After the bell rang, most students remained seated in place, chatting with their friends.
The atmosphere remained bleak as everyone nagged about the same thing.
It was of no concern to Cyril, as he said goodbye to Rose and Myra.
"I have something to do, I'll go first."
"Oh, sure."
He exited the auditorium and walked in the castle corridor, his cold blue eyes observing the students coming and going.
"Alright, time to begin our hunt!"
What would be a good spot? Do you remember any useful gossip? Maybe some place is particularly infamous?
Rhamn stood near him, her red eyes scanning as well.
"...I don't think so. Maybe outside the castle would be better? Yes, I remember we saw a few suspicious gatherings there before."
Cyril explored the castle for a few minutes more. Whenever a familiar student saw him, they would change their route while avoiding looking him in the eyes.
Yeah, let's change places.
"It's harder than I thought…"
"Maybe we should pay someone to cause trouble?"
"…"
That seems like a terrible idea. It's not over yet.
Cyril walked towards the castle entrance and went outside.
Taking a few steps under the open skies, he immediately encountered something.
A red blur suddenly hit him, making him stumble a step.
"...!"
Morpho bounced back from his chest and fluttered in front of him, enthusiasm erupting from her.
It's her...
"Where is Tigris?"
Cyril let her land on his shoulder, giving her a questioning glance.
The red butterfly only twitched her antennae in eagerness, her spirits unperturbed.
"She left him at home."
He narrowed his eyes, glaring at the butterfly.
Morpho's wings drooped a little lower, then she gently tapped his shoulder, radiating a peculiar mix of begging and flattery.
Cyril sighed, caving in under her pitiful stare.
"Fine, let's go practice now."
She fluttered her wings, boundless gratitude soon spreading to him.
"Of course we will help you!"
Cyril began walking towards his dorm, already planning the coming training.
As he was passing by the familiar park, he heard a peculiar noise from there.
It was the laughter of several people, mixed in with quiet sobs.
It wasn't the first time Cyril heard a similar noise, but now it caught his attention.
He immediately changed course, the butterfly on his shoulder twitching her antennae in confusion.
In a somewhat hasty manner, Cyril walked to the source of it.
The park was more deserted than usual at this time of day. The few students present all kept a distance from a particular place.
Off the paved path on the grass stood a small group.
It was four humans, their stances confident and relaxed, surrounding another human, whose eyes glistened in the light.
"Come on, Aldy. Why is a class I elite so scared of some class IV guys?"
Do I know him?
Hearing the familiar class, Cyril slowed down.
"Not really. You dueled him before, that's about it."
The group didn't notice him for now, focused on his classmate.
Their uniforms appeared the same as his, only with a different badge.
Second-year students.
Oh? and...
"Look who is here too!"
Mixed in with the second years was Leo Arken, staring down at Aldy with an angry scowl.
"Hurry up and apologize already before I make you."
"But I didn't do anything!"
Aldy stood hunched over, cowering in front of the group. He had shaking eyes as he stared at the ground.
"Don't try it! I've heard you gossip about me!"
Leo took a step closer, his teeth clenched.
Next he took a deep breath and retreated, glancing at one of the second years.
In the midst of that, he happened to notice Cyril standing behind them and froze.
"You should never ignore a noble, Aldy!"
The second year, however, didn't notice that and stepped forward, grabbing Aldy on the arm.
"Hold it, Bran."
"Why?"
Interrupted by Leo, Bran turned around as well, finally noticing another first-year student standing right near them with a cold expression.
"The hell!"
Bran stepped away, soon regaining the confidence in his eyes as he took a breath.
"Who sneaks up like that?"
The whole group now faced Cyril.
"Isn't that...?"
"Yeah, Cyril Thorne."
Cyril stood silent for a moment, observing their cautious stances.
"This has nothing to do with you, Thorne." Leo said with a frown.
Indeed, I agree.
"Not like we enjoy helping wastes. I say Aldy deserves this for being weak. However, we got to do what we got to do."
"Aren't we friends, Leo? You can go somewhere else, I'll handle this."
Cyril looked around him, assessing the situation.
Then, he briefly froze, finding an issue in his plan.
There are not many people at all. Will anyone even hear about this?
There were only a few students left, curiously gazing at the commotion from afar.
"That's enough. Rumors will start anyways. Trust me!"
Alright then…
Leo remained silent, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead.
Instead, one of the second years, Bran, walked up to Cyril with a confident stride.
"Don't you think you should have more respect for your seniors? We don't need some kid to handle our business."
"I've been treating you better than you deserve already."
Bran's brow twitched as he was about to open his mouth.
"Come on, Bran. Let's go." Leo put his hand on his shoulder and shook his head, other second years sharing his idea.
"Yeah, Bran. Calm down."
"Sorry, Cyril, he's just a bit tired."
"Bye, Aldy. Just keep your nose clean."
Bran took a deep breath and stepped away.
"Yeah, my bad."
Led by Leo, they began walking away.
Cyril froze again. He observed their backs, then switched his gaze to the spectators in the distance.
There was some boredom and disappointment in their eyes as they turned around, returning to their own business.
"…!"
"That's not good! This shouldn't be so anticlimactic! For the rumor to go on, it must be exciting!"
Cyril took a step forward.
"I thought as much. Someone from class IV, even in their second year, is still a waste."
Bran froze in his path, the others stopping after a second.
"Don't mind it. Come on, let's go."
"Screw this, you cowards!"
Bran snapped at them and turned around, an angry scowl on his face.
He stormed closer to Cyril, shooting daggers at him.
"Be more careful with your words, Thorne. Here in Ailanthus, strength matters more than connections."
"You are not stronger than me."
Cyril shook his head, his voice calm as if stating a simple fact.
Bran's hands twitched.
"You!" He pointed at Cyril, rage coloring his face red.
"Do you dare have a duel with me!? Today, in front of everyone, in the training field!"
Oh?
"This is just what we need!"
Cyril nodded, his face expressionless.
"When?"
"Tch. At seven. You won't hold that arrogant mug for long."
With an angry mutter, Bran left, his peers following him soon.
Leo Arken observed what happened with a blank stare before a spark shone in his eyes.
"It was good to see you, Cyril Thorne."
He nodded to Cyril, a smile on his face, and left.
"What's up with him?"
Looking at him for a few seconds, Cyril soon switched his attention to the student he rescued.
Aldy was in the process of running away himself, hurriedly moving in the opposite direction of the second years.
"Not even a thank you? Coward."
Left there on his own, Cyril looked around again.
The spectators in the distance were now excitedly talking to each other. Some had already started hurriedly walking away with a spring to their step.
"This went well for a first time. We got lucky."
I suppose so.
Morpho again gently hit him with her insect legs, urging him.
"Sorry, let's go. We have a few hours until the duel."
Cyril gently brushed her wings and walked out of the park.
...
After a short walk Cyril returned to his dorm.
He slowly went through the door and stood still for a few seconds.
It was quiet, with the only noise around being Morpho on his shoulder, fluttering her wings in eagerness.
"Tigris?"
Cyril called out as he looked around.
A quiet, somewhat incoherent meow greeted him.
He stared at the source of the noise only to discover Tigris lying on the floor near the bed.
The mighty tiger lazily turned on his back, pawing at the bed while sending him a pitiful look.
He can't reach the bed...
Cyril walked closer and picked him up, carrying him towards the soft bed.
Tigris's paws hung limply as he didn't move at all. Once on the soft blanket, he immediately closed his eyes and fell asleep.
What a lazy cat...
"He was just born! Tigris needs his rest!"
If you say so.
Cyril shook his head, walked towards the middle of the room, and sat cross-legged.
Morpho excitedly landed in front of him.
"I have a duel in a few hours, so let's keep it in moderation."
A duel... I can test the second part of the technique there.
Cyril nodded to himself, finding another pleasant element of the duel.
Hearing his words, Morpho hesitated for a moment before a shine possessed her insect eyes.
She stared at him as he felt a familiar emotion from her. A desire to prove something, to compete.
"You want to take part in the duel?" Cyril stared at her, his eyes widened.
Morpho nodded her insect head with determination, a flame lighting up inside of her.
"..."
Why not?
"Isn't this dangerous? Besides, duels are one-on-one."
There are a few beast tamers in our academy, they are allowed to fight alongside animals. It will be fine.
"Sure, let's train hard for that."
Morpho twitched her antennae, her excitement growing even further.