The Hero's Descendant is the Reincarnation of an Infamous Fey Lord

Eogan and Lorcan stood at the doorway of their new dorm room, staring inside with a mix of curiosity and wariness. The space was modest, but it exuded a quiet comfort. The walls were lined with soft, pale wood that shimmered slightly in the ambient light. At first glance, it seemed like nothing special, but as the boys entered, the room seemed to come to life, adjusting to their presence.

With a wave of his hand, Eogan made a small gesture, and the bed nearest the window subtly shifted to a more natural position. The sheets fluffed themselves as though an invisible hand had arranged them. Lorcan followed suit, settling into his chosen bed on the opposite side, the linens smoothing out as he sank into it. The enchanted furnishings in the dorm were designed to adapt to the personal preferences of its inhabitants. As both boys unpacked their belongings, they noticed how each item seemed to settle into place as though anticipating their needs.

A small, wooden desk adjusted its height when Eogan stepped near it, and the chair spun gently as if it had a mind of its own. Meanwhile, Lorcan found a corner of the room where a soft, glowing light appeared, casting a warm hue over his belongings. He placed his pouch carefully on the desk, mindful of the precious contents inside.

In the midst of their unpacking, a quiet fluttering sound echoed from somewhere unseen. Eogan glanced up, eyes narrowing slightly as a flicker of movement caught his attention. Leanan and Neala had been hiding in the corners, careful to remain undetected. Eogan could sense the subtle presence of his fey companion, her form barely visible as she concealed herself behind a cluster of floating books. Lorcan, ever attuned to Neala's movements, kept his senses alert but said nothing. They had learned by now that it was safer for the fey to remain out of sight in the human dormitory.

Leanan's voice, a soft whisper in Eogan's mind, reached him. "Do you think this place is safe for us?"

Eogan paused, unpacking a few more items. "It will have to be," he replied, his voice steady though a small knot of worry twisted in his gut. "We'll find a way to make it work."

Neala's agitation mirrored Leanan's, and Lorcan instinctively reached for the pouch that held her. As his fingers brushed the fabric, he felt her form shift within. "We'll be alright," he reassured her, his voice a calming murmur only she could hear. "You're safe with me."

Though their companions remained hidden, the boys understood the tension between humans and monsters. These creatures were different, and the boys knew their presence could be both a blessing and a curse in a world that feared the unknown.

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After a while, Eogan and Lorcan left their room to explore the dormitory, eager to familiarize themselves with their new surroundings. They wandered through the narrow, stone hallway, passing a few other students who gave them polite nods or fleeting glances. The air smelled faintly of lavender and pinewood, but there was an undertone of something less welcoming.

As they turned a corner, they encountered an older student—a lanky boy with dark hair and a sharp, unpleasant grin. He was dressed in the typical garb of a senior, his uniform pressed neatly, but his eyes had the look of someone who took pleasure in the discomfort of others.

Eogan stiffened slightly, sensing the growing unease in the air. The boy's gaze flicked over them, lingering with interest. Then, without hesitation, he sneered.

"Well, what have we here?" His voice was laced with mockery. "A couple of newcomers, I see. You two really think this is a place for you? A little boy and a commoner." He eyed them both from head to toe, his sneer widening. "I wouldn't be so sure. It's weird. Unnatural, you know. Dangerous."

Eogan's heart skipped a beat. The words were not new to him, but hearing them spoken so openly made his blood boil. He could feel Leanan's fury rising like a tidal wave within him. Her anger was a tangible force, and Eogan instinctively stretched out his hand, casually moving it in a slow arc as though he were simply stretching. In reality, he wove a subtle enchantment, a calming aura that flowed from his fingertips, reaching out to soothe the fey's unrest. It was a small gesture disguised as nothing more than a stretch, but the magic pulsed gently in the air.

Sensing Neala's agitation, Lorcan gently murmured into the pouch where she resided. "Don't let his words affect you," he whispered quietly. "We'll face it together like we always do."

Neala's presence seemed to calm, her tension easing slightly in response to his words. The agitation didn't vanish completely, but Lorcan could feel her trust in him deepen, even as the world around them became less welcoming.

The older student, Daric, as he introduced himself, took a step closer, his eyes narrowing as he observed Lorcan's pouch with growing interest. "What's this?" he asked, voice dripping with contempt. "You carrying some pet around, boy?"

Lorcan's hand tightened instinctively around the top of the pouch, but he didn't let the gesture show. Instead, he gave a slight, almost imperceptible shake of his head, urging calm.

But Daric wasn't done. "Don't tell me you're hiding one of those creatures in there. Not in my dorm. You know the rules. Monsters don't belong here. It's bad enough you two are here, but this—" He pointed to the pouch, voice filled with disdain, "this is just asking for trouble."

Eogan's patience, already stretched thin by the encounter, snapped. He stepped forward, his posture straightening, eyes flashing with unspoken defiance. "And what exactly do you know about us, Daric?" he said, his voice smooth but edged with sharpness. "How much have you seen, other than a few ill-mannered words? Nothing, I'd wager."

Daric blinked, momentarily thrown off guard by the boldness in Eogan's voice. The older boy faltered, then glared back, a sneer returning to his lips. "Don't test me, boy," Daric growled, his fists clenching at his sides. "You don't belong here."

But Eogan's gaze was steady, unflinching. "Neither do you. Yet, here we are."

The confrontation could have escalated further, but Eogan quickly redirected the conversation, his words flowing easily as he skillfully defused the tension. "You're not the authority here, Daric," he said, his voice a calm counterpoint to the provocation. "You should be careful who you pick fights with."

It was a subtle warning that Daric could either heed or ignore. He seemed to consider it momentarily, his eyes flicking to Lorcan and the pouch again before turning on his heel. "You think you're clever, don't you?" Daric sneered but backed off, his retreat marked by a scowl. "Keep your monster in check, or you won't like the consequences."

Eogan watched him go, his gaze cold, but his posture showed a subtle sense of victory. "I don't think he'll be bothering us again."

Lorcan released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He gave Eogan a small nod, grateful for the intervention.

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Back in the dorm room, Eogan and Lorcan sat down on their respective beds, the tension of the hallway encounter still lingering in the air. Eogan could feel Leanan's lingering frustration, and he knew exactly how to approach her. He closed his eyes for a moment, silently calling to her. "I understand your anger," he whispered softly into the silence, "but we can't afford to be reckless. We need to be patient. We can't give them a reason to target us."

Leanan's presence seemed to settle, though her unease didn't entirely disappear. "I know," she replied, her voice quiet. "But it's hard to control it when they speak like that. They don't understand us."

Eogan nodded to himself. "I know. But we'll show them. One step at a time."

On the other side of the room, Lorcan turned to his own pouch. "Neala," he said softly, "I promise no one will harm you. You're safe with me, always."

Her presence shifted within the pouch, and for a moment, Lorcan felt a wave of comfort over him. "I trust you, but I can't help but feel like they'll never accept us," her emotions seemed to say.

Lorcan took a deep breath, his fingers lightly brushing the pouch as if to reassure her. "They'll have to," he said firmly. "And if they don't, we'll face them together. As we always have."

The room was quiet for a long moment; the only sound was the gentle rustling of their belongings as the room settled around them. It was a brief respite, a moment of peace before the challenges ahead. But in that silence, both boys understood one thing—they weren't alone. They had each other, and with that, they would face whatever came next.