An Unexpected Encounter

"I can't believe I won," I murmured, still doubting the result of the fight. I mean, it was my first fight against someone who had probably been training since a younger age. But still, I managed to win. I suppose I must have some kind of talent for fighting, right? I guess I can be a little proud of myself.

Right now, I was in the infirmary, with my body sore from the heavy blows I had received. I was thinking about what I should do next. Most likely, Lysandra would want to continue training with me, since she enjoys fighting. And since I am the only person close to her, this teacher-student relationship would probably continue. And well, I'd be happy to keep it up, as learning from the best is the most efficient way to get strong.

My gaze fell on the door as someone was about to enter. As the door slowly opened, I caught a glimpse of the person entering the room. It was a tall girl, with a commanding presence that filled the space.

Her skin was of an immaculate whiteness, almost ethereal, giving her an air of deceptive fragility. Her hair, as black as night, fell in a cascade of long, shiny locks, framing her face elegantly and enigmatically.

The most striking feature of her appearance was her eyes, of an intense ruby color. They were deep and enigmatic, capable of penetrating the soul of anyone who dared to meet her gaze. Her long, dark lashes enhanced the intensity of her eyes, giving them an aura of mystery and wisdom.

Her face was a masterpiece of nature, with perfectly sculpted features and an innate air of nobility. The sharp and penetrating eyes, capable of making you feel vulnerable with just a glance, added a touch of severity to her serene and captivating beauty.

She wore an outfit resembling that of a nun, in a dark and simple color that contrasted with her fair skin. The folds of her attire fell in pure, defined lines, accentuating her slender figure and elegant bearing.

She is Evelina Ravenscroft.

She looked at me for a few seconds but did not speak.

...Well, this is getting a bit awkward. Are you going to speak or just stare at me? I thought to myself.

"Cassian Nightshade, you had a good fight. Congratulations on your victory," she said with her cold, monotone voice.

"Well, thanks," I replied, not really knowing how to respond. It was very rare for her to come talk to me. No, it's more accurate to say it was very rare for her to talk to anyone unless it was for a specific reason.

"So, Cassian, what does it feel like to live in a body that doesn't belong to you?" she said, her ruby eyes gleaming slightly.

I froze for a moment when she said that. How could she know that I'm not the 'real' Cassian?

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, tilting my head.

"You know what I mean. Your body has two souls, something that should be impossible for a living being. Having two souls should make your body explode, unable to contain them. But not only have you not exploded, but these two souls seem to want to merge. Although, as I see it, it's still incomplete," she said, looking at me intensely. I didn't know she had abilities that allowed her to see people's souls. In the novel, her character didn't appear much, and she had always been described as a Mary Sue. In simple terms, this girl in front of me was born with hacks.

"How is it possible that you know that?" I asked, trying to stay calm. My mind was racing at a thousand miles per hour. If she knew about the two souls, what else could she know? What other information does she possess?

"My abilities allow me to see beyond what is visible to the naked eye," she replied, her voice as cold as ever. "I don't just see souls; I also see all their connections." Well, that's new information.

"What do you want from me?" Distrust filtered into my voice. I knew this girl was a walking hack, so what does she want from me?

"I want to help you," she said, surprising me with her response. "The merging of two souls is a rare and dangerous phenomenon. If not handled correctly, it could destroy you and those around you."

"Help me? Why would you want to help me?" I couldn't understand her motivation. In the novel, her character was distant and barely interacted with others.

"Because you have a potential that should not be wasted," she said, moving closer. "And because… I have my own reasons for making sure you don't get lost in the process."

"And what are those reasons?" I asked, my curiosity growing.

"I can't reveal everything now," she said, looking away for a moment before returning her ruby eyes to mine. "But what I can tell you is that your presence in this world is destined to change many things. For better or worse, that depends on you."

"How can I trust you?" I questioned, still doubtful of her intentions.

"You don't have to trust me completely," she admitted, taking a step back. "But you should consider what I've said. If you really want to control your destiny and protect those you care about, you'll need my help." Well, for now, I don't have anyone to protect.

I took a deep breath, evaluating her words. There was truth in her eyes, a sincerity I couldn't ignore. But there were also secrets, and I didn't know if I was ready to uncover them all, and above all, I need all the help I can get for the future.

"Alright," I said finally. "I'll accept your help. But if I find out you're deceiving me, there will be no mercy." To be honest, I don't know why I said that. She could kill me right now with a single move.

She raised her eyebrows slightly, a nearly imperceptible gesture. "That's all I ask. We'll work together and you'll see that you won't regret it."

As she turned to leave, she left me with one last warning. "And remember, Cassian. You are not alone in this fight. Others are also watching, waiting for your next move. Don't make a mistake."

I watched her leave the room, leaving behind a sense of uncertainty and a new sense of purpose. I had much to learn and even more to discover. But with her help, maybe, just maybe, I could face what was coming.

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After resting in the infirmary, I left and headed to my room. I wanted to take a shower, eat something, and go back to sleep. I was exhausted.

As I walked through the halls, I couldn't help but notice the glances and murmurs of the students. I'm not dumb enough not to realize they were talking about me. Of course, the earlier spectacle was something very unexpected for everyone.

"Look, there goes the guy who beat Draven!"

"Did he use an artifact to win?"

"How do you think he used an artifact if it was just pure martial arts?"

"He's not only strong, but he was also number one in the theoretical exam."

"Does he have a girlfriend?" I wish, girl, I wish.

As they continued talking about me, I kept walking, ignoring the commotion. Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Hey, Cassian," it was Lysandra. I hadn't noticed her at all.

"Hi, Lysandra."

"Well done winning the fight. Although you made some mistakes in your footwork, you did well." Wow, it's rare for Lysandra to praise me.

"Thanks. I guess it's because I have a good teacher," I said, smiling.

"Hahaha, that's obvious. Even a spaghetti like you could fight if I'm the one training you," apparently, I inflated her ego.

"By the way, Lysandra, will you continue teaching me now that our bet is over?" I asked.

Lysandra looked at me before smiling. "Obviously. Do you think that just because you beat that weakling, you're already strong? You still have a long way to go before you can give me a good fight." Well, I can't deny that fact.

"Then I'll be in your care from now on."

"Alright, tomorrow at the usual time. Don't be late and get ready because I'll be increasing the difficulty." I hope I can survive being with her, but well, as I suspected, getting strong is not going to be easy.

I said goodbye to Lysandra and continued on my way, just as I was about to turn the corner of the hallway. Suddenly, I accidentally bumped into someone else's shoulder.

"Oops!"

"I'm really sorry," I apologized immediately. The bump had been my fault.

"No, it's fine. I should have been more careful," responded a voice that sent a shiver down my spine. Looking up, I found the darkest eyes I had ever seen. That's when I recognized him.

"Well, if you'll excuse me," he said in a frosty tone, before continuing on his way.

I stood there, paralyzed, as I watched him walk away. My heart was pounding in my throat. What the hell is this guy doing here? He should be at least a couple of months away from making his appearance.

Lucius Drake, the first villain in the novel and one of the cruelest, had arrived earlier than expected.

What the hell is going on here?