Down System

Chapter 48

ALEERA VERNIZE

I was stuck in my place, staring stupidly at Ferno who was grinning at me. Little did I know he was here!

"Your third class will start about five minutes, by the way, after the break," Ferno added. "Why did you arrive just now?"

"Uhm, I took some snacks at the cafeteria," I said as an alibi. "And you, why are you here in our deck?"

"Well, I forgot to tell you an important thing. Glad you're now here."

"What is it?"

Ferno walked towards me and whispered something in my ear. Before he left again, he smiled at me first, saying I should take note of what he had told me.

I was about to enter the room when Ferelith came and hugged me, shouting my name and expressing a loud whoop of joy.

"Where did you go, huh?" she asked me right away. "You were with Ferno again, right?"

I didn't speak.

"There must be really something fishy going on between you two. Care to share the tea?"

"Stop it, Ferelith," I told him. "Whatever is in your mind, cancel it. We are just friends."

She held my hand and pulled me slowly going to the room. "But, you are going out almost every day. You're also skipping class often. I can't even find time to be with you. I doubt you can still remember your promise to me."

"What is it?" I puckered my eyebrows.

"I knew it, you really forgot," Ferelith sighed. "You've told me we're going to investigate Ferno, but now you seem so comfortable with him. I don't even know if you still have the plan to do the thing you've sworn to me."

"No worries. I am observing him," I said. "That's why I'm always with him because I'm getting to know him more."

"But, you told me you'll let me be with you during the investigation. You really set me aside." Ferelith bowed her head a bit. "I'm jealous."

"There's no way-" I stopped talking when I noticed my voice was too loud that it could reach everyone's ears. I drew my face closer to Ferelith as we took our seats and said, "There is no way to be jealous."

"There is," Ferelith said, affirmed. "You're soloing the mission, and for your information, I'm not liking it. I also wanted to see things in my own sight."

"Okay, just take it slow. I know you really desire it. Don't you worry, okay? On the following days, I'll make sure you'll come with me."

"Promise?"

"Promise!"

I promised, but I wasn't sure of it— again, and I feel bad for swearing. I still had doubts about telling her all the things I knew because I could see she would not understand. Perhaps I would just wait for the right time for her to hear about the future.

The two of us were not able to talk again when the teacher came and started discussing. When the class had ended, my friends invited me to the field because they would be going to tell me something; due to curiosity, I followed.

When we arrived there, we played games first before sharing pieces of stuff. When we started taking our seats on the Bermuda grasses on the side of the field, my heart also began pounding, especially that all their eyes were focused on me.

As the cold wind touched my skin, I felt, even more, the shiver going down my spine. I knew what would they open about— nothing but my connection with Ferno. It didn't slide to my mind that they were all interested in knowing a thing from me.

"Are you not afraid of him?" one of my friends asked me right away, which made Ferelith slap her on the upper arm.

"You shouldn't be as direct as that!" Ferelith said. "Have some fresh starts to introduce the topic. Gosh."

"What else should I say?" my friend questioned, roaming her eyes all around them. "It will still go to this no matter what you guys will say. So, Aleera," she moved her gaze at me, "tell us the truth. Are you not scared of Ferno?"

I didn't speak.

"Right. You are always with him," another friend said. "We're worried about you. We don't think so you can still remember what had happened to him. We aren't even sure if you knew him as a killer."

"His story was confusing," Ferelith said. "We don't know if he really died or he survived. But is that impossible that he would still live despite the nefarious crime he suffered on?"

"Ferelith, isn't it clear to you yet?" my friend asked. "Ferno died and resurrected. He is superior! He has powers and he's now ruling our academy. Everyone is afraid of him, except for her," she pointed me out.

"Why don't we ask Aleera so we can clear our minds?" also one of them said.

"To tell you, guys, I don't know a thing," I said, cutting them off from gossiping obviously. "I'm coming with him because he is my friend, and I know you guys, know it."

"He's now an immortal, and he's still your friend?" they said.

"He's not an immortal. Ferno is still a person. You don't have to fear him. You don't have to bow your heads in him," I said.

I could see the tremble in their eyes, that they now see Ferno as a powerful being. I didn't want them to believe that he really had risen from death. As long as I could, I would convince them.

Still observing their eyes, I stood firmly in front of them. "Starting from now on, you must lift your head even when you cross your ways with Ferno," I mouthed. "Understood?"

Ferelith also stood and embraced my shoulder. "Aleera is right. We should stop fearing that boy. He doesn't deserve our vows. Stop praising him and just forget about the past! We will not be able to move if we are still stuck on what's behind."

I looked at her and thanked her for supporting me; that was a big help because my friends were now able to concur with our statements.

After that day in Ragwarths, I returned to Namika's mansion to continue my training. It was cold outside the field since the winter season was already starting to occur. Feeling the breeze that was touching my skin, I swissed my sword to it with full force. I was being used to holding this weapon for how many days of training, and I was glad by this. I just had to learn more of the techniques and different ways of moving the sword for a more effective outcome.

I sat on the ground after Namika announced a break. I was continuously letting out sighs and taking deep breaths. I looked up at the sky and watched the little flakes that were going down the air.

"Winter is really now here," I told the old woman, who was also sitting beside me. "I bet training will be harder this season."

"Good to hear you have high expectations," she said.

"I've already learned my lesson, Namika. I don't want myself to be complacent about things anymore. I just want to do better and better each day, of course, through accomplishing tougher encounters and experiences."

"You've grown up, indeed. And speaking, your birthday is coming. So, what's your plan?"

I beamed at her. "I appreciate you remembering small things about me."

"It isn't a small thing, anyway. So, tell me, have you already decided what you like your celebration will be?"

"Not yet, actually," I answered. "But, I have a wish."

"Okay, what?"

I stared directly at the old woman's eyes. "I want you to turn that annoying robot into a responsible one. I got a lot of issues about her, do you know that?"

"Like what?"

"Ruining my name," I replied, clenching my fist. "I didn't know she's always coming with Ferno, and even willing to skip class. But, what do we benefit from her? Nothing. She's just destroying my image!"

"She's my creation and saying these things are also like telling me I wasn't good enough in making her."

"I'm sorry, it isn't what I mean."

"So, what do you want me to do with her?" Namika asked, showing no emotion.

"I-I just want you to make her more responsible for portraying me."

"As you said."

Namika stood after saying those words, leaving me in the field. She did not say any word before walking away, as if she was telling me she was mad at what I said.

On the other hand, I could not stop myself to pout. I didn't mean to hurt her, I was just telling her what I feel about the robot. Perhaps I just went over the barrier, that made her feel off about me.

I went back to train after some time of training. I didn't follow her because I thought I would just piss her off even more, so I just chose to give her space; but on the next day, she still did not talk to me.