Chereads / The Death of a Time Viewer (COMPLETED) / Chapter 74 - Crossroads Academy

Chapter 74 - Crossroads Academy

Every noble from each of the surrounding kingdoms eventually found themselves attending Crossroads Academy. To Morgianna it sounded like a place you would summon a demon to make a nefarious deal with your soul but instead it got its name for being in a neutral area between each of the kingdoms, a crossroad for lack of better terms.

The time had come for Morgianna to join said Academy. Two years had passed in what felt like a fever dream after helping Fafnir save his Kingdom. Faust had fit in quite nicely with their group and having another person who looked like Fafnir minus the crazy girlfriend (Myra) to scare away the maids he became quite popular with the ladies. Or at least he would if not for his dense nature. It was a running joke within their group that he would not know whether a woman was flirting with him or not unless she outright told him that is what she was doing.

Alnwick finally had a competitor in terms of fans and sometimes Morgianna suspected the man in question even taught poor Faust bad habits to rile the women up. Fafnir and Myra were taking things day by day, though it was no secret that almost every night one of them snuck to the others room. Even the Duke and Duchess knew as they offered them a couple room which Fafnir quickly turned down causing a fight with Myra.

Nobody knew why he was so stubborn, they had been together for two years already. "Fafnir why do you and Myra not live together? When you were searching for a place off academy grounds to live you did not have to get a place that was four bedrooms."

Fafnir pinched his eyebrows in frustration as he looked at Morgianna. "Less talking about my personal matters and more packing. We were supposed to have already left."

Morgianna pouted, she did not want to go to the academy. Sure she would get to see her brother more but she would also see the capture targets and Angeline. "Faffy, do I really have to go? Couldn't we just stay here and let me have a private tutor? We have the money and really it is the best option."

"Morgianna, unless you want to tell your family your reasons they will never let you skip going to the Academy. With your magical aptitude you were strictly requested to attend and that is an honor for your family. Yes as a noble you would have been allowed to attend regardless but they specifically requested your attendance." Morgianna knew Fafnir spoke the truth, but it still did not make going any easier.

"Fine."

...

The trip to the Academy took longer than it should have with Morgianna having them stop often for "Emergencies" as she called them. As the carriage neared one of the many bridges Morgianna felt like her eyes would fall out of her head. Of course, she had heard many things about the academy but they a paled when met with the real thing. The Academy itself was in the center of the water with large bridges connecting it to the towns that surrounded it. Each one in a different kingdom but still right next to each other.

By the time they arrived everyone else had long since gathered their schedule and went to their rooms. Fafnir pulled the carriage up to the gate where guards stood, their eyes trained straight ahead as if Morgianna and her group were not even present. "This is as far as we are allowed to go for now. However if you need us call. Rules or not we will come."

Morgianna knew they worried about her being alone in the academy with people who would be their enemies but there was a strict rule about not having guards. Apparently in the past there had been disputes between students that resulted in guards fighting and destroying quite a bit of property. While students also had the potential of fighting and destroying things, they were less likely to get in physical altercations that could negatively affect their kingdoms.

Morgianna's luggage had arrived before her and should already be in her room so her hands were empty. Clasping them behind her so that her friends wouldn't see how nervous being at this school really made her Morgianna put on the biggest smile she could muster. "You all be safe while I am away. I will visit often to make sure you are alright. Oh and you better contact me every evening telepathically or I will kick each of your butts." She gave a laugh but everyone could tell that her heart just wasn't in it. Fafnir had spent 8 years by her side and could see through her fake bravado. Even Faust who had only spent two years around her and was considered almost dumb to anything emotional could see she was uncomfortable with being left there.

Instead of making it harder on her than need be Fafnir smiled, pulling her smaller body in for a hug. Even at 14 she was far shorter than most people her age so she looked like a doll in his arms. "Wouldn't dream of it kid. You take care of yourself and try not to best anyone up. Let us know when you get settled in."

With those words she turned and strut through the gate as if she owned the place. She may not be able to fool her friends, but to everyone else she wouldn't let them see her true feelings.

...

Picking up her schedule from the office she wandered around the campus as the sunset. She did not know where the dorm was where she would be staying, but was in no hurry to find out who her roommate would be. Surely it would be some girl that either sucked up to her to get on her good side or would be a lackey of the "heroine" and would despise her.

The Academy grounds we're gorgeous with gardens and small wooded areas in various places. She had passed several areas for people to sit and relax and even a stable and pasture that held countless horses. This place seemed to have everything a person could want but she could not forget the reason she was here and what would happen if she let her guard down for even a moment.

"Well look what the cat drug in. I feared you wouldn't show up." Morgianna wanted to curse at the sickeningly sweet voice behind her. Of course with her luck she would run into Angeline the day she arrived without having any time for a break.

Morgianna put on her best innocent face and turned to face Angeline, noting the girl was dressed as if she were going to a fancy party instead of walking around alone on the school grounds. "Hello, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Morgianna Bloodmoon, I hope we can get along."

A vein throbbed in Angeline's forehead at Morgiannas sweet act. "Cut the crap. We have met before!"

Faking a hurt expression Morgianna bowed her head slightly. "I am sorry. I am just nervous about being at the Academy. I did not mean to offend you."

Angeline stalked closer her fists clenched tightly at her side. "What is wrong with you! You are trash, only meant to help me get what I want. I do not care for your apologies as you are nothing to me but a stepping stone." She was seething as she looked at Morgianna. Seeing the girl act sweet instead of attacking her made her angry. This was supposed to be the start of Morgianna bullying her so that she could get the prince's attention. Any minute Gabriel would arrive to save her all she needed was to create a disturbance for him to save her from.

Raising her hand she slapped Morgianna across the face catching the later off guard. Morgianna knew she had been playing with fire but this was their first interaction at the school so she did not think she would attack so openly. She held her cheek that was already turning her pale cheek red and stared at Angeline as the girl smirked at her. "Hurts doesn't it? Makes you want to attack me back right?"

Morgianna shook her head catching a glimpse of a figure walking towards them from behind Angeline. "I-I won't tell anyone y-you hit me." She let a small fake tear escape from the corner of her eye.

"No no no. You are supposed to hit me back! This is all wrong." Angeline stomped her foot like a petulant child.

A twig snapping caught Angeline's attention and for the first time her attention strayed from Morgianna. When they landed on Gabriel who stood a few feet behind her she quickly changed her expression to one of someone who had been wronged. Big fat crocodile tears began to pool in her pink eyes as she fell to her knees. "S-sir.."

Gabriel looked between Angeline and Morgianna and frowned. He did not know why the pink haired girl was crying when he had clearly seen her strike Morgianna. He was angry and confused but needed to get more information before he could do anything. "What happened here?"

Angeline quickly stood to run to his side thrusting her finger out in Morgiannas direction as she wailed. "I tried to introduce myself to her and she attacked me. I had never met her before today only for her to strike me across the face." She clutched at his arm enjoying the close proximity to him.

Gabriel looked to Morgianna for her side of the story but found her looking away from him. From this distance with her face turned he could see the red mark on her cheek clearly. Looking back at Angeline who was looking at him with puppy dog eyes he wanted to kick her away. Instead he removed his arm from her grip and stepped back. "I do not appreciate being lied to. I will give you one more chance, to tell the truth."

"I am telling the truth!" She couldn't back down. If she told him she had been the one to hit Morgianna she would never be able to get him to like her.

Gabriel sent a glare at Angeline causing the girl to go pale. "So you are saying that I did not see you raise your hand and strike this girl? Perhaps you are going to tell me that I did not see correctly with my own eyes?"

Her heart felt like it was going to beat straight out of her chest. This was not anywhere close to how she had imagined this night going. Morgianna was supposed to harass her because she heard she liked the princes, then Gabriel would show up and save her. It all got messed up when Morgianna did not show up on time to witness her first meeting the princes upon arrival!

"She hit me first, I was just defending myself.." Even as the words left her mouth she knew he saw through her lie. Angeline wanted A reset button.

Gabriel leaned forward his gaze intimidating. "Leave now. I am part of the student council and I will let the disciplinary committee know of your actions. Go back to your room." He turned away from Angeline, focusing on Morgianna who had not said a word since he arrived. She would not even look him in the eye and if he had not seen her get smacked across the face he would think she was being bashful.

Morgianna wanted to be anywhere but there at that moment. Sure it was nice having the heroine get seen for the snake she is but this would only cause he more problems in the future. She could sense Gabriel's eyes on her. Since her brother had joined the Academy two years before her she had not seen Gabriel. He himself was a year older than her and was in his second year at the Academy. To be honest the last time she had seen him was her twelfth birthday. Her cheeks heated up as she remembered him holding her in the sky.

Her thoughts were broken by his voice sounding right next to her. His tone was gentle and calm the exact opposite of how he had spoken to Angeline just moments before. "Would you like me to escort you to the nurses station? Your cheek is red and may swell. Or I could heal it for you?" She risked a glance at him and saw him gently smiling at her. She wanted to curse him for being attractive as her heart sped up. 'Calm down Morgianna, they will be your enemies. Don't think about how soft his hair looks.'

"N-no that's alright. I am just going to head to my room. If you could just point me in the right direction.." She felt mortified when she stuttered. She was around attractive people all day so this kid should not affect her in the slightest. She could only think that it must be his hero halo where he came to her rescue.

He looked at her as if he wanted to argue but finally nodded. "I will lead you there if you let me heal your cheek."

She wanted to deny him, tell him to leave her alone but she couldn't make him hate her because that is when her life would be in danger. She is strong but even she would not want to fight an entire school or kingdom. "Okay please lead me to building 207."

Gabriel smiled and offered his hand which she pretended she did not see. If he was offended he did not let it show instead retracting his hand and leading the way.

As they walked away both completely forgetting the audience they had they missed the anger burning in Angeline's eyes as she watched them leave.

... Arriving at the building Morgianna was ready to rush inside and leave her problems behind. Surely whoever her roommate was could not be nearly as bad as the encounter she had just endured. When she went to leave A hand grasped her wrist causing her to stop dead in her tracks. "I have not healed your cheek yet." Gabriel still had a smile on his face as he watched her squirm. Before she could come up with an excuse he brought his other hand up to her cheek letting his light magic heal or face. "A pretty girl cannot show up for the first day of class with a bruised cheek. I hope you sleep well tonight." With that he turned on his heel and strode away leaving Morgianna standing with her mouth agape as he faded into the distance.

Climbing two flights of stairs Morgianna found herself standing in front of the room that was to be her home for the next four years. Taking a deep breath to prepare herself she slowly turned the handle and walked into the dimly lit room. Almost as soon as she took a step inside a figure flew at her and wrapped her in a tight hug. "I was so worried about you! I thought something had happened to you when you did not show up all day. I was about to organize a search party." Morgianna barely recognized Olive's voice in time before she threw the girl off of her.

"Olive?" She was a little shocked that she would be lucky enough to not only room with a friend but someone she could confide in even about her past world.

The girl in question was beaming. "In the flesh! I had my dad make a contribution to the school so that we could room together. So you better love me, mother was not happy." Morgianna wanted to frown at the word mother coming from Olive's mouth but did not comment. She would not complain about living with Olive, ever.