An immense surge of energy was suddenly unleashed, tearing through the air and creating gusts as violent as raging gales. The ground trembled. Dust spiraled upward in wild swirls.
Morgan raised his arm to shield his face, clenching his teeth. He could feel the wind pushing against him, trying to drag him backward, as if an invisible force wanted to rip him from that place and hurl him far away. His feet slid a few inches across the ground.
And then… silence.
When the wind finally faded, the calm brought no relief.
Helios and Luzbel stood facing each other, motionless. The tattoos on both of their skins glowed with an unsettling intensity, pulsing like чуж hearts beneath their flesh. The aura emanating from them was oppressive, heavy, suffocating; the air felt thicker, harder to breathe, as if every inhale required permission.
Morgan and Zarachi quickly approached with the rest of the group, trying to understand what had happened.
-What happened? Is everyone alright?
( Zarachi asked, worried )
The group of students was visibly shaken. Some were trembling. Others avoided looking forward. When they saw Zarachi, the young man with deer antlers stepped forward uncertainly; his voice broke as he spoke.
-T-Teacher Helios came with her group and tried to force us out so they could take the practice hall. Miss Luzbel said no, because we arrived first, that they could come back later. But… but Teacher Helios started insulting us. She said we didn't need the room, that no matter how much we practiced… we would never stop being trash. Miss Luzbel got angry and told her to take it back… and now… now they're fighting.
As the young man explained the situation, the members of Helios's group, lined up behind their teacher, laughed with barely concealed cruelty. Their gazes were blades. Their smiles were pure contempt. They mocked Luzbel's group, their weakness… their insignificance.
Until they saw him.
Morgan.
Their laughter died. Their expressions changed.
-Buah… is that him?
-Yes… it's him.
-What is he doing with the misfits?
-Don't tell me they placed him with the garbage.
-Ah… poor thing.
The comments, though whispered, were not quiet enough. Helios, who had kept her eyes locked on Luzbel, heard them. Slowly—very slowly—she shifted her gaze toward Morgan.
And she smiled.
It was a small smile… but filled with something disturbing. Something sinister.
Helios straightened firmly, lifting her chin and placing both hands behind her back. The aura emanating from her body vanished instantly, as if it had never been there.
-Oh my… my mistake. What a terrible example we're setting for the young ones, don't you think, Luzbel?
( Helios said, with apparent embarrassment )
Luzbel frowned, wary.
-What!?
Helios sighed, bringing a hand to her forehead in theatrical regret.
-I mean this.
( Helios said, opening her hands )
-What kind of example are we giving by fighting over something so trivial and childish as the use of the practice grounds? Truly, I'm a fool… don't you think the same, Luzbel?
Her expression feigned humility. Her eyes, however, were cold.
Luzbel did not lower her guard. She glanced at her students, sensing the fear in their eyes. Then she fixed her gaze back on Helios.
-Yes… I suppose you're right.
Her aura also disappeared. She gave a small bow.
-My apologies, Teacher Helios.
The atmosphere seemed to ease. The pressure in the air lessened. Some students released the breath they had been holding.
But then Helios spoke again.
And her voice, sweet and gentle, carried a shadow.
-What do you say we show them how adults resolve a problem peacefully? I think it would be good for them to see that conflicts can be solved without violence… don't you agree?
( Helios said, smiling )
Luzbel showed a mixture of annoyance and confusion.
-Yes… I suppose. What do you propose?
Helios clapped once, with feigned enthusiasm.
-Wonderful. I'm glad we think alike. How about we settle this with a small wager? Something simple. No violence, nothing that could hurt anyone. Just a fair demonstration. Do you accept?
Helios began walking toward Luzbel, closing the distance between them until she was close enough to extend her hand.
Luzbel looked at that hand.
Then she looked at her smile.
Something inside her screamed not to accept. That the proposal hid something more. Something dark.
But she looked again at her students.
She saw their fear. Their insecurity. Their need for her to be strong.
And she accepted.
She extended her hand and shook it.
-And so… what will the wager be?
( Luzbel asked, seriously )
Helios released her hand and began circling her with slow, calculated steps.
-As you know, my race—the desert dark elves—was blessed with a unique ability. Like all races in this world, we possess a gift. Ours is Tomorrow's Anthology.
She paused.
-Unlike the other elves, we were driven into the wild, burning lands of the desert. We had to survive where others would have perished. And for that, we were granted this ability: Tomorrow's Anthology allows us to see the potential of our opponents. To know which battles we can win… and which we must flee. That is how we ensure our survival.
Helios positioned herself behind Luzbel.
Luzbel immediately turned, refusing to give her back.
-Yes, I know. But what does that have to do with the wager?
( Luzbel said, very serious )
Helios clapped again, almost childishly delighted.
-We will do the following.
She turned to look at her students.
-They are my students. I have seen, one by one, the potential each of them possesses. And I must say, they are extraordinary youths. I will use my ability to see the potential of yours. If they manage to surpass that of mine—even if just one of them proves to have greater potential than all of my students combined—you will win. I will apologize for insulting your pupils… and I will never do so again.
( Helios said sweetly )
A chill ran down Luzbel's spine.
-And if none of my students has more potential than yours?
( She asked, worried )
Helios did not respond immediately.
First, she smiled in a deeply terrifying way.
Then she raised her arm.
And pointed.
-Well… in that case…
Her eyes locked onto Morgan.
-I will keep him.
End of chapter.
Next chapter: what sleeps beneath his skin, part 2.