64 A firm resolve

Riyku was puzzled for a moment on why she did such. Although he simply smiled back at her in return. "Astra?" Riyku would speak her name in question form. Astraia would internally sigh. She figured perhaps he was too dense to notice she was wearing make-up today. Riyku would tilt his head slightly as he called her name again question form. This time she finally spoke up, "Do you notice anything different today?" Astraia was a bit timid when she asked this question since she never seemed to care for make-up and what not unlike most other succubi. Riyku could see in her eyes just how much she wanted him to notice this 'something'. A smile curved across his face and he would reply, "Your make-up." Riyku had noticed but had not said anything. Although, why had he refrained from saying a word. "Yup. What do you think?" Astraia would push to get a better answer from him. Riyku's smile would widen even more, "Your make-up compliments your beauty. It brings out just how gorgeous you truly are." These words caused Astraia's face to flush and she stood up while turning away from him to hide her blush. "Thanks." Astraia would state before quickly turning on her hand to take his hand and drag him with her. Riyku would not say anything else instead he would simply smile joyfully.

Astraia would take Riyku's hand and lace their fingers together. This caught his attention which had been shifted downward. "Even if something like that does happen again. I am sure you will protect me and I will protect you. We will protect each other. We are strong after all." Astraia would comment wholeheartedly. Although, deep down she wanted to refrain from letting Riyku fight again. She did not want him to unleash Skeith again or give him another chance to take over his body. It seemed like a miracle that he was about to take back his body. So, if he lost it again, he may not even return. This scared her because she did not know that he had made a contract with Skeith. Power in exchange for freedom.

Before the two of them could get out another word their names were called out by a lovely and warm voice. Astraia would lead with Riyku to follow and both of them entered the room. The first sight was a tall violet haired beauty which rivaled that of Astrid's. Her amethyst eyes seemed to be filled with warmth just as much as her voice did. "Everyone welcome, Astraia, and Riyku to our class. An incident had occurred a few days ago during a training session and so the two of them were transferred here. Please treat them as you would your own.

Astraia and Riyku turned from the Instructor to face the small class of eight students. Adding them would make ten. It was less than the class they had just come from and while Astraia knew why Riyku did not. Astraia had side-eyed Riyku and saw the confusion on his face so she leaned over slightly to whisper, "This is the class fit for the best of the best. Only a handful of students get into this class and are treated properly. I assume what you did to the Principal had something to do with putting us here." Riyku would nod softly before inhaling and exhaling softly. The Instructor had asked them to give an introduction. "Hello everyone, as you are aware I am Astraia BurningAsh. Some of you may know me as the Princess of Slaughter, but let's not get too into these little nicknames people make up shall we?" Astraia seemed to the first to start seeing how Riyku was a bit tense. There were two reasons as to why and both were reasonable. The first being that Astraia and Riyku were still holding hands even if it was subconscious. He did not realize that, but the second reason he knew very well. His right arm was completely visible. So he figured that was why all nine students were staring. He had started to recall the problems this 'arm' was giving him. Like some sort of PTSD attack.

Riyku's attention shifted towards Astraia when she gave his hand a light squeeze. He finally realized they were still holding hands and as he listened to her give her introduction he seemed to steadily relax. As if her voice was calming his nerves. Riyku would shift his attention back to the other eight students. "My name is Riyku DarkFang. As you may already know I have a Contracted Entity." He would shift his glance towards his right arm, bringing it up slowly as if to examine it. "I can not say when I got this, nor can I remember. I can hardly remember how I even got here. What I do know is that Astraia has given me something to cherish. She filled the emptiness that was within my heart and that is something I am grateful for." Riyku would close his right hand before thrusting it at the eight students before him. "And if anyone attempts to harm what I cherish and love, they will be dealt with without remorse." His words were not threatening, nor was he trying to come off as intimidating. He was being honest and clear. His resolve was firm. He did not want what had happened to happen again, he wanted to make sure everyone knew that if they tried to harm Astraia then there would be no mercy.

Astraia did not expect this and neither did the class or even the Instructor. Someone spoke up, an intelligent voice yet mildly timid. This voice came from a female who had seen them before but had never been seen by them. Their meeting was brief, but she admired Riyku deeply for what he had done. "So you are in love with Astraia and are an official couple?" There was still silence in the atmosphere after this question was thrown out; however, there was no malice in her voice instead it was filled with curiosity and a hint of admiration. Riyku would lift his left hand up to show that Astraia and he had their fingers laced. "I am and we are." Riyku was short and clear with his response. However, what he received was not what he expected.

Cheers and claps started to form around the room along with the Instructor who even pitched in. Both Riyku and Astraia were in awe at what they witnessed.

"Good for you two."

"Man, I am jealous."

"They are a perfect couple, huh?"

"Wish I had a girlfriend."

Happened to be some of the few remarks that people gave. The Instructor could see the shock on their faces and giggle lightly before calling out to them to get their attention. "You do not have to worry about the old traditions here. Everyone here fully supports love and relationships even myself. So you two are safe here. Alright?" The Instructor would give a cheery wink before continuing onward. "Now, go on and take your seats which are next to each other in the back. I am sure the students want to ask you some questions, but we need to resume our class. We are going over Magic Circles and Runic Circles as well as what the difference between the two is." With those words, Riyku and Astraia went to their seats. They all got smiles and thumbs up along the way which felt... oddly weird. So much so that even Skeith had a few words to say.

"Old Traditions eh? Ha, Love is pathetic. Who needs to be in a relationship anyway? Sex and war are all a demon needs if you ask me. It seems there are a 'few' more who share in your ideals, Riyku."

Riyku would; however, ignore Skeith. He had no reason to respond or even humor the demon. Especially after he just resolved himself. He felt that his resolve should have been enough of a response to Skeith and interestingly enough, Skeith did not say another word. The class would go over Runic and Magic circles and their differences before it was time for break. That was when the teacher started doing her own thing. The rest of the class hurried to surround both Astraia and Riyku and staring barrage them with questions.

"How long have you been a couple?"

"Have you kissed yet?

"What is sex like?"

"Who asked who out?"

"Is it true you beat up an entire class and their Instructor?"

"Did you know they call you the Demon of Destruction?"

"How do you feel about open relationships?"

"What does the Queen of Inflammation think?"

"What is your Contracted Entity?"

"Where are you from, Riyku?"

"How big is, Riyku?"

The questions were truly nonstop, but the questions that drew in the most attention happened to be.

'Is it true you beat up an entire class and their Instructor?'

'Did you know they call you the Demon of Destruction?'

Astraia was fending off some of 'other' questions, but Riyku had particularly locked onto those two. "It is. I could not stand to watch them beat her down. I hated watching them torment her, and it upset me further when they tried to do what they did. As for this nickname, no. I am not aware of it, nor do I care for it. I refuse to let anyone take away what I cherish. Never again will that happen." Riyku would reply to these two in particular. His voice had steadily grown in volume, not necessarily a shout, but so that everyone could hear him. Astraia's glance softened and a smile took to her voice as she spoke his name with a breath. The class was silent before seeming to cheer happily. They supported this train of thought and most of them even started saying that they would do what they could to help him.

This was odd to Riyku, but not unwelcoming. He smiled and thank all of them before starting to answer some of the questions that were directed at him. Although, one thing was clear with each question he answered. He truly loved Astraia as well as Astrid. It was quite obvious that Astrid was part of it since they saw her clinging to him yesterday or heard it through gossip.

Breaktime came to an end and everyone returned to their seats. The class would resume until the remainder of the day and when it came to a closing that was when things started to turn up. "Alright Class. As you are all aware, we have our annual Legends of the Underworld coming up next month. It is the time where only the top classes of each Netherworld Academy come together to face off in a battle of strength and wit. As you are all aware this will decide the top ten most powerful Netherworlds in all of the Underworld so study and train hard!" The Instructor would exclaim joyfully and everyone with the exception of Riyku would cheer since he did not know what the Legends of the Underworld even was. It was clear to him that it was an event of some sort. Although why did it matter which Netherworld was the most powerful?

"Also one more thing. I almost forgot to mention. The top ten students will be placed into a selection candidacy to becoming Overlord of whichever Netherworld they see fit! So, Let's go! I believe in all of you!" The Instructor would exclaim. Riyku's eyes widened when he heard those words.

'Become an Overlord of whichever Netherworld they wanted?'

Was that even possible and why the top ten students? Did that mean that the event was secondary to selecting an Overlord for a Netherworld? If so what became of the reigning Overlord? Riyku was generally confused. Skeith could hear the thoughts Riyku was having and would snicker. That evil sinister and devious sinister echoing in his mind caught his attention. He nearly almost blurted out, "What's so funny?" But was able to refrain and instead thought the statement instead.

"You," Skeith replied instantly which seemed to rile Riyku up for some odd reason. Maybe it was because he felt like he was being mocked or looked down on. "Now, now. I am going to explain to you how it all works. The Legends of the Underworld is merely a showcasing for other Netherworlds to compare strength. This is so other Netherworlds can influence the weaker Netherworlds in various ways such as marketing. Since a weak Netherworld can not defy a stronger one, they are typically bound to accept any terms and conditions laid before them by the stronger Netherworld. Of course, that isn't all this is for. Like that delicious succubus said, this is also to help select a new Overlord. The selection process is a lot simpler than one would think. The top ten will fight to the death, and the winner will be picked by one of the reigning Overlords to battle against them. From there, there are two outcomes... Live or Die."

Riyku was stunned. From the moment Skeith said the top ten would battle to the death. Why did it have to be to the death? Why was everything so violent with the Underworld? Why would it not just be something friendly? Even more so when it came to the Overlord picking you and you having to fight them. Live or Die? Really? An emotion started to swirl within Riyku. An emotion he felt only a few times. An emotion that would make Skeith grin wide, as if he were playing Riyku like a fiddle. It was hate. Riyku hated how everything was 'Live or Die.' There was no in-between. No happiness, no joy, no love. It was just 'Live or Die.'

It was during these thoughts that he came to realize something from what Skeith had said. "What about you? You were the founder of a Netherworld. Did this sort of thing not exist back then?" Riyku's thoughts echoed in his mind as to not speak them aloud and Skeith would happily reply to him; almost as if he was hoping Riyku would catch on.

"It did and it is quite simple. I killed the Overlord who challenged me and destroyed her Netherworld, only to rebuild it with my own vision. You see, the thing about Live or Die. Is that even if the Overlord lets you live, you do not have to let them live. She was strong, but not strong enough. She dropped her guard since she thought she had me backed against the wall and asked me to give up and become her little toy. It's a shame though, I wanted to make her mine but I had to plunge my blade through her chest since I doubt she would have given up." Skeith would explain which caused Riyku's eyes to go wide. Skeith killed an Overlord before he became an Overlord? Was Skeith truly that strong? Still, it made a lot of sense. On why Skeith was known as the Tyrant Overlord who founded his own Netherworld: Oblivion. It also made sense why Oblivion was known to host the most powerful Demons. A Netherworld built purely on survival of the fittest. A sigh escaped his lips and he slumped back against his chair.

He would side-eye Astraia who was chatting it up with a couple of the girls in the room. Most of the students had left after the announcement was made. So it was only him, Astraia, a couple of girls, a couple of guys, and the Instructor. The guys were heading out saying their goodbyes to the Instructor which left him and Astraia and the girls. If Astraia and Riyku ended up two of the top ten...

Riyku would make a silent vow. One that he intended to keep no matter the cost.

"I will protect you."