Battle Of Egos

The sun dipped behind the towering spires of the academy, casting elongated shadows across the sprawling grounds. The institution, known as Alpha Academy, stood as a testament to centuries of mystical knowledge and arcane mastery. Its architecture blended ancient mystique with modern functionality, its splendor evident in every intricate detail.

Four colossal gates, each marked with distinct sigils representing the races of vampires, werewolves, witches, and Ark family, guarded the cardinal points of the academy. Carriages streamed through these gates in an arranged manner.

The carriages were as diverse as the beings they carried: elegant coaches draped in dark silks for vampires, adorned with symbols of moon and nature for the werewolves, adorned with runes and symbols for the witches, adorned with the design of the unquenchable fire of the ark family.

The air hummed with anticipation and excitement, a tense atmosphere that crackled around the grounds. As the carriages halted near the central field, students spilled out, their attire a mix of traditional garb and unique styles.

At the heart of the academy grounds stood the central field, a vast expanse of emerald green grass surrounding a quartet of statues. These statues, towering monuments crafted with astonishing craftsmanship, depicted the four first ancestral leaders of the races: a regal vampire with eyes that seemed to reflect the night sky, a mighty werewolf, its stance proud and defiant, a wise and enigmatic witch holding a staff adorned with swirling glyphs, and a figure dressed oversized robes, its hair unkept and a fiery ball of flame shrouding his fist. 

It was a statue of Apollo Ark, the pioneer of the Ark family.

Around these statues, students congregated, their conversations left behind a buzzing sound at every corner of the square. Some exchanged curious glances, while others greeted each other with nods of recognition, but all that chatter seemed to end as a final carriage appeared into view.

Its fiery design was dark green, this was a design which has not been seen in the past over a year ever since the infamous event took place.

"Don't tell me…" A student muttered in disbelief

"They said he is a cripple, who is he here?" another voice could be heard amongst the crowd.

"Just crippled? He has been in a coma for a while, he is meant to be dead!" another hissed those words in a fearful tone.

The doors of the carriage opened and Sol emerged, dressed in a red Hood jacket, a white T-shirt, and black jeans. His long red hair which hadn't been cut in months was combed and gelled neatly back with strings of hair springing out and fluttering in the wind, enhancing his already stunning looks. 

His appearance gained the attention of everyone since he was not expected to be there. Many thought he should be dead already. The news of Sol's recovery was kept secret, even other members of the Ark family who were not from the main branch knew nothing about this, so his arrival was a pleasant surprise to the youths of the Ark family present, who felt uncomfortable in a gathering filled with potential enemies of various races.

Questions began flying around among students as they wondered how Sol was able to survive, everyone was certain he was in a very bad condition, but right now he was standing before them, looking healthier and even more intimidating.

"Enough!" A cold voice rang through the crowd, pulling their attention away from Sol.

It was an aged woman about 4.6 feet tall, dressed in a black gown, and a black witch hat, and carrying an old staff with her, which made Sol wonder if the staff was a wand or just there to support her. Her little figure moved forward without hesitation as the crowd made way for her as she approached Sol. 

'What the hell does this old hag want from me now?' Sol thought, but his facial expression remained calm and indifferent as the lady approached. He didn't even flinch or take a step back because he didn't consider her intimidating.

In his opinion, standing in the presence of potential investors while presenting your business idea is more nerve-racking. Since he has survived that on earth, how can he be moved by the presence of an old lady?

As the Lady reached Sol, her gaze tightened as her eyes remained pinned to his chest as if there was something. After looking at him for a while, her narrowed eyes turned to one of confusion and disbelief.

"The seal is still there? How are you alive and well?" She said with shock written all over her face.

Hearing this, Sol's eyebrows twitched as he felt rage swelling up in him. Her words just confirmed that they knew the seal would kill him, and they still put it on the body of a youth. The fact she dared say it openly showed how little she cared about the opinions of the Ark family members, treating them as if they were outcasts.

In this situation, his mind worked fast as he felt the need to retort. If he remains silent, his ego as a man will be stepped on and his pride as the heir of the Ark family will be tarnished. When he arrived, he noticed the look of relief in the eyes of the Ark family members and the hope hidden in their gaze. At that point, he realized he was not just a prince to them, but a beacon of hope.

"I am Sol Ark, future Patriarch of the Ark family," Sol said in a tone dripping with disdain as his figure towered over the old witch. "Do you really think that little seal will be enough to put me down? Hmph! It seems the three alpha families overestimate themselves!"

Boom.

His words were like an explosion in the minds of everyone who heard him, leaving them dumbfounded, and even the penetrating gaze of the old witch quivered. For a moment she felt like she had seen a vague image of the deceased Ark family Patriarch looming over Sol.

Her eyes narrowed, and she tightened her grip on her staff. Her gaze and that of Sol remained locked for a short while. 

"Hmph! A family of brutes! Barbarians!" She cursed as she turned around and began walking away.

While she had the last words, Sol had definitely emerged the victor in this battle of egos.