The academy grounds sprawled before him like a chessboard of power and weakness. Azrael's eyes swept across the training fields. His boots crunched on the gravel as he walked, each step deliberate, commanding attention without a word.
Whispers floated through the air: "Why don't the instructors stop them… it's not fair."
Liyana followed closely behind, her gaze soft but observant. Azrael's eyes measured the students, sizing them up like prey.
He leaned slightly toward her. "Read the names," he murmured, voice low but carrying across the field.
Liyana pulled out a sheet of paper, smiling faintly. "Garrick, Bram, and Liora," she said softly. Azrael's face darkened in amusement.
"You three didn't pay your protection fee last week," Liyana announced, her voice carrying. " As punishment, instead of the usual three soul pills, you will hand over six, for the next two weeks." She crumpled the paper and tucked it into her pocket.
Garrick's face twisted in anger. "We only get two pills each week! If we three give you six, how are we supposed to train? We all are commoners show some mercy!"
Azrael's lips curled into a small grin. After the brief welcome ceremony he and Liyana began to collect 'fees' from their classmates. Most of whom were untrained in martial arts, and barely able to sustain their Arcanum. Those they defeated paid up; the few who were strong were left alone.
Slowly, Azrael walked up to the three, pleading for forgiveness. He remembered the Duke's words before he left Brimstone: "Fear is like a seed. Once planted and nurtured, it will keep growing." He had planted the seed, and now he was nurturing it.
Malik appeared ahead, blocking his path. His expression was tense, lips tight. "Az… don't start trouble. Remember what we agreed."
Azrael's grin was cold. "Trouble is subjective, Malik. Relax. I'm just having a little fun."
Malik's hand twitched, but he stepped aside. Azrael and Liyana approached the three students, crouching slightly. Liyana kicked one of them lightly in the knee, forcing him to buckle. Azrael held the other by the neck.
The instructors frowned. "Enough. Return to your seats."
Azrael ignored them, keeping a firm hand on the student's neck. Garrick reluctantly handed over two soul pills. Liyana collected the others, and they prepared to leave.
He stopped at the training racks. Gauntlets, daggers, chains, swords, they were all lined up neatly. Azrael's gaze lingered on the gauntlet and the chain, remembering his awakening. Liyana watched silently.
"Let's go. We're done here," he said.
She shrugged. "If you say so."
Malik's voice cut sharply through the conversation. "Az, you need to stop this. You're already making too many enemies and you're dragging Liyana with you. Don't involve her in this."
Azrael's dark eyes flicked to him. "Malik… she's not being dragged. She's choosing. Unlike you, she understands what it takes to win."
Malik's jaw tightened. "This won't end well. Mark my words."
Azrael ignored him and continued walking. A few paces away, he noticed Rhea, sitting cross-legged with her eyes closed. He signaled to Liyana, who brought out two soul pills. He held them out.
"They're for you," he said.
Rhea opened her eyes briefly but refused, returning to her meditation. Azrael sat beside her. "Come on, Liyana. Let's rest a while before we collect the remaining fees."
Rhea attempted to stand, and Azrael restrained her hand.
"Let me go," she said, her face tightening in anger.
He grinned and tried to coax her down to sit. Grass beneath them surged upward, entangling his limbs. Azrael scoffed. A black gauntlet, jagged and clawed, appeared on his hand. He tore through the grass effortlessly.
Rhea kicked and lunged, but Azrael grabbed her leg, forcing her to double over. Falling on him. The both froze as the looked at each other. Liyana watched with a faint, amused smile.
Azrael grinned, wrapping his hands around her waist. She gasped, "Bastard!" Then Rhea punched him square in the face.
He dodged poorly, pinned beneath her. Finally, he held her hands firmly. "I just want to talk. That's all."
Rhea broke free, glaring as she walked away. Azrael picked up the soul pills she had refused and turned toward the next target.
By dawn, Azrael and Liyana had collected all the soul pills from their classmates. They digested them immediately, the pills pushing them into a half-dead state to absorb soul energy faster. They were still at first-degree Arcanum; each pill brought them closer to the next breakthrough.
The academy was quite lax, and didn't force anyone to go for classes. They were some that had never left their rooms since the induction ceremony. Liyana and Azrael decided to focus solely on combat training, and only attended a few theoretical classes.
Night fell over the academy. Walking under the lanterns, Azrael felt eyes on him, watching. He could sense danger, but he couldn't locate it. He had Liyana scout the place but there was nothing.
As he reached the dormitory, the feeling exploded into reality. A cold blade aimed for his neck. With smooth reflexes, he grabbed the wrist and twisted. Nothing. The attacker's arm was unbreakable. He elbowed Azrael's face.
Liyana appeared at his side, kicking the attacker in the ribs. As he fell, her foot pressed against his chest. She extended her hand, and the attacker gasped as the water was being drained from his body.
Finally, Azrael removed his mask. The face beneath was a thirteen-year-old boy, white-haired with sharp, gleaming eyes. "Hold on," he said, panting, grasping for breath. "I'm here to talk business. Stop!"
Azrael stepped closer, signaling Liyana to stand down. "You attack me, and then call it business?"
The boy coughed violently, his body shuddering for a moment before he stabilized and stood upright.
Azrael's eyes studied him, sharp and unreadable, flickering with interest.
"I know of an illegal betting ring for Arcanum users in the city," the boy said, hurriedly. "High stakes, powerful participants, no rules."
Azrael tilted his head, a slow smirk playing across his lips. "And what am I supposed to do with this information?" His tone was teasing. "You know you can't just leave the academy."
The boy didn't flinch. "I can help with that. I have a device that bypasses locks, barriers, even detection spells. I can use it on you and guide you straight to the ring." He paused. "But I don't fight in frontal battles like you, so I won't be in the ring myself."
Azrael's smile widened. "And what's in it for you?"
The boy's gaze was steady. "I help you leave the campus, show you the way, and in return, we split any profits fifty-fifty. Fair."
Azrael leaned back, considering. The idea had merit. The boy's skill could bypass the academy's security, and the ring would be perfect for sharpening his abilities and gathering resources simultaneously. Plus it would be way more fun than meditating all night.
Finally, he spoke, his tone sharp, "Very well. I'll accept your proposal, but know this: if you try to play any tricks, I will make sure it's the last mistake you ever make. Also, the split will be seventy-thirty, in my favor. And before you protest, Liyana is recording this conversation. So your attempt to coerce me off the academy grounds is already documented. And that is against the Cardinal rules of the academy."
The boy frowned. "Your lack of trust is disturbing."
Azrael's grin only sharpened. "I trust what has been tested by time. Lead the way, I'm curious to see this ring."
*****
They moved through the shadows with lethal precision, reaching the barrier surrounding the academy. The white-haired boy produced a black sheet of paper, pressing it against the barrier. A small section corroded, and they slipped through.
High above, in the tallest building of the academy, a lady sat behind a huge mahogany table. Piles of paper work, surrounding her. A man appeared beside her. "Aren't we going to stop them?"
She spoke, eyes never leaving the paper in hand. "One is the son of a Duchess, the other the student of a Duke. I'm confident they can handle themselves."
Outside the academy, the trio moved silently through the city, sticking to the shadows. They paused at a mask shop, each selecting one that reflected their presence: the boy chose a calm blue, Azrael a furious red oni, and Liyana chose a black oni, its features mirroring her intent.
They arrived at a dimly lit bar. The boy slid a coin across the counter. "Top shelf."
The bartender raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you a little young for that?"
"Want to find out?" the boy replied, the man asked, "here to watch or..."
"Here to mind my business as should you." The boy replied, The bartender laughed, waving them toward a shadowy staircase.
Descending, the sounds of chaos grew louder, shouts, cheers, the heavy scent of alcohol and sweat thick in the air. At the bottom, a black gate awaited. The boy pushed it open, revealing the underground ring. Hundreds of people surrounded the arena, voices raw with excitement. The air was heavy, the tension electric.
Azrael's dark eyes scanned the crowd, taking it all in. He'd seen the part of the western region, all about order and hierarchy and he was about see it's other side.