chapter 34: The first night and the Bloodstained Academy

Chapter 34 :The First Night & The Bloodstained Academy

The first night at Hamilton Royal Academy was anything but peaceful. The dorms were silent, yet somewhere in the distance, a scream cut through the air. It was quick, barely lasting a second, but the sharpness of it sent a chill down Rin's spine.

Ray sat up in his bed, his gaze sharp. "Did you hear that?"

Selena was already awake, resting against the window. She didn't turn to them as she spoke. "Someone screamed… but nobody else seems to care."

That was what disturbed Rin the most. The Hollow Dorm, where fallen noble houses like the Ryukai were forced to stay, had dozens of students. Yet not a single person reacted. The air felt wrong, as if they had all heard it… and chosen to ignore it.

Ezra sighed from her seat near the door, arms crossed. "Don't do anything reckless. This isn't the kind of place where you go running toward a scream."

But ignoring things had never been Rin's style. He exchanged glances with Ray before standing.

"I'll be back," he muttered.

He and Ray slipped out into the dark halls. The dorms were eerily quiet, only dim blue lanterns lighting their way. Rin glanced into some of the rooms they passed. Beds were empty.

Some students are missing.

As they crept through the corridors, they spotted strange shadows moving across the academy grounds. They weren't normal students. Their movements were too precise, too methodical. They were carrying something—or someone.

Rin clenched his fists.

What the hell is going on in this academy?

Mom

Their pursuit led them to the West Wing, a section of the academy students avoided. The building was massive, its tall windows reflecting only the moonlight.

This place… smells like blood, Rin thought.

The moment they stepped inside, they saw it. Slash marks lined the walls, and the floors were stained with dried blood that never fully faded.

Ray frowned. "This place was a battlefield once."

Rin nodded. It wasn't just a rumor. The War of the Nobles had left its mark on this academy, and some wounds never healed.

Then, they saw it.

A student, bound and gagged, being dragged away by masked figures wearing academy uniforms.

Rin and Ray followed, their steps silent. The figures moved toward a large mirror-covered wall, but the moment they reached it… they vanished into thin air.

Ray narrowed his eyes. "A hidden passage?"

Before they could get closer, a voice interrupted them.

"Curiosity is a dangerous thing."

They turned to see Edmund Crowley and his followers, standing at the corridor's entrance.

Edmund smirked. "Servants like you should know their place."

Rin smirked back. "If I worried about every rich brat who threatened me, I'd never sleep."

Tension filled the air. They were seconds away from a fight when the academy bells tolled, signaling curfew.

Edmund clicked his tongue. "You won't last long here, Ryukai." He turned and left, his followers sneering as they went.

Rin glanced back at the mirror wall. Whatever was happening here… it was bigger than he thought.

Scene 3: Morning Assembly & The Noble Rankings

The next morning, the Grand Auditorium was filled with students. Gigantic chandeliers hung above, their golden light illuminating the portraits of past rulers and warriors that lined the walls.

The headmaster, an old man with piercing eyes, stood before them.

"Welcome to Hamilton. Here, power is everything."

He waved his hand, and glowing letters appeared in the air, listing the academy's ranking system.

Royal Class – The elite, untouchable by most.

Noble Class – High-tier families, influential and respected.

Knight Class – Skilled warriors and duelists.

Servant Class – The lowest rank, where fallen or disgraced families belonged.

Then, the final ranking appeared.

Squad 7 – Servant Class.

Rin chuckled. No surprise there.

The headmaster's voice rang out.

"Since you are Ryukai, a fallen noble house, you must earn your way up."

The only way to rise? Duels, political maneuvering, and secret missions.

From the Royal Class, Elsa Balotelli sat with a smirk, waving at Rin. "Have fun surviving, Bea."

Breakfast at Hamilton was not just a meal—it was a battlefield.

Students formed alliances, sabotaged each other's meals, and even poisoned their rivals.

Rin casually avoided a poisoned dish, confirming his suspicion. This place really is a death trap.

Ray, however, just ate everything without a care. "Not bad."

Selena and Charlotte watched him in horror.

Edmund Crowley approached their table, his smug expression never fading.

"Let's make things interesting," he said. "A duel. If we win, you leave Hollow Dorm and become our errand boys."

Selena crossed her arms. "And if we win?"

"You keep your pathetic excuse for a dorm."

Charlotte leaned toward Rin. "We can't afford to lose. If we do, we'll be seen as weak forever."

Rin smiled lazily. "Fine. I'll handle this."

The Arena of Blood was an underground colosseum beneath the academy, where students fought for power, survival, or sheer entertainment.

The crowd was already gathered when Rin stepped inside.

The rules?

The fight only ends when one combatant is unconscious or surrenders.

Killing is "discouraged"—but not forbidden.

Edmund wielded a thin-bladed saber, its edge glowing with silver a chemical that burns water

Rin? He was handed a dull practice sword.

Laughter erupted from the crowd.

"Are you serious?" Edmund scoffed.

The fight began, and Edmund immediately went for the kill.

His saber burned through the air, nearly slicing Rin's throat.

Rin dodged. But Edmund was fast.

Rin's dull sword began melting under Edmund's attacks.

The turning point came when Rin dodged a fatal thrust and countered with an improvised move—one he copied from Selena.

Edmund's expression twisted with frustration. "Stop dodging and fight properly!"

Then, Edmund unleashed his finishing move—a high-speed thrust aimed at Rin's heart.

Instead of dodging, Rin stepped forward, letting the blade barely pierce his shoulder.

Edmund's eyes widened. "What—"

Rin grabbed his wrist, locking him in place.

With his free hand, Rin delivered a brutal counterattack, knocking Edmund unconscious.

Squad 7 won.

The arena fell silent.

Then, whispers spread.

"He won with a dull blade?"

"That was reckless but effective…"

"Who is this Ryukai guy?"

Back at their dorm, Charlotte treated Rin's wound.

Ezra sat nearby. "You drew too much attention. Now, the real enemies will come for you."

A mysterious envelope was slipped under their door. Inside was a note:

"You were not supposed to survive. This was your only warning."

That night, Elsa met Rin in secret.

"This isn't just a school," she whispered. "It's a hunting ground."

Rin clenched the warning note in his hands.

This is just the beginning.