13 Baron (2/2)
”Verification failed, please identify.”
Lionel sighed in annoyance as he said, ”Lionel, Farline.”
”Verification failed, please identify.”
Lionel was beginning to run out of patience now, ”Lionel Farline!”
”Verification failed, please identify.”
”It's me you idiot Lionel Farline!”
”Verification successful, please hold the card in front of your eyes.”
Lionel snorted in severe annoyance as he held the card a few centimeters from his eyes. Once again the golden symbol disappeared leaving the two circles to take its place. The light flashed green and the circle returned.
”Retinal scan successful, good evening Prince Lionel.”
Lionel completely ignored it as he thrust the card back into Darius' hands.
”Darius Omen, you will be temporarily granted the rank of Baron, royal substitute status. Your training will commence at ten a.m tomorrow. Good luck, and try to be the hunter, not the hunted.” the card retorted just before going blank.
The look on Darius' face turned from being expressionless to pure terror as he looked up at Lionel.
”Lionel, what did it mean by 'hunted'?” A chill ran down Darius' spine at the very word. He could feel the fear creeping out from deep within him.
Lionel had heard Darius' question but pretended like he hadn't, deciding not to reply.
”Lionel what did the card mean by 'try to be the hunter, not the hunted'?” Darius became uncharacteristically stern as he said this.
”You know, most people get exiled for simply using my first name.” Lionel retorted, part of him genuinely annoyed with Darius' blatant lack of respect and the other part just trying to evade his question.
”I don't care if you exile me just tell me what I've gotten myself into.”
Lionel sighed as he put his drink down on the table, ”Well if you really must know, there have been rumours...”
”What rumours?” Darius asked as he leaned forward, intent to hear what Lionel would say.
”Look Darius, these rumours are from some really shady sources you don't really wanna know-”
”Damnit Lionel just tell me!” Darius half shouted, staring Lionel in the eyes.
”So rude, it's as if he's actively trying to get me to kill him...although he's no use to me dead, and then all this would've been for nothing. Damn this stupid test!” Lionel thought to himself as he looked at Darius for a moment.
”The rumours are...” Lionel took a deep breath before saying as fast as he could, ”That they're going to stuff you in an arena with a bunch of spirits.”
”What?!?” Darius was immediately gripped with fear at the word 'spirit'.
”Don't worry about it, they're just rumours. It's probably not even true.”
Lionel was lying through his teeth, and Darius could tell.
”Tell me the truth Lionel, is that what the test really is?” Darius was desperate for a straight answer.
Noticing this desperation Lionel decided to tell Darius the whole truth. ”Yeah, that's what the test really is. My brother Erik told me.”
”So last night when you said that even you didn't know what the test was?”
”I was being honest, I only found out today. My family have no idea I'm going to use a substitute so they all came in today to watch me take the test. Can't wait to see the look on father's face when he finds out.You have no idea how lucky I was to find someone like you haha.” Lionel scoffed as he took another sip of the purple liquid.
”No, no, no, no, no.” Darius kept muttering to himself. ”I'm not going to do this, I can't do this! Lionel get me out of this!” he shouted out.
”Lionel, who couldn't care less about Darius' state of mind simply said, ”It's already done, Darius. There's nothing I can do about it. And since there's nothing you can do about it either why don't you just calm down and have a drink instead?”