Nightblade (Darkest night)

Emily was rarely stumped. This was a first for her.

She had taken an interest in weapon smithing because of the archaic feel to it.

Most of the talented hadn't taken an interest in it because it seemed obscure, but the allure of weapon crafting from a bygone era felt quite enticing.

But most importantly, a phrase she'd read in one of the old books at the orphanage had left a lasting impression on her.

"Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles, without disaster," she whispered.

But as it turned out, she wasn't quite prepared for Professor Rundrik. The other aspirants were nothing to scoff at; they, too, were quite exceptional.

A shadow suddenly loomed over her. Samantha also looked up in surprise.

A wave of excited murmurs rippled through the hall. A dark-haired youth stood in front of her table.

A pair of honey brown eyes stared back at her.

"Is this seat taken?" Morgan asked.

" Seeing how much the rest of the scions despise the

Talented, they probably won't bother me if I sit here."

Lucian quietly stood by Morgan's side with his own tray in hand.

Samantha looked at the duo quizzically.

" Well?" Morgan asked with a smile.

" You may sit wherever you want," Emily said indifferently.

" Thanks," Morgan grinned.

" I'm Morgan, this is Lucian. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Emily quietly scrutinized him, then turned to Lucian.

An awkward silence settled between the four.

" So..." Lucian awkwardly began.

"You're really very knowledgeable about weapon smithing," Emily said.

" How did you know about the ratios? It wasn't in the study notes."

Lucian beamed excitedly.

" Well, I read a lot. I'm also a weapons enthusiast." He began.

***

Raven and Talia stared at the table where Morgan sat with Emily and Samantha. Xenia was preoccupied with something on her comlink.

" He's quite audacious," Talia said quietly.

" Why would a descendant of a House that was most affected by the Great War mingle with his sworn enemies? "

Raven's eyes narrowed.

A few days earlier, she'd received a message from her father, Lord Snow. Her father's secretary had personally delivered the letter. It read,

" The heir of Thane will soon join the academy. Make sure to befriend him. It is essential to maintain our relationship with the House of Thane."

***

Lunch ended without any eventful things apart from Morgan's decision to sit with the Talented.

Little did he know the little stunt he'd pulled on a whim had caused ripples throughout the academy.

It had also attracted the attention of the student council.

The student council chamber was a large hall.

A large table sat in the middle of the chamber, with the academy's badge engraved into its center.

Two students sat in the empty chamber.

One of them was rapidly typing away on the holographic keyboard in front of her. She briefly glanced at the white haired youth in front of her.

He was silently flipping a small knife in front of him.

" Scott, your cousin, is quite the attention magnet. He's barely been here a day and he's already famous." She said, sucking on the popsicle in her mouth.

" What did Morgan do this time? " Scott asked. He broke into a grin, lazily flicking the knife, then catching it in one hand.

" But you know, you're awfully well informed, Gloria. Frankly, it's a little scary."

Gloria Gracian was a very stunning but extremely dangerous girl.

A tech geek and an adept hacker. If Scott could describe her in one word, it'd be femme fatale.

Even at her age, she was a head turner. Her unusually dark blue hair and violet eyes made her quite stunning to behold.

She furtively glanced at Scott.

" Apparently, he was seen sitting with the Talented today in the mess hall."

Scott's smile grew wider, his green eyes gleaming with glee.

" Did he now?"

Gloria quirked an eyebrow.

" You don't seem bothered in the slightest."

Scott straightened in his seat and pierced with a calm gaze.

" Why should I be? It's his life after all. A Thane lives as he pleases."

Gloria grinned at his response.

" Then you'll be pleased to know that Draco Dark has challenged him to a duel. The student council approved the duel, and it's set to take place this afternoon."

Scott laughed and then laughed some more.

He wiped away the tears of mirth that had formed in his eyes.

" I'm sorry, I just couldn't help myself."

His gaze turned serious.

" Are you actually serious?"

Gloria slowly nodded.

" Well, for the student council to vote about it without me knowing, I wonder what the president is thinking," Scott said, with a pensive expression on his face.

" He said you'd be biased."

The chamber opened, and a tall, dark-skinned, muscular youth walked in.

His eyes were a dark brown colour, and his black curly hair was neatly combed back.

" You're precisely right, Gloria. I can't trust Scott's judgement, not when it comes to his cousin. After all, Draco Dark could have died if you hadn't intervened.

Back when Scott had assaulted Axel, Gloria had quietly whispered for him to stop through his com-link.

Scott frowned.

" You have a point, Xander."

Xander Gray, the student council president, was one of the youngest people ever to become a novice, a once-in-a-lifetime prodigy.

" Once again, I apologize for my loss of control."

" All is forgiven, Scott. I understand why you did what you did. But don't let it happen again."

Scott nodded, then smiled.

" But I think you'll find if this is to placate the Darks or to humble my dear cousin, then you're all in for a treat."

Xander frowned.

" Whatever do you mean? "

Scott raised in hands and shrugged.

" I don't know, we'll just have to wait and see the duel."

Gloria frowned faintly, then smiled faintly.

" What an interesting family," she quietly thought.

Morgan and Lucian stepped into the gymnasium. It was filled with students, both talented and aspirants.

He slowly surveyed the room, observing the rest of the students. He caught sight of a familiar face sauntering toward him with a smug smile. Morgan's eyes narrowed.

" Draco Dark, huh."

Draco confidently stopped in front of Morgan.

" Have you heard, pretty boy? You and I are going to have a duel today. Right now."

Morgan's eyes widened slightly. Talia frowned slightly.

Raven watched quietly, a hint of interest flickering through her eyes.

" Yes," Draco inwardly sneered.

" Cower in fright. Reveal your true snivelling self to everyone."

" Really, Draco? You're that much of a sore loser. You know, Draco, you could have kept quiet and quietly taken your defeat like the coward you are."

Morgan said quietly.

" Don't make excuses, Thane. If you refuse my challenge, then you're truly a coward."

Lucian stepped forward with a snarl.

" If anyone here is a coward, it's you, Draco. I can see that you're still hiding behind your family name.

Draco's eyes hardened, turning cold.

He glared at Lucian with murder in his eyes, the two goons by his side slightly stepping forward.

" Watch it, Ash. Don't try to be a hero or do things you can't back up. This is between me and Thane, so zip it."

Lucian opened his mouth once more, but Morgan held him back.

" It's alright, Lucian, leave this to me."

A slight grin appeared on Morgan's face.

" How about we put this all behind us? "

Draco broke into a grin, a cruel smile spreading on his face.

" Look at him, pretending to be brave, he's probably shitting his pants right about now," he inwardly thought.

Draco sneered. " Tell me that after I've handed your ass to you.

Morgan sighed, but inwardly smirked.

" You could have let this slide, learned from your mistakes, turned over a new leaf; instead, you chose to give me the opportunity to teach you a lesson in humility in front of an audience."

" Alright then. Let's do it."

The rest of the students burst into cheers.

The student council representative informed Darius, who had been assigned as the gym instructor, of what was going to happen.

Darius frowned. He inwardly rolled his eyes.

"Why am I not surprised? Assassins, solving everything through violence."

A well-dressed middle-aged man appeared beside him.

" Youngsters are so full of energy these days."

Darius glanced quizzically at him.

" And you are?" He asked.

" Lucas Ash, I'm here as a temporary gym instructor."

Darius nodded. Gregory had informed him about the peculiar old man who had requested to stay at the academy.

Lucas glanced at the duelists. He broke into a grin when he saw the contestants.

" Your first day and you're already dueling, my dear boy Thane. It seems I made the right decision to stay. Things are going to be truly interesting."

Meanwhile, Morgan and Draco stepped onto the platform.

The student council representative would oversee the match, acting as the referee.

" The match continues until one of you yields or is incapable of continuing," He announced.

Both of them nodded.

In the student council chamber, Xander had turned on a live transmission of the duel.

" Why is Scott so nonchalant about this fight?" He quietly thought, stealing a furtive glance at him.

Scott had leaned back in his seat, placing his feet on the table. His hands were placed behind his head as he reclined.

A smug smile was plastered on his face.

Gloria had also stopped what she was doing to observe the match.

On the holographic display, the representative yelled.

" Begin!"