Chapter 74 - 74: Desires Beckoning And Plans Advancing

Aron was standing in front of the fireplace in his study in silence with pen and journal in hand. The ember light from the fire reflected in his lifeless looking grey eyes as they stared blankly at the journal. The fresh blood on his hands still dripping onto the floor.

[ Journal Entry #1: Today I have finally been able to confirm a truth that I had been denying for the past few days, I am the rumored beast that has been attacking the humans. The signs were all there, I should have confronted this sooner...]

[ After the first murder, I was lead to believe Evanora's demon may be the cause but after the next occurred during the day, I quickly dismissed that idea. Next I of course suspected myself, it's no secret that I struggle everyday to keep the thousands of beast wills in my end in check, when I stole their life and mana I also inherited their anger, their hate, their anguish, their desire, their hunger... ]

[ I was a fool to think I could handle it all. To confirm if I truly was losing my mind, I placed runes on myself that would activate once I came into contact with foreign blood. They would inflict enough pain on me to put my mind in shock, thankfully it worked and right there in the dark alley I came back to my senses but when I did so I was already looking down upon the two brutally disfigured bodies below me...]

[ The woman had died quickly but the young man was still breathing. He looked at me like I was a monster... I suppose he was right. The damage had been done and I couldn't leave witnesses, so I could only finish him off without delay... even in that hopeless situation he tried to plead with his last words "please... save her". Is that the resolve someone obtained from love? I wouldn't know... it's a foreign concept to me...]

[ Upon studying my own body in this little time, I can confirm that I wasn't subdued by the beast wills, rather it was the urges that had overcome me. It was similar to how humans felt when intoxicated, sometimes unable to even recall what had transpired. That was my case, I let the urges build up far too much and I became intoxicated. My body went into a subconscious state in order to rid itself of the excess urges... the urge this time around was "Kill"...]

After Aron finished silently writing his thoughts, he brought his legacy ring near the journey and it recorded what he had wrote. After doing so, he tore the page off and threw it into the fire place and watched it burn to nothingness before finally walking away.

The next day, the event that had occurred was still fresh in the minds of many but now a new rumor began to surface. All the victims had been commoners so most aristocrats didn't care about the killings, some even welcomed more of them. However the commoners now began to believe that the killings weren't random, rather it was the aristocrats doing.

To respond to this, the arch-Mage Uva called for an assembly and declared that they'd be patrols from this day moving forward to prevent such an incident from occurring again.

While holding the assembly, she took the time to advice the returning students not to discriminate against the commoners. Some argued that the commoners shouldn't be there whilst some said they should be separated.

In response to this Lady Uva who was of common birth stated that Galos City belonged to her a mere commoner so they were free to leave or if they insisted on separation then she would actively work to make the lives of every noble as agonizing as possible.

No one could respond to this, even the professors felt afraid by her very serious declaration. Despite her gentle attitude she still was the unofficial most powerful person in Pesia.

Once the assembly had ended, the students began making their way to their respective classes with mixed emotions and opinions over the announcements.

"Is something the matter?" Xavier who had sat near Aron during the assembly turned and asked him this when he noticed him looking around as people left.

"I don't see any fourth years or rather any rank fours." Aron replied as he noticed the highest rank returning students were rank threes.

"Well that's no surprise, some returning students have been here far longer than four years but haven't attained rank four. It's a very demanding rank and the competition is fierce. As for those who do have rank four, they aren't obligated to return to the academy unless called for. Most of them are out there searching for ruins and such." Xavier explained with a smile on his face and Aron nodded at his words.

"Makes sense I suppose. It at least explains why the returning students haven't caused trouble publicly with commoners." Aron muttered before exiting the assembly hall with Xavier in toll. "Well yea, I hear most influential rank threes are two busy trying to rank up to pay attention to commoners while the troublesome are scared because there's a rank four commoner present. They're smart enough not to act haphazardly."

When Xavier explained that reasoning, Aron did notice quite the number of rank threes staring at him as he left the assembly hall. Waiting for him outside were Jin, Jagu and Evanora who joined him as he was walking.

"You two look terrible." Aron nonchalantly pointed out upon seeing Jagu and Jin. "Tsk, just one more he said, it will be fine he said." Jagu growled in irritation and looked at Jin who simply shrugged him off. 

"For someone who claims to be aiming for top spot you sure complain a lot. What's a warrior who can't handle his booze?" Jin's logic was enough to make Jagu go silent and ponder his words carefully as if he had said something wise. "Hmm?"

"By the way the we've secured the documents for the property that will act as our factions base. The noisy busty woman also said she'd have the cloaks ready by the end of the day." While Jagu was pondering, Jin updated Aron on the progress they'd made so far.

"Good, the quicker we have everything in order the better. Have everyone gather there later today for the faction's first official meeting. I'll be taking my leave now." Aron instructed as he got ready to make a turn, however Evanora quietly followed him like a shadow. 

"I'm going to Academy's library." Aron told her but Evanora just stared blankly at him like it had nothing to do with her.

"You can't eat in the library." Aron added and finally she decided to respond "Evanora will be home then." She responded before walking away, just like that.

What a strange girl. Everyone thought as they each dispersed and went to carry out Aron's instructions. As for Aron, he made his way to the library, hoping to find some useful information and knowledge.

However just outside the door leading to the library, Aron found a large group of students lined up.

"What's this all about....?"