The Villain's Survival Instruction Manual-Chapter 12: Banquet[1]
As the sun set, and darkness enveloped the world. But The Aurelian Imperial Academy shone brighter than normal.
The whole academy was decorated for the yearly banquet held for the first years as that way they can socialize with their seniors and form connections.
Students wore the ceremonial uniform, and lined up to go inside the Grand Hall of the academy.
Cassian was still in his dorm, he wore the same uniform but was reading the two letters which had just arrived.
He opened the first one, the seal on it was familiar because it was the seal of the Morrigan family.
Cassian,
I returned from the eastern front two days ago. The snows there have not yet thawed, and the mud still reeks of iron, burnt powder and blood. You would have hated the weather but loved the cavalry charge.
Father says the border will hold for now. The skirmishes with the Abyssalspawns have thinned, though not ended. We lost good men. I expect you already read the reports on the losses and gains.
How is the academy? I heard from one of the quartermasters’ sons that you have already made yourself...noticed. I am choosing to believe that this does not involve detonating anything important. Between us, you’re prone to these kinds of things
Father and I will be attending the banquet for the first-years. He pretends it is merely a courtesy to the faculty, but you know how he is...he wishes to see with his own eyes what kind of officer you are becoming. He will not say it plainly, so I will: he is proud of you.
Though always remember, do not mistake his silence for indifference.
If any senior attempts to test you for sport, remember what I taught you. Strength is not proven in victory, but in restraint. A Morrigan does not fight to impress a hall, we fight when the outcome matters.
And if there are politics at play...there always are...tread carefully. War on the border is simple, in corridors not much.
I will find you before the banquet begins. And if your schedule permits, we will spar. I want to see whether academy drills have softened you.
Eat properly, sleep more than four hours, and do not let Father see you slouch.
Ronan
Eastern Command 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶
As he finished reading the letter, he couldn’t help but smile. Back on Earth he was an only child, the only people he could call siblings were his mates in the military.
He finished getting ready and then strapped his sword in a sheath which was adorned with a few gems and ribbons along its length. It was a special sheath, he couldn’t barge into the Hall with a sword inside a normal leather sheath.
"Martha, father and eldest brother will be coming to the banquet. I’m going to welcome them personally and that means you both should come with me."
"I already knew that, the Count sent me a letter before Master Ronan could send you yours. Sir Oliver is waiting outside the dorm building, he had to get his chestplate fixed." Martha replied and opened the door for him.
He saw a few of his classmates and passed them with a smile, then walked down the stairs where he saw Roland, Eric and Sinclair were standing in one corner as Luna held what seemed to be a letter in her hand.
"My father and eldest sister are coming, and you’re only giving me the letter just now?" She sighed and sat down.
"We thought you knew already. You’re the student council president...doesn’t the Headmaster personally relay information to you?" Sharron said.
Luna looked at her with a face full of disbelief. "If I knew, I wouldn’t be panicking like this. My father is one thing, but my eldest sister is also coming. I can’t mess this up." She replied and got up.
She grabbed her sword and read the remaining letter, then she moved towards Cassian who looked at the scene from the side.
"Cassian, Octavia told me you’ve been put on the student council. First task, since I have other things to tend to, please greet and take my father and eldest sister to the banquet venue." She ordered and hurriedly moved to where she originally was and started rummaging through pieces of paper.
"Me?" Cassian replied with a confused expression. "My own father and eldest brother are here, I was just going to get them."
"Oh? Count Morrigan and Ronan are coming? Great, they’ll surely be together, you can kill two birds with one stone." She replied and continued whatever she was doing.
Cassian looked at the other seniors and all of them shrugged in unison as though they wouldn’t dare going against what Luna said.
He left the dorm building with Martha and Sir Oliver behind him, as they walked along the stone pathway, they could see the decorated academy.
Banners of the thirteen families alongside the banners of the academy were everywhere, students escorted parents to their respective areas.
Cassian arrived where he would pick up his father and brother and then the Duke himself and his son.
A tall man with short jet black hair stood beside a man with the same hair, also cut short. The taller man had a small beard alongside a face full of scars. It was Count Morrigan, his father.
And besides him was his brother, Ronan Morrigan. He was not as tall as their father but he was just a bit taller than Cassian and had a scar on his cheek, it looked as if it was a fresh one.
Cassian bowed in front of them, "I welcome the Count to The Aurelian Imperial Academy. Father and eldest brother I will be escorting you both inside."
Cassian said but as he straightened himself Ronan threw his arms around him, Cassian’s whole body froze, but he slowly did the same. He had forgotten how much the original Cassian was loved by his brothers.
"Cassian! You have no idea how much I missed you little brother." Then he broke the hug and lifted Cassian’s arms up for inspection.
"Have you not been eating something? You’re all skin and bones." He protested but their father put a hand on Ronan’s shoulder.
"We can catch up later, right now we should head to the venue." He ordered.
"Going without even meeting me? How cruel old friend." A voice from behind the Count called out to him.
The father and sons trio turned around to see a man as tall as the Count, with a lean and fit body, short white hair combed neatly and green eyes standing beside a woman with white hair which had black streaks in it. The only difference was that she was shorter than her father.
Count Morrigan quickly bent down to one knee and lowered his head, Ronan and Cassian followed behind them as well as Oliver and Martha.
"I greet the Warden of the North." The Count declared.
"Get up." The Duke said. "Don’t be too courteous, I’m here as a guest just like you old friend."
"You’re right Duke, but I ought to show respect to the lord I’ve dedicated my life to." The Count replied.
The men looked at each other then burst into laughter as they hugged each other. Knowing someone since when you started walking creates a very deep bond.
After catching up there, Cassian took all of them inside the banquet hall.
***
[Chapter 12 - Banquet(1)]
