SHATTERED REALM: FORGOTTEN ECHOES-Chapter 191: Provocation
"How unpleasant," a brown-eyed girl from the back muttered. She folded her hands over her chest, clenching her fists tightly.
Beside her, a boy older than her looked at Lynnor calmly. "Even I didn’t expect this outcome."
The girl bit down on the bitter taste in her mouth. "She never even batted an eye, no matter how many times I asked to be her student, but she suddenly dragged three students in."
Her head shook a little, "And it has to be HIM."
He looked at her, and though his expression was calm, the softness couldn’t be ignored.
"I’ll demand answers from her later."
She dropped her hands, rubbing her wrist with her thumb.
He noticed the small action and placed a hand on her shoulder.
Lynnor continued to provoke everyone else, buying as much hate as she could for Aramith and the rest.
Aramith remained quiet, but he understood the result of her actions on him.
What’s your reason for doing this...?
She was eccentric, but he’d come to understand that her actions always had an ulterior motive.
"...They’re better than the trashy lot of you. And so, they’re going to be treated extra special," Lynnor purred, making sure every word dripped with the venom to get under their skin.
She climbed over, sitting at the edge and looking down on them all.
The brown-eyed girl frowned, taking Lynnor’s bait. "Tch!" She took a step forward, about to speak, but another voice from the front rose above everyone else’s.
"That’s it! I don’t care if you’re a teacher, I’m shutting you up!"
"Oh?" Lynnor leaned forward, "And how will you do that, admonisher of justice?"
He stepped forward, pointing a finger at her. "I don’t care if I get expelled. You’re just a lousy nobody who only wastes resources. I’m not letting you look down on me!"
Lynnor grinned, kicking her legs in glee.
"Go on, I’m waiting for you. DO something to me then."
He stood still, shaking with rage. "Or are you going to stand there and confirm my judgment of you being incompetent, foolish students?"
"What?!" His eyes flew open, face twisting into an ugly frown.
He raised his hand, youm gathering in a fiery ball that scorched the ground beneath him. Those closest to him stepped aside as he pointed his attack at Lynnor.
He let out an enraged cry, about to shoot, when someone grabbed him and skillfully doused the flames.
"That will be enough." It was another male student.
The boy was furious that someone stopped him. "Who do you—"
WHAM!
A punch to the face sent him flying, with a tooth landing before he did.
He didn’t get up, unconscious.
Everyone turned to the girl who’d suddenly punched him, but no one said a word.
Aramith quickly recognized them—the two students he’d first met when he arrived at the gates: Brother Smiles and Senior Sister.
"Father Ilthane’s message was clear: you should all leave now, since you have nothing to do here."
His voice carried across with a control that was rare for a student.
Lynnor let out a sigh and jumped back, landing lithely beside Aramith.
"They had to ruin the fun, didn’t they? Well, let’s go then."
As they were leaving, Brother Smiles looked up at Aramith and Mozrael, giving that same smile he always wore.
"Remember him?" Aramith asked Mozrael.
She nodded. "From when we first arrived."
I wonder how strong they are, Aramith thought.
As they left, Lynnor couldn’t help but notice Aramith’s expression.
"What’s going on in that head?" She asked. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎
"A lot of things," he replied.
"Is there room for me in there?" She continued.
Aramith glanced at Mozrael and Sylvia, then turned back to Lynnor.
Mozrael noticed his gaze, a small smile appearing on her face. He’s worried about me.
"You’re making sure everyone hates us. They also believe we are undeserving," Aramith spoke
She laughed. "That? Nah, I was just having fun! Who doesn’t like to brag about their children?"
"So you’re old enough to pass as our parents, then?"
Lynnor froze, tears suddenly appearing in her eyes. "I’m not that old," she croaked.
Did Aramith just joke? Mozrael couldn’t believe it.
Lynnor snapped out of her shock. "Hey, look here, biy! I have smooth skin, perfect hair, and these are still perky. Don’t go comparing me to some old people. I can pass as a student if I disguise myself, you know?"
She suddenly became serious, stepping closer to Aramith. "The next time you call me old, I’ll make you regret it, boy."
Mozrael and Sylvia exchanged looks, confused as to why she was getting so worked up over this.
Aramith remained cool. "Okay," was all he said.
Lynnor sighed, muttering some complaints before leading the way.
Aramith took note of the paths they took.
They passed by what appeared to be classrooms, then a storehouse of some sort, then the dormitories, making their way to a secluded path between trees, away from all others.
"You know...I wanted them to get jealous of you as they hated you," Lynnor suddenly said out of the blue.
"The students here are pathetic and have no real ambitions. This academy is looked down on, so they’re okay with being average."
She raised her hands. "They have no goals to achieve, how pathetic. And they expected me to take in some chaff and teach them to be able to move mountains? Hahaha They can’t even stand still without being blown away by someone’s breath."
Aramith understood her description of the students, but...How does hating us help them?
"If they hate you enough, they’ll come after you. Hehehe, and I can demand special booze from Ilthane when that happens."
"Your plan has a high chance of backfiring," Aramith stated.
"Meh, don’t get so serious about it. I know what to do for it to work.
Mozrael understood, but. "All this just to get drunk..."
"Ay, booze is life! You have no idea how enjoyable it is." Lynnor came in defence.
"I tried it once, and it’s awful," Sylvia chipped in.
"Ptui! What cheap dog’s piss did you drink?"
Sylvia was offended. "What’s that supposed to mean?"
"Ah, nothing. Anyways, we’re almost there. And it seems we have visitors too," Lynnor pointed ahead.
The building ahead wasn’t quite what they expected.
"Surprised? I’m not some cheap drunkard, you know?"
"It’s huge..." Mozrael whispered, but then..."Who are those?"
Lynnor shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe friends? or enemies?"
Aramith frowned when he recognized one of them.Without a word, he grabbed Mozrael’s hand.
