Chapter 75: Secret Societies

“I must say… You both demonstrated some rather exemplary swordplay just now. I found myself thoroughly captivated the longer I watched.”

The young man’s voice was smooth and deep, like a pool full of honey. His sweet words only helped to emphasize that fact.

“You and your…” His eyes lingered on Raizel for a moment, unsure of how to address the metal man.

“My brothe-”

“Just an attendant, Young master. Pay me no mind.” Raizel said quickly.

Solomon almost fell on his face from the shock.

Never before had he heard Raizel sound so humble. If he didn’t know any better, he would have believed this all to be one tremendous joke.

“…Capable and humble. You have yourself a good attendant, Young A’Kenai.”

Solomon was surprised when the young man handed him a black business card.

“My name is Archon. I represent a certain… club within our fine academy.”

Solomon and Raizel fought the urge to glance at each other.

“…I wasn’t aware that we were allowed to create clubs.”

“Truthfully, you aren’t. Not until your third year, anyway. That’s when the Academy stops forcing you into a mindset of competition and emphasizes more… camaraderie.” Archon said the word as if it were an inside joke.

Solomon took the card. Once his fingers touched the paper, glowing writing became etched onto the formerly blank surface.

“… The Society of Fergal?” He read aloud.

“Indeed. My compatriots and I liken ourselves to the Orc Deity of ferocity in battle.”

Solomon didn’t know if he had ever heard a more out-of-this-world thing in his entire life.

Humans, especially nobles, despise orcs to their core.

The fact that a group of the school’s most talented would voluntarily name themselves after the patron deity of the entire race was definitely something to write home about.

“So is this… a recruitment invitation?”

Archon smiled venemously at his question.

“Try not to be so overzealous, my young friend. As I said, all will be explained in your third year. You can consider this… a bit of early notice.”

Archon placed his hand on Solomon’s shoulder.

“We’re watching you closely. And so far, we like what we see. Please, keep up the good work.”

Archon walked away with the same level of mystique that he entered with.

After watching him leave, Solomon and Raizel turned to each other with fat grins on their faces.

“”Secret societies.”” The duo fist-bumped.

“I can’t believe your plan actually worked.” Solomon did not hide his shock.

“What, you haven’t learned to stop doubting me yet? Oh, brother, shame on you.” Raizel did not bother to hide his smugness.

“Yes, yes..”

“More enthusiasm. Say I’m a genius. Go on. Just this once.”

Solomon rolled his eyes. “…You’re a genius.”

“Add handsome to the middle of it.”

“Alright, that’s enough, you bastard.” Solomon laughed.

“Call me a handsome genius just one time, and I’ll never bother you again!”

“If I thought you would stick to that promise, I’d do it in a heartbeat.”

Moving away, Solomon picks up Bansha from her perch atop Dakota’s head. “Thanks for watching her, little brother. I hope she didn’t give you too much trouble.”

Dakota looked stunned by the way Solomon referred to her, at least until she remembered her disguise.

“She was… fine. I believe I might like to watch her again.”

“Seriously?” Solomon blinked. “…Alright, then. If I ever need help babysitting, I’ll be sure to come and find you.”

Dakota’s face remained expressionless, but she stared up at Solomon unflinchingly.

’Dakota’s an odd little guy, isn’t he?’ Raizel thought.

’Yeah, well, who knows what his family life was like before he got here. You don’t exactly expect assassins to be well-adjusted individuals, do you? He’s well-meaning, that’s all that matters.’ Solomon shrugged.

As the duo left the gymnasium, Raizel unconsciously looked back at Dakota once again.

Unsurprisingly, the young man was watching the two of them depart with unblinking, inquisitive eyes.

’No… I’m just overthinking it.’

As the boys left, in the far corners of the gymnasium, two figures were also watching Solomon and Raizel rather closely.

“They are… certainly something, aren’t they, master?” Jiaoying tried to make her tone as even as possible, but failed.

“…Mhm.”

Jiaoying stared at her master for a long while.

The way he watched Solomon and Raizel, even after they left, was slightly out of character for him.

She started to ask him about it, but in the end, she figured that perhaps she was just moved like she was.

They were two of the same kind as Solomon and Raizel. Fanatics and zealots obsessed with the art of swordsmanship.

Watching the two brothers go at it was not only enlightening, but it was also refreshing.

It wasn’t often that one saw individuals at their level having such fun when crossing swords.

For over five hours, they were like two young boys without a care in the world. It was as baffling as it was charming.

The metal giant was clearly the superior swordsman of the two. Several times, Jiaoying had witnessed him pull back at the last moment and change his attacks into something easier for Solomon to handle.

However, Solomon wasn’t a slouch.

Even though Raizel should have overwhelmed him from the very beginning, he showed continuous, remarkable improvement.

He was certainly not the same swordsman at the end of the spar as he was at the end of it.

Jiaoying found herself smiling for some reason.

“…”

Jiaoying slapped herself spontaneously.

This action finally captured Master Abel’s attention, and he seemed appropriately concerned. “What the bloody hell is wrong with you..?”

“N-Nothing, master.”

–

Once settling into a rhythm, Volkova Academy was an easy enough place to get used to.

The initial days of fear and uncertainty give way to a feeling of growth and confidence.

Those who have consistently passed the exams up until that point begin to experience an immense feeling of accomplishment.

Students are like raw metal when they arrive. Gradually, they are forged into swords sharper than the average man could ever comprehend.

This feeling of confidence only builds with every exam that is passed, every enemy that is bested.

Rivalries begin to arise between the students, but even more than that, fiercer friendships begin to emerge as well.

They bond over their shared difficulties and harsh experiences, lifting each other up and reaffirming each other’s arrogant personalities.

This creates a strange social dynamic where not only are the students willing to kill each other, but they are also willing to die for each other.

Like that, nine months go by in the blink of an eye. Before anyone realizes it, there are only two exams left in the year…

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