Returner's Revenge

Well Played

“That is just plain ridiculous headmaster. There is no way a student should be allowed to spar with a teacher, especially with that guy!” Inrad express his extreme disapproval of the thought of a student fighting a teacher alone. Though the headmaster finds this as equally surprising,  Inrad’s reaction about the duel is even more surprising. “That’s really surprising Mr. Inrad. I never thought that you would even oppose such an idea when you loathe that student very much.”

               The very words of the headmaster leave Inrad stunned for a few moments before he can respond to the headmaster. “I admit I loathe that kid but even so, he is going to face the very teacher that almost all the students in this academy is wary of. Doesn’t that bother you a little, headmaster?”

               “It bothers me, yes. But not in the same intensity as you nor the other teachers have. Mephisto might be scary in some cases but he is just staying true to his ideals. His experiences in life made him the way he is now, and that is where he found the foundation of his belief. I don’t think the student is in immediate or intense danger. Mephisto can control his strength but if you still doubt my words, you can all g**g up on him if you think he is going overboard.”

               Inrad is taken aback by the headmasters words and the thought of ganging up on him might work but then he realized that Mephisto have not shown his capabilities at all, unlike them who have been showing it off to impress their students, Mephisto had been showing just a glimpse of his capabilities. [What if he is stronger than any of us combined? Will we be able to pin him down? Will the headmaster step in if we will not be able to handle him?] the teacher thought of this and is sure enough that the headmaster will not take part in such a blunder.

               “I know what you are thinking Mr. Inrad, though it will not be possible, I have faith in him.” Their talk ended when the employee in charge of handling the finished tasks knocked on the door. “Headmaster, its me. All the tasks were finished.” He said with a soft tone. “It looks like our talk ends here Mr. Inrad, you may leave now.” The teacher also don’t think that there is more to be discussed and excuse himself with a bow and left.

               “That guy doesn’t look like he had a good talk with you headmaster.” The employee said with a concerned tone. “We just had a talk about the student Kris having a duel with Mephisto tomorrow. Though it is fairly unbelievable, I do believe that it’s utter shocking but Mephisto is Mephisto, there must be something that he wants to know.” The employee nods his head, showing that he is in align with what the headmaster is saying.            

               “Especially that student, I also find myself to want to have talk with that young man. Having been able to use f*******n spells is a sign of mastery and brilliance, a great talent to nurture.” The employee then hands the record of the tasks that were finished. By looking at the record, he can almost guess the student that finished the tasks but proceeds to ask the employee anyway. “Who was it?” the employee just smiles and gives an honest answer. “It was him, Kris Grindall wants his friend to receive the yearly achievement with his friend in the dark about it.”

               “He really is interesting huh?”  the employee smiles and asks to leave after the headmaster spoke. “Please send me the next batch of tasks as soon as possible. That would be all, I will take my leave now headmaster.” He employee wants to leave but then the headmaster ask him a question. “How long do you want to keep doing that job? Isn’t it boring you?”

               A smile flashes on the employee’s face as he responds to the headmaster’s question. “I particularly don’t find my job to be boring at all. There are things to do that will keep me active and besides, I like this job. I get to meet pretty interesting persons so I have not reason to switch.” The headmaster respects his decision but felt guilty about it. “Will your father not kill me when he finds out that your work is like that?”

               The employee turns to him and smiles. “I made extra sure that my father would not know about this but if he does, I will do my best to keep your injuries to a minimum.” He said and then left but the headmaster did not feel reassured at all and felt the opposite. “I think I’ll be dead in the future. This father and son is giving me headaches.”

               [How did I end up cornered like this? But then I guess, it’s fine.] Kris says to himself while being surrounded by the very people he was with last night. “What the hell are you thinking? Are you an i***t?” Flora said with an utterly disturbed tone. “She’s right. Are you even sane? That is Mr. Mephisto you know? The Mephisto. Don’t you know him?”  Ophir also has the same opinion. “I know him like yeah? Almost everyone in this academy knows him.” I responded with a nasty tone.

               “I don’t really want to condemn you Kris but knowing you, you must have a plan or goal of some kind but then again, any other sane people would just flat out say no.” Johannes says with concerned tone. “Let’s just look at the brighter side of the picture. Kris will be able to gather fame by fighting the most feared teacher in the entire academy and didn’t you say that he needs to point out the things that you are lacking in? For me that is already a big deal, no- a steal you are the one in the winning side no matter how you look at it. You have a lot to gain. I’m sure Mr. Mephisto has some goal in mind but getting some pointers by a strong teacher is more than enough to agree.”

               Kris felt like he is saved but James’ next words hurt him. “That is all and good but I don’t think you will be able to walk properly after the duel.” The bright image of James to Kris immediately turned dark. Being the only one that has the positive view of the duel, Kris sigh as they bombards him with questions, but most of the questions are about his mental health.

               Kris then remembers the most important part of his reason for getting up early. “Now, enough of those getting my a*s beaten up you are hurting me. I want to ask you guys if there are people trying to recruit you or something. I was asked to join a shady group but I refused. Did you guys have not been recruited?” all of them look at each other when all of the sudden James raise his hand. “I was approached too but I declined. And just as you said, they are shady. I always turn my sensory spell every time to give me an idea what is going on around me and I sense that there is another person with them that time who was hiding using some kind of concealing spell just as you did. Because of that I can’t trust their words and declines the offer. They even threatened me after I declined which confirms my thoughts about their group.”

               Kris smiles and hang his arm on James’ shoulders. “Looks like I will have an ally, they also threatened me. No- they even attacked me but thankfully Mr. Mephisto appeared and stop them.” The other four immediately jolt when they heard Kris’ story. “Who the hell has the guts to do that inside the academy?” Flora says with an angry tone. “It’s Duke Graine, I don’t know the identities of the other three but I think they are as formidable as he is or less.” James says as he thinks of something.

               “Anyway you can report it to the headmaster. That’ll stop them from pursuing you both. They might be from reputable families but they should be punished for their actions.” Ophir says that shocked everyone again. “No- stop it. Don’t I know what you are both going to say so stoop. I don’t want to hear those words.” Silence surrounded the group as they wonder about the many things that is occurring at the same time.

               “I don’t really know what to think about more, Kris’ fight with Mr. Mephisto or those guys. There are other plenty of things to think about as well that my mind is about to explode.”  The four of them mare basically on the same boat since they are in the same class with Kris being the only one who doesn’t have to worry about anything else besides Duke Graine and his me and the fight with Mr. Mephisto, everyone got jealous.

               “If I knew it would be this troublesome on the higher classes then is should have maintained a low profile.” Flora added. “I sometimes envy Ophir for not being able to understand certain things. I sometimes wonder if I can be dumb for a day as well.” Ophir felt a little happy that James wanted to be like him but then felt hurt about the words directed at him. “Well, being dumb has it’s perks.” He said with a pained tone and expression.

               “You don’t look convincing at all Ophir. You don’t need to force yourself.”  Even Johannes starts to look at him that way. “Well, enough of this. This atmosphere is already sad as it is so why don’t we just celebrate for today? I made quite lot earlier so it’s my treat.” Kris lightens up the mood after a few hours or physical training, a suggestion that none of them can refuse.

               Morning came and most of the students are already awake and ready themselves to go to the arena early to see the fight between a student and a teacher and find their seats. Almost everyone in the academy is interested in the fight though they have already expected Mephisto to win the match but they still want to see how a student will be able to fair off with a teacher who is famous for being scary.

               An hour in and all the students are now impatient after waiting too long in the arena but both of them have yet to enter the arena. “What the heck is going on? Did they withdraw from the fight?”  “Yeah, that most likely happened. There is no way the headmaster would allow such a thing to happen and against a low class student at that. Only a fool would allow such a thing.” Some of the students started to leave as their patience gets eaten away.

               “What the hell is holding them far too long?” Flora ask the other two but none of them has the answer. “Even Johannes is confused, do you have an idea what is happening Johannes?” Johannes gently shakes his head to their question. “I don’t know. Kris got up and left early this morning. So I thought he would have come.” A group of teachers pass them by right when Johannes is speaking, James’ eyes widen when he realized that they are tricked, his disturbed face can’t be hidden from everyone and so they asked him what happened.

               “Hey dude, you look like you saw a ghost.” Ophir tells him and pat his shoulder. “We’ve been played. Those are not teachers. They are doppelgangers, they held the fight somewhere.” Everyone who heard his words turns to him in surprise. “What? What are you saying?” Flora ask but then James points to the leaving teachers and said, “Use sensory spell and you’ll understand.”

               Flora then used a spell even though she finds James’ words to be mere impossible but when she opens her eyes with her spell activated, she is shock to find out that what James said is true. “They indeed played us.” Flora confirms. “Where the heck did they held the fight?!” Johannes exclaims in fear. “That is not a question that any one of us in the arena can answer.” James says as he sits uncomfortably on the floor.

               HUFF! HUFF! HUFF! HUFF! HUFF! HUFF! HUFF! HUFF!  

               [Is this how those nobles felt when they face awakeners?] Kris thinks to himself as he stares at Mephisto with a bleeding cut just above his eyebrows. “You are quite tough for a low class student. Now I understand why you are given the privilege to train to your heart’s content. I can say with confidence that you are standing a few steps ahead of those students in the higher classes.” Mephisto says with praises to Kris’ capabilities but the young man is still catching his breathe and doesn’t have the luxury to speak to him.

               Notice: Subject Mephisto is trying to control your blood. Countering, countering successful. Blood manipulation failed. Subject has stopped the use of Blood manipulation. Current condition, critical. Initiating spell, Healing Light. Healing Light, successful. Steadily healing user’s injuries, must not receive any additional injury for complete recovery.

               [Thanks a lot system. I don’t know what to do without you.] Kris sighs in relief after seeing his condition steadily getting better. Mephisto also realize this and smiles. “You really are interesting an interesting student after all. I wonder what you have in store next? A healing that steadily heals you back in tip top shape. What kind of spell are you using now?” Just his perception alone made Kris’ body tingle in fear.

               “Are we not going to stop this headmaster?” one of the teachers watching the match ask but the headmaster doesn’t respond and stares intensely at Kris. [What the hell is with that kid? The lights around him multiplied! There are now four lights but we did not see him use a single f*******n spell. And some of the lights are glowing in a different color. What does this signify?] the headmaster wonders in both surprise and fear of Kris’ capabilities and growth.