have no intentions of stealing her from me?” Elias said with a voice full of bloodlust.
“Yes, I don’t have any such feelings towards her. Plus, I could never fall in love with someone who looks so similar to my missing sister.”
“Oh, she looks like you sister?”
Lute also let out his Slaughter Aura which caused Elias to tremble slightly, but right now, he was too angry to feel fear.
“What do you say we make a deal, I will do two things. First I will swear upon the Heavens that I won’t pursue Seren. Second, I will tell you about who tried to kill her and maybe, if it’s possible, I will even aid you in protecting her. But I will require two favors in turn.”
Lute spoke with honeyed words. They were devilishly persuasive. Everything so far as to even predicting Elias’s responses and emotions were going as planned, if it all went as he predicted, he could get a favor from Elias.
Elias calmed down slightly, not many were willing to make a vow to the Heaven’s lest they suffer their tribulations and have their souls dissipate upon breaking the vow, no matter how minor the infraction. Just this alone put him at ease, and the fact Lute was willing to aid him. To Elias that was worth a few favors to a commoner.
“Did anyone ever tell you that you speak like a Devil? Your mouth is scarier than your aura.”
Lute smirked, “Actually, yes I have been called a Devil.”
Elias grinned slightly and then snorted. “Well then, I think that I can agree to those requests. Now that I have calmed down and understand the situation, I feel stupid for how I acted today. I apologize for trying to humiliate you in public.”
‘Well, who would’ve thought, this guy is capable of apologizing.’
Lute then grinned slightly in turn, “So do we have a deal.”
“Yes, what are those favors you wanted?”
“First off, this whole thing clearly was blown out of proportion by a misunderstanding. I have a rather simple philosophy, the less people that want to slice my throat, the better off I am. So I want to restart this interaction with you.”
Lute then put out his right hand, “I am Lute Ravenshadow, sponsored by the Windcross house after I saved Seren Windcross’s life within the Crimson Tide Mountain Range. I am only a commoner, but I hope to get along.”
With this new introduction from Lute, Elias sighed, today he went from wanting to kill this person to doing him a few favors, one of them was as measly as this, reintroducing themselves. He felt a wide range of emotions today that was for sure.
Elias likewise put out his right hand and firmly shook Lute’s, “The pleasure is mine, and I am Elias Kaydriff, heir apparent to the Kaydriff house. Our family symbol of the dragon represents strength, honor, and fortitude. We are the third most powerful noble house in the Fallen Tide City. I am a noble, but I hope to get along with you despite our differing social statuses.”
After a handshake, the atmosphere changed once again. Simultaneously they both said, “Now then, shall we get down to business."
Lute took a deep breath, “I, Lute Ravenshadow does solemnly swear before the Heavens that I shall not pursue Seren Windcross as a love interest. If I fail to uphold this vow my soul shall dissipate under Heaven’s wrath.”
Thunder randomly rumbled throughout the night sky as Lute made the vow.
Lute then took another breath deciding to start off. “Well first, let me state this. I was originally a peasant living in a small village; it was known as the Crimson Blossom Village due to the Crimson Blossom Flowers that bloom every spring outside of the Crimson Tide Mountain Range. That village is no more, it was destroyed by bandits. I am the sole male survivor aside from the ones younger than fifteen since I wasn’t home at the time. They along with all female children and female adults were kidnapped. My request is that hopefully you could locate my sister and mothers whereabouts, even if they are dead. As a noble family, I am sure that you could find more information than I would be able to dig up.”
Elias sighed, these occurrences happened all too often within the cultivation world. But, he understood if even a little how Lute felt. He couldn’t imagine the horror he would feel if Seren or his family were kidnapped and he didn’t know if they were alive or dead.
With a resolute voice Elias replied, “I can’t promise that I will find anything, but I swear upon the Heavens that I will give an earnest attempt to search for any and all information regarding your request until we come to a mutual agreement that there is no more information to be found or your family is found. If I break this vow, my soul shall dissipate under Heaven’s Wrath.”
Lute was shocked; he didn’t expect Elias to make a vow to heaven.
‘Well, he really is a completely different person when he doesn’t intend to kill you.’
“You didn’t have to do that.” Lute said in a respectful voice.
Elias grinned, “I know, but you made a vow as well, I will feel bad if you made on and I didn’t, vows to Heaven are serious you know. Now we both know each other’s resolve. But, I need more information than that; are there any defining characteristics of your mother, sister or the bandits?”
Lutes’ aura grew serious. “My mother has piercing gray eyes, and is elderly; she has a lotus shaped birthmark upon her right wrist and has shiny white hair with black streaks from when she was younger. My sister… she looks almost exactly like Seren, they could look like twins. The only physical difference between the two is height; my sister was taller by nearly six inches. Also her personality is volcanic; her emotions were always spewing out. Basically it’s the opposite of Seren's which is calm and gentle. Aside from height and personality those two are so similar that it creeped me out. But that was why I originally saved Seren as she looked like my sister.”
Elias had taken out a small notebook and began to write everything Lute said upon it. Despite cultivators having a great memory, he wanted to be safe.
“What about the bandits? Was there anything notable about them?”
Lutes Slaughter Aura leaked out once again, his eyes grew extremely cold. How could he forget the features and figures of those who threw his life into disarray?
“Every single one of them had a tattoo of a spider on their right shoulders and a dagger with a drop of poison tattooed on their left shoulder. The leader was tall, stocky, had a Warhammer as a weapon, and he had brown eyes and hair. Lastly there was a nasty scar on his left eye that went down to his neck.”
“I see, is that everything?”
“Yes... actually no, one more thing. They don't have the same last name as I do. Ravenshadow is mine it's.... it's made up.” Lute replied icily.
“Ok... I will see what information I can come up with. At the very least I should be able to find out about the man you described.”
Elias’s face grew equally as cold as Lute. “Now it’s your turn, who tried to kill my Seren.”
‘Looks like he can be as bloodthirsty as me, at the least, I can help him out a little.’
“I don’t know much, but I know their names. After I rescued Seren from a Vicious Beast, we had a long conversation. I am sure she told Elder Alda who is also her personal bodyguard, but she said that two disciples known as Ley and Halsten attempted to kill her. I’ve heard they are notorious as murderers-for-hire in the Fallen Tide Hall and an Elder is backing up their actions so that they are never caught? For whatever reason, she said she escaped by pure luck, but those two were hired to kill her.”
Elias was furious. He knew about the disgusting murder-for-hire business in the Fallen Tide Hall. To think his Seren was almost a victim of it. This information was already enough to get him started, but he didn’t only want Ley and Halsten’s heads, no, he wanted the head of whoever hired them as well.
“That is more than enough information, I will be sure to go after who hired them as well. I might need your aid in the future if there are any more attempts on Seren’s Life. As she sponsored you, you are duty bound to return the favor and protect her, that is what it means to be sponsored by a noble house. Do we have deal? I find your kidnapper and you help me find the person pulling the strings behind Seren’s attempted murder.”
“Yes, I think we can both agree to those terms.” Lute said icily.
With a murderous look by both Lute and Elias, they shook hands once again. Then while Elias went to sleep, Lute substituted sleep with cultivation. The next morning they were both going to be busy, not only with their new lives as disciples of the Fallen Tide Hall, but also this particular deal that would intertwine their fates for the foreseeable future.