The king's eyes narrowed, watching the people in the throne room, waiting to see who would dare to speak up against his decision and a smirk appeared on his face, when those who were speaking lowered their gazes, not daring to speak heir opinion, since they valued their lives more than words.
Sion looked around and his brows furrowed; the oppressive air in the room could make one recoil. Seeing what he was doing to these people, even though they were brats did not sit well with him, but he needed to mind his own business for now... And focus in order to survive even for another day.
He returned his attention to Sion. "Do you have a problem with my decision?"
Sion knew what he was doing and he was not about to fall for it, not when he had his life on the line and at a chance to do something better, something that he missed in his own world.
"No, I have no problem with your decision," he said, his voice low and measured. "If you want me to go to the academy, then that is what I will do; it is in my best interest after all."
The king smirked and nodded before gesturing for the mage to bring the documents forward and the mage bowed his head, then approached the king and gave him the scrolls.
Sion glanced at the scroll and the king opened them and bit his thumb before pressing his print to one side of the document and handing it to Sion. "I need your mark, it is for permission, showing I am not violating your will."
He took the scroll, knowing well that no one would refuse him; those were just words he was offering, not that he stood by his own law, the laws of the kingdom, or anything else.
He bit his thumb, blood dripping down his finger and he pressed it against the document, giving him his signature and the king collected it, then handed it to the mage, who looked at it with his eyes glowing and a sigil appeared on the scrll, sealing it once more.
"There, that's one part of the process that is now complete," The king said.
He turned to the court.
"He will remain under my watch, just like I have said, my mind will not be changed. The admission has been completed; he is to be taken into the Royal Academy as ordered. If this one was meant to arrive, we will see what he becomes, whether beast or blade."
A wave of hushed murmurs followed. Sion's eyes widened slightly at his words, the implications of them not lost on him, but it was not like he had much option anyways.
The king's voice returned to him alone. "Your path begins there. You will attend like any other student. Fail, and I will know. But if you rise..." he leaned in slightly, "I may allow you to keep your life and we will see where it goes from there. Know well, here your life is not your own, not anymore."
He took a step back, his eyes not leaving Sion for a second, it was as though he was studying him from head to toe.
"Dismissed, this conversation is over and my decision has been made. Those who have a problem, you are free to come to me. I will give you a free lesson in when to keep your mouth shut and thoughts to yourself."
And just like that, it was done, no one dared to say anything after his threat. It was clear disobedience would not be tolerated, no matter how small, he would see it as an act against him.
The guards came to him as everyone watched with rapt attention and the guards escorted him out once again, but this time, there were no cuffs, only eyes.
He was being watched now in many more ways than one.
He had been cast into a world he didn't understand, under a king with a mind like a dagger, with something he could feel awakening inside him and a mark that whispered through his skin and looked like a living and breathing being attached to his body.
Next stop: the academy.
And something told him… the real game was only just getting started.
They escorted him out of the palace grounds; the gates loomed behind him, the heavy iron shutting with a final clang.
The guards gave him a bag with basic things he would need and he adjusted the satchel, before peeking inside the bag to see what he had. They had given him light clothes, a temporary ID seal, and a slip with the academy's instructions. The cobbled path led toward the waiting carriage, sleek and guarded, the royal insignia etched in silver along the side.
He was only a few paces away, his mind lost in his thoughts, as he wondered what would happen when he got there and whether or not he would be able to last a day, just as he was about to step into the carriage, he came to a halt when—
Smack.
The sudden sting exploded across his cheek and his eyes widened slightly.
He did not flinch; he just brought his hand up to touch his burning cheek and his head turned slowly.
There she stood, lady Irelva.
That same arrogant noble girl from the throne room the day he arrived, the one who seem to oppose his very existence within her space.
She was now dressed in her Academy uniform, her braid resting over her shoulder like a banner of superiority. Her expression was twisted in fury as she glared at him.
"I don't care who decided to keep you alive," she spat. "You are nothing but an embarrassing commoner. You are filth. You won't survive a day in the Academy."
Sion stared at her, expression unreadable; this girl was an entitled brat who needed to be taught a less, she thought she was better than everyone else when her attitude was as similar to that of a skunk's smell.
The servants nearby froze. The guards glanced but did nothing.
His jaw tightened, but not from restraint. From decision.
Smack.
His palm met her cheek with equal force, echoing clean across the courtyard as she fell back to the ground on her butt.
Her eyes widened in shock, not because it hurt, but because no one had ever dared.