The discharge that destroyed the tree left me worn out. This would be a last resort weapon. I went to the dining area. Slaith and the hunters were occupied elsewhere, So I sat alone and had some tea to restore myself. Sayleah Racash chose the moment I set down my cup with a sigh to slide into the seat opposite me.

“I made a mistake, didn’t I?” she said in opening.

I looked her directly in the eyes with an eyebrow raised and replied, “What mistake would that be?”

“Sending Haleth and the others to force you to comply was the main one. He was not even close to a match for you. Why did you only kill one of them, though?”

It was my turn to be ashamed. “I did not mean to hit that one quite so hard. The plan was to injure them enough to discourage them and make sure they were too scared to tell anyone.”

“That was you holding back?! Why would you want that kind of power covered up? You could be the most powerful person on campus.”

I looked at her directly again. “I would rather not be bothered. I would rather have freedom than power. All I want from you is to make sure that Haleth comes through as the hero who was attacked by traitors.”

“And, what about the other survivor? He will probably be sent to one of the more dangerous occupation forces since he was expelled.”

“I was planning on seeing if my old teacher could pull some strings. There is no sense in passing up a possible ally,

“I have a question for you. Why start a conflict with an unimportant person like me, and why did you want my family sword?”

She looked down at the empty table, having forgotten to get something for herself. “My father told me to control you and get the sword. He has been collecting swords like yours. Of the twenty like yours, only three of them seem to be special. Haleth told me how easily it cut through his armor and shoulder. He said it was almost like there was no resistance to the cut. Can we make peace?”

I was surprised by this last bit. “I can work with that. We need to be subtle. What does peace look like with you? Bear in mind, I still intend to be reputed to be harmless. Maybe we can reverse our roles in public. You act like you are protecting me from the bullies, and I let people think I am beholden to you.”

“That could work. What do I get out of it?”

My smile may have been a bit predatory, “You get protection from the wrath of the ‘Hunters’. You do know that they can be quite vindictive, right?”

She paled visibly. It seems the ladies’ reputation had spread a bit. “That would be wonderful. Could we also agree to help each other covertly when in need? Haleth is worried that the loss of two of my followers may ‘encourage’ people who do not wish me well…”

My smile became more friendly at that. “Why not? After all, you are not useful to me if you get ‘neutralized’. I will tell the ‘Hunters’ to integrate you into their network. Just remember, I am AT LEAST as vindictive as they are.”

She was still pale when she stood to walk away. “Thank you for your time. Please have your ‘staff’ schedule a weekly meeting for us to catch up. We have to keep a watch on opportunities and dangers.”

As she strutted away stiffly, I was reminded of the offer the ‘Hunters’ had made when they told me what they wanted. She was beautiful, in the way any predator could be beautiful while still being lethal. ‘Best not to sleep with deadly predators.’ I told myself.

---===+++===---

That evening, I was given a note by a member of the school staff. It was addressed to me from the headmaster of the school. It read: “Report to lecture room 8G in one hour. Be prepared to answer for your actions.”

I arrived early to find a dark figure standing in front of the front row of the lecture hall. “Come sit in the first row, boy!” he said. My father was glaring at me intensely.

As I took the indicated seat, I looked up at his face. This man, who had judged and intimidated me was unreadable. He had avoided being close to me for years. I might as well be trying to read a stranger. I realized then, he was a stranger. I knew him well enough to identify him in a crowd, but not well enough to even know the food he favored or his interests.

“I hear you have been busy. Killed one student and wounded two others. I also hear you have been building a harem.”

I exhaled harshly, then took a breath, “Both situations came looking for me. The girls forced the issue in their own way, and the attack was the fault of my opponents. If the boys had no attacked, I was not going to create a violent interaction.”

“You did meet them when they invited you, though? You claim ignorance to their intent?”

I looked him directly in the eyes then, “I knew their intent. But not meeting them would have sent messages that I could not have. They also would have ambushed me at some point when I might have been at a disadvantage.”

His face was unreadable as he considered. “That is sound logic. Have you started a war? Do you have additional plans about this Sayleah girl?”

I smiled a little bit. “I have turned into an alliance. Sayleah has offered to help me enhance my cover as a harmless weakling. She will act like she is my protector, but I do have to help defend her when needed.”

He paused. Looking at me with an unreadable expression, he seemed to be weighing me mentally. “It sounds like that issue is managed. About the harem, you do know those girls are almost legendary,” it was clear that it was a statement, not a question. “I am sure they have a way around the issues of being related too closely, but inviting a violent predator into your bed is not a safe choice.”

“It is another alliance. They are a dangerous weapon. I like using available weapons against those who wish me harm. Besides, I am fairly dangerous in my own right.”

He looked deeply at me again for a while. He looked at me like some strange and dangerous animal that had invaded his life. “You seem to have a plan. If it goes against you, I may be unable to do anything to help you. Try to avoid too many risks.” After saying this, my father strode to the door and exited without flourish.

I left the room a short while later. The Hunters were waiting for me right outside the door. “Well?” was all Greah said. She was wearing the green streaked ponytail this evening. “Did your father nullify the betrothal?”

My relaxed smile seemed to encourage her. “No. He trusts me to weigh the risks and benefits. By the way, we now have an alliance and non-aggression pact with Sayleah and her group. She will be pretending to protect me. I may also need to help her covertly when the situation warrants it. You will need to work with me on that.”

I could see the ideas bouncing around in her head. She was calculating the angles and what was the best option. “Do we have to include her in the family plans?”

“I have no such plans, but we may need it to consolidate power, Greah.”

Reah, wearing a very well made wig that had a blue streak in the braided hair, got a disgusted scowl on her face. “What is the point of the swap if he can tell who we are without error?”

I could not stop laughing at this point. “I assure you, I am the only one who can do it. Your secret is safe.”

Neah spoke up, her wig of short hair adorned with a red streak, “What did he say about us?”

After considering a moment, I replied, ”He told me you were dangerous. Don’t worry. I told him I was also dangerous.” I made sure to look Greah dead in the eyes when I said that. 

“I need to go get some rest now. I have an early practice with the Stolath Zenash tomorrow.” I said as I got ready to leave.

“Why are you in that remedial course with your gift for fighting?” asked the real Greah with a furrowed brow.

I just looked meaningfully at her as I made my way down the hall towards my dorm.

---===+++===---

Slaith was in our room when I got there. “I hear Lord Dothstaire came to the school. Anything I should worry about?”

“He heard about my ‘social engagements’ and wanted to make sure I had not lost my mind,” I answered.

Slaith pondered a moment. “If you had lost your mind, what would be the point in asking you about it?”

“I guess he expected to be able to see if madness had set in. He also asked about Sayleah and her minions.”

“What was the outcome on your little meeting with her today? The entire campus is talking about it.”

My amusement could not be held back as I smiled, “We made an agreement that she would help me maintain my illusion of a weakling, and I would help her if she became endangered. The ‘Hunters’ keep suggesting I add her to the marital plans. I’m not sure I want that kind of connection to her.” 

“I would agree. That girl has no sense of how to run her organization. She should not expect so much from Haleth. I am not brilliant, but that guy is impressively stupid.” He said with a look of disgust.

We went to bed shortly after that and slept well.

---===+++===---

Stolath Zenash was waiting for me in the practice room. “So, boy. I hear your father visited. Did you tell him about the training we are doing? Maybe you told him about your expanded abilities?”

“Why would I tell him those things, Stolath? He does not need to know about those things. He was just inquiring about events in my social life that he had heard about. It seems he had a sudden bout of parental concern.” I replied.

“I see. I was concerned. Your father is not very brave or clever. I have no idea how such a dim coward was ever born to your grandfather.

“On to other matters, how are you doing with your electrical discharges?”

“I have been successful in intentionally discharging and targeting objects.”

Holding his chin in his hand thoughtfully as he walked slowly around me, he asked, “And did you test it with the Hollow Sword?”

“I did test Stolath. The destructive power was amplified a great deal, but it made me very tired.”

“Please continue your practice with that attack and work on your endurance. That attack will probably be a good emergency weapon in case of dire need.

“Let us begin our sparing of the morning,” he said before circling to face me.

We bowed to each other and began. He charged at me. I placed my right hand firmly under his chin as we closed. Planting my feet, I shoved his chin upward and back. His feet flew forward on either side of me as his head and torso tilted backward. Rather than allow the fall to make him fall prone, He arched his back and used his hands to turn it into a backward tumble.

He smiled at me, “You have been paying attention. Why don’t we take this to another level!”

Our sparing session was brutal and educational for the rest of the period. I had to get a long shower after we finished. He gave me some pointers and advice on how to improve my strategies and attacks. The rest of the week remained strenuous, and I was not involved with further violence.