The cobblestone paths of Halewick Academy stretched out under an early morning fog, a mist that clung to the ivy-covered walls and crept around ancient stone archways. The academy's grandeur was unmistakable, its spires reached out towards the sky, piercing through low-hanging clouds as if declaring their place above the rest of the world. Students milled about, laughing and talking as they filled the courtyard, their robes and uniforms adorned with family crests and symbols of status.
Dark walked among them, his head lowered, his shoulders slightly slouched. His clothes were plain—simple gray slacks, a shirt with a loose collar, and a frayed cloak that looked like it had seen better days. He kept his gaze low, occasionally glancing up just enough to watch the world through the curtain of his hair. To the other students, he was nothing but a shadow, easy to overlook and even easier to forget.
He had perfected this facade, becoming just another face in the crowd, the kind of student who barely passed his tests and stumbled over spells. Occasionally, a professor would call on him to answer a question, and he'd offer a slightly wrong answer, enough to keep up his unremarkable reputation.
The academy was alive with whispers and laughter, gossip rippling through the student body. Halewick wasn't just a school; it was a social battleground, where alliances and rivalries were forged with quiet looks and carefully chosen words. Today, the usual rumors were buzzing—another failed attempt by a noble house to gain favor with the headmaster, a teacher rumored to be involved in forbidden magic, and whispers of a mysterious figure who roamed the grounds at night.
Student 1: (whispering, glancing around) Did you hear? They say someone spotted that 'phantom' again last night.
Student 2: (rolling their eyes) Please. More likely it was just some upperclassman sneaking around the halls after curfew.
Dark kept his expression neutral, hiding a small smile. The "phantom" had become a legend at Halewick, a figure cloaked in darkness who only appeared when someone needed help, although no one could ever remember or even take a glance to what he looked like. That was how he wanted it. A story, an enigma. Something people could talk about but never truly know.
As the bell rang, signaling the start of the day's classes, Dark joined the steady stream of students heading toward the lecture hall. Inside, rows of desks faced a grand chalkboard covered with complex magical equations and diagrams. He took his usual spot at the back, settling into his seat as the professor, a wiry, silver-haired man with piercing blue eyes—began his lecture on the principles of elemental conjuring.
Professor Allaire: (sweeping his gaze over the class) Conjuring is not simply about forcing elements to bend to your will. It is a conversation with nature itself. An understanding, a respect. To conjure fire, for example, you must feel the heat, the intensity... the anger.
Dark let his gaze drift over the room, tuning out most of the lecture as he studied the students around him. They were all so focused, taking meticulous notes, hanging onto the professor's every word. To them, this was the pinnacle of their lives—a stepping stone to prestige, power, and purpose. For Dark, it was simply a cover.
Suddenly, he caught movement out of the corner of his eye—a group of young men exchanging glances and smirking as they whispered to each other. They were members of a noble house, evident by the ornate insignias on their robes. Their laughter was low, mocking, as they glanced toward a quiet girl sitting near the front. She was hunched over her notebook, her face flushed as she did her best to ignore them.
Dark's gaze narrowed, but he forced himself to stay seated, to act as though he hadn't noticed. He knew better than to break his cover in class. There would be another opportunity to deal with them.
The day dragged on, classes blending into one another as students recited incantations, practiced spellwork, and debated magical theories. Dark participated just enough to avoid suspicion, answering questions with a mix of hesitant and unsure tones. He knew his reputation was working when one of the girls beside him leaned over and whispered to her friend.
Student 3: (whispering) Isn't he that kid who almost blew up the potion lab last month?
Student 4: (snickering) Yeah. Surprised they haven't kicked him out yet. He's hopeless.
Dark barely suppressed a smirk, keeping his gaze on his notebook. The act was working perfectly.
When the final bell of the day rang, he made his way toward the dorms, only to stop when he caught sight of the same noble boys from earlier, now huddled near one of the older buildings on the edge of campus. They were murmuring in hushed tones, glancing around to make sure no one was watching. The girl from class was with them, her shoulders hunched, her gaze cast downwards as they blocked her path.
Dark slipped behind a nearby tree, his body instinctively blending into the shadows as he watched.
Boy 1: (leaning in, his tone falsely sweet) Come on, we're just trying to be friendly. You wouldn't want to be rude, would you?
Girl: (voice trembling) I... I have to go. My friends are waiting for me.
Boy 2: (scoffing) Friends? What friends? You're always alone, aren't you?
Dark's fists clenched as he watched, his patience wearing thin. They had her cornered, their voices filled with smug confidence, certain no one would intervene.
Boy 3: (whispering menacingly) Just relax. We're only talking. What's the harm in that?
Lara: (nervous, voice shaking) No, please...don't touch me...
Boy 2: (smirking) Oh, come on. Just a little touch.
They crowded closer, forcing her into the corner, their laughter echoing off the stone walls.
Boy 1: (sneering) Take off your shirt.
Lara: (panicked) No! Please, no...
Just as one of the boys reached for her, a shadow fell over them. Dark stood before her, his figure concealed beneath a hooded cloak, a silent but undeniable presence. His voice was calm, almost chillingly so.
Dark: (quietly) Are you alright?
Lara: (startled) Huh?—
One of the boys reacted instantly, thrusting a sword toward Dark's shoulder. To their shock, the blade shattered on impact, the fragments scattering like dust. Dark turned his head just slightly, a faint smirk on his lips, his voice a low growl.
Dark: (smirking) Foul weaklings.
Suddenly, a strange creature began to emerge from Dark's shoulder, its form twisting and stretching like living darkness, almost like an organic armor with a mind of its own. It moved sinuously, a tendril extending outward and forming into a head-like shape that leaned close to the leader of the boys, studying him with an unsettling hunger.
Vorax: (voice low, menacing, almost savoring) Mmm... tasty.
The creature, now fully formed into a symbiotic being, glided close to each of the boys in turn, leaning near each one's face, its eyes glowing with a sinister light.
Vorax: (taunting, licking his teeth) Mmm... how delicious...
Vorax finally turned to the girl, studying her with an unnerving intensity.
Vorax: (voice darkly sweet) Mmm... how beautiful...
Lara: (gasping, backing up slightly) Wh-what is...? Who...who are you?
Vorax: (grinning) I'm Vorax. And I hunger... for strength. Streeengthhh...
Lara: (bewildered) Uh...?
Vorax's eyes gleamed as he leaned close to her, his expression almost playful.
Vorax: (to Lara, curious) And you, little one... what's your name?
Lara: (stammering) Uh... m-my name is... Lara...
Vorax: (drawling) Mmm... what a tasty name.
The creature turned its head to Dark, a mischievous glint in its eyes.
Vorax: (thinking to Dark) What about her? She's shy, beautiful, adorable. I'd bet she's as kind as she looks...
Dark: (thinking, a bit annoyed) Vorax, no.
Vorax: (chuckling, teasing) Oh, come on. Don't be so dull. Just ask her out.
Dark: (thinking) I'll be her friend. That's all. Can't trust anyone these days. Especially after what happened three years ago...
Vorax: (reminiscing) Mmm, yes, that day. When you came through that portal... You were on the edge of death, your magic drained, your life slipping away.
Vorax: (softly, almost admiring) So I healed you. Gave you a bit more power than you'd ever dreamed of. Because... well, you're my friend too, Dark.
Dark: (thinking) Thanks, Vorax. But right now, what do I do?
Vorax: (thinking) Trust me, Dark. Ask her. I have a feeling about this one.
Taking a deep breath, Dark stepped forward, then, with a quick glance around, moved his hand to lower his hood. Vorax formed a shadowy barrier around them both, forming an enclosed sphere of darkness, sealing out the rest of the world.
Lara: (looking around, confused) Wh-what's going on?
Dark lowered his hood, revealing his face. Lara's cheeks turned a deep shade of red, her hands clasped in front of her as she averted her gaze, flustered and shy.
Dark: (gently) Lara.
Lara: (startled, eyes wide) Yes?
Dark: (smiling) Would you like to go out with me sometime?
She stared, her mouth open in shock, before her face turned even redder. She struggled for words, her hands fidgeting.
Lara: (stammering) U-uh...umm...
Dark lifted his hand slowly, hesitating just a moment before gently patting her head, his smile kind and reassuring. Her entire face turned bright red, her wide eyes full of surprise and shy excitement.
Dark: (chuckling softly) Is that a yes?
Lara nodded so fast it was almost a blur.
Lara: (excitedly) Yes! Yes! I mean...yes!
Dark's smile deepened, warmth flickering in his eyes.
Dark: (quietly) Good girl.
But before he could lower his hand, Vorax's voice shouted suddenly in his mind.
Vorax: (thinking urgently) INCOMING! COVER YOUR FACE!
To be continued...
End Of Arc 3 Chapter 1.