The Welcoming Gift

After settling to his room, Daemon took a shower. It was bad, really bad. For someone who has only bathed in castle this was literal shit hole. After seeing the room, he was certain he will be at least be on the top 100. So, without wasting any more time, Daemon called his little sister and asked to meet. She was in the wing L. He was envious.

When they met at the café in the academy, she ran to his hands.

"Oh, brother, you can't even spend a day without seeing your beloved sister."

"Shut up brat, I'm here for something else."

"Oh, something else. Perhaps my brother wan—"

"I need your academy texts. That includes the previous ones and the senior ones."

"That's all." She was visibly disappointed.

"Yeah, that's all. What, you thought something else?"

"No. Never mind. I'll procure it for you." She sulked.

"When can I get it."

"Maybe tomorrow, since I've to ask seniors about it."

"Alright, I thought about asking Amon but heard yours was the new curriculum that the academy follows."

"Yes, that's right. Ours is the new version."

"I see." He sipped his coffee slowly. Taking the aroma and slowly enjoying it. Daerys also sipped her drink enjoying the serenity.

"Will you move to our dorm after your test."

"I don't think I'll have that much of high score. Since I'm still physically not strong enough, it will be hard but I'm currently aiming for the wing M."

"I see."

Their little talks continued until the nightly light seeped through the café window. Daerys offered him dinner since the food on his dorm is not up to his standard. The offer was graciously accepted since he was also thinking about eating outside with Arthur. Now that he has other company, he graciously ditched Arthur.

'May the food gods be with you dear Arthur.'

After having meals, he went to his room. It was already getting late.

"Why were you this late? You missed the food." Arthur asked when he saw Daemon.

The dorm was filled with other students too, since they were also sharing the same room. The room was filled with beds for other students too. this was also one of the reasons he wanted to move from this wing, as he doesn't like to share the room with others.

"I've already ate with my little sister." Daemon casually crawled on to his bed while whistling.

"Oh, from outside?"

"Yes."

"Was it good?"

"Yes."

"I see." Arthur stood from his bed which was close to Daemon's. He went to his friend's bed.

"What?" Daemon asked seeing Arthur's suspicious move.

Arthur slowly moved close to Daemon.

"What? What is it?" Daemon panicked.

Arthur suddenly grabbed both collars of the Dameon's shirt and frantically screamed at him;

"You traitor! You left me with that dog shit food and ate delicious meal with your sister. You could've invited me too."

"I wasn't particularly going for the meal, its just she invited me and I couldn't say no to her." He tried to jerk Arthurs hand off, but it was of no vail as Arthur is currently physically stronger than him.

"Still, you could've at least bought me something from there."

"Was it that bad?"

Daemon saw his friends colour draining from him at the mere mention of the food.

"Bad… You call that shit bad. It wasn't bad, it was monstrous. It was like forcing you to eat rotten insides—"

"That's enough description, Arthur. I understand your sorrow. Let's eat from outside tomorrow. Okay?" Daemon interrupted Arthur from explaining the food. He got the gist of it.

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

"Okay. Good." Arthur released his grip on his traitor friend.

The commotion has attracted the other student's attention. They were entertainingly looking at them.

"Well, is your lovers quarrel have ended? It was a good show to watch. C'mon do it one more time." A strong built boy with shaved head spoke. The others in the room also laughed with him.

"What you don't want to do it again, perhaps because of the crowd." He opened his arm comically wide.

"Who is that baldy?" Daemon asked Arthur. He was getting quite annoyed with the baldy dude.

"Ba-baldy. Did you just called me baldy." He stuttered and pointed at himself. The noise from the background faded.

"Uh… yeah there isn't anyone else who is baldy enough like you." Daemon innocently replied.

The baldy, name Sonny, was getting angry, face getting red and contorting to an ugly look.

"HOW DARE YOU! YOU FUCKER! I'LL KILL YOU!" Sonny roared from his lungs and was ready to pound on Daemon when he heard a voice from behind.

"Sonny, stop!" The voice was calm but it held a certain command to it. A short boy with smug look on his face held his hands on sonny's shoulder.

"WHAT! I'LL KILL HIM! DON'T STOP ME"

"Look at him. Do you know anyone else who have black hair and crimson eyes?"

"Who—" Before sonny could ask, he was interrupted.

"Duke Reinheart and the only one among this generation to have his appearance was his third son, the failed prodigy, Daemon Reinheart." The new kid exaggeratedly pointed his hand at Daemon. The room was tranquil, a pin falling could be heard in that dead silence.

"Daemon Reinheart! So what? He is inside the academy; I could do anything to him and nobody will ask about it. It is the rule." Sonny said, still angry.

"That is true, no one will give a shit about it. Especially for a failed prodigy like him but its his first day only, he would warm up to us give him some time, sonny." The kid continued his charade. Daemon was now getting extremely bore.

Sonny took some deep breaths and calmed himself. "Only because Neril asked, I'm letting you go. You should be grateful to him."

"Of course, he knows that. c'mon now, let's go."

"Thank yo—" Arthur was about to thank Neril when he was interrupted by Dameon

"You wouldn't do any shit to me, baldy! And you know it too!" His voice rang through the still silent dorm room.

"Dude, what the hell are you doing." Arthur visibly shaken whispered to Daemon.

"What did you just say!" Sonny slowly asked. Coldly smiling now.

"What are you doing, I was helping you and you're now ruining it." Neril was surprised, his previous mysterious mask wearing off.

"Like I said, baldy over there wouldn't do any harm to me. He knows my identity from the very beginning and he was just intimidating me, a sad failed prodigy from one of the duke households. Alas like a saviour you," he pointed at Neril, "appeared. Saving me from the bully and earning my trust and devotion. Was that your grand plan, Neril Millow."

"W- what! you know my name?" The smug kid was shaking visibly now. Voice stuttering.

"Of course, what type of lord would I be if I don't even remember my vassals." Daemon regally spoke.

"Wait! Neril Millow… from the declining noble house Millow." Arthur doubtfully asked.

"Yeah, the very same one," Dameon answered. "You know what will happen if I inform my father about it, don't you?" Daemon wore an evil grin.

Neril suddenly knelt on the ground touching his forehead on the hard floor. "Forgive this fools foolishness! I just… wanted to be you friend, milord." Voice stuttering. Fear completely took over Neril. He never had thought that the failed prodigy was this clever. His plan has completely been destroyed not to mention he even know about his household. He thought he could save his declining house, if he used the duke's son, but it has backfired severely. Now all he can do is plead.

Daemon breath a long sigh. "I can forgive your foolishness this one time, but if this continues, I won't just let it happen."

"I won't do anything like this, ever again" He was visibly happy.

"I just want to study here and complete it without any obstacles, and you would help me achieve it, right? Afterall you are my vassal." Daemon's chilling voice entered Neril's mind like a spear thrusting itself in someone's heart. He knew the implication, at least it was better than destroying his already declining family.

"I understood."