"So, why do you even want to know?" He grumbled, his hands pulling his face down. I sipped some tea, green tea? We sat in one of the living rooms, with décor, paintings, plants, even a sculpted stone head of Lione.
"Before you changed, you were basically a mess even without the weird mind control thing. I'd like to hear your story, don't get me wrong, I'm not here to empathise with your story or anything. I'd like to hear it because I want my training to go smoothly." I proclaimed.
"Rascal.." He sighed, "Fine, I guess I'll tell you."
During his disconsolate story, the analysis I had a few weeks prior was basically a 1:1. Damn, I should become a detective in the future.. Hanise also included other things, such as that he was able to produce 3 different elements. It wasn't just basic healing, it was 'life', he was able to heal severe illnesses or reattach limbs within the blink of an eye.
Hanise though, said that he was unable to revive dead people, or creatures. His others' were earth and fire. Stated that he could even fuse them to create molten lava if done correctly.
His friend was the most 'talented', but Hanise wasn't far below his friend in terms of talent. Hanise also recalled that Murren was ahead in terms of swordsmanship compared to himself, but the techniques he taught to me, created by Murren, seemed like the real deal. How good was Murren to be praised so high by Hanise?
"Hanise, let's scrap your fake identity."
"I can't. I haven't fully atoned for what I did."
"From what you told me, Murren wouldn't want you to do this. And I don't either. You need to be at your best, to teach me."
"But, I haven't repaid the sins I've committed. If I had told him to go with his dream, he wouldn't have died."
"Are you hearing yourself? You imbecile, I'm not Murren but I know he would've beat you into submission by now."
"H-Huh?"
"You heard me. Stop beating yourself over it, he said to live right? He wouldn't want your life to be such a mess because of this."
"How are you so sure? You've never met him personally. You've never seen him, you're basing it off of my own words."
"I'm not very good with words, because I'm just a 'kid' right. But, listen to yourself fully, you've taken his identity, but you can't remember how he would've cheered you up and told you to get off your lazy a*s? Take the week to think about it." I exited, without so much as a response back, I closed the door.
My heart was beating fast, I didn't know how to console someone, I was only 13! My breath was held, but before I was even able to let it all out. Priscilla pinned me to the wall.
"Lady Ophelia, I know you know, tread carefully."
???
"About.. What?"
How did she know? I know there were very, very close encounters. But, how was I exposed? When was it? When did she know?
"You know, Murren's birthday coming up. Isn't that why you talked to him just then?" She had a look of confusion, and my face was probably as confused as hers.
What was the reason for pinning me to a wall, and to sound so menacing.. I thought I was a goner.
"Oh right! Yeah, don't worry I didn't ask him anything of the sort, just training reasons."
She stepped back, and bowed.
"I apologise for suddenly pouncing on you like that, Claudia and I have been planning a party for him, his been feeling a little down lately. Which is why I had given an excuse earlier today. If you'll excuse me, I shall take my leave." And so she took off, going further and further down the hallway.
One thing before the next, and Hanise came out.
"Who were you with just now?"
"Just Priscilla."
"Aside from that, I've thought about it and you're right. I'll stop with the fake identity, and this time I'll approach it like I would."
I don't think anyone would've been that foul and laidback when teaching a kid.
"But, specifically for you, I'll stay the same. But this time as Hanise." A wide grin planted on his face, though it wasn't the usual sinister grin. "Thank you Lady-" He cleared his throat, "Nevermind I think I'll just call you Ophelia. Thank you Ophelia, genuinely."
"Just to let you know, you're still a jerk. A spoiled bastard."
"And you're still a brat. A good brat, but a brat nonetheless." We laughed in the hallways for a bit, holding his stomach as he shed a tear. "I'll teach you seriously from next week, don't slack off kid."
"I should say the same to you."
He walked down the hall, waving back to me. He didn't look at me but I did the same anyway.
Now, the main problem was the fact that it was Hanise's birthday soon, and not only that, Priscilla. Our short conversation was weird, there was no plausible reason to do that. To pin me, just to tell me to be careful of myself? From Hanise's birthday?
I knew she was evil, but I didn't know if that was her sign to tell me that I should watch myself from prying more into their plan. But that didn't stop me, it was unlikely! She couldn't have found me out that quickly, it had only been a day since I found out.
But to be sure, I had to be careful, like she warned. I needed to lay low for a few days before taking action again. If confidential papers were left lying around so easily, it wasn't necessarily my fault now was it.
The next two days would now be hell, it was going to be what Miss Layla called, Layla's Forgiving Pot, it didn't sound bad, in fact, it sounded like it was nice. But, the way she she said it, and 'forgiving'? What was so forgiving..?