Chapter 10

"Perseverance is not a long race, but many short races one after another."

As erick glanced out of his window the sky has dimmed a bit with a hint of metallic smell in the air he assumed the rain might fall today. As he glanced at the now familiar sight that is the royal college, bustling with the movement of students from one end of the campus to the other. As he started to think how has he not meshed in with this society, he felt a shadow pain that has healed overnight from a previous skirmish with the nobility and the business majors.

"Hhhmmm I don't belong here this isn't home." He thought to himself.

"Ok let's see the biology, chem and most of my physics assignments are finished and my mechanical engineering classes are done. I just need to work on my linguistics and programming, but she hates me though." He mused to himself.

Getting dressed and ready, he grabbed his bag and hopped on his bike. As he started pedaling, he couldn't help but notice the mixed feelings from those who saw him pass by. Some acknowledged him for his sharp mind, others for his fighting spirit, and some for his brutal nature. They thought of his sister, who was happy, cheerful, brilliant, and yet a merciful warrior—unlike Erick, who was known for breaking lots of bones. Until this day, nobody could find anything about their background except that anyone who brought them up would nearly get killed, as poor Karl had learned the hard way.

As he went around handing in his assignments to all of his teachers in the faculty building, he approached his linguistics teacher lady Karla Margain born of The Margain blood one of 14 ancient houses stared at him for a long time. Every chance she had to press him he comes up with a logical answer, explanation or argument, whether in class or in her office. She has never been infuriated in her entire existence until he showed up at the school.

"Professor…. My lady Karla please except my apologies for this whole 8 months I know I'm difficult but before I hand in my assignment I brought a list of questions, hoping to be enlightened professor." Said Erick knowing that etiquette and good manners usually work on her. As she was caught off guard, she had no idea that he could be a civilized person.

With some embarrassment in her face," I see this question are really good, so you actually comprehended everything to this degree?" She asked surprised. To her knowledge only a handful of students could manage this level of intellect. An original could actually come this far it scared her a bit, even though she had her biases stemming from her bloodline.

As she answered his questions he felt assured and he started to finish his assignment right before her eyes which were opened wider than the moon. Karla had always thought of herself as an enlightened person but she felt a feeling that was new to her shame. Shame of how low she had become by discriminating against someone like him, as she judged him for his blood instead of his mind.

I'm sorry was all he heard before he closed the doors of her office. He was surprised at the last words of the professor it reminded him of what his mother used to say "being conceited will always bite you in the ass, know when to be humble." So he decided to not let his success get to his head and he left for the training ground.

As he passed through the main avenue and turn to north heading towards the grounds he heard a melody something he never heard before a voice so angelic he lost control and crashed into a light pole. With his head ringing he heard it again the music notes and the voice that never missed a beat.

He rushed up to the second floor and barge in the door like a raging rhino, he found a studio full of musical instruments, chairs and to the right side nearest to the glassy windows he saw a sight that took his breath away. A girl sitting playing a cello with her black and white hair flowed from her left side like a waterfall during a summer solstice, a face that looked like it was curved from the clearest marble, with eyes that had a clear hazel and red monochromatic colour that drew in the light and made them brighter.

He didn't know what possessed him that moment maybe it was the concussion or something else, but like an idiot he strode ahead and crouched right in front of her. Startled Gracey was shocked and confused and all she heard was a strange boy saying," you're beautiful, more beautiful than a dream."

Wave of embarrassment hit them both and unlike Erick Gracey screamed and backed away quickly.

"Wha…who…who are you,what are you doing here?"

The realization of the moment hit Erick like a train, he realized that he came off as some kind of creep. He stood up and straightened his clothes, hair took a bow like a gentleman,

"I'm very sorry if I caused you any distress my lady. I was passing by with my bike and crashed after I heard your voice, I was caught off guard so that's why I came up here and double the surprise you took my breath away after I saw you. My mind short circuited for a moment and hence this awkward situation.

Gracey, still slightly shaken, looked at Erick with a mix of curiosity and wariness. "Well, you certainly know how to make an entrance," she said, her voice tinged with both amusement and caution.

Erick scratched the back of his head, feeling the weight of his embarrassment. "Yeah, not my finest moment. I'm Erick, by the way."

She nodded, her eyes softening a bit. "Gracey. So, what brings you to this part of the campus? Besides crashing your bike and barging into music rooms, I mean."

Erick chuckled, appreciating her attempt to lighten the mood. "I was actually heading to the training ground. I have some combat training to do, but your music... it just drew me in. I've never heard anything like it."

Gracey smiled, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Thank you. Music is my passion. It helps me cope with... well, everything."

Erick nodded, understanding the sentiment. "I get it. Everyone needs something to keep them grounded. For me, it's the training and my studies. Keeps my mind busy."

She glanced at him, her curiosity growing. "I've heard about you, you know. The guy who stands up to the nobles and their kind and isn't afraid to speak his mind. It's impressive, cocky, but also dangerous."

Erick shrugged, his expression hardening slightly. "I don't go looking for trouble, but I won't let them walk all over me either. They need to learn that respect goes both ways."

Gracey admired his resolve, though she couldn't help but worry for him. "Just be careful, okay? Not everyone plays fair, and some of them can be ruthless."

He nodded, appreciating her concern. "I will. And if you ever need anything, just let me know. I've got your back."

She smiled, feeling a strange sense of comfort from his words. "Thanks, Erick. I might just take you up on that."

As the awkwardness of their initial encounter faded, Erick and Gracey found themselves chatting about various topics, from music to studies to the intricacies of navigating life at the Royal College. For a brief moment, both felt a sense of intimacy a spark , a connection that transcended the barriers of status and expectations societal norms.

Eventually, Erick glanced at his watch, realizing he was running late for his training session. "Shit.shit.shit. I'm dead, she's going to kill me."

"Who?" Said Gracey worried all of a sudden.

"Professor Angle." Said Erick while standing up and getting ready to run out of the window to the street.

He glanced back and looked directly into her eyes,"I had a great time Gracey, I would like to, no no I'll be here tomorrow I wish to see you again and get to know each other better. Same time tomorrow if you're not here I'll understand." He said jumping two story building landing safely on the street. He took one glance at the building hoping she would show up tomorrow.