Chapter 7

Marcus, stared at Azael in both disbelief and annoyance. Azael was two grades younger than him, and it was unthinkable for a younger scholar to even dare and make such a threat against Marcus. Yet here was Azael, ready to defend his friends with no fear or apprehension to hold him back. Everyone in the cafeteria was amazed at Azael's defiant attitude. Everyone knew that he was a demon just like Marcus, and he could very well put up a fight, but still the fact remain that Marcus was not only older, but he had a well know reputation for his strong bully-like attitude that often left his opponents badly hurt.

After a few seconds of eye staring Marcus pushed Clementine's arm away. He did it with such a force that caused pain, but Clementine held it in not wanting to give him the satisfaction of knowing that he had managed to hurt her.

As soon as Marcus let go of Clementine's arm he turned around and started laughing wickedly. He held his arms out while he walked in circles around the spot that he was standing on. It was as if he was inviting the entire cafeteria to the show that had just commenced.

The entire cafeteria was paralyzed as the scene kept unfolding with more and more unexpected actions. Then in a moment that was as fast as lightning, Marcus signaled to some of his friends who had been standing around watching the scene develop and as if they had done this before about six boys wearing the same green uniform as Marcus encircled the three friends. Clementine who was still holding onto Emilia tried to move away and escape from the circle that was enclosing them, but unexpectedly she felt a pair of hands holding her by the arm and forcing her to stay in place. Emilia was abruptly pushed away from Clementine and just like her friend she was also held by a pair of hands. With the sudden movement Emilia almost drop her food plate but managed to hold on to it while thinking how surreal all this was. She could not believe how the day had turned out. Things had been going so well and never in a million years did she think something like this could happen.

Just as the girls were pulled back, two boys grabbed Azael from the back, each one of them holding on to one of Azael's arms. Everyone was confused when suddenly Marcus threw a punch at his stomach.

"This will teach you to not meddle in my busines." Marcus exclaimed while he delivered a second blow.

Emilia could not believe her eyes. She tried to force herself out of the boy's grasp, but their hold was much too strong. She tried to wrestle against them, but there was no use. Suddenly an idea lite up, she could use her powers. She remembered that her father told her that using her powers was completely against the rules, but could this be an exception. Emilia could not help but wonder that maybe her father would understand.

Next to her Clementine who was also struggling to get out of the hold she was being kept in screamed, "No! Stop!" pure desperation could be heard from her tone, "leave him alone!"

Emilia could not stand it anymore. She made up her mind to use her powers and deal with the consequences later. She opened her hand and a bright, white light started building up in her palm. She was ready to defend her friends when suddenly she looked up. Shock and relieve invaded her senses at the scene in front of her.

Just as Marcus was about to deliver another punch to Azael another boy, who was also wearing a green uniform, grabbed Marcus's forearm, and stopped him.

The mysterious boy had a strong hold on Marcus and while using his nails to dig into his skin he twisted his arm back causing Marcus to scream in pain. All could hear the cries that were coming out of Marcus, who just mere seconds ago had been the one inflicting pain onto others. Then with a sudden and powerful push Marcus, was thrown to the floor. He felt on top of the food he had previously dropped and in the process, soiled his clothe.

The mysterious boy looked down at Marcus and gave him one of the strongest looks, Emilia had ever seen. Then with a flat and almost peaceful tone he threatened Marcus, "Leave now, while I am still containing myself." He delivered this line in a complete smooth tone. There was no anger and no type of emotion pouring out of his voice. If it wasn't for his actions of defending Azael, Emilia would have never guessed whether this boy was a friend or a foe.

Marcus knew that he was done here. There was nothing else but try to save the small amount of pride he still believed he had. In a matter of seconds, he stood up and simply walked away grunting and cursing with every step that he took.

The mysterious boy suddenly turned his attention to the boys who were holding Azael and gave them a menacing look. No words were necessary to explain the threat that his eyes were emitting. The boys quickly let go of Azael and hurried out of there. This was the same for the boys who were holding Clementine and Emilia.

As soon as Clementine was freed, she hurried to Azael, "Are you okay?" She was extremely worried.

"Of course, I am. It would take more than that to hurt me." Azael replied in his usual sharp tone.

"Thank you, Ezequiel, but you know that I had them." Azael said while he threw a dashing smile at the mysterious boy.

Ezequiel just glared at him with indifference. To everyone's eyes Ezequiel was unconcern with the events that had just taken place, but Azael knew better. He knew that this mysterious and strong character was scanning him to make sure he was not badly hurt. He smiled inwardly, not revealing this knowledge.

Ezequiel then turned his attention to Emilia who was still in a state of shock. "Using our powers is forbidden." Ezequiel said as he glared at the bright power that was still growing in Emilia's palm.

Emilia quickly looked down and noticed that her powers had not faded away. She then closed her palm into a fist and just like that the power that she had conjured disappeared.

Then she looked up and could not help, but lock eyes with this mysterious boy who had saved them. She immediately noticed that he looked a lot like Azael with dark, black hair and piercing blue, gray eyes. However, unlike Azael this boy in front of her emitted a frightening cold aura. He was, in fact the opposite of Azael. He was not joyful nor friendly. He had a serious look that added to his enigma. Emilia knew right away that this was someone who she should not try to get close to, but would she listen to herself.

Ezequiel was the first one to break eye contact. He looked once again at Azael who was being helped by Clementine and then as if nothing had happened, he turned around and walked away.

Emilia quickly unfroze from her shock state and outspokenly said, "Thank you! You saved us.."

Ezequiel stopped on his tracks. For a moment Emilia thought that he would turn around, but to her shock and disbelief he didn't. After a few seconds he continue to walk away.

"Don't mind him Emilia," Azael's voice came from her side. "He is always like that, a complete party popper."

"Who is he?" Emilia asked

"He is my older brother, Ezequiel." Azael answered while he was fixing his uniform with Clementine's help.

"No wonder you guys look so much alike." Emilia commented while still staring at the retrieving figure.

"Yes, they do, but thank God that's just true of their looks. Their personalities are completely different." Clementine commented while she was fixing Azael's vest.

"Yeah, I can tell that." Emilia whispered lost on her own thoughts. She could not stop staring at the boy who was getting further and further away from them.

Then abruptly she remembered everything that had happened because of her and fear curse thru her person.

"Oh my! Guys I am so sorry! I cause such a mess. please forgive me!" Emilia was almost in tears.

"Girl there is no need to apologize." Clementine quickly reassured her with a carefree tone.

"Yeah, Marcus is a bully. He is always looking for trouble." Azael butted in.

Emilia was not convinced. She felt extremely bad for all that had happened just because she had not been careful at all. She could not ignore everything, especially when she was still not sure if both Clementine and Azael considered her a friend. "I feel really guilty. You just met me, and I already caused a fight."

"Emilia do not worry. You are our friend and as such your fights are our fights." Clementine said while elbowing Azael. "Right Azael?"

"Of course!" Azael wittiness knew no boundaries.

"Friends?" Emilia could not believe it. "Really you consider me your friend?"

"Duh silly," Clementine smiled. "You are our friend so stop apologizing and let's get out of here. Everyone is still staring at us"

Emilia looked around and notice that although, the fight was over they were still the center of attention.

"Let's go friend," Clementine took Emilia's hand and led her to the exit with Azael by their side.

Emilia was beyond happy. She knew that what had happened had been a horrible way to start this new chapter in her life but she was determine to not let this overshadow her happiness over making two great friends.

The rest of the day went uneventful. Emilia thought that they were going to get in trouble because of the fight, but surprisingly no one ever said anything. Clementine explained that Marcus hailed from a very powerful demon family and more often than not academy officials turned a blind eye to his antics. This was a common happening and although it irritated Clementine to the bone, just like everyone else she learned to live with it. This fact made Emilia doubt the strict reputation of the academy, but who was she to judge the ways of the world. She even decided to not say anything to her parents as she feared this could jeopardize her newfound freedom.

The day ended and Emilia was ecstatic knowing that tomorrow she would come back to school and meet her two new friends.