Luzbel left the classroom, and everyone, without exception, stood up to follow her. The sound of chairs scraping against the floor echoed in a coordinated, almost reverent rhythm. Seeing everyone rise at the same time, Morgan decided to do the same.
But before he could take a single step, he was intercepted by Zarachi, who appeared out of nowhere at his side and greeted him casually.
-hello.
( Said Zarachi with a smile. )
Morgan gave a small jump in fright, bringing a hand to his chest.
-damn.
( Said Morgan, startled. )
-hahaha sorry did I scare you?
( Said Zarachi, laughing softly and tilting her head slightly. )
-yeah a little you really love doing that don't you.
( Said Morgan, his heart still pounding from the scare. )
-a little hahaha.
( Zarachi replied, smiling mischievously. )
-well let's go or they'll leave us behind.
Zarachi extended her hand to Morgan to help him up. She smiled at him cheerfully, with a warmth that seemed sincere. And although the scare had annoyed him a little, he couldn't help but smile back. He ended up taking her hand and accepting her help.
Morgan stood up, stretched, and yawned softly.
-alright let's go.
( Said Morgan, encouraged. )
Zarachi nodded quickly, and the two of them left the classroom, heading after their classmates and their teacher.
-wow they're really fast everyone's already gone.
( Said Morgan, impressed. )
-yeah everyone in this class loves Miss Luzbel they would follow her wherever she goes after all she's the only one willing to accept us just the way we are.
( Said Zarachi, smiling with a mix of admiration and pride. )
Morgan looked ahead, and a soft smile formed on his face as he thought of Luzbel.
-she really is amazing.
( Said Morgan, slightly blushing. )
-yes yes she is… And tell me how's your first day at the academy going are you having fun?
( Said Zarachi cheerfully. )
Morgan hesitated for a moment.
-uhhh yeah I guess so although everyone was looking at me in a kind of intimidating way I think they didn't like me.
( Said Morgan, embarrassed. )
-no no it's not that it's just that they still can't believe someone as outstanding as you is in our class you know someone like you is supposed to be with the other groups the talented ones so don't think badly of them it's just that this situation is pretty shocking.
( Said Zarachi, shaking her hands and head while trying to encourage him. )
-oh really?
( Said Morgan, feeling a bit more uplifted. )
-yes yes really once you get to know them you'll like them they're good guys.
( Said Zarachi, confident and cheerful. )
-well if you say so alright haha I trust you promise.
( Said Morgan, smiling sincerely. )
Morgan's smile made Zarachi blush slightly. She quickly looked away so he wouldn't notice the faint redness rising to her cheeks.
-you know you you're quite different from the others.
( Said Zarachi somewhat shyly. )
-that's something people tell me often hehe.
( Said Morgan, a little embarrassed, rubbing the back of his head. )
-I really mean it you know here if you don't have talent or you show even the slightest sign of weakness they exclude you and treat you like you're useless but you don't do that it's strange I didn't think someone like that could exist besides Miss Luzbel.
( Said Zarachi with an honest smile. )
However, those words did not make Morgan happy. On the contrary. He felt a strange emptiness opening in his chest. That kindness was considered something rare in that place… that treating others well was seen as an anomaly… it was devastating.
His expression changed without him noticing. His smile slowly faded, replaced by a serious, almost reflective look. He kept walking in silence. For a few moments, the air between them grew heavy.
-I suppose I owe that to my parents they told me I should always be kind to others that if I did good things for others good things would happen…
( Said Morgan, forcing a faint smile. )
Zarachi looked at him with shining eyes.
-wow your parents tell me what are they like tell me about them.
( Said Zarachi very excitedly. )
Morgan let out a small laugh.
-hahaha sure when we finish class today I'll tell you about them.
( Said Morgan, laughing softly. )
Then he lifted his gaze to the sky. The light blue had faded, replaced by a thick gray. The clouds swirled slowly, as if something invisible were pushing them.
-looks like it's going to rain.
Zarachi also looked up. She extended her hand, waiting to feel the first drop.
-yeah it does.
But what fell was not rain.
A crash shook the air.
A deep, violent sound, as if the sky itself had split in two.
They looked at each other for a second, saying nothing. Then they began to run toward the source of the noise. The ground trembled beneath their steps.
When they arrived, they found themselves before a massive dome, with a vast field inside it. The atmosphere was charged. Tense. Sharp.
Facing each other stood Luzbel and Helios.
It was not a conversation.
It was a challenge.
Their gazes clashed like invisible swords. Their bodies were poised for combat. The air around them seemed to warp, as if the power emanating from them were pressing against space itself.
When Morgan and Zarachi got close enough to see clearly, both teachers raised their voices in unison.
-second release.
End of the chapter.
Next chapter: what sleeps beneath his skin.