After Dark #2: The Academy of Cordella

2. Military Academy

The next morning, Levi woke up to greet a media explosion on his phone. Predictably, the media exploded in frenzy and all the headlines were similar. The Viscount of Ginviere has finally lost it. Levi's title was Viscount of Ginviere, his father had requested it for him when he was born in place of a promotion amongst other sacrifices, namely the fact that Major General Deserei did not succeed his father as Marquess of Ginviere but remained as Earl.

Levi scrolled through the news, Viscount of Ginviere Gone Barking Mad? one of the news article was titled, Levicius A. Deserei Insane with Grief, another had said, with a few headlines regarding high profile heists thrown into the mix for good measure. Levi threw his phone across the room against the opposing wall, it bounced and clattered to the ground, he did not bother to check if the screen was broken or not. It did not matter.

The new tabloids were all owned by nobles, so nobles decided what got published. They decided the narrative of the so called truth.

A series of knocking came from the door, "young master?" Win's muffled voice came through, "you're expected to be off to the academy in an hour."

Levi groaned as he rolled out of bed, his blonde curls tangled up as he rushed to throw clothes into an empty suitcase. Not only had he forgotten it was today, he had also forgotten to pack. He went over to pick up his phone from the floor, the screen was not cracked, he pleasantly surprised, though he wished it had, then he would have an excuse to not look at it ever again, but that would be wishful thinking in this society that is so technology and media driven.

Once finished, he opened the door so that Win could have servants come in and put his luggage in the car.

"Young master, are you alright?" Win asked with a worried frown.

"As alright as I'll ever be for as long Archveil Deserei is still in denial about what I did," Levi growled back. Archveil was his father's first name, he had made an effort to distance himself from his father, especially in private as a sign of rebellion. "I don't regret any of it."

Win sighed, "please take care of yourself, young master."

Levi rolled his eyes, "whatever."

The expensive high end black Passerby SUV ungraciously dumped Levi at the giant black metal gates that had the letters Imperial Military Academy carved over the top of it. Around him, there were well groomed young men in three piece suits, they were all nobles no doubt, it was not easy to get into the military academy, normally you needed letter of recommendation, but being a participant in the survival games, that was recommendation enough.

He watched as his assigned butler, whatever the poor boy's name was, struggled with his suitcase. Anger boiled up inside of him, it wasn't as if he didn't have hands and legs. He snatched the suitcase and told the boy, "just stay in the car."

As soon as he was through the gates, a young man in military official's suit came up to greet him, he had brown eyes and unkempt brown hair.

"Lieutenant Deserei," the man greeted him.

Levi scowled internally, "who are you?"

"I'm Private Malachite Kachin," he said.

Levi paused at the familiar surname, "Kachin? You related to Silver and Jasper?" Silver and Jasper were prisoners, twins, who were in the 12th game, but they blown up beside Graphique. Now that Levi looked more closely, there was a resemblance.

Malachite smiled awkwardly, "now's not the place, sir," he reached out for Levi's suitcase but the latter pulled away.

"Just lead the way, I can carry my own shit," Levi told him.