A Harmless Bet

"Hmm, well thank you, everyone, for participating… truly, this will be a fun year, well if you didn't already know I'm Niko Rodriguez, The myth, the legend, and the man who conquered Zelda and became something from nothing," Niko said with a smile as he chuckled, "Now that's how you play a game of icebreaker."

"Professor you do know icebreaker isn't just a simple one-questionnaire answer, right? It's a multitude of questions asked one after another, that's used to create a sense of understanding between individuals who never met each other to build comradery." Ethan claimed with a matter-of-fact attitude.

"Oh, it is… wow, I never knew that, Ethan!?" Niko replied irked by Ethan's attitude as he sighed and continued, "Well, due to the time we've been allocated a real game of icebreaker would've taken too long. So, this was the best option now then everyone please rise and follow me as we make our way toward the Tower of Shadows."

He said as he glanced at his watch and walked out of the classroom with a group of rascals following behind him. Who had no home training as they huddled in groups and conversed amongst themselves?

Using this time wisely to start networking and developing allies for their time at Forbidden Blood?

"Hey, Kyrie I know we got off on the wrong foot, but how confident are you in becoming the next God of Magic & Alchemy?" Rin asked as he found Kyrie and pulled him to the back of the line.

"It is cool man; but I would say at 100~250 years, if I stop lollygagging, however, I am already better than most alchemists and magicians my age. So, to be honest, I could probably achieve it faster if I wasn't restricted by the Laws of the Lower Realms." Kyrie claimed as he shrugged his shoulders.

"Hmm, 100-250 years, huh? Well, then how about we make a bet on whether you could achieve such a feat in less than 250 years?" asked Rin with a sparkle in his eye.

"What type of bet?" Kyrie asked as he gazed at Rin.

"Well, considering you are so confident surely, if you fail you would not mind owing me a favor, right? Now if you succeed, I will help you with whatever your heart desires and give you a small present as the new God of Magic & Alchemy, do we have a deal?" Rin asked as he stopped and waited for Kyire to give him an answer. 

'Hmm, now while interesting, just what game are you playing at Rin? For while I may act arrogant and oblivious to most things, when it comes to getting something, I want few people can stop me. But then again even if I do lose it's only a favor, so fuck it let's tango, motherfucker!'

Kyrie thought before smiling, "I do not know what game you are playing at Rin, but you are most definitely bound to lose. However, let us spice things up a bit, if you lose you must become my blood brother and help me destroy Heaven's Palace, no questions asked."

He said confidently as if he could already see the finishing line as he looked Rin in his eyes.

"Now before I answer that, what grudge do you have against Heaven's Palace if I may ask? As most would not dare fathom the thought of touching those holistic self-righteous bastards," Rin wondered curiously as most sane people would not dare even mention the name of that place.

"None actually, I just feel a deep sense of rage and anguish whenever that place is brought up. So, whatever these feelings are they must be linked to something from either my past, or I just really hate anything that has to do with the Heavens."

"That's a first, but what if those feelings are another and you've inherited resentment from your caretakers or ancestors?" Rin questioned as now this was starting to get interesting, 'I guess it is true everyone has a story even if it may just be a few pages long.' 

"Oh, well even if I did I would still one day destroy them as they stole something significant from me. Or so my grandma claims whenever she tells me about our family's once glorious past." Kyrie stated with a heavy tone causing that once bright enthusiastic light he radiates unconsciously to dim a bit.

"Damn... well, then I guess only time will tell, but even if you did ask, I would still help you in your quest to eliminate an Ancient Orthodox. As I as well have some unfinished business with those egotistical bastards," Rin uttered before walking off and regrouping with the class, leaving Kyrie to his own devices as he thought over the bet he and Rin agreed upon.

A harmless bet that most would gleam over and view as some friendly competition between classmates. Yet the implications of these terms might be bigger than most could ever foresee.

"So, what was that about?" Ethan asked when he saw Rin depart from Kyrie and walk towards him.

"Nothing much, just getting a deeper understanding of a future ally and bother in arms, but I got to say he's an interesting guy."

"Hmm, so what did find out?"

"None of your business, Ethan, as I'd be breaking our agreement if I said anything. Plus, considering how you are you'll eventually find out, so allow me to have this for a while."

"Tsk, what a friend you are to strangers you just met, but I cannot lie he surely is not your typical Tom, Dick, and Harry," Ethan stated as he glanced at Kyrie from the corner of his eye, 'Especially considering he isn't originally from our world.'

"So, what are y'all talking about?" Maze asked as she yawned after noticing Rin and Ethan whispering to each other.

"None of your business, kid! Move on," Rin said as he motioned his cousin to leave.

"Dude, chill she's your cousin, plus we were only talking about that new kid, Kyrie. The one who claimed he will be the next God of Magic and Alchemy."

"Oh, what a coincidence, I guess everyone's curious about him," muttered Maze, "So what do y'all think about him."

"I'd say he's pretty baseline, except for the fact he's pretty ignorant and slightly crazy. However, it's his aura that makes him quite interesting." Ethan commented.

"And why is that as his aura looks quite normal to me," Maze asked doubtfully.

"Because... uh, forget it, just know he's hiding his true self, or at least that is what I presume he is doing since his energy takes on the characteristic of both light and dark. So, it's kind of hard to tell when he's being himself or the persona, he shows the world."

"So, you sensed it too, huh?" muttered Rin as he glanced at Kyrie and signed.

"Did you say something, Rin?" Maze asked as she could have sworn, she heard Rin speak.

"Nothing, but I think we finally arrived at our destination." He said as they stopped before a tower-like structure that spiraled into the clouds like a dragon coiling around a mountain protecting its treasure.