Part 1

It happened all too fast. All the peaceful times that we experienced until then came crashing down in the blink of an eye. I expected Gallher to attack once more but I grew complacent in the meantime.

“Raphael Bluescale I was waiting for you! Finally after over a year we’ll be able to cross swords! Aren’t you excited?” Shouted the red haired man at the end of the room.

“I’m disappointed honestly, Danthe Hannes, but if it’s a duel you wish to have then I’ll make sure to make it your last!”

The beginning of this mess can be traced around the first days of our second year. At that time, the older students were coming back from their trips back home while others spent their days in the academy just like me. New students came flooding the academy halls, brimming with excitement and high expectations. Of those first years some were new faces who just decided to join the academy while others were more familiar; they were those who failed to gather enough points to pass at the end of last year.

With our points being reset but the surplus kept as currency, I felt like my second year brought a new start. Though of that currency not much was left after spending them all on food and books.

Two days before the official start of the year all of our group reassembled since the only ones who stayed back at the academy were me and my brother. The Evergards met with their parents in a small city east of Alamara, Kiara travelled back home just like Amelie and Legis went on a “gathering trip”, he called it, in the north in search of precious materials and mana crystals from the mines.

I enjoyed the view of new and old students creating friendships, chatting and basically living their student lives from my room’s balcony, bathing in their laughter and carefreeness. I had no idea that that same night signaled the start of Gallher’s group retaliation and the first step into a dark, very dark path for me.

- DANTHE HANNES’ POV -

[How long has it been since I’ve received a summon like this? Three months? More? Ahhh it was soo peaceful during the vacation…I didn’t have to bother with all this bullshit! “You are to be present to the first gathering to discuss…” Bla bla bla. I just wanna fight dammit!]

I stayed at the academy during the vacation hoping to fight to my heart's content only to learn that no duels are to be held during that period since many professors are absent. It was a bummer but it’s not like it would have been much better back home. The less I saw my family’s faces the better.

At the very least I was relieved that I could spend my free days training without care but I had way too much free time and too little motivation to actually achieve something. I didn’t even feel like training with the spear. It had been sitting inside my closet for a year now, only taking it out to clean it or for aesthetics purposes. I was starting to doubt the usefulness of the academy.

And now, when finally the professors are all back and duels can be held once again, I received a summon to Gallher’s house. My first day of the second year couldn’t have been much worse.

The way to his house was clear in my mind, botheringly so. Noble district, first row of houses behind the fountain square, seventh mansion. The whole neighborhood was populated solely by nobles as the name says. Not even rich merchants could buy houses in that zone, not because of their prices but because they were strictly sold to nobles and no one else. The whole district oozed an air of richness and pomposity, so much that I felt like puking as I passed by the golden gates and frivolous gardens of the mansions. It reminded me of my home.

Gallher’s house was the same kind. A gold plated high gate followed by a garden full of green and yellow trees with benches and a small pond near them. At the end of the glamorous garden was the two story mansion of pure white marble bricks with a bluish roof and window frames of the same colour. Gallher liked to boast this house as “the fruit of his achievements” and use it to hold parties and such. In truth, this house was only lent by his father since Gallher made a fuss out of living in the dorms.

At the entrance, a butler was patiently waiting for his master’s guests to greet them and escort them to the room where the meeting was held. That butler was basically the one who kept the house going; food, cleaning, guests, organizing parties, sorting out his master’s requests…that guy did it all on his own. An old man named Jerome, around his sixties but still lively as twenty.

“Good evening young master Hannes, please follow me inside, the others are all waiting” Said the old man in an emotionless tone.

“Naah drop all that ‘young master’ thing Jerome, he’s not here and I don’t need that stuff to boost my confidence”

“I know that very well young master Hannes but as I’ve repeated countless times by now, I cannot call you anything else while I’m working so I hope you’ll excuse my stubbornness”

“Can’t win against this old cunning butler uh? Anyway, am I the last one?”

“Yes. The young master and his guests are already waiting in the conference room and they all seem to be anxiously waiting for the last member to join”

Sighing and cursing my misfortune I followed the old butler to the conference room. There, sitting around a table, the top members of Gallher’s group were sitting. The group, composed of some old faces and new ones, seemed to look at me with a hint of disfavour, probably due to my lateness. Not that I cared about the opinions of some snot nosed brats who were fed with the golden spoon since their birth.

“You took your sweet time didn’ you my dear Danthe” Said with a hint of sarcasm the blonde man sitting at the head of the table.

“Got held up on the way, Gallher”

“Oh my, how troublesome…well, now that you are here, do you mind sitting? It’s about time we start this year’s first gathering”

I followed his words and sat down on the only empty seat on his right. I already had half of an idea of what this gathering was about and, before Gallher even began speaking, I was already sick of it. Same as last year he started with a round of introduction. Basically it was nothing but a way to flaunt one’s status and connection, establishing somewhat of a hierarchy.

“Very good. Now that we all know each other, should we start with the real discussion?-” Like good dogs, everyone bobbed their heads as fast as they could, probably thinking that a fast response would please their master “-We should start with our goal. I believe all of you already know it since you are here but it doesn’t hurt to have the new members hear it once more…”

The next half an hour was the same exact copy of my first time. A complete monologue of how just and right was the goal of our group. How we should conquer the academy and stand at the very top in order to boost our futures, and how easy crushing the peasant should be.

I always hated that goal. Better yet, I always hated everything that surrounded Gallher but to my misfortune I needed him and his influence as much as he needed me and my strength. A precarious relationship based only on self interest. I knew we were bound to fall out at some point but never I expected to experience that feeling so soon. It wasn’t bothering me the whole speech stuff, rather what was really getting on my nerves was the fact that soo many young nobles fell for his words. Not to mention that even commoners were now gathering under the lead of one of Gallher’s dogs. This guy worshipped him as if he was the spawn of the gods. It gave me the chills thinking that there were such fanatics around.

All in all I expected Gallher to jump back to his position as soon as the year started. It was too good to be true that he would just sit down and let Bluescale live his life. Alas, two things happened completely out of my expectations. Gallher now making use of the commoners he called “pawns” and Amelie completely giving in into his words.

“Forgive my impudence-” Said in a low apologetic tone a first year sitting far away from me “-but I heard rumors about a commoner named Bluescale. Is he really giving so much trouble?”

The whole group started whispering. Some were voices of concern, others of scoff while the rest were mocking Bluescale. I thought it incredible how a single commoner was able to create such chaos in the minds of those so-called powerful nobles.

“Indeed the rumors are true.-” Continued Gallher after silencing the rowdy crowd with a gesture of his hand “-Raphael Bluescale, in particular, has been a thorn in our side for the whole duration of last year. Not only did he insulted me and wounded my reputation but he also declared his hostility towards me and was involved in the expulsion of one of our members. Because of him, our group had to sit still for the past months in order not to attract harmful attention”

“I-I heard that he’s strong…c-can we beat him somehow? T-that would remind him of his place!” Stuttered another first year.

“*sigh* We’ve already tried with duels but he was able to overpower those we sent. But to answer your question, no, he’s not strong. If he was, he would have won the end of the year event! Instead we were the ones who took first place!”

[I was! You didn’t even do shit! Only with the help of everyone you were able to surpass him by a hair’s breadth]

“Ohh we are so lucky to have you sir Gallher!-” Squawked one of the presents “-You can just beat him up and the whole academy will acknowledge you as the strongest!”

“E-ehm…I believe direct confrontation would only lead to us acknowledging his strength”

A laugh escaped my lips. I tried to suppress it with a series of coughs but it was clear to everyone that I was making fun of Gallher.

“What’s so funny my dear Hannes?” Replied an irritated Gallher.

“Nothing, nothing. Just thought it would be easier if you just sent me to deal with this. You know…I’m craving for a good fight and I bet that Bluescale’s one to bare his fangs to the strong”

“Hannes! We talked about this!-” Shouted the blonde “-I will not permit you to tarnish your reputation just to duel him! I don’t care how much you want to fight, if you know what’s good for you then you’ll follow my orders like the others!”

“You know-” I shouted back as I slammed my fists onto the solid wood “- I getting real fucking tiered of you Delvin!”

“How dare you call me by my name! I could always get rid of yo-”

“Would it be okay if Bluescale was taken care of silently?” Interrupted Amelie.

A curious expression was painted in Gallher’s face as he looked into Amelie full of expectations eyes. With the situation calmed, I sat down once again but with a bad sensation lingering in the back of my head.

“What do you propose?” Spoke Gallher as he gestured with a hand to continue.

“Well you see, everyone in that group trusts me. I believe they think of me as a friend...haha but that’s to be expected. I worked extra hard to gain Raphael’s trust. I even started the whole “support Bluescale” group. My point is, if I further improve my relationship, I could even go out with Raphael alone and plan an ambush or even carry out an assassination. The possibilities are infinite! Poison, weakness spells, curses…there is soo much I could do!”

I regretted with every fiber of my body the day I introduced her to Gallher. I was never one to shine for intellect nor judgement yet my spine chilled with the thought that it was I the reason she was saying such words. I led her into this mess, right into the snake's den.

I couldn’t take it. The disgust for such cowardly methods, the guilt for tainting her mind and the hate for every single member who seemed to be delighted with her proposal. I stood up and rushed over the door. Even the air those snakes breathed felt tainted.

“Where do you think you are going!?” Shouted the one sitting at the head of the table.

I looked back, with one hand already turning the gold colored doorknob. There were so many words I would have loved to say. So much hate and anger I wanted to express. Yet all I could mutter was contempt.

“You all disgust me-” I said in a blunt tone with a foot already over the threshold “-...pathetic weaklings!”

The slam of the door behind me muffled their shouts. My mind was clouded, full of doubts, full of anguish and bitterness. I hurried my pace out of the mansion with the goal of never setting foot in it ever again.

The dark starry sky and the nip air were the ones waiting for me over the gate. I filled my lungs with that stinging sensation, hoping for it to clear my mind, and hexaled it all to completely expel the spoiled one.

“*sigh* Some good ale will do me good!” I whispered to myself out loud.

With that thought in mind my feet began walking towards the direction of my favourite, and usual, tavern.

Part 2

It wasn’t even past midnight, yet already four empty glasses were littering my table. The fifth one was coming along as well. I never liked to go overboard with my drinks but that night I was rapidly approaching my limits. I would’ve gone past them if it wasn’t for someone interrupting my train of thoughts with his presence.

When he entered, the previously cheerful tavern full of singing guards and the various shop owners discussing, the whole place suddenly became silent with curiosity and what looked like respect in the eyes of some guards. He wasn’t someone I knew personally but I did by sight. One of the academy’s teachers as well as one of the few ruby tiered adventurers*, Constantine Gildoor. Ever since the heroes walked these lands, none was able to surpass the ruby tier. The requirements were too high for anyone to do so. As such, ruby tiers were considered to be the best among the best, to the point where a kingdom would pay hefty sums in order to have them reside in their lands.

The people began whispering soon after and the silence was broken, making space, once again, to the chaotic warmth of the tavern. Constantine seemed to be unbothered by the whisperings about him. Probably after years of hearing the same whispers he began to ignore them. Though unexpected was the fact that I could feel his gaze on me but I wrongly scoffed it off as an effect of the ale.

“Mind if I sit?” A warm and calm voice yet full of a well hidden authority startled me out of my absent mindness. It was Constaintine now sitting in front of me with a glass of dark brown ale in his hand. He didn’t even wait for me to answer his question. Not that it was really one in the first place.

“Danthe Hannes, if I’m correct. A pleasure, I’m-”

“Constantine Gildor, monstrology professor and ruby tier adventurer active especially in the Esden continent”

“Uhhh…looks like someone’s done his homework! At what do I give the honour of such interest?”

“You joking?-” I said, waiting for him to laugh or to scoff it off in some way but without result “-I mean, you are Constantine Gildor! I dreamt of reaching the peak like you! How could I not know?!”

“The peak uh?-” The tone of his voice was somewhat melancholic “-Anyway, mind filling me up on some interesting rumors I heard at the academy?”

“I’m not one who really cares about rumors and all that bullshit. You have picked the wrong guy to talk gossip”

“Uhh what’s got your panties in a knot? Was it tonight’s meeting with Gallher or the fact that you can’t have the duel you sooo much desire with Bluescale?”

[Wh-what?!]

I didn’t know how but the person in front of me already knew about everything. He was able to get a complete read of me. Was he previously informed? Someone told him about me? Or did he just guess?

“Are you with Gallher?”

“No, though it was funny how he tried to buy me into his ranks HaHaHa! For a moment I thought it would’ve been interesting to accept and see where that led!”

“Then how do you know so much about me?”

“Don’t flatter yourself kid. It’s not you I’m interested in-” Said Constantine with a scoff as he placed both feet on the table “- That Bluescale kid is the one who really fascinates me!”

I was being looked down on. It was something I hated, ever since I was a kid back home. I felt my blood boil to the point where I could feel my muscles tense up ready to throw a punch. Yet I had to refrain myself. I knew better than to stir a fight with such a monster.

“Then, what do you want from me?”

“I’ll be straight with you kid, I want the two of you to fight.-” His face now directly fixed on mine “-I don’t know if you figured it out or not but that Bluescale kid doesn’t give a shit about your little group of dreamy gangsters. He’s not even taking y'all seriously HaHaHa! Remember that rumor about a student beating a teacher during the entrance test? That was him! And beating is belittling it. From what the headmaster said he literally shattered the teachers barrier with nothing more than a “stone bullet”! Can you imagine it!? HaHaHa!”

“....”

“What’s more interesting is that he refused to be placed first when asked to, instead he was placed last with literally zero points! Out of this fucking world, aint it? Who else would have made that choice uh? You know the rest about him, right?”

“Won every single duel sent his way and rose his rank faster than anyone could imagine. Survived an assassination attempt and killed a fiend. Rumor said he did it alone. And finally, he took care of a group of students who were trying to kidnap his friends without even breaking a sweat”

“An amazing record for a first year, no?”

“Yeah…outstanding”

“Yet, he refused every duel with you-” Said Constantine as a cheeky grin appeared on his face “-I can’t help but wonder why”

Upon hearing the question I began recalling every attempt of mine to challenge Bluescale to a duel. There were times I was ignored, others were he simply scoffed me off with an excuse and others were his friends intervened. At some point I remember I gave up on the idea of duelling him. But there was one time, rather recently, a couple of months before the end of the first year, that I remembered clearly.

That morning, like every time before it, I stopped him on his way to the library, pointed my finger at him and challenged him as I’ve done multiple times before. He looked bored, no, maybe pissed off would’ve been a better description. He sighed and simply asked “Why?”. I was startled. I had expected him to straight up refuse as always yet he asked me a question, which I was too shocked to answer so he kept asking. “Why do you want to duel with me so much?” was what he said in between two heavy sighs. A myriad of answers began flooding my brain, yet every single one of them seemed to not be the right one. In a hurry I blurted out “Because we are enemies”, an answer I regretted as soon as I said it. With a dissatisfied look on his face he simply kept walking his way towards the entrance of the library and, when he reached my side, he said:

“Is it true though?”

Ever since that day I’ve done nothing but question my motif.

“I guess-” I answered hesitantly “- I lack reasoning”

“Then the solution’s easy my boy!-” Constantine cheerfully said as he gestured one of the girls serving the tables to bring him another glass “- If you can’t find a reason simply create one!”

“What?”

“You really don’t shine for intellect uh….Listen, you said you lack a reason, correct? Then all you have to do is to create that reason. Offend him, make him angry, make him hate you or own you. There are soo many ways for you to handle this and I can help if you wish to!”

“...Why do you want us to fight so bad?”

“Do you want me to spell it out for you?-” His expression seemed kind of bothered by my question “-It’s of course to see him at his full power! He can’t go easy like he’s done since now against you so he’ll be forced to show his true colors. When that happens I’ll be there to see it!”

I looked down on my almost empty glass. The brownish liquid shining gold with the lights of the candles and magic lamps waved rhythmically with my hand shaking it. I was immersed in my thoughts. Trying to make out a sense of what Constantine just said.

Like pulling a knotted thread, a single idea shone light on the turmoil inside my head. It hit me then, a simple solution. It was just like Constaintine said: I had to create a reason for him to fight me. And I thought of the best one.

I gulped down what remained of my drink and stood up from my chair as I slammed the glass on the table. As I was reaching my back pocket to take out my coins, the sound of metal against metal resounded right in front of me. Constantine had just thrown a handful of silver coins on the table. His intentions were clear. After a slight bow I faced away from him and towards the door, ready to leave the tavern.

“Found a way uh?” Said Constantine in a smugglish tone of voice.

“Yes, but I won’t need your help” I replied firmly.

“Suit yourself kid, but I’ll keep my eyes on ya!”

I left the tavern after that brief exchange of words with the sound of Constantine laugh ringing in my ears. I had no time to waste at the tavern no more, the plan in my mind needed to take place extremely fast.

*The tiers are as follows(from low to high): wooden->stone->iron->bronze->silver->gold->emerald->ruby->diamond->obsidian.