I regressed and became the Sword Ice King

Elsie, a werewolf kin of the Darkpelt tribe, of the wind and darkness attributes.

It sounded good on paper, and it would be a nice addition to the cohort he was planning on creating in the guise of a club, but it had other complications.

One would have to face her father if they were to get involved with her and he intends on fostering a bond between his cohort.

It wasn't like he could avoid encountering her father at this point; after all, she insisted that he was her mate.

'Might as well make use of her now that she's offering herself to us' He thought to himself, a small smile growing from his lips.

The werewolves were amongst the top three strongest within the twelve demi-human races.

Having one of the strongest races chieftain's daughter would be a boost to their strength.

"Guess we don't need a system user then" Raph said, concluding his thoughts.

They had reached a series of stairs that led to a forecourt, right in front of the cafeteria building.

Tall colonnades and columns stood in front of the building, supporting the arched roofing with splendor.

It had been built into an ethereal peristyle, with its white and red paintings, and intricate designs that would cause most architects to wonder in awe.

On one of the columns closest to the doors, a familiar figure stood, her hands folded behind her back, and her eyes filled with earnest longing as it scanned through the number of students approaching.

Raph and the others recognized her instantly, well, except for Elsie of course.

"Isn't that Mariam?" Darell stated. His tone was more of a matter-of-factly than it was of curiosity.

"Yes. It looks like it, but I suppose she wouldn't have known about our ploy– I mean–club already and wants to join in?"

Raph chuckled at Jane's statement, his gaze fixed on Mariam.

He never got the opportunity to talk to her during the Rankings battle. Instead, he met up with Ciara more times than he would have wished for, but at least he got his first member before school even started.

Mariam on the other hand, at this point, doesn't know him and certainly didn't have romantic feelings for him in this current life…..at least not yet.

'but it certainly looks like she's waiting for someone, isn't she?' he thought, an unknown feeling swelling up within him. A part of him wished that he would be the one she was waiting for, after all, old feelings don't die that fast. If they do though, they die hard. He could tell that he wasn't the one, much more, he had an inkling of an idea who that person could be.

As they approached the door, they took a detour towards the aqua blue-haired girl, her gaze shifting towards them at the same time.

Her eyebrow arched when her gaze met Raph's, and a wry smile grew on his face.

'Elsie is gonna cause issues' He thought, slowly staring up at the girl, who was smiling ear to ear, ignorant of the situation.

She hummed softly as she looked down at Raph, her smile widening as she suddenly clung to him tighter.

He flinched at the sensation but remained aloof in his appearance.

"Um, Mariam, you seem to be waiting for someone?"

"Well….I am," She replied, glancing at each of them. "you guys….seem to be walking together. Are you friends now?" She asked, her curiosity palpable.

Darell scratched the back of his head while Jane looked up in contemplation.

Even they seemed confused about their current situation. Raph sighed.

"Something like that, but not exactly" He replied

"Oh?" Her gaze slowly shifted to the werewolf on his back, her crimson eyes glowing cutely as they locked gazes.

"She? Is she your pet or something?".

Elsie felt a wave of emotions that quickly turned her cute allure into something more or a fright, as a vein bulged on her forehead.

She was about to reiterate when Raph interjected.

"She's not. This is Elsie, the Darkpelt Chieftain's daughter".

Mariam raised an arch, then tilted her head sideways, and suddenly bulged her eyes open in realization.

"Hah…so–sorry about that" She stammered awkwardly.

Raph shrugged while Elsie puffed her cheeks in satisfaction.

"It's alright, it could have happened to anyone. She won't come down after all" He felt a light thump on his head after that statement, and he couldn't help but look up to meet her disapproving stare.

'Hah, what a pain'.

"Who were you waiting for then?" Jane changed the subject, gaining their attention, as he folded his hands.

Mariam's gaze lingered on his before she turned away. "I don't remember us ever being so close. Why are you questioning me?" She asked.

The boys glanced at each other after her reply. Their gaze lingered on Raph.

"Well, we came with a goal in mind. You can answer at least that, right?" Raph asked. 'Might as well get to the point. And I can approach her when it's just me next time.

Her eyes perked up with curiosity.

"Well, what is it?"

Raph hesitated for a moment, after anticipating a result from his question, but he could always ask again.

"I want to create a club, and I need members. Would you join?"

Her brow furrowed in confusion. "Why would a fresher want to form a club on the first day of classes?"

"You may not know this, but today's Recruitment day, meaning a lot of our seniors are going to be out and about looking for new members within our class today"

"...how did a fresher get that kind of information?"

Darell and Jane's eyes bulged in realization. It seemed they got so caught up in the situation that they forgot to ask the most vital question.

"Huh? I have sisters that have been here. Is that so weird?"

Their eyes returned to normalcy.

"Oh, that's true". She said, a pang of guilt hitting her slightly. "If there are other clubs, then I would just join them. I have nothing to gain from joining your club, especially since I don't trust you". Her curt and sharp reply was rather expected.

Raph could tell what kind of person she was since he once loved her. She was someone that trusts deeply so once she does trust you, there's no going back from that.

It would have been a weakness if she wasn't so difficult to please, though deciding whether or not he wanted to please her was entirely up to him.

However, something seemed different this time.

"Is it because Darell is in our club?" He asked, causing the young elf to look away awkwardly, his hand behind his back as memories of their battle were still freshly plated in his mind.

She shook her head in reply with a chuckle. "That was a match, though; what he did was very discourteous; I won't hold it to him since he helped me realize my weaknesses." Her eyes narrowed when they met gazes and the Elven prince sighed, turning away at the same time.
Stay updated with empire

"I don't need to explain myself, but it's good you realized what you were lacking". He said though he seemed to be avoiding her gaze.

Jane and Raph couldn't help but smile wryly at his reaction, while Elsie was too busy admiring the tall columns and colonnades.

Mariam's displeasure in his statement was palpable as a forced smile was plastered on her expression, she was about done with these boys.

"Then why?" Raph snapped her back towards him, and another form of displeasure began to swell in her.

"That thing you did to Ciara was unforgivable. Controlling a woman like that is more than discourteous and it makes me question your morality as a man".

Raph's gaze widened slightly, but controlling his emotions was more than something he could do now. "I see, circumstances could have called for something else, I guess, but I shouldn't be a reason to stop you from growing.

Joining my club will make you grow stronger, I can assure you of that".

She clicked her tongue in response. "And what makes you so sure? Have you ever heard of the saying, the prideful live a life of destruction?"

Raph felt a bit awkward after that statement with the conflicting emotions. One wanted him to respond in kind but the other wanted to please and placate her to earn her love once again.

Of course, he made his decision in the next second.

"Sadly for you, Mariam, you are the last person in this world who has the right to insult my pride. Yes, I admit I am prideful, but I have the strength and will continue to improve that strength as the base of that pride. You, on the other hand, are so weak that you need a man to win for you, and there is no base for weakness".

Her body flinched as a fit of insurmountable anger began to brew within her deeply. Her aqua-blue eyes filled with anger as she glared at him.

"You, how dare you?".

She was about to say more when a familiar figure walked up to them, like a ghost, his footsteps seemingly soundless to one's ears. His presence came with a frighteningly controlled bloodlust, but it wasn't intentional. One could tell that it came with his presence, like a second skin.

He stood next to Mariam, his gaze lingering on her as her aqua-blue eyes met his fiery red eyes.

"I was looking for you, Mariam".