"Huff... Huff..."
"Come on, get up. We're not done yet." Ashton instructed Duncan before cracking his knuckles, "I told you I was feeling a bit rusted. I need to freely move my joints you know."
Duncan was on his knees, covered in blood all over, and it was no coincidence that he ended up like that. After all, Ashton's fists were covered in his blood. The rules of the academy might have protected the students, but he was the only one who could have protected 'his' servants.
In other words, he could have done whatever he pleased with them and no one would bat an eye. Because frankly, no one cared about humans either way. Ashton knew these bastards were spying on him, but he left them to go unpunished because he had a 'soft spot' for humans.
He could have punished them from the beginning if he wanted to, but there was something he needed before making his move or his plan could have backfired. Now that he had the things he required, thanks to Rose, he could have easily gotten rid of them.
But now, he had realised that waiting was a mistake. Initially, it was his plan to win their trust over with patience, but now he did not have any left. He needed to make sure they were loyal to him and only him. No matter what he had to do.
It was a tough pill he had to swallow, but in the last couple of days, Ashton had realised something. In the world they were living in, being good to somebody won't do shit. If he wanted to get something, he would have to be prepared to snatch it away from others, through violence or wit or a combination of both.
"Hm... looks like you're at your limit." Ashton squatted down to take a good look at Duncan, "Guess I'll have to switch opponents. Since there isn't anyone else here, I'm afraid I will have to ask Daniella to help me while you recover."
Saying so, he got up and started walking towards Daniella, who had been watching Ashton beat the living crap out of her husband. She wanted to help Duncan out, but she was too scared to make a move. But now that Ashton was headed her way, her legs suddenly found their strength back as she hastily moved away from him.
"Leave... her... alone!" Duncan barely managed to mumble before choking on his own blood.
"Sure, I'll leave her alone... if you get up first." Ashton smiled and sat down right then and there.
"The mistress will... kill you if she got to know about this!!!" Suddenly Daniella found her voice and yelled at him.
As soon as Ashton heard what Daniella said, he started laughing like a maniac. It was the first time they had seen him behaving like this and even though he was just a teenager, his laugh sent shivers down their spines.
"Kill me? How delusional can you morons be?" Ashton said between his fits of laughter, "I'm way too important for the mistress for her to kill me. You, on the other hand, are simply disposable resources and believe me. Once she is doesn't have a use for you, you are going straight into her enclosure to spend rest of your miserable life."
Ashton turned walked back to Duncan and kicked him right in the face while he struggled to get back to his feet. Ashton was no longer pulling his strikes back. He wasn't using his entire strength either, but it was enough to break Duncan's bones with ease.
"If I kill you, then sure, she would be pissed and 'discipline' me again. But we all know how well that goes, don't we?" Ashton then took Duncan's spear and stabbed his leg, "Come on, Duncan. You can stand up. After all, if you don't then god knows what will happen to your wife."
"ARGH!!!"
Ashton drew the spear back and stabbed him again and again, till his legs were filled with wounds. Forget about standing, it would be a miracle if he was even able to crawl at this point. But that didn't stop him from trying... and failing miserably.
"It's a shame you can't move, I wonder why? Well, you should rest up, maybe that'll help. In the meantime, I'll play with your wife instead."
Ashton aimed the spear right at Daniella's bloated belly when Duncan finally gave up. At that moment he would have done anything to save his wife and their unborn child. Even if it meant betraying the mistress.
"Please don't... I'll do... whatever you want... just don't hurt them. I beg... you."
"Anything?"
Duncan nodded as tears streamed down Daniella's face. She could have never thought a child would be so frightening as well as capable of doing something Ashton just did.
'He's no child... He's a monster! Even worse than the werewolves!'
She wanted to say those words aloud, but her mouth was sealed shut. As if her body was was trying to take control over her actions, to ensure her survival.
"Fine, you wouldn't need to do anything extraordinary either." Ashton placed the spear inside his inventory and pulled some kind of paper out of there, "You'll just need to become my slaves in the true sense of the word. I'll be the only master the two of you will recognise and no one else. Do you accept this?"
"Yes..."
"Alright then," He threw the paper in front of Duncan, "I suppose you know how to use this?"
"A slave... contract?"
"The hell are you acting all surprised for?" Ashton scoffed, "You don't expect me to believe you just based on your words, do you? Just put your blood on the sheet and get it over with. It's not like you need to prick your finger or anything to get your blood out, it's already everywhere."
Duncan gritted his teeth in fury. He thought he would be able to trick a kid, but this 'kid' had already prepared everything.
On one hand, if he signed the contract, would have to do absolutely everything Ashton asked. If he didn't then he would be burned to crisp, thanks to the 'betrayal' clause mentioned in the contract. And on the other hand, if he didn't then he and his wife both will get killed.
He had no choice... he had to sign the contract. Thus, he soaked his palm with his blood and placed it on the paper. As he did that, a notification appeared in front of Ashton.
[You have acquired a new slave.]
[Number of slaves in possession: 1]
[You can view their details under <Slaves> tab.]
"Great, now let's get your handprint as well.." Ashton smiled and threw another contract towards Daniella, "Sign it and live peacefully, with your husband and the child, or don't and die."