Chapter 3: Serpents' Pact

Orientation ends, and I exit the giant hall with Kaiser in tow. We were supposed to get an email with our room assignments. I check my email on my phone, and it appears I am in the 300 dorm building. I was assigned room 305; classes would start tomorrow with our schedules also posted in the same email. I decide to play it casual with Kaiser, "So what room did you get? Maybe we'll be close by." Kaiser smiles, "305. I hope we're at least close by; I wouldn't want my first friend here to leave so soon." I swallow my spit, realizing we're assigned the same room. Guess I really would have to double down my efforts to rein in this dog. I smile, "What a lucky coincidence, and we already get along so well too."We make our way to the 300 dorm building, a towering structure that matches the grandeur of the rest of the campus. Inside, the hallways are wide and well-lit, with signs directing us to our rooms. Students are talking among themselves outside the 300 building, or are they arguing? I can't tell. A woman stands tall; her black hair tied into a long ponytail. She wears wooden shoes and has a regal aura about her. Her school uniform is nowhere to be found, but she is my age so she must be a student. Her red eyes dance in the mid-afternoon sun, her pink kimono, and black fan in her hands remind me of ancient royalty. She wears a smug grin as she mocks a gruff-looking man who looks ready to lash out in rage.The woman who stands over six feet mocks the black-haired rat-faced man, "Your threats are as ugly as your face. Please get out of my sight before I hurl." The rat-faced man's face reddens in response, "Maybe you didn't hear me? I said this area is reserved for the sophomores. If you don't move, I will have to show you who is in charge here, upstart." The tall woman laughs mockingly, "Surely you jest? The only thing you should be in charge of is cleaning up after me, you peasant." The rat man doesn't back down, "You don't understand how things are run here; this isn't your little castle, princess."Before the argument can escalate further, I decide to step in. "Hey, what's going on here?" I ask, trying to sound as neutral as possible. Both the tall woman and the rat-faced man turn to look at me. The man glares, while the woman smirks. "Just putting a peasant in his place," she says, her voice dripping with sarcasm. The man growls. "Stay out of this, kid. This doesn't concern you." I step forward, "It does concern me. This is my dorm first of all. Second of all, I am not a kid. I am Ain Griffin; did your family not teach you proper manners?"I feel the rat man's rage coming off him; he is about ready to explode. I form a plan in my mind and nod at Kaiser. We have only known each other a few hours, but I feel like he understands my intent at least. I dial the man's rage up for me to the max; I want him to strike me first. The rat man's face flushes over, "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME!" I stand perfectly still as he flies towards me; his fists rage out. He likely doesn't know what he is doing anymore. I don't even flinch as I feel his fist almost reach my face. Kaiser stops the punch before it reaches me. He laughs, "Good plan, Ain." He breaks the rat man's arm with one snap; it seems effortless.The rat-faced man screams in pain, falling to his knees, clutching his broken arm. The surrounding students gasp and murmur; their eyes wide with shock and fear. The tall woman in the kimono watches with a raised eyebrow, clearly impressed but still maintaining her smug demeanor. "Looks like you should have listened," Kaiser says coldly, dropping the man's now-useless arm. "You might want to remember that next time you try to throw your weight around. Now scram before I lose my patience." The man clutches his arms like a rat; he runs away with his tail between his legs. I made sure he took the first swing so that we wouldn't be held responsible for him running to a teacher or something. I look at Kaiser; he smiles at me cheerfully. I smile back; this boy might be better than a stray mutt after all.The woman seems a little stunned but quickly regains her regal aura. "Impressive display of control," she says, her voice smooth and composed. "I suppose I should thank you for handling that buffoon. My name is Reika Tsukino. I take it you two are freshmen just like me?" I nod, "That's right, Ain Griffin, and Kaiser at your service." "Charmed," Reika says with a slight bow. "It's not often I see such decisive action. Most people I have met here prefer to talk big and act small.""Well, I guess we prefer to let our actions speak for us," Kaiser chimes in with a grin.Reika's eyes gleam with interest. "I can see that. Perhaps our paths will cross again. Until then, best of luck in your endeavors." She gives a final, graceful nod before turning and walking away, her kimono swaying elegantly with each step. With that scene behind us, we make our way to our room. We navigate the wide, well-lit hallways, following the signs to our room. When we finally reach room 305, we find a spacious, well-furnished room with two twin beds, two desks, and a shared closet. Large windows offer a view of the courtyard below.Kaiser immediately claims the bed by the window. "I always like to have a good view," he says with a grin. I nod, taking the bed closer to the door. It might come in handy if I need a quick exit.We begin unpacking our things in comfortable silence. As I hang up my clothes and arrange my books, I can't help but reflect on the day's events. This school is going to be a challenge, but at least I've already made a few connections. I just hope I can navigate the complexities of this place without getting caught up in any more conflicts. "So, what do you think of this place so far?" I ask Kaiser, leaning back on my bed. Kaiser looks thoughtful for a moment. "It's impressive, that's for sure. The people, the atmosphere... It feels like a different world compared to what I'm used to." "Yeah," I agree, "it's definitely a step up from what I'm used to. But it's also a bit intimidating. So many powerful students in one place."Kaiser nods. "True. But I think that's what makes it exciting. The challenge, the competition... It's a chance to prove ourselves."I smile. "You're right. It is exciting. But I'm curious, what do you want out of this? What's your endgame here, Kaiser?"He leans back, looking out the window, his usual grin fading into a serious expression. "Absolute power. I want to be the strongest, the one who stands above all others. I believe in dominance, Ain. To control, to lead, to never be questioned." I raise an eyebrow. "Dominance, huh? That's a big goal." Kaiser looks back at me. "Yeah, and you? What's your approach?" I act dumb, "Approach to what?" Kaiser raises an eyebrow, "Don't act like you don't know what I mean you want the title right? Sovereign?" I ask, "What makes you think I want that?" Kaiser gives a dark grin, "I can see it in your eyes that greed that thirst for power we aren't so different you and I. So let me repeat my question how do you intend to take that title from me Ain?"I smirk, leaning back on my bed. "If I were aiming for Sovereign, I'd do it smart. Influence people, make them think they're in control while I'm pulling the strings. It's about playing the long game. Power isn't just about brute strength; it's about knowing how to use it without anyone realizing you're the one holding the cards."Kaiser's grin widens, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. "So, you'd manipulate your way to the top? Interesting. You play a different game, but the goal is the same." "Exactly," I say. "And maybe, just maybe, our paths will cross in more ways than one. I have an offer for you." Kaiser seems to focus on me, his eyes unreadable, "Oh? What's your offer?" I explain, "The title is a ways away from either of us right now. Let's say we get a leap over the competition by teaming up for now, okay?" Kaiser grins, "I knew it for the moment I laid eyes on you. You see people in a different light, don't you? It's all about how useful someone is to you. I could beat your head in for trying to use me like that, you know." I feel a sense of danger; his anger seems to be creeping up a little. I decide to take a risk and answer him honestly. I shrug, "Call it mutual benefit." His anger seems to subside a bit at that, and in its place, I see excitement. He laughs a little, "Mutual benefit, huh? Sweet words for a snake. You just say what I want to hear. Fine, Ain. We'll team up. But remember, if you ever cross me, I'll show you what the pavement feels like." I nod, feeling a strange mix of relief and exhilaration. "Deal."