By: Rhenhwa_est_Empero
Horsemen of the Beyond
Chapter 6: Thorn Among Glass
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Entropy.
Simply said, it is something that permits you to employ magic, akin to supernatural abilities.
One may say that everything contains entropy.
Entropy is a genuine concept.
A thermodynamic quantity that represents the inability of a system's thermal energy to be converted into mechanical work;
it is commonly interpreted as the degree of disorder or randomness in a system.
Simply said, it is the absence of order or predictability; a slow descent into disorder.
The unknown force that slipped into the world when the gates opened was the force behind this phenomena.
Magic. Or so it is called.
Yosen High,
Afternoon,
Lunch Break,
"Ugh, screw this."
Today was the second day of school, and walking down the hallway were Damian and Shane.
Shane's heel kicked the tile floor as he proceeded, his scowl worsening by the second.
"Well, tough luck."
Damian murmured that words of condolence not even glancing at him.
Since Shane had been lured in as class rep, a workload he hadn't asked for had been placed on him.
Their lazy instructor barely led the class in theory sessions at all and instead called it 'self-study' for the most part.
Not to mention…
"Hey, join our club!"
"Freshman, what a good day it is today, don't you say?"
Both Damian and Shane looked over the windows of the hallway to the crowded ground floor.
It was filled with students,
A jumble of them moving about with flyers in hand, yelling over each other.
The school's outdoor courtyard rumbled like a market.
Flower beds tried to give tranquility, but they were only ornaments now.
Fifty meters out, a tall fountain spewed water as if trying to out-noise the gathering.
Yet, the crowded scene of students completely drowned the fountain's tranquil noises.
"Looks like the Disciplinary Committee has it tougher than you, Shane."
Damian said, motioning to a group with red armbands trying to restore order below.
"No kidding."
Shane's lips twitched before looking away.
"Where are you going?"
Seeing as his younger twin trailed off, he looked over with the slight raise of his eyebrows.
"Meeting with the First Year General Counsellor. The instructor said it's the Reps job."
Turning his gaze over his shoulder, he said that before with a wave, walking away.
Right…
General counsellors.
There were approximately thirteen general counsellors who were involved in various student concerns.
This is also one of the school's strong points.
Apparently, this school has a history of breaking its students.
Alternatively, if pupils had one or two problems, they could meet with the counsellors.
To demonstrate their influence, they hired the greatest counsellors in the state to work here.
"Responsibility, right? Hmph…"
Damian scoffed along those lines, eyes shut and lips pressed thin.
However, when he opened his eyes, his look changed to a frown.
"Mr. Damian Creed, right? Can you spare one minute of your time? The Disciplinary Chairman requests your presence."
It was a female student.
And if he weren't mistaken…
"Mhm? … You're the one from yesterday…"
"Selene Arisaten. Second Year, it's an honour to make your acquaintance."
Her right hand on her chest and her left hand behind, she offered a subtle nod out of courtesy.
But her movements were no doubt practiced. Not to mention how she silently approached.
Regardless, that was of no concern currently.
"...Disciplinary Chairman, huh?"
For some reason, he felt a sense of foreboding, then looked out the window for a moment.
"I see, fine then, lead me over."
Her smile deepened, just a shade deep before she spun smoothly on her heel.
"Follow me."
Without further words or argument, she then strolled off with Damian continuing behind, hands deep into his pockets.
Of course it was a no-brainer that other departments were bound to circle the Creeds.
The results of their entrance exams displayed them as being 'above' their peers.
Be it the freshman representative or the special class representative.
The top one overall and the top one in written exams. It was clear.
Administrative Building,
Disciplinary Office,
Knock, knock.
Selene lightly knocked on the mahogany door that led to the disciplinary committee's office.
"Chairman, I have bought the person you requested."
The voice inside answered in a low and gruff voice,
"Come in."
Selene rested her palm on the door and slowly turned the brass knob. The door eased open without a creak.
The room was starkly different from the student council room.
In some ways, it was more forlorn than the student council's with its utilitarian layout.
Two bookcases flanked the entrance in a L form filled with thick black binders and dusty documents.
Additionally, a rectangular table is in the middle, and finally, the chairman's desk is by the end of the room.
The room was almost empty, with the chairman other than them being the only one in the room.
"Ho?"
Damian's lips parted slightly as his head tilted upwards slightly.
Then, slowly, it curled into a smile before it vanished.
'Ambition.'
Or so were the first words that came to his mind when he saw him.
The man resembled a fortress made of flesh, with massive shoulders, a barrel chest, and muscular arms folded over the desk.
His sharp gaze stared forward beneath untidy black hair.
'Impressive.'
"Welcome, Damian Creed."
He propped his chin atop clasped fingers, with elbows resting atop the desk as he addressed Damian.
Damian was not greeted with a warm welcome, just a straight-to-business tone.
"Straight to the business, huh? I guess I don't hate it."
Damian made his way towards the front of the table, the edge in front of the chairman's desk.
Pushing the chair away, he sat on the edge facing the chairman, crossing his arms and legs as he did.
"How daring."
"I don't like being looked down upon from a high position, you see."
To those words, their gaze locked before the chairman withdrew his gaze, looking behind Damian.
"Stop it, Selena."
"Yes."
She was already beside Damian, her hands towards his neck, however.
Damian didn't bother.
He'd noticed her when she made her move.
However, does the lion concern himself with the army of sheep?
"I heard about how much of a handful the creeds are, but not to this extent. Especially you…"
Damian retorted back.
"Save it. What you're after is the power of the Creed, no?"
Certainly, that was the one question every higher-up was after.
"Celetse Blackwood, also. Is that part of her mission?"
After all, for a class called Special Class, that woman didn't seem competent enough.
Other than the fact that she was strong, which he acknowledged, there was nothing remarkable about her in that sense.
"Who knows?"
The chairman said before leaning back, tapping his finger against the desk rhythmically.
"One of the ways for anyone to preserve their standing in this school is for them to hold an official position in this school."
"Is that a threat?"
Damian tilted his head upwards to the Chairman's words.
"Take it in whichever way you want."
"But that aside. The number of freshman entries this year has surpassed initial expectations."
As such, there would be an influx of chaos happening.
It was like he saw the chaos outside the window with club recruitment.
And in addition to that, the planned events for this year.
For them, it will be a never-ending work.
"Like the Student Council, we too can pick out the freshman of our liking to join."
"As a Creed, also given your practical results, we deemed you a fit."
Damian hearing that didn't change expression.
While he frowned at the topic change, he could now understand why he was approached.
In other words, they need all the manpower they could get.
"If it's manpower, then shouldn't you be out looking for more members?"
"Quality over quantity. If said student isn't strong enough to take care of themselves when a fight between two students ensues, then it's meaningless, no?"
True. It did make sense.
With that in mind, Damian didn't protest, and if that were the case…
Other than him, there was also one person qualified for this.
Especially their ability, it was tailored for this kind of thing.
"Kaiden Creed. The fourth Creed. His abilities are restraint-based; I nominate him for the Disciplinary Committee too."
The chairman's eyebrows raised slightly as he processed Damian's words.
"Is that so? Then, how would you two like to be part of the committee?"
As the chairman said that, Damian's gaze narrowed down on him, or rather, his seat, to be particular.
"You…"
He spoke up for a moment but held back his silence.
Naturally, he couldn't believe that Damian was eyeing his seat.
"Let's see… in due time probably."
Damian said that he let his feet touch the ground.
Then, for the first time since entering the room, he turned his full attention to the third person inside.
Selena Arisaten.
"As for you on the other hand."
A sudden gust of wind swept through, rustling her clothing and scattering documents on the chairman's desk.
Selene instinctively raised a hand to shield her eyes.
However, by the time they would realize it,
Damian was no longer by the table.
He was already at the door, twirling a red armband with his finger.
"What?"
Her eyes widened as she quickly turned to the chairman.
On the other hand, he didn't seem to be surprised.
His gaze was on Damian; that meant…
'My armband?'
Her composed front faltered as she glanced at where her red armband was supposed to be.
"Thanks for the armband, Senior."
Damian said before turning over the doorknob, heading out of the room.