PERSEUS
"I hope everyone scribbles it down. Combat awareness involves perceiving and interpreting the battlefield, the opponent's actions and allies'-" Professor Phineas, our willowy Combat and Defence professor with dry blonde messy curly hair who was also a werewolf, was explaining some theory related to the subject when he was interrupted by a loud thud that echoed from beside me.
The sight of what I saw petrified me when I glanced over.
Professor Phineas was approaching the last row with an inquiring face. "What is happening there?"
"Professor, Prince Benjamin has collapsed." Angus jumped out of his seat and landed beside Benjamin's body that was on the floor.
I do not usually sit beside him but today Kristian insisted me to switch places for a day because allegedly the sight of Princess Irene in front of his eyes was utterly unbearable today.
But doesn't he see her every day? Is it not unbearable then?
How will I know? I have never dated anyone. I hauled my mind back to Benjamin.
He was fine a minute ago. What happened suddenly?!
The remembrance of the incident that happened a week ago to the sorcerer of Versona troubled me.
I couldn't help but link this incident to that one. This sequential series of event was concerning. The faculty has refused to open up about that calamitous mishap. The other classes aren't even aware that someone had died in the school.
And it was suspicious.
Not after long, Prince Kristian had landed beside Benjamin as well while me and Augustine leapt to our feet, alarmed.
Professor Phineas knelt beside Benjamin, in a jittery way and checked his pulse. He must have had the same concern. A splash of relief washed his face.
The professor must've found the pulse.
He then checked his breathing and forehead. The front rows had gathered a little away from us while the back rows had flipped around.
"He was fine a while ago. How can…." Professor Phineas muttered to himself.
"He has an illness, Professor." Angus' words made several heads abruptly turn to him. Illness? "Would you please elaborate, Prince Angus?" Professor Phineas narrowed his brows.
"Indeed, professor. Prince Benjamin has Casafractus." Angus eyes were fixed on Benjamin.
"Casafractus? It is the first time the name of such a disease has reached my ears." Professor Phineas sceptically said, it is the first-time hearing Benjamin has any illness, let alone the name of Casafractus.
"It is because it is a rare illness that many children go through. It is confined to Versona. It is similar to homesickness. But it is baneful. If he does not reach Versona within twenty-four hours and is not fed the Casacactus' juice, we might lose him." Angus explained.
"W-what?!" Professor Phineas stammered.
"We must immediately send him home, Professor, further delaying might be exterminating." Angus' eyes met Professor Phineas'.
The Professor's lips trembled, understanding the criticality of the situation.
In the blink of an eye, the medical help was summoned and Prince Benjamin was carried away on a stretcher by the nurses Dominic and Gallen to the Healing Ward of the school.
The event unfolded so rapidly that my mind was incredulous. Benjamin having an illness by the name of Casafractus was some news to me.
The class had been shaken owing to the incident.
Professor Phineas fidgetily urged the nurses to send Benjamin home while explaining them the situation. The nurses assured him although Casafractus was a new term for them as well.
The fact that a royal collapsed during his class seemed to have haunted the professor even more.
He would surely have to answer Sir Frostbane regarding the situation.
Uneasily, Professor Phineas attempted to resume the lesson after Benjamin was taken away. I am dubious if the professor can even teach after such a deplorable event.
He was sweating crazily. And it's not even that hot.
His eyes then fell on Benjamin's seat. He drew closer. "Oh no..."
"Prince Benjamin's bag. He might require it…" Professor Phineas was talking to himself. His eyes then shot to me. "Prince Perseus, would you kindly do me the favour and deliver this bag to the Healing Ward? The professors aren't putative to leave an active class unless it's an unavoidable emergency."
"I can go, Professor!" Angus' hand shot up in the air before I could answer.
Professor Phineas diverted his gaze to Angus. "I am gracious that you stepped forward. But you have already done enough with explaining the situation to me. You may take a load off and I'm assuming Prince Perseus won't be troubled by this task?"
"I would be glad to make myself of any use for my friend." I leapt to my feet and gabbed Benjamin's bag after shoving in his Combat and Defence books into it.
The professor smiled gratefully at me and stepped away to make way for me.
Queasiness was still visible beneath the smile.
I exited the classroom and made my way to the Healing Ward. As I neared it, I could hear I could hear rebuking sounds from the ward. I presumed that it might be a banter between the doctor and the nurses and didn't let it stop me.
The door was open and I was about to step in when I spotted Professor Benedict and Prince Benjamin. Benjamin was on his feet with the professor positioned in front of him.
Wasn't he…unconscious a while ago?!
I stepped back and hid myself behind the wall. I don't mean to eavesdrop. It would only be appropriate if I leave now.
But I was curious.
The guy who was brought here on a stretcher is completely fine now? What happened to his illness?
"If this was our home and not the school's campus, I would've ruptured every single bone of your body." Professor Benedict said in a rough voice while Benjamin kept his head lowered. Brutal.
"Feigning a fictitious illness to be sent back home so that you can investigate about Malcolm's death was the most cretinous scheme you could come up with. If I hadn't come back on time, your asinine scheme would've-"
He feigned the illness?!
"But father, you are completely aware that I had performed the act only for our kingdom." Benjamin finally lifted his head up. "For Versona. I am the crown prince and hence it is my duty-"
"For God's sake, Benjamin. How vapid can you be? Why would you want to go back to investigate his death when he died here?" Professor Benjamin breathed in. "And no, I am not suggesting you to do any of your investigation here."
He continued. "Your sole obligation as the crown prince at this moment is to attend your school, learn and not cause trouble here. Let the adults manage stuff that are meant to be managed by them."
"But father-"
"Benjamin, if I catch you doing anything you shouldn't be doing as a student of Wisteria Royal Academy, Versona would have to have an amputee as the crown prince." Professor Benedict's sharp tone could cut through stones. "I am not saying this as your professor. I am saying this as your father."
Those were the last words I heard before I sensed footsteps approaching. I should've hastened away but the intensity of the situation made my feet freeze. If Professor Benedict discovers this, I am sure to get into trouble.
"Detention with me after classes for two weeks!"
I heard Professor Benedict roar and Benjamin stepped out of the room. His trail stopped and his eyes met mine for a brief moment. He was scowling. I was praying for him not to speak to me.
Professor Benedict hadn't spotted me yet but if Benjamin talks to me, I would inevitably be discovered.
The heavens heard my prayer. Benjamin proceeded to way away from the room. I forced my frozen feet to catch up with him. "I bestow my sincerest thanks to you-" I had started but Benjamin cut my words.
"It is alright, Perseus. However, I would be grateful if you would be kind enough to not divulge the conversation you overheard." Benjamin sighed out.
I matched his pace, walking beside him. "Rest assured, Benjamin. Also, my sincerest apologies. I hadn't meant to eavesdrop-"
"It is alright, Perseus." He indifferently said and fastened his pace.
He must have been disgruntled but is feigning that he does not mind. I was regretting my decision to eavesdrop. I should not have performed such an impropriety. I suddenly noticed something under my grasp.
"Benjamin! Your bag!" I hastened after him.