Roommate on Fire.

LIGHT SLUMBER PRESTIGE {LSP}

Destiny’s Ferrari pulled up in front of a large structure. Countless students trooped into the buildings in waves.

Stepping down from the car, Dark scanned through the structure in awe.

Past the giant entrance gate were various buildings, all reaching for the sky. The air brushed gently. It didn't feel like a haven for grim reapers in the slightest.

He was dressed in a plain white shirt complemented by a dark blue jacket, trousers of the same color, and finally a red tie with black dots. On the left side of his jacket was the school’s symbol — a black star.

It was a standard Japanese uniform.

The uniform he liked — since he hadn’t been at an average school in a long while. But this wasn’t an average academy — a single glance and you could feel it too; this academy had an unspoken aura that he couldn't shake off.

Destiny popped out of his attention-drawing black Ferrari and stood beside him. He deeply exhaled.

Destiny stretched his hand towards him.

“Take this,” he said, releasing a pair of glasses.

“I learned kids with glasses are usually invincible.”

“It’s quite large,” Dark commented as he watched the entrance, totally ignoring Destiny’s gesture.

Destiny gritted his teeth. Just a night with the teen and he was already on the long list of those who desired the ex-assassin's demise.

"Nice, isn’t it?" Destiny chipped in, slowly sliding away,

"Did I mention— that it’s a boarding?”

“What!!” he yelled out unconsciously, his eyes widening and he traced Destiny's movements.

Destiny had persevered all through his one-night menace with faith that the always calm and stoic teen's reaction would make up for it all… oh, and it did more than that.

“Well, it’s too late now. You’re not going to see me for a long— long time, so I suggest you don’t make any trouble and keep a low profile. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get strong. Remember, you have a mission, and you sure as hell are going to fight a lot,” Destiny rambled on with a sinister smirk stretched across his face as he slipped back into his car.

“Wait— I can’t hide my identity all alone for a whole session. Someone’s gonna find out!” barked, but immediately dialed down his voice after noticing the curious gazes he received.

“Oh come on, you’ll be fine. Just remember–your name is Dark Silver, you are a grim reaper, and you are here to study. Remember those three things.” Destiny urged confidently as he started up the engine.

He licked his teeth, as happy as a toddler.

“But you didn’t teach, or at least tell me all the necessary things I need to know about being a reaper!!” the kid screeched in a low but desperate tone.

Destiny paused as he furrowed his brows,

"Teach? Then what the hell are you in school for? You’ll figure it out. Just get a friend who’s ready to show you all the ropes. Give a silly excuse about why you don’t know anything.” His hands gripped the steering wheel harder.

“Your things are already in your dorm. Good luck!!” Destiny retorted, his eyes revealing great satisfaction in the teen's peril.

“Oh, and uh… avoid premiums… and girls. Bye.” He paused before driving off.

“Premiums? What are those?!" 

"Hey!”

Dark reverted back to his normal voice, cussing Destiny until he was out of sight.

He turned around, facing the eerie academy.

Then it struck him:

If I'm a week behind. Since it’s a boarding school, why are the other students still stepping in now?

He stood at the same spot Destiny had left him in, racking his brain on his next course of action.

Then he felt a tap on his shoulder. He jumped, turning instantly.

"There you are, I knew you’d come today."

It was a fellow student, reasonably a freshman too.

His smile did a very poor job of hiding his dominating aura.

Even without sensing auras like other reapers, he still felt it—skill, raw power, intent.

He was no regular student — and unlike dead people, Dark's instincts were still very much sharp.

The other student wore the same uniform as him, His yellowish-red hair reflected the sunrise, his eyes faded purple. His shirt was partly untucked, his tie loose, and the first button undone.

The real visual of a regular delinquent.

Dark hesitated. His first contact.

"Um, do I know you?.."

"No, but you’re going to." The student extended his hand for a shake.

"Hi, I’m Shade. I also stay in room 116– I’m your roommate." he smiled innocently.

"Shade. But how did you identify me?" Keeping a calm composure, the traumatizing events that led him to his current situation hadn’t left his mind— anyone could be anyone.

"I got your picture from the school’s database of incoming students., I'm a bit of a hacker, you see. You’re Dark, right?” His hand still awaited the handshake, but Dark didn’t take it.

He was too acquainted with the many uncanny ways to kill someone in public places. He had even executed a number of them himself.

"I must say, it’s a gloomy apex name. But who am I to judge?” Shade resounded his own name in his head, retracting his hand.

“Nice to meet you. Your uncle told me to guide you throughout this verse, it’s really an honor,” Shade said.

A stroke of shadow covered Dark's eyes.

That was a shallow lie, too shallow— and he felt the student had figured him out.

Through his years of experience, he had learnt a cruel truth; it becomes very dangerous when a liar gets busted.

His legs went numb again. The feelings he experienced two nights ago came rushing back at the thought of being faced with an assassin reaper.

“You know my uncle?” he beamed, trying his best to play along.

“Of course, who doesn’t? Your uncle is really popular in this world. He’s the vice-president of a very popular and powerful reaper organization. The organization actually ranks in the top fifth throughout the realm!” Shade lamented in a high pitch.

“I bet you’ll become a premium.” He sighed in envy.

Dark put up a shabby smile,

Top fifth?! And he wants me to keep a low profile.

“These premiums—what are they?” he forced the words out of his mouth, remembering Destiny’s warnings.

“Oh yeah, I forgot you grew up in the living world. Well, there’s only one thing you need to know about them—”

Shade’s demeanor got strictly intense, his facial expression especially not welcoming as he raised his index finger.

“If you’re not one of them, don’t fuck with them.”

Dark shivered under Shade's glare, the weight he felt that night re-engulfed him.

His legs were rigid once more, with his mind distracted.

“And how do you become a premium?” he tilted his head a bit.

“It varies; the school decides on new activities every year.” Shade waved off the topic. Then a bell rang, its origin unknown.

“What was that for?” he hurriedly asked, trying to keep the conversation going.

“Beats me, that little bastard’s been ringing all day.” Shade forced his right arm around Dark's neck.

He instantly choked on his own saliva, his entire being rejected Shade's presence, but he couldn't bring himself to disengage.

"I was supposed to have a room to myself, so I got really excited when I heard a last-minute applicant had appeared.

He's doing a far more crummy job at hiding his presence.

Dark shut his eyes, just trying to breathe properly.

He peeled them open again, watching other students as they passed. He could see faint shapeless walls surrounding each one.

They all have it, they can't just be walking around like this. They must all be concealing it, but I can still see it. Is my method of observation different?

He rolled his eyes to the side, just enough to spot Shade's aura.

And this guy —

Something crawled down his spine, one thing came to his mind — Run!

A raging fire, freaking fire surrounded the student, far more colourful and rigid than anyone else's. The fire bloomed, uncontrolled and furious as it clamped itself to Shade's frame.

It looked like a natural disaster.

Just who have I gotten myself involved with?!

Dark struggled to stay conscious.