Chapter 57 : Self interest’s

Chapter 57: Chapter 57 : Self interest’s Alex Dragonheart stood tall—or as tall as his tensed posture would allow—inside the grand auditorium of Zenith Academy. Moments ago, he was riding the high of clearing the entrance exam, feeling like the main character for once. Now? He was sweating. From places he didn’t even know could sweat. Before him stood not one, not two, but three of the most powerful, dangerous, and influential girls in the entire academy. Together, they looked less like students and more like a final boss squad. At the center of this elegant threat trio stood Charlotte Evans Avaloria, the First Princess of the Avaloria Empire. She radiated authority and beauty, with an amused glint in her eyes. To her right was Seraphina Starlight, heir to Marquis Starlight and a mage prodigy known for he prowess in ice magic. And to the left—as if the universe wanted to see him suffer—stood Lilith Noctis Bloodrose, the crimson-eyed vampire princess known for her dark nature, and let’s be honest, a mild case of murderous intent. All of them except Lilith had the same expression. A smile. Not the friendly kind, mind you. But Like the predator who sees a cornered rabbit and is debating whether to eat it now or play with it first. "Hello, Mr. Lady Killer," Charlotte said sweetly, with a voice that held amusement and menace in equal measure. "Can we have some of your time?" Alex mouth twitched she was definitely teasing him for his earlier comments in the exam. But he straightened up like a soldier before an imperial inspection, hands clasped behind his back. "Your Highness Princess Charlotte," he said, bowing slightly. "It’s an honor." He turned and greeted Seraphina with a formal nod. "Lady Starlight." Then, cautiously, he glanced at Lilith. "Princess Bloodrose." Lilith was only staring at him as if she could attack him at any moment. Charlotte chuckled, clearly amused at the beads of sweat now forming at Alex’s temple. "No need to be so formal, Alex. I just wanted to thank you." He blinked.’ Thank me’? She continued, voice soft but edged. "Thank you for almost ’eliminating me’ during the entrance exam. If Alden hadn’t warned me about those explosives you set, I’d be writing this thank-you note from something red." Alex stiffened. Was that sarcasm? A threat? A joke? She smiled wider. "You caused us trouble, Mr. Dragonheart. And trouble... must be compensated for. Don’t you agree?" Alex’s mind was already spinning. He wasn’t stupid. No, Charlotte wasn’t mad. No, this was her way of reaching out. Politely veiled in thorns, yes, but it meant one thing: ’She sees potential in me.’ The exam was over. The rankings were in. And Charlotte, always planning three steps ahead, was now trying to form connections with useful people. Alex quickly weighed the pros and cons. He knew from the game that getting on Charlotte’s bad side was a terrible idea. Aligning with her might bring complications, yes, but also opportunity. Carefully, he nodded. "If Your Highness feels I owe compensation," he said smoothly, "then I’ll agree to fulfill one request. As long as it’s reasonable, of course." Charlotte clapped her hands in delight. "Perfect! I expected nothing less from someone with your intellect." Alex gave a pained smile. Why does that sound more like a threat than a compliment? Then she turned to Seraphina. "Do you want anything from him, Seraphina?" Alex’s eyebrow twitched. She’s trying to get as much out of me as possible... classic politician move. But he did not say anything. Seraphina met Alex’s eyes, her own grey ones reflecting a curious gleam. She tilted her head thoughtfully, then said, "Nothing comes to mind. For now." She smirked. "But...We can think about it in the future." Charlotte chuckled. "Don’t worry, Alex. We have plenty of time in the academy. You’ll be seeing a lot of us." That did not sound reassuring. "It was nice meeting you, Alex Dragonheart," Charlotte said, turning gracefully with a swirl of her regal outfit. Seraphina followed, her blue hair catching the auditorium lights. Alex had just exhaled a breath of relief as Charlotte and Seraphina left with their entourage. Their teasing, veiled warnings, and playful threats had left him emotionally drained. But before he could properly relax, a chill ran down his spine. He turned his gaze—only to meet a pair of crimson eyes staring at him from a few steps away. Lilith Noctis Bloodrose. The Vampire Princess. Her presence was quiet—too quiet. Her black attire hugged her slender figure, her long black hair flowing like liquid night behind her, and her red eyes... they were glowing faintly. She didn’t blink. She didn’t move. She simply watched. Alex’s throat went dry. His instincts screamed at him—predator. It wasn’t fear exactly. It was something deeper. A flicker of a grin formed on her lips. Then it grew. And grew. Until it became a wild, unhinged smile, filled with something between madness and curiosity. Alex unconsciously took half a step back. "Uh... hi?" he offered. She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she tilted her head ever so slightly, as if studying a strange new puzzle. The grin never left her lips. "You..." she finally said, her voice soft, lyrical... and absolutely laced with danger. "You smell... interesting." Alex blinked. "Smell?" "Like secrets. Like blood spilled by intention... and blood you’re trying so hard to avoid spilling," she said, stepping forward, her voice now a whisper only he could hear. "You’re wrapped in so many layers of masks, it’s almost... intoxicating." Alex took a step back.’What the hell is this crazy psycho on about.’ Her tongue briefly flicked across her lip. "I want to tear you apart right now and feast on your blood," she said with a teasing sigh, "but..." Then she stopped. Her grin faded—just slightly. Her expression twitched, as though something had interrupted her thoughts. A moment passed. Then she laughed. A light, musical, bone-chilling laugh that made his skin crawl. "You’ll pay me back. Remember that." And without another word, she turned sharply on her heel and walked away. Even her maid, Isadora Vale, who had stood silently by her side like a cold statue, looked shocked by the sudden shift. Because just moments ago, Lilith had looked ready to tear him apart. Suddenly coming out of her thoughts, she hurried to catch up to her mistress without questioning a word. Alex stood frozen, lips parted, his heart hammering in his chest. ’What... just happened.?’ He stared after her, eyes narrowed. "What did she mean by that? Just how does she want me to pay her back?" ’Did the voice in her head tell her something again?’ He didn’t have time to dwell on it. A nearby staff member in academy robes clapped his hands. "All cadets! Follow me to the temporary dorms now!" Alex exhaled again. Back to normalcy. Hopefully. The first-year cadets were led out of the auditorium, down a series of spiral platforms and through a sleek bridge made of blue crystal that shimmered in the sunlight. The bridge led to one of Zenith Academy’s many small islands floating on the sky. Soon we reached the dorms that we would be staying in for two days today and tomorrow. It wasn’t overly luxurious, which made sense—these weren’t permanent accommodations. Just a place to house the cadets until the formal sorting began. Alex took in the building. It was minimalist in design: white stone, sleek lines, and a faint magical aura that hinted at automatic climate control, soundproofing, and surveillance. He was assigned Room 777. "Lucky number," he muttered. He stepped inside and blinked. The dorm was... decent. Actually, it was great. Alex lay back on the surprisingly comfortable bed of his dormitory, staring up at the ceiling as the soft hum of the central cooling system played in the background. The room was modest but clean, far better than the crumbling walls and leaky ceilings of the house he and Lily had once shared. A warm glow came from the lights that bathed the room in a faint golden hue. His bag was tossed in the corner, his coat hanging off a chair, and the silence, for once, was comforting. He exhaled deeply. "What a day," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. His mind, however, refused to rest. Charlotte Evans Avaloria. She had approached him with a smile, a smirk, and wrapped her words like silk, making demands while acting playful. She was the type who never asked unless she already knew the answer. A chessmaster who moved three steps ahead. But Alex? He grinned to himself. He was a gamer. A strategist. A survivor. So... she thinks she can use me, huh? Alex thought, his blue eyes narrowing slightly. She sees potential, thinks I’m some wild card she can keep in her pocket. Fine. Let her believe that. He turned his gaze to the ceiling again, folding one arm behind his head. "I’m not a pawn, Charlotte Evans Avaloria. I’m not even a knight on your chessboard. I’m the bastard playing with a different board entirely—one with dangers, hidden pieces, and rules you’ve never seen." Alex’s eyes gleamed with a dangerous mix of cunning and ambition. "Use me? Sure. But every favor I grant, every string you think you tie around me... will lead straight to you in a bigger game." Then he smirked. "After all... if the empire’s first princess wants to bet on me, who am I to stop her? I just hope she doesn’t realize too late—" "—that I bet several times higher gat her." "Because my goals aren’t small. I’m not here to serve someone’s ambitions. I’m here to surpass them." There was a dangerous glint in his eyes as his voice dropped to a whisper. "While she plays politics, I’ll be rewriting the rules of the game itself." He closed his eyes, the grin still tugging at the edge of his lips. "Let the princess believe she’s in control... It’ll make it more fun when she realizes she never was." His thoughts paused as his gaze flicked sideways and he remembered something. "Wait... this room is meant for two people." As if the universe was enjoying this joke, the door creaked open. A figure entered. Alex turned, expecting a stranger. Maybe some noble brat or a brooding swordsman type. He froze. "You?!" The other guy mirrored his expression. "You?!" They both stared at each other.