Aziel was from one of the Crest clans.
As he grew, other clans often visited.
Councils.
Gatherings.
Sometimes he and Zephyr slipped into their estates.
Sometimes they slipped into his.
Mostly at the Imperial clan.
That's how he had known the top ranking girls in his classroom for a long time.
However, Zephyr was always the one who drew attention.
From his clan.
From theirs.
From everyone his age.
Aziel, however...
He stayed on the edge.
Maybe by choice.
Maybe not.
Or perhaps…
He figured.
He simply wasn't worth approaching.
The figures ahead grew clearer as they closed in, until Zephyr and a single girl stopped in front of Aziel and Oliver.
Aziel slid his hands into his pockets, wearing a calm expression that didn't quite hide his smirk.
"Well, look who's patrolling the halls. Thought you'd have better things to do."
Zephyr arched a brow.
"Making sure you don't cause problems is a better thing to do."
Oliver chuckled under his breath, but Aziel kept his eyes steady.
"Relax. The worst crime I'm committing today is dragging my best friend to the gaming hub."
"B-best friend?"
Zephyr almost tripped over his words.
Since childhood, Aziel had never been the type to form bonds.
Much less to call someone that.
"Yeah," Aziel said smoothly. "You heard me right. Got an issue with it?"
Zephyr shook his head quickly and extended a hand toward Oliver.
"I'm Zephyr. Nice to finally meet you."
Oliver clasped it firmly, grin easy.
"Oliver. The pleasure's mine."
Aziel's gaze shifted past them, scanning the empty space.
"Hold on. Where are Sera and Alisa? Don't tell me you scared them off already."
The girl beside Zephyr stepped forward.
Lyra's eyes flicked to Aziel, sharp and cold, before turning to Oliver.
Her posture was straight, arms loose at her side, but her gaze was assessing, like she was already weighing him.
She extended her hand with calm authority.
Oliver flinched at the sudden action, then hesitated before reciprocating.
"Fancy meeting you. Oliver here."
"Likewise," Lyra replied evenly, her grip firm.
"Lyra Astral. You've probably heard the name."
Oliver blinked at the bluntness, caught off guard by her directness, then retracted his hand.
"They had some work to take care of. You'll see them later,"
Lyra added smoothly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as her gaze shifted back to Aziel.
Then, with the faintest tilt of her head.
"Though it's strange, since when do you care about where they are?"
Aziel smirked faintly, brushing it off.
"What can I say? I get curious sometimes."
Lyra didn't answer, only folded her arms loosely, her lips tugging in a near-smile.
He felt like an entirely different person now.
She felt.
"So? What's the grand plan? You're not out here just for fresh air."
Zephyr smirked faintly.
"Actually, I was going to ask if you're heading to the Freshers' party tonight. The seniors are hosting it."
Both Aziel and Oliver blinked.
"Party?" Oliver said flatly. "This is the first I'm hearing of it."
Aziel raised an eyebrow, voice calm but edged with mock annoyance.
"Either the invitations got lost… or someone's being selective."
Lyra let out a soft hum, eyes narrowing just slightly.
"Maybe the seniors figured you wouldn't bother showing up. Hard to invite a ghost."
Zephyr frowned in genuine surprise.
"It's been on the notices for days. Don't tell me you skipped reading them again."
Oliver sighed. "Skipping sounds about right."
Aziel chuckled lowly, brushing it off.
"Guess we'll show up uninvited then. Makes for a better entrance."
Lyra's lips curved, not out of surprise but as if daring him to try the later.
Zephyr shook his head, but his smile betrayed amusement.
"In the meantime, we're also heading to the gaming hub. You two should tag along."
Oliver shrugged, and Aziel sighed, feigning reluctance.
It was not even the second day.
And...
Zephyr was already out on dates with these beauties, no less.
"Guess we're popular today."
With that, the four of them turned, their footsteps falling into rhythm as they made their way toward the
After walking together for a while, they finally reached the gaming hub and stepped inside.
Two stories.
The place was brimming with people.
'I half expected this to be a famous attraction for boys… didn't expect this many girls too.'
Aziel muttered inwardly as his eyes swept across the vast floor.
It was packed with students hunched over games, laughter and shouts echoing through the hall.
Some glances followed their group.
Awe.
Curiosity.
Envy.
And then the whispers began.
"Hey, look, the boy who got beaten half-dead is with the top ranks."
"Meh. He shouldn't even be allowed near them. Don't know why they're bothering."
"Idiot, that's his brother obviously. As for Ms. Lyra? No clue."
"Bet she wouldn't even look his way if not for his status."
The words slipped through the noise like daggers.
Aziel caught every one of them.
But he didn't flinch.
Didn't look back.
He just kept walking, shoulders loose, face unreadable.
Unfazed.
At least, that's what he let them see.
Oliver's brow furrowed, jaw tightening slightly.
"Really? Can't they just… mind their own business?"
He muttered under his breath.
Zephyr glanced at Aziel, eyes narrowing, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
"I will be playing this one !"
Zephyr exclaimed, as he stepped forward and rushed towards an Arcade machine.
Aziel kept walking, shoulders relaxed, hands in pockets, Oliver trailing behind.
They climbed the front stage where the DJ and students were rocking to the music.
Aziel snatched the mic from one of the students, holding it with exaggerated care.
He paused, letting the silence hit.
The crowd leaned in, curious and uneasy.
"You peasants sure like to talk,"
he said, voice calm but loud enough to echo.
A few students jumped.
Others exchanged worried glances.
He gestured with one hand, theatrically pointing at the crowd.
"I bet that's the only thing you know. However, fret not, because today I'm not here to pick a fight.
No… today, I'm here to challenge that big freak who's been going around undefeated."
He let the words settle like a blade over the crowd.
"You can stare. You can gasp. But don't expect me to hand out mercy. That's not my style."
Aziel's eyes flicked to Oliver, letting a small smirk slip.
Perfect.
Let him have his fun.
I'll enjoy the show.
Then, with a precise bow, like a butler presenting his master, he stepped aside toward Oliver.
The gesture was clear...
It was his turn.
Oliver stepped forward, chest out, chin high, as if he'd been rehearsing this speech his whole life.
He raised one hand for emphasis, glancing around.
To Aziel, it was oddly reminiscent of… someone infamous from his past life.
"Same here,"
Oliver said, voice steady, then handed the mic to another student, signaling that the challenge was now officially underway.
The crowd murmured, some stifling laughter at Oliver's theatrical gestures, others whispering nervously.
Aziel didn't move a muscle, letting the reactions swirl around him.
Then the chaos began.
Candidates rushed forward like lunatics.
"Me! Me! I challenge him!"
"No, I'm the one to beat him!"
"You gonna loose so bad, fight me"
"Step aside, amateurs!"
Aziel raised an eyebrow, hands still in his pockets.
Oliver leaned slightly forward, ready, but clearly trying not to laugh at the chaos.
Students collided, some tripping over chairs, others shouting unintelligible challenges.
The hall had turned into a comic battlefield of overconfidence.
Then… silence.
A heavy thud echoed across the stage.
Everyone instinctively parted, creating a path.
From the back of the crowd, a massive figure emerged.
Big.
Fat.
Intimidating in sheer presence.
He had obviously spent years doing nothing but eating, his posture slouched, yet somehow menacing.
The chatter died instantly. Students stepped aside like he was a moving wall.
Aziel's eyes flickered to him.
'Well, that escalated quickly'
Zephyr and Lyra stood frozen for a moment, watching the scene unfold.