Elarion's POV
It's been a week since I returned from the Bloodgate Trial. My brothers had returned to the academy.
And yet… everything feels the same. Or maybe I'm just overly conscious.
No one dared to question what we went through. No one talked about it.
Because everyone had already gone through it.
And for them—it was dull, expected, forgotten.
Just another trial to survive.
Now, there are no gates left for me in Crimsonveil Duchy.
All that remains are puppets. Puppets loyal to the Head.
But there's something I do like about Crimsonveil—
The people here aren't loyal to a man.
They're loyal to the status.
Which means... if the status shifts, their loyalty will shift too.
----
A possibility. A small, beautiful one.
Something worth looking forward to.
I lay in my excuse of a bed, every bone in my body aching. But it didn't bother me. I was already used to this kind of pain. This place doesn't let you grow up soft.
Still, something's changed.
Not for them—no, for them it's just another season.
But for me... this place has turned darker, heavier.
Crimsonveil Duchy.
A land covered in dark clouds and emotionless children.
They say our hearts don't pump blood—but ice.
That our veins don't carry warmth, only silence.
How funny, I thought.
It's been a week after that time since I saw my brothers.
They completed their trial years ago. Not just Bloodgate, but the second and third as well. Now they're in their "professional" phase.
Spending time at the Academy. Returning only for festivals and holidays.
Rior, is 7 year older 17 now. And Sirus 18.
----
The Academy… what even is it?
Some say it's a heaven for geniuses.
A forge that shapes children into monsters of brilliance.
The finest academy in the world.
I don't think so.
Maybe it's because I never got the chance to go in my past life.
No—not "never got the chance."
I couldn't complete the final test. That was the truth.
That year, only a handful completed the first phase of the final test.
I was one of them. Well-known for it, actually.
Surprising? Maybe not.
I worked harder than most of them could ever imagine.
I remember those nights.
Bloody palms. Sword always in hand. Training until I collapsed.
I never stopped. Never made excuses.
I hated people who made excuses—
"I didn't have time,"
"I didn't have the money,"
"I didn't have the chance."
No. You didn't want it enough.
That year, monsters rose—and I didn't.
I was stuck. Stagnant at 5th Rank.
Most never reach even that. 4th Rank is average.
But the 6th Rank? That was for true geniuses.
They once called me a genius too.
But I never reached it.
Maybe I was a disappointment.
To my father especially.
But I don't care about his expectations.
He can choke on them.
He can rot in the same pit he threw his sons into.
That's why I like Crimsonveil.
Here, people respect the seat, not the smile.
Loyalty here is bitter, but predictable.
Better than sweetness laced with betrayal.
It leaves a taste in my mouth... like metal.
Like blood.
I might've swallowed something I wasn't supposed to.
Drugs are technically banned in Crimsonveil, but let's be honest—
they're more common than sweets here.
Sweets are treated like sin.
Alcohol? Fair game, as long as you stay conscious.
It's been a week.
And in all this time…
I haven't counted how many letters I got from Danny alone.
Not surprising—letters are forbidden during Bloodgate. That is the reason why brothers didn't send it, only now they have send it.
I never replied to them. Never even opened them.
Maybe I should. Just out of boredom.
There were a few from Marcus and Danny too.
That got my attention.
Marcus... Danny...
Curiosity stirred in my chest.
> Let's see what they have to say.
---
Marcus Bridgelin's Letter
> "Elarion,
I don't know if you will be reading this or not but, I wanted to tell you something.
Welcome back. I know it must have been hard even if you say it wasn't. I don't know what you go through but it must not be pleasant after all it's Crimsonveil we are taliking about.
But I trust your mind—more than I trust most men's blades. When you're ready, your seat in my class remains yours. But even if you never return, remember this—your survival alone proves your strength."
"—Marcus Bridgelin"
---
Danny's Letter
> "You alive? Please tell me you're alive.
I tried writing during the trial, but they burned my letters. This is the first one that got through.
You probably won't reply. You never did before either. That's fine. Just read this at least.
Everyone says Crimsonveil is the same as always. But I know it's not.
Because you're back.
And when you return, something always changes.
Let's meet soon. If you want.
– Danny"
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