Returner's Revenge

Depths of the Abyss

The group continued to train after their individual classes and that even their teachers got suspicious of their actions that they went to follow them but met Mephisto on the way. “Don’t disturb them. They are training. Lets just see the results of their hard work.”

And just like that, the teachers were convinced that Mephisto might have something to do with their sudden change of habits.

“We could not find James nor Jhonas, they seem to be doing something lately in the past few months. So have you convinced Kris Grindall to join yet?” Sarah ask Duke who is sitting in front of her while eating.

“We find him hard to find as well. They must be doing something together. Are the heads sure that they want Kris? I know that I promised to bring him to the organization but if he is this hard to find or even convince then he is a lost hope.”

“One of the heads is busy finding out Mephisto’s weakness. He is part of this academy so it will be hard for him to move easily and leisurely. The teachers are strong as well you know. They are not your typical and common pushover teachers. They are at least as strong as the recent pillars.” Sarah replied.

Duke clicks his tongue and stops eating. “I will try to find Kris. I will drag his a*s if I have to. The head will be the one to put some sense into him.” Duke leaves his food on the table and walks away. “This is why you should not be arrogant all the time Duke.” She mutters after Duke left.

[The end of the year, the annual competition is coming. If we still fail to recruit those who the heads want then it would spell trouble for us.] She then also leaves her food on the table without finishing it.

[Where is that prick? Why is he making it hard for me just like last time?] Duke thought to himself when all of the sudden he finds Kris buying drinks for everyone and so he approach him without any thoughts but when he turns the corner, he saw James helping Kris.

“Well, who do we have here? To think that I’d get to find the both of you together. Looks like luck is on my side.” Duke says while leaning beside a pillar. “What do you want Duke?” Kris ask without turning back.

Duke smiles when he saw Kris calling out to him without even glancing back. “So you recognize even by my voice alone. That’s makes me quite happy you know that? But thanks for that, I won’t have to remind you of what we offered you a few months ago. And that goes for you as well James Dean, we offer you the answer for that question. Don’t you want that.” He said with a grin.

James just stare at him blankly like he is not interested in the answer anymore, Duke saw the look on his face and immediately infuriates him. “I already got the answer. Therefore I don’t see a meaning in joining your group. You can count me out of your circus.” James says to Duke who is holding his anger from bursting.

“I think you are mistaken James, we are the only people that can give you an answer to that questions and if you are still not satisfied then you can look for it on your own. Our group will aid you in finding what you have been looking for the longest of time.” James just shake his head and turns away.

“You sounded desperate Duke, are your leader perhaps pressuring you to recruit us that badly? You heard him right? And my answer to your offer is still the same. I recognize you not by your voice but by your smell, the smell of trouble.” Kris said as he also turns away from Duke and follows James who went on ahead.

[Yeah, I think its just me but I’m sure they are. Knowing you, you don’t take refusal so good that you tend to- here it comes.] Kris tilts his head just to avoid a mana blast from Duke who is on the edge after what the two said.

“Now what is this? You seem to have trouble keeping your anger to yourself.” Kris said as he dash quickly to Duke’s chest and held out his hand. “This is self defense.” Kris’ hands made a clapping sound and send Duke flying just in time for Sarah to see what happened and run towards Duke who is suffering from the painful feeling in his chest.

“Do you know what you’re doing? You know how using spell is prohibited unless inside the arena?!” Sarah yells at Kris who shove her off.

“What are you talking about? He is the one that fired a mana burst behind my back and when I turn to defend myself I’m the bad guy? And guess what? I did not use a spell. That was pure strength alone but if you don’t believe me then you can review this thing and think what you want.” Kris throws a peddle that replays what happened just a few moments ago.

It shows Duke firing a mana burst at Kris who easily dodge it by titling his head and defends himself by using physical strength alone. [Damn it, was he expecting for something like this to happen? Hos sneakily perceptive of him] Sarah but her lip and apologize for Duke’s stead.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” She then turns away and went to grab the pebble but a teacher stops her. “That is evidence that should land to a teacher’s hand. “ the teachers said as he looks at the contents of the pebble and verify that Kris is not at fault. “You may go now.” Kris bows and leaves with the beverages as the teacher turns to Duke who is still suffering from the sharp pain on his chest.

“And as for you. Come with me to the headmaster’s office. Even if you are from the Graine family, you are not exempted from punishments. The academy is an institution that values equality to all. That is why you are getting the same lessons and that goes for punishments  as well.”

Sarah wants to aid Duke but he refuses to have her help him. “I can manage on my own.” Duke says with a bitter face ad he turns to look at Kris’ back.

[I will make you pay for the humiliation today. Kris Grindall, the organization will not have you join. I will kill you before that happens.]

Kris can already feel his rage and just smiles when he saw James standing in the corner with admiration for his courage. “I never thought Duke Graine of the Graine family, one of the strongest student in the academy would go down with a single palm strike.” James said with his eyes widened.

“Nah, I got lucky. That guy wasn’t expecting me to retaliate at all. That’s why he just stood there like a log.” Kris says with a humble tone but James doesn’t but that and continues to praise him. “Still, to be able to use Record in a pebble to record everything as evidence is amazing. Were you expecting something like that to happen?” James continue his query and Kris could not help but answer every single one of them.

“That, I was observing his facial expressions when you told him off. So I figured that he might do something silly. Never did expect for him to attack me like that. I was caught by surprise.” James stares at him blankly like he knows that Kris is lying about that and told him. “I was watching you, you know. You look like you were smiling but I cant tell because of the distance.” James said and Kris’ lie has been revealed.

“I don’t know if you have a beef with their or their organization but it would be dangerous to face them alone. Now that you angered Duke, you should expect some nasty attacks from them in the future.” He said with slightly worried tone. Kris knew of the danger more than anyone because of his experiences and just smiles while they stop in front of the door od the training area.

 “Guess I’ll have to train even more from now on.” He said with a joking tone. “I don’t think I will be able to completely evade them though I’ll just have to be careful.” He adds when the doors suddenly opens and reveals Flora’s impatient face.

“What the heck took you guys so long? Do you know that Richard fainted when he got hit by Jhonas’ unforgiving punch earlier?  And what’s with the talk about danger or whatever? Did one of you fought with anyone? Oh! Wait, before you answer that, give me a water first before Richard dies.” Flora throws a bottle of water to Jamaica who practice her spell that slows down everything that comes near her.

“That’s neat.” James said and Jamaica smiles when she hears his compliment. “Now then, who fought with who?  Flora ask and James immediately points to Kris and hot his finger snapped. “Ouch! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!”

“James is just making it up, right James?” Kris said with a gloomy expression. “Ye-s, haha! Who am I kidding? Kris wouldn’t fight just anyone haha!” Kris then let go of James’ fingers who immediately heals it with a minor healing spell. “My poor finger.”

“There you go, we just met someone and talk along the way. That’s why we took a lot longer to return.” Kris says and Flora turns to James for confirmation and the guy just nod his head. “I get the feeling that you both are hiding something. But I also get the feeling that I shouldn’t ask but that doesn’t change the fact that you are lying.” Flora says with a stern tone and Kris openly denies that he is hiding something.

“Hmm, it looks like you have used a spell outside the training area Mr. Graine, do you think your family will like it after knowing that you used a spell inside the academy unguided? You’re lucky that he manage to dodge your attack, what if he didn’t?” the headmaster asked after seeing the evidence brought by the teacher.

“Thank you Mr. Escanor for bringing him here. I will attend this matter personally, you can leave now.” The teacher hesitates to leave but then bows his head and walks out of the room. “Now tell me why would such a prominent member of the family Graine raise his hand to someone who does not even belong to a particularly wealthy nor respected family?” Duke looks at the headmaster’s eyes instead of answering his question.

The headmaster knew right away that he plans to evaluate and look at the depths of his strength. [Hoh~ looks like he plans to measure my power, why don’t we give him a little scare?]the headmaster activates his ability and let Duke see the endless abyss inside the headmaster’s eyes and immediately shake Duke’s stance, he felt like falling when into the abyss when he was just sitting on the chair.

GASP!

“Geuk!” his face grew pale as the headmaster continues to stare at his eyes and made Duke feel the same sensation of falling endlessly. The young man knows why he is affected by such thing so he turns his head away and the sensation stops.

“How bold of you to even try and measure my strength. You are still a hundred years too early. If you don’t want to answer my question then you can leave while I decide on your punishment.” The headmaster said and Duke immediately gets out of the room with a terrified face, Sarah saw him and is surprised to see Duke like that for the first time.

“What happened?” Sarah ask but Duke is too disturbed to even answer her. [What in the world happened inside?] Sarah thought when she glance at the headmaster’s door and sense an intense mass of mana inside. She drags Duke away from that place for their safety. “He is a demon. A monster. He is a demon. A monster. He is a demon. A monster. He is a demon. A monster. He is a demon. A monster.” Duke mumbles to himself as he still feels the sensation of falling endlessly.

[I think that is enough punishment for him but I should let his family know what he has done. They will be the one to give him the best punishment that they can give.] The headmaster thought as he writes a letter for the Graine family