Chapter 35: Settling In

Chapter 35: Settling In

The halls of Elysium Academy buzzed with activity as the students began to disperse to their respective dormitories. Having secured the 1st seat, Argus made his way toward the towering Noble Dorm, which stood proudly amidst the sprawling academy grounds. The dorm exuded an air of refinement—its design intricate and grand, but not overwhelmingly so. It was a space meant for the privileged, yet the subtle elegance of the building reflected its purpose—this was where the academy's future leaders resided.

As Argus entered the dorm, his eyes briefly scanned the bustling foyer. Students of noble blood, all first years, moved about—some chatting excitedly, others eyeing each other with quiet competition. The second floor, where the majority of students would reside, already felt lively. But it was the third floor where things became more interesting. Reserved for the top 10 students of the Noble Dorm, this floor offered slightly larger rooms and a quieter atmosphere. It wasn't overly prestigious, but it carried the weight of status.

Argus ascended the staircase with a casual stride, not in any rush. He had little reason to concern himself with the politics below. Being far stronger than the others, he knew it was unlikely anyone could challenge his position. He was here to enjoy his time at the academy. He had nothing to fear unless he became complacent—a trait that didn't suit him.

As he stepped onto the third floor, the atmosphere shifted. The hallway was quiet, as if the weight of competition hadn't fully settled in yet. His room, like the others on this floor, was larger than those below. Upon entering, he found the space to be refined and comfortable. A grand bed, a desk for his studies, and a window offering a view of the academy grounds. It was nothing extravagant, but it suited him well enough.

Iris was already there, having arranged his belongings and ensuring everything was in place. She gave him a small nod as he entered.

"Everything is prepared, Master Argus," she said softly, her tone professional.

He glanced around, taking note of a small table by the window. On it lay a box sealed with the academy's crest, along with a few vials of glowing liquid. Iris gestured toward it.

"A reward for achieving the top seat," she explained. "The academy offers monthly gifts to the top students. These are potions to aid your training, and some academy currency for the market."

Argus opened the box, revealing the neatly arranged coins and a congratulatory note from the academy. It wasn't much, but it was a pleasant acknowledgment of his rank. He placed the box aside, feeling no particular rush to inspect its contents further.

Before he could settle in, there was a knock at the door. With a nod, Iris moved to open it.

Lysandra Noctis entered the room without sparing a glance for Iris, her crimson eyes locking onto Argus with quiet intensity. She moved gracefully, her pale skin glowing faintly in the soft light. As she approached, Argus watched her with calm curiosity. Standing before him, he had to look down slightly to meet her gaze—a subtle reminder of his height, though Argus barely gave it a thought.

"Quite the setup, Augustine," she remarked smoothly, the hint of amusement in her voice impossible to miss.

Argus raised an eyebrow, but didn't move from his spot. He'd already pegged her as the type who enjoyed testing others, subtly probing to see how much control she could exert. "And who might you be?" he asked, his tone curious but calm. He already knew her name from the announcement, but it was always more revealing to let people introduce themselves.

Lysandra smiled, and there was something almost predatory in it, her eyes gleaming as she turned her full attention to him. "Lysandra Noctis," she said, her voice light but with a certain weight to it. "I suppose I'm just here because I wanted to meet the 1st seat in person. After all, you're already making quite the impression."

Argus held her gaze, his expression neutral. He noticed the subtle sharpness of her canines when she smiled—a detail most people would have overlooked but not him. Her pale skin, the controlled elegance, and that lingering intensity all clicked into place.

He tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing just enough to show he wasn't one to be played with. "You're a vampire, aren't you?"

Lysandra's smile widened, clearly amused, and she didn't bother denying it. "Perceptive. Most people wouldn't catch on so quickly." She stepped a little closer, her movements smooth and almost too silent. "Does that bother you, Augustine?"

Argus let out a small chuckle. "Not at all. But it does make me wonder why you're here. I doubt it's just to admire the view."

Lysandra's crimson eyes glinted, her amusement clear, but her steps carried purpose. "Admiring the view isn't my only reason for being here," she replied, her voice soft, almost playful. "I'm offering an alliance, Augustine. You're the top seat. That position draws attention, and not all of it will be the kind you want."

Argus arched an eyebrow, his gaze steady as he watched her. "An alliance? And what makes you think I need one?"

Lysandra's lips curved into a subtle smile, showing the faintest flash of her canines again. "Because the academy isn't just about power—it's about politics, influence, maneuvering through the ambitions of others. You're strong, no one will deny that, but strength alone won't keep you at the top. I can help you avoid the unnecessary distractions."

She took another step closer, her eyes never leaving his. "I know how the academy works, the key players, the quiet movements in the background. I can offer insight and make sure you stay focused on what's truly important, rather than petty challenges from those beneath you."

Argus tilted his head slightly, amused by her confidence but unfazed by her pitch. He recognized the value in information and influence, but he wasn't the type to rely on others. Still, her offer intrigued him—not because he needed her help, but because she was clearly someone who played a different game.

"And in return?" Argus asked, his voice calm.

Lysandra smiled again, her red eyes gleaming. "All I ask is that when the time comes, if I need a favor, you'll consider returning the courtesy. Nothing more, nothing less."

Argus let her words linger in the air for a moment, studying her closely. He understood the value of keeping potential allies close, especially those who could navigate the academy's undercurrents with ease. Lysandra was offering mutual benefit, not charity, and she wasn't naive enough to expect trust, only practicality.

He gave a slight nod. "I'll consider it."

Lysandra's smile widened, a glimmer of satisfaction in her eyes. "I think you'll find that I can keep you ahead of the annoyances. I have no doubt you'll be dealing with plenty in the coming months."

Argus smirked, appreciating her directness. "Avoiding annoyances... that, I can accept."

She took a step back, her eyes still locked onto his, though her expression softened slightly. "Good. You won't regret it, Augustine." There was a lingering intensity in her gaze, something darker, something primal. She wasn't just offering an alliance—she was already sizing him up, perhaps for something more, something deeper. But that, she kept well concealed.

Lysandra turned gracefully, glancing around the room one last time before heading toward the door. Her presence still commanded attention, but it was clear she had achieved what she came for.

As she moved to leave, Argus once again had to look down slightly as she passed. She brushed past Iris without so much as acknowledging her existence. The door closed softly behind her, leaving the room noticeably warmer in her absence.

Iris, who had been silently watching from the side, exhaled softly once Lysandra was gone. "She didn't even acknowledge me," she muttered under her breath.

Argus smirked, his eyes lingering on the door for a moment before shifting to Iris. "That's because I'm the one she's hunting."

Before Iris could respond, there was another knock. This time, it was Nerissa Drakthorn standing in the doorway. She didn't bother with pleasantries or games. Her golden eyes locked onto Argus immediately, a direct challenge in her gaze.

"Argus," she greeted, stepping inside without hesitation. "I came for one reason. I want to challenge you."

Argus leaned casually against his desk, his demeanor completely relaxed. He wasn't surprised by Nerissa's boldness—her draconic blood made her aggressive, always seeking strength.

"Now?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Nerissa's eyes gleamed. "Why wait?"

He chuckled softly. "How about we save that for another time? We just got here, after all. Let's not rush things."

Nerissa's expression didn't waver. She was clearly determined, but Argus's nonchalant attitude seemed to disarm her slightly. "You're not afraid, are you?"

Argus shook his head, amused. "Not even a little. But there's no need to fight the first day. We'll have plenty of time for that."

After a long pause, Nerissa finally nodded, though the intensity in her gaze didn't fade. "Fine. But don't think I'll let this go for long."

"I wouldn't expect you to," Argus replied, his tone still light and easy.

She gave him a final look, one that promised their confrontation was only being delayed, before turning and leaving the room. The door closed behind her with a soft click, and Iris looked at Argus, her expression a mixture of concern and curiosity.

"You're certainly popular today," she remarked.

"Comes with the territory," Argus said with a smirk.

As the evening continued, Argus wandered the third floor, observing the other students as they settled in. The floor housed only the top 10 from the noble dorm, and though each room was larger than those below, the space itself wasn't overly extravagant. It was a small perk, nothing more.

As he passed the rooms, he noticed a few familiar names. Elara's door was slightly ajar, and he caught a glimpse of her organizing her belongings. As Argus continued past another door, he heard a burst of laughter from inside—Valerie's unmistakable voice. He smiled to himself, the sound of her enjoyment carrying easily through the quiet hallway.

Argus enjoyed the quiet power of the third floor. There was a certain satisfaction in knowing he was at the top of this small hierarchy, even if it was just within the noble dorm. The academy was structured like a world within a world, and at the moment, he stood above most.

As he returned to his room, Argus took a seat by the window, letting the calm of the evening settle over him. The academy might be filled with ambitious students and complex rivalries, but Argus was confident. He had the strength to back up his position, and he wasn't the type to grow complacent.

He glanced at the potions and currency on his desk, symbols of his current rank. There would be more to come, more challenges, more intrigue, and more rewards. But for now, he allowed himself to enjoy the peace. This was only the beginning, after all.

And Argus was ready to enjoy every moment of it.