Mayhem
Chapter 7. The Dark Prince: Dawn. Part 2
The next day, I went to school as if nothing had happened. Already on the way, I caught glances from some students.
Entering the classroom, I immediately noticed that sheets with the results of yesterday's tests were posted on the board. As expected, I scored the maximum points in all subjects. Second place was taken by Kair — he was only slightly behind.
By the way, about Kair: he and his friends were unusually quiet today and tried not to draw attention to themselves.
After some time, teacher Erwin entered the class.
Everyone took their seats.
—Good morning. Starting today, full lessons begin. You can view your test results here, — he said, pointing to the board behind him.
At that moment, the classroom door swung open sharply, and a guy with light hair ran in. He hesitated for a second, then squeezed out:
—Sorry for being late, — and quickly sat in his seat.
The teacher didn't react to it in any way.
—And also, — continued Erwin. —I forgot to say yesterday: the class president and assistant are appointed temporarily. Consider this a trial period. In a month, we will hold a re-election, — he added, looking at me and Kair.
He made a short pause, and then said:
—Toren Hager and Emil Crawford must report to the director's office after classes. Have a good day everyone.
With those words, he left the classroom.
It would be naive to assume that yesterday's situation wouldn't reach the director.
Lessons started at nine in the morning. From twelve to one there was a lunch break, and from one to three — the remaining classes.
Surprisingly, despite the elite status of the school, the curriculum didn't seem particularly difficult.
Though, perhaps, that's only for me.
At lunch, I went to the cafeteria. I didn't have any friends in this school yet, except for Emilia. So I expected to sit alone. But unexpectedly, Kair and Emil sat down with me.
—Hi, — I said.
—Hi, — Kair nodded. —Emil wants to say something to you.
—Forgive me, please, — Emil said and bowed slightly. —Yesterday I was drunk and didn't realize what I was doing. I'm not usually like that.
His words conveyed guilt, but I didn't see sincerity. I didn't make a big deal out of it.
—I understand. Everyone has moments like that, — I replied. —So it's nothing serious.
—Thanks, — Emil said.
—Listen, you're cool, — Kair said. —Maximum points in all subjects, a pretty strong mage, and you even have a beautiful girlfriend. I should learn from you.
—You study well yourself, — I replied. —You're not far behind me. Do you have magic?
—I have magic, but I'm a pretty mediocre mage, — he replied. —I definitely can't neutralize others' magic as easily as you.
—I'm not as strong as I seem, — I said.
—You're being modest, — Kair replied.
I had no desire to talk to them. I quickly finished my food and left the cafeteria.
I went into the school bathroom and saw teacher Erwin. He was casually standing there smoking a cigarette.
I nodded to him but said nothing. After doing my business, I washed my hands and was about to leave.
—Wait, — he called to me. —Only the second day of school, and you're already on everyone's lips.
—I didn't plan that, — I replied. —By the way, it's better not to smoke on school grounds. You're setting a bad example for the students.
—These students don't care about me, — he replied calmly. —Here, either very talented kids study, or children of very influential and rich parents.
—That's no excuse, — I said. —And anyway, why would such a strong mage work as an ordinary teacher?
In fact, I knew him from before. Erwin Merstone is a professional agent and one of the strongest mages in the empire. He taught me magic control when I was studying at the closed academy.
He threw the cigarette into the urn.
—In recent years, too many interesting students have appeared, — he said. —I'll be helping Professor Grimvale keep an eye on the school.
Professor Garrett Grimvale is the director of our school and, concurrently, the strongest mage in the empire.
—I doubt Professor Grimvale needs an assistant, — I replied.
—You're overestimating him, — Erwin said. —He's already quite old. I need to gain experience. Most likely, in the future, I'll have to replace him.
That made sense. If anyone could become the next strongest mage in the empire, it was Erwin Merstone.
The high school named after Artoria Montana is an elite educational institution where the most gifted children from across the empire gather. Among them are many strong mages, and to keep them under control, the school needs a director with absolute authority. That's why for more than a century, this position has been held by the strongest mage in the empire. With so many talents in one place, no one else could simply handle it.
—Okay, — I said. —In any case, it's none of my business.
I turned around and headed back to class.
I sat through the remaining lessons and was about to go to the dormitory, but then remembered that I needed to go to the director. At that very moment, Emil called out to me from behind:
—Hey, where are you going? We need to go to the director's office, — he said. —We're both at fault, so don't try to run away.
I looked back.
—Actually, you're the only one at fault in all this, — I replied.
—That doesn't matter, — he said. —You can't just ignore the director. It's Garrett Grimvale himself.
—Fine, let's go, — I said, exhaling discontentedly.
I don't know why I said that. I was going anyway. But, to be honest, sometimes I like playing the role of the victim. And sometimes I love making up sad stories in my head and feeling sad, imagining myself in the place of those heroes. It sounds strange, but I love feeling sad. Maybe that's normal. Or maybe I just have some psychological issues.
While I was lost in my thoughts, we had already reached the director's office.
—Toren, knock, — Emil whispered.
—Are you scared? — I smirked.
—No, of course not. What makes you think that? — he continued whispering.
—Then why are you whispering?
—What's it to you, — he whispered irritably. —Just knock.
—Okay.
I knocked.
At the same second, the door opened. No one opened it; it opened by itself. For me, this was ordinary, but the director clearly knew how to make an impressive effect on students.
We entered.
The office was spacious. The light was dimmed. Everywhere stood old-looking magical items. The director was sitting at his desk. His face was covered in wrinkles, and his long hair and beard were completely gray. Opposite him, Emilia was already sitting.
—Have a seat, — the director said in a calm voice.
We sat down.
Emilia smiled and waved slightly at me.
I waved back.
Three plates, three cups, and a teapot slowly flew toward us. The plates carefully landed in front of each of us, and the cups settled on them. Suddenly, two sugar cubes flew toward each of us from behind.
Emilia and I managed to dodge.
But Emil didn't; the sugar cubes hit him on the head, and only then fell into the cup anyway.
The teapot poured us tea.
Ordinary telekinesis. For strong mages, there's nothing special about it. But, to be honest, it still looked impressive.
—Well then, — said Professor Grimvale. —Let's talk.