Rise of the Peerless God of War

Chapter 7

Draven was having a decent morning until he saw the bulletin board.

The crowd of students gathered around it should have been his first warning. They were all talking excitedly, pointing at whatever announcement had been posted overnight. But like an idiot, he walked over anyway.

"Holy shit, look at this!" someone shouted. "General Ashworth's eldest son just got promoted to High Commander!"

Draven's stomach dropped.

"Garrett Ashworth," another student read aloud. "For his decisive victory in crushing the Northern Rebellion with minimal casualties. The youngest High Commander in imperial history."

Of course he is.

Draven pushed through the crowd, trying to get a better look at the official notice. There it was, stamped with the imperial seal: his brother Garrett's name in bold letters, followed by a list of his accomplishments that made Draven feel smaller with every word.

"And check this out," Cus Thornfield's voice cut through the chatter like a knife. "Daniel Ashworth just moved up to number two on the Wall of Recognition."

What?

Draven's eyes found the second notice, this one from the academy itself. "Daniel Ashworth defeats senior student Maximus Ironhold in single combat, advancing to rank #2 on the Wall of Recognition. The youngest student ever to achieve such standing."

The crowd erupted in impressed murmurs. Someone wolf-whistled. A girl actually swooned.

"Damn," Jin said, appearing beside Draven. "Your brother beat a fourth-year? That's incredible."

Incredible. Right.

"Both Ashworth sons making history in the same week," Cus continued, his voice getting louder. "What are the odds?"

Draven could feel eyes turning toward him. The whispers started immediately.

"Too bad about the youngest one."

"Can you imagine being related to legends like that and turning out... well..."

"Poor guy. The family disappointment."

There it is.

Cus stepped closer, that familiar cruel smile spreading across his face. "Hey Draven, you must be so proud of your brothers. I mean, even the youngest real Ashworth could probably beat you blindfolded."

A few students snickered. Draven felt heat creeping up his neck.

"Must be tough," Cus continued, raising his hand. Fire danced across his palm—casual, effortless. "Being the only failure in a family of heroes."

"Leave him alone, Cus," Jin said, stepping forward.

"Oh, the merchant boy wants to defend his pathetic friend?" Cus's flames grew brighter. "Tell me, Ironforge, what's it like being friends with the academy's biggest joke?"

Don't react. Don't give him what he wants.

But Draven's hands were already clenching into fists, and the pendant under his shirt felt warm against his skin.

"At least I'm not desperate enough to pick fights with first-years," Draven said quietly.

Cus's face darkened. "What did you say?"

"You heard me." Draven met his eyes. "What kind of pathetic loser needs to bully kids to feel good about himself?"

The crowd went silent. Cus's fire flared, hot enough that students started backing away.

"You want to say that again, hollow prince?"

There's that name again.

Before Draven could respond, a new voice cut through the tension.

"Is there a problem here?"

Gale appeared like he'd materialized from thin air, his gray eyes taking in the scene instantly. The fire in Marcus's hand disappeared so fast you'd think it had never been there.

"No problem, Master," Marcus said, his voice suddenly respectful. "Just discussing current events."

"I see." Gale gaze lingered on Marcus for a moment before moving to the bulletin board. "Well, since you're all so interested in current events, perhaps you'd like to hear about some upcoming ones."

The crowd perked up. Gale had that effect—when he spoke, people listened.

"The academy has decided it's time to test your skills outside these walls," he continued. "Dangerous field assignments will be given to students who show promise and courage."

Field assignments. Real missions.

"The first assignment," Gale said, his voice carrying clearly across the courtyard, "involves investigating disturbances at the Whispering Catacombs."

Draven had heard of the place. An ancient burial ground where academy heroes were laid to rest. Supposedly haunted, though most people figured that was just stories.

"The spirits there have become... restless," Gale explained. "Multiple reports of hostile encounters. The academy needs teams brave enough to investigate and, if necessary, cleanse the area."

Students started murmuring excitedly. This was real adventure, real danger. The kind of mission that could make reputations.

"Of course," Gale added with a slight smile, "this is only for students who have demonstrated both skill and judgment. Applications will be reviewed carefully."

There goes my chance.

As if reading his thoughts, Gale eyes found Draven in the crowd. "All students are welcome to apply. Sometimes courage matters more than raw power."

The crowd began to disperse, students talking excitedly about the mission. Marcus shoved past Draven, knocking his shoulder hard.

"Don't even think about applying, hollow prince," he muttered. "Leave the real work to real mages."

Jin waited until Cus was gone before speaking. "You okay?"

"Fine," Draven lied. "Just great."

"Your brothers really are amazing," Jin said carefully. "But that doesn't make you less—"

"Doesn't it?" Draven interrupted. "Garrett's the youngest High Commander ever. Daniel's number two in the entire academy. And I'm..." He gestured at himself. "This."

"You're my friend," Jin said simply. "And you're tougher than you think."

If only he knew.

The pendant against Draven's chest pulsed gently, almost like it was trying to remind him of something. The memories from the Memorial Garden were still there, waiting. The knowledge, the skills, the power he couldn't tell anyone about.

Maybe it's time to stop hiding.

"Jin," Draven said slowly. "What do you think about applying for that mission?"

Jin's eyebrows shot up. "The catacombs? Are you serious?"

"Dead serious." The words felt strange in his mouth, but also right. "I'm tired of being treated like I don't belong here."

"Draven, that sounds really dangerous—"

"Everything's dangerous. Sitting here doing nothing while people like Marcus walk all over us is dangerous too."

Jin studied his face for a long moment. "You really want to do this?"

More than anything.

"Yeah. I do."

A slow smile spread across Jin's face. "Well, if you're crazy enough to try it, I guess I'm crazy enough to back you up."

That's what friends do.

As they walked toward the mission application office, Draven caught sight of two figures watching them from across the courtyard. Lyra Stormwind and Sera Nightwhisper, the wind mage and shadow user from his dormitory block.

Lyra was frowning, like she was trying to solve a puzzle. Sera just looked amused.

Great. More people taking notice.

"Think they'll let us on the mission?" Jin asked as they climbed the steps to the administrative building.

"Only one way to find out," Draven said.

But as they reached for the door handle, he heard Gale voice carrying across the courtyard, addressing the remaining students:

"The Whispering Catacombs await. Who among you is brave enough to face what lies in the darkness?"

The words sent a chill down Draven's spine. Not fear—anticipation.

I am, he thought. I'm ready.

The pendant pulsed again, warmer this time. Like approval.

Time to show them all what the hollow prince can really do.