"Let's look at what happened.", Arthur began.
"Last week, our dorm was attacked by students from Classes B and D, probably provoked after I took down some idiots from Class D."
"Does that mean that was your fault?", Minerva asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh shut it, will you?"
He shrugged, "Anyway. They took us by surprise but we managed to fight back. Unfortunately, our dorm got destroyed and the perpetrators escaped when the instructors and Jack appeared on the scene."
Minerva and Kate nodded, "But I heard the infamous Trickster hunted the ones who escaped into the woods.", the latter said.
Minerva glanced at Arthur who made no reaction. Kate wasn't finished, "I've heard of the Trickster but never imagined he would join Cardinal Academy as a student."
Arthur smiled, "Perhaps he wishes to become a Cardinal Knight?"
"Who knows?"
"So anyway. We soon learned that instructor Ravis instigated the students to attack us.", he quickly changed the subject.
"But the question is. Why Class B? It was a spat between our class and Class D. Why would Class B involve themselves?", he asked.
Kate frowned, "It is no secret that Instructor Ravis hates Special Class A for some reason. He is a strong advocate of dissolving the class itself. Maybe he found an opportunity in the budding enmity between our class and Class D?"
"Instigating the students of his class to help Class D could've been his plan. The troublemakers of Class D would gladly accept aid from the superior Class B."
"But there weren't that many students from Class B.", Minerva pointed out. She frowned, "It was hard to figure out who was from which class. First of all, we were under attack but the attack patterns of both classes were almost identical."
"The attack was aggressive with no clear plan which was odd.", she glanced at Arthur who nodded.
"Indeed. They are not Class S but Class B is still one of the elite classes with people who would think rationally before acting. The academy did classify students based on their abilities.", he said.
Minerva nodded, "Yeah. I didn't realize that Class B was involved at first, the only way I was able to figure that out was by the strength of their attacks. The Class B students who took part in the attack were 'rowdy'."
"Seems like they were the unruly bunch in Class B.", Arthur watched as Ray laughed aloud at a joke Jason had made.
"Well. They along with the ones from Class D are suspended indefinitely. Looks like someone in Class B wanted the troublemakers to be taught a lesson.", he asked.
"Think about it. Only they took part in the attack despite instructor Ravis instigating the whole class. I've heard that he is not that popular with many students in the academy, even in his class. So they had no obligation to respond to his call to attack us."
"Rationally thinking, attacking us will not be easy. They know we have a former S Class student among us and the rest aren't pushovers either. We are the worst class but not the weakest so it would not be a good idea to attack us without a proper plan."
"Unfortunately they cannot form a proper plan because they don't know when the Headmaster and sir would return. Add that to their limited knowledge of our capabilities and there are just too many variables. They wouldn't attack."
Arthur smiled, "But the troublemakers are emotionally driven. So they would be hooked by instructor Marvin's words to attack. They just needed a final push and this push was given by our mysterious puppet master."
"Thinking back. The attack happened a day after I was ambushed. That and the news of sir going with the Headmaster. These were leaked to instructor Ravis who saw an opportunity and our mastermind counted on the instructor's personality to instigate the bad eggs in his class."
He crossed his arms, "This doesn't mean that Instructor Ravis didn't do anything. He was the one who instigated the students and our mastermind's plan depended on it. Well. He could've had a backup plan but using instructor Ravis was perhaps the easiest way."
"To manipulate a powerful instructor to further one's plans. This person is truly formidable.", Kate remarked.
Minerva nodded, "Indeed they are. To sum it all up. This person wanted to get rid of the troublemakers in Class B for some time. They saw Arthur's confrontation with the idiots from Class D and came up with a plan. They then found out that sir was leaving the academy with the Headmaster for some time."
"They leaked this information to instructor Ravis who tried to instigate the entire class but was able to only compel the troublemakers to assist Class D to attack us."
"Our mastermind may have further convinced them and soon the troublemakers along with some students from Class D came to our part of town and launched an attack on us and Class E."
"Attacking Class E was probably a personal decision of Class D but the main targets were us.", Arthur piped in.
"Our mysterious mastermind knew something like this would result in indefinite suspensions for the perpetrators and that's what happened. In the end, we were just tools for them to achieve their goal."
Kate listened to this in amazement. She still had some doubts, "But why go to all these lengths? Couldn't they have just taken care of those guys themselves?"
Minerva smiled, "It's simple. They couldn't. Doing it directly would result in internal problems in Class B and class unity is detrimental in this academy.'
"Ah.", Kate grinned, "Damn. You guys are amazing. Now I get why Jason told us to watch out for you.", she stood up, "I am looking forward to you surpassing us."
Arthur and Minerva smiled. Suddenly they heard a loud boom and smoke rolled over them. The explosion came from the direction of Jason and Ray.
"Those idiots.", Kate said through fits of coughing from the smoke. She jumped from the roof and disappeared into the smoke. A few minutes later, Arthur could hear terrified screams from Jason and Ray, then silence.
The smoke cleared and there was no sign of Ray and Jason. The Sylran twins and Oliver looked around but couldn't find the two guys.
"I don't want to know what happened to those two.", Arthur said. "Same.", Minerva agreed with him. She looked at him, "So? Is that it?"
"What do you mean?"
"Come on. There is more to the attack on our class."
"I thought you would've figured it out?", Arthur asked her. Minerva shrugged, "Unfortunately, I haven't reached there yet."
Arthur raised his eyebrows, as if in doubt. He decided to humor his friend, "The attack on our class was not just to get rid of the troublemakers in Class B. It was also to test us."
"Test us?"
He nodded, "Our conniving friend wanted to see if they should be wary of Special Class A. So this attack must've also been a test for us."
"And did we pass?", Minerva asked.
Arthur smiled, "I made sure of that myself."
Realization dawned on Minerva, "Ah. So that's why you did that.", she remembered Kate speaking about the Trickster.
He smiled, "This mastermind will be useful to us."
Defending their dorm from classes B and D was impressive enough. But Arthur cemented their chances of gaining the interest of whoever planned the attack with his actions as the Trickster.
The unknown mastermind was able to plan such a detailed attack. Minerva wouldn't be surprised if they have figured out the true identity of the Trickster.
"I've been waiting the whole week for them to make some contact but it seemed like they were waiting for things to cool down. If what I thought up is true, then today will be the day I will get to see our mysterious friend although I have an idea of their identity.", Arthur said.
As he was speaking, the shadows behind them rippled, and Vesta emerged. "They are here. Two of them."
Arthur was surprised, "Must've brought a friend with him.", he thought aloud. He looked at Vesta, "Can you ask them to wait at the Twin Stags cafe?"
She nodded, "Alright. Just make sure you arrive on time.", she then melted back into the shadows.
"The mastermind is a guy?", Minerva asked Arthur. He nodded, "I believe so. You might recognize him.", he stood up and stretched, "Wanna join me?"
Minerva nodded, "Alright. I am interested in how things will go on from here."
They went back into the dorm to change into their uniforms.
Half an hour later they stood in front of the Twin Stags cafe. It is a hidden gem among the different businesses in Cardinal Town that only a few know about it. So it wasn't that crowded. Arthur learned about this place from his sister who loved the pastries sold here.
Arthur broke his gaze from the cafe and looked around, 'Something doesn't feel right.', he thought. It felt like some pressure had descended on the academy.
Since their new dorm was a bit further away from Cardinal Town, he didn't feel it that much. And it looks like some students are having it worse than him, especially vampires and vampire half-bloods.
Many were sprawled on the benches and wherever was available to sit, panting and sweaty. Some were shivering while others looked like they were passed out.
Their friends held vials of blood for them to drink and the vampire students occasionally glanced at the Twin Stags cafe.
"What in Ethereos is happening here?", Minerva asked, watching the chaotic situation. "Something to do with the vampires, I guess.", Arthur said, thinking back to how Gray was acting in the dorm. He looked at the cafe, not feeling anything out of the ordinary except for the mysterious presence.
A few customers were entering and exiting the cafe. "Let's grab a seat.", he said and the two of them went in.
The smell of freshly cut flowers and coffee tickled their noses and delicious-looking pastries and cakes were displayed inside a glass case. The sides of the case were lined with ice magia stones to keep everything fresh.
Most of the tables were filled but the ones on the upstairs balcony appeared free. A mix of students, instructors, Cardinal Knights, and staff sat comfortably, chatting with friends or even sharing drinks.
There were also some normal Warlocks and even one or two adventurers. Arthur wasn't surprised. The academy also has the headquarters of the Cardinal Knights in Crystalia and the office of the Cardinal is present here. So many Warlocks not affiliated with the academy can enter after being verified by the guards.
An elven waitress approached them with a smile, "Welcome to the Twin Stags. How can I help you?"
Arthur gave her his most charming smile, "Hello there. We're here to meet up with friends from the academy."
The waitress turned red, "Oh. You must be Arthur from Special Class A?", she inquired.
"Yes, I am."
"Then please follow me. Your friends are waiting for you upstairs.", she turned around and led them to the stairs.
Only two tables were occupied on the balcony. Arthur glanced at the other table. It was occupied by two customers, A girl about 17 years old and a young man. The girl had long platinum blonde hair and light blue eyes that glowed faintly. Or maybe it was just his imagination.
She was breathtakingly beautiful and her fair skin was without any blemish. The girl wore their uniform but he had never seen her in the academy. Someone this beautiful wouldn't go unnoticed.
She also has an air of nobility, or perhaps royalty, judging by the way she sat and how she composed herself. Everything about her was perfect. But he felt something else too. Something powerful and scary.
Maybe she's a transfer student from a royal family in a land far from Arken. The girl noticed his gaze and smiled at him
Arthur felt chills down his spine. He turned his attention to her partner. The young man was of his age with long white hair and deep blue eyes. He was busy reading a book and didn't notice the interaction.
He felt something familiar from the young man as if he had seen him somewhere. He dismissed his thoughts and looked at the other table and its occupants.
Their mysterious mastermind who planned the attack smiled as he locked eyes with Arthur. The latter smiled back.
"Just as I thought. It was you."