"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH smell that fresh air" Nick said with a huge smile on his face as he walked through the campus gates "makes one grateful to be alive, no?" he glanced to his side and chuckled when he saw the condition of his friend "you should really learn to go to sleep earlier, you're a growing boy after all" "I'll have you know I'll be turning twenty this year, and who's fault do you think it is that I wasn't able to get any sleep last night?!?!" eren replied and glared at him with accusing eyes " I was sleeping quite fine until you decided to throw a party at four in the morning, who even does that?!" Nick looked at eren and with a serious expression on his face he said " one must always be prepared for anything" as he struggled to hold in his laughter and failing miserably "pffffft hahaha, you should've seen your face, you looked like the offspring of an eye-eye and a permanently puffed blowfish" Eren grumbled as he was clearly just insulted and asked "what are we even doing here, shouldn't we be back home preparing to strike back against the Lorenzo family?" the seriousness in his voice wiped the playful expression off of Nick's face who scoffed "and what do you suggest we do? walk up to their gates and demand they cut their heads off and hand it to us, they're the biggest crime family in the city" hearing the clear ridicule in Nick's words and feeling like he suggested something completely stupid eren hung his head in shame. "That doesn't mean we should have to take that insult laying down either though" Nick continued with a smirk on his face "we'll further discuss this after school but for now let's just enjoy the free time we have" he said as he opened the door to the classroom, he hadn't even taken a single step past the door when someone ran straight into

him with a loud thud and fell down. Nick glanced down at the individual and saw a pair of brown eyes obscured by a mess of black hair looking up at him, the individual had fair unblemished skin, long legs and smooth small hands, one might easily mistake her for a model if only it weren't for the gloomy atmosphere around her. "Be more careful next time?" Nick said as he effortlessly picked her up and walked past "sorry about his manners" eren said as he offered an apologetic smile and hurriedly followed Nick to his seat leaving behind a gaping girl. Everyone started to discuss quietly among themselves but given Eren's increased senses he easily heard their words "Is it just me or did anyone else hear the silent prince just speak?" "you heard it too then? glad I wasn't imagining things" "I finally heard his voice, with this my fantasy is complete" said another, more gruff voice Eren struggled to hold in his laughter as he watched Nick's eyelid twitch continuously "Is there anything I can get you your majesty" eren said and finally burst out into laughter "I see why you like school nick" he said as he wiped a tear from the corner of his eye "I see someone wants me to throw another party tonight" Nick said with a frown "I'll call the guys and give them a heads up later on" eren paled and that statement and started apologizing profusely before suddenly stopping, Nick's ears perked up and he said "let the fun begin" with a small grin. Suddenly the door to the classroom opened and in walked

a slim, average looking female with a nice bust and blonde hair with blue eyes, she walked with her head held high and with confident steps she made her way to the podium "My name is Veronica Weekes and I will be filling in for Professor Drakes as your substitute teacher for the next two months, I hope we can all get along and become great friends" she said with a smile one would find on a supermodel "now that I've introduced myself I'd like you all to do the same, let's start with you at the front" she said as she pointed to a young man with thick glasses and freckles on his face, the young man stood up slowly and said "my name's Ryan Ronald, 21 years old and I live alone" and then sat back down. The introductions continued until finally, it was Eren's turn, he calmly stood up from his seat and with a deep breath he began "My name is Eren Fargas and I-" eren was interrupted by the sound of snickering coming from beside him, he glanced over and saw Nick with his hand covering his mouth with tears in his eyes and gave him a questioning look "I'm sorry.....but didn't you say you were going to fart gas?" Nick burst into a fit of laughter which stunned the entire classroom for they had never heard him laugh before much less speak, after Nick's laughing fit he apologized after taking a deep breath "Aaah i'm sorry for my outburst fart gas, you may continue" the statement elicited a few giggles

from the students but eren being used to Nick's antics by now continued as if it never happened "yes well, my name is Eren Fargas and I will be turning twenty this year, my hobbies are reading and playing chess"; seeing eren finished with his introduction Nick got up and said with a smile and warmth in his voice "My name is Nicholas Lupine and this year I'll be turning......25" after that he sat down just in time to hear eren say under his breath "why laugh at my name? at least my name doesn't sound like a new type of tree" Nick paused briefly before he sat down thinking there will be plenty of chances to get back at eren. After everyone finished with the introductions class finally began and like he always did, Nick closed his eyes and dozed off; eren, on the other hand, stayed awake and paid attention to the lecture until class ended. "Hey, nick.....nick....nick.....HEY NICK!!!!!" Nick's eyes shot open as he heard eren shouting into his ear but seeing everyone leaving the classroom until it was only them and Ms. Weekes left he deduced class must have ended so he and Eren got up and headed to the exit but as they were leaving Ms. Weekes stopped Nick "Nicholas lupine right? Do you have a minute to spare?" Nick looked at her and shook his head " I'm sorry professor but I'm pressed for time at the moment" Nick said casually, he took several steps toward the door before he felt someone grab his hand to stop him from leaving, he took a look behind him and saw his professor trying with all her might to stop him from going any further, seeing her determination to speak with him Nick turned his head to Eren and told him to go on without him before turning back towards Ms. Weekes while saying "now what is it that you wanted to talk about?". veronica, hearing Nick's question suddenly let go of him and smiled, seeing her act like this Nick raised his eyebrow at her and calmly waited for her to explain herself but after several moments of silence and still seeing no reaction from her Nick decided he had had enough and turned to walk away, before he could complete his turn Veronica said "um- seeing as I'm new to the school and all could you do me a favor and show me around" with a bright smile, several seconds of silence passed as he looked at her with a blank stare before finally saying "uh sure, I don't see any reason not to" thus Nick led Veronica around the school showing her all the places of interest to be found around the campus until finally, they arrived at their final destination, the cafeteria "well here's my favorite place in the entire school, the most wonderful place where you're surrounded by all types of delicious foods and tasty beverages" Nick said as he drooled at the sight of all the different kinds of meals on display "well this is where our tour ends, now if you'll excuse me" Nick dashed towards the counter after grabbing a tray and filled it with different types of meats before sitting down at a table and began digging in. Halfway through his meal, Nick sensed two familiar presences approaching him but pretended not to notice until they were only two steps away from his table, he finally looked up from his meal and saw veronica standing next to a clearly uncomfortable Eren. Paying them no mind, he turned his attention back to his meal. Seeing Nick completely disregarding her presence veronica coughed to get his attention but seeing him still not paying her any she coughed louder, Nick paused and stuck his hand in his pocket and started rummaging before pulling out a mint "for your cough" he said as she took the mint from his hand awkwardly. Eren seeing the exchange was trying his hardest not to laugh which was proving to be easier said than done but before Veronica could embarrass herself further he spoke up "mind if we join you?" to which Nick responded by shrugging. Getting confirmation, Eren gestured for Veronica to take a seat before sitting down on a chair beside nick while Veronica sat directly in front of Nick. They all sat there in awkward silence waiting for someone to start a conversation, everyone except Nick who was too busy enjoying his meal. Being unable to endure the silence anymore, Veronica decided to speak up "So how did you guys like my lecture?" Eren paused as he was going to take a bite of his meal and thought before saying "it was rather informative....... I did not know that learning could be so fun" his response caused a smile to slowly blossom on Veronica's face as she turned her head to Nick who was still engrossed in his meal and waited patiently for him to answer, Eren seeing Nick having no intention of answering the question said "Earlier Nick told me he found the lesson informative as well" seeing Nick's attitude and hearing Eren's answer she felt dissatisfied and sad seeing her student so uninterested in having a conversation with her. They continued to sit in silence until suddenly Nick's phone rang which brought him out of his own world, he answered and on the other line came the voice of scar, " I'm on my way" Nick said as he hung the phone up and said one word to Eren before standing "Trouble" from this one word a million thoughts ran through Eren's mind as he hurriedly got up to follow Nick and apologized to Veronica "I apologize ma'am but we must be going, I don't think we will be back for class this evening " to which Veronica responded with a nod and a look of understanding. She watched them leave before getting up from her seat and walking out the cafeteria, she walked until she reached a secluded area at the back of the campus under a huge oak tree. There she took out her phone and dialed a number, the phone rang twice before a cold male voice sounded out from the other end "what is the situation Tempest?" gone was the cheerful attitude and winning smile Veronica had and replacing it was an emotionless face and she said in an equally emotionless voice "I found him sir, he's currently following an individual by the name of Nicholas Lupine" the voice on the other end of the line paused before saying "you said this man's last name was lupine?" to which Veronica/Tempest responded with a "yes sir", silence reigned on the man's end before he finally said "continue to observe, do not under any circumstances attack this man, if he is who I think he is then dark days are ahead" hearing this tempest was confused "is he that dangerous sir? He seems harmless" the man gave a laugh and said "you should pray it stays that way child, that man is more dangerous than any animal you can find in the wild......he's not human" upon hearing this statement tempest was even more confused and asked "not.....human sir?" but the man just said "just keep observing from a distance and do not under ANY circumstance aggravate him, report back if anything of importance happens" to which Tempest responded "as you wish Mr. Lorenzo" and with that the call ended leaving tempest in silence in her thoughts. "What secrets do you hold to have one of the most influential crime bosses in the city so afraid of you Mr Lupine?" she wondered aloud to herself before walking back in the direction of the school to continue her classes with her previous cheerful self back in full effect "Let's find out shall we"