Deception: A Tactician's Card

A Little Bit Serious

"You're not going to participate Snow?"

"I would rather not. You said this is a team fight right? What those four are doing departed from what you said. This TEAM sucks."

Her bluntness is the pause button of our test.

Who would've thought that that alone stopped Edward and Roderick's heating tension, not to mention that these two ladies trying to assassinate me for no reason -- wait, maybe I have my faults on my manner of speech during that time.

Snow stood up and continued talking as she approaches.

"I know your capabilities Yukti, more or less. You're the best strategist I've ever known, and your prowess exceeded my mother's too. The only chance we have is to work together. Well, I did say that but... this is you we're up against. I neither overestimate you nor underestimate the five of us. I'm pretty sure that by now, you're not here. And the 'you' here is not real."

"It seems like you can decipher this case with ease."

"I owe it to a certain person named Yukti."

Dumbfounded, Faze asked Snow while having her sword still pointing at me.

"That doesn't make sense."

"Of course. You didn't saw him fight."

"If you knew about it, you should've told us sooner!"

Faze started scowling at Snow. I came in between, to avoid further unnecessary conflict.

"Who proposed a plan in a triumphant way? Who engaged this malice between the two of you? Who immediately withdrew from the team without even trying once?"

They turned their to my direction and lowered their heads as I pointed out their earlier actions.

"Snow knew about my quirks and is a good observant. Faze knows how to strategize from the acquired intel and execute the plan gracefully. Edward can become the vanguard just like earlier and he could've done that with ease if there's the help of a good support, a role suited for archers like Roderick. Janet could've provide some backup after the first strike and deal the final blow. The other six elites might not be here, but there'll be a time that you guys would need to team up and face someone who can't be beaten by any of you alone. However, what I'm seeing now is a bunch of inexperienced people acting like they're tough."

Faze and Janet, who were upset after hearing my words, exclaimed their thoughts with rage.

"Then how about you, huh!? You're also a student! You're not our superior, so why are you acting high and mighty!?"

"That's right! You did say that you worked under my parents, but I have no recollection of having you and your stupid face being in our house!"

And with that, I snorted.

Ah, this won't do.

Their parents might've spoiled them too much.

Perhaps I'm too lenient on these guys.

"Very well. I quit", I said while yawning.

"You what?"

"I quit."

"Hah! See? You're nothing but a coward."

Perhaps detecting my next course of action, both Roderick and Edward approached Faze and Janet with their flushed faces.

"M-my lady...perhaps you need to stop."

"Please control your rage Janet. I know we're not close, but I prefer to not make him get a little serious."

These two knew about how dangerous I am when I'm serious. It's too late for that though, since my patience is wearing thin.

As far as I'm concerned, these guys won't get rid their useless pride if I still act in a lenient manner.

Clench your teeth, you lot.

•••

"Now you've gone and done it Faze. I won't protect you this time."

"Roderick..."

"They'll soon taste the experience we had before. This'll be a good experience for them."

"What they're doing right now brew a storm."

In the hidden room, Rose Crimson noticed the intensifying murmurs within the small crowd of guests. She thought about it for awhile and she was reminded about the autopsy report about Gran Pox, the impostor.

After thirty hours of monitoring, it has been declared that Gran Pox is dead. His nervous system, particularly the brain, stopped functioning properly, thus ending his life. However, the authorities didn't know the root cause as of why it happened.

It was at that time Rose started to panic.

There's a lot of "what if's" in her head that it couldn't contain all of it. As the chairperson, it's a must to secure the wellness of her students. Moreover, Snow is in there, and her life might be in danger.

"What would he do if he becomes serious?"

"Oh, it's the first time you saw him act like that? He'll use that particular Original rune card and disrupt their psyche."

"Then why are you guys so calm?"

"It's a given to put our trust to someone who helped us get rid of our arrogance --a feat that even our parents can't -- despite being younger than us."

"I concur. Please trust him, chairperson."

Christopher and Celes gave their seal of absolute trust towards Yukti. However, even with their assurance, Rose couldn't shake her bad premonition out of her system. She could only stare back at the monitor, flustered and was hoping for the students' safety.

The bad premonition did happen.

Eleven students -- Faze Marshall, Janet Melody, Edward Topaz, Roderick Glaives, Snow Lore and the rest —

"To tear that pride, I'll tear your lives."

— almost died by Yukti's hands.

•••

"Urk... Ugh... W-where am I?"

"Snow! You're finally awake! Ah, thank goodness you're fine!"

Eh? Just a moment please. What happened?

I'm inside my sister's office, lying on the sofa. Beside me is a panicking Michaela, her tears flowing on her cheeks. It seems like I made her worried.

"Oh, where are the others?"

"They're resting in the infirmary after Yukti casted his rune card. Are you alright? Are you feeling unwell? Is there a part of you aching?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine."

While the two of us were having a conversation, someone opened the door. We stopped what we're doing to see who's the guest.

It's Yukti.

"You're awake. How are you feeling?"

"I... I don't know. There's nothing wrong actually. May I ask what happened during that time?"

"Nothing much. I just used a rune card to render you all unconscious. For safety measures, I did use a rune card on each one of you and that saved you."

"Unconscious? You almost killed them!"

"Uh, I did though. But they're breathing now, aren't they?"

"I know, but don't ever do that again without telling me first!"

Huh? The what now?