Chapter 2 : The Elf Princess! From Within the Shadow, One Name Whispered by the Winds... Sovereign!
----------------------------------------------------------
As Arfalucard explored the academy grounds with his new friend, he learned more about the important figures here—specifically, those who held the top ranks. But then, his steps faltered when Michael suddenly grabbed his shoulder and pointed toward a female student standing frozen, gazing at several male students kneeling before her, each holding a bouquet of flowers.
"Do you see her?" Michael asked with a chuckle, pointing toward the female student, who possessed strikingly beautiful features. "She's an elf."
"Elvaria Tharon Silvya," Prometheus murmured softly, gazing at Silvya with hopeful eyes, as if lost in his own fantasy.
"She's the most beautiful female student in the academy. Many agree she surpasses Princess Aurelia Veyra Ordeline, while others disagree," Michael explained, offering a brief introduction to the elf woman—or rather, to her beauty, which had divided the male students into two warring factions.
"So many guys tried to date her, but they all failed. You know..." Michael sighed softly as he revealed this bitter truth, crossing his arms. For a moment, he hesitated, but then decided to tell Arfalucard, "I even tried my luck once. But damn it. I ended up just like the rest of them."
"Hehhh... So you're completely uninteresting to her," Arfalucard sighed nonchalantly after hearing that Michael had once tried his luck dating Sylvia.
"Oh, look at this bastard." Annoyed, Michael grabbed Arfalucard by the collar and shoved him violently against a tree. "Listen here, you little shit. I'll bet my life you can't get her to date you."
"Why should I do that? I don't need her or your fantasy of a romantic relationship." As if feeling no guilt, Arfalucard chuckled sarcastically, rejecting Michael's challenge. He knew there was no point in pursuing a girl as beautiful as Sylvia to be his girlfriend; it would only derail his current life goals.
"Oi oi... Calm down. How about we flip a coin to decide who gets to make the call?" Before the situation escalated, Prometheus managed to defuse Michael's growing irritation by suggesting a coin flip to determine who would decide whether Arfalucard should accept Michael's challenge.
"Excellent... I'll take the numbers." With a wide grin, Michael released Arfalucard's collar and confidently chose the numbers side, certain of his victory. "What's wrong? Are you scared now?"
"No. I'll take the symbols." Arfalucard casually accepted the challenge, flipping the coin.
Ting!!!
The coin was tossed into the air, spinning wildly for a moment. Michael watched with bated breath, hoping luck would finally be on his side. Meanwhile, Arfalucard stood silently with his arms crossed, utterly confident that fortune would favor him. My luck surpasses everyone else in the world, he thought. But... everything was about to change.
Plappp!
"Numbers!" Prometheus shouted, catching the coin and opening his palm to reveal the coin had landed with the name numbers side up.
"Take that, you little punk! Now get out of here and go embarrass your own ass!" Michael roared with laughter, immediately kicking Arfalucard in the rear, sending him stumbling forward.
"Alright... Alright..." Without a second thought, Arfalucard, radiating his usual nonchalance, strolled toward Sylvia with his hands clasped behind his head. The male students who witnessed this were stunned beyond belief. They never expected Arfalucard to declare his feelings for Sylvia without even bringing a thing to show his sincerity.
"Princess Sylvia..." Arfalucard knelt dramatically before Sylvia, spreading his arms wide, his smile broad, and his voice resolute. "Will you be my girlfriend? The only one in my heart?"
Behind them, Michael and Prometheus snickered, watching how ridiculous and foolish Arfalucard's confession of love was. Even a blind person could see that the confession was completely insincere, lacking even the slightest effort. Sylvia, standing before him, remained silent, her eyes sharp, before turning and walking away, leaving Arfalucard with several male students who were unlucky enough to have failed to win her heart.
"Exactly." Arfalucard muttered. Instead of feeling hurt, he grinned widely, as if he had won the bet. In his mind, if Sylvia were to accept his most manly confession of love in the world, his dreams would be shattered.
Without a second thought, Arfalucard rose to his feet and strode away, leaving several male students still stunned and speechless by his supposedly manly declaration of love. They felt humiliated, unable to accept that their beloved Sylvia had been treated this way. But before they could react, Arfalucard had already vanished, leaving them all behind.
"Buahaahha! You're even worse than me! What kind of love confession was that?" Throughout the walk to class, Michael couldn't stop laughing, recalling how ridiculously Arfalucard had confessed his feelings to Sylvia.
"Even if it's just a dare, don't you know how to do it properly?" Prometheus asked seriously, between chuckles, wondering if Arfalucard truly had no idea how to properly confess his feelings to a girl.
"That's not it. A girlfriend wasn't the first thing on my mind. Well, I guess if she accepted, things would get complicated." Arfalucard simply shook his head slightly, not caring whether it was the right way or not. He was just doing what he needed to do.
Tringggg!!!
The academy bell rang loudly, and all the new students immediately rushed to their respective classrooms. Michel and Prometheus joined the stampede, but Arfalucard strolled leisurely toward his class. Fortunately, the professor hadn't arrived yet. When he opened the door, he found the entire class staring at him with a mix of surprise and annoyance.
Swoshhh!
A gentle breeze stirred, causing her long, flowing pink hair to dance in the wind, instantly drawing gasps from the crowd.
They were witnessing the unparalleled beauty of an elf, a creature rarely seen in these lands.
Her face was exquisitely beautiful, with golden eyes, a sharp nose, and red pinkish lips. Yet her gaze was piercing, as if she were a jewel beyond anyone's reach.
She wore an elegant uniform, a blend of white and green, adorned with purple ornaments. A small crown shaped like a garland of golden flowers rested on her head.
Upon seeing Arfalucard, the elf merely turned away, as if unwilling to even look at him. At the far end of the room, Michael gestured for him to approach.
Tap! Tap!
Completely ignoring the elf, Arfalucard walked to the back of the classroom and took an empty seat near the back door, right next to Michael. As soon as he sat down, Michael roughly grabbed his arm and whispered into his left ear.
"See that? Sylvia's in the same class as us... From the looks of it, she seems to hate you." Michael whispered, glancing occasionally at Sylvia ahead. Her cold, elegant posture made everyone reluctant to approach her.
"I don't care if she hates me or not, it doesn't matters to me" Arfalucard replied, his seemingly indifferent tone causing Michael's jaw to drop. He desperately wanted to smack his foolish head, but just then, the door swung open, and a dignified professor entered the room.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
The professor was a middle-aged man with black hair and sharp eyes that seemed to scrutinize each student before him, as if assessing their worth. He wore formal attire: a white robe embroidered with golden cloud patterns, the distinctive uniform of the Ordeliva Academy, which only enhanced his commanding presence and charisma. "Good morning. As your mentor, I will guide your development here for the next few years. My name is Professor Albert Istazasy Rudeus."
"Hahh... Let's get this over with," Arfalucard muttered, letting out a long sigh as he prepared for the academy session that would bring him closer to his dream: to be a side character.
----------------------------------------------------------
That night, Arfalucard decided to going home late, after the awards ceremony for those who had become permanent students at the Ordeliva Academy. He gazed at the gold pin he would have to wear starting tomorrow—a beautiful piece adorned with floral motifs. But he felt no interest whatsoever. With a dismissive gesture, he shoved it into his pocket and began walking through the academy gates.
Tepppp!
Arfalucard's steps halted abruptly as he spotted Sylvia standing on the other side of the academy grounds with a silver-haired guy. The young man had sharp, pointed ears and a handsome, dignified face—undoubtedly an elf, just like Sylvia. Without a second thought, Arfalucard merely glanced at the pair for a moment before resuming his walk.
Whoosh!
The night wind blew fiercely, carrying a bone-chilling cold. The usually bustling city felt eerily deserted and silent tonight. Arfalucard paid no heed to the changed atmosphere, walking with his hands tucked into his pockets, his blond hair swaying in the wind. Everything was quiet and still, until suddenly...
Slebb!! Tepp!!! Slebb!!
From behind, Arfalucard heard the gust of a fierce wind, as if someone were hurtling through the air at breakneck speed. He also detected the faint sound of footsteps, too soft to be easily noticed but not soft enough to escape his keen hearing. Turning around, he saw several dark figures leaping from one rooftop to another, moving in unison toward the academy. Despite the clear view, he didn't flinch. Instead, he turned away and continued on his path.
"Whatever it is. It's none of my business."
----------------------------------------------------------
The next day, as the academy students began to enter the gates, shocking news arrived. Arfalucard and his two new friends were stunned to see royal knights guarding the academy grounds, with several male students being interrogated.
"What's going on here?" Michael asked, his voice a mix of bewilderment and anxiety as he watched the royal forces surround the academy, creating a tense atmosphere.
"Stop right there!"
But then, a thunderous voice erupted from the side. When Arfalucard, Michael, and Prometheus turned, they saw a handsome elf young man striding toward them. His face was contorted with fury, panic, and anxiety, flanked by two elite knights of the Order Empire.
Without a word, the young man grabbed Arfalucard by the collar and shoved him to the ground. Michael and Prometheus, witnessing this, were powerless to intervene. The mere presence of the Imperial knights was enough to silence any resistance.
"Lucibaron Alas Arfalucard! You will be interrogated by the Imperial Knights regarding the disappearance of Princess Elvaria Tharon Sylvia!" The elf young man declared, causing Arfalucard's eyes to widen.
"I did absolutely nothing," Arfalucard insisted, kneeling before the Imperial Knights with his hands behind his head. Despite his submissive posture, he maintained his innocence regarding Princess Sylvia's disappearance.
"Take him away," young Tess commanded, signaling the two Imperial knights beside him to seize Arfalucard. Prometheus and Michael could only watch helplessly as their new friend was dragged away into the unknown.
----------------------------------------------------------
Bughhh!!
"Arghhh!!!"
A scream of agony echoed through the dark room, where Arfalucard was bound to a chair, his chest bare and only wearing blood-soaked white shorts. Blood trickled from his mouth as blow after blow landed on his cheeks, jaw, and head. Even now, he faced torture beyond the limits of human endurance. A whip struck him directly in his groin, precisely where his most precious possessions lay.
"Refuse to admit it? You lowly human!"
Clashhh!!!
"Arghhh!"
Each lash that struck his most vulnerable area made Arfalucard scream hysterically, jerking his head back. Yet, as his face snapped backward, a wide grin spread across it—not from pain, but from the sheer promise of his acting. He felt no pain; the whip was like a child's toy to him. But for his dream of living as a side character, he had to maintain this performance.
"Don't kill me! You'll break it!" Tears streamed down Arfalucard's face as he begged to not be tortured like this again.
"Break it? That's what will happen if you don't admit, you fool!"
Clashhh!!!!
"Arghh!!"
Kriekkk!!!
After enduring such agonizing torment, the door slowly creaked open, revealing the two Imperial Knights who had dragged him here earlier. They stood at the threshold, holding a sheet of paper sealed with the Imperial Order's crest. The young elf who had been torturing him abruptly stopped as one of the knights stepped forward and handed him the letter.
"The Order Empire has discovered traces of Princess Sylvia's disappearance. Not from the Academy students, but suspected to be from bandits who attempted to exploit her elven blood to ignite a war." One of the knights explained, relaying the official information released by the Order Empire Emperor Aurelius regarding Princess Sylvia's disappearance.
"Then we must act quickly!" Upon receiving official confirmation from Emperor Order, the young elf immediately prepared to draw his sword, not even glancing at Arfalucard, the wrongly accused victim he had mercilessly beaten.
"Wait!" Before they could leave him behind, Arfalucard called out to stop them. "Don't tell me you're just going to forget about me here... Who will expose the elves' cruelty toward this innocent and unfortunate victim? If word of their sadistic nature spreads, every Academy will think twice before accepting elves. And who will compensate me for my precious balls?"
Slowly, the young elf turned to face Arfalucard. His gaze was sharp, his expression cold, but he knew Arfalucard spoke the truth. If news of this torture spread, his reputation would be tarnished. He had tortured an innocent person, and he dreaded to think what punishment the Academy would impose if he were discovered.
Knowing he couldn't deny the truth, the young elf reluctantly bowed his head and ordered the two Imperial Order knights beside him to release Arfalucard's bonds.
"I deeply regret this incident. As compensation, I offer you this." From beneath his cloak, the young elf tossed a small leather pouch before Arfalucard. The clinking of coins within the pouch was enough to make Arfalucard's eyes sparkle instantly.
"Heheheh... Why didn't you do this sooner?" As soon as his bonds were released, Arfalucard immediately knelt beside the leather pouch and opened it. His eyes turned into dollar signs when he saw the abundance of gold coins inside. "This is more than enough to keep my mouth shut and my eyes closed."
"Tch... You lowly human." The young elf's expression twisted into one of disgust and irritation as he watched Arfalucard's sudden change in demeanor for a mere pouch of gold coins. The sight of the coins instantly made Arfalucard disregard all the wounds and torture he had endured.
As soon as possible, the young elf left the room, followed by two Imperial Order knights, leaving Arfalucard alone with his leather pouch full of gold coins. He slowly rose to his feet, a wide grin spreading across his face as he counted the coins, enough to live like a nobleman for the next few days.
"Heh... Not bad... Time to relax and enjoy life as a side character, Arfalucard. Tonight has been truly lucky."
----------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile, Princess Sylvia slowly regained consciousness. Though her eyes struggled to adjust to the dark, airless room, illuminated only by a small candle on a table near the door, she knew she was in a place she never wanted to be.
She looked around, seeing only thick, cold walls that seemed to mock her chances of escape. The silence was oppressive, making her feel utterly alone. Yet her logical mind knew she was never truly alone here.
"Where am I?" Sylvia murmured, trying to recall what had happened before. Without realizing it, she wiped the sweat from her chin, her hand feeling heavy and cold, as if something were restraining her. "What happened?"
As the faint candlelight illuminated her body, Sylvia realized her hands and feet were bound by cold iron chains. Her eyes widened in horror as she saw her skin had changed. Her once fair and smooth skin was now covered in black veins that spread in every direction, starting from her right hand and reaching up to her neck. Her clothes had been removed, leaving her in only her undergarments. On her left wrist, she noticed several dark, needle-like marks.
"What's happening?! Someone?! Is anyone out there?!" Overwhelmed by panic, confusion, and fear, Sylvia screamed with all her might, though only a pitiful whimper escaped the lips of the Highborne elf. Even she felt disgusted by her own voice, appalled at how desperate and weak she had become.
Sylvia strained with all her might to pull at the chains binding her hands, but her strength seemed to have vanished. Even when she tried to access her magic, she felt as if something was suppressing it from within. As a green light flickered from her palm, it suddenly extinguished, as if being consumed from within.
Her breath came in ragged gasps. She didn't understand what was happening; all she knew was that every time she tried to use her magic, the last vestiges of her power would drain away with alarming speed, forcing her to stop.
Kriekkk ... Tap, tap!
Sylvia's heart pounded as the door at the end of the room slowly creaked open, accompanied by the sound of approaching footsteps. The dim candlelight was just enough for her to make out the figure's silhouette.
It appeared to be a man, judging by his upright posture and muscular arms, but his face remained hidden beneath a hooded cloak. The cloak itself was jet-black, with subtle crimson accents, and a violet belt encircled his waist. A spiral symbol adorned the center of his chest, within which lay an inverted triangle.
"Good evening. I see you're already awake." The figure's voice was chillingly cold, sending a shiver of dread down Sylvia's spine. "I thought you would awaken in a perfect vessel state already, but it seems I was mistaken."
The figure sat right beside Sylvia. Through the hood, she could see the figure's crimson eyes, almost glowing with an intense, cold sharpness. In his hand were several syringes filled with a black serum. She had no idea what the figure intended to do with them.
"Who are you? Don't mess with me!" Sylvia's fear turned to anger as the figure roughly grabbed her chin while his other hand began touching her leg.
"Shhh... Don't make a sound. No one will save you. Obey my commands, and you will become the vessel for the world's transformation. You will become a hero." The figure clamped a hand over Sylvia's mouth and began to move closer, his face still hidden beneath the hood of his cloak but now inches away from Sylvia's own.
Buggh!!!
Sylvia's eyes widened at the figure's did to her. Disgust and fury surged through her as she felt her pride as a Highborne elf being trampled. Without hesitation, she rammed her head into the figure's, sending him stumbling backward.
"Argh! Damn you!"
Plakkk!!!
Sylvia felt a painful slap on her left cheek, instantly turning her head to the right. The figure didn't stop there; he slammed her body onto the mattress and began choking her neck, making it nearly impossible for the poor elf girl to breathe.
"Damn it! Your beauty is unparalleled. What a pity no one will ever enjoy it. If they hadn't forbidden me, you would have lost your dignity long ago, elf." Finally, the figure released his grip on Sylvia's neck, his breath coming in ragged gasps, clearly restraining his fury. "Let's continue this."
Sylvia had no idea what the figure was doing to her. All she felt was excruciating pain in her right hand, followed by an icy chill that pierced her bones, spreading from her hand throughout her entire body.
The mana within her felt like it was shattering into fragments. She felt utterly drained, yet her heart pounded fiercely, as if she were engaged in strenuous activity.
Her vision blurred, but she remained acutely aware, especially of the strange voices that began to echo within her mind. She couldn't pinpoint it's source, but one thing was certain: she could hear it with perfect clarity. Utterly, terrifyingly clear.
"Just let me in. I'll find him. And when the time comes, I'll merge with him. This world will bow before him."
----------------------------------------------------------
Tesss!!!
Arfalucard's eyes widened as he felt a strange sensation emanating from the core of his magical power. His heart pounded fiercely for a few seconds before the feeling vanished as abruptly as it had appeared, as if it had never been.
The bone-chilling night couldn't distract him, for this sensation had stirred something deep within his soul. It felt both unfamiliar and intimately familiar at the same time. Something had definitely happened.
"What is this?" Arfalucard murmured softly, his eyes fixed on the distant horizon, his gaze sharp with curiosity and surprise.
Tepp!! Teppp!!
Unbeknownst to Arfalucard, a figure in a black cloak descended silently from a nearby rooftop behind him. The figure moved with such stealth that Arfalucard seemed completely unaware of their presence. With a sword in hand, the cloaked figure struck Arfalucard's neck from behind. The entire sequence unfolded in a blur of motion.
Claaanngggg! Tinnnggg!
Instead of blood splattering everywhere, it was the black-robed figure's sword that shattered into fragments, its metal shards clattering to the ground. The figure's eyes widened in disbelief, unable to accept the fact that his sword had broken, not Arfalucard's neck.
Slowly, very slowly, Arfalucard turned around. His face was cold and emotionless—no smile, no anger. He was like void itself, if void were a living being.
"What?!"
Before the black-robed figure could finish speaking, Arfalucard seized his neck and slammed him to the ground with such force that the earth around them cracked. The air was violently forced from the figure's lungs as he struggled to rise. A split second later, he heard the sickening crunch of bones shattering, followed by excruciating pain in his right hand.
"Arghhh!"
The black-robed figure's right wrist and fingers were crushed into a mangled mess under Arfalucard's foot, with no much effort. His face showed no mercy as he stared unblinkingly at the writhing figure on the ground, rolling in agony. No one would believe that this foolish, weak, and pathetic young man had transformed into such a powerful and sadistic being.
"Who sent you here? How dare a lowly creature like you reveal your presence before me?" Arfalucard's voice had completely transformed. The previously ridiculous and slightly high-pitched tone had morphed into an icy, heavy growl. "Before your head becomes the next to being crushed."
Before Arfalucard, the black-robed figure trembled with terror, yet remained silent. He bit his lip until it bled, refusing to let the excruciating pain force words coming out from him.
"Not enough? Doesn't matter. I have all night to make you talk." Knowing the hooded figure wouldn't reveal his intentions, Arfalucard began to approach the figure's left hand, raising his right leg.
Another bone-cracking sound echoed through the silent street, like the snap of a twig accidentally being stepped on.
"Arghhh!!! You bastard!"
"Mhmm... What else? Ah... We still have your shoulders, legs, and neck before we finish with your head." The sadistic grin plastered across Arfalucard's face made the black-robed figure swallow hard. He knew that the longer he refused to speak, the more excruciating the torture would become.
"You won't get any information out of me." Though his body trembled violently, the black-robed figure forced himself to maintain his resolve, fully aware that even more severe and inhumane torture awaited him.
"Oh, is that so? I thought you'd come up with something better than this. But words are words. In that case, let's continue." Arfalucard's voice grew colder and more sadistic as he approached the black-robed figure's left foot.
"Arghhh!!!"
The black-robed figure's left leg instantly shattered under Arfalucard's stomp, blood splattering in all directions, soaking the surrounding ground and pooling like rainwater. The figure roared in agony, his body drenched in cold sweat as he writhed in excruciating pain.
Arfalucard's face remained impassive, his expression flat and unreadable. He slowly approached the figure's head and stood beside it. With deliberate slowness, he raised his right leg again.
"Wait, wait! Just a moment!" Seeing death looming over him, the black-robed figure changed his mind. "I'll tell you everything! Everything!"
"Mhmm." Arfalucard nodded slowly, withdrawing his foot and granting the black-robed figure a reprieve. "Tell me everything. One lie, and you'll wake up in hell."
"I'm just a hired assassin for one of the cults. I don't know anything more about them—I'm just an assassin!" The black-robed figure gasped, wincing in pain as fresh blood continued to gush from his fatal wounds. "I swear!"
"Then what was your motive for attacking me?" Arfalucard pressed, trying to extract more information.
"I was only ordered to find fresh blood tonight, regardless of who it came from. I just needed fresh blood from someone who could use magic. When I saw your uniform, I chose you because it was clear you could use magic—the uniform you're wearing is from the Magic Academy."
"What are they hiding? What are they planning?" Arfalucard pressed again.
"They said I had to bring fresh blood from magic users to the cathedral on the outskirts of the city. They claimed there was a vessel there that needed the blood to awaken something." As he finished speaking, the assassin began to lose consciousness due to the severe blood loss.
"Vessel?" Arfalucard murmured, repeating the word the assassin has told him.
Crack!
Seeing that the black-robed figure was at the end of his life, Arfalucard decided to end it there. He stomped on the assassin's head, crushing it completely. Brain matter splattered out, and blood pooled around the body, further staining the ground.
He didn't even blink, viewing death as a commonplace occurrence in this world. There was only one thing he needed to accomplish tonight: uncover the truth behind the assassin's final words.
"Hahhh... I wish I could get a good night's sleep tonight. But I suppose I have an important thing to do."
Under the moonlight, Arfalucard pointed his index finger at the corpse of the black-robed figure. Instantly, a crimson-gold flame erupted from his fingertip and engulfed the body. The flames grew fiercer and more intense, consuming every trace of flesh and bone, leaving nothing behind—not even ash.
"Fire of the will of the universe, sustainer of the world's warmth."
"Beneath the moon's cold gaze, your warmth transforms into heat. From that heat, you become a blazing core."
"Under my command, hellfire will become my shadow. And under my dominion, fire will forge the life of a new star."
Arfalucard's voice deepened, the air around him began to distort, and the surrounding area grew intensely hot, accompanied by violent tremors in the ground.
"Ignis Imperion, manifest my power!"
The words that flowed from Arfalucard's lips were like an incantation, awakening absolute power. Sparks of fire began to materialize around him, their light piercing the unforgiving darkness of the night. Flames erupted from the earth, as if the hands of an ancient entity long sealed within the planet's core had finally risen. The inferno surged upward, burning and coiling around Arfalucard's body, enveloping him in scorching heat as if to devour him.
Yet the flames knelt before him.
The flames then coalesced at Arfalucard's chest before splitting apart. Moving backward, they formed a membrane-like fabric on his back—not ordinary cloth, but a membrane woven from the very essence of the flames.
This membrane continuously morphed into a crimson-gold cloak, its edges adorned with fiery patterns. The remaining flames surged upward, coalescing into a hood that seamlessly merged with the cloak, completely concealing Arfalucard's face.
On the right side of his face, the flames hardened into a small, obsidian-like mask, covering half his face and revealing only the left side, showing his transformed left eye. The iris had shifted to a golden-red, matching the color of his robe, while the pupil twitched incessantly, emitting a faint crimson glow.
The collar of his robe flared like a solar flare, radiating heat like the sun's corona. The edges of the robe were perpetually ablaze, leaving trails of lingering heat in their wake. His Ordeliva Academy uniform had been replaced by light, crimson-gold armor, resembling royal armor. On his lower legs, a pair of boots and greaves, heated to a fiery red, materialized from the raging flames.
Whoosh!
The wind roared, causing Arfalucard's fiery cloak to billow with majestic power. Flames erupted from the cloak's edges, engulfing the surrounding area. Fences, plants, bushes, and even trees ignited, melting away like burning candles in mere seconds.
"Let's begin!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~