21.

  Benny tried to shake Cole awake, “Cole, there’s a big assembly in the main hall, they got some guests coming, some big-time Demon Hunter,” he said Cole groaned and turned over in his bed, gathering the covers around him, “I’m sick,” he said.

  “No, you’re not,” Gregor said, walking past Benny and ripping the blanket off Cole.

  Cole forced himself up, “There’s no reason for me to go, there’s nothing this guy can tell me I haven’t already heard,” he looked down, and shut his eyes, wishing there was some way to avoid seeing this famous special guest.

  Benny grabbed his weapon and slung the great hammer over his shoulder, “Why don’t you want to go? This guy is supposed to be a real pro,”

  “I can field this one,” Gregor said, “The special guest lecturer today is none other than the esteemed and legendary Cecil Longdren,” he said.

  “Longdren, like you?” Benny asked, looking to Cole, “he’s one of your-”

  “The oldest,” Cole rolled his eyes, before turning to force himself out of bed, he straightened his hair and reached for a pair of pants, a shirt, and his jacket, “Guess there’s no way out of this is there?” Cole held his hand up and his sword rose from the ground and into his hand. He sheathed it over his back and turned to his dorm mates.

  “Can he light his sword on fire? I mean, I’m sure you can when you need to, but it would be really cool to see it actually happen,” Benny said.

  “Yes, he can light his sword on fire, all my brothers and my father can all light their swords on fire, I swear I really did it once,” Cole said.

  “The presentation will be starting shortly, we best get to the main hall,” Gregor said as he led Cole and Benny from their room.

  Angelica was with Penny and Juliet, holding a compact mirror and finishing applying some lipstick as she walked from the girl's dormitory. “How do I look, how’s my hair?” she asked her followers.

  “Your hair looks divine as always,” Penny said.

  “I love what you have going with your blush, you look amazing,” Juliet said.

  Angelica strutted with great confidence in herself, “You know I met the great Cecil Longdren when my father visited the Longdren family concerning a demon, the Hurnoran, it had been seen in the south hunting individuals of divine birth, I was only seven then, so I’m excited to show him how much I’ve…grown,” she grinned, looking over her feminine and grown in body.

  Meanwhile, Cole, Benny, and Gregor were filing into the great hall, “He’s not that great,” Cole said, “I mean, sure he’s got some pretty impressive demon kills under his belt, he slayed an ArchDemon this one time, and fought in the millennium battle when he was only seventeen, okay maybe he is that great,” Cole rolled his eyes, then stopped, “I’m sorry, I’m not going, I’m not doing this,” he said.

  “Yes, you are, this is a mandatory assembly,” Gregor tried to pull on Cole’s arm.

  “I’m not doing it, this whole term I’ve been trying to get away from the reputation of my family, the last thing I need is to be in the same room with one of them, and draw all these comparisons to me,” Cole said.

  “Cole, he’s got almost twenty years on you,” Benny said, “No one is going to fault you for not having a career as impressive as his, you haven’t even had a chance to have a career yet,” Benny said.

  “Benny is correct, you’ve yet to have the same opportunities to prove yourself as your oldest brother has, there’s no reason to compare yourself on fair ground to him,”

  “But I’m the seventh, I’m supposed to be so much more than I am,” Cole looked down, “All these people, the students, the professors, they all treat me like I have this great destiny before me, but then they actually meet me and I just disappoint them because I’m not the greatest hunter in the world right out of the gate, it sucks,” he said, “It just sucks, okay, and my brother being here is just going to draw even more attention on me. More people wondering if the legend is true, more people thinking I’m a disappointment,” he said.

  “Disappointment?” Gregor said, shooing Benny away from Cole, “Cole Longdren, you are far from a disappointment, you’ve performed admirably in all classes we’ve had together at least, you’ve shown magical aptitude, you’ve performed with bravery in your first Demon Hunt, no one is disappointed in you, what did your father say, when you enrolled in the academy?” he asked.

  Cole took a deep breath, “He said he’s never been prouder of me,” Cole said, “He never pushed me into it, even with my birth, even with everything everyone says I’m supposed to be, he never forced this life on me. I remember for a little bit in my youth I thought of being a researcher. I was a kid, scared by all the responsibilities that would be on me, on my name, on my birth, all the responsibilities I would have if I became a Hunter. My dad found my stash of books, and found out I was researching whenever my brothers weren’t forcing me to train to hunt with them,”

  “What did he say?” Benny asked.

  Cole took a deep breath, “He offered to buy me any book I wanted, he supported me, said that I could be great at it, he didn’t care if I wasn’t going to be the man who lived up to all this prophecy and status,” Cole said, “That’s when I knew I had to be a Hunter, I have such a great dad, I can’t let him down,” Cole said.

  “You won’t let him down,” Benny said, putting a hand on Cole’s shoulder, “Come on, let’s go see this assembly, let everyone see how great your brother is, just so they’ll be even more amazed when you out do him someday,” Benny smiled, “Destined for greatness, right?”

  “Benny is correct,” Gregor said, “While he may be outperforming you know, with your skill and potential you will surely outdo him once you earn your hunter’s license, I hope to be a part of that greatness, it’s why I aligned myself with you,” Gregor said, “Though after knowing you, with the status of your birth or not, I would gladly serve at your side, Cole Longdren, Seventh Son of a Seventh Son,” he said.

  Cole sighed, “Okay, I’ll go,” he said.

  At the assembly, Cole, Benny, and Gregor took seats at the back. Cole scanned the crowd for Tav, really wanting to see her face right now, really wanting the boost of confidence her sly smiles gave him.

  Headmaster Toris came to the front of the stage and bashed his cane three times on the podium, “Students, you gather here today to meet a true master of the craft, the Demon Hunter extraordinary, a man I taught years ago,” he said, “Cecil Longdren, the oldest son of the Longdren line, and a student of this great academy.”

  Cecil was sitting off to the side, mighty custom Claymore hanging on his back. He got up to a rousing cheer and Cole, while looking for Tav, came across Angelica leading a standing ovation.

  Cecil took to the podium after his great introduction, “Thank you for having me headmaster, and thank you for having me, Demon Hunter Academy students,” he smiled, “I’ve been asked today to come and regal you with tales of battle, honor, courage,” he had a smug grin as he reached over his shoulder and pulled out his mighty weapon. The Blade was massive, twice the width of Cole’s academy-granted weapon, it had a black tint to it and carried this ethereal kind of glow around its blade “This blade is called the Ghost Walker, crafted by the great smiths of the divine.” He said, “It’s especially effective against Demons of the Tempter variety,” he held his sword up proudly as the students marveled at the craftsmanship imbued in it, “I remember not too long ago I was In these great halls myself, summoning my first weapon as I’m sure you all have had the honor of doing,” Cole tried to slink in his place at the back of the auditorium before Cecil saw him, but he was too late, “And I do believe there is another great sword wielder in this great class, brother, brother, Cole, where are you?” Cecil looked around and Cole tried to get some more people between him and the stage, “There you are,” Cecil said, pointing him out with the tip of his blade, everyone student attending turned to Cole, with every eye of the class on him he just shrugged and tried not to pass out from the embarrassment.

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  “Keep an eye on him, if he’s any bit the Longdren I and his brothers know he is, he’s going to be your biggest competition for top hunter this season, give him a hand everyone,”

  The whole audience applauded and cheered as Cole just stood there, not knowing what to do. Should he bow? Wave back? He just nodded and let them get it out of their system. He looked over and saw the only person not giving him attention was Tav, of course now was when he would find her. She was leaning against the wall and his eye met the corner of hers. She just smiled this fun little grin at him, getting a good laugh from his embarrassment.

  “Don’t be shy, Cole, get on up here, I can use you as an example,” he said. Cole’s heart damn near leaped from his chest as every eye in the auditorium went to him. He sighed and made his way to the stage as the crowed opened up for him.

  “Cole Longdren everyone, seventh son of a seventh son, a man to keep an eye on,” Cecil grabbed Cole’s arm and pulled him on stage next to him, “This is the man you want to know,” he laughed. Cole swallowed his pride and forced a smile, just desperate to not do something to embarrass himself.

  Cecil kept his arm around Cole, “I heard from a bird that you got your first weapon, that you’re following the family tradition,” Cecil said, putting the microphone to Cole.

  “Claymore, yeah,” Cole said, unsure of himself despite the great man who came before him patting his back, “Just like dad,” he laughed with a bit of nerve.

  “Well go on, show us,” Cecil gave Cole a pat on the back, “Who here wants to see the great blade of the great hero?”

  The audience of students cheered. Angelica, of course, was at the forefront of the crowd clapping faster and cheering harder than anyone else in attendance. Cecil’s eyes met hers and he gave the angel a suave and confident wink. Angelica damn near jumped after earning the eye of this great hero.

  “Hey, let’s compare, I know it’s your first weapon and I’m sure we’ll be able to forge something better for you once you go pro, but let’s just take a look,” Cecil asked Cole.

  “No, no that’s okay, it’s pretty basic, I’ll get my real weapon when I go pro,” Cole said, wanting to do nothing more than jump off the stage, curl into a ball, and never look anyone in the eyes again.

  “No, this can be a learning experience, you see, weapon crafting is one of the valuable parts of the Demon Hunter’s mission, if you’re going to go pro you need to know the difference between a custom weapon and something off the shelf, not to knock the academy’s forgers. They do good solid work, work that will aide you and teach you in your education. But the first tip I have to give you for when you go pro is you got to get a custom weapon. Do some easy hunts, save your money, then go for the custom job,” he waved his Claymore in front of the audience, “Demon Hunting weapons can be grouped into three categories, good, better, and best, the weapons you’ve been given here to study, they’re good, but they’re not good enough,” he turned to Cole, “Go on, summon it, you got this,” he said, smiling and completely unaware of how badly his little brother wanted to die right now.

  Cole sighed, shook his head, and held his hand out. The crowd split as his claymore flew from his place at the back of the auditorium, above the crowd, and into Cole’s hand.

  “Let’s take a look,” Cecil said, “Yeah, yeah,” he looked over Cole’s weapon, “Sturdy blade, good balance, this is a good weapon,” he said, “But it’s got nothing on this,” He held his sword up next to Cole’s. It was longer, wider, and far more ornate. “See, your handle isn’t set to your exact grip, and your blade while impressive hasn’t been weighted for you,” Cecil held up Ghost Walker, “With a custom job, every part of your weapon is built to the exact specifications of the hunter who will be wielding it. While they both may be made of Damascus, one can does not discount the value of a weapon crafted to perfectly fit your own hand,” Cecil said.

  “It’s been doing good enough for me so far,” Cole murmured into the microphone.

  “Sure it has,” Cecil said, “But a custom weapon will elevate your Demon Hunting game to the next level, but I think I know what everyone here wants to see,” Cecil smiled.

  “Woo!” Angelica cheered out, getting another look and another smile from the seasoned, mature, confident, Demon Hunter Cecil Longdren.

  “Stand back, young brother,” he said, taking a step away from Cole, “Let a seasoned Demon Hunter show off his ability,” he put both hands to the grip of his claymore and without effort summoned a great fire to climb up it, “My family was given this power by way of the Divines blessing, my Great-grandfather’s heroism earned the favor of the above, and the men of my great family are blessed with the power to strike fear into the heart of any demon,” Cecil waved the flaming sword before everyone, “In your career as a Demon Hunter, you can earn a blessing to your family for yourself, every man in my family can command the great fire of the divine justice into their weapon,” he looked to Cole and gave him a wink, “Brother, show them your might, show them your great flaming sword, show them the power a Hunter of our blood has against the below,” he said.

  Cole went to Cecil’s side and whispered in his ear, “I-I can’t,” he said.

  Cecil looked a bit confused, turned to Cole, and under his breath asked, “What do you mean you can’t? I know you had trouble doing it with practice swords, but you have an academy-made weapon, you should be able to do this in your sleep,” he said.

  “I’ve been trying, I can start it, but I can’t make the whole thing light on fire,” he said.

  “Try now, you can do it, I know you can. You’re really embarrassing me,” Cecil said.

  “I’m embarrassing you!?” Cole hissed. He stepped away and rose this claymore, he closed his eyes and tried to focus. He spoke a quick prayer, desperate for any force that could help him, “Divines, if you’re listening, if you only let me do this once, just let me do it now,” he said as he wrung his hands on the grip of his blade. A quick spark of fire ignited at the base of his hilt, and rushed up the blade, lighting a weak fire that extinguished no more than a moment after it ignited.

  Cecil, watching his brother struggle to try and show he deserved his family title, nodded, “See this is what I’ve been talking about, it’s not Cole’s fault he can’t use his magic, the weapon probably just isn’t up to handle it,” He took Cole’s sword from him, and gave his brother a wink. He knew that any man of the Longdren line could summon fire to any weapon they wielded, despite its quality, “Using divine power takes a high-quality weapon, these weapons you have now will service you well in your learning years. And by the time you’re out of the academy, if you’ve saved your money wisely, you should be able to afford a quality weapon to begin your career and eventually afford a Custom weapon that will really be able to mold to your particular powers and talents,” Cecil held up Cole’s blade, while expertly made, this weapon seems to be of a lesser Damascus, cut with iron, not that I’m doubting the skill of the Academy’s crafters, but Damascus is rare, hard to make, it’s only natural a weapon like this couldn’t withstand the might of a Divine blessing,” Cecil lied, when he got his academy weapon he was able to light it ablaze without effort, but he felt that his little brother, his youngest brother, would like to avoid the embarrassment he had just suffered.

  “Someday in your careers as Demon Hunters, you may find yourself with a blessing, know that it will take a quality weapon to use such a blessing,” Cecil handed the Claymore back to Cole, “Let’s give it up again for my little brother,” he said, patting Cole on his shoulder as he left the stage, and the audience gave him applause.

  “I think I’ll open us up for some questions, Headmaster?” he turned to Toris and got a nod from the esteemed retire.

  Angelica was the first one up, raising her hand high and jumping, desperate for the veteran hunter’s attention.

  “Blondie,” Cecil pointed her out.

  “Hi, Angelica Cherbum, of angelic birth, I find that the power of a Divine hand is more useful than any weapon. I use a sword and shield, what applications could Divine blessing bring to using a shield in combat as an offensive weapon?” she asked.

  “Oh, you are of Divine blood,” Cecil smiled, “Yes, it’s true, the defense of the angels is more powerful than any offense that a Demon could bring, if you are of the Divine you definitely have the makings of a master Hunter, I know more than anyone the power a blessed family can have, use it, and the Divines will never abandon you,” Cecil said.

  “I’d love to get some more tips from you,” Angelica said as Professor Malsauve tried to pull the microphone away from her, “We could get coffee sometime, I’d love to pick your brain,” she fought with the professor to keep the microphone, and the attention, on herself, “I can give you my number,” she said as Malsauve finally ripped the microphone away from her.

  Cecil laughed, be they of angelic birth or not, fangirls would fangirl, of course being a mature and reasonable man of honor, he knew better than to get involved in any kind of scandalous relationship with a schoolgirl. He looked to Cole and tried to signal to him that he should take the honor of taking this divine girl out for coffee. Cole just rolled his eyes and turned away. His loss, Cecil thought.