Karasu and Aurora immediately left from where they came from. Exiting through the door, only to find themselves standing in the halls of the school. From the corner of their eyes, they spotted a few teachers walking towards them oblivious as some were busy with a scroll, or going through files.
Panic settled in the teenagers' heads as they were unsure if they could get out scott-free from their sight, especially since it was the two veteran teachers. Karasu was informed by Hanlerk about Arhuk Kiro, a former Heiulbearer classified as a certified Magus and the head teacher for Haelfein.
'Shit! I can't let him see me!' Karasu's thoughts screamed at his body. Heiulbearer's have an excellent memory. Given their job actions, this is bad news for Karasu and Aurora. A magus especially added salt to injury.
On the other end of the hall, it was Mr. Kiro's wife; Lunhow Kiro. The head teacher of Arlecant and yet another Heiulbearer. This time classified as an outrider. Now if they were spotted, highly likely she'll chase them for hours on end.
"Aurora-! Scatter!" Karasu quickly said to her before sprinting in a random direction. Not even making a small squeak which always weirded her out.
Without thinking, Aurora grabbed a few rocks from the ground and threw them in the teacher's direction. Not hitting them but with the intent to grab their attention away from whatever is in front of them. Giving her time to run.
The clattering of rocks was miraculously synced together. And managed to grab the attention of both of the Kiro's. She took this chance to run. Her footsteps are as silent as a mouse. Letting Aurora slip out of the hall and through another before jumping out of an open window.
She braced her legs for impact. She landed with a quiet thud, with surprising elegance for someone like her. She quickly spun around, making sure there was no one around. There was, however. But to her relief, it was just Karasu.
"That was unlucky...To come across the Heiulbearers out of everyone...?"
Aurora's face was painted with bewilderment when she heard that, "They were Heiulbearers?"
"You don't remember Hanlerk's briefing?" Karasu turned to her with shock, did she really forget about it, out of all people, her?
"That might've been the only briefing I fell asleep at..."
"Oh my...Really?!"
"Alright mate, You can't be talking." Aurora said, "I blacked out once and you're judging me. Compared to you."
Karasu tried to defend himself, but unfortunately, she was right, "Ah...you got me."
"Hm. After all that, you still fancy a cuppa?" Aurora placed her hands on her hip.
"No. Not anymore."
"Good." Aurora sighed, she was not going to pay for him, "Wonder how the rest is doing..."
***
It was not good at all. The moment after Karasu and Aurora left, they descended upon the trio. More heavily on Donovan, "Why the hell did you bring them here?!" Elyssia grappled with Donovan as he tried to give a reasonable answer. He knew that if he mentioned anything about coffee, he might just get the short straw.
"You don't need...to worry about it-!" Donovan tried to loosen Elyssia's arm around his neck gently. Trying not to harm her.
"Why so?! Don't you dare interfere, Gary! Or you Samuel! You'll be dealt with later!" Elyssia practically hissed at the two of them. The other members just stood to the side. Not brave enough to stand up to her fury.
"Damn, she's brave." Gary whispered to Samuel.
"Take it from our perspective! You decided to bring two randoms into our room, without our knowledge, AND use the ring! Do you know how much that could compromise us?!" Elyssia questioned him further.
"They're not randoms-!" Donovan choked out.
"Then who are they huh?!"
Donovan tried to think of something, anything. But he couldn't think of anything that could protect their identity but also explain who they were. That is until Aziroth decided to step in.
"They're transfers. Elyssia." He said.
"Huh?" Almost everyone muttered the same thing.
"The headmaster decided to bring in a good number of people from other prestigious schools for an exchange event of some sort." Aziroth answered, "Some might be staying here, and those who reached S-rank can decide to join the security force."
"And how am I expected to believe that?" Elyssia furrowed her eyebrows.
"Ask the headmaster-!" Donovan added, "He'll tell you about it!"
"And I wasn't informed of it..."
Aziroth kept up with his white lie, "Most of them were in the lower ranks. So the headmaster didn't bother to inform you all."
Elyssia hesitated for a moment. Contemplating over what he said and wondering if it really is true. Meanwhile, Donovan is gently tapping on Elyssia's arm. Silently asking to be let go.
She snorted before grabbing his hair, and yanked his hair up slightly, "Don't ever do this again. Next time, you inform me, alright?"
Donovan nodded with a smile on his face, "Yes. I will..."
"Good..." Elyssia let go of him, "You should be resting Donovan."
"No no. Really, I'm fine-" As soon as he tried to stand up, a sharp burning sensation rummaged through his chest. Causing him to grasp his chest in pain as he doubled over.
This prompted everyone to snap out of their idle trance and run to Donovan's aid. Samuel and Gary gently guided him to the couch as everyone else hovered above Donovan.
"Yeesh. You're like a mummy." Matthew commented.
"Wow, thank you for your kind words, Matty. That definitely improved my mood." Donovan groaned in pain.
Elyssia stood up and headed to the kitchen to make something for Donovan. While she does that, the others question Donovan and even Gary further, asking about Karasu and Aurora. Especially Madhav and Matthew. They sounded eager to have new members.
As they questioned Donovan, Samuel stood a short distance away, watching Donovan go do what he does best. Talking. That was never Samuel's expertise. Oftentimes he'd freeze up and don't know what to say. He's thankful that Gary and Donovan saw this and decided that he should just stay back and do what he does best. Watch. Thinking over it again, that sounded creepy in his head.
He didn't notice Rovanne scooting over next to him. It was only when Rovanne elbowed him gently did he snapped back to reality, "Is he going to be okay?" She asked Samuel.
"You're asking me?"
"Of course. Because of... well y'know." She pointed at her own eyes, "And yours."
"Oh. R-Right..." Samuel scratched the back of his neck, small beads of sweat slowly falling down his forehead, he stared at Donovan as he was being taken care of by the others, through those bandages with numerous healing seals and medical ointments, Samuel could see his wounds slowly closing again.
"Sooo...?"
Samuel shook his head and snapped out of his trance, "He'll be fine. They treated him well. He is going to maybe be okay in a few weeks."
"Heh... 'Going to maybe be okay'. You are...unique to say the least." Rovanne giggled.
Samuel was taken aback from what she said. Hundreds of thoughts ran through his mind. Thinking the worst of what she said, taking it wrong, and everything, "M-me? Unique? What does that mean?"
"It just means that I had never met anyone like you before. Not in my sixteen years of life." Rovanne explained, "Guess I was born in the right year to meet you."
Samuel could see that she meant it. And not in a mean way. He could never really understand the full extent of the abilities his eyes hold. But one thing is for certain, he can read people's intentions with it, and he could see that Rovanne was expressing her truth.
He didn't even realize that he was smiling in response to seeing her smile. But he couldn't help himself. It was just nice, having someone acknowledge his curse, and still see him as a normal kid.
Samuel isn't religious. But at times like these; he thanked god for giving him this opportunity, meeting Don and Gary, and having them stay with him as loyal friends, Karasu, Sultan, and Aurora. They all saw him as who he was. No benevolent deity or monster. But just a kid. And now, he can add Rovanne to the list.
As the two of them continued talking to each other. The rest just watched them quietly. Unwilling to interrupt them. Aziroth didn't know what to do so he ended up just standing by the corner. In the meantime, Matthew leaned towards Madhav, "You think he...?"
"Yes. Hundred percent." Madhav nodded in agreement.
"Will it succeed?"
"Hopefully."
Gary spun his head towards the two, "The hell does that mean?"
Donovan couldn't help but palm his face. He finds it ironic that no one can hide anything from Samuel, but Samuel fails at being discreet with his emotions. But what can he say? It's Samuel. To everyone, they were close friends. But to him, Samuel and Gary were his brothers.
"You know what? I find this adorable." Elyssia returned with two mugs in her hands. Herbal tea. She handed one out for Donovan, "Here. For you. It's good for your body and I added a few special herbs to aid your recovery."
Donovan gladly reached out and took it from her hands, "Oooh. Thanks."
"Consider it my apology for lashing out Donovan. If you can accept it." She sipped more of her tea.
"I already did~" The tea was surprisingly not too sweet, but sweet enough to Donovan's liking. He immediately felt a soothing rush of comfort the moment he gulped down the tea.
Elyssia stared at the ever-oblivious Rovanne and Samuel. The two of them seemed to be in their own world right now. She leaned towards Donovan and pointed at the two of them, "That's...interesting. What do you think of it?"
He doesn't know what to say. Or even describe the odd feeling that churns in his chest as he watches the two of them, "I guess...It's nice to see."
"We can make it work-!" Gary interjected. He tried his best to whisper, "Don, it's his time, finally. We gotta help out."
"Yeah...Help out..."
"Elyssia, Me and Donovan know Samuel. I got a girl of my own, and Donovan here has some experience. We can handle our friend. And what about Raven Girl? Can you help?"
Elyssia thought over it for a second, "Well, I've only known Rovanne here for about a year. I'll try to do it. Yeah."
"You three are actually going to try and matchmake them together?" Madhav jumped into the conversation.
Like a pair of twins, Matthew popped his head out from behind Madhav, "Anything we can do to help?"
"None so far. But we'll keep you posted." Gary answered them before leaning back on the couch, "For now...let's just. Take a well-earned break..."
Samuel was still talking with Rovanne. Going over their favorite type of cookies. Which somehow originated from the topic of injuries. Donovan could see it in Samuel's eyes. Or blindfold, that he's truly comfortable hanging around Rovanne. The same could be said with the raven girl. He doubts she and Karasu would get along. Crows and ravens do not get along well. Crows...Oh! He remembered now!
"Hey, Elyssia!"
"Hm?"
"About those two people...That came into the room. They still want to assist with the security force. Is it ok if they can...you know." Donovan found something odd. He's not on his best game right now.
"Erh....Ach-fine. If the headmaster allows it, I allow it. But they're temporary." Elyssia just gave in.
"When would they be permanent?"
"If this place gives them a room. It's a living being y'know. It chooses its people. And if they don't have a room for you, then you're not in." She explained, "We'll see. Bring them in if you can. We have to let the room decide."