The Reign of the Outlander

Chapter 11: Persuading The Headmaster

It was three days since the incident. The Mahika Academy was able to secure the premises. Whizka was able to tighten the security. She was also able to check the portal but did not see anything suspicious. What she thought was someone inside can transport from one place into another. And that was the reason why bandits like Buswang were able to penetrate Mahika Academy without their knowledge.

Whizka put an alarm on every corner of the building and the entire surroundings. She also created a small device that would alarm her from any intruders. And since that day, where all of them saw how powerful Altalune was, the fifteen years old girl hasn't woken up yet. Although Aliz and she were deeply worried about Altalune, Amaris assured them that the girl is fine and there is nothing to worry about her.

The appearance of the bandits, ugly monsters, was like a conundrum from them. And since then, the headmaster was quiet. He did not even call them and ask about what happened. All they know about was, the headmaster knew everything, but he remained still, locking himself inside his office on the fourth floor of the building. But, their long wait is over because all of them were summoned to a large hall beside his office.

"Everyone, the headmaster has spoken. He wants all of us to enter the hall. Unless he told us to, no one is allowed to open up the incident. You all understand, right?" Whizka's authority filled the professor's office.

Everyone agreed, except for Luka. He was listening but, he was not looking at her. "To the fourth floor, please."

One by one, the professors left and walked towards the elevator where five people can enter. The other five including Whizka, Aliz, and Luka entered on the second elevator going up. Inside, Luka is still quiet. He even closes his eyes whenever Whizka takes a peek at him. Aliz notices her, but she shut her mouth. She doesn't want to cause a drift with him.

After leaving the elevator, all of them went straight inside the hall. The headmaster was already sitting at the center. He was facing the board. Their existence inside doesn't alarm him. When everyone stood in front of her, the professors greeted him in chorus.

"Good morning, Headmaster."

The Headmaster in turn moves his swivel chair facing all of them. It is the first time in ten years seeing him. He never ages. His eyes were still as fierce as a lion's. He was sitting like a king. Staring at each one of them with authority. And when opened his mouth, all of them hold their breath, waiting for him to say.

"You may all sit down, and relax."

His smile was hideous. The Headmaster's presence was already controlling each one of them in its mind. No one is allowed to speak up unless he told that person to stand or state his or her predicaments. That's what they all knew about the headmaster's temperament. A king likes an individual whose words are final and cannot be broken. If anyone disagrees, terminating his or her contract, or worst, the death penalty will be imposed. Whatever his way of killing his subordinates, it's always up to him.

"Now, who wants to open a topic. I'm giving each one of you the permission," he said while playing his favorite pen in his right hand.

"I do." Luka immediately stands up after getting a signal to open up.

Whizka and the others were waiting for his next words. And everyone expected that he will talk about Altalune.

"Amaris' daughter is not in the position to be part of this academy," he said with conviction.

"And why is that so?"

"Because she is not part of the Mahika. I was talking about a family of power and prestige. And Altalune is not from what I mentioned," he continued. Whizka and Aliz just shook their head. Other's supported him, but Aliz couldn't stand it.

"Is there anyone who wants to disagree with Luka's statement?" He was staring on his left where Whizka and Aliz were sitting. Then, it was Aliz's turn to defend Altalune.

"The girl has nothing to do with your statement, Luka," she was glaring at him with disappointment.

"I know what you're pointing at, Aliz, but Altalune is not fit to be part of us," Luka was still firm with his statement.

"Do you even realized that she's powerful than you?"

Whizka was surprised and wanted to stop Aliz from saying another word, but the professor ignored her. In a brief moment, Luka was silenced by Aliz's words. The headmaster just watched the two of them burning the entire room with a heated argument.

"If you are talking about the Land of Illusion where Altalune has surpassed Whizka's challenges, that's one big lie. As I said, it was only an illusion, and she never had any intentions of hurting her. It was a joke, sending her to the Land of Illusion. Am I right, Whizka?" Luka turned his stare on Whizka.

Whizka keeps on shaking her head. She was controlling herself to give her explanation. It's only a matter of time before she gives in to Luka's nonsense. The headmaster closes his eyes, continued listening to the next words from one of them.

"Headmaster, I'd like to propose a deal with you," Aliz's breathed heavily and Whizka was nervous beside her when he saw the headmaster's eyes open.

"And what is that, Aliz?"

"I want you to accept Altalune as one of the student in this academy."

"No!" Luka interrupted, but Aliz passes over. She doesn't want to listen to him. What she was waiting for was a clear answer from the headmaster. Her eyes never move a little from watching him.

The smell of flowers flown by the wind coming from the opened window filled the room. The Headmaster smelled its freshness, and without any more commercials, he stood up and give his response to Aliz.

"I understand your feeling, Aliz. I know how you love Altalune like your own daughter. Does everyone in this room knows that I knew every inch of what is happening in and out of the Mahika Academy?" he looks at each of them, but none answered. "Well, I'd like to tell you that I knew everything. I am not foolish. From the day Whizka managed to complete the task I asked of her, down to becoming the Chief of the academy, going to the Land of Illusion, and the intruders who recently penetrated the academy, I know all of that."

Whizka touches Aliz's fingers, telling her to sit down. The professor obliged. The same goes with Luka. Then, everyone listened attentively to the headmaster's next statement.

"If all of you knew that I know everything, you will understand what I was talking about. Luka, your statement is agreeable, but it sounded pathetic. And as for you, Aliz, I'm sorry, but I cannot accept her in my academy. Whatever my reason is, it's too personal."

No one dared to speak up again. His words are final. Whatever his decision is, all of them must agree. "Now, if you have anything more to ask, you can leave the room."

Aliz was the first to stand and get out of the room, followed by Luka, and the rest. The headmaster just turned himself into the window, watching the weather and the courtyard below. After everyone left, Whizka did not leave the room. She walked towards the headmaster's direction and talk.

"Why didn't you persuade me, Whizka?" he was the first to ask her a question.

"I'm sorry, headmaster. I just don't want to break your decision," she said while also staring at the courtyard.

"And what do you want to tell me, now?" He faced her. Whizka keeps on looking down the courtyard while giving him a reply.

"You know what happened at the courtyard, right? And you saw clearly how a fifteen years old manage to wipe out the monsters, saving all of us, your academy," she was not persuading him, but giving him the benefit of the doubt to at least reconsider. "I saw the girl's determination to become one of the students and be trained under your tutelage, headmaster. Why don't you give her a chance?"

Now, she was facing him. They were staring at each other. The headmaster was reading her mind, and he knew that what she said made sense, but his decision was irrevocable.

"I've said it, headmaster. I hope you understand what I was pointing about. I'll leave now. You take care."

Whizka walks slowly until she reaches the door of the room, and left. The headmaster was left alone in the room. He continued watching the new courtyard. It was renovated by the professors. The entire building is surrounded by thick walls, which now prevalent. And would certainly stop intruders from getting in.

"I'm sorry, Whizka. I get your point, but for personal reasons, I don't want to accept Altalune into my academy. One day, you'll know and understand."

...

ALTALUNE was still unconscious while Amaris tends to her needs. It was three sleepless nights already, but she never left her side. If Lune arrives, that was the only time she can leave, but she always returns to watch her carefully. She doesn't want to see her waking up without her by her side. A promise is a promise to her best friend Mona.

What she saw three days ago was a bit of shock, but she knew that it was only a portion of Altalune's power that ignites her entire body. It was more like sparkling dust thrown in the air to kill the monsters. She saves her, and she saves the others, but she also knew that the powers inside her were the ones who controlled her mind.

"Do you think she realized what happen when she wakes up, Amaris?" Lune asked her while both of them were looking at her sleeping soundly.

"I don't think so. You also saw it, right? I know that you still don't know how to release your power. Just like Altalune, you just watch from afar, Lune. You wanted to help us, but you couldn't. You only appeared right after seeing Altalune almost fell into the ground."

Lune was shy, and he knew that he's one of a weakling. He just couldn't know how to unleash his power. That's what he was trying to figure out.