"Um...Boris-Sensei?"
The said illusionist turned to look at Akihito, who had a worried look on his face.
"Yes, youngster?"
"Well...how is Headmaster? We haven't seen her since the day of the Nanashi attack..."
Boris blinked in surprise. It had been three days since the attack and everything pretty much returned to normal.
Although the Headmaster was told--forced--to stay in bed. Rei wanted to check on the Academy for the students' safety, but the teachers quickly denied the other's wishes. The Headmaster sulked slightly but relented to them.
Boris hummed and swung his cane around.
"She's fine. She's just doing what she normally does."
Akihito frowned mentally.
'He's lying...'
Boris snapped the greenette out of his musings.
"Well, youngster, you should go join your friends now. Class was done a long time ago."
Akihito looked at the other for a moment before nodding. He sighed, waving goodbye to him.
"Do svidaniya."
Boris chuckled.
"Ciao, ciao."
~~
"You couldn't find out what happened to Headmaster?"
Akihito sighed before flopping onto his bed, he craned his head to the right to look at Izaak.
"No. Boris-Sensei says that she's fine, but I can tell that he's lying."
Izaak grunted at that, looking up at the ceiling. The blonde frowned before sitting up in his bed.
"Why don't we go find out ourselves?"
Akihito quirked an eyebrow before grinning.
"Sure. Why not?" The two got out of their beds. "Let's go find the others first."
"Fine."
It was midday while the two searched for the others, and they all ended up at the Academy entrance. When the group was complete, they started to walk down the hallways.
~~
After walking around, the group somehow ended up in front of Keshet's room. Akihito and the others raised an eyebrow when they heard the familiar voice of...Corvino?
Right when they were about to enter, the door slammed open, revealing a very, very pissed off hitman. Everyone sweated as they stepped to the side to let the hitman through.
When Corvino got past them he turned his gaze to them.
"When you find your Art teacher, tell me, so I can murder her."
Everyone sweat-dropped as the man stalked away; Izaak was the first to speak.
"What did our Art teacher do to piss him off?"
Akihito laughed.
"Maa, why don't we ask her ourselves? I sense that she's in the room actually..."
Everyone raised an eyebrow at him before following the greenette into the room.
The group walked up onto the stage while Akihito raised his head up. Akihito cupped one hand over his mouth as he called for their Art teacher.
"Keshet-Sensei! You can come out now! My dad's gone--for now."
There was the sound of movement before the teacher jumped off of the balcony, looking around with mischievous eyes.
"Heh~so he's gone? Ohohoho~!"
Everyone sweat-dropped at her actions. Akihito stepped closer to her.
"Keshet-Sensei...what did you do to piss my dad off so much?"
Keshet turned back to him as her grin grew wider and wider.
"I know a little secret he has~!"
Everyone blinked in surprise. Keshet continued to laugh.
"He like-likes someone~!"
Everyone gaped.
'Corvino-san likes someone?! Unbelievable!'
However, Akihito had different thoughts.
'Could I...possibly get a Mom?' (LD: AWWWWWWW （≧∇≦）)
Akihito cocked his head to the side.
"So...who does Corvino-san like?"
Keshet's grin grew even wider (O.D.D.- Is that even possible?! Σ（ﾟдﾟlll）) as she unwrapped another lollipop.
"Vino-chan like-likes~....Rei-chan~!"
Silence....
"EEEEEEEEEEEHHHHH?!"
Everyone was gaping at her Keshet in shock while Akihito was stunned into silence. Aleta stepped up closer to the Art teacher.
"A-Are you serious? Th-There's no way..."
Keshet laughed.
"No, no! I'm serious~! I asked him, and he said yes. When I heard that, I told him that I would tell the others! That's why he's so pissed! BWAHAHAHAHA!"
Izaak shook his head in disbelief before glancing at Akihito.
"Who would've thought--Akihito?"
The said greenette had his eyes hidden behind his bangs. Everyone waited for his reaction. Akihito lifted his head and--
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
--laughed.
Akihito was grinning, walking up to Keshet.
"Neh, Keshet-Sensei! Help me get those two together?"
Everyone blinked dumbly while Keshet wore a similar grin to Akihito's.
"Sure~!" The blonde high-fived him. "Let's do this!"
"Eeeeh?! You're going along with this, Aki-chan?"
Meilin bounced up next to him, eyes sparkling with wonder. Akihito laughed.
"Maa, I think it would be fun, no?"
His friends shook their heads in amusement. Izaak smirked.
"Hm...it would be interesting."
Akihito grinned before blinking in realization.
"Ah! Keshet-Sensei!" The Art teacher looked at him. "How is the Headmaster doing anyways?"
Keshet's smile faltered slightly before coming back at full power.
"She's doing grea--!"
Akihito made a wide, puppy-eyed look.
"....Sigh...Rei-chan is a little sick, but she's recovering!"
Everyone blinked in surprise at the news.
'The Headmaster is sick?'
Keshet glanced at the clock on the wall as the students mulled over the new information.
"Well, you guys need to get back to your dorms now; it's late."
The Art teacher ushered them out of the room, waving goodbye.
"I'll see you guys later! Sleep well!"
Everyone gave a polite bow to her before leaving.
The group got the the dorms and quickly washed up and ate dinner. After the meal, they brushed their teeth and went to bed.
~~
Autumn-red eyes snapped open. Akihito sat up from his bed and strained his ears.
'Voices...in the middle of the night?'
Akihito brushed his bed sheets off and got out of bed and crept to the door.
"...Akihito?"
The said greenette blinked in surprise before glancing at Izaak, who had apparently woke up recently. Akihito held a finger up to his lips and motioned to the other to follow him. Izaak blinked his electric-green eyes before nodding to the other; he slid off his bed in quiet movements and stood beside Akihito by the dorm door.
Akihito silently cracked the door open as hallway light splashed over half of his face. The voices faded slightly, telling Akihito to step out of the dorm room, motioning for Izaak to follow.
The two silently dashed after the voices.
::(Flashback...)::
"Hey, Akihito."
"Hm?"
Akihito glanced up to see his first friend--more like a brother--looking at him with lazy, electric-green eyes.
Akihito's friends were currently training with their spirit animals while the greenette watched over them.
When Izaak walked up to the greenette, Akihito turned his attention to the blonde; Sila was sleeping in Izaak's hoodie.
"What's up?"
"I...want you to help me with stealth."
Akihito blinked in surprise at that.
"Really?"
"Yeah..." Izaak glanced to their friends down below. "I noticed how you make no sound in your movements..." Electric-green turned back to Akihito. "...I'm curious...but I also want to help you if we ever need to be...'sneaky'."
Akihito chuckled before looking back at his friends below.
"Hmm...would it be alright to have the others train in this?"
Izaak shrugged uncaringly at the other.
"Up to you. I don't really care."
Akihito laughed.
"Okay...why don't we start today then?"
"Fine by me."
Roughly two weeks later, the group was able to make not a single sound in their movements. Even Corvino was impressed with the results.
::(Flashback End...)::
Akihito peeked around the corner of the hall, narrowing his eyes slightly at the sight of human-shaped shadows along the walls. When the shadows disappeared, Akihito continued the follow, Izaak trailing behind.
After a few long twists and turns down the hallway, the group that Akihito and Izaak was following stopped. Akihito noted that the group--three third-years apparently--were at the Academy entrance; the group glanced around warily before opening the doors, slipping through them.
Akihito frowned momentarily, closing his eyes as he stretched his senses out momentarily. Besides the three that just exited the Academy, Akihito could sense two more energy signatures.
Suddenly, an icy chill went up Akihito's spine. The greenette's eyebrows furrowed slightly while his eyes were still closed.
Akihito noticed the inky-black energy signature of one of the other people outside.
'This signature...it feels like a Nanashi...but it's far too human.'
Akihito opened his eyes, glancing at Izaak. From the slight frown on the blonde's features, Izaak had sensed the dark aura too; the lightning mage started to sign to the other.
*Should we follow?*
Akihito glanced at the door before looking back to Izaak; he signed back.
*Yes...but first...let me put up an illusion.*
Izaak nodded to the other and waited. Akihito closed his eyes momentarily before opening them to reveal bronze orbs that soon faded to its usual autumn-red.
'Kassai No Jumon Kazu No Yon-juu Roku: Netsu Kasumi.' (Fire Spell Number 46: Heat Haze)
A red mist surrounded Akihito and Izaak. When the mist disappeared, the two were gone--more like invisible.
Akihito then motioned for Izaak to follow him.
When the two were outside, they spotted the group they were following not too far away from them. The two quickly dashed over the field, making sure to run downwind of the group.
The group of third-years faded into the shadows of the forest, making Akihito and Izaak stop momentarily before continuing to follow. They made sure to avoid branches and dry leaves on the ground while the group they were following practically tramped through the forest.
Akihito and Izaak couldn't help but laugh silently in amusement. Izaak used the mental link with Akihito.
'Pfft. Those idiots are like lumbering elephants.'
Akihito chuckled mentally.
'Now, now...'
'Everyone did better them before they had stealth training.'
Akihito had to admit that the other was right--Anatole and Meilin were a big surprise, since they were the noisiest of the group.
After their little mental chat, they continued to follow their targets. They soon came to a clearing in the middle of the forest; Akihito and Izaak hid in the shadows of the trees.
The group of third-years walked up to a pair near the middle of the clearing; one, with jet-black hair, wore casual clothes--a navy-blue t-shirt and long jeans--while the other wore a black cloak that seemed to turn into mist at the edges, making Akihito frown thoughtfully.
'...Where...have I seen that cloak?'
Izaak glanced at Akihito before turning his gaze back to the clearing.
'Someone familiar, Akihito?'
The greenette nodded minutely.
'Mm. I just can't put my finger on it...'
Izaak nodded before going completely silent when the group in the clearing started to speak to each other.
One of the third-years, a redhead, stepped forward, trembling slightly.
"W-We found her r-room, sir."
The teen in the navy-blue t-shirt smirked.
"Good...can you tell me where it is?"
"Th-The South Wing, sir. At the topmost room of the Wing, sir."
The rougette smirked again, waving the group off. Two of the third-years--the one who spoke and another coward--quickly started to retreat, but one of them stayed.
The rougette noticed and scowled at the last third-year, a purplenet with chocolate-brown skin; the purplenet's golden-brown eyes were narrowed.
"What is it? Your job is done. Go back now."
"No, Akar."
The rougette, Akar, narrowed his cobalt eyes and ground his teeth slightly.
"No? Are you disobeying orders, Tadeo?"
The third-year, Tadeo, glared at the other.
"Yes." Akar narrowed his eyes further. "I had never actually agreed with your thoughts, Akar." Tadeo narrowed his eyes at the other before going into a fighting stance. "I merely wanted to find out your plan. And now that I found out..." A purple light surrounded Tadeo, giving him an unearthly glow. "...I will protect the Headmaster!"
Izaak blinked in surprise while Akihito focused on the man in the black cloak, who was grinning like a loon the entire time.
Akar glared at the other before smirking.
"So...you'll protect the Headmaster? Are you my enemy now?"
Tadeo simply brought out a bottle from his pocket, making Akar's smirk widen.
"Well then. I have no use of you."
"Wha--"
Shunk.
Tadeo blinked, processing what just happened to him. The purplenet slowly looked down at his chest, where a pale, wiry hand was sticking out.
Blood dribbled down Tadeo's chin as his vision blurred.
'...Shoot. I failed the Headmaster.'
(O.D.D.- I know that this is an abrupt introduction of Tadeo and Akar. Bear with me please. (⌒-⌒; ))
The hand was roughly pulled out of the purplenet; Tadeo collapsed while the man in the black cloak stood over the dying purplenet.
The man in the black cloak cackled, glancing at the scared third-years on the side; he held a bloodied finger to his lips in a shushing motion.
"Don't tell anyone else now~!"
The third-years nodded frantically and deserted Tadeo, running away from the scene.
In the trees, Akihito was restraining Izaak from jumping down there and kicking Akar's smug face.
'Let me go, Akihito.'
'We can't just jump in and reveal ourselves now! Listen to me.'
Izaak growled mentally before relaxing, barely.
Akar sneered at Tadeo's motionless body before turning to the man in the black cloak.
"Come on. Let's leave. We attack tomorrow night."
The man in the cloak cackled gleefully before following Akar into the shadows of the forest. Akihito waited until they were far enough before jumping down into the clearing; Izaak quickly followed suit. The greenette crouched by Tadeo and quickly--and gently--flipped him over.
Akihito quickly studied the wound and frowned before sighing.
'This will be a bit risky...'
The greenette channeled light magic into his palms to the max, burning his hands slightly. The bloody wound slowly stitched back up.
When Akihito was done healing Tadeo, the wound was nothing but a pale scar. Akihito removed his hands from the purplenet's chest as his shoulders sagged slightly from exhaustion.
Izaak frowned and checked the greenette's hands and scowled. Before the blonde could scold the other, Akihito waved him away, saying that he could heal it later on.
After a few seconds of silence, Akihito and Izaak heard a groan, making the two glance down at at Tadeo, who was starting to stir awake.
Golden-brown eyes slowly opened and blinked blearily. When they finally focused, Tadeo shot up only to fall back down, groaning.
On the other hand, Akihito and Izaak were mildly surprised to see the purplenet awake and moving, despite being stabbed through the chest recently.
'He has quite the pain tolerance...' "Are you alright?"
Tadeo snapped his head to Akihito and studied him, flitting his gaze to Izaak before going back to the greenette.
"...Yes..." Tadeo let confusion fill his face when he felt no ill intent from the two; he lowered his guard slightly. "I thank you for healing me, but...who are you?"
Akihito grinned brightly while Izaak observed the other with a lazy slouch.
"Well...I'm Kaede Akihito!" Akihito tilted his head to Izaak. "And this is Volkov Izaak! Despite his brooding looks, he's a big softie--OW!"
Akihito rubbed the new lump on his head that he received from the irritated blonde. Izaak scowled at the greenette.
Tadeo let an amused smile flit across his face, he sat up slowly, using one hand to prop himself up; he bowed his head slightly.
"My name is Boitumelo Tadeo. It' since to meet you, Kaede-san, Volkov-san."
Akihito smiled and waved his hand in the air.
"Maa, call us by our first names! No need for honorifics either."
Tadeo smiled and nodded before studying their uniforms with slight confusion.
"...You guys are first-years?"
Akihito grinned brightly.
"Yep!"
Tadeo blinked in surprise while Akihito glanced up at the sky above, which was starting to brighten up slowly.
"Well...we should start heading back now."
Akihito grabbed Tadeo's right arm and slung it over his neck while Izaak grabbed the purplenet's left arm and did the same as the greenette. Tadeo grunted slightly as he stood up slowly, using the support from Akihito and Izaak.
The three started to walk back to the Academy while Akihito put an illusion around them again; Tadeo blinked in surprise.
"Are you guys really first-years? This is quite an advance illusion spell..."
Akihito chuckled.
"Can't judge a book by its cover now." Akihito craned his head to look at Tadeo. "How about you? You don't look like a third-year. You look a lot younger..."
Tadeo blushed slightly.
"Eh? Well...my magic was so good...I got to skip a few years. All of the teachers told the Headmaster about me and she decided to pass me."
This made Akihito and Izaak blink in surprise.
"Heh~? So you're our age, but you're already a third-year? Cool!"
Tadeo blushed again.
"Thanks."
The three safely made it back to the Academy. Before bringing Tadeo to the infirmary, Akihito stopped, making the other two stop.
Izaak and Tadeo blinked in confusion at the greenette, who had a thoughtful and serious expression on his face. Izaak decided to question the greenette.
"What's up?"
Akihito turned his thoughtful expression to Izaak.
"Well...with those other third-years from before, wouldn't they think that Tadeo is dead?"
Realization flooded Tadeo's face as Izaak hummed in agreement.
"That would be a problem..."
Akihito brightened up; he apparently came up with an idea.
"I know! Tadeo can stay in the first-years' dorm with us for a bit. This way he can be 'dead' while he's recovering."
Izaak nodded as the three started to turn around, heading for the first-year dorms. Akihito suddenly laughed, gaining raised eyebrows from Izaak and Tadeo.
"What's so funny, Akihito?"
Akihito grinned, turning his head to them.
"Maa...wouldn't this be an interesting story to tell the others?"