Around the time Felix received his soul weapon…
"Hey Felix, I just realized something." [Adam]
"What is it?" [Felix]
The two lounged about in the living room, wasting their time away.
"How did you turn Orsted into a puddle?" [Adam]
"Oh… Uh… I don't really know…" [Felix]
"...How do you not know your own abilities?" [Adam]
"Honestly, I felt like I was in a trance. I don't think I can pull that off again." [Felix]
"Mhm, and what about your other moves? I didn't know you could fight so well with a sword." [Adam]
As he spoke, Adam rummaged underneath the couch he lay on.
"Ah, found it. My secret snack stash." [Adam]
"...Since when did you start stashing bags of chips underneath the couch?" [Felix]
"Started a few weeks ago." [Adam]
"That's kind of gross..." [Felix]
"In what way?" [Adam]
"Dust collects under the couch. Therefore, the dust will get on the chips." [Felix]
Paying no mind to him, Adam attempted to open a bag of chips from his stash.
"Hm? It's not opening." [Adam]
"You should rinse the bag with water before opening it." [Felix]
"How will that help me?" [Adam]
"Like I said, dust. It's on it." [Felix]
"It's not like the dust is touching the chips right now though." [Adam]
"It's touching your fingers." [Felix]
"Huh. That took me longer to realize than I thought-" [Adam]
The bag burst open, blowing chips and dust into the air.
"Domain Expansion!" [Felix]
He froze the space around him, and released a heavy sigh.
"Now I have to clean this all up." [Felix]
Moving to the kitchen, he rummaged around until he came back with a plastic bag in hand.
("I have about 30 seconds left of frozen space… Better make it quick.") [Felix]
Opening up the plastic bag, he scooped the dust and chips out of the air. By the time his Domain Expansion ended, Felix had already finished cleaning up.
"Haah… I'm out of mana…" [Felix]
Exhausted from mana deficiency, he slumped back onto the couch.
"Good work. Let me get you a bag of chips." [Adam]
As he reached underneath the couch, Felix gave him a stupefied expression.
"No. Don't you dare." [Felix]
"What? Don't you want some chips?" [Adam]
"I'm not cleaning that up again." [Felix]
The two stared at each other for what seemed like minutes, but only a few seconds had passed. Eventually, Adam simply shrugged and retracted his hand.
"Alright, you win." [Adam]
As he lay back into the couch, a sudden thought occurred to Adam.
"Hey, Felix?" [Adam]
"What now?" [Felix]
"You know how I told Mr. Frank that you killed Orsted?" [Adam]
"I'm surprised we didn't get arrested." [Felix]
"That's what I'm saying! He didn't even bat an eyelid when I told him that." [Adam]
"That's strange… How about we ask him another time." [Felix]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Back at the school…
("Ugh… I should've finished my work beforehand…") [Mr. Frank]
Sitting in the teacher's lounge was Mr. Frank, grading his student's homework.
"Are you all right Mr. Frank?" [???]
He felt a tap on his shoulder, and smelt the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Turning his head, Mr. Frank saw a woman with longish black hair staring down on him.
"Ah… Ms. Rivera. What might you be doing here?" [Mr. Frank]
"Are you saying a nurse can't enter the teacher's lounge?" [Ms. Rivera]
"O-oh, I didn't mean- um..." [Mr. Frank]
Rivera chuckled to herself, and handed him a cup of coffee.
"I was joking. Here, this is for you." [Ms. Rivera]
Without reserve, she placed a mug with steaming black coffee onto his desk.
"Thank you...? Was that cup not for you?" [Mr. Frank]
"Not at all. You seemed very tired when I entered the room, so I took it upon myself as a nurse to bring you a little something." [Ms. Rivera]
"Is… that so?" [Mr. Frank]
("I can't seem to get a read on her…") [Mr. Frank]
"Now that I've delivered your coffee, I'll be off now." [Ms. Rivera]
"Thank you for your hard work." [Mr. Frank]
Exiting the room, she nodded in acceptance of his thanks.
"Haa… Now time to finish grading." [Mr. Frank]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
After working for another hour, Mr. Frank steadily created a pile of graded papers. By the time he was finished, his phone rang next to him.
("I'm being called? I don't recall having any friends.") [Mr. Frank]
The number displayed on his phone was unfamiliar, but he still answered it.
"Hello?" [Mr. Frank]
"Hello, is this Frank Silvers?" [???]
A low voice came from the phone, giving Mr. Frank an inkling as to who it was.
("Did they really have to use my last name?") [Mr. Frank]
"Yes, this is Frank. How can I help you?" [Mr. Frank]
"You see, my son attends Blue Pegasus and he hasn't come back home for a while. I called his teacher, but they directed me to you. Can you tell me where my son is?" [???]
"May I ask what your child's name is?" [Mr. Frank]
"His name is Orsted." [???]
Hearing that name sent a chill down Mr. Frank's spine and he went silent.
("Shit, I didn't think he would call so soon!") [Mr. Frank]
"...Hello?" [???]
"A-ah, you must be Mason Walker. Your son… I'm sure you were informed after the incident." [Mr. Frank]
"I would like to know who was there at the time." [Mason]
"...I'm sorry, but I can't comply with that." [Mr. Frank]
"Reason being?" [Mason]
"It's to protect their privacy." [Mr. Frank]
"...Mr. Frank. I am being very patient with you right now. As a parent, I am concerned for my child's wellbeing. Do you understand?" [Mason]
"I… understand, but I can't tell you who was there." [Mr. Frank]
"Mr. Frank. Do you know who I am?" [Mason]
"Sir, please calm down." [Mr. Frank]
"I am calm!" [Mason]
His voice erupted through the phone, and the other teachers around Mr. Frank gave him strange looks. After waving apologetically to the other teachers, Mr. Frank continued the conversation.
"Sir, I know that-" [Mr. Frank]
"Do you still insist on dragging this out? If you want to keep your job, I suggest just telling me." [Mason]
"..." [Mr. Frank]
("He's going to use these methods? ...I'll have to use mine too.") [Mr. Frank]
"Walker Industries, that is your company correct?" [Mr. Frank]
"That isn't what this conversation is abou-" [Mason]
"A company that creates day to day necessities and electronics. You're supplied by Gear Works. What would happen if your supplies were cut off?" [Mr. Frank]
The phone went silent on the other side, so Mr. Frank waited patiently while tapping his finger on his desk.
"Are you threatening me?" [Mason]
"It was only a conjecture." [Mr. Frank]
"...I'm not letting this go." [Mason]
The phone call ended before Mr. Frank could reply, and he leaned back into his chair with a sigh.
("...Being a teacher is harder than I thought.") [Mr. Frank]