Morgan, Galahad, and Satana left the room and headed toward the hall where Morgan would begin his academic life in this new world. Since the moment he arrived, he had only seen cruelty and excessive violence, yet he still held onto the hope of finding good beings in that place—people who didn't embrace such cruel and ruthless ideas. Morgan felt surprisingly optimistic.
Yes, not everything can be like this. I'm sure there are good people too.
( Said Morgan with a proud smile )
The three of them walked out of the housing complex and fully entered the academy. The building was astonishing, magnificent, alive. There were so many people, of so many different races… And yet, Morgan could also see the sad, devastated faces of the humans who served and accompanied those beings. Some had acceptable clothing; others wore only filthy, torn rags that barely covered them. This deeply saddened Morgan.
They treat them worse than animals.
( Morgan whispered with a slightly upset expression )
Huh? Did you say something, Morgan?
( Said Satana, alarmed )
No, no… it's nothing.
( Said Morgan with a nervous smile )
The further they walked, the more eyes fixated on them. Murmurs began spreading through the crowd like an uneasy wind.
Is it him?
Yeah, is it him?
Ugh… and he's bringing two of those things with him.
Tch, shut up. If the headmistress hears you talking about her favorite toy like that, things could go bad for you.
He's got some nerve showing up like this.
What race is he? I've never seen someone like that.
Yeah, me neither…
The stares that had been directed at him shifted toward Galahad.
How does she dare show that disgusting face around here?
If the princess rejected her, she's worthless.
Is she asking to be killed?
She should just be good and die already.
Galahad lowered her head, grabbed her clothes tightly, and began to shed silent tears. Morgan noticed immediately. Without thinking, he took her hand and, with a calm smile, said:
Stay behind me.
She breathed a little easier, stepped behind him, and pressed herself against his back. Morgan turned to look at Satana to make sure she was okay. Satana noticed and, with a faint smile, said:
Don't worry, I'm fine. It's not something I'm proud to say, but… they won't do anything to me.
( Said Satana, a little sad )
After walking for a while, they finally reached the main building. It was gigantic, with huge staircases and more of those floating elevators. In the center stood a colossal white tree, and from the side corridors hung banners with symbols and names.
What is that?
( Said Morgan, amazed )
Oh, that… those are the banners of the houses in the academy.
( Said Satana with a smile )
Houses? What do you mean, houses?
( Said Morgan, confused )
Oh, right, we didn't explain that to you. You see, everyone here belongs to a house. It's like… a family within the school. Students of all years are recruited or assigned to a house, and depending on how well their members perform, they earn rewards at the end: better rooms, food, study areas, and so on.
At the end of each year, all the houses compete in something called the Red Moon Games. The house that wins receives a gold reward and the chance to have dinner with the king. Most of them end up with important positions once they leave the academy… their lives are basically set. It even helps them find a partner of high status.
( Said Satana calmly )
I hadn't really thought about it until now… but this definitely is a fantasy world.
( Thought Morgan to himself, amazed )
So… how many houses are there?
( Said Morgan, excited )
There are 5 in total. Valdragon, the house of warriors; Silvantheris, the house of those who are one with nature; Creadorum, the house of creators and thinkers; Novastella, the house of the watchers of the stars; and finally… Ahura Mazda, the house of those who wander in limbo, unsure of who they are, or who lack anything to stand out for.
( Said Satana, happy to be explaining this to Morgan )
And… do I need to belong to one?
( Said Morgan, excited )
I'm not sure Luzbel would like that… It could be dangerous for you to join a house. Maybe we should ask her and see what she thi—
Well, well… look who we have here.
Someone said loudly, their voice echoing through the entire place. Morgan's expression changed in an instant: from excited to serious and defensive, stepping in front of Satana and Galahad to protect them.
Coming down the stairs with her arms spread and a huge malicious grin was the wolf girl: Kalista. And next to her, the massive woman dressed in furs: Ursa.
You must be either very brave… or very stupid, to show up in front of me. I told you that if you ever did it again, I'd finish you off.
Students peeked out from every corridor to watch, their eyes focused on Kalista and Ursa.
Stay behind me.
( Said Morgan seriously )
So you finally show your face again, brat.
( Said Ursa, annoyed )
Both approached slowly, threateningly, savoring the fear they provoked. They were bigger than Morgan—and far more intimidating.
Look, friend… let's not make a scene. I can forgive you if you kneel before me, kiss my feet… and give me that piece of trash.
( Said Kalista with a wicked smile, baring her teeth )
What do you think, teacher?
( Said Kalista, looking at Ursa )
Yes… I'd say that's a fair price after being humiliated like that.
( Said Ursa seriously )
See? It's a good deal, friend. You just have to do what I say… and hand over that damn garba—
Kalista leaned close to Morgan's ear to whisper venomously. She reached out to touch Galahad, who was terrified and clinging to Satana. But Morgan grabbed her arm firmly, stopping her. With a defiant expression—but shaking in fear—he said:
I-I can't… I can't do that.
The veins on Kalista's forehead bulged. Rage consumed her.
You little bastard… do we need to teach you your place?!
( Ursa shouted furiously )
Ursa raised her hand to strike Morgan, but another voice thundered through the entire building, accompanied by a gust of wind that made the air vibrate.
ENOUGH!
In the sky, wings spread wide and fury on her face, was Luzbel. She descended instantly and stood beside Morgan, shielding him with one of her wings.
I was getting worried because you weren't arriving… I knew I should've gone to get you.
( Said Luzbel seriously )
Don't interfere, Luzbel. This isn't your business.
( Said Ursa threateningly )
Step back, Ursa. Anything that has to do with him is my business.
( Said Luzbel, threateningly )
Pfft… hahahaha. Don't tell me the boy won your heart, Luzbel. I don't care what kind of relationship you have with him, but this matter is between me and my girl. So move aside… or I'll make you move.
( Said Ursa arrogantly and disdainfully )
I won't.
( Said Luzbel, defiant, eyes sharp )
---
End of chapter.
Next chapter: The Coliseum.
Sorry for changing the title of this chapter and the previous one. The original name was planned for a specific scene, but it will take me a bit longer than I imagined to reach that moment.