Fragarach

Unchanging

Word has spread around the academy that a duel between successors and future holy sword holders of the two of the main families will occur in the academy.

“Did you hear? Nyx Arcan and Kris Reynolds will have a duel today?”

“I heard about it as well. Some students were talking about it when I was on the way to your house.”

“Is that so?”

“Top students from the two races are going to show off their abilities in front of other students. This should be exciting!” she said with an excited face.

A group of female human and demi-human students walk past Raven, Nyx and Caisein in the hallway.

“There’s Nyx, I can’t believe that he will be in a duel. I haven’t seen him go all out before.” A student whispered to the other students beside him.

“I know right? Kris is known for his raw strength while Nyx is infamous for his speed and mana manipulation.”

“This is going to be a good fight.”

The others added in a soft voice as they saw Nyx walking past them.

“Why is he walking with the new student? Caisein as well? Is he not the famous troublemaker?”

“Caisein with Nyx and the new student. The new student is a commoner and Caisein a famous troublemaker. It will not sit well for Nyx’s reputation if he keeps hanging up with the likes of them.” A student evaluated.

“Didn’t you know? Caisein and Nyx’s families have strong bond and they have kept that relationship for generations so it’s not surprising to see them walking with one another.” One of them enlightened.

“Wow, word travels fast huh? I didn’t think everyone would know about it since. Raven had only told us a few moments ago now everyone knows about it?” Caisein said in a muffled tone.

“Maybe Kris had a little hand in that, he is the type to do that kind of thing after all.” Nyx said in an annoyed tone.

[When I see that guy in the test grounds, I will beat him hard real good. Unforgivable! I will not forgive him for making Raven a messenger.] Nyx thought as he grip his fists.

The other two saw him holding his anger in check then they glance at each other with concerned faces.

“Please bear with it Raven, he is the kind of kid who received strict teachings since childhood so it’s not surprising to see him in that state.” Caisein whispered in Raven’s ear.

“But it’s a little concerning how he let his anger dictate his judgements. Should I tell him that later?” Raven replied with a soft whisper to Caisein’s ear.

Nyx walk in front of them unaware of what the two have been talking about since he is busy imagining what he will do to the offender later.

“Does their family require both of their successors to wear ridiculous things like that?” a student whispered.

The heads of the student turned towards him the moment the words left his lips.

“What? I only said the- ahhhhm!”

Out of nowhere a hand grasp his mouth tightly to keep him from saying anything that he will regret.

He cried in a muffled voice as he saw the terrified face of the student who covered his mouth.

[This stupid i***t! He really had the nerve to say things like that?! And in public of all places?!] “Hey, you should watch your tongue before you say something like that against the successors of the main families. It can cost you your life. Be thankful I just saved your stupid life.” The student said with an awkward smile.

“If you are still wondering why they wore those kind of things then the answer is simple.”

Another student with glasses with a calm voice said that made the others turned their heads towards him.

“They are different from the other main families, as the others already know. The Eran and Arcan families have close ties that had never been broken even in from the past generations. You can say that they can be called a one family despite the difference of their races. To be honest no one in this academy have ever seen both of them took off those things. Which is also a mystery about them, I don’t know about you but the difference between them and the other families is that they lost their holy swords in the war from three hundred years ago.”

The student’s answer shocked everyone who is listening to him.

“But if they lost their holy swords then how can they still stand among the main families?” a student asked in a shaky voice.

“That is a good question.” The student said as he pointed his finger to the student who asked the question. “If the other main families see them as rivals even with their holy swords in their hands, imagine how powerful they will be if they happen to have them TO THIS DAY.”

The voice of the student sent goosebumps to everyone who listened to him. Their breath became heavier as they imagine the successors happen to wield their family’s holy swords.

[If they did not lose their holy swords then they might be stronger than every household in the city.]

All of them thought the same as they think about all the possibilities if the Eran and Arcan happen to have their holy swords.

“Ah! I almost forgot.”

Their heads turned around as he caught their attention again.

“I heard that their training had never been influenced by human methods and it is steadily improving by their own means but it is believed to be very strict. While most of the human family’s training methods changed drastically, the demi-humans families did not do the same. Especially the Eran and the Arcan families.” He added.

“Where did you get all these information?” the student who was silenced earlier asked.

The student moved his eyes and flash a smile.

“Research and observation. I read history books quite often so I decided to observe if the history book tells the truth and it is. But regarding about the strictness of the two family’s training, I only heard about it from their family members whining about it all the time.” He answered with a smile.

[At Kris’ room]

“You did a good job spreading the word Vince. The whole school already knows about the duel.” Kris said with a smile.

“What are you saying? I only asked a few students to do it for me.” [Though I threatened them that you would beat them up if they don’t.] he thought as he answered Kris. “And there is nothing worth praising about something so simple that even a kid can do”

“I don’t care, all that matters is that my preparations are done.”

[Back to Raven, Nyx and Caisein]

“You should be careful while facing with that guy. I think he will use his family’s holy sword since he said that you can pick any weapon you like.” Raven reminded as he pick up trash and threw it in the trash bin.

“Please don’t worry about it my- Raven. That bastard needs to be taught a lesson so hard that he will think twice using you as messenger.” He covered his mouth. [That slip right away.]

[This guy, so he is really upset because of that thing. I can’t even imagine if he can do what Raven asked him to change. I guess that’s force of habit huh? Thank goodness I did not end up like this guy who frantically pounces at everyone who innocently did something to the bearer of the seal of the future. If my family learns of this I don’t know if I can hold them back for thrashing the Reynolds family, especially his family. They are a lot more devoted to the bearer of the seal of the future, well mine is also devoted but listens to the explanations first.] Caisein shake his head with a concerned expression.

“What was that Nyx? I did not hear it well.” Raven asked.

“Ah its nothing. I was just saying that he needs to be taught a lesson.” He answered as he turned his head to the opposite direction. [I don’t want to lie to you but thank goodness that he did not hear that. Please forgive me for not telling you the truth!] he prayed as he cried internally.

They all went to their rooms as they agreed to meet in the cafeteria after all the morning classes.

*Creak!*

Raven opened the door and saw the others staring at him.

*closes door*

[So they still remember what happened the other day huh?] he thought as he walk straight to his chair.

“How are you Raven?” Cassiopeia asked after he sat on his seat.

[Thank goodness Cassiopeia still talks with me even after what happened.]

“I’m fine, it’s just-“ he said in a sad tone.

[He is still hurting whenever he sees the others look at him with fear in their eyes. The isolation huh? I felt like that when I was a kid too, but thankfully my brother was there to fight for me.] she thought as she felt sad that Raven still went through harsh things.

“It’s going to be fine.” She said with a smile. “Thanks.” He replied.

After that they exchanged a few words for a while then Instructor Edward entered the room and proceeded to their lessons.

The time for the duel had come and a lot of students went to the test grounds as well as the instructors to keep things from turning into a disaster.

“Wow look at the crowd! It almost feels like the whole student body went to watch the duel!” a student exclaimed in awe.

“There’s Kris and his group!” One student cried.

*WOOOOOO!*

The cries of the students filled the whole test grounds with cheers. Kris wore a smirk as he stare at the huge crowd of students before him.

“It’s time. The duel begins.”