chapter 2 – [necro academy]

"Afternoon Father, lovely weather isn't it?" Yoshin coyly said. He gracefully sat on the chairs, prepared. His hands still clasping around the book.

"Sigh... it is already evening, my son. Therefore, I say you should go outside more often other than for training." His father, Duke Shiki, sipped the tea handed to him at intervals. "You truly have your mother's introverted personality."

"On the contrary, I believe-" Yoshin, however, was interrupted.

"I know you want something." His father said cooly.

"Was it not yourself who called me?" He barked in response. He placed the book down next to the legs of his chair and huffed loudly. Watching the ticks of the clock go by, he sighed in defeat. "When may I enroll? I wish to the outside world, the real world."

And from the ensuing silence, he concluded that this was another rejection. He picked himself up and readied himself to leave his father's office.

"We may discuss it." His father said this in feigned reluctance. Knowing he had won, Yoshin triumphantly smirked, but quickly hid it behind a bubbly expression.

"Thank you, Father!" He giddily pounced on his Father and hugged him.

Grabbing his book, he darted out of the office and ran through the lengthy hallways and staircases. After what felt like forever, he arrived at the large doors of his bedroom. Pushing it with ease, he ambled inside. Looking over the walls engrained with silencing runes; he sighed.

When the heavy thud of the door resounded; his bubbly and innocent aura was covered with a more sinister and bloodthirsty one. Yoshin gnawed at his fingernails, blood seeping out quickly. Pulling out the blank book, no words could properly fathom how this book came into being.

It seemed so plain for it to be in the library. But the contents of the book felt so familiar.

When he looked through the book, it was as if something clambered around in his mind.

Something clicked.

Thinking of the old romance and fantasy novels he would read in his past life. One common archetype would appear- the villain.

Yes, the wicked villain that disrupts the main protagonists' life.

Thoughts bubbled through his cranium, keeping them all packed inside created pangs of agony, but it was quickly washed away. His mind couldn't help racing at the thought of being the Big Bad in one of those stories.

Ideas planned in his mind. His mouth twisted into a cruel grin. His teeth teared at the flesh of his inner mouth, the metallic scent of blood filled the air.

Bringing himself back to reality, he grabbed the nearest handkerchief and dabbed on his finger beds and lips. Gazing at the blank book again, he picked it up and examined it.

He hadn't had the faintest clue why he was so reckless with the book. It reminded him of the feeling of whenever he was hungry; not being able to control oneself.

He ran his fingers across the leather cover of the book, hoping for any signs of runes or spells laid upon it. Yet there was none to be seen. It truly baffled him, but he decided against digging too deep into it.

---

A month or two passed since Yoshin had discussed the idea of attending school and won.

His uniform came in, the trousers and shirt were simple colours. The blazer was donned with a misshapen skull, to which he assumed was the school logo. He scampered off to the dining room.

Mountains of food heaped on his plate, yet this was a small feast for itself. Devouring it mercilessly with his handkerchief, he cleaned the angles of his pale lips. The delicious meal residue enhanced his joyful attitude. "Father! Father! Has Mother finally arrived?" Yoshin patted down the crumbs strewn across his thigh.

"Not yet, but she will come soon." Duke Shiki's eyes grew softer as he thought of his wife coming home soon.

Yoshin picked at the dirt collecting underneath his fingernails; time ticked past, his heels kicked back and forth like a pendulum. It was a slow morning.

Thud

"My darlings!" Speak of the devil, his mother came in with fanfare. The slow morning quickly transformed. His mother's snow white hair was tied into a long braid. Her trousers and blouse showcased her perfectly formed muscles; in her hands was a collection of randomly assorted bags filled with small trinkets and accessories gained from her travel.

Duke Shiki promptly stood up briskly and rushed to his wife. Although he stood an entire head taller than her, he rubbed his head into the nook of her shoulder. Displaying their lovey doveyness was a common practice that they both strategically followed.

Despite the fact that Yoshin has been forced to witness such as acts for all his life, he still could not stop himself from gagging in his head. Hoping to be spared from this PDA, he coughed loudly to bring them back to reality.

"I've got presents!" His mother gazed upon him dotingly. She set the bags down and rummaged through them, scavenging for an item. She let out an ah-ha.

She pulled out a pair of gauntlets. Their colour was as deep as obsidian. They entranced Yoshin's eyes. Just as it was about to put him into a trance, he quickly snapped himself out of it.

"You'll be needing these for your proper enrollment, kid!" His mother's wide grin was filled with pride. She tossed them into his open arms. He scrutinized each nook and cranny of the gauntlets. He was constantly in awe of the technology and runes entwined within them.

His smile twisted more and more to the point he couldn't truly stop it.

"Ah..." His father sighed, "I told you and Atsun[modern_footnote]His mother's first name[/modern_footnote] have similar smiles, wouldn't be surprised with how similar your personalities are." He rubbed his glabella and shook his head back and forth.

"Shut your mouth! Darling come on, we're going by car!" Atsun grabbed him by the wrist and hauled him away. Yoshin seized the blank book and the fresh pair of gauntlets.

His eyes twinkled in an ominous light, schemes went past his mind.

---

The lengthy car ride was lively and energetic. His mother was constantly bragging about the sceneries and people she saw on her travels. She was like an aunty visiting on holidays, the way she gossiped.

Eventually, they arrived at the tall gates of the Academy. Its daunting appearance overpowered all, giving you the idea that everything is hopeless. Quickly realising this school was not for those with weak wills.

He strengthened his resolve; finding entertainment by being the big bad villain!

Yoshin's thin lips distorted into a cruel smirk.

"Welcome to Necro Academy, where the dead thrive in life!"