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2024-10-29 19:42:56Jerome's POV
I went back to the crime scene after I concluded my conversation with Vana, identifying the next step in solving the case. Loud noises echoed from the room of the crime, followed by a familiar voice of a person shouting. Oh, it took him some time to trespass into the crime scene.
“I can’t believe this. How can a victim of bullying be the person you’d suspect the most?” Professor Zander bawled, his voice booming across the hallway.
I halted outside of the room, stopping in front of the door as I observe Professor Zander and Mr. Reiki march towards His Majesty and Mr. Claude. Professor Zander pushed his glasses back against his nose, crumpled as he glares at the authorities present in the room.
“Since when did they arrive?” I asked.
“Just now, while you were busy talking to Vana,” Ezra answered. “I still can’t believe that Vana is Professor Z
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The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 77: Tracing Blood
Jerome's POV “A dagger. A bloody dagger,” I muttered. I chortled, bursting into hysteria. This is madness. To think that the killer hid their tracks inside the same room they committed the crime. I’m starting to think that the murderer is not intelligent enough. Inside the bottom drawer, was where the murder weapon was hidden. The dagger used to kill the sisters is inside the bottom drawer, covered in blood. And I’m positive that even the murderer’s fingerprints are also in that dagger. The dagger was covered with a white cloth, that was also probably used to wipe the blood that dripped to the floor. The cloth was soaked in blood, dyed in red from so much blood. I dared not to touch the weapon yet, waiting for Professor Zander to approach and see it for himself. The dagger was identical to the dagger Vana is carrying, with the only difference being the
The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 78: Dove
Vana's POV Jerome’s footsteps disappeared as he walks away after our conversation, the sound lingering in my ear. I lean against the door, taking in the remains of his presence outside the room. Never in my life have I thought that I would be so comforted by the presence of a guy I don’t consider as my friend or family. It felt weird. Strange. The thought of it etched on my mind, sending a tremor on my stomach. I know I should never rely on just anyone. And I’m aware that I shouldn’t trust anyone blindly for them to prove my innocence. I know all of those things, and yet… I… I trust Jerome and believe he’ll get me out of this mess. But that doesn’t mean I’d sit here and do nothing. I turned to face the door, leaning my forehead against it. I heaved a deep breath, knocking my head against the door to knock some senses into my brain. I closed my eyes for
The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 79: The Familiar
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Vana's POV “There’s aura and magic inside. And it points us directly to the murderer,” I said, turning my head to their direction. “There’s aura and magic inside the room?” Jerome bawled, stepping inside the room in haste. He circled around the couch, face perking in a different direction in hopes to sniff out the aura and magic I was talking about. I rolled my eyes at him, entering the room with Agusto the Dove still wrapped around my arm. And with the gouged eye still resting on my palm. “Maybe you should take that thing off of your hand, Vana,” Professor Zander suggested, walking closer as he takes the gouged eye from my hand. He squeezed the eye on his two fingers, placing it on his handkerchief. “I don’t sense anything, though,” Jerome commented, tilting to me with a baffled look. “Does it have anything to do with the heavy a
The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 81: Cinderella's Wrath
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The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 82: Third Case Closed
Vana's POV “I did it, knowing that you would figure out its me,” Jamra stated, taking me aback by her response. My guess was correct, and I feel relieved to know that. But there was a shattering noise that broke in my heart, a sadness that made me realize something. Jamra suffered just like me. We may have suffered differently. Our lives may have been miserable for different reasons, but it was what drove both of us to be friends. It’s like a magnet, pulling us to each other. Because we understand each other’s pain and misery more than anyone else. Because we needed each other as a support in our broken lives. Unlike me, who has made progress in moving forward from my broken past, Jamra is still living in her own hell, in her own misery and agony in the hands of her stepfamily. It drove her to madness. “I never planned to frame you, Vana. But after Ezra
The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 83: Apology
Vana's POV “Lady Jamra Cindre, Coutess Main Cindre, both of you are under arrest. With Lady Jamra for the crime of murder, and in the case of Countess Maine, for the crime of bribery, illegal gambling, abuse of power, and domestic abuse.” “Wh-what does this mean, Your Majesty?” Countess Maine howled, struggling at the royal guards’ grasps. “I have done nothing, Your Majesty, whoever informed you of those claims are lying.” “No, they’re all true, Your Majesty, if you need me as a witness for it, I’ll gladly accept,” Jamra objected, revealing the claim to be the truth. “The Countess is involved in several illegal gambling business and does illegal gambling herself.” “Those are not true, and you know that, Jamra,” the Countess hissed. Jamra gestured over her shoulder to peer at her stepmother, gazing at her with a mischievous gaze. “Like mother, like daugh
The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 84: Friends
Vana's POV “Which is why… I would like Jerome Gallamon here to bring you back to your dorm room,” Storm said, eyes darting at Jerome as he studies him. “That’s fine with you, right?” “Yes, Mr. Storm. I also have something to talk to her about,” Jerome replied, glancing at me. I raised a brow at the both of them, mouth gaping in astonishment. Since when are they in good terms? And from what I know, Jerome and I have nothing to discuss. “Good, both of you go back to your dorms. I’ll visit you in your tomorrow morning, Vana,” Storm implored. “Are we clear?” “Yes, brother,” I grumbled. He nodded, patting me on the head before leaving. Jerome and I head out of the ballroom to walk our way back to the dorm. I reluctantly agreed to this set up, but in the end, I surrendered after thinking of the reason why Jerome wanted to talk to me.
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Epilogue Part 3:
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
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Epilogue Part 2:
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
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Epilogue Part 1:
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
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Chapter 178: Conflict Resolved
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
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Chapter 177: Two Guilds
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
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Chapter 176: Unsettling Feeling
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
- The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion
Chapter 175: Case Closed
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
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Chapter 174: Trap
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
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Chapter 173: The Dragon Egg
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
