Random cannon fodder 1

Waiting for Nathaniel to leave the mage tower, I stand underneath a tree about 20 minutes away from the tower, lost in my thoughts. Suddenly, a voice interrupts my reverie.

"Hey pretty doll." The voice is unwelcome, and I turn to see an acne-prone, lanky man standing in front of me. Is he seriously trying to flirt? Gross.

I don't respond, hoping he'll take the hint and leave me alone.

"Don't ignore me, now cute one." He persists, taking a step closer. His words make my skin crawl.

"I've been at Tavill for 4 years now. Keep me company and I'll make sure your life will be smooth sailing. I'm sure you've noticed the need for merits," he says, trying to touch me. I quickly take a few steps back to avoid his grasp.

"How dare you b-" Before I can finish my sentence, a sudden punch lands on the man's face, sending him flying. It's almost comical how he tumbles through the air.

The person responsible doesn't give him a chance to recover. Nathaniel strides forward, his handsome face now splattered with blood. He delivers a series of ruthless punches and kicks, each blow more brutal than the last. Finally, a kick to the man's face knocks out some teeth, rendering him unconscious.

I watch as Nathaniel stands over the unconscious man, his hands bloody and a fierce look in his eyes. This is the man I fell in love with— ruthless and bloody.

As I walk towards Nathaniel, I realize that the others are open-mouthed, including Gregory. I had forgotten about the rings we wear, which react to the leader's emotions. They must have sensed Nathaniel's rage. Oops. This must be the first time they've seen him like this.

Reaching Nathaniel's side, I squat down and poke a finger at the man on the ground. Nathaniel has certainly done a number on him, and it will likely be costly to get him healed.

I stand up and raise an eyebrow at Nathaniel, silently asking what this was all about.

"I forgot how troublesome it is to have such an attractive wife," Nathaniel says with a shrug, as if his asura-like rage earlier was just an illusion.

"I have to set an example early on, so they know to stay away," he explains, trying to reach out for me. I dodge his advances.

"You're bloody ew," I say, trying to walk away from the scene.

But Nathaniel isn't having it. He grabs me by the waist and pulls me close to him.

"Liar. You love me like this," he says with a mischievous grin before leaning in to kiss me.

He's right, I love the blood and violence, I can't deny the rush of adrenaline and love I feel for him. I wrap my arms around his neck.

*

Observing the couple in an intimate embrace next to the unconscious man, I've always known that guy is insane. Hell, his lover is equally batshit crazy. It's why I tried to escape those first weeks. I shake my head and decide to focus on the task I was given.

As I head towards the desk, I hear Elizabeth calling my name.

"Damien, wait up," she calls out, probably looking for a reason to escape the awkward scene.

*

In the enchantment room, I ignore Xavier's glares as Selene heals the cuts on my arms. I watch her with admiration as the green aura envelops my skin.

"Shadowcrest, what's going on now?" Xavier asks, sounding exhausted.

I look up from watching Selene's concentration. "Now, now, dear patron, you have to meet your club members, don't you? We're just waiting on a few more," I say, trying to calm him down. Just then, Damien and Elizabeth walk in, both looking a bit awkward.

"Great!" I exclaim, clapping my hands together. "We're all here."

I stand and approach Xavier. "Obsidian Order, this is our patron professor, Xavier. Professor Xavier, this is Obsidian Order. Allow me to introduce you to the most beautiful woman in the world, my lovely partner Selene," I say, motioning to her. She gives a bright smile that pierces straight through my heart. She's so beautiful.

I continue with the introductions. "That hulking man over there is Gregory," I say, as Gregory gives a clumsy bow.

"Next, we have Elizabeth Coralheart," I announce. She gracefully bows and extends her hand for a handshake. I watch their interaction, my senses heightened from hours of watching telenovelas with Selene, but I decide not to dwell on it, given the very obvious uncomfortable age difference.

"Here's Damien," I continue, as he straightens his glasses and offers his hand for a handshake as well.

"And finally, the twins, Tama and Lani," I say. They both nod in unison. "Pleasure to meet you," they say simultaneously.

With the introductions complete, I decide to turn the attention to Damien's findings to Xavier's dismay.

*

In a dimly lit room in Tavill, laughter fills the air.

"'A certain fourth-year student left a background prop to a romantic embrace,'" Student A reads aloud from a newsletter headline, prompting the rest of the members of club SeThan to burst into fits of laughter.

The newsletter in question is called 'Tavill's Eye,' a mysterious gossip column that has been circulating for the past 170 years. No one knows for sure who founded it, who writes it, or how it manages to persist, but its presence is undeniable.

To access more detailed stories, one must pay a fee of 8 merits. The members of SeThan eagerly paid up and have been reading and re-reading the events that unfolded yesterday, finding humor in the comical manner in which they are portrayed.