Shadows and roommates

Chapter 17 – Shadows and Roommates

When the Dean began to move his lips, all of them braced for the worst. Their hearts sank—until they heard his words:

"Although I don't want to admit trash like you into my Academy, I have to. You're still the best of your generation, and our Academy needs at least twelve students. Besides, the political pressure would be immense if I failed you."

As the Dean stopped speaking, relief washed over them—but it was laced with frustration. The bitter taste of weakness still stung. They had survived, but barely. Each of them silently vowed to train harder, their resolve hardening like steel.

As thoughts swirled in their minds, the Dean spoke again.

"Now then, all of you follow me. I'll show you the Academy. This is the Imperial Academy—the greatest institution in the empire. This is where the rulers of tomorrow are forged. Here, nobility and royal status mean nothing. Even the Crown Prince will receive the same treatment as everyone else. You're free to explore the Academy, but I suggest getting your dorm room tokens first. You'll be assigned in pairs. Those who passed earlier have already claimed their rooms. Now go."

With that, the Dean took off into the sky, his thoughts still heavy: I must report this to the Emperor… though I doubt it will change anything. If it mattered, the Evernight brat wouldn't have mocked me. Let's see how these kids deal with the Evernights...

As the new students received their dorm tokens and scattered across the Academy grounds, Valen found his room—only to be greeted by chaos. Furniture was overturned, a mattress ripped open, and in the middle of it all stood Siegfried, flexing and rampaging like a storm.

"What are you doing, you barbarian!?" Valen yelled, his voice echoing down the hall.

Siegfried turned to him, eyes gleaming with excitement. "You're worthy to be my roommate. You're strong."

Grabbing his dragon-forged spear, he grinned. "Fight me, Veridian!"

Valen's eyes twitched. Is this really Earth, or did I die and wake up in hell? He immediately turned to run.

Before the chase could escalate, a chilling breeze swept into the room, followed by an eerie silence. A shadow loomed at the door. Both boys froze. From the darkness stepped a figure—slim, silent, and cloaked. An Evernight assassin.

"What are you doing here!?" Siegfried roared.

Valen's body tensed. The assassin didn't speak—it attacked.

The fight exploded into motion. The assassin's daggers danced like black lightning, aiming for their vital points. Valen parried swiftly with his sword, barely blocking a slash to his neck. Siegfried charged in recklessly, using brute force to break the assassin's rhythm.

Valen spun low, cutting at the assassin's legs, while Siegfried roared and smashed down with his spear. The assassin flipped back, throwing poison needles. Valen deflected two; one grazed his arm. Siegfried took the rest head-on, unfazed.

"YOU CALL THAT POISON?! I DRINK WORSE FOR FUN!" he shouted.

Combining their attacks, Valen went high, Siegfried went low. The assassin faltered—just for a second. But that was enough. With one final slash and a strike, they knocked the assassin down. As they stepped forward to unmask him, a smoke bomb detonated.

Cough!

When the smoke cleared, the assassin was gone.

Siegfried flexed, striking a pose. "The Evernights must be scared of my strength. They sent an assassin to test me!"

Valen rolled his eyes. "You're the kind of idiot who jumps into the ocean just to check if it's deep. And didn't the Dean knock you out with one punch?"

Siegfried nodded proudly. "Don't worry, my friend. I've become stronger since then. I'll protect you if anything happens."

Valen groaned. Is this guy for real? He tried to beat me up the moment we met...

—

Meanwhile, the scene shifted to another dorm.

Marcus Alderwood stared blankly at his roommate. "They really had to pair me up with you."

The boy lounging on the bed smirked. "Isn't it cool to have the Crown Prince by your side?"

End of Chapter 17