The Whisper That Spread Through the Fortress
It started as a single rumor, spreading like wildfire through the League:
"The boy saw everything."
"He moved before the assassins did."
"He is Ra's al Ghul's chosen heir."
By the next morning, I couldn't walk down a hallway without heads bowing.
Assassins who once ignored me, mocked me, tested me—
now stepped aside the moment I approached.
Not out of respect.
Out of fear.
And something close to reverence.
Talia saw it first.
She took my hand and whispered:
"Do not let their awe change you.
But… do not ignore the power it gives you either."
I nodded.
I already understood both truths.
The Upgraded Quarters
They moved me out of the shared trainees' dormitory instantly.
My new room was larger—
large enough for four adults, with carved stone pillars and lacquered wooden furniture.
Weapons hung on the walls like artwork.
A personal training mat.
A private bath.
A meditation alcove.
And guards.
Two elite assassins stood outside my door at all times.
I hated it.
…But I also knew why Ra's did it.
Power attracts enemies.
Especially inside the League.
Servants Assigned to Me
The next morning, a woman in formal robes knelt at my door.
"Lord Damian," she said, head lowered, "I am Saeko. Assigned to assist you."
Assist me.
A servant.
At age five.
Behind her, two more knelt:
One to clean my room
One to handle my training equipment
I blinked.
"This isn't necessary."
Saeko lifted her head slightly.
"It is the will of the Demon's Head.
From this day, you are to be treated as the Young Lord."
The words sounded heavy.
Loaded.
Expectations wrapped in formality.
I simply nodded.
"…Very well."
Saeko bowed deeper.
"Your attire is prepared, Young Lord. Shall I assist you in dressing?"
I sighed quietly.
Being powerful was one thing.
Being pampered?
That was new.
The Change in the Instructors
Before the Transparent World awakening, my instructors spoke during training:
"Faster."
"Repeat."
"You're sloppy."
"Again."
After the incident?
They barely spoke at all.
Their tone changed from commanding…
…to cautious.
They watched my footwork with the eyes of soldiers studying a superior.
One instructor even bowed before correcting my form.
Another apologized after accidentally striking my forearm.
And when sparring began?
They treated me less like a student and more like—
A weapon growing sharper every day.
Ra's liked that.
I could feel his approving gaze during every evaluation.
Meals With Ra's al Ghul
This was the strangest part.
Ra's invited me to dine with him.
Not beside the League.
Not in the trainees' dining hall.
At his table.
Talia joined us, but even she seemed surprised.
Ra's poured herbal tea and handed the cup to me with both hands—
a gesture of respect in his culture.
"Damian," he said one night, "you carry the blood of two dynasties.
Today, the League must recognize that."
I sipped the tea calmly.
"What do you want from me, Grandfather?"
Ra's smiled.