The Villain Alpha's Cursed Mate
Chapter 98: Meeting His Roommates

Chapter 98: Meeting His Roommates

Esme’s training resumed the next day, with Revana taking charge as her mentor.

The initial days proved grueling, but as Esme pushed through the routines of daily laps, her body gradually adapted. What had once seemed impossible – running five consecutive laps without faltering — became a manageable feat.

Within four days of excess training, she could complete the course without the overwhelming exhaustion that nearly caused her to collapse on the first day.

With each session, her speed noticeably increased, and her lap times grew shorter. However, the whole session turned difficult when Revana arranged obstacles she had to skillfully evade on the way.

She eventually tripped on one and fell to the ground, a groan of frustration escaping her lips. As expected, Revana was not impressed by her fall.

Later that day, Finnian arrived at the academy with his bags in tow. The forms he filled indicated that he would have to stay in the academy’s dormitory during weekdays, returning home only on the weekends.

Though uncertain at first whether to feel excited or anxious about this new routine, the events that unfolded by day’s end would shape his perspective on the experience.

"Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you... up to the, um– what did that lady call it again?" Esme asked after walking Finnian to the gate.

"It’s called a dormitory, sis," Finnian responded with a small smile, adjusting the straps on his bag. Esme nodded, taking a mental note to remember the term. The moment felt strangely bittersweet, almost as if she were a mother sending her child off on his first day of school.

She fought the urge to fuss over him, but the sensation of letting go was undeniable.

Before she could say another word, Althea swooped in, enveloping Finnian in a crushing hug, completely unaware of her own strength. "Take care of yourself Finn! Eat well, be kind to others and don’t cause any troubles, okay? I’m going to miss you so much!" Her voice was filled with pure emotion, and Finnian couldn’t even get annoyed with her for that.

He struggled to breathe under the weight of her embrace, managing a wheezy, "The shadowspire isn’t exactly far from here, you know... but okay." His words were barely audible as Althea finally released him, her eyes shimmering with pride.

She stepped back, tears brimming as she watched him walk away, his bag slung over his shoulder, venturing into this new Chapter of his life, and Esme had to comfort her.

"They grow up so fast, don’t they? I wish I had a younger brother," Althea murmured, her voice trembling as her lips quivered with emotion.

Esme offered a comforting smile, gently patting Althea on the back in a quiet gesture of reassurance. To any passerby, it would seem as though Althea, not Esme, was the one bound to Finnian by blood, given the depth of her reaction.

Though Esme was equally concerned, she knew deep down that Finnian was more than capable of handling himself. Perhaps this was the moment he needed — his time to step out into the world and discover who he was on his own terms.

"Let’s go, Althea," Esme coaxed softly, steering her new friend away from the academy with a gentle nudge, guiding her towards the path ahead.

Meanwhile, Finnian made his way into the towering academy with his bags, the weight of his nerves growing heavier with each step. From the shadows of a nearby corner, his eyes caught a scene that halted him, and his eyes widened. A boy, likely his own age, clung desperately to the hem of a woman’s gown — likely his mother — and his voice was filled with panic as he pleaded with her.

"Take me with you! Don’t leave me here!" the boy pleaded, his knuckles turning white from the force of his grip. But his cries only seemed to harden the woman’s demeanor. She yanked her leg free, her expression twisted in a mix of frustration and contempt.

"You’re useless!" She spat, her voice cold and cutting. "Everyone except you wants to be here. At least make yourself useful to the family by staying here and studying. Do not come back home!" Her words hit like stone before she spun on her heels and stormed away, leaving the boy frozen in place, his face a mask of helplessness.

Finnian quickly turned away from the harsh exchange, unwilling to linger on the boy’s pain. He adjusted the strap of his bag and hurried into the grand building, eager to distance himself from the scene. As he reached the registrar’s office, a tall figure stood waiting by the door – athletic, with neatly cropped jet-black hair and a self-assured air around him.

"Finnian, right?" the boy asked, his dark-brown eyes scanning Finnian with a quick, assessing look. "I’ve been assigned to show you to your dormitory for the day. I’m your senior, and you can call me Rhys. Follow me, we have a lot to get through today."

He was already walking away, gesturing for Finnian to follow him.

"O...Kay?" Finnian replied, still a bit perplexed, but he hoisted his bag onto his shoulder and followed the senior ahead of him without further questions.

As they made their way through the academy, Finnian took in the surroundings.

The academy itself was an imposing structure, a perfect blend of old-world grandeur and practical design. The high, vaulted ceilings and towering arches gave the space an almost cathedral-like atmosphere, while the long hallways echoed with the faint sounds of distant voices and footsteps.

Students lingered here and there, some engaged in quiet conversations, while others moved briskly with purpose. Rhys led him deeper into the building until they arrived at the dormitory wing.

Once there, Rhys turned to Finnian, offering a quick, but thorough explanation.

"Boys and girls are housed in separate wings," Rhys began, his tone a matter of fact. "We all share the same training areas and study hall, but your dormitory is on the west side of the academy. The girls are in the east. It’s strictly forbidden to cross into their wing, and you wouldn’t want to break that rule – the punishment for such is rather harsh."

Though Finnian could barely catch a glimpse of the girls’ quarters, it wasn’t something that piqued his interest. He was more focused on absorbing the information Rhys provided.

"So, you’re a senior?" he asked, his tone curious. "Which class?"

"S4," Rhys replied, the hem of his blue cloak rippling gently in the breeze. "I’m in my final year. Not everyone gets accepted into Shadowbrook Academy, especially not outcasts. You should consider yourself fortunate." His words weren’t harsh, but there was a subtle distance in his demeanor that made the remark feel more factual than welcoming.

Finnian sensed that Rhys, like many in the academy, has seen countless students pass through these halls. Names and connections no longer impressed him. There was an effortless confidence about him, a quiet self-assurance that didn’t come across as cruel, but simply indifference.

The boys dormitory wing was built like a fortress, with thick stone walls and narrow corridors that branched off to individual rooms. Each student was given a small, personal space, yet their quarters lined a shared hallway, encouraging competition and rivalry among the boys.

Finnian’s gaze landed on the floor that was occupied by the S1 students. As he passed, the idle chatter around them died down, the younger boys falling silent in the presence of their senior.

Finnian was glad he masked his wolf’s scent before showing up at the academy.

When they reached his room, Rhys handed him a key, the number engraved on it matching the door before him.

He unlocked the door and stepped inside, greeted by the sparse but functional chamber. Three sturdy beds filled the room, along with a simple desk and a trunk at the foot of his bed for his belongings.

"This will be your space," Rhys said, breaking through Finnian’s thought. "Don’t expect comfort around here. The purpose of this place is meant to toughen you up. Classes start early, so I suggest you get yourself sorted for tonight. Your roommates are yet to arrive, but they will be here soon."

Finnian nodded, and he dipped his head respectfully, determination burning in his sharp blue eyes. "Thank you for leading me here. I promise to give it my very best."

Rhys, who wasn’t expecting such sincerity, simply gazed at the boy. A small smile ghosted his lips before turned and exited the room without another word.

Left alone, Finnian took a moment to survey his new surroundings. The stone walls felt cool beneath his fingertips, and the windows allowed only a sliver of light, offering a view of the academy grounds below. The room offered no luxuries, just practicality—designed to toughen the students and prepare them for the harsh realities of their world.

For someone who had lived quite comfortably, he didn’t mind this new experience. Using the opportunity he had as the first one to arrive, he chose the bed that looked the least worn, tossing his belongings beneath it.

It wasn’t long before the door creaked open slowly, the faint sound breaking the silence in the room. Finnian turned towards the noise, his gaze settling on a boy cautiously peering in, only his head visible at first. He then stepped fully into the room, revealing dark-brown hair that fell slightly over his coffee-colored eyes. He clutched a bag tightly in his hand.

Recognition flickered immediately across Finnian’s face. This was the boy he had seen at the gate earlier, the one tearfully begging his mother not to leave him here.

Their eyes locked for a moment before the boy hesitantly moved closer, shuffling his feet. "H-hi," he stammered, glancing around nervously before meeting Finnian’s gaze again. "I was told this is my room... I’m Simon."

"Nice to meet you, Simon," Finnian replied, his tone warm and welcoming. "I’m Finnian. Looks like we’re both starting fresh here. Let’s hope we get along and give each other some space too when we need it."

Simon observed his new roommate who stretched out his hand for a shake. A small relief crept into his chest, and a hesitant smile touched his lips.

"Ah... no bullies, for a second I thought–" but before he could receive Finnian’s hand and finish his words, the door was unexpectedly slammed open like it was being kicked by a tornado.

Another student barged in, startling both Finnian and Simon.

He looked no different from someone their age, but the air around him was full of energy and bad decision. His shirt was halfway untucked, his belt gone, and he carried his bag like it was a weapon of mass destruction. The wild smirk on his face did nothing to help either.

"I’m here LOSERS of the academy! Ready to kick everyone in the gut!! Hey you!!" He pointed dramatically at the two of them, like a villain straight out of a storybook, and Simon naturally hid behind Finnian like a human shield.

"I’m your new roommate! And I, my puny friends, respect only strength! So fight me, you two forgotten weaklings! Bow before your superior!"

At that, Simon and Finnian did the only logical thing they could think of — they screamed in perfect harmony as the lunatic roommate launched himself at them, chasing them in wild circles around the room.

"Why are you chasing us?!" Finnian yelped.

"I SAID FIGHT ME! Stop running, you bunch of noodle-armed punkheads!"

"This is NOT how you welcome your roommates! Leave us alone!" Simon cried, somehow managing to keep up with Finnian.

As far as the day went, Finnian had thoroughly prepared himself for the awkward introduction and everything else included. But getting chased by a feral roommate with a thirst for combat? Yeah, this was definitely not on the list!

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