Boring Life In A Magic Highschool

Something Amiss (5)

"I am... the culprit behind the exousia stone... I-I-I... a-also wounded... Kyosuke-san..."

Slowly, tears of guilt fell from her eyes, clenching her teeth in an attempt to silence her sobbing.

Normally, the third council member, Oinamu Stella would have immediately resorted to guiding the culprit to the judge. However, she feels differently about this. She vividly remembered Ayumi's first state when she was first brought up.

Face full of bruises, and from the body's magic circulation, it's easy to guess that even the body was severely wounded.

Stella looked at Ayumi with great pity, feeling a huge wave of sadness flooding her heart.

This is not a case of typical smuggling. This is being done by forcing others to do things, and Ayumi right now, seems to be a victim.

She thought to herself. Then, she gently patted Ayumi on the head, rubbing it. With teary eyes, Ayumi looked at her, confused...

"I'm not yet convinced that you're the real culprit behind this." She calmly said in a comforting voice.

"W-What...?" Ayumi turned her gaze towards Ryo, who looked at her with emotionless eyes. His eyes look dead and serious, yet there's no space for anger or hate.

"Why are you looking at me?" Kyosuke said.

"N-N-Nothing... I-I apologize... f-for uhm...h-h-h-hurting-" However, midway through Ayumi's speech, Ryo cuts him off.

"I know you're not the victim, so your apology isn't the one I needed. Tell the council, who is behind all this...?" He asked, leaning forward with a straight face as he did.

She lowered her gaze to the ground. A monetary silence reigned in between all of them.

"An oppressor, will weaken its target, rendering them emotionally, mentally, and physically weak. The fear instilled within that person will haunt them for years. This may not be the first time the person behind this has done this, Ayumi. This is a chance to break that continuous cycle." Stella said, determined, and serious. "Do not worry, the eight seats of the student council are with you, with our full support." She smiled ever so warmly as she stood up, and gently held Ayumi's hands.

A feeling of trust swirled around Ayumi's chest. She let go of Stella's hand and took a deep breath.

"W-Well... Upon coming here... I didn't have a lot of friends... The weak person I am... I have been prone to bullying... ever since middle school... Then... here... I thought I'd be safe... But then..." She stopped for a moment... " H-Hanzo... Jin."

She stopped her words, as she only lowered her head. The blurred and faded memories of her being stomped on by others resurfaced in her heart. It aches, awfully, and intensely. It is as though her own chest is closing up on her.

"Is the stone with him? Where is he now?"

"I-I don't know where he is... B-But... the stone is with him."

"That's all I need to know. I'm sorry If I prompted you to speak of such awful experiences." Stella gently enveloped her in a warm embrace, as she continued rubbing her head like a mother consoling a crying child.

Ryo looked at this and was reminded of his mother, being the kindest person on this earth.

"The council will take care of this. For now, I'll have Fujimoto Kyouko watch over you, and be your temporary guardian for the day, okay?"

"O-Okay..."

Stella let go of Ayumi, smiling before she turned around and signaled Ryo to walk out of the room. The both of them opened the door and left the room. Outside waiting were Ryujin and Kyouko.