Spellcaster series #4: The Virtuoso

The New Scout

TRISTAN

The students flipped the pages of their books and waited for me to continue the lesson. I had my back towards them, scribbling on the chalkboard. I placed the chalk onto the teacher's desk and turned to the sea of curious faces.

"I am now going to introduce the arcane spell; deadly to djinns but not to humans and Vampires. To us, it just hurts a lot."

A low laughter emanated from the students—all except one. A hand raised by someone beside her.

"Yes, Johnny?"

Johnny, who had been a Virtuoso for two years and a Scout for one, asked as I continued to write on the board. "Sir, I think you skipped a topic."

A brief silence. I turned to him and waited patiently, one hand behind my back.

"It says in the book that we are supposed to be learning about the Necrocall this week."

I plastered a smile. "We are no longer teaching that."

Johnny seemed visibly confused. "Oh."

"I concluded that there is no need to teach you about this spell anymore since you're not even allowed to use it."

I gave an involuntary glance at her. She caught it and her eyebrows knitted for a millisecond.

Johnny accepted my response and we returned to the lesson. I felt her scrutiny on me, hazel eyes watching my every move and listening to my every word. She did not ask questions or engage in class discussions. She only stayed silent and inconspicuous, occasionally scratching her pen onto her notebook until the class ended. Johnny was the only one who spoke to her from time to time where she would break out that familiar smile.

The bell rang, interrupting my mental soliloquy.

While the students packed their belongings, I watched her sweep up her books to leave.

"Heidi," I called, "may I have a word with you for a moment?"

She walked to me, her hazel eyes levelling with mine. She looked well. Johnny picked up his bag and shouldered it.

He turned to Heidi and pointed to the door. "I'll wait outside."

He nodded to me and left the class. I raised my eyebrows.

"Am I holding you back?"

She shook her head, "It's fine."

I leaned against the desk behind me. "You've been training as a Virtuoso for three months now and the other Sages and I believe you're ready for your first mission."

She perked up upon hearing this and straightened herself. There was a glimpse of the Heidi I recognised, back when she was a Neophyte. I could not resist a smile as I handed her a manila folder. She received it like a child being gifted a present on her birthday.

"Congratulations, Heidi. You're officially a Scout of the Academy."

She lifted her gaze to me from the folder, "I won't let you down."

"I have instructed Johnny to be your Scout Guide. You two will be working in shifts like regular humans. Selected Virtuosos are stationed at different parts of Orchidville to keep an eye on any incidents. Some humans might call for help against man-made crimes but you are not to engage. As a Scout, you're only encouraged to fight against Synto's minions. Head over to the record store with Johnny tonight and I will brief you both in detail."

Heidi listened intently as I explained before asking. "What if I witness a man-made crime? I can't ignore that."

"Then call the police," I replied without skipping a beat, ready for her question. "Do not waste your time and energy on such incidents. Reserve your strength for the dark entities."