The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion

Chapter 16: Golden Scorpion

Jerome's POV

I rode the train for me to get to the city where my guild is located. It took me a couple of hours to arrive, passing by the capital’s train station before I arrive at my destination. The moon had blossomed from its sleep when I hopped out of the train, the station turning into an abandoned hall.

“Gramps would scold me, won’t he?” I mumbled to myself as I walk my way out of the station.

The station is only a couple of streets away from the main pavement that leads to our guild hall. The guild is located near the border of the city, away from the center of life in the city. I doubt the guild is not as lively as the city’s center. They’re certainly livelier.

The city lanterns and streetlights brimmed with life as the darkness envelop the nights. Stars twinkled above in the sky, next to the moon that shines it light on the ground. I paused for a second when I saw the open doors of the guildhall ahead, a shower of pristine light radiating from inside.

Its 10 in the night, and yet the guild is still alive and lively. I wonder if the news about the ship hostage case has reached their ears yet. The old man probably already heard of it by now, since he and Chairman Zerondale are close friends. Not to mention, I violated an academy rule.

I grunted, continuing to walk until I arrive past the gates of the guild’s property. The guildhall was built to replicate a manor, housing most of our guild members on its floors. The main hall consisted of a small lobby with a help desk; a bulletin board area next to the help desk; and a wide, open lounge hall.

The lounge hall served as the main lounge area of the guild, where most of the members gather. Couches and table sets scattered across the large room, lined in a lane in the room. On the center back of the hall is a small stage and a platform, a place for guild performers to play during their leisure.

On the left side of the lounge is where the bar and restaurant area of the guild, rows of wine and beer displayed on the glass cabinet behind the counter. The right side of the room leads to an open space, divided by a wall with multiple doorframes. It leads to the other rooms in the guildhall.

Fluorescent lights candled the place from ceiling to floor, with small chandeliers with fans swirling above us, brightening up the place like daytime. I planned to head straight to Gramps’ office before grabbing dinner, but my actions were stopped when I was noticed by the members.

“Oh ho, look who has arrived,” a man cheered from one of the couches, standing up as he greets me. “Welcome back, Jerome.”

I paused, turning my head to the direction it came from. “Lively as ever, Arthur,” I greeted back, making my way to his direction.

Arthur is a year older than me, who graduated from a nearby school instead of Jasper Academy. An old buddy I haven’t met for six whole months.

The other members turned to my direction as the mention of my name echoed in the hall. Smiles and loud voices greeted me while I stroll in the hall, lasting for a long while. Many of them complimented me and welcomed me back to the guild, some patting me on the shoulder and back.

It has been a while since I last been at the guild. Probably six months now, since our semester started. Being back gave me a nostalgic feeing in my chest. I smiled from ear to ear, delighted to be back once in a while. I missed the guild. And the guild misses me in return.

“Come have a seat. You must be tired from travelling,” Arthur called, patting the spot next to him.

Gramps can wait. I wanted to spend a little time and chat with the members for a while. I scoffed, walking over to the couch as I flop myself down on the spot. I slouched back, leaning on the back of the seat as I sigh with a small grin.

“It’s good to be back, guys,” I mused, smiling at them.

“We’re all glad to see you, but why are you’re here? It’s not your vacation, is it?” a woman behind me stated, leaning her face forward with her arms propped on the back of the couch. It was Cara. Short for Caratina.

“Gramps didn’t tell you?” I wondered, raising a brow at them.

“He only said you’d be coming home,” Cara replied, eyeing the others as she falls confused.

“I heard there was commotion on the harbor. Not part of it, are you?” Arthur mentioned, giving me a suspicious side glance.

“Well… about that…” I hesitated, averting away my gaze as I avoid the subject. If the old man chose to keep it to himself and stay silent about it, then it would probably be best to not mention a word about it either.

Rumor will wind up here in the guild soon. Until then, I’ll wait for Gramps’ signal to explain it to them.

“Anyways, where’s Gramps?” I asked, swaying away from the subject. “I have something important to talk to him with.”

Arthur stared at me for a minute, his eyes bearing at me with suspicion and deceit. “I’ll let you slide for now. Master Ashmere is in his office waiting for you,” Arthur answered, leaning back on his seat.

“Okay, thanks,” I said, standing up from the couch as I slip out of the area. “I better go talk to him now and show myself before he gets angry.”

“What did you even do in the first place?” Cara snarled, leaning back as she crosses her arms against her chest.

“Whatever it is, you should come back alive. He has quite the temper this afternoon,” Arrthur reminded, sending me chills down my spine. I won’t be spared, huh?

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said, waving a hand at them as I make my way to the right, heading to the second floor of the guild hall.

The stairs were located on the open space on the right side of the hall. The grand stairwell spiraled on the center back of the room, leading to the second floor inside balcony. I made my way up, disappearing from the lively and cheerful crowd, up to the silent hallway filled with framed guild memorabilia and paintings.

Grandpa’s office is located three rooms away form the top of the stairs, having only the double doors in the entire floor. I halted in front of the door, knocking as I take a deep breath and prepare myself to be bombarded with questions.

Should I get ready to run?

Silence greeted me after the knock, a cold shiver running down my skin. He’s annoyed. Clearly, sine he would usually reply to my bocks instead of ignoring it. Maybe I should have brought a souvenir on the way back.

I pursed my lips, gulping as I took the handle of the door, twisting it. The door creaked as I slowly pull it open, peeking inside to search for Gramps. I glanced inside for a second, startling myself when I saw him sitting maliciously on his office chair.

By reflex, I instinctively closed the door shut, shivers running on my back. I shuddered, frozen in place as my hand flinched.

“Jerome, come in and have a seat. I believe we have a lot to talk about, my dear grandson,” the old man muttered, his tone grim and cold, making me flinch to the bones.

I gulped, nervously creaking the door open again. I stepped inside the room, closing the door behind me with my head lowered to the ground. Gramps—or old man which I usually call him—is the Master of our guild.

The Master of Golden Scorpion, Master Ashmere Gallamon, who also turns out to be my grandfather.

I walked forward to his table, glancing at the old man. I looked up, only to find him glowering at me with irritated, grim eyes. A thin line form in my lips, disappearing immediately as I felt the ominous air around me.

“Take a seat,” Gramps demanded. I listened, sitting down on a chair next to his desk. Master Ashmere sighed in exasperation, massaging his temples out of stress. “What shall I do with you, child?” he murmured.

“Chairman Zerondale told you everything, didn’t he?” I wondered, daring to speak despite his annoyance.

“Of course, he told me everything!” he blared out of annoyance, retreating himself right away as he falls to his seat, slumping. “Including how you saved a ship of passengers and snuck out of the academy.”

“I’m sorry…” I apologized, the words slipping out of my mouth automatically.

“I am proud of you putting your magic and skills to work, and miraculously saving a ship. But I am a bit upset of you breaking the academy rules.” Gramps stated, sighing again, but more on the relieved side. “Why did you do it?”

“Do what?”

“Snuck out of the academy.”

“To take a break from everything?”

“What?”

“Nothing. Forget it. I just got bored, that’s all. I’ve been dying to do something to the point that my hands are fidgeting on its own,” I said, complaining.

The glower in his eyes slowly dissipated, the air changing into a warmer and lighter atmosphere. I kept my head low, feeling disgraceful for what I’ve done. I regret it, if not for the incident on the ship, I would have been expelled without any remorse.

Unlike Vana, unfortunately, I have no valid excuse for leaving. She wanted to quit school, I only wanted vacation. My excuse is only a little break. On the other hand, that girl wanted to leave with the intention of being expelled on purpose, which she later regretted as well.

“What’s important is that you are safe, and those terrorists are stopped. I can’t believe the business tycoon of our era plans to terrorize the continent. Does the Dark War not taught him anything?” the old man assured, stating his comment on the case.

“I’m really sorry. I don’t know what had gotten into me for leaving the academy,” I apologized again, dreadful of my actions. “I promise it won’t happen again.”

“As long as you’re reflecting on it. And I can’t blame you either. The academy puts a lot of pressure to students who are in higher class level. Nobility and high society pressures aren’t even added to that,” he scoffed, reaching to me as he pats me in the shoulder. “Come here.”

He opened his arms like those of wings, inviting me for a hug. I smiled, standing up as I give Gramps a warm embrace. I wrapped my arms around him, setting my head on top of his shoulder.

“I miss you, old man,” I mumbled, chuckling.

“How many times do I have to remind you to call me Grandpa,”

“Yes, yes… Gramps,”

“You—”

I laughed, teasing him as I finally settled back in my seat. Being away from your home does some stuff to your brain. It felt like a jetlag, trying to let my mind sink into the fact that I am back after a while.

“Oh, did Chairman Zerondale told you that we’ll be sent to a mission?” I asked, wondering if he knows about it.

“Yeah, he told me it’ll be your punishment instead of being expelled. But, why the ‘we’?” he wondered. He doesn’t know about Vana?

My brows furrowed. “You didn’t know that I worked with another student?” I scowled.

“You worked with another student? You have an accomplice?” Gramps howled.

“No!” I bawled. Why did Chairman Zerondale leave Vana’s part in the story? Did he leave it out because she’s from Green Serpent? Is that it? “She’s not an accomplice. She’s just someone who also snuck out of the academy and had the same unfortunate situation as me.”

“So, it’s a girl. Who is it?” the old man grinned, curious.

I growled, grunting as I remember her. “Vana. Vana Farasol. One of my classmates in some of my classes. And, surely from the mention of her name, you know what guild she is from,” I answered, unenthusiastic about talking about her.

“Storm Farasol’s younger sister. Yes, I’ve heard of her. She’s with you in your mission?” Gramps mumbled with a troubled look.

I nodded. “You know her?” I wondered, curious to what the old man knows about the girl.

If it’s about Green Serpent, Gramps’ enthusiasm on the subject will drop drastically. But the mention of Vana’s name, who is a member of Green Serpent, didn’t seem to upset him in any way. Rather, he looked concerned and troubled, like it bothered him.

Despite being in a rival guild, Vana piqued my interest ever since she solved the mastermind of the ship incident. She was known to be a B-class wizard, but in actuality, she’s an A-class level. She has potential that has never been released or revealed.

A diamond in the rough.

It makes me curious about her and her story. After all, she snapped at me earlier before we were brought to face the deans. I know I shouldn’t be involved with her. I know I should not have any interest to someone from our rival guild.

And yet I am interested to learn more about her. There’s just something about her that is different from the other Green Serpent members I’ve met before. No, she and her brother are different from the rest of Green Serpent.

And I am not sure why.

“The tragedy in Storm and Vana’s family, do you know about it?” Gramps asked, raising an eye at me.

“No… why?”

“Would you like to hear about it?”