Albert Gregory Percival spent most of his time alone in his study. None of his children had ever seen what lay behind the white wooden door, etched with panels in black and silver, bearing a sign that read "Gregory's Study: DO NOT ENTER."
Albert was engrossed in his work, reading a peculiar book. This book was different—it compelled him to devour every word with greedy eyes, hungry for all the knowledge it offered.
The study was a large room, resembling a library. The floor was covered with red, orange, and black rugs, each portraying the face of one of his wives. The room was cluttered with furniture, fridges, a stove, a bed, and three shelves filled with books on various languages, subjects, and topics. The walls were adorned with numerous paintings. Albert's desk was meticulously arranged with stacks of files and journals, and a simple lamp illuminated the book he read.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door—a soft tap tap tap.
Startled from his reading, Gregory dismissed the person knocking, but the tapping persisted.
Gregory, dressed in beach boxers, a red singlet, and huarache sandals, got up calmly and trudged toward the door. Ravens cawed loudly outside, prompting the mansion guards to try and chase them off, but the flock wouldn't leave.
As Albert reached for the doorknob, he felt the temperature drop and noticed a shadow on the other side of the door. The gentle knocking continued as the figure waited patiently.
"Al?" Albert called. "Mario? Hezekiah? Julius? Evelyn? Who's there?"
The knocking continued, soft and relentless, while the ravens' cries grew more intense. A dark, heavy presence loomed beyond the door. Albert rushed to his desk, felt under it, and pressed a hidden button.
He slumped back into his chair, trying to steady his heartbeat. He wasn't afraid—just curious. Who could make it past all his guards and dare to knock on Albert Gregory Percival's private study?
Whoever it was, they weren't a guest—they were an intruder.
Albert brainstormed. Could this be an assassination attempt? But why now? While lost in thought, a faint click broke the silence. The door unlocked. Albert watched, intrigued, as it slowly swung open with a creak. The study's temperature plummeted.
The figure entered—hovered, perhaps. Albert felt it immediately: a threatening, piercing presence filled with evil. Black smoke shrouded the figure, dispersing only when he approached.
The figure was a man with a pale, handsome face, sickly green eyes streaming blood, and a sorrowful expression. He wore an all-black cloak adorned with feathers, bones, and weapons. His gloves ended in silver-tipped claws, and a helmet resembling a raven's beaked head sat like a crown on his bony skull.
"I was meant to stop at Black Meadows," the man said in a husky, polished voice, "but I was in the neighborhood and decided to stop by."
"What do you want from me?" Albert asked. *"Who are you working for? Do you know where you are?"
The man stared intently. *"The book. Where is it?"
Outside, the ravens perched on the windows, growing ravenous.
Albert didn't flinch. *"I have many books. You could say I'm a bookworm—but I prefer 'intelligent,' 'brilliant,' or even 'old-minded.'"
"Don't play games with me, old man," the stranger growled. *"The book you found on the grounds of the extinct Rainbow Clan—the one with no cover or name, filled with vast knowledge. Give it to me. Now."
Albert leaned forward. *"Or else what?"
A guard burst into the room, clad in silver armor. "Master Albert!" he shouted.
He aimed a triple-barreled shotgun at the man and fired. Three bullets rocketed forward with a thunderous bang, aimed straight at the intruder's head. Albert smiled, pleased by his guard's efficiency.
But something was wrong.
The bullets struck—but not the stranger. The guard's own head exploded. Blood sprayed across the room as his lifeless body crumpled to the floor. Still, Albert remained unfazed—amused, even.
"Oh my," Albert said. *"What divinity was that? Reflection?"
The man turned to him, unscathed. "I don't use the term 'divinity.' But you will give me that book." His silver claws gleamed. *"Or else..."
Albert's right eye glowed bright orange. The ravens fell silent.
Caesar had expected a gold star, a sticker, maybe a word of praise. He didn't expect a glowing green energy orb hurled at him. His right eye flared crimson. The orb approached.
Where teachers are allowed to kill students, Caesar thought.
He readied a punch, but the orb swerved away at the last moment and exploded into a brilliant light.
"Always prepare for an attack," Ms. Fiah said, scribbling her name on the chalkboard. *"Impressive. But I said it was a reward, not a punishment."
The class chuckled—except Caesar and Zeus.
Caesar sat down. *"Thank you for the reward."
Class began, and everyone enjoyed it. Ms. Fiah didn't just teach; she reenacted history using her Divinity, Flashlight. Today's tale: the legend of Melios.
Melios was a powerful ghoul born 3,000 years ago in Black Valley, a ghoul province constantly attacked by racist humans. Ghouls bore black horns, and rarely, black wings. Melios didn't gain divinity—he was just potent. His power terrified even Zion, and he ended the terror plaguing Black Valley.
But one day, he led an army to Zion's capital and attacked, wielding his legendary weapon: The Bell of Melios.
Historians believed the bell, made of pure gloydon, had the power to destroy the Zion Empire. Some theorized it was tied to the first moon, Astreas, or that it could call down 'curses' from the heavens. Ultimately, Melios was defeated, executed, and the bell vanished.
To Caesar, the story made no sense.
With five Brumites left in class, Caesar raised his hand.
"Why can't ghouls use divinity?" he asked.
"Because the Almighty only blessed humans," Ms. Fiah replied.
*"But you aren't human. You have divinity."
*"Other races can have it, but it's rare."
*"Caesar still looked unsatisfied. "So you are telling me that Divinity is rare, but there are 209 pupils in year 1 only. And I recalled the announcer saying that everybody in Black Meadows Academy has awakened their divinity. Take my friend Zeus, for example. " Zeus gave Caesar a side eye when he heard his name. "He used pure training and hard work to, quote on quote, 'Awaken' his divinity. So does it mean that people can have divinity after birth? And why did Melios attack the capital from nowhere? You can use the argument for hating humans, but why Zion of all places. You said that the town he was living in was a province, and it means that it was independent from any kingdom, and since Zion was so afraid of him, they would have left him and his race alone, so why?, why?""
Before Ms. Fiah could reply, the dismissal melody played.
"Already?" she said. *"Class dismissed."
As Caesar exited, Ms. Fiah rested a hand on his shoulder.
*"You ask too many questions. Do you doubt your kingdom?"
"I'm just a boy in a big world," Caesar replied. *"What change will my questions bring?"
She didn't smile. *"Meet me tomorrow during second break. Then I'll answer. Deal?"
Caesar nodded. Still, he was unsatisfied.
Next up: Hexes. Caesar continued his questioning, this time bombarding Professor Pierrot Zeen Cumberland, a patient but worn teacher.
"Why does assassin lizard venom kill mammals but not others?"
"Why does the luck vial kill ghouls?"
"Why does Galeburst ectoplasm only empower elves under the Rui moon?"
Eventually, Mr. Pierrot sighed. *"The Almighty didn't give me infinite wisdom... or patience."
After the dismissal tune, Caesar and his friends—Chalybe, Izobel, Zeus, and Fenrir—met in the Black Meadows field. They lounged beneath a gerry-plum tree and shared their day.
Chalybe's white hair glistened. *"You're never satisfied, Caesar. You always need another mystery."
"This world is filled with unanswered questions," Caesar said. *"It's a world of mysteries."
"Boys and their fantasies," Izobel sighed. *"But I admit—Melios's story felt... incomplete."
"Like they're hiding something," Caesar said.
"I'm no smart wolf," Fenrir added, "but I don't think the kingdom's hiding anything."
*"Hey Zeus, is that red grape juice?"
*"NO."
*"Come on, share."
After what felt like eternity, The melody sounded again, and the group returned to class. Caesar walked slowly, pondering Fenrir's words.
They all think the kingdom isn't hiding anything.
Caesar took a deep breath, admiring the glowing halls.
"Hey Caesar, stop slacking," Zeus called.
Caesar grinned and ran to catch up.
Alarms blared. The Percival mansion shook. Albert's study was in ruins—paintings, furniture, rugs, everything destroyed. Deep claw marks gouged Albert Gregory Percival's chest.
Was he dead? and where is the book?