Chapter 10: Negotiating My Death.

Chapter 10: Negotiating My Death. This wasn’t my moment. Not yet. But you know what? Fuck that moment. I don’t even know if it’ll ever come if I did nothing... so why bother waiting? I will create that moment myself. My lips were already curled into a perfect grin—fake, sharp and just convincing enough to pass as confidence. For the first time since I awakened, I felt thankful for my damn flaw. At least it hid the fear. I looked at Duke Astravore. Fucking bastard. I wanted to scream that but I wasn’t about to lose my cool in front of him. "Duke Astravore, I would like to negotiate my death with you." Silence. The room felt frozen for a moment. Like it was holding its breath. Then the pressure vanished completely. My father turned, confusion etched across his face. Astravore looked at me and for the first time, I could see a hint of amusement in his crimson eyes. Step one was complete. I had piqued his interest. Now came step two—get my father out of the room. Because what I was about to do? He would never let it happen. Not in a hundred years. Not if he knew what I was planning. I took a breath, careful not to let it shake. Then I turned toward him. "Dad... I need to speak with the Duke. Alone." His expression didn’t change. Not at first. But I saw the hesitation in his eyes. Shock, suspicion and finally a cold, rising refusal. "Rael—" "Please." I cut in before he could say more. "Just five minutes. That’s all I’m asking." My voice was low, firm and steady. It was completely opposite to how I felt inside. The truth was... I was scared shitless. The Duke wasn’t like those investors I used to negotiate with in my previous life. He wasn’t someone you could charm with numbers or logic. He was someone who could erase every trace of me with a single snap. But fuck, I had to do it. For survival. For strength. Besides... if he did try something, at least I’d die like a man and not hiding behind someone else’s shadow. My father still didn’t look convinced. Just read the room, Dad. Before he could deny me, I added, "Dad, you know the Duke isn’t one of those unsightly cowards who’d attack a weakling behind closed doors. So you can rest assured." Perfect. That line bound them both. If he still refused, it’d be like calling the Duke Astravore a coward. And if the Duke did try anything... Well, then he’d be admitting the label fit. A neat little trap, gift-wrapped in fake respect. And the best part? They both understood exactly what I meant. My father looked at me... then at the Duke. He didn’t say anything for a moment. Then he shook his head. His hands were clenched. He still didn’t want to leave. But he knew the Duke wouldn’t attack me—not after what I said. I mean, Duke Astravore was famous for one thing: Caring too damn much about prestige. As he passed by me, he didn’t go without leaving a note. "I’ll be just outside. If you need me." I didn’t reply as Dad left the room, closing the door behind him with a soft click. Duke Astravore looked at me. But he didn’t speak. "Can you please cover the room in a mana dome?" I spoke as I walked toward the couch across from Duke Astravore, my grin still in place. He didn’t question it. His mana spread out, forming a dome around us and sealing the space. Perfect. Now nobody would be able to hear what I say. "So," the Duke said, his voice low and cold. "what is it you want to negotiate?" And that’s when I felt it. The pressure. Not from mana. Not from intent. Just... him. I felt like kneeling. Like begging for forgiveness before a supreme being. Still, my face stayed calm. Maybe my skill [Poker Face] was helping with that. I had one goal—To remove this death flag completely. I could taste iron on my tongue. Or maybe that was just fear. But a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do. "I will go to Noxvalen Academy in place of your son." For a moment, the Duke froze. His amusement deepened behind those crimson eyes. Then, slowly, he smiled. "Ha... ha... ha." But the smile was anything but warm. It was cold enough to freeze molten lava. "What are you planning Ashborn?" His voice was even colder. "I just want to repent for my mistake," I said, "and maybe even have a chance to survive." The sentence had one truth and one lie. It was deliberate. Because I knew exactly what was coming in next. Astravore’s eyes glowed in blue colour as a star mark appeared within. I recognized it instantly. He had activated his skill. [Eyes of Starbearer] This skill wasn’t explained much in the novel because he was just a side character. But I knew from this world’s memories, what it did. It let Astravore see into the heart of the person before him. In toddler terms? Lie detector. He wanted to know if what I said was true or false. The problem? I didn’t know how his skill would react to both. A truth wrapped in a lie. But I will find out soon, won’t I? Duke Astravore didn’t say anything for a moment as if contemplating my offer. Let’s give him a little nudge. "Duke, you know, killing a weakling like me won’t do you any favors. If anything, it’d just make you look petty." I leaned forward slightly, my grin still in place. "But if you accept my offer... and send me to the Academy instead of your son, where death is just one of many possibilities." "People will call you merciful. A man of honor. You’d be seen not as the wronged but the wise. And it will also save one of your heirs." Motherfucker just accept it already. There was a reason the Duke hadn’t dismissed me yet. Noxvalen Academy wasn’t some playground where you could grow peacefully. No. It was a slaughterhouse dressed like a school. A place where death was just another class. And just like that— I’d sold my soul to escape a death flag... By walking into hell. But at least I would be familiar with this hell. __ Author’s Note: Rael just sold his soul to dodge a death flag. 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