While the heirs and their opulent retinue was on their way to be fashionably late at the academy and make a statement of an entrance, I was already at the front office progressing with my registration.
When those secretaries saw me alone, they doubted who I actually was, but after showing my new documents, which I didn't even know I had, every doubt was cleared and the work kept going smoothly.
"Young master Crow, if I may, we had prepared a special reception for the 13 lords and ladies, would you still like to take part in it?"
"Fuck no. Those assholes can all die for all I care, let's just proceed with the subject selection."
The secretary responsible for my registration paled visibly, for her, I was supposed to be nobility, a part of those that just recently signed the peace treaty with the other heirs and my reaction was anything but peaceful, however she tried to calm down and proceed with her work.
The subject I selected were all beautiful and my eyes were sparkling with anticipation.
"Correct me if I'm wrong Lord Crow, but the subjects are:
History, Ancient History, History of magic, Mana laws, Mana manipulation, Herbology, Runic language, Rune enchantment, Dungeon studies, Beastiary, Monster Biology, Spellcraft - curses, Spellcraft - attack magic, Spellcraft - counter magic, Elemental studies and finally Ritualistic magic."
"Yes, that is correct."
"This… it's not possible Lord Crow…"
"Oh don't worry, just sign me up for everything, I can handle that much with no problems."
"No, there's no problem with that, we can always register you as a non-frequenting student, you'll just need to study on your own all the Histories, Herbology, Beastiary and Monster biology. The problem is that you didn't sign for any physical classes."
My brows twitched, the mana started to tremble with me, but I was able to reel it in.
"Is it mandatory? Can't we figure something around it?"
"It's mandatory to have at least two physical classes… generally they are general combat and the weapon you specialise in…"
This…
Is this the world telling me to either adapt or leave?
I tried breathing slowly to calm myself down.
It was useless.
"Fuck. Fucking fantastic. Motherfucking marvellous."
"Lord Crow…"
"Shut the fuck up. I am not using my hands to fight nor hold a weapon for you people's amusement. I've already been scorned in every way of the book for my form. Physical classes are mandatory? Fucking fantastic."
Noticing that her neck was probably going to be on the guillottine if she didn't find a solution to my continuously raising anger, she shuffled the list of physical subjects like a maniac herself.
"FOUND IT!"
I looked at her. Still very much angry, but at least curious.
"There are exactly 2 physical subjects that don't require any form of combat! Wilderness survival and Archeology!"
My eyes lit up with anticipation. A way out, a fucking way out of being called out for my physical form.
"The problem is… these subjects have 2 lessons each month and they both require the entire weekend, it means… with all your lines subjects you're only free day is Wednesday."
"SIGN ME FUCKING UP, NOW."
______________________
Satisfied with the wonderful selection of subjects, I made way to the building reserved for the 13 big bosses I seemed to be a part of and actually got stopped in my track by a guard.
"Sorry Lord Crow, but we need to celebrate the inauguration of this building with the welcoming ceremony. You should also be with your peers for such a joyful occasion."
"Is my room isolated from everyone else?"
"It's 12 floors and one basement floor… it was added at the last minute… we assumed you'd live with your brother."
"Fucking never, dress up the basement immediately or send that cocksucking bitch in there."
"Lord Crow, that is…"
I glared and he shut his mouth and decided to make a call. In less than a minute I was surrounded by craftsmen and artisans asking for what I needed in the basement, but when I said: bed, bathroom, table and a chair; they started sweating profusely and finally, I smiled again.
______________________
"So… about that letter…" -Seraph
"Yeah, how should we behave with him?" -Auriel
Yom looked at all his peers clearly conflicted, they had reasons for disliking Crow, but he was quite literally saved by his efforts alone and what did he do? Nothing, no even worse, he stabbed him with his rapier.
"I honestly don't know. After the banquet he stopped speaking altogether. He even stopped playing pranks on people."
"He what?" -Juste
"I don't know guys, but my father said it's in our best interests to make him happy or at least neutral towards us. His magic research… was honestly horrifying."
"What was that about anyway? My mother even insisted that I should marry him and bring his talent to our family if yours is so foolish to let him go." -Selan
Yom didn't answer and the rest of the ride passed by in silence.
When they arrived in front of the dormitory built in their honour with red carpet and all the student body waiting for their arrival, they noticed a view that froze their bodies.
There was a different Crow talking with different teachers from the theory department, all invested in discussions they couldn't even begin to understand and every single one of them felt like the real deal, nothing like the mirage they had experienced before.
But what really froze their blood was that when they descended the royal carriage, all 9 Crows turned towards them, frowned and said: "fucking finally."
_____________________
I dispelled the [hive doppelgängers] and endured their rebound of informations like it was nothing.
The main characters had arrived and I honestly just wanted to go inside the dorm and get ready for tomorrow's classes. I also needed to enchant some books to unite to the codex of errancy later on.
The same fanfare of announcing each and every heir, give them time to be admired and show their prowess progressed exactly like during the banquet, only this time, instead of laughing at them, I was getting angrier and angrier.
When it came time to announce me, I stepped forward from their opposite direction.
"Second son of Duke Morvane: Lord Crow Morvane."
They wanted official and pompous introductions? So be it.
I took out the treacherous jian and instead of showing a pose of imposition, I threw it up in the air releasing the strongest resonance I could muster.
The heirs were all immune to each other's resonances, but my case was a little different.
The wave covered everyone present in an instant, green mana with purple hues captured every teacher, every student and every heir.
No one was spared, and except for some teachers, everyone started to bawl their eyes out.
And I waited.
I didn't retrieve my mana until the sword fell back and the moment it hit the ground, everyone stopped crying.
"Are we done yet? I don't have time to waste."
I turned my back towards the 12 heirs and moved towards the guard that previously blocked my way.
This time he didn't even try to move and I passed by him entering the dormitory first.
The 12 heirs, for all their might, honour and pride were left behind.
But I didn't dwell in their shattered expectations. I really had work to do.
"Reggi, did you bring the materials for my enchantments?"
"Yes, young master."
"Did you report to the Duke?"
"Yes…"
"What did you expect me to not know you're just a disgusting leech trying to snoop every possible information on how to use the [mirage] rune correctly?"
"Young master, one of the elder almost died because of a rebound between the rune and reality…"
I stopped in my tracks and looked at my shadow-butler that was really a jailer.
"If you think I have the ability to feel pity, you are deeply wrong. None of you silver spoon born people have any right to my pity."
"But young master… you didn't even provide a direction…"
"So what? Find it yourself."
"People may die trying."
"I don't like repeating myself Judas."
He stopped when I called him Judas, even if it was for just a second.
"Really? Your real name is Judas? Fucking fitting for a butler that is ready to stab me to death at his master's promised candy."
"I wouldn't dare, young master."
"Of course you wouldn't, what if this isn't my real body and I then kill you in retaliation? Disgusting really."
I kept walking and muttering to myself until I reached my dorm.
"Really should I just find a way to contact those traitors? Those siding with the Beyond seem more and more interesting by the day."