TRAITOR IN THE MIDST (II)

The effect of Lynne’s words was complete silence. Even teacher’s eyes widened as he measured Lynne’s expression against the expressions of others. For a brief moment young lad even thought that Lynne was bluffing simply to invoke some sort of a reaction from the killer, but considering how and where Lionel was killed, it showcased that the killer wasn’t someone so naive and easily smoked out. Lynne slapped his lips, walking over towards the teacher with somber expression. Eighteen youths behind him followed Lynne’s every movement with deep care, as if he truly knew who the killer was, they’d have to bolt away the moment the name was spoken.

“Teacher,” Lynne spoke in a muffled whisper, leaning into the young teacher’s ear. “Don’t react. Don’t look at her,” it was imperative that the information stay between the two of them, as Lynne wasn’t sure what the killer would do if uncovered. “Just remain expressionless.”

“Right.” young teacher nodded in agreement.

“I believe that Lionel was poisoned shortly before it was his turn to showcase Magic,” Lynne spoke in a calm and flat tone, slightly surprising the young teacher with composure. “The reason it took so long for the poison to activate was because it was blocked by other scents. The poison carried a trace of coal, which leads me to believe that poison originally wasn’t built for murder, just to put someone to sleep – which I assume was killer’s plan for the rest of us,” Lynne explained everything slowly and in as much detail as he could without over-dragging it. “However, due to traces of coal being mingled with the original poison, Lionel was a clear target.”

“Why aren’t we asleep then, though?” young teacher asked, creasing his brows.

“Before it was Lionel’s turn to cast Magic, a girl cast wind-type Magic that combined itself with flames, causing combustion – that was how she spread poison. However, just after Lionel, Hayden cast whirlwind-type Magic--”

“Which spread poison too thinly to have effect on us, but not on Lionel who was heavily allergic to the coal.” the teacher finished Lynne’s thoughts as he put the pieces together as well. “Then, the person who killed Lionel...” even though he had promised himself not to react in any way, the young teacher still glanced at Anna. Even though it was but a brief overview – one that, for most others, would mean absolutely nothing – Anna was on all-time high alert for any changes in either Lynne’s or teacher’s behavior. “Anna...” teacher muttered out, but, just as he did, he felt sudden increase in Magic mass within the classroom. He forcibly pushed Lynne away, causing him to crash into the wall on the other side, while at the same time using his other arm to block the incoming projectile.

Panic ensued, as others figured out that it was Anna who cast a spell targeted at teacher. It didn’t take them too long to realize that she was also responsible for Lionel’s death. They trampled over one another trying to escape, but Anna didn’t pay attention to them – teacher was the highest priority, after all.

Her brown hair suddenly attained scarlet hue as mass wind gathered around her, the red strands fluttering alongside her clothes. Similarly colored gem-shaped object appeared at the center of her forehead, shimmering brightly, as she spread her arms wide. The teacher didn’t lag behind either; he had quickly realized that she was a ‘Scarlet Witch’ type, Magus extremely proficient in blood and darkness-related Magic. Due to the strength of the glow, he also concluded that she was at least Three Star Dominus Magus, which stilled his heart for a moment. Tsk… just my luck. I need to quit this freaking job.

Their stare-off lasted for but a moment before Anna bolted from atop the classroom. Scarlet Witches were extremely proficient in close range, unlike most other types of Magus. By the time she appeared a few feet away from the teacher, she had already clawed her arm open, letting the blood flow and float as it gathered into a spear-shaped object. Meanwhile, young teacher was a ‘Light Don’, type of Magus that uses light-based spells mainly for control over the battlefield rather than the fight itself, concocted a spell of his own. However, even though he had already contacted Principal, he had to last for a least few seconds, else not only he, but the rest of the students as well, would die. Light shimmered brightly from both of his palms as he clasped them, unleashing blinding light. As Anna unleashed the bolt of blood at the young teacher, he narrowly dodged it by leaning towards left. The bolt still grazed his shoulder though, piercing right through and back into the wall. Blood spurred out like a fountain, and Anna didn’t miss the opportunity.

One of the reason why Scarlet Witches were so feared was that if they ever managed to get their opponent to bleed, the fight was practically over. Anna quickly dodged backwards, avoiding the centermost point of the light explosion. She didn’t feel any pain from the spell, mainly dizziness, but still not enough to confuse her enough. She extended her arm forward and gripped it into a fist; hollow scream echoed out as teacher felt his shoulder shrivel under the invisible force. He realized that she was controlling his blood inside the body, causing it to flow backwards and boil. Just my luck to die like this… well, at least I saved the students… the teacher thought as he realized that the help is almost there. However, the pain suddenly stopped and blood within him restored its original flow. As he opened his eyes, he saw something that struck him with awe and gratitude.

Lynne, who had previously nearly fell unconscious from the crash against the thick wall, had manifested metal spear and managed to pierce it through Anna’s neck as she was focused entirely onto teacher. Just like other students, she believe Lynne to be just another useless, rich bum without any true talent. Under normal circumstances, and cast by ordinary students, spell of this type wouldn’t even graze her skin, let alone pierce her straight through. However, Lynne had combined not only Earth and Fire to create metal, but also added Wind attribute which increased speed of the spear, almost tripling the ability to pierce. Anna had but a second to spare for her realization before her body fell down onto the ground, eyes wide open, her hair returning back to its original color and the object on her forehead disappearing completely. She died.

Lynne panted on the side and crashed down himself, exhausted beyond anything he ever felt. Not only did he use last tinge of Mana he had, but coupled with the crash into the wall, he couldn’t even move a finger, let alone move. The doors to the classroom suddenly opened and all students, still crazed with fear as they didn’t even notice that Anna was dead, rushed outside, screaming. Six or so Magus donning blue robes raced inside only to find Anna lying on the floor in the pond of her own blood with a spear sticking out of her neck, young teacher gripping his shoulder and groaning in pain, and young Lynne lying on the floor, barely conscious. As they were already informed of who the killer was, they simply ignored Anna as they confirmed she was dead and split into two groups, helping both Lynne and the young teacher. Shortly after them, two Magus specializing in healing Magic showed up and began recovering Lynne’s and teacher’s strength as the two sat next to each other.

“I guess I owe you my life,” young teacher spoke, chuckling lightly. “Thanks.”

“You just had to look...” Lynne groaned, glancing at him angrily.

“Ha ha,” the teacher, though, just laughed, not showing an ounce of guilt. “Nothing bad came out of it.”

“Nothing bad?” Lynne said. “I was starving before, but at least I could use Mana to manage it somewhat. Now? I’m dead. Dead!!”

“Eh, if you’re hungry, then allow me to buy you a bread roll as a ‘thank you’.”

“So your life is worth two copper coins?”

“Contrary to what others believe, teachers don’t make that much here.”

“How about I eat you instead, then?”

“… pork chop it is.”

“Now we’re talking.”

Two Magus who were helping them simply rolled their eyes at the exchange, ignoring the duo. After they were completely healed, the teacher held up his promise and took Lynne to the Academy’s lunchroom and bought him a large pork chop. Lynne practically swallowed it whole and demanded another, but he didn’t get it. As the two entered a heated argument, they spotted a looming figure suddenly appearing next to their table. Unlike Lynne who simply stared blankly at the forming figure, young teacher immediately fell onto his knees and bowed.

“Ah, get up Issac, you’re embarrassing me!” voice and face make no sense!! Lynne immediately thought – and he wasn’t wrong. The person who appeared before them was old. His face wrinkled, both hair and beard whiter than snow, lacking all teeth… but his voice was that of a child’s. Creepy!!

“Principal, I---”

“Just get up already, dammit!” Issac finally obeyed and got up, sitting back onto his chair. The old chap joined them and ordered the pork chop Lynne was demanding from the teacher. I love him! Food and gold – it was rather easy to buy Lynne’s love.

“Ho ho,” the old man laughed as he looked at Lynne with rather appreciative gaze. “I believe we owe you gratitude, young one.”

“Keep buying me pork chops and we’re good old man.” Lynne replied bluntly.

“Lynne!!” Issac’s shocked face matched the urgent tone of his voice as he spoke. “Show some respect to the Headmaster!!”

“It’s fine, it’s fine,” the old man simply shrugged it off, still laughing. “Youth ablaze is always most fun!”

“….” Issac nearly plummeted his head onto the table. He just realized how terrifying of a fact it was that Principal and Lynne met.

“Pork chops are fine, young one,” the old man then spoke. “But, you had not only saved Issac’s life, but prevented potential catastrophe on Academy’s grounds. I believe greater rewards are in order.”

“G--” Lynne shouted ‘GOLD!!’ almost instinctively but held back at the last second; Gold is truly beautiful… but I’m still homeless!!” “Khm, khm,” he coughed as to appear more serious. “I’d like a place to live.” Eh?!!! however much Issac claimed to be different than the Principal, they both had practically the same reaction, and didn’t bother hiding their shock from their faces.

“L-like a house?” the Principal asked, recovering first.

“Aye,” Lynne nodded. “This recent shift in the Kings and all have left me homeless and penniless. And I’m still just a growing boy. It’s just so terrible, no? I mean, so cruelly ejected from my own home, given no money, no alternative...” Lynne even began sobbing; Shameless!! Issac thought. “Today was a twist of fate. I ought to thank Lionel! Tonight I’ll try and commune with him!” Blah!! Issac and the old man nearly spat out blood as they listened to Lynne.

“I-I’m sure… something can be arranged...” Principal said. “Issac?”

“Y-yeah,” the young teacher said, cursing inwardly. “I’ll make arrangements.” before he even finished sentence he got up and left. Avoid that kid! I’m so gonna avoid that kid even if it kills me!

“Ah, really?!!” the just moment ago ‘sad’ Lynne suddenly disappeared and was replaced by one whose eyes shone with brilliance. “You are so nice! You’d be even nicer if you could spare a few gold coins for this poor boy!” Utterly shameless! “I mean, even though I now have home,” and suddenly the sobbing Lynne returned. “I’m still just a growing boy. It’s just so terrible, no? I mean-”

“Here’s a sack of one hundred gold coins,” Principal interrupted. I’m so gonna avoid this kid even if it kills me from now on! “Ah, here’s this medal as well,” on the spot, almost as if struck by a bolt of brilliance, the Principal figured a way to make his dreams come true. The medal he handed out was round-shaped with a simple carving of the school’s emblem. “This will grant you access to first three floors of our esteemed Library. Make sure you read all the books. And I mean, ALL the books.”

“You are too generous!” Lynne’s eyes glittered as he took the sack of dancing coins; he could practically hear the voices of the coins whispering ‘Spend me, spend me, spend me...’ and as if to reply then, Lynne thought ‘I will… I so will…’. He also took the medal, but with far less excitement. I guess it’ll be useful to learn things.

“Well, then, I’ll be on my way,” the old man jolted on his feet. “Enjoy the pork chop.”

“Thanks old man!”

It took till night, as he was housed in a small cabin behind the Academy, for today’s events to come back to him. The house he was granted was pretty simple and far from the mansion he grew up in, but it had bed and fireplace. It was a place to sleep. But, Lynne couldn’t. After all, today, for the first time in his life, he had killed someone. Even if she was murderer, even if it was to save his teacher and other students… those mellowing excuses meant little to him. I’m… I’m a murderer…