70 Lord Urag is Back! (1/2)
”This is getting out of hand, and we must do something to suppress the situation,” a white-gold student told eight of his peers who each sat around a rectangular table. One month. It'd been one month since Kilian the Unfortunate became Kilian von Skoll, with all the perks the name afforded.
At first, considering the perceived weakness of the von Skoll, the descendants of those houses about to turn coat chose to first befriend him, then strike him down when he expected it the least. But never did they expect that Kilian would get so drunk on power so fast. Overnight, he became the academy's number one celebrity, throwing such lavish parties that on the following mornings, dozens of classes were found empty of both students and professors.
Worse, as if drawn by an irresistible magnet, ladies now flocked around him days and night, and rumors that the Chairs of Fire, Lightning and Wind, regularly visited his chambers for private lessons abounded. Many couldn't understand why Kilian received such excessive treatments. Although the Imperial Academy was the von Skolls' territory, even the Crown Prince didn't act this extravagantly.
But as if to further slap their faces, the elder council granted Kilian imperial prince status, forcing all but a few to bow in his presence. Unrestrained, he opened three gambling houses, driving hundreds of spendthrift students to a life of heavy gambling and ruin. On the scene, several lost more than half their net worth to Kilian's gambling houses.
A mess! The entire academy had turned into a royal mess! Meanwhile, the imperial forces struggled to restrain Rupert's armies, with rumors that he'd soon reach the Imperial City spreading in the fence sitters' circles.
”This is a perfect example of how low the von Skolls have fallen. See how far they're willing to go to cajole their new toy? I heard that the purple-gold robes were supposed to learn new Fourth Circle Spells to prepare for the hunt, but their instructor was too high from the previous night to teach them anything worthwhile.”
”This is not even the worst. The bastard started a new trend. Trying to curry his favor, hundreds of females and dozens of males are now wearing their hair in dreadlocks. We can't even tell upstarts from nobles anymore!”
”Right, I even caught my sister doing the same as she prepared for one of his parties! Damn it, she's engaged!” If not for the academy being von Skoll territory, many of the wronged students would have taken arms against Kilian. Some desperados did try, never to be heard of again.
”Trying to cause the man trouble in the academy doesn't make any sense. Even without the professors' backing, in one-third of the students' eyes, he's a myth, a god, their source of unending ecstasy. We must endure.
The Sura Hunting Game starts in less than three days and will last 45 days. I know from trustworthy sources that the academy changed the organization, and plans to send all students, regardless of abilities. The professors are coming too. They will make an announcement in tomorrow's gathering,” said the group's leader, and his peers' eyes widened at the words.
But while some plotted Kilian's destruction, he stood in the academy's most lavish party hall, looking down at hundreds of carousing students from his private floor.
”Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my birthday celebration. Cheers,” Kilian began. In his right hand, he held a lilac-colored glass of alcohol, while around his neck, a black snake coiled—Inyoka in his one-head form. Flanked by the six aistis, Kilian extended his glass at the students who all wore dreadlocks akin to his.
In their hands, they held the same lilac liquor, and met Kilian's toast with unrestrained hollers. Word was that whoever attended Kilian's parties three times would turn into a rabid fan. The unique narcotics had a lot to do with it.
”As you know, this is our last gathering before the Sura Hunting Game. So now more than ever, you must live up to the creed and…” Kilian's voice trailed, and taking the hint, his followers finished the words, ”Party till we drop!”
Their screams shook the banquet hall, and satisfied, Kilian gave an approving nod. ”Today's challenge is simple. Whoever can down 13 zilac glasses before midnight can join me upstairs. You know the drill, don't try cheating, I will know,” Kilian declared, downed his glass, and turned heels.
Zilac was a unique beverage concocted by Kilian in Ostria and served only to the Celestial Garden's VIPs. On potency, it approached the fehl high, but beyond the intoxicating effect—for 48 hours—it'd help magi increase their Dra Reserves at twice the pace.