evangeline stood back, quietly observing the unfolding chaos with an amused smile. it was rare to see damon so out of his element. the usually stoic and distant figure was now at odds with a raven and an elf, and it was undeniably entertaining. even sylvia, who was typically calm and reserved, seemed unusually spirited in defending the bird.

    the raven perched smugly on damon''s head, ruffling its feathers as if declaring victory. damon''s frown deepened with every passing second, his patience clearly fraying.

    sylvia''s gentle smile, however, remained unwavering.

    "looks like he''s decided to stay," she said lightly, stroking the bird''s feathers.

    damon gave her a deadpan look.

    "did he tell you that, or are you just guessing?"

    sylvia tilted her head playfully. "a little bit of both."

    he sighed, his shoulders slumping.

    "get this bird off my head, or it''s going to be dinner."

    the raven squawked indignantly, hopping off damon''s head and onto sylvia''s arm.

    find adventures at empire

    "caw, caw! killer, killer! caw, caw! evil, evil!" it shrieked, clearly satisfied with itself.

    through his shadow perception, damon studied the bird. the morning sunlight glinted off its glossy black feathers, except for a small, bare patch near its wing. his gaze narrowed as a memory surfaced: this was the same raven that had outwitted him during one of his poison tests. it had feigned paralysis long enough to escape, earning his disdain—and, apparently, its grudge.

    ''so that''s why it hates me. clever little pest,'' he thought grudgingly.

    sylvia interrupted his musings.

    "you should keep him," she said, a teasing lilt in her voice. "as a way to atone. or so i think he says."

    damon raised an eyebrow. "so you''re just guessing."

    sylvia brushed her silver hair aside with a graceful motion, her tone turning mock-serious.

    "well, yes. i''m not a beast tamer, after all."

    "i''m not keeping that thing," damon retorted firmly, crossing his arms.

    sylvia''s playful expression sharpened into a glare. the raven hopped onto her shoulder, as if emboldened by her defense.

    "yes, you are," she declared. "you broke its wing, traumatized it, and started this ridiculous feud. the least you can do is give it a home."

    damon shook his head. "not a chance. it''s a wild animal—it can fend for itself."

    the raven squawked again, wings flapping dramatically.

    "evil! evil! killer, killer!" it screeched, fixing damon with its piercing black eyes, full of judgment.

    sylvia''s lips curved into a triumphant smirk. "see? even it knows you''re in the wrong. you owe it."

    "you really like hearing yourself talk, don''t you? if you stayed quiet, no one would think you were dead."

    he turned his gaze to leona and evangeline, who had been standing nearby.

    "these two were here the whole time, and they didn''t feel the need to run their mouths."

    evangeline sighed, her arms crossed.

    "can the both of you not get into it right now? save your energy for the duel."

    xander glared at damon but kept silent, scoffing under his breath.

    leona laughed, brushing a strand of black hair behind her ear.

    "damon, what''s the plan? how are you going to beat him? i can''t wait to see your skills in action."

    damon ignored her, turning on his heel and heading toward class.

    "this day just keeps getting more and more annoying."

    as he walked away, the raven flew from sylvia''s arm and landed on his shoulder.

    "evil! evil!" it squawked again, settling into place as if it belonged there.

    sylvia chuckled, her usual calm demeanor softened by amusement.

    "see? it''s already bonding with you."

    "if it proves to be a nuisance," damon muttered, "i''m going to kill it."

    the raven tilted its head, cawing defiantly. "evil! caw!"

    sylvia raised an eyebrow, curious.

    "what are you going to name him?"

    damon stopped in his tracks, a sly smirk curling on his lips. he glanced over his shoulder at xander, who had been watching with a sneer.

    "i think i''ll call it ravenscroft," he said, his voice dripping with mockery.

    xander''s expression darkened instantly. he recognized the insult for what it was: a deliberate jab at his family''s name.

    sylvia hesitated, her smile turning wary. "i don''t think that''s a good idea..."

    damon''s smirk widened.

    "then it''s decided. his name will be ravenscroft. croft for short."

    xander ravenscroft''s composure snapped. his voice trembled with fury as he stepped forward.

    "you dare, you lowly commoner!"