The preparations for the festival were nearly complete, with it being held in a mere two days.
MAXWELL LÈ BONDEREE
I slowly approached my father's office, walking through Bonderee Manor. As I walked, I could feel a sense of unease. Could it be due to Father's summons?
I quietly walked into the office, as luxurious as always. Gently closing the door behind me, I noticed my father's figure, whose face was hidden by the darkness of the room.
"You called, Father?" I said, giving a humble bow.
"Indeed... Maxwell, my heir... As you are aware, our family name has been brought to shame by your worthless brother..."
"Yes, Father," I admitted, recalling the rumors at school concerning the recent events.
"Find the filthy human scum who did this and restore honor to our name," he commanded, his voice laced with anger and contempt.
"Understood, Father... What of Benedict?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Immediately, I felt an intense presence pulling me down. My father turned his gaze towards me with an intimidating look.
"Do not dare mention the name of that fool to me," he said, releasing his hold on me.
I gasped for air, and after giving my final bow, I was dismissed.
Einar Stonbrol
All this commotion over a mere human.
EINAR STONBROL
With the festival drawing sooner, I decided to get investigating. I searched the school for any traces of the drug. Not only that, I interrogated Benedict's two and probably only friends. Tiring them both up to what I improvised to be a torture chair, they both claimed they knew nothing of the matter.
Eventually, I found myself at a dead end.
This isn't good.
I thought, while sitting by the school tree, which was at the front gate.
As I sat there under the cool shade, I questioned myself concerning the same drug that I should be investigating.
"Einar Stonbrol..." A familiar voice spoke.
I looked to the direction of the voice and noticed it was one of Zuria's colleagues. Not only that, it was Maxwell Lè Bonderee.
"Yeah?"
He sat down next to me and formally introduced himself. After we got past introductions, he finally got to the point.
"I'd like to apologize for my brother's lack of conduct the other day," he said, his voice genuine and calm.
I gave off an awkward smile. "No need to apologize, man... really, here I was thinking you wanted revenge."
I was mistaken.
"Do not misunderstand me; I apologized for my pathetic excuse of a brother picking a fight he couldn't win... However, in beating him, you humiliated the Bonderee family name, and you must be punished for that," he said, getting to his feet.
I did not respond, but our eyes locked. This time, I could sense an even higher amount of hostility emitting from him.
I gave off a faint sigh and finally spoke. "If that's what you want, then sure... I'll be waiting."
He seemed unfazed by my confidence and arrogance and simply walked away.
As I watched him walk and fade into the academy's gates, I couldn't help but smile to myself. This is really becoming a bad habit.
Out of nowhere, Lyra suddenly appeared in front of me, scaring me off the bench and onto the floor.
"Are you okay?" she asked sarcastically.
"What do you think?" I responded with the same tone.
She helped me up and explained that we were needed in class for an urgent announcement.
As we arrived, we found Professor Thorne alongside Kai and a boy I was unfamiliar with standing in front of the class.
"Good, you're here," the professor said, looking at us. "These will be the students representing you in the upcoming festival."
At that time, I only had one thing going through my mind. Weren't there supposed to be five of us?
"Excuse me, Professor, I believe one person is missing from this group," the unknown guy asked, confirming my curiosity.
The professor seemed stunned for a moment and then he finally realized. "Ahh, yes! Come inside!" he exclaimed, looking towards the door.
Suddenly, a sort of rebel-looking girl walked into the classroom. She dressed casually and wasn't in uniform, not only that, I didn't recognize her from anywhere.
"Everyone, this is Amy," the professor announced. "She will be joining our class."