CHAPTER 29: MEMORIES FROM THE PAST

The clock struck six, and all the students and guests stopped talking when the principal went to the podium to pick up the microphone, there was a silence in the gymnasium. They began to wait for the principal to speak and greet them.

"On behalf of my brother, who founded the P.N academy and is currently the founder of this school, we want to say thank you to all of you for this wonderful dark banquet. It's only happening once a year, and in a world where technologies are the foundation of our society, it's been very hard to go along with the trend of things, but we know that the black butterfly organization only wants the best for our world, and that's one of the reasons why we held this banquet. We wanted to achieve peace, but there's still a lot of work to be done. If we work together, we'll make it happen."

Once the headmistress had finished speaking, all of the people in the gymnasium began applauding her. Sitting in front of the round table with a white cover and filled with four plates, fork, knife, and wine glass, Elyze just laughed faintly in a mocking tone while looking at the headmistress.

"that's the most hilarious speech I've ever heard, don't you think devian?" she whispered and still applauding like the other people while smiling.

"but you don't differ to her when giving a public speech in the crowd." he sigh. He can still clearly recall how sweet Elyze was whenever she gave a speech, as if she lived a life dedicated to serving others and those in need. But when the camera is off, she changes completely. Devian has the impression that she occasionally has two distinct personalities, and that these personalities are quite severe. Of course, he wouldn't dare say such a thing in front of her as he would undoubtedly perish.

"Oh my... but I'm a philanthropist, you know."

"a philanthropist help people those who in needs, without. any. substitute."

"heh.. how benevolent you are." elyze teased at him, yet as usual, it didn't affect him and smile elegantly before take his wine glass and sip some of it.

"I'm always been a benevolent person, my lady."

"tsk."

devian laugh at her inwardly when he sees her face filled with disappointment, but they stop as soon as the emcee from the stage spoke.

"Next, let's discuss the student council election that will take place the following week. Because this election only occurs every four years, it will be broadcast live across the academy's seven branches. Those who manage to get a spot in student council will undeniably receive a lot of points and assistance from the inner members of black butterfly organization and who knows.. you might caught the leader's attention once you join in the student council and win some spot there, who wouldn't want that?" there's a sneer on the emcee's lips like a devil whispering to an innocent child who doesn't know how the world works, seeing this, devian snickered.

'That emcee might have the potential to turn into an archdemon as he has a talent for using flattering language. Should I enlist him in my army and steal his soul? ' he mused, but it seems that Jotaro, who was standing in front of him, managed to read his thoughts since he took a fork right away and pointed it towards Devian.

"hey.. I know what you're thinking, you better stop that." devian just give him a poker face.

"ah, I forgot that there are lapdogs watching me here, what a really waste."

"say what you want, I'm just doing the job that my senior give to me." he replied, devian was about to talk back and when someone speak on the earpiece he was wearing that makes him stop.

'chauncey's sister was already in our hands.' that was the voice of angeline, so devian glance at elyze and then nod at her, meanwhile, she just look at the smartwatch she was wearing it's already 6:10 in the evening, but the bombs was set to explode exactly 7:00 pm, so elyze simply smile.

"tell him to keep an eye on her." she just muttered before glance at the stage, the emcee

started to spoke once more.

".. and now, we would like to introduce all of the student council candidates to you, our honored guests, and have them speak in front of you about why you should vote for them. The student representatives will be introduced first, then the student chairperson, the peace officer, the public information officer, the auditor, the treasurer, the secretary, the vice president, and finally the president.

"... then, please, I'd like to invite all of the candidates running for student representatives to step forward. "

Elyze didn't know any of the five people making their way to the stage, so she didn't care much when they started to receive elegant applause. Instead, she sat there and took a sip of champagne when a waiter passed her with a tray containing it.

However, despite the fact that Elyze had been drinking for some time, Damion, who had been observing her for some time, couldn't help but be impressed by her. After four or five shots, individuals frequently become drunk, but for Crystalle, this was nothing.

the others notice her as well, "that's her 8th drink already, can't she drunk?" alexandra commented while staring at her enviously.

"elyze is a strong woman.." zepphyr added to her with a jealousy on his eyes. "and why in the world is it against the law for a 17-year-old teenager to consume alcohol? In my country, when a child turned 15, they were already adults. tsk." zepphyr complains while sighing. Even though he is a thousand years old in the realms of rivyre, where he was born, he is only 17 years old, a student, and a minor in this world. Consequently, a juice is the only item he is currently able to consume.

Even though this school was only for those with mafia ties, it was still a highly exclusive institution. The founder and headmistress still care about their reputation as well as the mental, emotional, and physical health of their students, After all, once they are polished, they will probably be useful to the organization as their pawn.

which explains why there is a hierarchy in the school, pupils with great mental, physical, and emotional health are placed in the top class, while those with less qualities are, unsurprisingly, placed in the lowest.

In order to protect their health, the headmistress forbade the consumption of alcohol by those younger students. After all, especially for class zero's, health was one of the most important talents that every P.N student should possess.

"although.." zepphyr narrowed his eyes as he started to pondered the life he had in the realms of rivyre when he was young. "since you're already 15 and a completely adult, you have to serve the church as a members of the choirs and participate in political conflicts.."

He is not opposed to serving the church; in fact, doing so would bring him the greatest joy. However, getting involved in a conflict at the age of 15 was too much for him; imagine being threatened by someone and having friends who you once considered rivals now treat you as an outsider. Zepphyr is depressed and upset after pondering those things. Zepphyr merely wants to live in peace, but he is aware that won't happen unless they are prepared to swallow their egos and be respectful of one another. Even so, he continues to be steadfast in his pursuit of the sought harmonious relationship.

Then, a memory that had lain dormant for a thousand years suddenly surfaced in his mind. It was the time when he asked the first prince a question that a typical youngster couldn't respond to, but the first prince was able to do so with ease.

...

flashback..

in the land of rivyre, at the holy city of empyrean the kingdom, you will see several people or known as 'mortals' in this land, the woman, young girl were all wearing a chiton made of a much lighter material, normally linen.

It is a floor-length garment that was typically long enough to be pulled over the belt, creating a pouch known as a kolpos. It is made of a very long and very wide rectangle of fabric that is stitched up at the sides, pinned or sewn at the shoulders, and typically girded around the waist.

Some of the women were wearing an epiblema, also known as a shawl, which was placed over the peplos or chiton underneath the garment, which has a soft band around the midsection of the body called a strophion.

Men also wore chitons, which were knee-length or shorter than the ones worn by women. Some of the men wore petasos, which are broad-brimmed hats, while others did not.

nevertheless, the entire city was surrounded by large castle doors or gates made of metal strips arranged in a grid, two enormous sculptures of angels on each side, and white brick and wall barriers. As you enter, you will see large trees lining up in the middle with streams in the center, each side has a medieval house with a wooden frame, walls made of plaited branches covered in clay, and a straw thatched roof. It was also covered by a holy presence and a holy barriers for the safety of the civilians.

the ten enormous trees lead you to a large wooden door with intricate patterns on it, towers on either side, and as you enter, a wide bridge resembling that of London. At the end of the bridge, you will find another medieval city with numerous mortals selling items like weapons, clothing, fabric, etc., as well as churches, pubs, hotels, and other establishments.

A large white castle with two cloud-covered lands on either side and a statue of a seraphim holding a vase in the centre of the castle, which connects to the river and lakes, can be seen at the city's far end. As you walk into the castle, you'll notice a massive and brilliant wisteria tree in the middle, surrounded by a large number of kids, teenagers, and adults wearing white robes with gold capes worn over the shoulders and white berets. Some of the kids were running, while others were singing, talking, or reading some books.

You will find an exquisite window ledge covered in vines with white and red roses on it at the highest point of the castle, where you can see the entire kingdom. As you enter, you will find eight young children who stand out from other mortals due to their beautiful faces and innocent demeanor, each of whom is dressed in a long flowing robe with loose sleeves and a belt at the waist. they were playing together, except the first prince who was just in the corner holding a books, observing his brothers with a hint of an affection on his face.

they are the real archangels, the eight princes of empyrean kingdom.

"kiel, don't do that~ the castle that brother uriel mold using his earth magic will collapse!"

"err.. aren't the water is a soil's nutrition..?"

"you're right but you put too much water on it!"

"If it collapse, let's just fix it again, brothers shouldn't fight!"

"a-all right.. brother khail!"

suddenly, Zepphyr Fuentavilla, the prince of authority with the status of principality, sat down next to the first prince. He has white curly hair and ocean blue eyes..

seeing his contented smile, zepphyr couldn't help but to ask him.

Zepphyr looked at the first prince and then asked, "Why don't you play with them?" His simple smile gave the impression that you had been blessed by the deity.

"Watching and hearing them laugh together is already enough, for me. Besides, I still have to read these books that you provided to me, maestro." His silver long hair flutters by the wind and his scarlet red eyes that were filled with respect look towards the person beside him. Even the tone of his voice was as gentle as the calm ocean that contains elegance and reverence, as well as his smile that can ease someone's heart.

this is none other than the first prince of empyrean kingdom, Lucifer Léger.

Zepphyr continued to look at him for five minutes before speaking with a smile and asking him some questions to put him to the test.

"But you know that these tranquil days are just temporary, right? What will you going to do if another battle between demons and angels ignites and your siblings are forced to participate in it?" when Zepphyr noticed that the first prince's smile had disappeared, he shook his head.

"I'm sorry about that." he apologized, but then, the first prince give him another grin and replied on him.

"We can't yet describe our current period as peaceful because war is still present in our surroundings and therefore cannot be avoided, Maestro."

zepphyr laugh at him and smile meaningfully, "why is that?"

but the first prince just stood up, picked up the flute from beside him, and began to make his way to the balcony. All of his brothers stopped playing when they saw him carrying a flute and turned to look at him. The first prince, in the meantime, gives Zepphyr a hopeful gaze and an elegant grin, which are sufficient for him to comprehend what he is trying to say.

"Although peace is not yet in our hands, if we keep seeking it and believe in God that we can change the world, then wouldn't the "peace" and "freedom" we've been longing for ever since, be just within in our grasps? Because, we could only call the world as "peaceful" if we unite together or if there are no wars happening, but only harmony and cohesion between the two sides!"

When his brothers heard what he had to say, they couldn't help but smile as well, especially Zadkiel and Michael, who were admiringly looking at his brother. As a result, they rushed over to him and gave him a bear embrace, which caused the first prince to gasp.

"A harmony.."

".. and freedom!"

"those words are beautiful, brother!" they said in unison, so the first prince couldn't help but flush a little and hug them as well. The others followed suit and joined in, with the exception of Zepphyr, who was satisfied to remain in the corner and observe them.

"It's beautiful.. indeed."

then the eight princes nodded when the first prince put his flute on his lips and began to play a well-known music. In addition, the mortals of the Empyrean kingdom also recognized the tune, which caused them to stop what they were doing and look at the enormous white palace in front of them.

soon, Michael and Zadkiel were the first to start singing the song their brother was playing, then everyone else. The wind swept off the eight archangels' silver hair and robes, the others joined them as they began to sing the song their brother was playing as the wind blew off their silver hair and robes, the eight archangels began to sing together. other people inside the palace started to join in, the melody of their voices reverberated throughout the entire palace, makes them feel the holy presence of the eight princes.

Our god is an awesome god..

He reigns from heaven above..

With wisdom, power and love..

our god is an awesome god.."

*End of flashback..*

...

'our god is an awesome god..'

"And now, May I call all the the candidates who will run as the treasurer of supreme student council to go Infront and give your speech." Another round of applause resonated throughout the gymnasium, causing Zepphyr to go back in his senses. Suddenly, Jotaro stood up from his seat and walked across to the stage, giving him a start.

"Eh? Eh? he's running as the treasurer?" keir asked in unbelievable way. jotaro just fixed his masquerade mask and sneer on him before he left, so keir just pouted.

"how rude, I can kick him in treasurer's seat anytime if I wanted to." he commented like a child, but, damion, who was still sitting beside alexandra, while swirling his wine glass just chuckled and shook his head after hearing his words.

"sad to say, he's part of my faction."

on the other hand, elyze stop drinking as soon as he heard damion's words, jotaro is part of his faction? since when? that's what she thought.

"he is..?" devian reacted, so damion diverted his gaze to him as he narrowed his eyes. "is there something wrong about that? his grades was not bad unlike the other guy I know whose quizzes and test papers were always 60 out 100, ah, now that you mention it, isn't that too suspicious? how come, your little brother, is way smarter than you? don't you feel ashamed?" damion snickered so devian's lips couldn't help but to twitched in annoyance.

"oh please pardon me, but did I come off as so blatantly clear that you could even guess that I was deliberately giving wrong answers on my test papers? well I mean~ If I were to answer it right, students might turn their back against you." but of course, devian didn't yield in and tease damion as well, meanwhile, he almost broke the glass he was holding but good thing he manage to calm down and give him a force smile.

"You son of bitch.."damion added in nice and gentle way to him with a hint threat on it.

...

"..that's all, thank you so much." by the time jotaro finished speaking, he give the microphone to the emcee and went down in the stage, they started to applauded once again so damion couldn't help but to smile in satisfaction. but at the same time, he couldn't help but to feel anxious for some reason, so he keep looking to his surrounding every five minutes and observing it.

there's nothing suspicious, so what is this uneasy feeling?

on the other hand, by the time jotaro finished speaking, elyze, look at her smartwatch secretly, it's already 6:45 in the evening, 15 minutes before the show she prepared will begun, so she couldn't help but to glance at the person beside him, which was devian, and smile.

"too bad, they won't hear you speaking. but at least, they will have a chance to watch some show especially prepared by me." he whispered to him, so devian also grin at her and approach elyze ears to murmured something to her as she felt a tickling sensation coming from devian's breathe.

"I'm looking forward to it, my lady." elyze eyes widened and was about to push him when he already step back and started to walk towards the stage as if nothing happened.

damion manage to saw this, so he narrowed his eyes to elyze who's still leisurely sitting on her seat, as though he have no idea what will happen later, which make damion found her more suspicious.

".. let's watch for now."

"and now for the secretary candidate, May I call Ms. Caitlyn Chambers to give her speech Infront!"

guests and VIP guests and started to applauded her, for she's one of the promising students they wanted to get sponsored of, but they didn't know, while they were busy admiring her, at the security room, you will see edwin leisurely sitting in the swivel chair while there are dozens of security guards sleeping on the ground as he crossed his legs while holding some wine, looking to the ten holographic panels Infront of him where caitlyn's scandal can be seen, and the video that elyze took from her.

"I kinda feel bad doing this but.. who am I to defy that lady's order? but still.. elyze wouldn't mind if I spice things up a little.. right?" he turn back his swivel chair while swirling the wine glass he was holding and there he saw a man with pink eyes leaning against the walls and watching him.

"Rheyne..?hmm..?" he give him a meaningful smile, but rheyne just sigh.

"Just do what you want. as long as it won't affect the plan."

"But even so.. It still bothers me, why are you helping her anyway? you just met her for quite awhile." edwin couldn't help but to fell into confusion, but as he expected, rheyne didn't tell anything.

"Sigh. we told you many times that she were paying us, so we're helping her."

edwin narrowed his eyes, "But it is unusual for the renowned twins like you, who's infamous for being neutral, to help a newcomer like elyze who haven't even prove anything, Isn't that right?"

rheyne didn't speak up first, but after a few minutes, he just scratch his head and replied, "If you want to know the answers, then just keep watching."

with that, he went outside of the security room, edwin frowned but not long after, he shrugged his shoulder and look at panels Infront of him once again before smirking.

".. you probably thinking that you're the most beautiful woman in the world just because you do some small 'touch up' in your face but you're wrong, caitlyn." he sip some wine on his glass and press something beneath the table, it then formed a three-dimensional keyboard before he press the 'enter' button as all the pictures as well as the videos started to load, one percent.. ten percent.. twenty percent.. a few minutes later, the bar was already completed, finally, he heard a robotic voice echoed the whole security room.

"sending the files..10%.. 20%.. 30%...50%.. 64%.."

edwin then stand up on the swivel chair, and place both of his hands on the table, still wearing his sneering face.

..85%.. 90%..97%..100%, the files has been sent!"

hearing those words, he felt relieve as he took out his USB and was about to leave when he saw one of the guards woke up, and when he glance at edwin, he was supposed to take out his gun, however, edwin suddenly throw some dagger straight to his throat causes him to lose his life in an instant, he then left in security room as if nothing happened.

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