*CRASH!*
The loud noise of breaking glass echoed through the room, sending shards everywhere. The principal, engrossed in her book, didn't even flinch.
*Crumble, crumble.* The Griffin that Arnes had attempted to control with necromancy was now out of his command, smashing through the office's large window and collapsing part of the wall, leaving the room in ruins.
"Do you remember who paid for the damages when you used your snake to destroy your own room?" The principal continued reading, her voice calm and controlled, yet Arnes could sense her irritation.
I gulped as I saw this coming.
"I-I'm sorry. I just couldn't manage it. Controlling a Griffin's wings is harder than I thought." Arnes pleaded for mercy.
Arnes used a magic circle to remove the corpse from the room, then glanced over at Imeki to check if she was okay. As usual, Imeki stood silently beside him, expressionless like a robot.
"Imeki used ancient chants to summon magic circles. She was probably one of the imperial mages from her time, back when she was still human." The principal brought up about Arnes's summon as she witnessed her fight with Urns, a noble before.
"I don't recall telling you that Imeki was a lich."
"Why do you think I'm the principal?" The principal felt smugged.
That doesn't even make sense.
"And also, what do you mean by 'imperial'?"
The principal explained how the imperials of that era were the top mages, akin to the mage knights of the modern age.
"Anyway, good job taking out the assassin. I don't know why they keep targeting you, but there's a chance more assassins have infiltrated the academy, knowing a cursed child is here. Rumors spread fast you know that already."
"Yeah, but thanks to that assassin, I got her weapon—a modern mage gun used by mercenaries."
"You mean you stole it from her..." Her eyes widened at my revelation.
"...Arnes, I knew you were a scoundrel, but taking her weapon was more ruthless than the bones she broke."
We chatted until midnight, and then the principal changed the subject to the real reason she called me.
"Arnes, the main reason I called you here is that I want you to participate in the Inter-Academy Mage Tournament."
"Inter-Academy... what is that?"
"It's a mage battle between academies. A 2 vs. 2 mage battle. I your name to bring in academy's name to the top, at least in the top ten."
I pondered. A two versus two means I could team up with Imeki. But why do I have to participate? I just want to live quietly, hiding my power from society. The principal must be plotting something.
"Principal, what are you plotting?" I didn't hesitate to confront her. I didn't want to risk making the entire kingdom my enemy because of my necromancy.
The principal stopped reading, placed her book on the table, and looked me in the eye. Her grin widened, sending a chill down my spine.
"There is another cursed individual participating." She waited for my reaction.
"Cursed? You mean related to the Curse of Aros?" Finally, a lead on the curse.
"Master, are there more like you?" Imeki looked at me asking, but the principal responded instead.
"There are four cursed children in this world. I have no clue why or for what reason, but it's something related to an upcoming war."
In this world of magic and fantasy, war was horrific. Humans, bound by power, sought more property and domination, leading to genocidal conflicts.
"Four children... you mean there are three others like me? This is the first I've heard of it..."
"Your master hid that from you? How foolish." She smiled as she spoke, observing my reaction and it felt like she was enjoying it. Her jade green eyes were hooked on my body language and expressions.
"My master hid the existence of other cursed children... haha... it can't be true..." Arne's couldn't feel more real after learning something new about his master, that she would hide a major important talk like that.
Had she known about my curse all along? Did I get betrayed? My master, who found me standing alone by my mother's corpse, raised me and took care of me. There's no way she wouldn't have mentioned other cursed children. Had I forgotten something?
"Arnes, don't worry. Your master will be at the Inter-Academy Mage Tournament, which is in three weeks. You can ask her directly then."
That's more reason to participate. I need to ask my master directly when I reunite with her.
"I suppose it won't be held at the academy stadium because there would be more spectators?"
I guessed.
"Yes, in the kingdom's colosseum, in front of people from every city. You need to be on guard against assassins and your opponents. Now, what will you do, Arnes? Show me your true strength while hiding your curse."
Arnes didn't want to make enemies of the whole kingdom, but he had sworn to find the origin of his curse and the people who stole his normalcy with suffering and pain. He couldn't resist and agreed to participate.
"Also, Arnes, if you win at the top, I will cover the renovation expenses for your room and the office. If you don't, you'll have to cover the damage costs yourself within a year."
"Good night. Also, I'm participating, so put my name on the list." Arnes bowed and left for his room with Imeki with confidence, avoiding summoning the Griffin again to prevent another crash they walked towards male dormitory
. "Master, are you alright with participating?" Imeki, though not human, still asked with a semblance of concern.
"Imeki, it's funny how you look worried even though you aren't actually. But yeah, thanks, I'm fine. It's just... why didn't my master tell me about the other cursed people?"
"..." Imeki remained silent, keeping pace with Arnes as he walked briskly.
They went straight to their room and took a good night's sleep.
***
"Yawn, morning Imeki."
Just like every day, I woke up. But today, Imeki wasn't there to greet me like every day as she usually did stare at me as I woke up, sweat drenched my face because it was the first time I saw her not beside me as she always used to tag along.
To Be Continued...