[Mind of a Murderer has been activated]
Once again, the emotions of the young man were chained behind an imaginary dam.
His eyes now dull stared at the blonde-haired woman renowned for having the blood and skills of a legend.
But that was only for a second.
In his clear mind, he knew, it was now time to act out a thousand lies.
"Ms. Miranda!, go-good morning, ma'am."
With widened eyes, Troi greeted Ms. Miranda.
The blonde Professor was slightly taken aback.
Unkempt hair, tired eyes, morning breath, and a ruffled white shirt.
It was clear that the student before her had just woken up.
"Have you just woken up?"
Miranda immediately was suspicious.
The time right now was 10 AM.
Of course, she had also known Troi was one of the students who were on a break since he already fought in the combat practice.
So he could've just stayed up all night studying or enjoying himself with a bottle of beer.
But there was a small chance that the reason for him waking up so late was because he was getting rid of the evidence.
(Authors Note: Which was true lol)
Troi scratched his head,
"I apologize, ma'am, I studied late last night, haha."
Ms. Miranda narrowed her eyes.
Gazing strongly through Troi.
She tried her best to judge whether the reaction of the student before her was genuine or not.
But noticing his dull eyes.
She sighed and gave him the benefit of the doubt.
"You know, studying is good and all, but remember to take care of your health too,"
"Thank you, ma'am,"
"But may I ask? why are you here?"
Ms. Miranda cleared her throat and composed herself.
"President Braum is asking for you, student,'
"President Braum!?,"
"Ma-may I ask why??,"
"We will tell you once we get there, now follow me."
"May I freshen up before we go, ma'am?"
Ms. Miranda shook her head.
"No, time is of the essence."
Troi let out a fake sigh.
And started to follow Ms. Miranda.
And as they walked.
"Ma'am, if you don't mind me asking, why didn't you just send me a message through my bracelet?"
Miranda knew she could've simply messaged Troi through the bracelet.
But she wanted to examine the student with her very own eyes.
To see if she could find something suspicious.
But so far, she lacked sufficient information.
"It's of importance, student, everything will be explained later, for now, just follow me."
"Ah, okay, ma'am."
As Troi and Miranda walked through the halls.
They passed by students of all years.
Most of them were Troi's classmates and the first-year A-Class.
And out of courtesy and respect for Professor Miranda.
Some approached to give her a casual greeting.
"Good morning, Ms. Miranda."
"Morning, ma'am."
While others did it because they admired the professor.
The boys with burning eyes of envy stared strongly at Troi.
Normally such eyes would bother the young man.
But right now he was in deep thought.
'What was that dream?'
While Ms. Miranda greeted them all back.
He remembered the shining stars and the fading laughter.
The shabby rags of a black-haired man while he walked among the corpses in a forest of pine trees.
And the vivid sight of a cold hand that refused to break free from a blade.
After that the vision became blurry.
Seemingly the man spoke of something he could no longer recall.
But the sword that was clenched so tightly.
Gave a familiar feeling in his mind.
But before he could dwell on it any longer.
They had reached the front door of the president's office.
As they entered, there lay the bulging muscles of Braum behind the desk.
The large black suit that he wore could not hide them all.
And even though his right arm ended on a stump.
One hand was enough for him to halter an army.
His golden eyes looked up and down towards Troi.
For he was sensing his strength.
But then one of his eyebrows perked up.
'Hmmm.... it's still the same from back then.'
'Not even an ounce of growth?'
'Weird....'
'How was he able to win against students strengthened by dragon's tear then?'
Troi immediately bowed to show respect.
While Ms. Miranda stood by the door.
Soon President Braum opened his mouth.
"Raise your head, student."
As Troi fixed his posture.
He felt the powerful gaze of the president befall him.
Troi swallowed his saliva but if you look closely.
There was no anxiety in his soul.
Even though such a stare would even make a trained knight tremble.
"W-why have you called for me, Mr. President."
"..."
The president did not reply instantly.
Instead, he let silence envelop the room.
This was a tactic he often used.
By creating such an atmosphere.
The composure of the person he is interrogating would slightly wane.
They would overthink and soon cracks would show.
But unbeknownst to him.
The student standing tall before his gaze.
Had no emotions to shake.
'Oh right, I should be scared sh*tless right now.'
Troi looked side to side.
Making sure he barely made eye contact with President Braum.
Seeing the student now clearly uncomfortable.
President Braum opened his mouth.
"Troi, you met with Professor Carn last night? yes?"
Troi slightly nodded his head.
"Yes, sir, that's correct."
"What did you guys talk about?"
"He wanted to congratulate me, sir, for being the only current winner from the combat practice."
For a second, Braum and Miranda looked at each other's eyes.
Soon those golden eyes went back at Troi.
"Can you tell me Troi, how were you able to win?"
"I trained hard, Mr Braum, and did my best."
Mr. Braum let out a small chuckle.
'Trained hard and did my best huh?
Just like a mortal could never reach the gods.
A C-Tier aura that showed no growth could never beat a person graced by a dragon.
Even if it was merely a fraction.
Braum knew now the student was hiding his strength.
But was the strength he was not showing strong enough to kill a professor?
He thought in his mind.
"Student, what if I told you, the A-Class you have fought was strengthened by the tear of a dragon?"
Troi widened his eyes.
"Si-Sir? What?"
"What if I told you Professor Carn secretly put such potion in the water supply of his own students so he could humiliate the Honor Class?"
"S-Sir, is that true?"
Troi knew that they would get curious about how he won after he leaked the notebook.
But still, he could not help but curse at the past version of himself.
"So how did you win student?"
"You know I sensed you back then, and I sensed you now."
"And on both occasions, your strength seems to be the same,"
"Not a trace of growth,"
"Nor improvement,"
"Your aura, not even an ounce sharper nor an ounce sturdier since back then."
"Yet somehow,"
"By the skin of your teeth, Troi."
"You had won,"
Troi swallowed his saliva hearing the president call his name.
But there was no worry in his mind.
For he knew all he had to do was tell the truth.
Letting out a sigh he soon spoke.
"Sir, may I use my aura?"
"?"
President Braum and Miranda tilted their heads.
Instead of the student trying to escape or confess.
He did something they did not expect.
And so they both got curious.
"Alright, you have my permission."
The young man reached into his bracelet.
Onto the handle of his trusty longsword that the academy of Tyresia gave to him.
And as it rested in his hands.
He closed his eyes.
And inwardly activated a skill.
[Aura of The Wanderer]
- Through stone and flesh, the sword on your hand shall not falter.
Soon a blue aura envelops his blade.
President Braum narrowed his eyes at it.
'Hmm.....C-Tier.'
'Just how as I expected, why did he choose to show his aura to me?"
Even when his blade now turned blue.
Troi did not open his eyes.
No, he started to concentrate.
Of all the times he had felt the wind.
He remembered the warm breeze near the sea.
The soft wind underneath the trees.
And then into one of his dreams.
Of the man who wore shabby rags.
And the corpse that had an unyielding grasp.
From a time long past.
Braum eyes widened and so did Miranda.
For they felt something brushing past their skin.
It caressed them ever so slightly.
"Ho....."
The president unconsciously let out a smile.
And as he felt it even further.
"This power...."
"It can't be...
That smile soon turned into a grin.
His golden eyes were sparkling as he watched the wind flutter around the room.
Troi having felt it had worked, opened his eyes.
"Yes sir, I wield the wi-"
He was about to say something.
But President Braum cut him off.
"Ancient Aura,"
Troi blinked.
'Ancient what?'
For he was genuinely surprised.