Incubus Awakening: The More I Lust, The Stronger I Become

The earth rumbled from the mutual yells of everyone present. The entire school seemed to rally at his words, banging against hard rock with enough force to inundate even Zack and Sabrina.

Logan, who stood so defiant to Zack, doubled down on his words and stepped even closer into Zack's space.

"Logan, are you insane!" Sabrina cried, approaching him with all the frustration her body could muster.

Logan—who'd maintained his angered stance—looked to her and, almost immediately lightened his furled fists. "Sabrina, I'm sorry, but this is something that I have to do."

"Don't you know that you're out of your depth here? Unless you forgot, Zack is in the first B-class, and even amongst them, he stands as one of the strongest—"

"Silence, Sabrina," Zack ordered. With one hand wave, Zack glanced straight ahead into Logan's eyes. "Is this truly what you desire?"

Logan stayed silent.

Sabrina, on the other hand, was fighting to bite back a growl, shaking in anger. "Logan, stop this immediately! Please!"

Pointing to Zack, she flipped her hair. "And you! We're going to have a talk, but you absolutely won't agree to this duel!"

"Don't talk to Zack like that!" Zack's goons, Tyler and Chase yelled. However, Zack didn't take too kindly to their tone, zipping his head back to them, eyes jagged and mouth, biting.

They stammered at the sudden aura, removing themselves from the scene. Perhaps that was for the better.

Jasmine and Amelia, who had remained largely silent at Logan's provocation, were both waved off by Sabrina. That way, the privacy of this conversation could still be maintained to some degree, even if there were students eavesdropping.

Zack shook his head, seeming to roll his eyes. "Trust me, the last thing I want is a duel with an F-rank loser, but just look at him. I don't think he'll take no for an answer."

Once more, Sabrina gazed at Logan. This time, he was different.

His eyes which had shook with immense agitation now stared calmly into Zack like the abyss, seeming to absorb him in his entirety. .

His brow which, just moments ago, had been splattered with red now was light, pale like the winter snow.

And most importantly, the look of desire—the one that he always had in his eyes, like he was searching for something but could never find it, was gone.

There was only calm.

"Zack, I don't know how things between us could have possibly gone so wrong, but I now understand that there's only one way to settle this," Logan said, solemnly. Zack raised his head.

"Oh, and what's that?"

"A wager, of sorts," he proposed, raising both his hands perpendicular to his face. "You've long sought to remove me from you and Sabrina's lives. This is your opportunity."

"Go on."

"It's simple. We will undergo an official duel today, at 4:00 PM. Preparation will be limited, and there won't be any emergency care on standby."

Scoffing, Zack crossed his arms. "Okay, and what's in it for me? You want me to risk my health in a duel against someone with no merit points? I hardly see the point."

"Why, but it may just be your greatest deal yet." While Logan spoke, Zack widened his eyes, curious. "The stakes will be simple. If I win, then I will exit you two's lives, never to be seen again."

Sabrina grabbed Logan's shoulder, nearly wrenching it off. "What are you talking about!? I don't agree to this!"

All Logan did was step past her to inch ever closer to Zack, staring him down.

Not to intimidate him, but because he knew that if he turned to look into Sabrina's eyes—the way they glowed, then he would most certainly back down.

Zack took the time to wade through the meaning of his words, then raised his chin up high towards the ceiling.

"Hahaha! Those are just pretty words with no real consequence. How could you possibly leave our lives when you go to the same school? And, obviously, Sabrina won't just leave you alone when I win."

Logan's gaze shifted to the floor, sifting through each individual rock, even the slightest dents along its edges.

The next words to come out of his mouth were ones he absolutely detested. But he felt he had no choice.

"I've already thought of that, that's why in addition to never talking to you two again, I will also resign my status as a student of Buford Academy."

For the pack of students still present despite lunch having ended, their chatter went silent.

Even Sabrina, who was most actively voicing her negation to such terms, covered her mouth with her hands.

"L-Logan... you don't mean..." she mumbled. Logan tried best to ignore it.

Zack's hands shot up to the level of his face, half-clenched. While looking up, his lips were a wavy mix of excitement and anticipation. "Hah, I thought the day would never come! If those are the terms you set, then I most gladly accept!"

Then, his gaze dropped to Logan. "Though, I do have to ask, why are you so willing to give up your spot? Do you really wish to fight me that much?"

Logan didn't move. "No, that's not it. The feelings swirling inside of me aren't that of hatred, but, rather, acceptance. After all, I was never the one who was supposed to attend this school. I think that if I were to stop attending this school in my last year, that would be my way of making it up to her."

"Agreed, the gods were mistaken in having you be a student of this academy in your sister's stead. My stomach still churns at the thought."

The moment Zack finished speaking, another thought bolted through his mind. "Ah, but wait. What's in it for you? After all, you're giving up your position in this school. What could I possibly offer to match such a heavy cost?"

"I already thought of that. The only thing I'll ask of you is that you don't attempt to impede me in achieving my dream."

Zack turned to crowd around him, confused. Next, to Sabrina. "And what would this be? To smooch it up with my girlfriend? Because in that case, this entire thing will have to be called off—"

"No, just one, simple goal, Zack." With his eyes half-closed, Logan sighed. "To ascend to the Court of Paladins. That is my one wish, and if you get in my way by keeping me from moving up in rank or bullying me in the halls, then I'll—"

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Zack laughed, interrupting Logan's speech. Juxtaposing the hushed air in the room, he turned around, watching each and every student standing outside the crater.

"The Court of Paladins? You? Why, I think lil' Billy there might have better chances!" Zack finally relaxed against the straight-faced students, reading the room. "But if that's your one goal, so be it. I have no reservations."

For the first time in a while, Logan smiled, raising his hand forward. "Deal, then?"

Zack just looked down at it, scanning over it like he were some type of drone. His lower lips dropped into a scowl.

"I don't shake hands with lowlives," he said, disgusted, before smacking Logan's hand away. "But don't worry, I'll keep my word."

Once silence disbursed to envelop everyone present, Zack breathed just once. "But I don't know about the duel being today. That's too short notice, and the fighting venue is always booked. Not to mention, we need a mediator. You of all people should know that, considering how many you've gone there to get your ass kicked."

"Shoot, I forgot!" Logan yelled, bending his torso down in disappointment. "Damn, what am I gonna do?"

Suddenly, footsteps hollowed from across the crater. Slow, quiet, and yet, commanding of everyone's attention. It was the Vice-President. "I believe I can deal with that."