BOUND AND BROKEN
Melas: Book Two by MelasD
Disclaimer
Copyright © 2021 MelasD / V.A. Lewis
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Cover art design and illustration by Sarah Holmes Design and Patrick Foster Design/Joe Thoong
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Table of Contents
Contents
BOUND AND BROKEN Melas: Book Two
Disclaimer
Table of Contents
Part One: Into the World
Chapter 1: Adrian - Far From Home
Chapter 2: Adrian II - Xander's Academy
Chapter 3: Freedom
Chapter 4: Alleyway Meeting
Chapter 5: The Plague Doctor
Chapter 6: The Orphanage
Chapter 7: Kidnapping Thugs
Chapter 8: Secrets Exchanged
Chapter 9: Adventure
Chapter 10: Interlude IV - Lilith
Part Two: Waning Trust
Chapter 11: The Hunters Guild
Chapter 12: Rematch
Chapter 13: Bestiary
Chapter 14: Legacy and Licensed
Chapter 15: Monster Hunting
Chapter 16: Extermination
Chapter 17: Escort Mission
Chapter 18: Tinkering
Chapter 19: Adrian III - Field Trip
Chapter 20: Adrian IV - Deal
Chapter 21: Scenic View
Chapter 22: Beach Episode
Chapter 23: Saved and Spent
Chapter 24: Smuggling Job
Chapter 25: Pursued
Chapter 26: Pirate Attack
Chapter 27: Hidden Lair
Chapter 28: Interrogation
Chapter 29: Next Step
Chapter 30: Infiltration
Chapter 31: Enemies
Chapter 32: Thoughts and Actions
Chapter 33: Ambush
Chapter 34: Dockside Encounter
Chapter 35: Tired
Chapter 36: Trust
Chapter 37: Allies and Enemies
Chapter 38: Interlude V - The Emperor
Author’s Note:
Part One: Into the World Into the World
Chapter 1: Adrian - Far From Home
A boy lazily rested his chin on the palm of his hand. He glanced out the window, and out into the blue sky.
It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining. Birds were chirping. There were few clouds to be seen, and it was the perfect time to be outside.
He longed to go out. To play in an open field. To just talk to his friends. Spend time with the people he cared about. But—
"Adrian."
He looked up.
At the front of the classroom, past the dozens of other children staring at him from their seats, a woman stood with her arms crossed, glaring at him. She adjusted the glasses on her face, and spoke sternly to him.
"Adrian, I have been calling your name for the past minute."
"Yes, Ma’am?" Adrian asked simply. A moment passed, and the teacher frowned.
"Where are your manners? It’s no wonder you’ve been failing your language and formality— never mind," she muttered under her breath. The teacher straightened, and she spoke clearly. "I asked you a question. Do you require me to repeat it? If so, please ask nicely."
Adrian did not know what the question was. He was not paying attention. So he just shrugged.
"Sorry, Mrs Hill. Didn’t catch it."
That was all he said. The teacher sighed resignedly, and addressed the rest of the class.
"Fine. Since Mr Adrian could not answer the question. Is anyone else willing to volunteer?"
A hand shot up immediately. Adrian leaned back on his chair as he turned slightly towards the figure.
"Ah, Ms Onia."
"Thank you, Mrs Hill." A pink haired girl stood up and smiled politely. She cleared her throat and began answering the question. "The Mana Revolution was started over a hundred years ago in 21 TD— 21 years before the Demon Lord was killed. The invention of mana tools was what allowed the Great Hero Xander to unite our continent of Soli to defeat the Demons in the Final Holy War."
"That is correct. You may sit, Ms Onia." The teacher nodded approvingly.
Onia pulled her chair forward, as she took a seat. But not before she cast a glance at Adrian, and… sneered.
She laughed as she whispered something to a group of children, but Adrian paid them no mind. He did not care about their antics. He rested his head on his desk, as time seemed to drone on forever. Before finally, the bell rang. Three strikes, and class was dismissed.
Adrian slowly packed up his things, as people around him began quickly heading out of the classroom. He stopped as someone approached him. The boy did not even need to see who it was.
"Alice."
"Adrian!" a blonde-haired girl exclaimed. She leaned over and looked at him inquisitively. "I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you the answer. I didn’t know what it was either."
"It’s fine. Thanks," he said, showing not a hint of concern in his voice. "I don’t really care about history. So, it’s not like it matters."
"I know," she said with a nod. "And that’s why I’m worried. I heard you failed the recent history test. I— what if you get expelled!"
The girl waved her hands frantically. She peered at the boy, as he got up with his books.
"I won’t." Adrian pushed his chair in. He headed out of the classroom as Alice followed him.
"I know you’re top in the class for most other subjects. But we’re commoners!" she protested. "And if you get kicked out, I won’t…" she trailed off.
Adrian shrugged. He knew for a fact he was not going to get expelled for failing a few subjects. And even if he did, he was not sure how it affected Alice. So he was not sure how to respond.
He opened his mouth to say something, but a voice interrupted him.
"Well, if the school does expel him, why not just leave too, Alice?" Onia approached the two of them with a group of boys and girls alike. "Since you’re commoners, it’s not like the Academy has anything to lose if you’re both gone." She laughed, and her posse laughed alongside her.
Alice paled.
"L-lady Onia," she spoke
