Nevermore Academy Courtyard
Dozens of students gathered in the courtyard around the fountain, a stone fountain with a leafless tree in the centre surrounded by a moat. The tree was alive but strangely leafless most of the year, except for one month when bright red leaves like blood covered every branch.
*Applause*
Just in front of the hallway with the statue of Edgar Allan Poe, Headmistress Weems held her long silver microphone and prepared to award the Poe Cup to the winning dormitory.
"The first Poe Cup was held in 1897 as a way not only to honour Nevermore's most famous student,"
"but also to celebrate the values that all outcasts share: community, perseverance, and determination. We certainly saw those values in today's competition."
"Congratulations to Caliban Hall for winning the Poe Cup."
*Applause* *Applause* *Applause*
"Thank you very much, Headmistress Weems." (Xavier)
Director Weems presented the large, pure black trophy, a chalice with a raven on top and a cameo of Edgar Allan Poe on the front.
William stood next to Xavier, who raised the cup with both arms in excitement. William also looked happy, but for a different reason: the bright floating screen in front of him.
[Reward: Greater Rune Incinerate.]
(I'll upload the photos to all my social media later) (Enid)
Enid was a little far from William, and the team wanted to get a full view to take a couple of photos with everyone in it.
(Too bad Will didn't create an Instagram account like I suggested, he would be very popular.) (Enid)
(Although it might be for the best, even after seeing that he has a girlfriend, requests from girls keep coming in.) (Enid)
Enid managed the account they shared as a couple. In all the photos, she and William appeared together, but even so, dozens of girls sent him messages every day wanting to meet him alone.
(Desperate bitches) (Enid) That's what Enid called them in her mind.
"What are you doing in this corner?"
William asked as he hugged Enid from behind, one of the things he enjoyed most about doing, she was soft, fluffy, warm and smelled great.
William's sudden voice startled Enid. At some point, William had disappeared from the celebrating crowd, most of whom had headed towards the outdoor dining area with the picnic tables.
"Just taking a few photos," Enid replied.
Enid quickly put away her multicoloured claws, which had grown longer from the surprise.
"Do you want us to take a few?" (William)
"I thought you didn't like selfies?" (Enid)
"It's fine as long as you're in the photo with me" (William)
"Mmm," Enid nodded happily, raising her phone high for a selfie.
"We have to show our future children that their parents were very happy as students."
Those words took Enid by surprise. She dropped her phone and turned to look at William, her face flushed with emotion.
William caught the phone before it fell to the ground and pulled Enid closer to him.
(We'll create our own pack) (Enid)
Enid was so excited that she wrapped both arms around William's neck before kissing him passionately.
William did not expect such an attack; his previous words were more of a statement that he would definitely fulfil, but for Enid, William's words meant the desire to spend the rest of her life by his side.
William sat on the floor behind a stone pillar supporting an arch, with Enid on his lap. He placed the phone with its pink cover on the floor and held Enid's waist. His breathing quickened and he slowly moved his hands down to Enid's bottom.
(Fluffy and quite plump.) (William)
"No one will be passing by here for a while..."
Enid whispered as she caught her breath. Most of the students were in the dining hall and would not be back for another thirty minutes or so.
Archery Club Practice Yard.
Nevermore Academy offers extracurricular activities for all students, no matter how peculiar or extravagant their interests may be. They can sign up for these clubs and activities at the beginning of each semester.
At Xavier's suggestion, William joined the Archery Club. William already had excellent aim, but after obtaining his Eagle Fury form and being able to change his eyes to those of an eagle, he was the best shot in the entire club.
"So you'll participate in the archery competition to decide the next team captain." (Xavier)
"I'll participate. My father was the leader of the academy's music team." (William)
"And my mother was in the Botany Club. I think I'll follow in their footsteps with something I like." (William)
Both Xavier's and William's arrows hit the centre of the target. They were both in the outdoor training yard, surrounded by bales of straw and several targets located in the distance.
William wore a thin white sweatshirt with the Caliban Hall logo on the chest, while Xavier Hiba wore the same thing but in standard blue. Headmistress Weems did not mention the fact that William had modified the uniform to his liking; perhaps it was a benefit of pleasing the headmistress.
With his leather gloves, karja at his waist, and bow in hand, he practised with Xavier.
"The only problem is Joshua the Argos" (Xavier)
Argos was a type of Outcast who had multiple eyes and vision far superior to anyone else's. Like the Gorgons, his name derives from a 100-eyed Giant who served the goddess Hera.
"If I could scare him first..." (William)
"No way, Will." (Xavier)
"Bianca would agree..." (William)
"I don't want to talk about Bianca right now." (Xavier)
"Okay, just kidding, I wouldn't do anything to Joshua." (William)
(It's not necessary to win.) (William)
"Can you believe he's complaining that I didn't stop you at the Poe Cup?" (Xavier)
(I thought you didn't want to talk about it.) (William)
"Not only that, he's even complaining about a girl I didn't even know who hugged me during the Poe Cup." (Xavier)
The conversation lasted until nightfall. William had used up all his arrows and his arm was getting tired, so he just listened to Xavier and commented occasionally.
"Right, it's time. Most of the students have gone back to their dorms." (William)
William checked his watch. Darkness had mostly enveloped Nevermore.
"The teachers will begin their patrol in twenty minutes." (William)
"What are you talking about?" (Xavier)
William quietly took a silver-tipped arrow out of his backpack.
"I modified an arrow with a new rune I found recently." (William)
"Is it dangerous?" (Xavier)
"No... maybe." (William)
William's reward for winning the Poe Cup consisted of two thin gold plates, the first containing all the information of the Greater Rune and the second a temporary "blessing" that would allow William to engrave it perfectly onto an object of his choice. It was single-use only.
The 18 characters that made up the Greater Rune were not a problem; the challenge was to do it perfectly and ensure that all 18 worked in complete harmony. Even a millimetre out of place when carving a character would detonate all the mana contained within.
(Now to test a single character attached to a Minor Rune, "Expand" and "Spark") (William)
"Want to try it?" (William)
Xavier was in a bad mood; perhaps blowing something up would make him feel better.
"Yeah, why not" (Xavier)
"Aim at that tree."
William pointed at a thick tree behind the archery targets, whizzed through the air and stuck into the tree bark.
"Maybe I made a mistake..." (William)
"BOOOOOM"
It took a few seconds for the arrow to activate, then the loud explosion split the tree in half and the strong wind hit Xavier and William in the face.
"Run!"
They both shouted at the same time, grabbed their backpacks, and ran to Caliban Hall, leaving a poor tree in flames. The teachers quickly arrived at the scene of the crime and searched the area, but found nothing except an arrow broken in half.
Headmistress Weems heard the loud explosion from her office, peered out the window, and saw flames engulfing a tree split in half.
(Who in their right mind would dare to do something like this?)
Caliban Hall
"Achoo!"
William sneezed as he took a hot shower. Courage covered his slim but muscular body; a daily exercise routine kept him in shape.