Hell University-Chapter 49 - 48: Delubyo

Zein’s Point of View

Giving up doesn’t mean you are weak. Sometimes, it’s better to let go of something that might hurt you, for the sake of something better.

No matter how much I tried to listen to what Sir Alvarez was saying, I couldn’t understand a thing. My mind refused to process the lesson, it was too far away, drifting through countless thoughts, always crashing back to the same question: Where is he?

Ever since he was suspended, I haven’t seen him. I don’t know where he is, and neither Teacher Kath nor Vice Ty has mentioned anything about him.

As usual, class ended with me understanding nothing at all. I quickly stuffed my things back into my bag when my eyes suddenly landed on a box.

I glanced around the classroom first, only I was left inside. Sir Alvarez was gone too.

I took the box out of my bag and stared at it. I don’t know why, but my chest tightened as I remembered the times when everything wasn’t this complicated yet. My lips trembled, so I chose to push away everything that was weighing on me.

I slowly opened it and took out the blade. I could clearly see my reflection in the knife, but a mark caught my attention.

A black dragon with red eyes. I furrowed my brow as a name flashed in my mind when I saw the dragon’s eyes, red... terrifying... Raze.

Raze? Shit.

"Who gave you that?"

Startled, I dropped the knife, which made a loud clatter. I glanced at Jerome, who frowned while staring at me.

He picked up the knife and examined it, repeatedly looking between the blade and me, his brow and frown deepening.

"Who the hell gave you this knife?"

"W-Why? What’s wrong with this knife?"

He took the box from the armchair and returned the knife there. He put it back on the armchair, so I quickly returned it to my bag.

"Don’t you know what that mark means?"

"D-Devil God Warrior?" I replied, asking.

He smirked at me before slipping both hands into his pockets. "I don’t know why, or who gave that to you... but that is the symbol of Raze Silvenia, not the Devil God Warrior," he said deeply.

My mouth dropped slightly at what I heard, and a flood of questions exploded in my mind. "H-Huh? How did you know?" I asked, bewildered.

Supremo gave this, not Raze. If it’s true that Raze owns this knife, then how did it end up with Ace?

"I am one of the Devil God Warriors."

My brain froze for a moment at his words, and all I could do was stare at him in shock. He’s a member of the DGW?! Does that mean he’s already part of H10? How? Why?

Could he be leaving every night like Matt? But what’s his reason? And... will the two gangs fight, so it’s possible- UGH! Why is everything so messy?! My head hurts from overthinking.

"Stop torturing yourself with so many damn questions, Zein. You’ll get answers to all of them... soon," he said.

I don’t know why, but the excitement I usually felt when heading to the SSG Office was gone. Maybe because I wasn’t expecting him to be there. And yeah, he wasn’t there.

Even though I knew he wasn’t coming, I couldn’t help feeling disappointed when I saw his table empty, not a single one of his things present.

As usual, Teacher Kath and Vice Ty were busy with their work. I don’t think they even noticed I came in.

I couldn’t help but stare at the empty table beside me. Where is he? I haven’t seen him yet. I wanted to ask, but shyness got the better of me.

Maybe it’s for the best. At least I can prepare myself better for the next time we meet, because I still can’t face him now. It still hurts like it just happened moments ago.

"It is better this way."

I froze, thinking, as I saw Teacher Kath in front of me. I blinked a few times, she was smiling at me. I couldn’t call it fake because I could feel it; I knew her smile was genuine.

"I didn’t know you were this strong," she said. I kept my mouth shut, avoiding her gaze because I wasn’t used to hearing such words from her.

"Thank you," she added.

My chest tightened, so I chose to stay silent. I couldn’t understand her, nothing made sense to me.

"Thank you for saving him."

I wanted to stop Teacher Kath from speaking because my chest felt too tight. I wasn’t ready to open the wound I was only hiding. Everything was still raw.

"I-I just did what needed to be done."

"Even if it kills. Because of you, Headmistress Violet’s plan didn’t push through."

I frowned and finally looked at her. Her lips were still curved in a smile. "What do you mean?" I asked.

She returned to her table and leaned back against the swivel chair. She wasn’t looking at me, but I was still waiting for her to answer my question. Vice Ty, meanwhile, remained focused on what he was doing.

"Headmistress Violet has been trying all along to remove President Ace from his position."

"Why?"

Why did she want to remove Supremo? What was her plan?

"She couldn’t do it because the HU students love Supremo Ace. Ace earned the respect of the entire student body. She couldn’t just strip Supremo of his authority, knowing that it wouldn’t just be us opposing her... the whole HU student body would stand against her."

I unconsciously smiled. Finally, I realized the importance of the sacrifice I had made. My breathing eased slightly. Supremo Ace is such an excellent leader. And I am so proud of him.

"Until you came into his life... the headmistress had a weapon to oppose someone she couldn’t defeat. But you ruined her plan... If you had been weak back then, she probably would have succeeded."

"What exactly is her plan?" I asked, the question raging violently in my mind.

"To place her son in power."

I froze at Teacher Kath’s words. Madame Violet has a child? Who? I had no idea.

"Liam Rivera, yep. Madame Violet Rivera’s son."

I was completely stunned. I briefly closed my eyes to calm the whirlwind of questions in my head. So that’s why... that’s why he’s part of H10.

I decided to step outside for a breath of fresh air. My feet carried me to the secret garden, where I sat on the root of a tree and leaned my back against it.

Too much information.

I closed my eyes when I felt the cold air hit my face. It felt as if someone was hugging me.

I kept my eyes shut and locked myself inside a dark dimension.

My heart pounded violently when I saw the shadow of a person in the darkness. Fuck. Even though I was trembling, I forced myself to move toward him, but I couldn’t get any closer. Every time I tried, he only moved farther away.

But his shape... his presence... the way the monsters inside me went wild. Fuck. Why am I even seeing this?!

I froze when I noticed another shadow behind him, a woman. I frowned when I realized it looked like he was protecting her.

Damn.

My heart felt like it stopped beating when I saw the two of them embrace. It hurt so much, as if my heart were being sliced open.

What is this?!

I stepped back when I saw countless shadows behind them, each holding a blade. Fuck. I wanted to warn them, but no sound came out of my mouth. I tried to run toward them, but they only grew farther away.

I woke up drenched in sweat from the darkness. I jolted upright when I felt something lick my hand. I smiled when I saw Hoy.

How long had I been asleep? I didn’t even realize I had fallen asleep there. I picked Hoy up and stood since it was already afternoon.

I froze when I felt the presence of someone not far from me. My grip on Hoy tightened.

Celine’s words suddenly echoed in my mind. Could this person be the one watching me? What do they want? I tried to act normal.

I breathed a sigh of relief when he didn’t follow me. I continued walking with him still on my arm.

Someone suddenly grabbed my arm to prevent me from walking away.

I was about to struggle when she gestured for me to stay quiet, and I obeyed. She led me somewhere deserted. I was trembling, unable to stop the nerves that flooded me.

"W-What happened, Nurse Cha?" I asked, my voice shaky.

She held both of my hands, so I let go of Hoy for a moment. Her hands were trembling too, which only made my anxiety worse.

"Z-Zein... I have some bad news."

I stayed silent, not knowing how to react to what she said. I just knew I wasn’t going to like it. Damn.

My knees went weak as I saw tears falling from her eyes. Even though I was confused, I held her hands to comfort him.

"Th-They already know."

"Know what?"

She swallowed before leaning closer and bringing her lips to my ear. "They already know the secret formula," he whispered, sending chills all over my body.

There was only one thought running through my mind now...

The disaster is near.