Blood Flare: Journey Through The Twisted

The situation felt like a tightrope walk between life and death. But damn, if this food wasn't worth the risk.

Fork in hand, I dug into the dishes in front of me with reckless abandon, propriety be damned. Some might call it shameful for a noble, but I'd argue I wasn't much of a noble anymore. A lifetime of bland meals made this banquet feel like heaven.

Adeline sat beside me, watching with an expression that was equal parts amused and charmed.

"Good, isn't it?" she asked, her voice carrying a light, teasing edge.

I paused mid-bite, glancing at her briefly before replying, "Good doesn't even begin to describe it. This is amazing."

Without waiting for a response, I dove back into the food, savoring every bite. Her soft laughter accompanied my feast, though I could feel the weight of the room bearing down on me.

Around us, the atmosphere was thick with hostility.

"What the hell? Why him?"

"The Queen of the Academy… with that guy?"

Their whispers weren't even subtle, and the venom in their glares was almost tangible.

But did I care? Nope. Let them seethe. Let them glare. As far as I was concerned, the food—and Adeline's company—were worth every ounce of their outrage.

__

As the scene unfolded, two figures from across the room silently observed Arthas and Adeline. Elise's sharp gaze lingered, a mixture of curiosity and disbelief. She had already marked Arthas as an anomaly after their first encounter, but his association with the Academy's Queen only complicated her perception of him. Meanwhile, Althia's attention was fixed on the peculiarities of Arthas himself. Adeline's presence meant little to her; she was more interested in the strange contradiction of his behavior—a Viscount despised by many, yet walking with an air of resilience that defied his reputation.

Even with all the attention, Arthas didn't falter outwardly, though inwardly, he groaned.

'Wonderful. As if I don't have enough shit to deal with, now I've caught their attention too. The longer I stay here, the bigger this mess is going to get.'

Despite the growing discomfort, the food in front of him remained a pleasant distraction.

When classes finally ended, I knew I couldn't risk going back to the dorms. After everything that went down in the cafeteria, the odds of getting jumped were way too high. So, instead, I headed for the forest on school grounds. It was quiet, secluded, and—thankfully—safe from the kinds of monsters that roamed beyond Pollus Academy's borders.

I trudged through the dense foliage until I found a tall tree, its branches reaching toward the sky. Climbing up wasn't difficult, and soon I was perched near the top, watching as the sun dipped lower on the horizon.

The sight stirred old memories I'd tried to bury. Back home, my sisters and I used to sneak out to watch sunsets like this. It was one of the few moments of peace we had. But those moments never lasted. When we were caught, the punishment always fell on me. Father never cared about the truth—only that someone paid for the rule-breaking. And that someone was always me.

The last time it happened, my sisters saw the price I paid for their freedom. They never tried again after that. They were too scared of what might happen if I was pushed any further.

I leaned against the trunk of the tree, closing my eyes for a moment as the sun disappeared completely, leaving the sky awash with the silver light of the moon. I didn't blame my sisters—they had their own lives to live now. But the weight of those memories still clung to me, even here.

__

Deep in the quiet of the forest, a figure stood cloaked in shadows, their eyes locked on Arthas. The boy, unaware, had succumbed to sleep, his form perched on the tree branch like a weary traveler finding solace in the arms of nature. Despite his precarious position, he didn't stir or fall.

A quiet sigh escaped the figure, their lips curving into a bittersweet smile.

"…So you're still alive. Good."

Their voice was soft, tinged with emotion—relief, joy, and a sadness they couldn't entirely conceal. They remained still, their gaze unwavering, as if memorizing the sight of him.

"If only I could help you now…" they whispered, their words laced with a sense of helplessness.

Turning away, the figure disappeared into the forest, their presence fading into the embrace of the trees.

Above, the night sky stretched endlessly, its stars glimmering like jewels scattered across velvet. An aurora-like glow adorned the heavens, a rare sight reminiscent of the world's most distant corners. Yet, like all beauty, it was fleeting, and the night gave way to dawn.

The light of the morning sun coaxed Arthas awake. His eyes fluttered open, and he yawned, stretching the stiffness from his limbs.

As he looked around, the memories of the previous evening returned. Glancing down at the branch beneath him, he let out a soft sigh.

"Guess I slept here the whole night…" he muttered, running a hand through his disheveled hair.

Completely unaware of the silent visitor who had watched over him, Arthas rose, his thoughts focused on the day ahead.

__

The school week passed, currently it was The school week came and went, bringing the calm of the weekend. For most students, this was a day of excitement and leisure—a time to meet with friends, explore the bustling city of Leidnu, or share moments with their partners.

But for Arthas, it was another reminder of his isolation. His reputation, a shadow he couldn't escape, drove away even the most open-hearted. Commoners avoided him out of fear that associating with the "Bastard of Bloomlyn" would tarnish their own standing.

He leaned against a lamppost near the academy gates, watching the crowds with a wistful gaze. The students' laughter echoed through the streets, a melody he felt excluded from. He sighed.

"I wonder... could I grab those items Ian was supposed to get?" he muttered, recalling the exclusive artifacts designed for the protagonist of Daedalus Eternus. He shook his head. "No, no. Those are locked behind requirements I don't have."

As frustration settled in, a thought flickered in his mind. He closed his eyes, delving into his memories. Suddenly, an idea emerged, cutting through the haze of his thoughts.

"The optional items!" His eyes snapped open, a glint of determination replacing his earlier gloom. "Though... aren't they in dangerous places?"

He hesitated, but only briefly. "Meh, what's the point of treasure if there's no risk involved?"

A wry smile tugged at his lips. His decision was made—the weekend would be spent hunting down one of those optional items, starting with the first: The Relic of the Bloodfire.