Down System

Chapter 46

ALEERA VERNIZE

After another week of training, Namika permitted me to go back to school. While walking towards the building, the smile on my face could not vanish because I missed the campus so much, especially my friends.

I was about to enter my room when murmurs from around rang in my ears. I roamed my eyes to know what was the matter. I assumed it was me they were talking about, not until Ferno came.

The young boy was walking his way through the hall. He got everybody's attention; perhaps because of his new red eye color. His aura got even fiercer now, that every human around him would stay away whenever he appeared in their sights.

I was stuck in my place until Ferno reached me. My mind stuttered a bit, thinking of why he put contact lenses; that was strange to me, so I asked.

"Do they look good?" Ferno mouthed, blinking her eyes.

Since I didn't want to hurt him, I just told him it was good, even though it was actually creeping me out.

I was still about to speak when he held my hand and pulled me away from the place. I asked him to bring me back into the room but this was what he said:

"You told me we're going to escape today, right? So, now, I'm going to take you to my new favorite restaurant."

Puckered eyebrows ruled over my face with what he had told me. It wasn't me but the robot that said that stupid thing to him, for sure!

All eyes were on us as we headed out of Ragwarths Academy. Mutter was everywhere. The stench of fear was also there.

I would like to cover my face because of shame, but it was too late for me since Ferno let me enter a car. At first, I hesitated to come in, thinking it was someone's possession, but he told me it was his. I thought this vehicle came from his master Gandor, so to know more, I just went with him.

To my surprise, Ferno started the car. I was afraid he would do bad with this, so I tried stopping him; however, he told me he knew to drive. Knowing he was the powerful Hadessian, I gave him my whole trust. But certainly, if someone knew that kids were the ones who were operating this car, he would surely be astonished as well.

"I'm so glad you've come with me again," Ferno said while driving.

That word again hit me. So, did that mean the robot was always going out with him whenever I wasn't around? And Ferno thought it was me, after all? Well, yes, since he didn't know that the Aleera he was seeing every day was fake.

The thing the worrying me the most was my record in Ragwarths. For sure, my teachers had been reporting my performance. My name was all ruined, I said it!

"U-uhm..." I stuttered, "you pulled me away, right? And, without waiting for my permission."

"Don't you remember? You've already said yes on the last day. We've talked about this yet, so there's no reason for you to refuse, especially that you're the one who scheduled this appointment."

I clenched my fist after hearing that. The robot was really pissing me off! I wanted to get rid of her, but without her, I could also do nothing.

Still looking at Ferno, I took a deep breath. I turned my gaze away from him eventually and chose to not talk anymore since I couldn't do anything about this. Besides, this would help me know more about him. It was a big advantage for me; at any rate, I still did not like how the robot did and arranged it this way.

However, thinking the robot had no deep comprehension as humans, I was calmed a bit. But after this, I would surely do a thing to fix all the mess.

When I and Ferno finally arrived at a restaurant, the service crews gave us a warm welcome; they even escorted us to our seats and gave us their best service. I was surprised they called Ferno a master; their respect for him was salient.

"Ready to eat?" Ferno asked me when the table was already filled with food.

"These are many," I said, "can we finish these up? J-just the two of us?"

"With your voracious appetite, I doubt if we can't devour this great quantity of food," Ferno chuckled.

I swallowed my saliva. I really didn't use to eating too much, but for sure, the robot was.

Ferno told me to eat first before saying his agenda. He was looking at me while I was getting food, and that was why the atmosphere became awkward to me; nevertheless, I did my best to just act normal in front of him, or else, he would notice the sudden change of behavior if the robot used to be ecstatic towards him.

"The police already stopped chasing me," Ferno said after some time, which stopped me from eating and lift my gaze to him.

I smiled but deep down, I was worried and scared this might be his opening path to his wickedness. "Great!" I said. "Just when?"

"Yesterday," he answered. "They visited me in the house just to tell me they are now closing the case. They were afraid of me, I guess."

"U-uh..."

"Do you also think the same way?" Ferno asked, without even letting me finish speaking. "That's definitely yes. I know you know that everyone is now fearing me."

"So, that was the main reason why the police just let you go and escape from the crime you committed?"

"That wasn't a crime, Aleera; that was a self-defense. Besides, the polices already know how much I suffered from my family."

"And that's why they pardoned you?"

"It wasn't my fault, in the first place. Tell me, do you see me a criminal now?"

I didn't speak for some time. I made sure every word that would come out of my mouth was well-thought-out.