Water's head swam as he made his way through the corridors simply by muscle memory. The information dump from earlier still stunned him and he found himself wondering why exactly he had been thrown away when he hadn't even done anything. Contrasting thoughts blaming himself for messing up and blaming 'them' for him ending up messed up ran through his mind.
'How could they just leave me' he finally concluded no longer confused, angry or in denial but helpless- completely and utterly helpless.
"Water Millieu!" Eldra's firm voice rung right beside him bringing his mind back to the present. Her hand was in front of his forehead cushioning what might have been a collision with the door if she hadn't stopped him.
That simple gesture made his chest ache and tears rose to his eyes. He bowed his head to hide hs face in shameas he stod there. Eldra watched him with a calm expression. She had always suspected the young demon was carrying too heavy a burden and that thought was confirmed earlier in the day when she noticed his expressive response to the realization of who Aryan was.
Her eyes narrowed on him as she watched the top of his head suddenly feeling a sudden surge of maternal protectiveness. "You have ten minutes" she informed in a soft, almost goading voice as her hand in front of his head moved to pat his hair for a split second before turning around to go check on Erik and Galdot. Water watched her leave with a disguised longing expression. He wished the female instructor that easily towered over him would pat his head again. (A/N: #MommyIssues? !^v^)
* * * * *
Darius arrived at the academy master's office, pushing the doors open with his hands rather than using magic. He was half-expecting to meet Grem there but no one else was in the A.M office's reception.
Making his way to the office, Darius arrived at the doors of the academy master's actual office and was preparing to knock when the doors burst open being pushed from inside the office. Darius stepped back in the nick of time quickly avoiding the door that might have crashed into his face.
Aryan and Grem stared at him with contrasting expressions. Grem's was slightly annoyed, a sight which Darius was shocked to see as the old demon never showed expressions but he could barely focus on him as Aryan's amused expression pissed him off.
"Hello young demon. I wish you a successful discussion with the academy master" Grem greeted formally before gesturing with a nod for Aryan to go ahead and walk. "Did you just finish seeing the A.M with this kid?" Darius asked in a monotone voice as he tried to assess the situation.
No other demons except the committee head, administrators and some specially qualified instructors were allowed to see the academy master in his office. There was a special barrier that prevented unauthorized individuals from crossing the threshold that was the A.M office's reception and seeing as Aryan could walk across it while breathing just fine, the committee's postulations from earlier might have been correct.
Grem gave Darius an unimpressed look that left the younger demon trembling internally- he had never been looked at like that by Grem before, with so much pity, disappointment and some disbelief. It shook him that the first, and hopefully last, time Grem would look at him like that as because of a bastard half-breed.
"You're more than a petty pick-me child, Darius." the instructor spoke before pushing Aryan out f the room. Darius' hands balled into fists as he watched them leave. With a deep breath, he tamed his anger turning to face and walk towards the door to the A.M's office. He pushed the door gently before making his way inside.
"Great academy master, I greet you" he announced with a bow upon entering the room but received no immediate response. Usually even without sight of the academy master, one could still feel his presence but to Darius, the room felt completely empty. "All it took for you to finally show respect was a stupid mistake I see" the academy master finally spoke neither acknowledging his greeting nor dismissing him. Darius sighed, an inexplicable heaviness settling in his chest.
"I would like to advocate on behalf of the council an the three students involved in the outsider's case." he announced once more, his voice now taking on a reverend tone as he knew the probability of the issue getting resolved so easily was very low.
The Academy master snorted- a low and disdainful but still cute sound. "I acknowledge that I am being very presumptuous by doing this but I hope to atone on their behalf by calling the board's verdict" Darius continued despite A.M's lack of support. The room turned cold immediately he finished speaking and silence ensued again for a short period.
"Do you understand what you are saying? That kid your team jeopardized was a pet to the demon king- you are worth no more than a strand of his hair in Navaliae hierarchy" A.M's voice sounded in the empty room, cold and detached. Darius, however, stood his ground.
"I accept whatever punishment I shall be bestowed with great honor" he muttered bowing low to the ground in reverence.
Later that day, as he walked out of the academy grounds, on his way to be quarantined for two days after which the academy board meeting would happen, the A.M stared at his lonely back- glittery dark eyes expressing nothing and his entire being shrouded in dark clouds.
"A good day to be a demon lord"
* * * * *
Aryan stood at top of his tower- the one he had lived in since he was ten, as far back as his memory went and thus, with no idea how the world beyond the academy looked. Grem came up from behind him tracing his line of sight to the four demon students boarding *N.A carriages at the entrance of the academy.
"The fifth one was sent home beforehand due to injuries. I don't think he'll be coming back" he spoke wanting to alert Aryan of his presence. The younger demon, however, continued to stare at a certain blue demon before turning to face his instructor. "What now? I am to leave as have the others?" he questioned putting on the coat that was handed to him. It was of purple silk with a hood and flowed down to the ground covering his entire frame. The lower part of it had torches of fire embroidered in it and in the middle of the back, a black throne with a crown of thorns in it.
"Not as the others, those ones are suspended. We are going on a trip- one I requested." Grem replied putting on a similar cloak but without the embroidery. Aryan raised a brow, curiosity piqued.
"For what? I do appreciate the opportunity but for what reason would the academy allow its favorite pet let loose?" he asked, fully aware of his position. Grem smiled- a small smile that was just the slight curve of one side of his lips. "We are journeying to the Veiled Valley- there, we will learn your mana affinity" he replied, a bit of excitement showing in his voice.
Aryan's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open.
"What a peculiar name!"
N.A: this refers to Navaliae Academy.