CHAPTER - 131

  Narrator: On his way back to the academy, not caring about the time since there were no classes the next day and the weekend was around the corner, Dav enjoyed the ride in peace, allowing himself to close his eyes for a few minutes, thinking.

  "Does someone like me really deserve this? This peace, even if it's only temporary?"

  He repeated that thought over and over again during the entire trip.

  He thought back to all the people he had killed to get to where he was now, stealing their powers and mana.

  Falling asleep, he found himself once again in that dark world, black, with not even a glimmer of light.

  He could only see his body, his hands and legs, unable to distinguish anything else, surrounded only by darkness.

  "Why am I here again...? This place is so empty and silent..."

  He said, looking around, fully aware he had spent a third of his life there.

  "I wonder what you'll show me this time."

  He heard a voice, his own voice say those words to him.

  Dav looked around again and again, asking:

  "Who are you? What do you want?"

  Silence fell, and for a few seconds, he carefully scanned the darkness, trying to see if there was anyone else there besides him.

  "Who am I? Who knows.

  You've got some really good friends... I wonder how you'd feel without them."

  A disturbing voice echoed from every direction, and he couldn’t tell where it was coming from.

  "Touch my friends and I’ll tear you apart in the worst way possible, that’s a promise."

  Dav said, his gaze empty, his voice firm and loud, staring into the deep darkness, unsure where his interlocutor was.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  "With your current strength, you just make me laugh.

  Weak. Weak. Weak."

  It kept repeating, unsettling and confident.

  "Get lost! I don’t want to hear your bullshit!"

  Dav shouted, furious at whoever was talking.

  Moments later, he woke up as Vik touched his shoulder.

  "Sir, we’ve arrived at the academy.

  I’ll help with the kids and then walk you to your room. You seem very tired."

  Said Vik with care as he stepped out of the car.

  Dav got out and woke Iris and Valeria.

  Rafael helped them get back to their rooms, carrying Lucrezia on his back.

  Selene helped Dav and Vik with the boys, bringing them all to their rooms.

  She noticed Dav’s face, irritated and a bit shaken, but said nothing.

  Once everyone was settled, Dav thanked Vik again and said goodbye, with Selene at his side.

  Dav: (watching Vik leave the academy) We can go to sleep now.

  Selene: (concerned) Hey Dav, is something wrong..?

  I may not be Iris, Valeria, or Lucrezia... but if you ever need anything, I’m here.

  Dav: (small smile): Just very tired... and maybe too much food, I guess.

  (smiling) Thanks anyway.

  You’re important too, you don’t need to compare yourself to anyone.

  Selene: (playing with her hair) I see then.

  (smiling) Shall we go to bed?

  Dav: (looking at the sky) Yeah, the world of dreams is waiting for us.

  (softly) The world of dreams...

  [Selene shyly takes Dav’s hand]

  Selene: (smiling) Then I’ll walk you there, if you don’t mind.

  Dav: (turning his head toward her) That’s fine, Sele.

  Narrator: Once in his room, Dav opened the door and said to Selene:

  If you want, we can open a noodle pack before sleeping.

  Tempted by the offer, Selene agreed and stepped inside with a satisfied and triumphant look.

  Meanwhile, everyone else slept under their blankets, deeply and quietly.

  Only Dav and Selene stayed awake, with the dim light of Dav’s small kitchen and the TV keeping them company.

  Dav made two bowls of instant noodles: one chicken, the other cheese-flavored, while flipping through channels until a random action movie played in the background during that peaceful moment between Selene and Dav.

  Selene, stirring her noodles over and over like she was holding back a question, eventually met Dav’s gaze, who had been watching her for a few seconds.

  "Sele, do you have something you want to say?"

  He asked in a curious and calm tone, looking into her eyes with a noodle still hanging from his mouth.

  Selene placed the bowl on the floor, where they sat watching TV, and said:

  "Did you only kill that man in prison… or were there others who deserved the same fate?"

  Her gaze tense, worried about the answer, she feared he’d get mad… but her curiosity was stronger.

  "He wasn’t the first… and he won’t be the last."

  Dav replied, calmly, eyes still on the TV.

  "If you want to talk about it, don’t hesitate."

  Selene said softly.

  Dav turned toward her with a slightly goofy, happy expression.

  "Not tonight. I want to enjoy these noodles with you.

  But… next time we’re alone, I will."

  Selene felt happy with that answer. No anger, no sadness in his voice.

  She picked up her bowl and continued eating.

  When they finished, Dav told her she could sleep in his room.

  No one would be coming around during the weekend, with everyone sleeping in late.

  Selene, a little embarrassed, agreed and headed toward the bed.

  Dav stayed on the couch to not disturb her.

  Selene said in a low voice, holding the blankets in her hands:

  "If-If you want... you can sleep here too...

  After all, the bed’s big enough for more than two, and I really don’t mind..."

  She stammered slightly, blushing.

  Selene had never shared a bed with anyone, except her sister-in-law when she had a fever.

  For her, it was an important step.

  And she didn’t regret it.

  Dav turned off the TV with an amused look.

  "If it’s okay with you, then I’ll make sure to sleep in a comfy bed tonight, haha."

  He undressed down to his pajama pants and a black long-sleeved shirt.

  Selene noticed how calm Dav was doing everything so casually… and did the same, putting on one of the pajamas he gave her.

  END OF CHAPTER - 131