The surroundings were eerily quiet. As I observe up in the air I saw the devastating aftermath of the battle. I am sure that if ever word comes out to the mahò users the school would be in total panic. And if word comes out to the town it might even bring problems to the whole Island. Just who was that woman? Was she connected to the reason why Monk Amon is currently teaching in the Academe?
From the far left side of the forest Mayo suddenly emerged. He ran towards his teammates and checked their bodies for injuries. In a minute he was already transforming into his child form. I decided to go back to the main hall and reserve my questions for later. I mounted my broom and headed towards the others. But as I was above ground I saw something moving in the trees below. Quickly I lowered my altitude and traced the onlooker; he was running to the same direction I was headed to. Strange enough his back was oddly familiar.
‘Ma!’ Quinn suddenly popped up in front of me. I smiled and asked where have he been.
‘I hid in your presence ma! We dragons can do that with their masters!’ he said.
I think I have gained another fantastic knowledge today. But going back to what I was doing I successfully landed in the far back of the other spectator and I finally realized who it was. It was dumb of me; he was wearing all black so it should be obvious that it was him.
“Luther!” I called out. He immediately halted and carefully looked back. I approached him and wondered why he was also here. Did he observe the battle too?
“Why are you here?” I asked. He stared at me for more than ten seconds before finally responding to my question.
“I came when I saw the explosion and I got curious. That’s one great pet by the way,” he said gesturing to Quinn who was getting comfortable in my head. His face the same as ever. I glanced at his hand and saw that it was bleeding.
“Your hand,” I said gesturing his left hand.
“Oh this? I fell when I was running to get here I slipped in one of the roots.” He explained looking at his injured hand. I nodded and began walking.
“You should get that treated as soon as possible so it won’t fester. After all it’s better to take care of it when it can still be healed.” I meaningfully said. I looked around to check for any dangerous signs but did not find any.
“So Luther, did you see that battle?” I said seriously. I wonder how much he knows.
“Yes, I saw it. The enemy was crazy and the Aces together with the head monk, they were strong.” He said in an obvious tone.
“You’re right, but the question is who was that woman and why did she bring a troupe of monsters?” I wondered.
Luther looked forward, staring in the nothingness.
“Those monsters came from the Crooked Forest. I don’t know about that woman but surely she wasn’t here to make friends.” Luther stated as we reached the main hall.
Luther did not wait for my response. He headed straight to the group of boys. The hall was still packed but it was way more organized than earlier.
“Lista! Where have you been?” Nellie asked running towards me. I smiled to assured her that I was okay.
“I left something in the lecture hall so I came back for it.”
“That was dangerous! We still don’t know what’s happening,” she said.
Just as Nellie brought me to where they were sitting, the headmaster stood in the platform requesting the attention of every mahò users.
“The explosion earlier was a result of the mock battles the Aces were having, we are truly sorry for causing you shock, but rest assured that it isn’t something dangerous. Our Aces here just got a little too carried away,” the headmaster reasoned.
The Aces stood beside the platform and smiled to the users, as the battle earlier did not happen. So this how they decided to cover the predicament. Not bad, since the Aces were really battling there though it was not to themselves. The mahò users began to express their relief and their worries were all washed away.
“I’m glad it wasn’t something serious. Those Aces should seriously learn how to tone down their strengths. Tss, always inconveniencing others,” Nellie complained as she glances at William.
William saw what his sister did and stuck his tongue out to annoy Nellie even more. I chuckled but deep inside I was thinking of how I should ask Monk Amon.
“Mahò users, you can all go back to your respective lectures now, may the blessings of the sacred tree, Gaearandys be with you,” the headmaster ended.
“Do you think the head monk will still continue her lecture?” Joanna asked. I thought for a while and answered that we should probably go back to make sure.
Since its Saturday after Meditation and Mana Aura Manipulation Class we won’t have any lectures to follow so it would be a break and for others a time to train. I on the other hand decided to register Quinn in the headmaster’s office to avoid any complications. When we arrived in the lecture hall we were told that the lecture is postpones and will be resumed on the next meeting.
“Registering pets is in the headmasters office right?” I ask the girls. They all nodded and looked at Quinn.
“So Quinn will be officially with us huh?” Kimi said while tapping Quinn’s forehead.
Quinn wriggled his head and hid closer to my shoulders. Kimi pouted and pretended to be sad. The girls laughed at her.
“Are you gonna be okay by yourself or you want us to come with you?” Euna asked. I quickly shook my head and thank them.
“Okay then, see you on the dorms,” Euna said. They waved us goodbye and they headed back to the dorms.
“Okay the, let’s go Quinn.”
**********
Once again I wondered how big Lockes Eofore to fit this huge Academe inside. I found myself staring at another towering building. It was also wide; I cannot begin to imagine how many rooms are present in this. This building is called the Headmaster’s office but it is not just the headmaster’s office that is found here. Various schools related offices are also found in this building. Originally, this was an exclusive building for the school head but it was later on renovated and turned into a much more meaningful and bigger structure. I entered the main door and found that there was a reception area there.
“Magandang araw, may I ask what is it that you need?” I was greeted by the ancient language by the lady receptionist. It seems like here in Einsmoore the use of ancient language as greeting is a norm.
“Magandang araw, I’m here to register my pet.” I replied courtly.
“A moment please,” she said and started to scan on her desk.
“Registering pets are on the 9th floor room 92, please proceed at the lift and choose your buttons, thanks.” The receptionists robotically said.
She began doing paper works as soon as she finished her sentence leaving me no space to ask again. I decided to just enter the lift. The lift was a round platform that goes up and down. It is maneuvered by an employee of the Academe. They are usually wizlings born without mana or aura and they are given jobs they could handle here in the academe. The walls of the lift were transparent so I could see the movements of wizlings on every floor.
“Magandang araw! To what floor?” I was greeted by the employee.
“9th floor please” I replied.
The lift went up with a gentle mechanical sound. As it passes every floor I saw different wizlings getting on their businesses. Some were doing paper works and there were others who are performing magic on things. There was even a floor with flying papers and quills.
The lift made a ‘ting!’ sound when we arrived at the 9th I gave my thanks to the employee who smiled back. I noticed that the 9th floor was quiet compared to the other floors. I started to walk and passed by room 91. So the next would probably be 92.
When I passed by room 91 I noticed some arguing sounds inside, I decided to ignore it and mind my own business when I heard Monk Amon’s name. I moved a little closer to the door and heard some disturbing things.
“What are you thinking Amon, the traitor is still out there! Why would you expose that information?” the man exclaimed.
“Nathaniel, King Torrifhame is already pressuring your seers we need to give this information to them.” Monk Amon calmly answered. So it was Monk Amon and the headmaster.
“But it’s the heroes identity,” he said in a hushed tone.
“Would you rather reveal the most important piece then? They are already on the move; we can’t afford to lose more time. It would be better to just let him reveal his identity and let him run lose.”
My forehead creased and I moved closer to the door. I heard shuffling inside and heard a door opening. I remembered there were balconies on this building, my heart tightened when I realized they were entering the balcony. I wouldn’t be able to hear them anymore.
“And what let him find the traitor himself and kill it?” the headmaster asked.
I could not hear Monk Amon’s reply any more, I suspect they are already in the balcony.
But what are they talking about? Hero? Traitor? Do they mean the hero from the legends? I covered my mouth when I nearly gasped upon realizing what I just heard. There is a traitor among the higher ups and the hero is still alive. And they plan to let him kill the traitor? What is going on!
Suddenly I heard the sound of the lift, sign that there was someone who was about to come to this floor. Quickly I hid behind an armored statue situated in the middle of room 91 and 92. I heard the steps and chatters getting closer to me.
“Why does the Supremacy keep delaying the information? Is Nathaniel not able to communicate with their leader well?” a man irritatingly said.
“Hush, were nearly at his office, the order from the king already came so sooner or later they wouldn’t have a choice but to reveal it.” A much calmer voice replied.
“But the seers have already deciphered the prophecy so we should not be worrying very much,” said another voice.
“But they are also moving, which do you think would be faster, us finding the right characters or them destroying Einsmoore?” a woman’s voice calculatingly said.
“What bothersome problem, tsk,” the irritated man said.
I heard a knock and a door opening. When the door shut the hall was finally quiet. I exhaled as if I didn’t breath for a long time. I think I just heard the most dangerous things ever. I decided to move and quickly finish my business before I get caught up to a much dire situation. It was a good thing that Quinn was hidden in my presence before I entered the premises. I got out from my hiding place and tiptoed towards room 92.
“Who are you?” a man’s voice suddenly called out from behind. I jolted and my heart began to race erratically. I bit my lips and clenched my fist. This is so damned.
“I ask who you are,” the man asked once again. I took a deep breath and slowly faced him.