Down System

Chapter 38

ALEERA VERNIZE

My heart jumped when someone touched my back. As I looked around, my eyes widened with whom I saw.

"Namika?" I uttered silently while creasing my brow.

How did she climb the tree without me noticing it? For Pete's sake, how could she surprise me in this way?

I released a deep sigh and gripped the thick trunk. "I thought you were Ferno. You really love doing this to me."

"Okay, sorry," Namika said. "I just came here to fetch you. What do you think you are doing?"

"Look, I didn't know Ferno was still here. I was running out of time, so I came out of the lake."

"I know, but you are supposed to be very careful, especially that you don't know the new Ferno. I didn't even know if he caught you moving out," the old woman said, slapping her forehead. "You are lucky enough he didn't notice you climbing this tree."

"And, where he is now?"

"He left already. We should also go now. You'll be attending school for today."

"But-"

"No buts," she cut me off. "Just be sure how to face Ferno. I don't want this to happen again, Aleera. Control your emotions, alright?"

I nodded firmly.

When the two of us finally ride on the big bubble, Namika helped me change my clothes into school uniform using her magic. Before we could arrive in Ragwarths, we already went out of the bubble; the old woman washed it away since the people should not be seeing this.

As we entered the first gate, Namika reminded me of what I should be doing when I meet Ferno again. Just like her, I also didn't want to do the same mistake, and so I promised myself to be strong in my emotions and mindful of my actions. The old woman was right after all— the Ferno today was different from yesterday.

The moment I entered the room, Ferelith ran towards me and hugged me as she said, "We are all scared."

I let go of her and faced her. "Can we just sit first?" I asked her.

When we took our seats, I questioned her right away about what she meant with her statement; nevertheless, I knew what was she talking about.

"Today, Ferno just comes back and he really has changed! Before I arrived here in the room, I met him in the hallway, and I did my best not to see his face. I'm glad you're here now. I'm really afraid, especially that I'm still all by myself here."

"Okay, c'mon, calm down," I told her. "Where is he now?"

"I don't think so, but perhaps in his room. Everyone avoids him. I don't know how his teacher and classmates interact with him." Ferelith looked straight at my eyes. "Aleera, I don't understand. We saw him died, right? But now, he's alive. How did it happen?"

"I also don't know," I lied. "I'm just happy now that he's here. What happened before doesn't matter anymore. Just focus on the present, okay?"

"But, how? We can't just get comfortable with this."

I didn't talk. I was just trying to convince her not to fear Ferno, but I guess my persuading was not good enough for her to change her mind. If I could not encourage her, then, what more for the others?

Everyone would really end up clutching their heads to that young boy.

Ferelith bowed her head and continued speaking. "Once Mom and Dad knew about this, they would send me to another school." She lifted her gaze once again. "I don't want to be separated from you."

I held her hands tightly. "I told you, there's nothing to be scared of. As long as I'm with you, you won't be harmed."

"You were with Ferno the first day he showed up again, right?" Ferelith asked. "Did he tell you anything?"

I swallowed my saliva, thinking if it was just right to give her a piece of information. Planning to speak, the other students entered the room, which stopped me.

Their faces were no different from Ferelith's. Some of them were even shaking. The others, on the other hand, were dumbfounded. All of them could not act and speak properly.

To my surprise, Ferelith grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the room going to the field. As we seated there, she told me what she had noticed about the other student's faces.

"I knew it's astonishing," I told her. "But, can you please calm first? As long as we don't know the reason behind this, you don't have to feel this way. We have to investigate first."

"So, are you inviting me to observe Ferno? To examine this happening?"

"If you'd be willing to do that with me, then I'd be glad."

Ferelith took a deep breath and said, "Okay, I'm ready to help."

I smiled and hugged her, but deep inside, there was doubt. I had to prove her something without noticing the real purpose of this incident. I just did not want to let her tremble forever. I knew it would not be easy, but I would make sure to win over this.

After having the deal, the two of us came back to the room, since the class would start soon. When we finally arrived there, the teacher was standing in front already, discussing something. Before letting us in, she asked us first what made us late. And as an excuse, we told her Namika called me in an urgent.

Going back to our respective chairs, the teacher continued talking; little did I know that she was mouthing about Ferno. I was glad she was not saying any bad thing, thus, she was encouraging her students to not be shaken by the young boy's return because they would be working on investigating him.

On the contrary, I felt worried about Ferno because everyone was now against him. Nonetheless, I knew this feeling was wrong, so I tried my best not to be affected by him.

As I planned to focus on the teacher, someone who knocked on the door interrupted the entire class. It wasn't just me whose eyes grew wider, but everyone in the room got the same reaction to the boy who was standing in the doorway and said,

"Can I talk to Aleera?"