Nekrios began eating slowly as he stared at the plate before him, but his mind was far, far away.
His thoughts swirled like a storm:
"Why is all this happening to me?
I was kidnapped,
Tortured for the amusement of sick freaks,
Brutally killed,
And now… I'm some extinct, immortal creature...
Should I be happy or horrified?"
"I can't even tell if this is a gift… or a curse."
"Earth to Nekrios! Wake up!"
Raven narrowed his eyes, his tone probing, "You're deep in thought again... What's going on in that skull of yours, my friend?"
Kaeron, chewing without even looking up, muttered between bites, "Yeah... Is it because of—no, never mind."
Nekrios looked at them both with tired eyes, burdened by thoughts too heavy for his young mind. Everything he had endured came rushing back like blades: the abduction, the sadistic torture, and the gruesome death. He couldn't even tell if he had awakened in hell... or paradise.
His new powers, immortality, the Shadow element, even the stubborn sentient tendrils on his back—all of it left him drowning in questions.
Without a word, Nekrios stood, ignoring Kaeron and Raven, and began walking through the academy's corridors.
The hallway was vast and high-ceilinged, like a colossal tunnel. Tall windows lined both sides, letting sunlight stream in and reflect off the pristine white marble floors.
He sighed as he looked up at the ceiling, then kept walking aimlessly.
At the end of one corridor, Lithia appeared suddenly and yanked him by the collar of his shirt without explanation.
"You're twelve minutes late to the Elemental Magic class!" she scolded, clearly annoyed. "Get in! We don't have time!"
Still half in a daze, Nekrios blinked. "My head was so lost in thought I completely forgot we even had classes today..."
Lithia dragged him into the classroom, and he hurried to his seat by the window.
Smiling at the students, Lithia spoke clearly, "Alright everyone, let's pick up where we left off.
Last class, each of you discovered your elemental affinity.
And don't worry—every element is important in this world,
Whether it's fire—the most common—"
She paused, glancing toward Nekrios and Elyos.
"—or the rare ones, like shadow… or ice."
"Alright, everyone line up. We're heading to the training yard
so you can start testing your new abilities and learning your limits."
Lithia clapped her hands twice, and the students began forming lines in pairs. Nekrios and Elyos were assigned to the same team.
Elyos threw up his hands and complained to Lithia, his voice rising in protest, "Professor, haha—listen… I cannot be paired with the guy who has tentacles! I demand a partner change. Immediately!"
Lithia turned to the rest of the class.
"Well then, my dear students, is there anyone willing to switch places with Elyos?"
The class collectively looked up at the ceiling, down at the floor—anywhere but where Lithia was standing. Not a single volunteer.
She smiled sweetly at Elyos.
"Well, looks like no one's switching.
You'll be with Nekrios—whether you like it or not."
Elyos groaned. "But—"
Lithia cut him off.
"No more discussion. Teams are final. Thank you.
Now get back in line with Nekrios."
Grumbling, Elyos stomped back toward his assigned place, muttering through gritted teeth,
"Damn tentacle freak… I didn't ask for this."
He stood beside Nekrios and gave him a rough shoulder shove. Nekrios didn't budge an inch.
Instead, Nekrios turned to him with a look of mild pity. He raised a hand to his own head and spoke calmly, suppressing the anger bubbling within:
"Relax… the feeling's mutual.
Also, trying to push or hit me won't help you.
I'm Thanalith, remember? One of the immortals.
Physically, I'm far tougher than your average human—if that wasn't obvious."
Elyos scowled.
"Fine… I'll tolerate you, Mister Tentacles.
Just for today. Until this dumb class is over."
Nekrios sighed and muttered under his breath:
"Finally, some good news.
Just one day to deal with this noble brat… Ugh."
Elyos gave him a sideways glare.
"I heard that, by the way.
And you're the filthy one here. You know nothing about nobility, you peasant."
Nekrios raised a brow.
"Did you just call me a peasant? What's your issue with rural folks, anyway?
Also, I'm not a peasant.
I came from a middle-class family.
I was just a regular high school student... before I got murdered, obviously."
Elyos smirked.
"Oooh, are you upset?
Don't worry... You died, got cursed, and now you're stuck with me.
But don't worry, I'll be nice to you… in your dreams, haha!"
Nekrios stepped forward, about to strike him:
"You son of a—"
Lithia interrupted:
"Enough with the nonsense, both of you! Head to the arena with the rest of your classmates! Now!"
Elyos and Nekrios, in unison:
"FINE!"
Everyone then made their way to the arena, though two of them were still bickering even as they walked.
What will happen next?
We'll find out in the next chapter.
To be continued...