THE BEAUTIFUL YOUNG ELLIS

"Are you not done yet? My body is freezing in this cold room."

It has been long since I have been confined in this plain white room. Days, months, it might also be years as I no longer have a sense of day and night. I can't use my ability or fight back. When someone visits me I am put into slumber and when I woke up I am alone again. The only one who prevents me from becoming mad is Everest who would never leave me.

Even when I shout out loud there will be no response, the guards will never leave their posts nor speak unless it is the end of their ships. Of course, it is still impossible for the caged me to hear their conversations even then. "Am I not dead yet?"

"You are not dead yet. A king would not die from this; I will not let you die."

I thought I could live as long as I can talk to Everest but soon my eyes became lifeless and my body become as cold as ice. The white coldness enveloped my whole body releasing my final breath. And thus I died. My life in the last eighteen years flashed to me, it is full of delight and suffering, love and hate, a comedic series of moments ended and my sight went blank.

***

The next time I opened my eyes that I thought would no longer see tomorrow stood a kid with a bright smile. "It's wrong, you should not die like this…" he said with a playful tone. I closed my eyes once again and opened it to reaffirm if what I saw is the truth, surprisingly, it is; everything is just a dream.

"My name is Teivel Carmine Ellis, from the great family of healers. I am a rank-one battle-ability user and a rank-two healing ability user. It is a pleasure to meet all of you."

I remember there will be a transfer student today. It is quite rare to see any as it is usually not allowed but this this time the young heir of the Great Ellis Family obtained an exemption. The Ellis Family that bears the insignia of phoenix has served the country as healers long before the foundation of Stofford family. It is said that the first 'Ellis' is a saint that purified the curses in this once barren land and helped the first king in creating our country. Although there is no more monarchy now, their family is still highly respected. In terms of strength, they are not as strong as the other great families but their influence in politics is rather high.

"Oh, you are awake. And here I am thinking about a great prank while you are still in slumber."

"Eh… um, Sir Ellis, is there anything I could do for you?"

Seeing he face to face made me more conscious of the beautiful face he has. Even a man like me who has yet to experience falling in love with a woman might be captured by his devilish look. He then rests his chin gently atop of his two hands and tilted his head sideward, he grinned and look at my eyes.

"If I am not mistaken, your name is Arnold Lukes, right?"

"Ah, yes?"

"Hmm, to tell you the truth, I am not yet familiar in this school and it the teacher also said that she will be my guide for later but I don't really like the teacher. Having a schoolmate as a guide might be better for me; I do like to have friends."

*Thump. Damn it. My heart is beating so fast. Am I really…?

A sudden thunderclap appeared behind Teivel, it is Orion who hit him using his newly arrived books and handouts. Orion is my cousin and is the leader of our class so it is his duty to give him that but isn't it too rude to smack it in a transfer student? Especially in Teivel's case.

The expression in their faces as they meet gave me a hint that maybe they knew each other. It would not come as a surprise as they are both from the four great families of the country. Teivel sniffs the newly arrived Orion grinned, after that he teasingly said:

"Eh­, if it isn't Orion, how are you? Enjoying your youth?"

"Of course, why would I not?" Orion combed his hair using his left hand and smirked. "After all, I am the most desired man in the campus. Playing with girls is just the same as eating meals for me." He bragged.

"Hmm, is that so? Well, it's not like I care though. By the way, I heard that you somehow become the top battle-ability user of this school. Why not take the time this evening to spar just like the old times?"

At that moment I suddenly felt a strong chill emanating in Orion, it seems that he readied himself for combat. No, it is more like his defense mechanism suddenly activated. I remember that people who are used to battle can roughly perceive the strength of someone just by their habits and posture and if someone that is greatly stronger than you took a battle stance the target sometimes unleash their ability and defend unconsciously.

"Your answer?"

*Gulp. "Why not? But don't come to me begging to spare you later. Raa!!!" Orion gave a shout full of energy. "It has been so long since I have been fired up this much. I will make sure to…"

"Fu-fufufu…" For some reason sir Ellis suddenly chuckled. "You really are o fire, are you?"

Eh! What just happened?

"Eh! Ah Arnold. If you dare make such a prank in this broad daylight, then you must really want to be frozen to death, don't you?"

"Eh! Er, no?" What just happened? I swear I am sitting next to sir Ellis but I am currently using my fire ability to burn Orion's buttocks.