I had to stay calm. Easy to say but incredibly difficult to do, especially when an 8*, near-peak human Mage pressures you into leaking out information. Even with my remarkable ability to control my emotions, I still struggled.
The pressure she was emitting was not helping me in any way. The pressure was incredibly heavy already, but as she tries to probe for more unanswered questions, the surroundings just kept getting hotter and hotter.
" Entitled the 'Defect Hunter' due to his useless ability to make two arms made out of mist before collapsing due to Ki deviation. " She then stares me directly in the eyes. Her eyes were even emitting a very tiny spark of flame.
As she kept on pushing me further, Daniel and the others seemed like they were starting to feel the pressure. I was already crouching, and the added pressure, made me fall to my knees.
This didn't escape the attention of the guards strolling around the area. They seem to notice the commotion that was happening in front of the school hospital. They didn't dare to come near us though as they only eavesdrop while pretending not to.
This...
If I don't do anything now, I might probably die here instantly. I had to stop Jean without giving away much. Her suspicion was reasonable considering the current age and situation humanity was facing plus the sudden appearance of the Hippocampus and Fenrir, her judgment and actions were still reasonable. She was also probably mad considering the situation of the other kids resting inside, but surely she noticed I'm just a 1* Hunter right?
... No, she probably did. If I were any stronger than I was right now, my head would've flown off instantly. I'm only alive right now because she was not yet sure of her suspicions.
" ...the only one separated from the group... " Jean was now stating the events that happened earlier. I still wasn't sure what happened earlier, but I know Jean was nearing her patience as the pressure continued to rise.
It isn't me right? I mean I'm sure it wasn't me, but I don't remember anything before I woke up in the forest. Was I just put into the story and the world just decided to add some additional plots to fill up the gap or did I just appear out of nowhere, and suddenly everyone remembers me as an actual resident of this place. I'm leaning more on the former, as I had plot points according to Jean like I was from the stronghold of Phel, and I was apparently weak and bullied.
" Student Mon... do you think someone like that could possibly hunt a Shrieker "
I didn't have the time to think about stuff right now. I have to say something. It seems like she was way too suspicious of me. I just wanted to stay quiet and let her realize by herself, but it seems like that was off the charts. I didn't know why she was like this. She was supposed to be the calm and caring type, but there was something making her mad. Like she was in a hurry to figure it out.
Were there any important people on the ride with me? Were there important goods inside that bus? Did her description, in the story lie? The moment she met Sol compared to this was like heaven and earth.
Whatever it is, it was not my number one problem right now. Jean's eyes were now ablaze. I could feel the heat emitting from them. I was already sweating from nervousness, and the heat only added to this problem.
Fuck... I guess it's now or never...
" Well, was a Shrieker corpse that easy to make? " I say with a huge smile on my face. This was the last thing I wanna do, as my relationship with Jean probably would turn sour. But as it was sour anyways, this was the only option I was confident in.
" Excuse me? " Jean seemed confused by my words.
" Well, I went to this school thinking I would be praised and cared for my tenacity and ability. But it seems like Tree wasn't such a good choice after all. "
As I say so, Jean's expression seems to turn for the worse. The heavy atmosphere had become heavier.
I'm gonna die...
...
" Well, the evidence does speak for itself... " Jean mutters her eyes still plastered on me, but the flame in it had died down. Not long after the atmosphere also calmed, and the heat had retained back to normal.
Phew, thankfully I was successful probably because Jean wasn't sure that I was a spy anyway due to my weak stature, ability, and energy reserves, and when I confidently say that I killed the Shrieker, I probably bought time by making her think about why I was so confident in leaking my position.
I probably bought enough time for her to spare me and find out who was really responsible for that incident... Or so I thought
" I mean, why would a weak teenager suddenly have this much of a development in the span of 1 day? The evidence is there I guess " Jean smiles as she looks me straight in the eyes. That was way scarier than the constant pressure and flaming eyes from earlier. Did I do the right thing?
" Everyone changes when they go face to face with death," I was scared but I had to keep on pushing. I didn't want to fall prey to this constant probing.
" That would be for the best " Jean mutters as she walks back inside the Hospital. "From the looks of it, you don't need to rest here. You look healthier than ever. Just head straight to the dorms and show this to them. " With her back towards me, she throws what seems to be a circular lens at me.
I could only sigh as I look at her. I could only hope for the best as I look back at the confrontation earlier, wondering if I gained an annoying enemy or if it was just a temporary confrontation driven by emotions.