Academy

Lex looked at the woman and nodded his head before speaking. ''It's nice to meet you Elara and thanks for your help.''

She smiled and told him she had to go, Lex watched her run off down the street followed by the other Gearknights.

He turned on his heels and made his way home, his body was aching and he still felt pain where the monster stabbed and slashed him.

Lex was thankful that he was a vampire and not human, after walking for half an hour he made it home to see Gavriel standing outside.

The man turned to him and his eyes widened, he rushed up to Lex and started questioning him. ''What happened to you, boy? You've been fighting again?''

He was confused but then nodded his head as he explained what happened and how Tila's second-in-command helped him.

Gavriel looked at him with narrowed eyes before commenting. ''Just be careful Lex. You have your tests coming up soon and you want to pass don't you?''

Lex nodded and replied. ''Yeah, I will be. It's not like I'm looking for trouble, but it seems to find me.''

The two of them went into the house, Lex lay down on the sofa and soon fell asleep. A few hours later he woke up when he felt someone shaking him.

He opened his eyes and saw Lila looking down at him with narrowed eyes.

"Lex, we need to talk," She began, her eyes locked onto his.

She went on to tell him off for being so reckless and how some soldiers saw him fighting with the monsters.

Lila sat next to him and started to tell him he needs to be more careful even if he is a vampire.

She told him stories of how vampire Runners were killed while outside the wall. That's when he realized how dangerous the Hivefiends were.

After she stopped speaking Lex asked her a question. ''Did you know the things are called Hivefiends?''

When the two heard him say the monster's name they were shocked and confused and Gavriel quickly asked. ''How do you know their name? Only the nobles and army know such a thing.''

Lex went on to explain the spells he learned and how he used them, when he was done they looked at him with weird looks.

It annoyed him and he quickly spoke. ''Why are you looking at me like I'm a monster?''

Lila shook her head and smiled before explaining herself. ''Well Lex, it's not like you're a monster but it's extremely strange that you have so much mana and learned so many spells in a short period of time. It's unheard of.''

He nodded in agreement and continued conversing with them until Lila stood up to prepare dinner. Just as she was in the midst of cooking, the front door swung open with a loud slam.

The three of them turned their gaze toward the entrance to find a disheveled Tila scanning the room. Upon spotting Lex, she hurried over to him in a rush.

Her eyes scanned his clothes, spotting the torn fabric and holes, causing worry to flash across her face. However, he quickly reassured her that he was alright.

Tila released a sigh of relief, sinking into the seat next to him. She rested her head on his shoulder before speaking. ''I'm glad you're okay. I heard you fought a Dreadmaw, you're lucky your still alive Lex.''

He put his hand on hers and replied. ''It hurt but thanks to Elara I'm fine. That thing was persistent it chased me for a while.''

When she heard his casual reply she sat up and informed him about the creatures. ''The Dreadmaw are the Hivefiends commanders. They were leading the monsters on the ground while another commanded the flying ones.''

Lex got a curious look on his face. ''So they are a hivemind? Like ants and bees?''

Tila looked confused and questioned. ''What are those monsters?''

He shook his head and just told her they were from Earth, by the time he did this Lila and Gavriel approached and sat on the sofa opposite.

The two looked at Tila who was acting like a teenage girl and smiled, the group chatted until the sunset, and the two shooed Lex off to sleep because he has to attend the academy tomorrow.

When he got into bed Tila joined him and cuddled up to him, they shared a kiss before he fell asleep.

Lex stirred awake, his eyelids fluttering open as the morning sunlight streamed through the window.

He blinked a few times, his surroundings slowly coming into focus. As he sat up on the bed, stretching his arms above his head, his gaze inadvertently landed on Lila.

She was perched on the chair near the window, her eyes fixed on him. Her lips curled into a soft smile as their eyes met.

He looked around and looked for Tila before he heard Lila speak from close by.

"Morning, sleepyhead, she had to go to work earlier." she greeted him in a playful tone, her voice warm and inviting.

Lex's cheeks tinged with a faint blush, and he returned her smile. "Morning, Mother."

With a graceful movement, Lila pushed herself up from the chair and walked over to him. Her steps were quiet and elegant, her presence radiating a soothing energy that put him at ease.

As she reached his side, she tilted her head slightly, her eyes glinting with mischief. "You know, you look like you could use a wash before breakfast."

Lex chuckled, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand. "Yeah, I guess I must look a mess."

Lila's fingers brushed against his arm gently, and her smile softened. "Don't worry, it's part of the charm. But seriously, there's a bathroom right through that door. A quick wash will do wonders."

He nodded in agreement, realizing that he indeed felt a bit groggy. "Alright, I'll take your advice."

Lila's gaze held a mix of amusement and warmth as she stepped back. "Good. Freshen up, and I'll have breakfast ready by the time you're back."

With a grateful smile, Lex swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up. He made his way to the bathroom after grabbing some clothes, glancing back at Lila as he reached the doorway.

"Thanks, Lila," he said sincerely.

She winked at him playfully. "Anytime. And remember, it's not just for your sake. The rest of us would appreciate it too."

Lex chuckled and nodded, disappearing into the bathroom. As the door closed behind him, he couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort.

Her presence was like a gentle breeze that swept away his worries. With a splash of water on his face, Lex began to wash up, his thoughts drifting to the new day ahead.

He knew that thanks to Lila's encouragement, he'd be ready to face whatever challenges or adventures awaited him.

Lex jumped in the shower and washed himself, once he was done he cleaned himself and put on some fresh clothes and the cloak he bought.

With a refreshed feeling, he emerged from the bathroom. He found Lila in the kitchen, her attention focused on the stove as she skillfully prepared breakfast.

The aroma of cooked food filled the air, making his stomach rumble in anticipation. Lila turned her head, offering him a warm smile as he walked in. "Feeling better now?"

Lex grinned, his earlier fatigue replaced by newfound energy. "Much better."

As he took a seat at the table, he couldn't help but admire how Lila effortlessly moved around the kitchen.

The clinking of utensils and the sizzle of food filled the room, creating a soothing atmosphere.

Soon, she placed a plate of delicious-looking eggs, toast, and some fresh fruits in front of him. Lex's mouth watered at the sight, and he didn't waste any time digging in.

"Wow, this is amazing," he commented between bites.

Lila chuckled. "I'm glad you like it. It's a simple breakfast, but it does the trick."

As they enjoyed their meal together, they engaged in light conversation. Lila gave him the directions to the academy.

He noticed how effortlessly the conversation flowed between them as if they had known each other for much longer than they actually had.

Once they had finished eating, he leaned back in his chair, feeling content. "Thanks for breakfast. It was really good."

Lila's eyes sparkled with a playful glint. "You're welcome. Just remember to return the favor someday."

He grinned. "Deal."

With breakfast finished Lex stood up from the table, pushing his chair back. "Well, I should be heading to the academy."

She nodded understandingly. "Of course. Just follow the directions I gave you, and you'll get there without any trouble."

As Lex strolled down the bustling street, his eyes caught a glint of something extraordinary in the distance.

He quickened his pace, his curiosity piqued until the sight before him came into full view.

There it stood, a marvel of art and engineering, an academy that seemed to be plucked straight from the pages of a steampunk novel.

The grand structure was a symphony of gears, cogs, and brass, its façade adorned with intricate metalwork that glistened in the sunlight.

Towers with clockwork embellishments reached skyward, their mechanisms ticking and whirring harmoniously.

Steam billowed from vents that lined the rooftops, creating an atmosphere of controlled chaos and ingenuity.

[A/N - Leave some comments, power stones, and gifts. It all helps support the book. Artwork in the comments or discord]