Chapter 63: The Meaning of Those Words

 For now we're back to the present time, enjoy!
It’s a bit late, but for those who are celebrating…Merry Christmas
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Since the morning I ate breakfast with my parents until the afternoon lessons, most people asked the same thing.
            "Did something good happen?"
            I wondered myself why they all asked the same thing, but without myself realizing, I was grinning happily all day long without anything making a dent to it as I fumbled my new charm necklace every five minutes. Of course they'd obviously wonder what had happened to me. Even though the only reason was having my necklace back after about 400 years, the happiness was enough to make it harder for me to fall asleep at night.
            Whenever in the bath or at bed, I kept the necklace by my side and kept fumbling with it until I lost consciousness. Now that I think about it, I might have become obsessed with it in a weird way.
            "Hey Claudia, don't just space out like that, take it!"
            My mind was called back to reality and I saw the kid in front of me passing me a bracelet. It looked similar with the one everyone was wearing including me, the ESP Bracelet. It was a very thin bracelet made of stainless steel. It had a serial number attached to its back. It was the bracelet that lets you monitor and record an Esper's brainwave so anyone will know when they use their power and gives warning to the establishment whenever someone uses their ability above the certain criteria the government had established. It could also be used for research purposes by the institution, and to observe the progress of young espers.
             Oh, now I remember. They said they were upgrading a new kind of bracelet and they were distributing it today. How forgetful of me. I took the bracelet off his hand and replaced my old bracelet with it. "These bracelets although not very different with our old ones, are upgraded with a new feature that limits your ability, though that feature only works for those who are rank 4 and 5. This will decrease their ability to at least rank 3 unless their ability is needed like in our routine examination for now." Everyone somehow booed at the teacher knowing that the new upgraded bracelet would limit their ability, "Now, don't sulk! You have to become a part of the society first before you are granted a Releaser. Also, you should note that this wonderful device was upgraded by the famous Prof. Demen Ars and we are the first school to have the upgraded version of it, so you all should feel honored."
           The moment I heard his name, I wanted to throw the bracelet out of the window right away. The good mood I had these few days were instantly crushed as if it never happened. Especially the thought I had to live with a tool made by a murderer for the rest of my school life. 
             "Now class is dismissed, see you tomorrow everyone."
             I took my bag and left the classroom with a sour expression. Just when I thought the day was done, outside of my classroom, Foax was waiting for me. I was obviously surprised to meet him so unexpectedly.
            Can we talk? he asked in my mind.
            "Sure"
            Foax nodded and left the spot, I silently followed behind him.
           We walked for a few minutes, we went outside the building and walked toward where the S Class was, through the back of the school. Not many people pass this place, so it's an ideal place for a private talk. "So, what do you want to talk about?" I asked him when there were less people around, we kept on walking as he answered.
            ......I wanted to ask if you're okay.
            "Pardon?"
           At that night, you went home with a flustered face. So It made me wonder what made you like that. 
            My face was strained with my eyes widen, I was speechless for a moment until I understood what his words meant. "Could it be, you're worried about me?"
            Is that a problem?
            My face slightly blushed, I was happy that something so little had made him come to ask me how I was doing in person. "I'm fine, rather, I was flustered because I was worried about you"
            Me? For what?
             Foax had stopped moving and he looked at me in wonder when he asked that. I smiled wryly at him as I spilled what had been on my mind for a while. "I'm worried about you and my friends in Class S, you all shut people out of your lives, seeing them as suspicious and secluding yourselves in your own world, I don't see it as a good thing for all of you."
            I'm happy that you are worried about us, but you don't need to be too concerned because that's just how we are. 
            "You're wrong, that's far from it! That day when you guys had spent time to give me a surprise party, chatting and playing together, I felt it was the first time I had felt close to you all. All of you may try to act aloof and annoying, but I know that just like normal kids, you want to just live without any worries and I know that is what you want as well."
            You act like you know what's on my mind. 
            I chuckled at his words that had a ring of truth in it, "The last time you gave me a glimpse of your memory telepathically, you had subconsciously shared your own emotion as well. I'm not sure how it works, but I just felt something like an empathy link between us then." I didn't need telepathy when I saw his expression changed, he gasped, and his eyes was wide open. He scratched his chin. He must have not expected that his telepathy could share emotions too.
            Somehow, I'm feeling a little embarrassed.
             "I don't think you should be, wanting to protect your friends is something I admire about you, but frankly what I don't admire is the part about you being over protective with them."
            Foax found my words funny and he's not an easy person to get a laugh out. To think that anyone would think I'm being over protective, you might be the first person who would think so. 
            "I have a feeling that the other members of Class S would agree with me Foax, nevertheless I wish you could be less protective and act a little more like your age. Forcing yourself to be mature will just let you miss the simplest thing in life that helps us grow."
            If my actions look mature, then your words sound like an old hag’s. He said with a smirk. How rude of him! Even adding the age of my past life, I barely reach my 30s by now.
           So what do you want me to do?
            "What?"
            You said you're worried about me, but what exactly do you want me to do?
            I was still a little hesitant to speak my mind and it left me standing there in silence, but then I looked at him in the eye to affirm myself. "I do want you to stop harassing the teachers and try to understand other people. Don't coupe up with just your friends in that small class. Most of all, I want you to stop getting over yourself. You might think that everything will go your way, but at this rate your past actions will come to bite you back in the future." Foax made a huge sigh as he brushed his hair back with his fingers.
           Are you done with the lecture? He said with a bored tone. Considering his past actions, he might have gotten similar lectures from the teachers as well. I thought he would listen if I were to try talking to him, but I guess it wouldn't be that easy. I only came to ask how you were doing, not to be lectured so I'll be going now. 
            Foax turned his back on me and I began to feel flustered on how to convince him to stay and listen so I blurted out whatever came into my mind. "Is it because of Theresa that you are being this stubborn?" 
            Unexpectedly, Foax stopped from his track and I was relieved that I managed to get his attention. However, when I saw half of his face when he turned to look at me, a heavy chill ran down on my shoulder as if I had stepped into a land mine when I saw the angriest look he had ever given me. The face he made was as if he wanted to choke someone.
            Where did you hear that name? His cold voice rang inside my head and involuntarily had me gulped down my saliva. Becoming more irritated from my silence, he quickly came closer to me and slammed the wall behind, cornering me as a result. I don't care how you got to know that name, but don't you dare speak lightly when you don't know anything about me or what the people in this school are like! 
            The voice in my head was enough to made wince. I couldn't talk back because of the pressure his words were giving me. Most of all, even though I tried to speak up, my mouth was tightly shut, not moving as I wanted it to. I heard a soft whisper in my head telling me I was wrong and that I should follow his words. It was a weird sensation to me, but I had a hunch that something was messing with my mind. Foax then fell a foot away from me after being pulled away by someone, I looked to my side and was surprised to see Rick beside me.
            "I think you should calm down Foax, your ability usually goes berserk when you become emotional, especially when you're angry."
            Shut up! Do you think you know how I feel traitor! 

Traitor, I wonder what he is talking about?

           "I'm not saying I do, I'm saying you should keep your power in check, idiot."
            This doesn't concern you, so move!
            "Not until you control your temper."
             Don't give me orders, or are you going to do something if I don't listen to you?
            "As a matter of fact, I will." Rick held my shoulder and pulled me closer to his side. He was giving me a mischievous smile. It was already rare to see him smile, but to see him smiling like that! It made me awfully curious what he was about to do and Foax seemed to be concerned as well. Rick turned his face toward me and asked a sudden question, "Claudia, have you ever heard of Foax's name before?"
            "Yes, it's J Foax right?"
            "So you don't know what the initial J stands for?"
            ".... that’s true…I don’t know"
            "Do you want to know his full name?" he said while grinning. I’ve finally figured out what he meant when he continued without waiting for my answer. "You see, his name is..."
            STOP! A loud sound that could pop my ears out reverberated in my brain. I held onto my head as a strong attack of migraine struck me. I got it, I'll back off so don't you dare tell her my name!
             Wow, to make Foax this cornered just by his name, not only that, Foax's face went full red and it spread to his ear. He was gritting his teeth but with his glistened round eyes, he looked cute, and I never would have thought the day I’d think that he’s cute would come. It made me seriously curious on what kind of secret his name held. I looked at Foax's face, the cloud in his eyes were gone and instead he had a guilty look when he turned toward me. I'm sorry, I might have gone too far. 
            "No, I apologize as well. I touched a sensitive issue without considering how you felt." Foax didn't respond and just walked away without changing his expression. Feeling glad I had escaped from his angry grip. "Thank you for helping me Rick."
             "You don't really need to thank me, it became a habit because of how much you got into trouble so easily."
            "I have no excuse for that."
            "Also, I'm curious how you got to know that name?"
            "...a little bird told me" I tried smiling childishly as he gave me a dubious look with his eyebrows lifted and his mouth twitched for a moment. "Do you know her? Theresa, I mean."
            "Yes, she's my sister"
            "Ah, she's your sister" To have both of the Carlton Siblings in the S Class was quite a feat itself. I nodded at myself, having some grasp of the situation when I turned in surprised toward Rick.
             "YOU HAVE A SISTER?!"
             "That's a pretty delayed reaction."
             "More importantly, how come I've only heard about this?"
             "You've never asked, and it was not something you needed to know anyway, so I thought it was pointless to tell you"
             A sharp pang seemed to hit my chest as it tightened. "I see, is that how it is?" Rick looked at me strangely, noticing the heavy tone I used. I looked down at the ground, refusing to look up to him. I turned my feet away and started walking as fast as I could. "Hey wait, what's wrong?" Rick quickly blocked my path because of my unusual behavior. "Why should I tell? There was no reason to anyway" after saying similar words, I walked past him while hoping he didn't notice my face which was at the brick of crying.

Chapter 62: Witch Trial II

On one side, holding on to shields and weapons made of silver, on the other, people clad in dark blue robes and lightly dressed with no weapons in hand. Yet, with a flick of a finger and few spells, the rage of earth, water, fire, wind, spirits, and other absurd spells came flying at them. However, all those became useless under the strength of impure silver used for their weaponry. I was standing in a daze at the drastic change of scenery, I was then pushed aside and was late to realize an attack coming from behind me.           
             "Count yourself lucky that the plan still went well this time!" Merinda scolded me briefly, before she went off to fend off a pair of guards. "Thanks" I said on reflex. I looked around the chaos, somehow feeling exasperated knowing that we probably have all the church and government forces of the town mobilized here. We're attracting way too much attention.
            That was when I realized what the 'critical part' of this plan Merlin had mentioned before was.
            Could it be, we're here as a distraction while the other group tried freeing the sorcerers imprisoned here?
            As if on cue, a massive bang took our attention away, as an explosion had cleared half the building away. Just what happened, how much mana does someone need to get that much destructive power? The owl who watched over from afar before began to fly down toward us, it made a loud hoot before it changed into a human, before my very eyes,. "I think you look cuter as an owl." I said to Merlin. He laughed at my sarcasm, "I'm glad you like my other form, though it still reminds me to get angry at you, once this is finished for acting out on your own at that time."
            "Hey, I still haven't decided to join you, so technically I'm not obliged to follow your orders."
             "Yet that is." he said. Merlin then faced toward the archbishop, he had been on his butt, looking pale from disbelief at the riot caused by so many witches appearing in town. Merlin walked leisurely toward him, everyone was so preoccupied with their own fight that even as they fought chaotically, Merlin was able to walk through them as if they never existed on his path. The Archbishop began to tremble and couldn't properly get up as he dragged himself off the stage. He could have run away sooner, but he was too afraid to look away from Merlin. He felt if he did, he would be dead without himself noticing.
            "Guards, anyone, seize that man!" his words went unnoticed, the fight between the town's people and the witches had taken their attention, unable to look away for anything else. As the Archbishop spat a few curse words, Merlin had stood just an inch away from him. The Archbishop began to empathize the feeling of a frog being trapped by the gaze of a snake preying on him. "You...you Demons! How dare you enter this city and cause havoc here, God will pay you back for your sin!"
            Merlin couldn't help but chuckle at his words knowing his life was on a thin line, "You know, funny thing is, and even as you announce us heretics who denounce God, most sorcerers are actually more religious than you think. They may have a different belief, but just like you, they believe in the existence of beings more powerful than any other and that they are watching over all of us."
            "However, I for one, do not believe in God. If you, an Archbishop, thinks that God is all righteous and loves his followers, then don't you think you wouldn't need to worry if you die? Because I'm sure God will place you close to Him" Merlin bit his finger and as he outstretched his hand, his blood sword began to form. The Archbishop screamed but his voice died in the cry of fights around him.
             "Goodbye, Archbishop Kronberg"
               As Merlin was about to deal the fatal blow, someone jumped to his side and pulled him away from the spot. He acted instinctively and changed the direction of his blow to his side.  The blow was dodged, leaving his sword struck through the wooden stage. "What are you getting in my way for Claudia?"
             Merlin looks at me, unpleased with my actions.
            "You should be thanking me instead." I pointed at the arrow that was stuck between the Archbishop's feet. Cold sweat dropped from all three of us. I glared at the spot where I sensed the sniper was and use a spell that threw the pebbles used by the angry mob before, in a speed comparable to a bullet. Just as I suspected, he was hiding in one of the tower like building next to the court building. I aimed just above him so he would back off as the window collapsed. "You should be more wary, he is the archbishop, and do you think he would go completely unguarded even with your friends keeping the other soldiers busy."
           The Archbishop stood up in daze, but then put up a smug look knowing he had someone to protect him. He began to laugh even more when a man in armor came up to his side. He was wearing a full body armor, he had the shield with Mainz insignia on one hand and a spear at the other. Worst thing about him was, it's all made of silver.
            Not pure silver though, that would be a waste, they're mixed with other metals so even though it may have sounded unimpressive. It was actually harder to deal with materials made of mixed metals that included silver in it. Silver itself could become a great strength for sorcerers because of the high amount of mana it contained, but impure silver actually makes it harder for sorcerers to use and instead disturbed the mana flow around it.
            "Don't let your guard down, I'm sure he has other comrades, but seeing how he isn't worried despite only having one bodyguard coming for him means he has the strength to back up his confidence."
             "So it seems, isn't that interesting?" Merlin brandished his sword, the red blade gave him an ominous feeling as he backed it up with a penetrating look from his eyes that observed every muscle of his opponent. The guard must have felt the pressure as he changed his stance, ready to strike with his spear. "Listen Claudia," whispered Merlin, "on my signal, you will do as I say."
            Seeing the seriousness of the situation, I gulped down nervously and nodded at his words. "Good, then get ready" I channeled my mana throughout my body, ready to utter any spell as fast as I could to support him. "Get set" me and Merlin began to have a staring contest with the armored man, our time felt slower as the tension rose from each other’s slight movements which could trigger one of us to act. I prepared my heart for the signal as I waited, time felt so long that my finger started to itch. Finally, Merlin call out his signal in a voice that everyone could hear.
            "RETREAT!"
            The mana I prepared flowed uncontrollably, that a messed up spell came out, exploding the whole stage along and pushing me and Merlin away from it. I looked at him with disbelief, he raised all that tension and his making us retreat! Can't you try making the mood right for that?
            In the end, each of us triggered the bracelet that took us to each our escape point. I did the same. I did the same but I looked back at the woman being tied to the stake with her husband at his side, wiping away her tears and untying the ropes. Then, that same armor guard came toward them, he went up from the side and just when I was strike by a bad feeling, he lifted his spear aiming at the woman.
            "Claudia, what are you-" Merlin couldn't finish his words because just as he activates his bracelet and saw me running back as he was teleported. I wasn't thinking straight when I ran toward their side. I knew I wouldn't make it just by running so with the hopes of making it in time, I took whatever tools I had with me, put some mana into it, and threw it as hard as I can.
             The 'tool' I threw turned out to be my broom, it was enlarged because of the mana it had absorbed and it hit the side of the sword, and had accidentally cut away the rope that tied the woman's hand. I felt it was a stupid thing to do that I threw one of my escaping tools away but I couldn't think much at the moment. "What are you doing? You should know by now she's not a witch, she's just brainwash so she's innocent!" exclaimed the mayor as he put the woman in his arm, comforting her. Behind his armor mask, the man spoke to him, "Her mind has been contaminated with the witch's spell, who knows what she might do in the future and there's no telling that the spell has wear off. For the crime of getting tangled with witchcraft she will be executed." Again he tried lifting his spear at her. The sight of the spear about to take an innocent life in front of me drew out memories, the past yet painful memories that I didn't want to happen again.
             "I WON'T LET YOU!"I screamed out, and succumbed to my own emotion, I didn't care what I had to do. A few of the guards took action knowing I was the only witch left in this place, I started to put a wall between me and the couple. Rather than stopping me, I stole one of the guard's sword and jumped high and far enough for me to go between them and parry the guard's attack. "....impressive, not only could you parry my attacks, but you have the skill as well." he softly said under his breath. We back away for a few steps, our weapons still pointed at each other. "She's not a witch, nor is she being brainwash, she's just force to lie so she could escape from being tortured by that man!" I pointed toward the Archbishop with a blatant disgust when I did. The guard was silent, she thought he had made him hesitate, but instead he responded, "Why are you stating the obvious?"
            "Huh, you knew...she's not a witch?"
            "If she was then she would be chained rather than being tied up."
            I was unsure what to say, he knew...they all knew...yet they kept torturing the innocent until they confessed to being a witch, making them up as monsters as you people laugh and trample on us! My sword was clenched tighter, while things became worse, as I was surrounded from near and far by the guards. I have no intention of backing away, not when my blood boils for them. "You think you could play with other people's lives, I'll make you suffer how they have!"
             "Try it if you can little girl, your powers are useless against us, and you're outnumbered!"
             A smirk came across my face as he said that, you don't know what I'm capable of.