'I've always been perfect.'
From the moment I could walk, people told me so.
Growing up in a struggling noble home; a house that had nothing but a fading crest and empty halls; I was the bright light.
I was smarter than the others.
I behaved better than the others.
I've always been better than the others.
They would come to know that truth quickly.
And quick it was.
I remember their eyes. Nobles smiling too much, bending low to greet me.
My father, always telling me how great I was.
Everyone.
"That boy is special" they whispered.
I heard it so often, it became a fact rather than a compliment. A fact that had been etched into my bones.
The servants avoided looking at me for too long. The instructors spoke my name with care, as if saying it enough would cheapen it's value.
I was not like the others.
You could see it in their faces.
The shrinking when I entered a room, the silence that followed my strides.
It wasn't respect.
Not necessarily.
It was coming to an understanding, no matter how hard you tried, you would never be me....
-------
One night, I had a dream.
A dream of....marvel.
A dream of grandeur.
It spoke to me.
Promising me something only I could achieve.
'I knew it.'
I always knew.
I was destined.
To stand above.
To rule, if I chose.
To be untouchable...
Eldris Academy appeared to be the perfect stage for such.
The 'prodigies'.
The children of ancient bloodlines.
The multitude of instructors.
Even the King, watching me right now.
You are all my audience.
You are meant to address my presence accordingly.
...Some learned quickly.
Others...took longer.
Kalen Voss.
A half-breed that believes 'hard work', would finally make his father acknowledge him.
The same father that complimented my craft multiple instances.
'hahaha'
That snail.
It was fun slowly...but surely, corroding his mind.
He was one of my best pieces.
A piece on...delusion.
Loss.
To eventual collapse.
A beautiful composition.
The sounds of his wailing...
Truly a beautiful piece.
He loved that girl...Seris Halden?
A whore.
A woman of little standards.
Growing up with everything at her grasp, she too was filled with delusion.
It almost makes me sad...how easy she was to take.
Easy she was to manipulate.
Easy it was to touch her.
To talk to her at night.
Kalen Voss, I must commend your persistence.
To always try best me.
To always train from dusk till dawn, whilst I lounged.
Truly a persistent snail.
One, that had to be stomped.
And what greater view than this.
Billions watching.
Watching me...
These people mean nothing to me.
These insects screaming my name, worshipping me almost.
But this praise is music to my ears.
A gentle rise in percussion.
Amid the praise, they questioned that snail's methods.
'Cheating?'
To think cheating would only last you 21 seconds.
"Enough", Kael Sarn's voice cut through the air.
I looked up.
Even he sees it.
The man they call the Headmaster.
The one who doesn't waste words.
I've seen how he stares.
He studies me as if weighing the edges of a blade.
It's confirmation.
Around me, the murmurs ripple like insects buzzing too close to my ear.
I hear them; 'unfair' 'monster'.
Words spoken by those who will never stand where I stand.
I don't care.
Everyone here is beneath me.
Even you reading.
You are beneath me.
Tap tap tap
The sounds of footsteps?
'Walking to me?'
I turned, staring into the abyss.
The steps grew louder and louder.
I slightly furrowed my brows.
'Did you not see what I just did?'
Tap tap tap
It finally came to a view.
It was a boy with brown hair, grey eyes.
Did this kid want to join that snail?
Or was he just stupid enough to stand in my way?
His eyes didn't flinch.
Steady, unreadable.
I didn't like that.
Then I heard it - a ripple through the crowd.
"Silent..."
My eyes narrowed.
'Ah'
So it was that one.
A silent...
The polar opposite to my being.
A reject.
The crowd murmured.
"Riven..."
So that was his name.
The Headmaster's voice cut through the air.
"Do you wish to fight him?"
The boy's answer came without hesitation:
"Yes."
The word landed heavier than it should have. No doubt to impress the onlookers.
Disgusting.
I almost laughed.
My gaze swept over him.
There was nothing special about him; no presence, no weight.
He was standing as if this was his place.
As if he belonged on the same floor as me.
The urge to spit grew.
Then he spoke.
"Why did you do it?"
'Why did you do it?'
The words looped in my head, over and over. Like a drop of water falling into a still lake.
My fingers rose, pressing against my lips, then sliding up to cover my face.
A low breath escaped.
Was it a laugh?
A sigh?
I wasn't sure myself.
I tilted my head, letting my hand drag slowly down my cheek until it fell to my jaw.
My eyes stayed on his.
"You really don't understand...do you?" I said, my voice soft.
Almost pitying.
'This insect...'
"Sometimes...people get what they deserve."