I began eating in silence, my mind racing with a single thought: how was I supposed to survive in this place? From what I could see, this academy was crawling with degenerates and reeked of danger. I just needed to make it through these next three weeks.
While I was lost in thought, a figure suddenly loomed over me. I looked up from my plate, only to be met with a pair of sly, treacherous eyes. I stared back for a moment, then went back to my meal without uttering a word.
My indifference clearly struck a nerve.
"Rastel," he said, his voice laced with irritation. "Why are you ignoring me? I'm trying to discuss something important here."
I paused for a split second, then continued eating as if he weren't there.
He snapped again, "Rastel! Don't you dare ignore me, you bastard. This is a matter of life and death. Did the 'three weeks' warning mean nothing to you?"
That was enough. I turned to him, my gaze cold.
"Wolf," I said flatly. "Whatever happens in this life—even if I'm at death's door—I want absolutely nothing to do with you."
Wolf froze for a moment. Then, with a smirk, he pulled out a chair and slammed his tray onto the table across from me.
"Rastel, aren't you going to regret those words? I only came here to offer an alliance so we can both survive. You've always had a problem with me for no reason. I've seen you team up with others when necessary, yet you draw the line at me. Even four years ago, when you were desperate and I reached out first, you rejected me outright."
He leaned in closer, his voice dropping.
"Why the eternal grudge, Rastel? Today is about survival. Won't you reconsider?"
I turned to him, my face twisted in fury.
"I'll tell you a thousand times if I have to: I will never ally myself with a wretch like you. Do you understand? I rejected you then because I didn't want to, and I'm telling you now—I'd rather die than stand beside you, Wolf."
I went back to my food, but my appetite was gone. That snake had ruined the meal; a moment ago, it was the best thing I'd ever tasted, and now I was only forcing it down because my body needed the fuel.
Wolf spoke again, his voice dripping with malice.
"Is it because of your mother? Or perhaps... that orphanage director?"
Wolf watched intently as my expression darkened. I turned to him, my eyes burning with pure, murderous intent.
"I promise you, Wolf—if I ever get the chance to kill you, I won't hesitate. I will make sure your end is agonising."
I'd had enough. I couldn't stay in that room for another second. I finished my food while walking toward the tray return window. I handed my plate to the worker, not even caring that half the meal was still there. I downed the rest of my drink, slammed the cup down, and walked out.
If we were anywhere else, Wolf, I would have flayed you alive, I snarled internally. But a chilling question lingered in my mind: How did he know about my mother? And how did he know about the director?
I left the hall and headed straight for my quarters. As I navigated the near-empty streets, a flash of vibrant red hair caught my eye. It was Miranda, walking right in the middle of the road.
I spotted her instantly, but I averted my gaze and kept walking, veering off the main path into a side alley. After a few paces, I glanced back. She was there, panting as she chased after me.
Despite my foul mood, I stopped. She must have something urgent to say, I thought.
She stood before me, catching her breath, and asked, "Hey... weren't you with us during the exam yesterday?"
"Yes," I replied curtly.
She smiled. "Then why does it feel like you were trying to avoid me?"
I clenched my teeth, feeling a vein throb in my temple. Is she dense? Didn't she just watch me walk away? If you felt it, then why the hell are you asking? Leave me alone.
I forced myself to calm down and offered a strained smile.
"I wasn't avoiding you. I'm just in a hurry to get home."
She eyed me sceptically. "In such a hurry that you forgot to even wash your hands?"
I froze and looked down. Oh, shit. My hands were still stained. I should have washed them at the cafeteria, but that bastard Wolfgang had completely wiped it from my mind.
"Oh... I forgot. I was distracted by something."
Miranda's eyes widened. She gasped dramatically, clutching her chest.
"Don't tell me I'm the reason you're so upset? You could have just said so..."
This girl was getting under my skin. It felt like she was enjoying this.
Why am I holding back? I thought. To hell with it.
"Oh, so you noticed?" I snapped. "Then get out of my sight."
As if she'd won a prize, she looked at me with a mock-broken heart. "I was only joking... why so cruel?"
For a moment, I felt like I'd been played.
I quickly flashed a bright, artificial smile. "Didn't you notice that I was joking, too?"
Now it was Miranda's turn to be stunned. She clearly hadn't expected a counter-move, especially from a man nearly two meters tall with a face that looked like it was carved from stone.
She regained her composure and said, "Oh, I see. I was just trying to lighten the mood. Anyway, I'm Miranda. It's a pleasure."
Seeing her slight fluster, I replied, "Rastel Falcone. Likewise."
I continued, "So, Miranda, what brings you here?"
"Your good looks, handsome," she teased.
"Drop the act," I said. "Tell me what you really want."
Seeing that I was ready to end the conversation, she shrugged. "Nothing important. I'm just trying to expand my social circle."
"Hah... do people usually say that so bluntly?" I asked, taken aback by her sheer honesty. "Is that how you build relationships?"
"Yes, it's that easy," she replied. "Be easygoing, and your network grows fast. Besides, I only wanted us to be acquaintances."
She suddenly leaned in, squinting at me. "Or were you expecting... more?"
This girl...
"No, not at all," I shot back. "It seems our concepts of 'building relationships' are just very different."
Miranda's eyes widened. "Not at all? And why not? Am I not attractive to you? Or are you just under Amanda's spell? She did look quite enchanting standing next to you yesterday."
She was baiting me, trying to drag me into a game I didn't want to play. I decided to give a diplomatic, calm response.
"You're attractive, and Amanda is attractive. I said 'not at all' because you were making assumptions."
Miranda made a strange face. "Are you comparing me to Amanda now? Does that mean she's 'on your radar' too?"
I'm sinking into the mud, I thought. The more I struggle, the deeper I go.
"Since everything is already going south," I muttered to myself, "might as well burn the whole bridge."
I leaned in with a playful, low tone. "To be honest, I prefer you over her. I've never been a fan of cold women. Besides, we have more in common... like our hair colour, for instance."
Miranda laughed, covering her mouth with her hand. "Is that... a confession?"
I realised the only way to end this was to make her retreat.
"Of course. Would I say it if it weren't? Are you slow, girl?"
I saw a flash of genuine surprise in her eyes. "You big brute... I didn't think you were so good with words. Also, shouldn't you thank me for pulling you out of that miserable mood?"
I couldn't help but let a small smirk slip. She was right.
"The mood is gone," I admitted. "I completely forgot about that bastard while talking to you.".