Vana's POV
“That’s it?” I wondered, slightly annoyed at how things are ending.
“What?” the Chairman said in surprise.
“That’s it? No seeing the end results of the mission. No other loose ends. Just a mission and an unexpected investigation,” I scowled in irritation.
“Something wrong with that? Don’t you want to get back to the academy?” Jerome asked, raising a brow at me in astoundment.
I do wish I can go back to the academy soon, but not everything in this situation sits right with me. Especially not in our mission and that robbery case. I have a feeling that something intentional is at play and I can’t quite put my fingers around it yet.
All I know is something else behind the scenes.
“Is there something you want to say, Vana?” Ms. Angel
Jerome's POV“Because I believe this would change everything between us; and everything we believed about our guilds,” Vana stated.“Excuse me? Pardon?” I scoffed, staring at Vana with confusion and spite.First of all, I don’t even know where she got these letters from. I’m not stupid enough to fall for a trick she may or may not have come up with. And how in the world did she got her hands on these letters?“Just—” she said, cutting herself off as she scratches the back of her head. “Just read it. You’ll understand what I’m trying to say once you do,” she said, persuading me. “How can I understand when I have no idea what I’m getting myself into? Vana is telling me that the contents of this letter changes everything between us. There is nothing between us. She said it&rsq
Vana's POV“I knew I could count on you. Let me introduce myself again to you, may I? I’m Vana Farasol,” she mused, grinning. “It’s a pleasure to work with you.”Jerome stood blank and in awe after I reintroduce myself. I smirked, letting him know that the person he’ll be working with is not someone from a rival guild, but a girl with aspirations of being a detective.It would be better if he thinks of me that way. A girl, a classmate, a schoolmate, a junior detective. Anything, as long as he wouldn’t think of me as someone that is a member of the Green Serpent.“Did you have to reintroduce yourself?” Jerome wondered, baffled.“We started off on the wrong foot, might as well restart since we’ll be working together,” I mused.A small smile flickered on his lips. &ldq
Vana's POVMy heart pounded as the ship finally docks, my chest drumming against my ears. The deans are not the reason for my nervousness, it’s those S-class students that gathered to welcome Jerome. S-class students in the academy are notorious for their authority and power over lower class levels, to the point that even the faculty is overlooking their behavior.“You hate our presence that much?” Jerome wondered without glancing at my direction, reading my mind.“Yeah… it’s frightening,” I admitted with a wry smile.The plank fell on the dock, creating a bridge between the dock and the ship. I froze on my spot, intimidated by the pressure coming from the S-class wizards. I could feel them staring—if not glaring—at my direction.They are probably wondering why a B-class student like me is doing with the most p
Vana's POV“Jamra, you better have an explanation to this,” I said, lips quivering.The lounge is cluttered with broken furniture, every item made of glass or porcelain shattered on the floor. The sofa’s cushions were ripped into shreds, cotton flying out of the cuts. The walls were painted in splashes of colors, ruining the plain color of it.I clenched my fist as soon as the situation sunk in my head, gritting my teeth as a glare form in my eyes. I don’t need to ask who did this mess, it’s obvious who the culprits are. No wonder there’s no students lingering around our hallway; they’re scared of being a target.“Since when did this start?” I asked, my voice grim.Jamra flinched out of fright, lowering her gaze down. “Since you were gone,” she answered.I bit my lip, cursing u
Vana's POVI cussed in a whisper under my breath as I head back to the dormitory, grabbing my sickles from our room. I wrapped the belt strap with the holsters of my weapon on my waist, before leaving and heading to the cafeteria in the basement floor of the dormitory building.Instead of going through the castle building, I chose to cross the welcome plaza to head to the west bridge where the training grounds and facilities are. I finished the food at the entrance of the training ground, peeking inside to search for Professor Zander.The training grounds were constructed to have a rounded shape, with high dome ceilings, and covered with a later of magic barrier. Each training ground can hold up to ten students at a time, with its vast space and sky ceilings serving as a small space for their personal training.Training grounds aren’t equipped with certain training, magic, and
Jerome's POV “Professor, are you here—Geh!” I exclaimed, finding Professor Zander slumped down on one of the benches inside the training ground. I startled myself after seeing him in such a state, accidentally slamming the door on the wall. I just arrived after sneaking away from the S-class goons, and I cam here only to find Professor Zander glooming in distress. What the heck, what happened to him? “Uh… Professor, what are you doing?” I asked, approaching him as I scratch the back of my head. Professor’s head was laid low, elbows propped on his knees as if he’s grieving. “Contemplating my life choices,” he said, looking down on the ground. “I don’t know if you know, but a student of mine is suffering from bullying, and I can’t do anything to help that person.” I raised a brow at him. He’s acting like the world is falling apart because of his bullied student. But, if I remember correctly, the students he personally train are only S-class students. And none of us in the S-class a
Vana's POV I made haste as I head to Professor Zander’s training ground, leaving the guidance office as soon as I can. I’d rather study and be taught by Professor Zander than be stuck getting lectured by Professor Isla inside the guidance office. Jerome also looked to be in a hurry as he went away and out of the room before I could stand up from my seat. He hates the lectures more than I do. He probably prefers Professor Zander’s study session that this as well, since he also have those for a week. I arrived at the training ground in time, not bothering bringing my weapons nor changing into my battle uniform. I won’t be training for a week so I might as well skip the whole “changing into battle gears” thing. I entered inside the training ground, halting in my step as my eyes caught glimpse of Jerome from a distant. I blinked. Why is Jerome here? He was seated on the bench and
Vana's POV Ever since Jerome and I got our joint-study room passes, both of us have yet to managed to secretly meet. That was because of our schedules not lining or matching up for two weeks. Most of our days were spent in training and studying, with both of us rushing to finish our schoolworks that we were unable to accomplish while we were away from our mission. There were also the preparations for the graduation ceremony and graduation ball. It makes things extremely difficult for us to find time to meet for at least an hour or 10 minutes. Thankfully, we managed to get a free time in the third week, using our time with Professor Zander to head to the library and check out the joint-study room. My footsteps clang against the floor as I stroll down the halls of the library. I navigated my way through the halls of books, an assortment of titles lined up on each shelf. I located the wing whe
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