The Extra Wants Control

[Lara POV]

Another day dawned, another monotonous schedule of classes, training, meals, and sleep. Sometimes, I yearn for the days I could laze around all day in the opulent comfort of the Elven palace. Yet, a surprising spark has ignited in this seemingly dull academy life.

Being an Elven princess, maturity came naturally to me. It often put a chasm between me and others my age, making genuine connections difficult. Of course, people still hovered around me, drawn by the allure of the Elven throne and the power it represents. Can't say I blame them; the harsh reality is, weakness is a luxury few can afford in this world.

Currently, my mission is to solidify an Elven faction within the academy, a no-brainer for an Elven princess. Still, a nagging desire for more... 'allies,' I suppose, stirs within me. Take Neveah, the brooding vampire. He doesn't waste energy on socializing, yet his strength is undeniable. My aunt, a gossip extraordinaire, showed me the recording of his duel with Axl - the vampire completely dominated.

And even the recent exhibition match, despite injuries clearly hindering him, showcased his prowess. Though, the source of his earlier injuries remains a mystery, and frankly, none of my business.

Then there's Azrael, the human Blessed. He often greets me, extends invitations to his parties (never my cup of tea), and generally acts chummy. This misplaced familiarity grates on me. Can't a girl get some peace and quiet? However, pushing the Blessed into hostility wouldn't be prudent.

And Axl, that arrogant peacock. His roving eyes, lustful and blatant, land on any skirt within a ten-mile radius, and lately, they seem to linger on me a tad too long. Should I pry those eyeballs out? Perhaps.

Astrid, the Blessed, commands her Valkyrie club, a battalion of boisterous, battle-hungry women. Kim falls into the same category - a warrior itching for a fight. Not exactly my social circle of choice.

There he was again, Neveah. Today, the limp was gone, replaced by a faint bulge beneath his robes hinting at bandages. As always, he sat in theory class with his head buried in his arms, a storm cloud of indifference constantly hovering around him. He never took notes, much to the annoyance of professors like Aqua - who already harbored a clear distaste for the aloof vampire.

But Neveah remained unfazed, nonchalant even.

Leaving the class, I made my way back to the dorms. While everyone had individual apartments, boys and girls resided as neighbors. As I walked, a flash of red caught my eye. A group of vampires, their blazers emblazoned with crimson streaks, were accosting Neveah.

"Which clan are you from, scum?" The ringleader, a pale excuse for a vampire, looked like a white goblin with fangs - a walking, snarling caricature. He had the audacity to smirk.

Neveah's response was a single word, flat and devoid of emotion: "Move."

Before the goblin could even launch into another pompous attack, the entire group was flattened on the ground. Gravity, seemingly controlled by an unseen hand, pinned them in place. Neveah, as though completely unfazed, didn't even spare them a glance. He simply continued walking towards his apartment, a chilling display of power in his wake.

Brutal? Absolutely. But these guys had practically pushed him. Still, a part of me couldn't help but be intrigued by Neveah's enigmatic behavior. He wasn't the type to initiate trouble, but when provoked, he unleashed a terrifying efficiency. But there's always another layer, right?

Well everyone has secrets.

A guttural yell snapped me out of my thoughts. "Doesn't that bastard know I'm a Count's son?!" It was the goblin, sputtering on the ground. "I demand..."

"Hey," I cut him off, my voice sharper than usual. "Shut it. You're disturbing the peace."

He seemed genuinely surprised, as though vampires had a monopoly on good hearing. "What did you..."

Apparently, his vocabulary wasn't very extensive. I decided to give him a taste of his own medicine. Water surged up from the nearby fountain, forming limbs that grabbed him and launched him like a projectile out of the academy grounds. This place definitely needed better security. Why couldn't people just leave Neveah alone? He looked like he had enough on his plate as it was.

Maybe I should have aimed him farther...

**********

I slammed the front door shut with a sigh, the familiar creak a welcome sound after the journey home. Today was the day. Today, I would break through the six-star barrier. No more delays, no more excuses.

Sinking into a meditative position, I channeled mana, feeling the raw energy flow through my veins. Closing my eyes, I focused on the sensation, guiding it, coaxing it like a wild stallion. A surge of power erupted within me, violent and exhilarating, threatening to burst through the confines of my body. Hours bled into one another as I wrestled with the raw energy, slowly bringing it under control.

Finally, with a shuddering exhalation, the storm within subsided, leaving behind a thrumming sense of power.

Six stars. I'd finally cracked the barrier. A triumphant grin spread across my face, quickly replaced by a grimace as the consequences of my exertion hit. I was a mess of sweat, clinging to my clothes uncomfortably. A bath was a priority before anything else.

Just as I rose to head for the bathroom, the house phone chimed. A holographic projection flickered to life, revealing my Aunt Ilyana's face etched with worry. Not a good sign. What did this woman want now? I just wanted to scrub the sweat off before it dried into a sticky film.

"Lara," she began, her voice tight with barely suppressed panic. "... please come home quickly, even for a day. Sis is making me do activities with her claiming it's to bond." Her voice trailed off into a pleading whine.

"I can't, I have classes," I said, already bracing myself for the inevitable guilt trip.

"Screw your classes!" Ilyana practically shouted. "Help me deal with your mother."

A wave of annoyance washed over me. This whole debacle had started a few weeks ago. My mother, known for her almost irritating kindness, had undergone a personality shift. Suddenly, she was all about family bonding - smothering us with unwanted affection and dragging us to excruciating family outings. We'd initially welcomed the change, but now it was wearing thin.

One part of me was relieved Ilyana hadn't resorted to anything drastic. If she'd hurt Mom, well, let's just say there would have been consequences, I would have killed her or die trying whichever came first.

Thankfully, she resorted to change her kindness trait for another random trait, which gave birth to this overly affectionate new mother of mine, it seemed like a more manageable situation, albeit an annoying one.

"It's fine, I'll come by soon," I sighed, cutting off Ilyana's pleas for an immediate visit. Ending the call, I stalked towards the bathroom, the sweat now a dried, unpleasant film on my skin.

Stepping into the cool water of the shower, I scrubbed away the sweat and exhaustion, a new worry swirling in my gut. Why did war threats always seem to crop up whenever I was trying to make progress? Couldn't I just have a single peaceful life.

One thing was certain - I'd do whatever it took to keep my family safe. Closing my eyes, I let the water cascade down my face, washing away not just the sweat but also the lingering frustration.

Stepping out of the shower, a sigh escaped my lips as the cool air hit my damp skin. Reaching for a towel was a reflex I quickly squashed. Wind magic, my specialty, whispered possibilities. With a flick of my wrist, a gentle breeze swirled around me, caressing my skin and drying it quickly. The sensation sent a shiver down my spine, a tingling reminder of the power at my fingertips.

I sank onto the plushness of my bed, the exhaustion from reaching the sixth rank still clinging to me like a comfortable cloak. My stomach rumbled in protest, but ignoring it was a habit I'd cultivated. Eating felt like a chore, a necessary interruption in the pursuit of power. Meals could wait until tomorrow.

Rest. That's all I craved - a deep, uninterrupted sleep to allow my body to integrate the surge of energy that echoed within me. But as my eyelids began to droop, a flicker of unease sparked in my gut. Sleep might be good, but stagnation was the enemy. News of other Blessed, especially Axl and Azrael, pushing the boundaries of their powers, constantly gnawed at me. I couldn't afford to fall behind.

One would call me obsessed. But they didn't understand. Power was everything here. It was the difference between life and death, between protecting your loved ones and leaving them vulnerable. And lately, with whispers of trouble brewing at the Elven borders, the stakes felt higher than ever.

We have enemies at all fronts the invaders and even our current allies couldn't be trusted. How annoying!

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