CHAPTER 21: ENTERTAINMENT CITY

Elyze wanted to go somewhere after the event in the dining room earlier; she went to the library to get some books before leaving again and heading directly to the garden. When she finally makes it inside the garden, a stone path is right in front of her, leading into a white concrete pavilion with benches and fountains on either side. Elyze simply calmed down after viewing this sight before sitting on the bench and beginning to read some books.

Since the garden was right in front of Damion's dorm, on the second floor you will see Damion peering out of the window where he can see Elyze reading some books while sitting on the bench. He was just standing there and gazing at her when the door opened, so he nudged the bridge of his glasses and turned to face the visitor. He saw Chauncey yawning as if it were his own room, and when Chauncey noticed him, he waved his hands and sat down on the sofa.

Damion's room is decorated in a dim, dark style with a side bed that is black and gray, a small chandelier in the center of the ceiling that serves as his source of light, and a contemporary lamp perched on a mini-cabinet. A red carpet with various patterns engraved on it surrounds the two black couches that are placed across from one another and the sofa with the round table in the middle. There are two doors on the right side, one leading to his office and the other to the bathroom. On the left side, there is a small bar counter with two wine cabinets and three red stools.

on the one hand, damion asked, "what are you doing here? I was suppose to go in the dining room."

but Chauncey just sigh, "I suggest not to, devian and keir have a small fights earlier so the dining room is kinda gloom today, if only elyze wasn't there, they probably ruined the whole dining room already."

"a fight? for what?"

"I don't know the whole events but.. I think it's related to their family, as you can see, devian and keir was half-brother, and when keir mention devian's mother, he literally lose his patience that he even blurted keir's real name out of the blue! if you just know how scary it is! good thing that elyze was there! she's the one who calm them down!"

When Chauncey finished talking, Damion looked out the window once more and watched Elyze from a distance. The way Chauncey was speaking made it seem like he was sharing a story with the kids; there were actions and even emotions that Damion found kind of strange and weird. Chauncey approaches Damion and peers out the window when he notices how he is acting. Realizing why Damion is gazing out the window, he gives him a taunting smirk.

"heh..? you've been staring to elyze for some time, even when it comes to class.. did you really took liking of her? but she got a fiancee you know."

for the second time, damion nudge the bridge of his glasses once again and crossed his arms and smile plainly, "hmm.. does that even matter?"

hearing this words, Chauncey just put his hands on damion's shoulder and grin widely, "that's Mr. president for you~ do you want me to help you how to make a move when it comes to girls?!"

"No thanks, I'd rather not."

"fufufu~ you're such a shy person! listen here, damion, if you don't make a move with her, devian will surely get her back! you should use this situation as your advantage now that they were still in the middle of quarrels!"

Damion simply rubbed his temple and shook his head while giving Chauncey a hopeless expression. He then turned to gaze at Elyze once more, and when he noticed that she had placed a strand of her ash-gray hair behind her ears, he couldn't help but squint his eyes.

suddenly, damion receive a text from her auntie so he just opened his phone and read it,

"Come to the gymnasium right now, help the others to arrange the place for tomorrow's welcoming party, also, the gowns and suits that the class zero will wear for tomorrow's welcoming party has came just now, please tell to Mr. steinhart to take it from 'notre dame's boutique' at johannes fashion district later."

as soon as he read the message, he was supposed speak when he stare to elyze once again, A few minutes later, he just close his eyes and sigh.

"Chauncey.. the headmistress wants me to told you to.. help the other student council in arranging the gymnasium for tomorrow's welcoming party."

...

You'll notice Elyze wearing a white halter dress and scowling as she walks down the hallways. When Damion called her to his room earlier, she couldn't help but feel confused, so he opted to go instead to find out.

when she reach Infront of his room, she let out a sigh first and gradually open the door, "Mr. president, did you call m—!" but her eyes widened when he saw him in topless with messy wet hair, as soon as damion look at her, she immediately avoid her gaze and smile awkwardly.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't know that you're changing clothes." damion just put his polo and button it before smile plainly to her. "It's ok, I will be done soon."

"t-then I'll just wait you outside." elyze immediately close the door and let out a sigh afterwards. 'even so.. his body is very similar to devian as well, if only damion isn't a human, I would have already thought him as devian's long lost brother. sigh.'

when he realizes what she's thinking, she just shake his head and whispered, "the hell I'm just thinking right now..?"

She put her thoughts to rest as Damion left his room but unlike before, he was already wearing a pair of silver-rimmed glasses, and his brown hair was styled nicely to the side.

"so why did you call me..?" elyze asked to him.

"ah, right.. apparently, the dresses and suits that madame amara order for class zero has came earlier just now which is why I called you here, I want you to help me take it."

elyze nods, "but why me? it should be Chauncey right?"

damion just give her a simple smile, "he's helping the other student council to arrange the gymnasium for tomorrow's welcoming party, so he can't help me." he replied, but the truth is, he intentionally passed his works to chauncey for two reasons, one, to avoid overworks, and two, to spend some time with elyze.

After all, elyze had caught his eye, and now Damion had made up his mind to steal her from Devian. Once he had developed a liking for something, he would do whatever it took to attain it.

"I see.. then, why not Alexandra?"

damion just glance at him as though he's hinting her something, so elyze just avoid her gaze on him, 'did I say something wrong..?' she thought but afterwards, damion speak with a smile.

"is there something you need to do?"

"no..nothing at all.. it's just that, I'm curious why did you choose me to help you."

damion just sigh, "You're the most reliable here, after all. Alexandra was quite clumsy, and the others couldn't be relied upon."

hearing his words, elyze stop for awhile but soon after, she give damion a simple smile and nods,

"then where are we going?"

"at the shopping district here inside of the academy."

Elyze gasps because she didn't realize that this school had a commercial area, and when Damion saw her expression, he decided to explain.

"You could say that the shopping district is like a miniature city inside of the academy, and it is also known as entertainment city. Madame Amara suggested a shopping district to the director of this institution because students were not permitted to go outside in the Academy."

"I see.. It's quite intriguing." she replied as they started to walk in the hallways, Damion then pointed at something and opened the window curtains. They could see some lights on the east side of their dormitory, so he turned his back on her..

"that's the entertainment city." elyze nods to damion again, suddenly, Her attention was drawn to the west side when she saw that area wasn't covered in trees. She narrowed her eyes and noticed a huge concrete pillar that nearly resembled a tower, along with smoke and mist rising into the sky. Curious, she asked Damion.

"what about on the west side..?" as damion look at the place that elyze pointing, his face went serious.

"that place is dangerous, so the academy, including the higher-ups and inner members of black butterfly organization, restricted it. and those students who dare to crossed in the border will be killed."

elyze face went serious as well, "I see.. why is that?"

then again, damion stare at her, and for the third time, he sigh once again, then as soon as he activated his smartwatch, a three dimensional panel appeared in front of them. He then clicked on the operating system, and a group of five figures wearing black cloaks and having tattoos on each of their bodies also reappeared. Below the images, the rewards for whoever captures them are displayed.

" The headmistress and higher-ups wanted to get rid of this organization, which is known as the "revolutionaries," as they are the top "revolters" of the academy and want to lead the black butterfly organization by becoming the "monarch" of the school itself. However, considering their connections and strengths that can par with the student council and supreme 10 and the fact that they hardly draw attention to themselves, we are unable to catch them at all. The principal then made the decision to place some prizes for their capture. A few months later, the Lonely Panther Journalism Club was able to trace them down, and it so happened that this organization known as the revolutionaries was using those desolate city and the surrounding forests as their refuge."

"and when the principal mobilize some of the Elite members of black butterfly organization and launch a surprise attack to them, all of the black butterfly members were annihilated by one of the 'revolutionaries' "Damion pointed to the image on the hologram device as elyze spotted a man with violet eyes and a small star tattoo on his right side; he is wearing a cloak, which obscures much of his face.

"it was him, and his codename was very familiar to students, 'twilight.', the supreme 6 of the academy."

Elyze gasp simultaneously and at the same time, it makes her smirk quietly within, and she promptly began to plan how she will meet them discreetly. She already knew they would one day become "close friends" when she first heard the word "revolters", After all, the revolutionaries' boss also intended to run this institution and, beyond that, to succeed Black Butterfly as its leader. Elyze sees this as a fantastic chance to take advantage of both parties and ensure Keir receive all the praise.

"But there's also a possibility that this organization is using the codenames of supreme 10 to confused them, but too bad, supreme 10 is not that dumb to fall on their trick."

"nevertheless, that place is dangerous, I suggest not to go on the west.. I don't want to kill you yet."

when he mention those words, it as though damion was hinting her something, so elyze just give him another smile and said, "so you will still kill me when the time comes, huh?"

"the upcoming bloodbath warfare is an individual competition after all, surely, you will join in it, won't you?"

"well.. you have a point."

...

..

.

Elyze could not help but exhale when she first saw the entertainment city, a section of P.N. Academy's shopping area, which was populated by high-tech, compact buildings. Even though some of the buildings could only reach two stories, all of them had three floors and were as beautiful as the city of London. The design of the buildings was very futuristic. Various holographic billboards can be seen floating around that display the codenames of the supreme 10 as well as the names of some of the students who have won the school's recent competitions.

There are many students walking around the city as if it were normal for them, and various staff members are selling guns and grenades, including daggers, pistols, rifles, sniper rifles, and others.

"this city is almost similar to black market." elyze commented while looking around.

"well, the entertainment city was adapted to the black market in underworld society, the only difference is that, the founder of the school made this city look like in london living in the future."

hearing his explanation, elyze simply nods at him, In addition to various weapons, there were some food booths as well. However, unlike on campus, where numerous killings occur just by leaving a classroom or building, in this city you would not witness any students killing one another. Aside from the gardens and their library, this was the most relaxing place Elyze had yet to see, there are students shopping together or students purchasing some items such as dresses, hats etc.

"you must be wondering why there were no killings here, it's because, this place is a safe zone." as soon damion notice her reaction earlier, she immediately explain it in simple way.

"a safe zone..?"

"yeah, there are areas at this school known as the "safe zone" and the "war zone," with the entertainment city belonging to the safe zone and the campus to the war zone. We are not permitted to kill each other IF we are in one of the five dormitories because those areas are one of the academy's safe zones and doing so would result in punishment."

hearing damion's explanation, she just twitched her lips, "T-then, why when I woke up every morning, I've been hearing a commotion in the first floor? not just that.. whenever I'm going to the kitchen, I always seeing zepphyr and jotaro having a fights with a knife? and then chauncey having a fight with you in your room?" when damion heard elyze complains, his face turned into gloom and smile awkwardly.

"w-we were exception, the people who were suppose to check our dormitory has given up on us due to the stubbornness of our class, which is why the headmistress didn't give us any staffs or maids as a punishment for being irresponsible unlike the midnight star dormitory who was living their life at best, that even me, I'm ashamed to class zero as their class president."

"err, should I not bring those topic?"

damion just sigh and wave his hands to her, "doesn't matter, this has nothing to do with you after all, since you are still new to the class but.." his gloomy face turned into a serious yet meaningful expression as he look directly to elyze eyes.

"Despite the fact that class zero enjoys lazing about, we didn't become sn exceptional class for no reason. Although it may sound pompous, class zero has the most connections, power, knowledge, strength, and fortune of all the pupils in the entire academy. No one of us has ever experienced defeat, but even if someone did, we would still make up for those who dared to take our place by paying them back in full."

when elyze look directly to damion's eyes, she couldn't help but to gasp, especially when she catch a glimpse of determination in it, but damion instantly avoid her gaze and look somewhere, so elyze followed where he is looking and there he saw a hologram where a familiar names had written.

3RD WORLD WIDE EXAMINATION TOP SCORERS ( STRENGTH )

001: damion del luna (Pappilion Noir academy)

002: keir ismael xenon (Pappilion Noir academy)

003: apollo redther del luna (Pappilion Noir academy)

004: Chrysastomus wolfgangus Del luna (Pappilion Noir academy)

005: artemis raher del luna( Pappilion Rouge academy)

006: rohan jaydon Morgan (Pappilion Noir academy)

007: rheyne jayden morgan (Pappilion Noir academy)

008: rufus benedict marshall( Pappilion Noir academy)

009: fynn clemency( Pappilion Noir academy)

010: edwin moran( Pappilion Noir academy)

3RD WORLD WIDE EXAMINATION TOP SCORERS

(INTELLIGENCE EXAMINATION)

001: Damion Amadeus Del luna ( Pappilion Noir academy)-100%

002: Keir Ismael Xenon( Pappilion Noir academy)-99.99%

003: Rohan Jaydon morgan ( Pappilion Noir academy)-99.98%

004: Fynn Clemency ( Pappilion Noir academy)-98.97%

005: Alexandra breckenridge-mendez ( Pappilion Noir academy)-98.95%

006: Chauncey Aadavan steinhart ( Pappilion Noir academy)-98.94%

007: Rheyne Jayden morgan ( Pappilion Noir academy)-97.96%

008: Rufus benedict marshall ( Pappilion Noir academy)-97.93%

009: Chrysastomus wolfgangus Del luna ( Pappilion Noir academy)-97.92%

010: Dawsyn arianne del luna ( Pappilion Noir academy)-96%

'ah.. so that's why..' when she understand what he meant 'No one of us has ever experienced defeat..', she couldn't help but to smile inwardly and said in low voice, "interesting.."

They started walking once more, and as Elyze took in her surroundings, she abruptly stopped when she saw two figures in a white cloak whispering something to her. When she realized who they were, her face turned startled, and her hands began to tremble. When Damion noticed the change in her expression, he couldn't help but frown.

"is there something wrong? we're almost there."

elyze just sigh before give damion a simple smile, "if that's the case then, you go first. I wanted to stroll around in the entertainment city a little more, so let's just meet in that fountain later."

"..ok." Damion proceeded to go first even though he didn't understand Elyze's abrupt change in demeanor. However, by the time Elyze lost sight of Damion, she had turned solemn and was following the two individuals in white cloak who had just shifted to the left.

However, it takes a short distance for the two individuals to arrive at the dim alleyway between the two buildings, where there aren't any CCTVs or cameras concealed behind the walls as they lean against them.

and then, after a short while, they heard the sound of stiletto heels approaching them. As they turned to look at her, they noticed Elyze wearing her solemn face as she bowed to the unknown figure in front of her while giving them a sweet smile and responding in a serious manner.

"I have come to greet her majesty queen consort catherine.."

that's right, the person who was just Infront of her was actually none other than the Queen Consort Catherine Windsor, which is why elyze were so shock earlier and started to tremble, I mean, who wouldn't be surprise? the real queen consort just visited her just now, what's more is that, they were inside of the P.N academy, at their enemy's den!

Her black straight hair flutters in the wind as she carefully removes her white cloak, revealing her fair white skin and a smile on her face as she looks down to elyze.

"hmm.. you seems doing well, Cullen." she replied as she look around to her surroundings, meanwhile, despite appearing to be calm on the outside, elyze simply continued to bow to her and waited for her to speak. However, deep down, she was experiencing a great deal of shock and conflicted feelings, which nearly caused her heart to burst.

'damn.. of all people from Buckingham palace, why did the queen went here on her own? is she planning to demolished the school? but I'm not done here yet!' she thought, still closing her eyes.

"well, anyway, I'm sure receive my letters two days ago, right? how's the progress?"

once again, crystalle couldn't help but cussed on her mind when the queen asked her, but even so, she didn't make it obvious, rather, she just bow once more and replied,

"..please forgive me, your highness but I haven't told everything to my members, though, I already have a plan on how to eliminate those 'snitch' who dare to threatened the british empire. we can execute the plan at anytime."

Up until a few minutes later, you could only hear the shouts of the throng coming from the city while the queen simply squinted her eyes at her. After a while, she sighed again and wear her cloak, and turned around.

"you have to do it tomorrow." and that makes elyze gasps so she replied once again in confusion.

"pardon..?" however, the queen just smile to her sweetly, enough for elyze shivered a little.

"According to what I've heard, something will happen tomorrow. Knowing you, I'm sure you'll use that to your advantage to carry out my commands. Unless you have a task that is more extremely important than the mission I have given you..?"

she look at the queen seriously and shot her a cold glare as she sigh deeply and stand up. 'she's clearly threatening me, however..' she then gives her a lovely smile and then closes her eyes. "of course not, your orders is the most important to me, your highness.. I will instruct my members once I go back to the dorm, so with all due respect.."

"I ask that you desist from participating in my scheme and leave the academy right away.."

Despite the fact that the queen is in front of her, elyze doesn't feel the need to act nice and charitable like the others did when they were in front of someone higher up; as long as they can be used to her, that's all that matters.

meanwhile, the person, which is grey, who was beside of queen Catherine, didn't like the way how she spoke to her excellency which is why, he was about to pull his gun on his pocket when queen Catherine stop her, as she smile widely out of amusement towards elyze.

"Pfft, you really haven't change, elyzee!"

"please don't call my nickname, your highness."

"were you really not planning to marry my son? you're a perfect pair for him!"

"I don't want to, furthermore.." she give the queen another smile and said, "It's not like I will stay forever in this world."

when the queen hear her words, she couldn't help but to fell in confusion, so when elyze notice her reaction, she added once more, " there's always a danger awaits on me everyday, after all."

the queen puff her cheeks out of nowhere while looking to elyze like a dejected child, so elyze couldn't help but to smile awkwardly while grey just shook her head as they spoke in their minds in unison, 'she's so childish, sigh.'

"hmmp, nevermind.. we will go now, and do your job properly, ah, and by the way.."

"you don't have to be anxious, I wouldn't report anything, I mean.." she squinted her eyes to elyze meaningfully, "don't you think this is a perfect opportunity to give this academy as a gift for the king?"

The two of them simply turned away from Elyze as she recited those words, disappeared among the masses, and continued as if nothing had happened. In contrast, Elyze simply leaned against the walls, massaged her temple, and sighed heavily.

"tomorrow, huh?"

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