Vana's POV
The ride to the Eastern Coast of Ashern took almost a day. Jerome and I met Yuna at the front of another random shop in the busy district of the capital, leaving early in the morning while the sun is rising from its sleep.
Good thing Master Sergis didn’t ask me for any specifics of where I’ll be heading, leaving me alone with my new freedom. It took a few hours for us to arrive at the main harbors of Ashern, ships and yachts blooming into view.
The sea blossomed in our vision as we reach the road near the coast, clumps of blue ocean extending over until the horizon. My eyes were basically stuck on the window as I gaze at the sea, mesmerizing it until I found myself falling into sleep.
It’s much better to sightsee the sea when you’re not in a ship. The ocean waves won’t sway your body as you take in the sea breeze and the crashing sound of the water. The sunlight cr
Vana's POV “The killer destroyed the evidence after killing Detective Clorence,” I mumbled, and I can say for certain that its true. Bulletin board contained a spider’s web of the Serpent and Scorpion case. I dismissed the bulletin board for the time being, keeping it in mind as I scoot over to Jerome and Yuna. They were busy searching the desk, taking up one side of it. Jerome was searching the right side of the desk, while Yuna was searching the left side of it. “Yuna, do you know where the journal is?” I asked. “Father told me before that his journal would always be in his office and in his desk. He probably hid it somewhere where I’ll need to use my magic to uncover it,” Yuna explained, grumbling as she searches one of the lower drawers. “Magic?” Jerome scoffed, lifting his head from one of the desk drawers.
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
Hello everyone! Happy 100th Chapter to The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion or TCOTSAS for short. If you reached this part of the story, I am applaud you. Thank you very much for the continuous support you are giving this story and I am deeply grateful for all my readers who are still with us until now. Reaching the 100th chapter of any story is never easy and it is such a milestone to be able to do such a feat, and it is much more frustrating to have to read a hundred chapters and not finish the story still. A pat in the back for me and for you, my readers! As always, thank you very much and stay safe!
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 Jerome and Yuna peered on each of my shoulder, reading the journal entry as we start to search for the truth. The journal entry was about the time Master Sergis and Master Ashmere met with Detective Clorence secretly. According to the entry, Detective Clorence met the two masters at the same day in two different times. He met Master Ashmere in the early morning at his office, while Master Sergis met him at a bar at night. “Is the reason for their request written?” Yuna asked. I nodded, my finger pointing at the part of the entry where their reasoning was written. From Detective Clorence’s understanding, the reason why the masters wanted to investigate the cases again was because Chairman Zerondale chose to close the case because there was no concrete evidence. The case was closed, with no culprit or suspect being apprehended or arrested. Know
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 “What the…? How is Chairman Danuel’s death related to this case?” “What are you talking about?” I asked with a baffled look, brows furrowed at Jerome. “The entry was written two months after the case, and a month after father started the investigation. The same time as Chairman Danuel’s death,” Yuna stated, answering my question. “And?” I wondered. “The carriage accident that resulted to the death of Chairman Danuel is the same carriage accident where former duchess Zeraphine was thought to have been killed,” Jerome stated, dropping a bombshell. “What?” Yuna and I exclaimed in unison. “It says here, Duchess Zeraphine and Chairman Danuel got in an accident that resulted to their deaths,” Jerome read, quoting Detective Clorence’s written words. But Ms. Zeraphine did n
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“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