บท 23: Volume 1.22 House of Spades (2)
"Here is your luggage, your highness."
"Where are my daggers?" Myrene asked seeing that her daggers were nowhere with her luggage.
"I apologize, your highness. However, I would not be the one to hand your weapons over." The leader of the cloaked man said.
The sun was already high in the sky yet it didn't feel hot. Myrene didn't reply to the words of the cloaked man. Together with her only luggage, Myrene walked ahead without waiting for them to say anything. Entering the gate, there was no one in sight. But Myrene got the feeling that they were being watched. On the way, there was only one kind of flower, the black dahlia. It spread across in flower beds to the huge building ahead.
The three cloaked men surrounded Myrene as they walked through the building. While on the way the leader of the cloak men was explaining things to Myrene. And from his tone, it seemed that this kind of explaining thing was some sort of routine already.
"This is one of the Four Houses of Learning in the Demon Continent. The House of Spades is the second-ranked house, Your highness." The cloaked man gestured to the building that was now becoming nearer as they walked. "From now on, you will stay together with other children to hone your magical abilities."
'Learning Huh. The demon race is more systematic than I thought. But it must be a simple system to manipulate all the children of the demon race.'
Myrene didn't respond nor bother to give a glance to the cloaked man. And the cloaked man seemed not to mind this attitude either. Or more likely, he was already used to such treatment.
The cloaked man spoke again.
"On the fourth rank in the House of Diamonds which housed the children of five hundred-one and above."
"The third rank in the House of Clubs. That housed the children who got the names of one hundred fifty-one to five hundred."
"Second as I said before is this house, the House of Spades. It houses the children who got the names of fifty to one-hundred-fifty."
"And the first one is the House of Hearts that housed the children who have names of forty-nine and below. If her highness desires to attend the House of Hearts, you must obtain a name with Forty-Nine. Further things will be discussed by the headmistress of the House of Spades."
{"Don't worry, my daughter. Once you earn a name around Forty, I will see you again. So survive until then, One Hundred." }
Myrene clenched her fist. 'So that is what the witch is telling me.'
"This way," the cloaked man gestured for her to go inside a massive silver door.
"We can't follow you from this point, Your Highness." The cloaked man said as they closed the door.
All alone now, Myrene observed the interior of the house, it certainly gave her a classic and horror school feel. High-end chandeliers with red flames lighting them. And there were statues of gargoyles on every pillar. And it seemed they were all looking at her.
The hallway only led to one door. She stealthily and cautiously went to it. When she opened the door, Myrene was surprised to see other children inside. Some glanced in her way while the others were busy with their own worlds.
"You're One Hundred, I presume?"
She was startled when a low and deep voice resounded on her left side. When she glanced to see what it was, it was an adult male demon. He had small horns on his head. He was wearing a black butler uniform and had this creepy smile. His pale face and body were human-like, however, his eyes were the color of blood, the same as hers. Myrene stepped a few steps away from him.
'I didn't feel his presence all along.'
"I am one of the Seven Keys of the House of Spades, Solace. What beautiful silver hair you have," he said as he tried to touch Myrene's hair. However, Myrene quickly evaded his hands and glared at him. He simply chuckled and then went on with his words.
"Just please proceed inside. When the headmistress arrives the entrance ceremony will begin." The demon, who introduced himself as Solace, said. Then he gestured for Myrene to go ahead. Myrene narrowed her gaze without saying anything and went to a corner where there were no children like her.
Myrene observed everything inside the room. It was huge. With the same chandeliers from the outside. However, the light didn't reach the sides of the room, making it completely not visible to anyone, if one would not take a closer look. She glanced at the one who talked to her before and was now busy welcoming other children like her. Some of the children were human-like while there were some that had animal or monster physical traits in them. Some of them were grouped into peers while there were also some who were like her, a lone wolf.
Myrene was on high guards the entire time, until all of the sudden, a strong gust of wind blew. And all the candles in the chandeliers went off, turning the whole place into an eerie darkness. Many gasps and screams of some of the frightened children were heard. And Myrene heightened her senses, readying herself for any attack.
A soft and well-spoken voice of a woman erupted through the whole room.
"Welcome, new students of House Spades!"
Myrene's eyes winced at the sudden burst of light. When she looked closely at the source, at the end of the room, there was already a stage there that no one knew had. And standing on top of the stage was a demoness.
A beautiful demoness in a seductive black dress, hugging all her curves and her humongous chest. She had long antlers that were like a deer. And six skeleton wings were visible on her back. Her white orb eyes glowed with faint red light.
"I am Virena, the headmistress of House Spades. You are the new batch who successfully received their name from fifty to one hundred and fifty! Congratulations on your admission here!" There was an unreadable smile that didn't even reach her eyes. "For four entire years that will be your chance. You can leave here and move to the House of Hearts. However, it would all depend on your fate and strength. I hope all of you have a memorable and meaningful time here. I look forward to what you can show me."
***
House of Spades
Demon Continent
October 12th, 209
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