I Killed The Main Characters

Chapter 90: Patrol [3]

"Alright," Noah said, adjusting his blazer as they approached the doors.

"Let's get to it."

As they stepped outside, the cool evening air hit them. The moon was already out, casting a pale glow over the academy grounds. There wasn't a cloud in sight, and the stars twinkled overhead, painting the sky with shimmering light.

Noah slipped his red blazer back on as they made their way across the courtyard, Liliana leading the way.

Her usual lively demeanor filled the quiet air as she talked about their route, the best spots to patrol, and how they should handle various situations.

Noah found himself quietly nodding along.

Liliana was nice—too nice. She was sweet and bubbly, her voice full of excitement. But to Noah, it felt out of place.

"It's detrimental…" Noah thought to himself. "How did someone so sugary get into the Vanguard?"

He glanced over at her as she continued talking. She was a good partner, sure, but if they faced enemies, real enemies, how useful could she actually be?

"It would be such a drag if I had to cover for her," Noah mused inwardly.

They approached the tall, elegant building of Silvercrest Hall, the home of the academy's most prestigious noble students.

The stone structure was illuminated by lanterns, giving it an almost regal glow in the night.

The entrance was grand, with polished wooden doors and detailed carvings decorating the facade.

Liliana pulled out her communication crystal and activated it, signaling their arrival.

"Silvercrest Hall, reporting in for patrol," she said into the crystal. The soft hum of magic confirmed the transmission, and she pocketed it with a satisfied grin.

"Ready, Noah?" she asked, turning to him with that same bright smile.

Noah gave a small nod, his mind still partially on the task at hand and partially on the nobles he'd inevitably encounter inside.

The hallways of Silvercrest would be filled with students who thought they were better than everyone else. And Ariana…she would be there, somewhere.

Pushing the thought of her aside again, Noah focused on his duties. This was just patrol. If he did his job right, there would be no complications.

Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that tonight might turn out differently.

***

The hallway was dimly lit, shadows crawling up the stone walls as A maid silently approached the door.

Her footsteps were measured, delicate, as if she were walking on air.

She stopped in front of a door, the number on it barely visible in the faint light.

Raising her hand, she knocked three times, each tap echoing in the corridor. Silence followed. No response.

After waiting for a moment, she turned the brass knob and pushed the door open. Inside, the room was drenched in a murky darkness, broken only by the soft glow of a few scattered candles.

"You called for me, Master Leopold?" her voice was soft, unwavering.

Across the room, Leopold stood, towering over a boy slumped against the wall.

The boy was unrecognizable, his academy uniform torn, his face swollen and bleeding. His nose had caved in, his lips split open, blood trickling down his chin.

Leopold's fist connected with the boy's face again, a dull thud that made the maid's heart skip a beat, though her expression remained calm.

Blood splattered through the air, a stray droplet landing on the maid's face.

She wiped it away with her white glove, not flinching, before resuming her posture, her hands clasped neatly behind her back.

Leo finally stopped, his knuckles red and slick with blood, dropping the boy with a lifeless thud to the ground.

The boy groaned weakly, blood pooling beneath him as his breath rattled in his chest.

"Fucking piece of shit... can't do anything right..."

Leo muttered under his breath, standing over the crumpled body like a predator who had tired of playing with its prey.

He turned around to face the maid, his expression suddenly shifting, as if a mask had fallen over his face.

A bright, disarming smile broke across his lips, the light catching his sharp, handsome features.

His blonde hair, once known for its brilliance, seemed dulled, almost as if it had absorbed the darkness of the room. But his eyes—those striking red eyes—gleamed with a strange vibrancy, contrasting the blood smeared across his face.

"Ah, Claire," Leo said softly, his voice warm and inviting, like the violence moments ago hadn't occurred at all.

"Could you fetch me some towels? I'm afraid I made quite the mess."

The maid, Claire, bowed her head slightly, keeping her tone neutral.

"Of course, Master Leo."

She pivoted on her heel and left the room, the door clicking shut behind her.

As she walked down the hallway, she was unfazed by what she had just witnessed. She had been in the service of Leopold for years now.

This wasn't the first time she had seen him like this—cold, brutal, vicious. And it wouldn't be the last. Behind that charming, princely facade, there was a different Leo.

Back inside the room, Leopold wiped the blood from his knuckles, his smile fading as he looked down at the boy's limp body.

"Tch," he clicked his tongue, more annoyed than remorseful.

A figure stirred near the corner of the room.

Three other students stood against the wall, watching everything with a mixture of fear and nervous anticipation. Their postures were stiff, each one carefully avoiding making eye contact with Leopold.

"Make sure you don't mess up like this bastard," Leo said, his voice sharp, filled with warning.

He glanced back at the broken boy on the floor before turning to the three.

"We can't afford any mistakes. Ensure the route is clear. I don't want any problems."

The three students exchanged uneasy glances.

One of them, a lanky boy with dark circles under his eyes, nodded hurriedly.

"Y-yes, Leo. We'll make sure everything's in order."

"Good," Leo said, his smile returning, but this time it didn't reach his eyes.

"I trust you won't disappoint me."

The tension in the room was palpable as the three students quickly scurried out, their footsteps hasty as if they couldn't leave fast enough.

The door creaked slightly as it shut behind them, leaving Leopold alone once more.

For a brief moment before the door closed, a glimpse of Leo's fluttering blonde hair and his red eyes glowing ominously was visible.

He calmly adjusted the cufflinks on his blood-streaked shirt, a casual act that belied the violence that had just unfolded.

And then, with a soft click, the door closed shut, sealing the darkness and the blood-soaked silence behind it.