Chapter:8
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The soft hum of enchantments echoed faintly from the walls of the dorm as moonlight poured through the arched windows, casting silver shadows across the floor. The room was cozy—far cozier than any place Evan had ever called his own. A polished desk stacked with tomes, a crystal lantern hovering near the ceiling, a bed larger than any he'd ever seen… and curled at the foot of it, his beast companion, the Basilisk.
Still unnamed, still small, but undeniably majestic.
The serpent stirred in its sleep, its tail thumping lightly against the mattress.
Evan leaned back in his chair, arms folded, eyes distant.
"It's only been a day, and I already feel… tired."
He sighed, glancing at the Basilisk again.
"But I guess we're both trying to find our place, huh?"
The Basilisk snorted in its sleep, releasing a tiny puff of dark mist that floated up and popped like a bubble.
Evan chuckled. "Cute."
Then the door swung open with a loud creak.
"Evaaaan!" a familiar, overly sweet voice called out.
Lilith Laistrygones stood at the doorway, one hand on her hip, the other holding a covered tray.
She was dressed in the Aflety uniform—tailored to perfection—and even wore a crimson rose at her collar, a subtle nod to her noble vampire lineage. Her silver eyes sparkled with unnatural sharpness.
"I brought you blood pudding. You need to keep your energy up after all the stress of the exam," she said, stepping inside without waiting for permission.
"I'm not a vampire," Evan muttered, trying not to smile.
"You're my fiancé. That's close enough."
"I didn't agree to that."
"You didn't say no, either," she teased.
She set the tray on his desk, pushing his books aside with far too much confidence. The Basilisk slowly lifted its head, blinking sleepily at her.
Lilith froze.
"I-Is that… your Divine Beast?"
Evan nodded.
"Can I touch it?"
Before he could answer, the Basilisk hissed softly and slithered closer to Evan's leg, coiling protectively.
Lilith pouted.
"Why does even your beast not like me?"
"It's very perceptive," Evan muttered.
"I heard that."
"Good."
They both laughed quietly—until a loud knock shook the door.
"Hey, Rochel!" came a deep voice. "You alive in there, or did your lizard eat you?"
It was Gareth Ironfang.
Before Evan could get to the door, it slammed open again—this time with Gareth standing beside Silva Elowen, who looked unamused.
"This is the boys' dorm," Evan said, exasperated.
"I was dragged," Silva said, arms crossed. "Your little beast burst into my room through the floor. I followed the trail of darkness."
Evan blinked. "Wait, what?"
He looked at his Basilisk.
It blinked.
Then yawned.
Then burped a puff of black smoke.
"Oh, come on…"
Lilith giggled, covering her mouth. "That explains the weird cold breeze I felt in the hallway earlier."
"You need to train it better," Silva said, already kneeling beside the creature. "It's rare to see one show signs of active elemental manipulation this early. Darkness and Water, right?"
Evan nodded, still flustered.
"And there's something else. It's faint but…" Silva narrowed her eyes. "It's like it's suppressing part of its power."
Gareth whistled. "Maybe it's like a mini version of a dragon? Or a demon lord's pet?"
"I'll take dragon," Evan said quickly.
Lilith sat on the edge of his bed. "I think it's adorable, regardless."
The Basilisk hissed again and slithered into Evan's lap like a rebellious toddler.
Evan gently stroked its scales.
"Maybe I should give you a name soon," he whispered. "But nothing cute. You're the Serpent King, after all."
Silva looked up. "You haven't named it yet?"
"Didn't feel right," Evan said. "Not until I was sure."
Silva nodded. "Names carry weight. Especially for beasts. Once named, the bond between tamer and beast becomes sacred. That's not something to rush."
Lilith leaned closer. "Then when you name it, will you tell me first?"
Evan glanced at her.
"…Maybe."
Her grin widened.
"Progress!"
Gareth flopped onto a nearby chair with a heavy sigh. "Man, you Rochel nobles are weird. My old man would've named the thing the second it hatched. Probably something like 'Fangdoom' or 'Slithermurder.'"
Evan snorted.
"Slithermurder?"
"Hey, I'm just saying—intimidation works."
Lilith chuckled. "You're definitely more brawn than brain, Gareth."
"Yeah?" he grinned. "Well, maybe that's why I passed the entrance exam with raw talent and not books."
"Oh please," Silva interjected. "You tripped during the final duel and still won by accident."
Gareth pointed. "A win's a win!"
The room burst into shared laughter.
For a moment, Evan forgot the ache in his chest—the weight of his past, the burden of expectations, the fear of losing something again.
This… this felt real.
A memory worth keeping.
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After everyone had gone—after Silva muttered something about curfews and Lilith gave Evan a teasing wink goodnight—the room fell quiet again.
The Basilisk, curled in a circle at the foot of Evan's bed, stared at him with glowing indigo eyes.
"You picked a hell of a time to sneak off," Evan murmured. "Don't do that again."
It made a soft growling noise—not aggressive, but… sheepish?
Evan sighed.
"I get it. You're curious. I am too."
He reached out and gently touched its head.
A warm pulse rippled through him.
Water. Darkness. Power. Something old. Ancient.
His vision blurred for a moment, and he felt… something watching. A shadow behind a veil.
Then it passed.
He rubbed his temple.
"…What are you hiding?"
But the Basilisk was already asleep again.
Evan turned to the window.
Outside, stars painted the sky. The moon hovered full and bright, casting its silver light upon Aflety's sprawling towers and training fields.
He took a deep breath.
One day down. A thousand more to go.
And somewhere, in the depths of this Academy…
…he could feel something watching.
Waiting.
A whisper in the dark.
A shadow beneath the Academy.
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End of Chapter
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