Vana's POV “I was joking but it turns out to be true,” Jerome commented, his shoulders slouching as he hears my words. “I think you should know by now how much I hate using my magic,” I said, gazing up at him. “I know that you hate using your magic, but I didn’t know that it could be to the point of not being able to do one of the basics,” Jerome argued, arms falling to his side. “Now you know,” I muttered, with a thin line on my face. “That would be a problem. Do you have an idea how to create an object with magic?” Yuna asked, a concerned face suddenly contorting on her face. “Nope. Well… Professor Zander did went over it, but I didn’t put it into practice,” I explained. “And knowing my control over my magic, I doubt I could pull it off successf

Vana's POV   “Here it goes,” I said.   I flipped the journal, skimming through its pages first before going back to the front page. From a quick scan, I noticed the messy yet organized writing style of Detective Clorence, written in black and red ink.   Journal entries were labelled with numbers and dates, some bulleted while others are in paragraphs. There were also a lot of sticky notes here and there, but I quickly ignored it as I go back to the front page of the journal.   A letter slips out between the pages of the journal as I flip through it, falling to the floor amidst my skimming of the journal. Yuna reacted as it falls, picking it up from the floor in no time to see who it came from. Jerome rushed between us with curiosity and desperation, peering over my shoulder.   “What did you see?” Jerome asked, eyes going back and forth between me and Yuna. <

Vana's POV “He killed his student,” Yuna muttered, her voice full of disdain against the truth.   The fact that Yuna mentioned sank into my bones as I realize how far the Chairman is willing to go to get what he wants. First, the Dragon Egg and the Igneus conspiracy. Now, the Serpent and Scorpion case. It makes me wonder if the two cases are connected after all.   Why would Chairman Zerondale want to be the Chairman so badly that he went as far as hurt his friends? To murder someone? Why would he go as far as steal the Dragon Egg?   I went back to the journal, eyes reading the next journal entry. It was the third entry in regard to the Serpent and Scorpion case. The journal entry was written two days after the second entry, and six days after the first entry.   The entry was short, with only the summarized version of what’s in store for us in the next page. Detective

Vana's POV   I paused for a moment to let the written words sink into my head. I remind myself that Chairman Zerondale and Detective Clorence are mentor and student. I had to remember that Chairman Zerondale is Detective Clorence’s mentor.   I’m sure the two had a close relationship; one that is filled with trust and memories. For Detective Clorence to say these words would be of great challenge. The fact that the Detective had the determination and conviction is what made me aspire to be him in the first place.   And the fact that he was willing to stop and apprehend his own teacher and mentor, is a heartbreaking thing to witness. Most especially, the feeling of being killed at the hands of your own teacher can feel worse than death. A nightmare I wish that I would never have to go through.   In silence, I flipped over to the next page, with Jerome and Yuna heaving breaths in a quie

Vana's POV   The carriage we rode on our way back to the capital past through the noble societal circle around the palace, driving through the main road where mansions and manors of the noble class were built. Elegant carriages and lavish-looking nobles trailed on the path and the sidewalk, living a whole different life from ours.   “It’s my first time in this part of the city,” I mumbled, taking in the noblesse scenery outside the carriage window.   “I’m rather over with it,” Yuna scowled, snarling as she glances at the window. “Outside these premises, people are suffering in poverty and survival, and yet these nobles are living as though none of those exists.”   “You’re a noble, too, though, right, Yuna?” Jerome pointed.   “I am, but unlike those ignorant fools, I know firsthand the reality of this world and this kingdom. I’ve seen it with my own eyes,” Yuna re