Lean strolled down Ekaine’s shaded streets, the city’s pulse humming around I
I him—folks chatting, weaving through the crowd
He hung a step behind Caitlyn, eyes flicking over the so
scene. A scooter ripped by, and he nudged Caitlyn. “Yo, no e–s
no e–scooters in Ekavine? What’s the deal?”
She shot him a look, lips twitching “Tried that. Companies went kaput,”
People here were too chill for the hustle, picturing the city’s easygoing charm, Too wholesome, too much wear, no profit.
Lean nodded. “Aight, once my ribs quit whining and I got some cash, we’re grabbing a scooter. You’re teaching, yeah? Gotta roll to work in style.”
Caitlyn’s gaze softened, a spark of warmth flickering inside. “Sure, I’m down,” she said, hands behind her back, a sly smile creeping up.
Her steps got a little peppier. That was kinda dope.
Ekavine Academy was a quick ten minute walk. They stopped at the gates, dwarfed by a massive statue that screamed extra
Leon squinted, a weird déjà vu nagging him. Why’s this face ringing bells? “Hey, Caitlyn, you getting one of these for yourself someday? Big statue vibes?”
She rolled her eyes, tossing her hair, “Pfft, I’m not that extra!” A statue? Please.
Leon grinned, trailing her.
“Kathleen’s got some bold taste. He stole another glance at the statue. “Did they pump up the chest? Shaking his head, he followed, still chuckling at the city lord’s flair.
Naturally, Kathleen–Ekavine’s charming big boss–ran the academy
The grounds were straight–up magical a lush green path stretched out, trees so thick they wove a freaking emerald canopy overhead.
Leon snagged a leaf drifting toward Caitlyn’s hair. ‘What even is this tree?” he wondered, tossing it aside.
The campus buzzed with college energy–young, vibrant, alive.
Acute girl sauntered by, books clutched tight, all campus charm.
Not bad, but his eyes slid back to Caitlyn
Because, holy hell, Caitlyn was a whole other league. In a sea of stunners, she was a supernova.
Her beauty hit like a spell, making one forget how to blink, Regular folks see her and think “hot” Next to other beauties? She was unreal.
Her petite frame just made her vibe with the campus’s youthful energy, like she was born for it. She could’ve been any student…except for that face, which was basically a cheat code.
Heads turned. A fol Students, dudes, chicks–everyone caught in her orbit.
“Just people looking, chill, Leon told himself, but a sharp jab of annoyance flared anyway. “Why’s this bugging me?”
He couldn’t stop it. Like a hawk guarding its turf, he started throwing death stares at anyone who lingered. “Eyes off, pal,” his glare screamed.
He was one step from full–on mob boss mode.
Caitlyn’s cheeks wont pink as she sped up, her thoughts a jumble. “This dumbass is making me look ridiculous…
Kathleen might’ve been the headmaster in name, but she was way too busy with her city lord hustle–napping or shoving tasky onto her miniopa,
13
Chapter 14
That left the academy to someone she’d handpicked, a real trusted sidekick
“Hey, Arwen, been a hot minute,” Caitlyn said, sipping from a fancy cup in an office that screamed low–key rich–elegant but flexing just a tad
Leon lounged beside her, scoping out the room before locking eyes on the woman across the desk.
‘Human, he clocked.
Arwen Bashed a warm grin, her voice easy. “Not that long, but good to see ya, Lady Calilyn”
“Ugh, skip the formal crap,” Caitlyn groaned, waving a hand,
“Demon Lord days are ancient history,” she said, sneaking a glance at Leon, who was chomping a cookie like it was his job.
Caught in her stare, Leon froze, coughed, and nearly choked. He grabbed his coffee, downing it, then held out another cookie with a goofy grin.
Caitlyn sighed, shaking her head like really, dude? But as Leon went to eat it, she swiped it, taking a bite
“Kinda sweet…not bad,” she mused,
Arwen Sadden, chin on her hands, eyed the pair with a curious glint. ‘So, this is Leon? The hero who wrecked the Human Alliance and dethroned Caitlyn
But he seemed…kinda clueless. “How’s he crashing at her place?” she wondered.
Demon Lords and the Knights were supposed to be at each other’s throats, not playing house.
She coughed, snapping back. “So, Lady Caitlyn, you
here to snag a job or what?”
Caitlyn leaned back, dreaming of easy days and big bucks. “Gimme something chill. Low effort, early outs, but pays fat stacks.”
Arwen smirked, raising a brow. “Greedy, huh?”
She chuckled, already scheming, “Still, for an ex Demon Lord, we’ll swing it.
“You wanna teach hands–on fighting or nerdy theory stuff?”
Ekavine Academy pumped out students ready to become hunters, Heroes, or straight–up legends.
The beef between humans and Demons had chilled out for now, but the Beasts? Those jerks were getting beefier, turning into everyone’s new worst
nightmare.
at spooky rift tore open above the city, screaming bad news.
Ekavine’s main gig was wrestling with these monsters–especially after that
Celyn kicked back, twirling her hair, all cool and curious. “So, what’s the chest job here? Y’know, least amount of chaos?”
Arwen’s lips quirked, hall–expecting Caitlyn’s laid back vibe but still thrown by her nonchalance. Theory department’s the easy street,” she said with a shrug. “For you, Lady Caitlyn? Maybe an Arcane Theory prof? You’d crush it.”
Caitlyn’s grin flashed, her mind already sold. “Sweet, I’m game!”
Unlike Leon, that sword–happy lunatic who’d rather slice than strategize, Caitlyn was all about magic, her spell game sharp as a dagger. Arcane theory! Total fit
“Gonna own this, she thought, picturing herself schooling a bunch of starry–eyed newbies. With her Demon Lord smarts and street cred teaching was gonna be a breeze.
Arwen’s eyes sparkled with mischiel “These students are in for a treat,” she teased, then flicked her game to Leon, who was slauched nearby, looking lan he’d rather nap than chat,
12:55 Fri, 13 Jun G
Chapter 14
“Lord Radford, you in? Wanna coach swordplay or run some combat drills? Or… heard you’re still banged up.
How ‘bout being Lady Caitlyn’s assistant? Easy gig, plus you get to hang with her.”
Leon’s brow creased, his hand scratching his neck as he shot Caitlyn a quick look.
“I ain’t no teacher,” he grumbled, voice low. “But if it’s for Caitlyn… yeah, I’ll roll with assistant.”
Arwen’s grin could’ve lit up the room, her brain throwing a party. “Hell yeah, you’re in!”
Score. She was practically cackling inside.
Leon wasn’t just some dude–he was a certified badass, right up there with Caitlyn and the Human Alliance’s Great Trio.
Even if he just loafed around, snagging him was a coup.
‘Lady Kathleen called it, Arwen thought, smirking. This guy’s got it bad for Caitlyn.”
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