Project Schemer: A Pure and Twisted Thought

Chapter 2: A perfect crime

"Your move, nobles. We played our first card and now, you are forced to move. Three students from three nobles'families vanish from their living quarter with video footage showing they left the academy."

D'artenge moves his chess pieces on the board. He knows Thomas's intention but that is not enough for him. D'artenge wants something more, because what he wants is different from what Thomas wants. A child that disappears can be used as a tool for slander, and, of course, Gradnare is also one of his favorite pieces, not a queen like Thomas but maybe, perhaps, a bishop. Being the headmaster of an academy, D'artenge must make a public apology for the error he doesn't commit, and that is the only thing that annoys him, because every student in this academy can be considered as an adult, so how can this be considered as his responsibility?

"Fine, they want to see war's devil. Then I guess I should start the plan. What do you say, Killian, let's start with your ex-wife and her good-for-nothing husband?"

"Do anything you want, D'artenge. That woman is no longer my concern."

"Fine, I will impale her and her husband on the tallest stakes and they will forever live in shame."

Defeat their child in the upcoming competition or reveal their past. Which is a better way to ruin someone slowly and painfully? D'artenge can only think about the worst outcome for both of those good-for-nothing puppets, but his school lacks a champion, but that is not for long, for he has one of the best teachers that the world can offer. And, of course, one of the best thaumaturgists the world can offer them. It is just like the stars aligning for his plan to succeed, and bringing a smile on his face. They may fight but they will end up as the result of that war. The only difference this time is the fact that those leaving the poison cloud will not just be him, this time, he will make every upper class scream in agony as him and the Clovis emerge victorious.

"Killian, my plan has just begun. Sit back and relax, my mentor, the performance will be painful."

"As long as nothing happens to Thomas, I don't care about others."

"Don't worry, sir. Thomas's safety is always my first priority."

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"Are you sure you are ready for this power?"

"Yes, sir. I need to get better and this is the only method, I must challenge my limit."

A month after the incident, nothing happened to both Thomas and Gradnare. It is logical because Thomas killed countless people during the war and Gradnare does not even remember anything from that night except that he got the invitation to stay in the headmaster's office, but he left and returned to his living quarter. And everything returns to normal when D'artenge covers everything up, for the simple reason that the three students leave the academy in the night and abandon their education. And that is the only conclusion he gave the press, but without the present of three brats, Thomas's class can finally finish the first chapter of their course.

"You still make a lot of mistakes, but don't worry, time will fix everything... Hmm, interesting, a defensive enhancement to cover errors in your movement."

"Sir, there will be a time when I have to shed this form and return to my true form, where I will be slow but I will be tough."

"That is why you have an interest in protecting yourself and dispelling every enhancement. Maybe I should teach you in the direction you desire and prepare the correct device for your purpose."

Thomas changes to a more offensive attack style and he no longer demands for Gradmare to evade everything and blocking is acceptable. Maybe it is just the first day, but Thomas believes changes will occur and Gradnare will not just become the champion of the academy, but maybe something greater. And now, Thomas feels like Killian, just like what his father always thought when they were training. Such memories always remain in his mind and now he embraces this obsession. This can be something good, this can be guidance when Gradnare becomes something more than just a student.

"Our training ends for now."

"Is there anything wrong, sir?"

"No, we still have classes, both of us to be precise."

"Of course, sir."

The lack of three bullies is noticeable, but that is not something Thomas is concerned with, the class can easily complete the second part of the course and only two more parts until everything ends. But Thomas's class has concluded with some unwelcoming surprises today. They are welcomed by the family of three brats and, as the bottom of the upper class, they can't wait to show their wealth in front of Thomas's students. D'artenge wanted to stop them but Thomas just shook his head slightly and that meant no, he wanted to see them break down in front of him, as his life was far too boring and now he would entertain himself with these failure. But these parents can't do anything better than blame and break down in front of the class and make themselves a joke for all of Thomas's students. Even D'artenge couldn't help but cover his mouth because the reasoning of these adults would just make him laugh even harder than all of his students in the lecture hall.

"So, did you come into every class and blame every lecturer you see in your sight for your own way of teaching your child what is right and wrong? How amusing."

"Your children are the reason why we are still stuck in the first part of the course. They should be grateful for their disappearance."

"You should look at yourself in the mirror. Your children have the same behavior, and how is that Mr. Killian's fault?"

This did color Thomas with surprise. The children who he looks down upon still stand and fight for him or are they even fighting for him? They are all children from the upper class. Maybe this is a chance for them to make some personal attack on another family. But for some reason, Thomas needs to be the one who speaks because this is his class and he is the one with the highest authority except for D'artenge, who is the headmaster.

"I believe your child is a perfectly functional adult, then adults should bear their own responsibility for their own. Class dismissed, Gradnare, our research continue, I will see you after lunch."

"We demand an answer."

"And I have none to give you. You should call or find him because I am only a lecturer and not a homeroom teacher."

Thomas simply left the hall as his students stayed in the hall to prepare for the next class. Thomas finished his last class in the morning and now, he can have the rest of the day to himself as Gradnare's training is scheduled for nighttime. He has no plan to join in D'artenge's twisted plan. He could continue his research on bringing back his father, but why does he even need to be in a hurry? Everything is close or far depends on his clock. The time for rebirth will come when it comes. There is no use in pushing such matters for everyone, even D'artenge is a clock hand.

"There you are, so, I see they also stopped you for a conversation?"

"Yes, sir. To be honest, I don't remember anything during that night. I just delivered the device then returned to my living quarter."

"Then that is the truth, my boy. Do not let those voices make you doubt yourself, steadfast and focus on your studies."

"Yes, sir. So should we move to the next session of my training?"

"No need for that, be steady, like your fighting style and remember, you have the best teacher right here to teach you what you need to know."

During moments like right now, Thomas enjoys a trip to somewhere outside the campus and today, the location is a lake near the campus with the scene that can be described as that of a painting. The academy is located far away from any residents or industrial area, but of course, the lake can't always be quiet, since it is not anyone's property. Thomas still sees some students swimming in it far away from his place, but he doesn't care that much about them and it is better for him to relax. And the students here seem well mannered enough that they won't bother him, they have the feature of those come from the southern part of Dawnveil for their tanned skin tone.

"Professor..."

"I don't mind, just keep going with your activity."

"Thank you, professor."

Thomas may be an arrogant and ruthless person, but there is no need to ruin the fun of others and bring them nothing but misery. This is not his lake or the property of anyone. As long as the view is not distorted, then it is not his right to intervene with any activity. The children look at him with appreciation, but he finds that unnecessary. What kind of parents would mold their children and not allow them to have any fun? Or it was a different mindset compared to what his father taught him. Maybe, living in luxury changes what people think and how they should interact. But not every afternoon can be full-filling. Because he knows he messed with the upper class and now he has all types of assassins and spies to worry about.

"Oh, look at the time, children, tonight is getting cold. I suggest you return before the sun completely disappears. The moon is quite ruthless."

"Of course, professor. We are just waiting for Kendrick to finish his last lap. Come on Kendrick, I know you can do it."

The children left at nightfall. With his courtesy, Thomas simply used a spell to dry them and keep them warm before they could return to campus. They appreciated him and mentioned this was something they weren't taught, but for Thomas, this was something simple and not worth mentioning. The children left and now it is night, the professor and the assassins, even when Thomas doesn't have any weapons, this is nothing to the veteran.