Project: Capture Levi

CENT FOLLOWED the three silently. No words were exchanged between the four of them. Levi kept on glancing at her, who was walking last, as he hummed some mortal's famous nursery rhymes. Damon kept his steady strides at the center of the trio while Sylvia kept on looking back, as she kept on throwing daggers in her direction. Walking beside them was like walking on thin ice. The animosity between the four could rival an angel' and that was saying something.

Her hackles were on high alert. Cent was ready to strike even with the clear disadvantage, but she swore she would not go down without a fight. Not when she had something to fight for.

The students paved the way for the four of them. And now Cent realized that she was like inside of a novel wherein she was a side character of the famous trope – and she did not like it one bit. She both hated how the students were eyeing her curiously and loved how the students' attention, even the Benevolent, and Ambivalent ones, were glued on Damon. The blushing and gushing girls as if they saw something worth giggling made her roll her eyes. She could not understand the people around her. One moment, they were plotting to kill each other and now they were having gooey eyes.

What a joke. If Gukasho was here, I'm sure that he'll snort and give me his lifelong lessons in life. How I miss my father. Funny, I just spent a small amount of time with him yet it feels like I know from the moment I was born.

Finally, taking a turn far away from the gossipmongers, a spacious office welcomed Crescent. Her raven-colored eyes wandered around her. Shelves touching the ceiling with thousands of books around them, a vintage-looking chandelier hanging at the center, a fireplace near the receiving area paired with a comfortable-looking Persian rug, and four sets of desks at the center of the room.

What is this?

Her question was answered with the bored words of Sylvia. "Hey, half-human! Listen, that empty desk is yours. Your key to this room is your magic so if you don't have an ounce of magic then – "

Sylvia's words were cut off when Cent produced a black shadow through her shadow which kicked Sylvian's shadow, resulting in Sylvia glaring at her from the floor. "I'm sorry. What did you say?" Cent smiled sweetly at Sylvia, her eyes unapologetic.

"Enough!" A voice boomed inside the room, shaking the chandeliers and the books around them as if there was an occurring earthquake. Sylvia flinched and walked away to her desk, her petty feet stomping like a child.

Levi was standing near the wall, his mischievous smile glinted under the shaking chandelier while his arms were crossed as if he was enjoying the show. Cent, on the other hand, looked apathetically at Damon. No fear, no admiration, no curiosity – just pure boredom. After all, she already learned that this man would be her greatest hindrance in achieving her desire.

"Crescent the Glutton, what you did in the hallway was wrong. Starting a fight with those bastards is not worth the time for the Halflings. You are sent here by the law of the Nether World because you have to be a monster." With every word he said, he took a step towards her. On instinct, Cent stepped back every time he was almost near her.

Until a thud from her head connecting with the cream-colored wall echoed, making her realize that there was no more space to run away. His arms caged her as his glaring eyes were looking down at her. His hot breath fanned her face. "Always remember, a puppy could not defeat a monster. In this room, you need to be a monster to survive."

"Let's go," said Damon in a commanding tone. Levi and Sylvia, like some faithful servants, followed Damon. The three did not even spare her a single glance.

The cruelty laced upon his voice held a promise to finish her should she wonder from her purpose. Three pairs of feet walked away from the room, leaving Cent alone. Like a molten candle, she lost her center of gravity as she slid down to the carpeted floor. Her heart thumped loudly and a cold sweat broke around her forehead and back neck.

That is the man that I have to defeat? Not to mention, Sylvia and Levi, who are way older than me! By just his aura, I felt like I am choking. That is the man who maintained his seat as the top candidate for the flame throne and the surviving Halfling after countless bloodshed. And in a few months, I will be a part of that bloodbath.

A shiver ran down Crescent's back. She feared that she would fail and leave her father after waiting for the moment that they would finally be together. She remembered her young self, gazing up at the starless sky of the city, wishing for a parent to lull her to sleep. The days when she did not have a place to belong as she grew up in the foster shelter were still vivid in her memory. And the moment she was engulfed by the warmth of her father, Cent's only hope for her desired one true home.

Hot tears fell from her glowing eyes. Crescent clenched her fist, drawing blood from her palms. Raw determination and anger coursed her through her half-blood veins. Remembering what Sylvia said about being half-human made her grin wickedly.

According to Gukasho, she was the only Halfling born from a human. All the other Halflings were born from their supernatural mothers. Like Sylvia being born from a Demon Lord and a succubus.

If you only knew, Sylvia. Humans are the most complex creatures in this world. They are manipulative and vile and greedy. They will do anything for what they desire. I will make you taste the wickedness of a Halfling born from a Demon Lord and a human, be prepared.

Standing up, Crescent's resolve changed upon this single day. She decided that she would not go down and it was never a choice. But for someone like her who was still new to things, she needed to destroy the foundation of Damon's stronghold. She needed someone to become her hands and feet in this battle.

When she was about to open the door, the image of the smiling Levi flashed inside her mind.

"Oh, I am so looking forward to this."

Project: Capture Levi is now commencing.