Maple High School Academy Hidden Year 1
Levi Strauss and the Journey to the North - West - Golden Castle

Golden Castle

“I HOPE YOUR CONDITION IS NOW really good because I cannot leave you alone. ” Lord Betelgeuse said as he was making a magic symbol in the desert sand. “This place is dangerous even though it looks abandoned. After all, I don't want to ignite the flames of war with Navarro if you're abandoned in this place. Mager bang.”

Levi had just put on his coat of pride and took a deep breath. The sun was already scorching, though not yet completely at noon. He let out a slow breath and then walked over to Lord Betelgeuse. “I've been good one hundred percent. The healing worked well when I fell asleep,”. “I'm also not sure Lord Betelgeuse will leave me alone. Yes, right?”

Lord Betelgeuse grinned the horse. “But pede!”

Before long, the magic symbol created by the fallen angel emitted smoke and purplish rays. From within the circle, incarnate a chariot pulled by a snake. Levi was still amazed to see the stunning carriage, but a moment later he remembered that the snakes liked the flesh of young men. Especially when they hiss at him with tongues sticking out.

Their journey to the invisible castle begins. The radar on Levi's watch unceasingly detected a huge dot in the middle of the desert, making him wonder what kind of challenge they would face in a moment. Beside him, Lord Betelgeuse just silently looked outside. His face looked a little pouted.

“You okay, Lord?”

Lord Betelgeuse did not look at Levi as he replied to the boy's question. “I'm fine. Merely, I hate that my aura is starting to be absorbed slowly. Cheating once!”

“Rapidated? I don't even feel my energy diminishing at this time.”

“Yes, because I protected you. Although from afar, the radiation from the Golden Asteroid fragment could absorb the energy of anyone who approached it. Humans will not survive long, because they are very fragile. I hate that thing. We are forced to be weak, even though I will never be weak, yes! It's delicious.”

Levi chuckled instantaneously, which automatically caused a confused look on Lord Betelgeuse's face. “Although terrible, you can sometimes appear funny as well, yes, Lord.”

“You taunt me, Levi Strauss?”

Levi shook his head. “Of course not. I like interesting things. You are one of them, Lord. Well, although there's not much I've found since I went to school there. Only that girl is the only one who can make me curious. You see, he has a semblance of nature with me.”

“Kutebak, you don't have many friends, do you?”

The boy was upset. “Even almost none. Everyone doesn't like me, especially after the new student admission incident. I accidentally messed up the closing night, but I was just a prank. Part of their show is really boring,” explains Levi. “At least I contributed making the night even more interesting.”

Lord Betelgeuse. “You know, Levi Staruss. The reason I took you on this mission was actually because I was interested in you. Not in a weird way of course, but you remind me of the past.”

Levi gawking. “B-really?”

The man nodded for sure. “You and I have something in common in terms of delinquency and somewhat eccentricity. What's more, you just created a stir that harms your dormitory. Nice work! I love a hundred thumbs up for it!”

“Oh, I feel a little insulted.”

Lord Betelgeuse laughed crisply. “Before, me and your principal were in the same school. We compete with each other even in terms of women.”

“Tell me, that you won Lord?”

She shook her head. “We won nothing. The woman chose another man. Unexpectedly indeed,” he explained, then smiled knots after reminiscing about the past. “Well, Levi Strauss, are there any women we like there?”

Hearing that unexpected question, it clearly made Levi flinch. He began to act strange and timid. He really couldn't manage his reaction. Beside him, Lord Betelgeuse stared with narrowed eyes, his hands folded across his chest. “I assume the answer, yes.”

Levi unintentionally shouted. His whole face was red. “You're right, Lord Betelgeuse. There's one woman I like, but I still haven't expressed my feelings. Do you think I can?”

“Of course, Son. You're a man after all. Whatever answer you'll get, it's a matter of later. The worst thing that will happen is that he rejects you. Big deal!”

“Argh! Why does it sound so sad?”

Lord Betelgeuse did not respond to him again. He prefers to continue reading in a book while kneading his chin. Levi sighed. The child arranges research glasses that are always attached to his hair. There was one thing he wanted to ask, actually. About the figure of the Four Blood Prince. That night, Levi was convinced Lord Betelgeuse was not an ordinary stomachache. The change was very awkward and seemed sudden. There must be something about the figure he found in the dream.  However, Lord Betelgeuse did not want to be disturbed. Ah, bodo is more than dead curious, mending askin aja.

“Hmmm?”

“Main games, yuk?”

 The magnificent castle stood firmly in the middle of the desert. Rays of reverberation gushed out strongly, as if every inch of the building was made of gold. There was nothing standing beside the castle. Makes her the only prima donna. Levi looked from a distance using binoculars. All sides he monitored, but found no sign of life.

“I did not find any guard,” he said. “Don't this feel suspicious, Lord?”

“You're right. The castle as grand as it is is clear there is a guard,” retorted Lord Betelgeuse. “Maybe deliberately left so that anyone who comes close will be hit by a trap. Moreover, the energy emitted was extremely powerful. I'm sure you feel it now.”

Levi mangosteen assented.

“Now let's test,” says Lord Betelgeuse. He created a magical beast from his hands. A black rat. Then, the man threw the uninformed mouse towards the guard door until two figures of a large man with a head resembling Anubis appeared suddenly. They wagged the axe and destroyed the innocent animal. “Even to animals like that. Cruel once.”

Levi gulped. “How do we get in there without being split into two?”

Lord Betelgeuse snorted. “Don't ask much, Boy.”

They walked over to the silent Anubis-faced guard. Lord Betelgeuse told Levi to stop because if he took another step, the sharp axe would slash at him. “There is a certain distance that will make this guard move,” clear Lord Betelgeuse relaxed. “However, it does not mean they are invincible.”

“You know how to handle it?”

Not answering Levi's curious question, the fallen angel looked towards the large-bodied guard. Lord Betelgeuse remained motionless, until his eyes lit up. Shortly after, something spectacular happened. Suddenly, the two guards knelt down as if the two of them were people to be respected.

“How can you muekin do it?” levi said shocked half-lives.

“I have mind manipulation ability, Levi Strauss,” he replied as he casually stepped in past the guards. “Additionally, they are submissive types and have no sense. Very easily manipulated. I just need to change their memories as if I were the king of this place. Yes, although it will not be permanent, anyway.”

“Think once,” says Levi was amazed. “After this, will you teach me that ability, Lord?”

Lord Betelgeuse plays his index finger. “ Never will be.”

Levi Strauss sneered. “But telit!”

They reached the main courtyard of the golden castle. There was a long staircase connecting the guard gate with the main door of the castle. Lord Betelgeuse told them to split up. He himself would go undercover and enter the palace facing his ruler, while Levi was told to follow a point on the radar on his watch. The point that leads directly to where the asteroid debris is located. Sounds like it was thrown away.

“You're not planning to dump me, are you?”

Lord Betelgeuse laughed. “Why do you think so, Son?”

“Facing directly with asteroid debris, I think sounds like suicide.”

“I entrust this to you not for the purpose of dumping you, Levi Strauss,” said Lord Betelgeuse encouraging Levi. “I'm sure you can hold it until I come. After all, this method will be very effective.”

“If I die, I swear I will bang on you forever, Lord,” said Levi then move away following the radar.

Lord Betelgeuse shook his head at the mischievous behavior of the brat. Then, he looked ahead while walking calmly. Not to forget, he changed his figure into a distant traveler with Egyptian-style clothing.

“Who's there?”

A woman's voice echoed from inside the castle.

“I'm coming to see you, Her Majesty Queen.”