Jerome's POV
“No, please, stop!” I heard Vana’s scream, turning around to find her down on her knees with her magic brewing above us.
The man who beat me up and nearly tortured us with a knife stood in front of Vana, watching her with a wide, psychotic smile in his lips. My eyes landed back to Vana, baffled at what’s happening. Vana looks as if she’s in pain, a dreadful look painted on her face.
I was caught off guard as one of Chairman Zerondale’s goons ambushed me from behind. He managed to throw a fist at me, only to be thrown to the ground by my magic. His fist was inches away from me, and with a quick flick of my fingers and a command in my magic, he was sent flying to the ground.
I returned my attention to Vana as I make sure there are no more goons around. I gritted my teeth, enraged as I saw the psychotic man take a few steps away from Vana. He still has the same misc
Vana's POV “You did. I told you, you can control your magic,” I stated with a proud smile. Pain struck me as the bruises and cuts sent a throbbing ache and sharp pain across my entire body. My upper body nearly collapsed, propping my elbow and hand on the ground to stabilize my balance. That was close. Vana moved by instinct as she tries to catch my weight, a worried look plastered on her face. I grunted, groaning as the pain in my back sent a wincing ache down my spine. I cursed, breathing heavily. Vana leaned closer to check my condition, eyes in tears again. “I’m sorry, Jerome. I’m so sorry,” she apologized frantically. “Apology accepted and its not really needed. You should wide your tears and help me on my feet. We still need to escape and head back to the guild,” I said, imploring our main task. Vana pulled herself together
Vana's POV The palace guards may be vigilant and skilled, but Zerondale isn’t born yesterday to not know their weaknesses and blindspots. Past midnight is the time where these guards began to grow sleepy and tired. The time Zerondale used to easily pass them as he sneaks his way within the palace walls. As the Chairman of Ashern in the Magic Council, he has enough authority and power to enter the palace walls at night without being questioned by anyone. He has an office inside, in the same palace where the royal family resides. A wing of his own within the royal palace. He had two offices: the one in the royal palace and the other in the Magic Council’s tower at Jasper Academy. His reasons for the late visit to his office brought questions to everyone he passed by, but none of them thought of asking him. All of them just assumed he was there for a magic administration reason.
Vana's POV I dropped the communication lacrima out of my hand, my face pale as Yuna’s words ran through my head. The lacrima was caught by Storm with one hand, his face having an unreadable expression after hearing the news. We were gathered in Jerome’s room after Yuna messaged Jerome to meet up with the Shadows. He hasn’t fully recovered from his beating yet, but most of his bruises are healing. Professor Zander was also with us, standing abruptly on his seat. Everyone one of us had our jaws dropped to the ground, a shocked and distressing look plastered in our eyes and face. My eyes glanced at Jerome, and we both exchanged a horrified gaze. “Gregory is dead… our king is dead…” Professor Zander mumbled in disbelief, dread gnawing in his eyes. “He was found in his chambers this morning, bearing two stabs in his chest. One of the stabs is the same size a
3rd POVGregory’s bloodied body drove Yuna into a corner after witnessing the crime scene inside his room. Yuna’s face went pale, horrified and alarmed. Her knees collapsed at the doorframe, in disbelief and misery.The king is dead. Her master is dead. Her friend is dead. Gregory is dead.The investigators gathered around the king’s body, sealing the place as the investigation takes place. Gregory’s body was found by dawn after a servant came to prepare the king for the day Yuna arrived only a few minutes after that.Yuna broke down into tears, biting her lip down as frustration, anger, and sadness build inside her. She had to pull herself together until the royal investigation team arrive, and now that they have, Yuna’s walls finally crumbled.She was frustrated at the killer, knowing it was Chairman Zerondale; she was angry at her
Vana's POV“It’s time,” Jerome mumbled as we hear the door of the dungeon open again.I was staring at the corner of our cell, lost in thought ever since Lady Ailima left a few minutes ago. My mind was unable to wrap itself on our crisis. That today will be the day we will be executed and beheaded in front of all the people of Ashern.I clucked my tongue out of dismay and emptiness, blaming the now Prime Minster Zerondale for all of this. I’m certain this isn’t his plan when he thought of stealing the throne. He took advantage of us; of our weak presence and fragile organization, hitting two birds with one stone.From the start, the Shadows were never strong enough to defeat Chairman Zerondale even if we have the king on our side. We lack presence and strength. We lack power and number.The cell door squealed open as two royal guards
Vana's POV“You can rest easy now. We’ll take care of the rest.”“We can’t rest yet. Not when Gregory is in danger and the end is near,” I insisted, lifting my eyes at them. I stood up from my seat, taking the tray of food in my lap to the table near the room’s door.Gregory’s brows furrowed, arms crossing against his chest. “Me in danger? What do you mean?” he asked, confused.“I think it would be better to explain it than watching that agonizing video recording, unless you want to be disturbed by it,” I implored. “Is it alright if Master Ashmere leaves for a while? The Shadows need an emergency meeting.”Jerome and Master Ashmere exchanged glances, Jerome assuring his grandfather that he’ll be alright. Master Ashmere left the room, closing the door as the six of us stayed
Vana's POV “There’s… something… I need… to tell you… about your father’s… death…” Cold sweat dripped down the side of my forehead, giving Jerome a side eye. His mother totally heard our conversation, and if she wants to talk about Mr. Randwin’s death, it meant only one thing. Ms. Alicia heard who the real killer is. “T-then, pardon us…” Gregory forfeited, scooting over to the side as he takes his exit. Yuna followed him with a light greeting towards Ms. Alicia. Professor Zander’s lip plastered a thin line, his gaze giving us that “good luck” look. He left, and was followed by Storm’s departure, who only gave Ms. Alicia a light nod and a quick glance. He seriously has no manners. “I-I’ll take my leave as well and rest in another room,” I fretted, standing up my seat to also head out. Jerome grabbed my hand to halt me on my tracks,
3rd POVThe halls of Jasper Academy remained peaceful as the new academic year began. It won’t be long for Professor Zander to be asked to return to the academy, having to start teaching his new students. Unfortunately, he’s still in the middle of a mission.He made it an excuse that he’ll be having orientations with his new class, hiding his main objective of heading to the Magic Council Tower. Gregory already made arrangements with Angela about the Special Unit helping them, requesting Angela’s mother, Chairwoman Iris, to access the tower.Professor Zander lurked around the hallways near the Magic Council Tower, observing the people entering in and out of the tower. In the few minutes of his observation, only Chairwoman Iris entered the tower, with none of her assistants following her inside.It was the signal he’d been waiting for; one that Angela and Gregory menti
Vana's POV“I do. I plan to return to Ashern after I graduate. I also plan to publicly leave the Shadows and remain its member in the dark. Then, I’ll open my own detective agency—”“You’re opening your own agency!” Jerome exclaimed, slamming his hands on the table, which startled me. “Seriously?”“Y-yes?” I stammered, bewildered. “Something wrong with it?”“Not really, but you’re going to do that alone?” Jerome scowled.“No, why do you think I’m telling it to you?”“It’s not what I think, is it?”“More or less. It’s what I need your opinion—or your answer, in this case. I can’t do it alone, and that’s a fact. That’s why, if you would like, I would like to have a partnersh
Vana's POVI stared in front of Green Serpent’s guildhall as I arrive at their doorsteps, contemplating myself. I gulped, pursing my lips as I hesitate to take a step forward. Maybe it’s a wrong idea to be here.The last time I stepped foot in this place was when I left the guild. Since then, I never tried or dared to return or join any other guild. I have other plans for the future. None of them includes joining another guild, even if it is Golden Scorpion.“Vana, I thought you wouldn’t arrive,” a voice called, and I turned to face who it was. Cara plastered a smile on her face as she came up to me, her hair flailing on her bare shoulders.“Good afternoon, Cara,” I greeted with a thin line on my face.“Why haven’t you entered?” she wondered.“Well…” I hesitated, gla
Vana's POV9 months laterI got off the train with my suitcase rolling on the ground, lifting my hands up in the air as the sun beamed above me. It’s been six months since the last time I was in Auregon. It’s been nine months since the Case of the Serpent and Scorpion came to an end.Many things happened in the past nine months. Many to be even count in my hands. I don’t even know where to start. After Chairman Zerondale’s arrest, he was jailed in the palace dungeons and was investigated for nearly a whole month by the royal investigators.He was put in trial the following month after the investigation, with all the charges we filed to him. It took almost two months for all his crimes to be verdicted, and in the end, he was sentenced to death.Lifetime of servitude or liftetime in prison wasn’t enough of a verdict for all
Vana's POV“You’re right. I made a mistake… a lot more than I could have ever imagined,” Master Sergis agreed, muttering.I flinched, my head tilting down at Master Sergis’ direction. His hands crumpled the letter, staring at it with his teeth gritting. A regretful gaze flickered in his eyes, raising it up at the ice wall’s direction.“From the beginning, I should have known something is going on when Zerondale enticed me against Ashemre. I should have… noticed that he fabricated it all,” he admitted, his voice full of sorrow and regret.“I knew Ashmere wasn’t that kind of person, and my wife would never betray me like that,” he mentioned, pertaining to the conversation between Ms. Madison and Master Ashmere that led to a cheating misunderstanding.“I should have… listened to t
Vana's POV“And I have the evidence to prove it,” I boasted.Heads turned and raised up at me as I yell, jaws dropped and irritated looks carved out of their faces. I stood in front of them with my back straight, breath hitching as my actions sink into my head.What in the magic did I just do?“Now you’ve done it…” Jerome mumbled with a sigh next to me.Not only did I used my magic arbitrarily and unexpectedly, but I also revealed the journal right from the start without any prior explanation. It’s already a mess, and I think I only made things messier.“How are the two of you even here? Aren’t you supposed to be executed?” Master Sergis asked in a shout. “Wha—how—” That is exactly the reason why things got complicated.It was surprising
Vana's POV“Case closed…” I mumbled with an unsettling feeling in my chest.“Vana, are you okay?” Jerome asked as he ran towards me in concern.I blinked, flustered as Jerome took my hand as soon as he knelt next to me. My eyes widened, but I remained composed as I pick myself up. “I’m… fine. I just… felt underwhelmed by everything,” I said, standing up from my spot.A soft smile curled up my lips as I assure him. He held my hand gently and we walked down from the stage. The chaos was all over the place, but my gaze fixated on Jerome as we head down the stage together.I followed him from behind, my eyes going back and forth between his back and his bleeding hands that held mine. I paused on my step, unable to stop the urge to speak.“Are you satisfied? About your revenge?&r
Vana's POV“Do you see it now? We lured you in a trap, Chairman Zerondale. Do you think I would be stupid enough not to realize that you were planning to assassinate the king?” I stated, a smirk plastered on my face.Chairman Zerondale stepped back, horror and fury stirring in his eyes. His jaw clenched, gritting his teeth with his eyes glaring at me. The Shadows surrounded him at the back center of the platform, our weapons drawn.“You can’t run away from your crimes forever, Chairman Zerondae. It’s time for you to face it,” Jerome said, taking a step forward.A sharp curve cured on Chairman Zerondale’s lips, a hysteric laugh leaving his mouth. He laughed out loud, a grim atmosphere emitting out in the air. He raised his eyes at us, a grim smile plastered on his face.“You can arrest me all you want, but I will alw
Vana's POV“Can you do it?” I asked Gregory as I roam inside his room.Gregory, Jerome, and I gathered inside his chambers to cast the illusion spell as part of our trap against Chairman Zerondale. Thanks to the information Professor Zander provided from the Magic Council Tower, and with a bit of calculation, inferencing, and assumptions, we narrowed down the day the Chairman would assassinate the king.“Shall we start then?” Gregory implored, standing at the center of his chambers.He glanced at me, gesturing for me to move out of the room as he prepares himself to cast the spell. Jerome observed the scene from outside of the room, leaning against the doorframe with his injured body covered with gauze.It hasn’t been a week since we were treated, and his bruises aren’t healed with magic either.I moved ove
3rd POVThe halls of Jasper Academy remained peaceful as the new academic year began. It won’t be long for Professor Zander to be asked to return to the academy, having to start teaching his new students. Unfortunately, he’s still in the middle of a mission.He made it an excuse that he’ll be having orientations with his new class, hiding his main objective of heading to the Magic Council Tower. Gregory already made arrangements with Angela about the Special Unit helping them, requesting Angela’s mother, Chairwoman Iris, to access the tower.Professor Zander lurked around the hallways near the Magic Council Tower, observing the people entering in and out of the tower. In the few minutes of his observation, only Chairwoman Iris entered the tower, with none of her assistants following her inside.It was the signal he’d been waiting for; one that Angela and Gregory menti